Godly Inheritance

Back in my college days I remember my ethics professor asking the question, "Who would you die for?" Most of the class responded with the typical answers; family, loved ones - even a few responded - friends. But know one responded; a righteous man or a good man and certainly not - a evil man.

But God demonstrated His own love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Just think on that for a moment - Christ died for us while we were still in our sin. Why would he do that? Simple, He loves us. (John 3:16) and He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

His sacrifice, if we accept it, justifies us before God, brings us eternal life and a relationship of sonship (Romans 8:15) - or heir.

Our obligation, according to Paul, is to be controlled by the Spirit of God because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14) "The Spirit then testifies with our spirit that we are God's children - if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:15-16)

The Truth
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)

Speak Boldly

In Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus, he describes himself — an ambassador in chains. Locked away in a prison, Paul refuses to allow his circumstances to dictate or alter his identity. He may be in chains, but he remains the Lord’s ambassador.

Can you imagine Paul chained up in that dungeon, throwing up his hand saying, That’s it; it’s over; I’m finished!?

Not on your life! Instead the apostle grows bolder as an ambassador; not intimidated or ashamed, because Paul isn’t chained in his Spirit, he’s only bound in the flesh. Remember how he concluded his letter to the Philippian Church? - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So can we!

Don’t allow yourself to be defined by your past, or “chained” by your current circumstances. See beyond the physical with the Spirit and be an ambassador for Jesus Christ.

The Truth
Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:19-20)

Be a Good Student

I’m not sure where I learned this, but the idea has been ingrained in my mind for over thirty years in education — if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Jesus lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means “students”. “Talmudim” comes from the verb, "Lilmod", to
learn. In essence then, talmudim are learners.

Jesus, who was commonly called "Rabbi or teacher" in the biblical times can still be viewed as such by Christians today - which would make us his students. As such, we then go through a learning process with our teacher which may include testing!

Unlike our attempts to cram knowledge into our brains the night before a test in school, in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again.

If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Jesus wants us to learn today’s lesson – so He can teach us a new lesson tomorrow!

The Truth
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)

Hebrews 12 "Run Your Race"

Have you ever felt like you were not making progress in a certain area in your life and considered quiting? I recently came accross this story and thought I would share it with you all.

Hours behind the runner in front of him, the last marathoner finally entered the Olympic stadium. By that time, the drama of the day’s event was almost over and most of the spectators had gone home. This athlete’s story, however, was still being played out. Limping into the arena, the Tanzanian runner grimaced with every step, his knee bleeding and bandaged from an earlier fall. His ragged appearance immediately caught the attention of the remaining crowd, who cheered him on to the finish line. Why did he stay in the race? What made him endure his injuries to the end? When asked these questions later, he replied, My country did not send me 7,000 miles away to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it!

Life can be your own personal marathon wearing you down, making you feel overworked, overstressed, overwhelmed. But be encouraged, God is with you, strengthening your feeble knees and moving you in the right direction to finish your race. Just when you think you can’t run any further He will be there to encourage you, through His Word, every step of the way. You may be wounded right now from an earlier fall and may feel like there’s just no way you can make it to the end, but you can in His strength. Therefore, "run your race" keeping your eyes on Jesus.

The Truth
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Prophecy Conference

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is hosting a 2 day prophecy conference Friday, September 17, 2010 from 7-9 PM and again Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 10-12 PM. Guest speakers include; Chuck Smith, Jim Richards, Don Stewart, Doug Hamp with worship by Terry and Nancy Clark. The conference is free and child care will be provided.

Calvary Chapel is located at 3800 S. Fairview Road, Santa Ana, California.

He Hears Our Cry

Have you ever left a phone message for someone close to you and did not get a return call right away? Or sent a text or e-mail message and.....no response. How long before you begin to wonder: did he/she received the message? Is he/she ignoring me? Has something happened, why is there no answer?

I suspect that sometimes when we pray, we think something similar has happened to God—that for some reason He isn’t there. But the Bible offers us comfort and the assurance that God hasn’t mysteriously disappeared. He is always available to us and He hears our cry.

David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Ps. 55:17). No matter when we call on God, He hears the cries of His children and that should encourage our hearts.

The Truth
"And the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles." (Psalm 34:17)

The Consequences of Sin

The Bible teaches us that, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) And that, "there is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10)

Thankfully, it also teaches us that, "God has so demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Why? Because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

While there is forgiveness of sin and everlasting life through Jesus Christ, the bible also teaches there are consequences for the sin in our lives as well.

Adam and Eve immediately after sinning, felt shame because of their nakedness, and they doubly showed their guilt by hiding from God. (Genesis 3:9-10) Moses, God's representative to the people, could not enter the promise land because he misrepresented God. (Numbers 20:12) King David, who killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own, lost his wives and the child conceived in sin. (2 Samuel 12) King Solomon, had his kingdom torn away form him, cause he followed after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians. (1 Kings 11:1-12)

Are we then immune to consequences of the sin in our lives? Absolutely not!

For the non-believer, the greatest consequence of sin is to their own mortal soul. Ezekiel 18:4 says, that the soul that sins shall die, and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.

For the born-again child of God, there is the tragic consequence of separation from God - as God has no fellowship with sin. Thankfully, God has made provision for us to return to fellowship with Him. He promised that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Remember that your actions have consequences! When tempted to sin, don't let your emotions overrule your intelligence or your desire to please God. Discipline yourself to consider the possible consequences of your actions. James 4:7-8 says, Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

The Truth
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:2)

"Jesus Wept"

We all know that the shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35 - Jesus wept. However, did you ever stop to think about that short verse? He, the Son of God, wept. Scripture reveals God as an emotional being who feels—a Person. God feels. You feel. He experienced; betrayal, rejection, condemnation, torment, pain as well as; friendship, love, acceptance, joy and peace.

The bible tells us that you and I were made in His image. So, we have those exact feelings and emotions as well. The questions is, how will we handle the tough emotional times? Those times when we feel betrayed, hurt or let down. How did Jesus handle them? Jesus taught, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)

Boy that is tough love. I must confess, I have not done this at times. I have harbored ill feelings in my heart for people who have hurt me or my family and have gone through some very dry ground as a result. However, once I understood that everything comes to me through God's hand for His purpose and that He does not give us more than we can handle - I started resting in the tough times and began to watch His greater plan unfold.

Dear Father, thank you that you are a God who feels deeply and that you created me with deep feelings, too; help me to own my feelings and learn to express them in ways that bring honor to you.

The Truth and the Secret
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)

He Turns Mourning Into Dancing

Last year my wife lost her brother to lung cancer. It was not only difficult to watch Don struggle with the disease but to see Lori loosing her only brother made it even more difficult. Our family found comfort in Don's relationship with our Lord and God's promise of eternal life through Jesus death and resurrection.

During these times it is normal to question, Why is this happening? Even though death is inevitable for everyone; it never fits our timing, our plans, our will. We simply do not understand - let alone know the answer to the question Why? The scriptures tell us that, His ways are above our finding out.(Romans 11:33-35)

But know this, Jesus has conquered the grave, (1 Corinthians 15:55-58) and has also promised to turn our mourning into dancing.

The Truth
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30:11-12)

Rekindle a Discouraged Soul

A modern parable has been written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from.

“Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale. On the day of public inspection, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on, were each on the block. Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high — it was discouragement!

Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’ He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest. With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools. Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose. The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.’”

The enemy loves to sow discouragement — but believers have a tool much more powerful — encouragement! We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it: to the college student adjusting to his new environment; to the missionary who may feel alone in the harvest field; to the forgotten servants of God who labor in an obscure and difficult ministry; to the orphans and the widows; to all those who need to hear a word in due season!

Inspire one another with words of encouragement! It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward

The Truth
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)

The Helpless Parent

The most difficult aspect of being a parent is to, "Let go." Why? Because you feel helpless. It just seems to go against every instinct of parenting. Most parents want to fix or plan everything their way. But at some point, we must love our sons/daughters enough to let go and just be there when they call for advise or help. Like the father of the prodigal son, we welcome them back with UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. No lecture, no I told you so.

Our Heavenly Father (in a sense) can be like the "helpless parent", whose unending love is neither understood nor appreciated at times. However, He allows His sons/daughters to make their own decisions, despite how bad those choices may be. No matter what terrible wrongs they may commit, He loves them. He is not just a “loving” God — the scripture says that “God IS love” [1 John 4:6].

Therefore, when we come to realize that His love is freely given, we will serve our Heavenly Father because of His love for us! Likewise, when our sons/daughters realize that we love them enough to let them make their own choices, they too will fully understand and appreciate the depth of our love for them.

The Truth
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Be Still and Listen

“Before refrigerators, people used ice-houses to preserve their food. Ice-houses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut from the frozen waters, hauled to the ice-houses, and covered with sawdust. Often these ice-blocks would last well into the summer.

One man lost a valuable watch while working in an ice-house. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn’t find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the ice-house during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.

Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.

“I closed the door,” the boy replied, “lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking.” (story taken from “Directions” by James Hamilton)

So often life can become so hectic that it becomes hard to find time to sit still and just listen to what the Lord is saying. But Jesus often secluded himself, so that He could commune intimately with His Father. In these days and in this hour it’s so imperative that we spend time in our own prayer closets, so we can clearly hear what our Father is saying to us, through His still small voice. If we do, we may find some wonderful and valuable things that others have missed.

The question isn’t whether God will speak, but whether we will take the time to be quiet and still enough to hear His voice.

The Truth
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

Ignorance of His Name

Several hundred years before Jesus was born, a plague broke out in Athens, Greece. In an effort to stop the plague and appease the ‘gods’, the Athenians sought counsel from a wise man named Epimenides from the island of Crete.

When Epimenides arrived in Athens, he was amazed at the number of statues of gods the Athenians had erected, to which he stated, “Gods must be easier to find here then men!”

The elders of Athens eagerly gathered on Mars Hill the following day to hear the wisdom of Epimendies and his recommendation for dealing with the plague. So the wise man instructed the Athenians to gather at Mars Hill, bringing with them a flock of sheep, a band of stonemasons and a large supply of stones and mortar. He also commanded that the sheep be prevented from grazing the entire night, so that when they arrived the following morning they would be hungry.

The following morning, Epimenides stated, “Learned elders, you have already expended great effort in offering sacrifice to numerous gods, yet all has proved futile. I am now about to sacrifice based upon three assumptions rather different than yours.”

“The first assumption is that there is still another god concerned in this matter of the plague—a god whose name is unknown to us, and who is therefore not represented by any idol in your country. Secondly, I am going to assume also that this god is great enough—and good enough—to do something about the plague, if only we invoke his help. Thirdly, that any god great enough and good enough to do something about this plague is probably also great and good enough to smile upon us in our ignorance—if we acknowledge our ignorance and call upon him!”

Next, Epimenides ordered the sheep to be released, and he prayed, “O thou unknown god! Behold the plague afflicting this city! And if indeed you feel compassion to forgive and help us, behold this flock of sheep! Reveal your willingness to respond, I plead, by causing any sheep that pleases you to lie down upon the grass instead of grazing. Choose white if white pleases, black if black delights. And those you choose we sacrifice to you—acknowledging our pitiful ignorance of your name!”

As the sheep were released, the people were shocked when the sheep started lying down instead of grazing! Wherever they lay, an altar was erected and a sacrifice was made to the “unknown god!” The Athenians were freed from their plague, and the legend of their deliverance at the hands of the “unknown god” continued unto the time of Paul when he entered into Athens.

This amazing event became Paul’s point of departure for reaching the Athenians with the gospel of Jesus. God had laid an historical foundation to prepare their hearts for seeking and believing in a legendary “unknown god”; a god who had already demonstrated his saving power among them, but one whom the apostle had now come to identify…. and fully reveal to them!

The Truth
"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." (Acts 17:22-23)

Testify of His Goodness

I came across this story about an organization in Montana that offered a bounty of five thousand dollars for every wolf captured alive. Two hunters, after reading the announcement, decided to head for the hills and make some money capturing wolves. Day and night, they scoured the mountains and forests searching for the valuable prey. Exhausted after three days of hunting without success, they both fell asleep. During the night, one of the hunters suddenly woke up to find that the two were surrounded by a pack of fifty wolves, their eyes flaming and teeth bared. At once, he called to his friend, “Hey, wake up! We’re gonna be rich!”

There are times in our lives when circumstances can surround us like that pack of wolves, preparing to pounce and, it can seem like there is no way out - no hope for resolution. However, as pastor Chuck constantly use to remind us, "Mans difficulties are Gods opportunities." He would say that, "it is through tribulations that we see God taking each situation, one by one, and turning it for His Glory."

I can testify that the longer I live, the more I see the wisdom of this great truth. God does work in the affairs of men. He is mindful of us, He does preserve us from evil, help in time of trouble, guide us with His Spirit, hear our prayers, strengthen us in our time of need and most of all - provide us with eternal life through His Son, Jesus.

We then should testify of His great goodness in our lives and share with others what God has done for us.

The Truth
"I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of Your marvelous works." (Psalm 9:1)

Don't Throw Darts

I recently came across this story about a young lady named Sally and her experience in a recent seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. This particular day, Sally walked into the class and knew they were in for an interesting day.

On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Sally’s friend drew a picture of girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another guy drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students were throwing their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart and everyone was laughing hysterically.

Finally, Dr. Smith asked all the students to be seated. He came to the front of the class with a less-than-amused look on his face. As he began removing the target from the wall, there appeared underneath, a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture; holes and jagged marks covered Jesus’ face, and His eyes were pierced.

What a powerful analogy. When we “throw darts” at our brothers and sisters, friends and even strangers, we are actually piercing our Lord too.

The Truth
“In as much as you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

The Wise Fisherman

I read this story on the Internet, and I thought I’d share it with you.

A wealthy businessman was shocked to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. So the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out fishing?” The fisherman replied, “Because I’ve caught enough fish for one day.” “Why don’t you catch some more?” the businessman further inquired.

“What would I do with them?” asked the fisherman. “You could earn more money,” said the businessman. “Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.”

“Then what would I do?” replied the fisherman. “Then you could really enjoy life,” answered the businessman. The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, “What do you think I’m doing now?”

The businessman represents a lot of people today. They have the house, the car, the career. They have money in the bank. They have everything going to supposedly live life to its fullest. But there is something still lacking. They are still lacking life. Let’s not get so wrapped up in work, that we simply forget to enjoy life – the life that God wants to give us more abundantly!

The Truth
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly."(John 10;10)

Jesus here is contrasting what He offers with what the devil offers. The thief mentioned here speaks of the enemy of our soul, Satan. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But Christ has come that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. The abundant life that John 10:10 speaks of is not necessarily a long life, though it may be, but it certainly is a full one. Medical science seeks to add years to our lives, but only Jesus can add life to our years.

Declare God's Word

An elderly woman returned to her home from an evening of Church services when she was startled by an intruder. She had caught a man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables. “Stop!” she yelled, “Acts 2:38!” (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven).

The burglar stopped dead in his tracks and froze while the woman calmly called the police and explained the situation. As the officer was cuffing him, he asked the burglar, “Just out of curiosity, why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture at you.” “Scripture?!” gasped the burglar. “She said she had an ax… and two 38’s!!”

We often underestimate the power of the Word of God! We have the source so very close — its right at our fingertips and should be right on our lips! Yet, we neglect to declare it over our circumstances, that we may see the victory!

The Truth
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)