Have you ever experienced someone "backing out" of a commitment? That feeling you get when you know you're hearing an excuse - it's unmistakable. You're disappointed, let down and sometimes even hurt. Imagine how our Lord must feel when we don't follow through with our prayer time or devotional time with Him? Oh we want to - but something else always seems to come up.
There’s a big difference between just being interested in doing something and actually making a commitment to doing it! Just being interested allows us the freedom to do something only when our circumstances permit. But making a commitment to do something means accepting no excuses and no reservations — it means putting aside our distractions or fears and then moving forward till we see the end result!
This time of year there are so many half-hearted resolutions that are made - good intentions but, no commitment. As we come into 2014, let's make a commitment to spend more quality time in prayer, devotion and study time with our Lord and His word to us. As you Seek His will and direction for the coming year, I know you will like the end result!
Happy New Year!
The Truth
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:13-14)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Speak Encouragement
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. Merry Christmas.
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)
“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. Merry Christmas.
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)
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Gods' Gift
Jesus came to this earth, by Gods' plan and design.
The place of His birth, marked by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.
So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hand.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.
One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.
Chris Kinder 10'
What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future.
The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
The place of His birth, marked by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.
So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hand.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.
One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.
Chris Kinder 10'
What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future.
The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
Saturday, December 21, 2013
The Escape to Egypt
Matthew 2:13-18
"When they (The Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my son"(Hosea 11:1).
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. (Matthew 2:16) Then, what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Jeremiah 31:15).
Matthew here narrates God's protection for Jesus (2:13-15) and Herod's brutal massacre of other children (2:16-18). Although the narrative rings with inspired grief and rage against Herod's act, God does not stop the injustice in this, any more than what we hear played on the evening news. Yet, this narrative contains a kernel of good news that human reporters often cannot adequately discern until after the fact: the injustice of a world run by rebels against God, cannot thwart His ultimate purposes for justice in that world.
In Matthew's account, he chooses an ancient lament from one of the most sorrowful times of his people's history, Jeremiah 31:15. This passage speaks of Rachel weeping for her children, poetically describing the favored mother of Benjamin (standing for all Judah) mourning because her descendants were led into exile. Jeremiah 31 also implies future hope. Rachel weeps for her children, but God comforts her, promising the restoration of his people (Jer 31:15-17), because Israel is "my dear son, the child in whom I delight" (Jer 31:20; compare Mt 2:15; 3:17).
Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, was buried in the neighborhood of Bethlehem (Ge 35:19), where her sepulchre is still shown. She is figuratively represented as rising from the tomb and uttering a double lament for the loss of her children—first, by a bitter captivity, and now by a bloody death.
"O ye mothers of Bethlehem! methinks I hear you asking why your innocent babes should be the ram caught in the thicket, while Isaac escapes. I cannot tell you, but one thing I know, that ye shall, some of you, live to see a day when that Babe of Bethlehem shall be Himself the Ram, caught in another sort of thicket, in order that your babes may escape a worse doom than they now endure. And if these babes of yours be now in glory, through the dear might of that blessed Babe, will they not deem it their honor that the tyrant’s rage was exhausted upon themselves instead of their infant Lord?"
This shows that God called his son Jesus to identify with the suffering and exile of his people (as in 1:12, 17; compare Jer 43:5-7), this identification speaks of a God who feels our human pain as deeply as we do. While philosophers and theologians must address the problem of evil intellectually, many grieving people inside and outside our churches face it existentially. To broken people wounded by this world's evil, Jesus' sharing our pain offers a consolation deeper than reasoned arguments: God truly understands and cares-and paid an awful price to begin to make things better.
The Truth
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Merry Christmas
"When they (The Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet Hosea: “Out of Egypt I called my son"(Hosea 11:1).
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. (Matthew 2:16) Then, what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Jeremiah 31:15).
Matthew here narrates God's protection for Jesus (2:13-15) and Herod's brutal massacre of other children (2:16-18). Although the narrative rings with inspired grief and rage against Herod's act, God does not stop the injustice in this, any more than what we hear played on the evening news. Yet, this narrative contains a kernel of good news that human reporters often cannot adequately discern until after the fact: the injustice of a world run by rebels against God, cannot thwart His ultimate purposes for justice in that world.
In Matthew's account, he chooses an ancient lament from one of the most sorrowful times of his people's history, Jeremiah 31:15. This passage speaks of Rachel weeping for her children, poetically describing the favored mother of Benjamin (standing for all Judah) mourning because her descendants were led into exile. Jeremiah 31 also implies future hope. Rachel weeps for her children, but God comforts her, promising the restoration of his people (Jer 31:15-17), because Israel is "my dear son, the child in whom I delight" (Jer 31:20; compare Mt 2:15; 3:17).
Rachel, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, was buried in the neighborhood of Bethlehem (Ge 35:19), where her sepulchre is still shown. She is figuratively represented as rising from the tomb and uttering a double lament for the loss of her children—first, by a bitter captivity, and now by a bloody death.
"O ye mothers of Bethlehem! methinks I hear you asking why your innocent babes should be the ram caught in the thicket, while Isaac escapes. I cannot tell you, but one thing I know, that ye shall, some of you, live to see a day when that Babe of Bethlehem shall be Himself the Ram, caught in another sort of thicket, in order that your babes may escape a worse doom than they now endure. And if these babes of yours be now in glory, through the dear might of that blessed Babe, will they not deem it their honor that the tyrant’s rage was exhausted upon themselves instead of their infant Lord?"
This shows that God called his son Jesus to identify with the suffering and exile of his people (as in 1:12, 17; compare Jer 43:5-7), this identification speaks of a God who feels our human pain as deeply as we do. While philosophers and theologians must address the problem of evil intellectually, many grieving people inside and outside our churches face it existentially. To broken people wounded by this world's evil, Jesus' sharing our pain offers a consolation deeper than reasoned arguments: God truly understands and cares-and paid an awful price to begin to make things better.
The Truth
"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Merry Christmas
Friday, December 13, 2013
Light Of The World
The Christmas song, “We Three Kings” speaks to us of the “guiding light” which lead the Magi West from Persia to Jerusalem and eventually to Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew (2:2) this light is referred to as, "His Star."
Not much is known about the exact identity of the Magi but they were most likely Gentiles of high position from a country northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God concerning the birth of, the King of the Jews. Some Bible scholars believe the revelation came through knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17) Others simply believe it came to them in the sky, as we are told in Matthew’s Gospel, “they had seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:2) Whatever the source, the Magi came to Jerusalem to worship the new-born King of the Jews and to pay tribute of Gold, Incense and Myrrh.
On their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem “the star”, they had seen in the East, reappeared and led them to the specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. (Matthew 2:9-11) This was truly a miracle, as Bethlehem is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem and “Stars” naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south.
The response of the wise men upon finding Jesus was entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of true discipleship. They sought Christ (Matt. 2:2), and when they had found their way, they rejoiced (Matt.2:10), finding the child, they worshiped (Matt. 2:11) and offer him gifts that befit a king (Matt.2:11; cf. Pss 45:7-9; 72:15).
The response of Herod is completely different. He is disturbed at the news of the wise men (v. 3), then engages in deception (v. 7), lying (v. 8), and murder (v. 16) in order to destroy Jesus. The wise men worshiped Jesus while Herod sought to kill him. Here, as elsewhere in Matthew's gospel, there is no middle ground: those who would not worship Jesus as the royal Messiah, rejected him and sought his destruction.
The same is true today for many people. Some are like Herod and reject Jesus, while others are like the Magi and see Him for who He is; the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind, the "Light of the World." God's gift to all - if we will only receive it.
The Truth
“A Star shall rise out of Jacob. A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev.22:16)
Merry Christmas.
Not much is known about the exact identity of the Magi but they were most likely Gentiles of high position from a country northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God concerning the birth of, the King of the Jews. Some Bible scholars believe the revelation came through knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17) Others simply believe it came to them in the sky, as we are told in Matthew’s Gospel, “they had seen His star in the East.” (Matthew 2:2) Whatever the source, the Magi came to Jerusalem to worship the new-born King of the Jews and to pay tribute of Gold, Incense and Myrrh.
On their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem “the star”, they had seen in the East, reappeared and led them to the specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. (Matthew 2:9-11) This was truly a miracle, as Bethlehem is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem and “Stars” naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south.
The response of the wise men upon finding Jesus was entirely appropriate, and their actions serve as a model of true discipleship. They sought Christ (Matt. 2:2), and when they had found their way, they rejoiced (Matt.2:10), finding the child, they worshiped (Matt. 2:11) and offer him gifts that befit a king (Matt.2:11; cf. Pss 45:7-9; 72:15).
The response of Herod is completely different. He is disturbed at the news of the wise men (v. 3), then engages in deception (v. 7), lying (v. 8), and murder (v. 16) in order to destroy Jesus. The wise men worshiped Jesus while Herod sought to kill him. Here, as elsewhere in Matthew's gospel, there is no middle ground: those who would not worship Jesus as the royal Messiah, rejected him and sought his destruction.
The same is true today for many people. Some are like Herod and reject Jesus, while others are like the Magi and see Him for who He is; the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of mankind, the "Light of the World." God's gift to all - if we will only receive it.
The Truth
“A Star shall rise out of Jacob. A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17)
“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Rev.22:16)
Merry Christmas.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Luke 2 "The Birth of Jesus Sparks Many Emotions"
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived." (vv.8-23)
Jesus' birth sparks joy, excitement, curiosity, wonder and amazement. All these emotions flow from the experience of the shepherds, who observe with amazement as heaven confesses the child's identity (vv. 10-11).
Joy comes with an angelic proclamation of good news. The message is for all the people. Though in the original context such a messianic announcement would have been understood as being for the people of Israel, the development of Jesus' ministry shows that Jesus' work reaches beyond such national boundaries. The two volumes of Luke-Acts tell the story of how Jesus, the Savior, Lord and Christ, brought salvation to all people regardless of nationality. They need only turn to him (Acts 10:34-43).
In this account, each set of characters plays a major role. The angels present the commentary of heaven on the events of Luke 2:1-7. They identify the child and reflect the heavens' excitement that this child has come to do God's work. The shepherds, have the type of response any of us should have as we contemplate these events. Their curiosity leads them to go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. As they see God's word honored in the presence of the sign, they come to testify to God's work and tell the story of the child. Mary, depicts the wonder of experiencing the plan of God's Son in her life. She pondered all these things in her heart. The audience, to the shepherds' report were amazed. Their response exemplifies the awe that should fill anyone who hears Jesus' story.
In addition, there are the shepherds' glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. This birth is no mere arrival of a new life, as poignant as each such event is. The story is not told so that hearers can identify with the new mother and father or enjoy a story of hope, of a touching birth in humble surroundings. This birth has value because of whose birth it is. The shepherds have found that the angel's words were true, that events have transpired just as they had been told. God's word is coming to pass; his plan is again strategically at work. They break out in praise to God because he has sent Jesus, the Savior, Lord and Christ.
Reflecting the piety of obedient Jewish parents, Joseph and Mary undertake to circumcise the child on the eighth day and give him the name the angel said he should possess, Jesus. In every action this couple is showing faithfulness. They are examples of faith. As devout Jewish parents, they follow the Mosaic law. Jesus has been born into a good family.
The Truth
"Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with Us). (Isaiah 7:14)
Jesus' birth sparks joy, excitement, curiosity, wonder and amazement. All these emotions flow from the experience of the shepherds, who observe with amazement as heaven confesses the child's identity (vv. 10-11).
Joy comes with an angelic proclamation of good news. The message is for all the people. Though in the original context such a messianic announcement would have been understood as being for the people of Israel, the development of Jesus' ministry shows that Jesus' work reaches beyond such national boundaries. The two volumes of Luke-Acts tell the story of how Jesus, the Savior, Lord and Christ, brought salvation to all people regardless of nationality. They need only turn to him (Acts 10:34-43).
In this account, each set of characters plays a major role. The angels present the commentary of heaven on the events of Luke 2:1-7. They identify the child and reflect the heavens' excitement that this child has come to do God's work. The shepherds, have the type of response any of us should have as we contemplate these events. Their curiosity leads them to go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened. As they see God's word honored in the presence of the sign, they come to testify to God's work and tell the story of the child. Mary, depicts the wonder of experiencing the plan of God's Son in her life. She pondered all these things in her heart. The audience, to the shepherds' report were amazed. Their response exemplifies the awe that should fill anyone who hears Jesus' story.
In addition, there are the shepherds' glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen. This birth is no mere arrival of a new life, as poignant as each such event is. The story is not told so that hearers can identify with the new mother and father or enjoy a story of hope, of a touching birth in humble surroundings. This birth has value because of whose birth it is. The shepherds have found that the angel's words were true, that events have transpired just as they had been told. God's word is coming to pass; his plan is again strategically at work. They break out in praise to God because he has sent Jesus, the Savior, Lord and Christ.
Reflecting the piety of obedient Jewish parents, Joseph and Mary undertake to circumcise the child on the eighth day and give him the name the angel said he should possess, Jesus. In every action this couple is showing faithfulness. They are examples of faith. As devout Jewish parents, they follow the Mosaic law. Jesus has been born into a good family.
The Truth
"Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with Us). (Isaiah 7:14)
Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-7
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them in the inn."
A regional census leads Joseph and his betrothed, Mary, to the city of David, better known as the hamlet of Bethlehem. The decree comes from Caesar Augustus, better known as Octavian, who ruled alone from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. This census probably sought to produce a registration list for taxes. A journey to the ancestral home would have fit Jewish practice, so that the custom was done in a culturally inoffensive manner (2 Sam 24). This was important, since the tax itself would have been a painful reminder of Israel's position before Rome. Nazareth to Bethlehem was about a ninety mile trip, assuming that Samaria was bypassed. Such a journey would have taken around three days. That Bethlehem is the town of David, indicates the birth's connection to promise (Mic 5:1-2; the Greek is literally "city of David"). As the couple arrives in the city, the time comes for the child's arrival.
Many of the details supplied in Christmas tellings of this story do not come from Luke. There is no indication of a long search for a place to stay or of an insensitive innkeeper who made Mary and Joseph stay outdoors. The text merely describes the arrival in simple terms: She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In all likelihood, the manger is an animal's feeding trough, which means the family is in a stable or in a cave where animals are housed. Swaddling clothes were cloth wrapped around the baby's arms and legs (see Ezek 16:4); they kept the limbs covered and protected. The contrast between the birth's commonness and the child's greatness could not be greater. The promised one of God enters creation among the creation. The profane decree of a census has put the child in the promised city of messianic origin. God is quietly at work, and a stable is Messiah's first throne room.
The Truth
"But you, Bethlehem,though you are little among the thousands of Juda, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be the ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them in the inn."
A regional census leads Joseph and his betrothed, Mary, to the city of David, better known as the hamlet of Bethlehem. The decree comes from Caesar Augustus, better known as Octavian, who ruled alone from 27 B.C. to A.D. 14. This census probably sought to produce a registration list for taxes. A journey to the ancestral home would have fit Jewish practice, so that the custom was done in a culturally inoffensive manner (2 Sam 24). This was important, since the tax itself would have been a painful reminder of Israel's position before Rome. Nazareth to Bethlehem was about a ninety mile trip, assuming that Samaria was bypassed. Such a journey would have taken around three days. That Bethlehem is the town of David, indicates the birth's connection to promise (Mic 5:1-2; the Greek is literally "city of David"). As the couple arrives in the city, the time comes for the child's arrival.
Many of the details supplied in Christmas tellings of this story do not come from Luke. There is no indication of a long search for a place to stay or of an insensitive innkeeper who made Mary and Joseph stay outdoors. The text merely describes the arrival in simple terms: She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In all likelihood, the manger is an animal's feeding trough, which means the family is in a stable or in a cave where animals are housed. Swaddling clothes were cloth wrapped around the baby's arms and legs (see Ezek 16:4); they kept the limbs covered and protected. The contrast between the birth's commonness and the child's greatness could not be greater. The promised one of God enters creation among the creation. The profane decree of a census has put the child in the promised city of messianic origin. God is quietly at work, and a stable is Messiah's first throne room.
The Truth
"But you, Bethlehem,though you are little among the thousands of Juda, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be the ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
The announcement of Jesus' birth, which is formulated like Old Testament announcements (Gen 16:11; Is 7:14), stresses three things about Jesus: his position (Son of God, Son of the Most High, ruler), his authority (seated on Israel's throne forever; ruler of a kingdom that will never end) and his divine ties (the Holy Spirit will come . . . and . . . overshadow you). In short, Jesus is the promised king of the Davidic line.
Mary has difficulty comprehending the announcement. She asks, "How will this be?" She knows she cannot yet have conceived a child, since she is a virgin. The answer comes in terms of God's creative overshadowing power. Mary's faith is put on the line at the start. Will she believe that God has the capacity to create life within her? God does not leave her alone in the decision. The angel notes the life that is stirring within the womb of an elderly woman, Elizabeth, Mary's relative. Thus John serves as a pointer to Jesus not only in his preaching but also in his birth.
The angel states the basic premise "Nothing is impossible with God." Mary simply responds in humble acceptance, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
We can only imagine what this announcement required of Mary, especially as her condition became obvious. A hint of the issue is raised in the story of Joseph's dilemma in Matthew 1:18-25. Is God's power such that he can create life and exercise sovereignty over it? This is a question Jesus' birth should raise. Would people believe the claims surrounding Jesus? The questions are profound. Wonderful things come in surprising packages, but they can come, because God has the power to deliver them.
The Truth
"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom to order it and establish it." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
The announcement of Jesus' birth, which is formulated like Old Testament announcements (Gen 16:11; Is 7:14), stresses three things about Jesus: his position (Son of God, Son of the Most High, ruler), his authority (seated on Israel's throne forever; ruler of a kingdom that will never end) and his divine ties (the Holy Spirit will come . . . and . . . overshadow you). In short, Jesus is the promised king of the Davidic line.
Mary has difficulty comprehending the announcement. She asks, "How will this be?" She knows she cannot yet have conceived a child, since she is a virgin. The answer comes in terms of God's creative overshadowing power. Mary's faith is put on the line at the start. Will she believe that God has the capacity to create life within her? God does not leave her alone in the decision. The angel notes the life that is stirring within the womb of an elderly woman, Elizabeth, Mary's relative. Thus John serves as a pointer to Jesus not only in his preaching but also in his birth.
The angel states the basic premise "Nothing is impossible with God." Mary simply responds in humble acceptance, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."
We can only imagine what this announcement required of Mary, especially as her condition became obvious. A hint of the issue is raised in the story of Joseph's dilemma in Matthew 1:18-25. Is God's power such that he can create life and exercise sovereignty over it? This is a question Jesus' birth should raise. Would people believe the claims surrounding Jesus? The questions are profound. Wonderful things come in surprising packages, but they can come, because God has the power to deliver them.
The Truth
"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His Kingdom to order it and establish it." (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Friday, November 29, 2013
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 reminded us, "Mans difficulties are Gods opportunities." He would say, "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 - has provided us with eternal life through His Son, Jesus.
As Christians then, we should testify of His great goodness in our lives and share with others what God has done for us. What better time than Thanksgiving to do just that.
The Truth
"I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of Your marvelous works." (Psalm 9:1)
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 reminded us, "Mans difficulties are Gods opportunities." He would say, "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 - has provided us with eternal life through His Son, Jesus.
As Christians then, we should testify of His great goodness in our lives and share with others what God has done for us. What better time than Thanksgiving to do just that.
The Truth
"I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of Your marvelous works." (Psalm 9:1)
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Bless The LORD at All Times
I came across an old Chinese legend that tells of a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties of tea leaves, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests.
When it came time for the most respected of the group to entertain, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. Upon tasting the tea, the assembled group praised the exquisite drink. The host simply smiled and said, "The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly."
The good things in life are usually right in front of our faces - family, friends, clothing, shelter. We often take them for granted and neglect to see how very precious they truly are. This Thanksgiving
let's remember to thank God for all His blessings toward us, both big and small. We all have so much to be thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)
When it came time for the most respected of the group to entertain, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. Upon tasting the tea, the assembled group praised the exquisite drink. The host simply smiled and said, "The tea you have found so delightful is the same tea our peasants drink. I hope it will be a reminder to all that the good things in life are not necessarily the rarest or the most costly."
The good things in life are usually right in front of our faces - family, friends, clothing, shelter. We often take them for granted and neglect to see how very precious they truly are. This Thanksgiving
let's remember to thank God for all His blessings toward us, both big and small. We all have so much to be thankful for!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
The Truth
"I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Thanksgiving History
The original feast in 1621 occurred sometime between September 21 and November 11. Unlike our modern holiday, it was three days long. The event was based on English harvest festivals, which traditionally occurred around the 29th of September. After that first harvest was completed by the Plymouth colonists, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of,"Thanksgiving and Prayer", shared by all the colonists and neighboring Indians.
During the American Revolution a yearly day of national Thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and by the middle of the 19th century many other states had done the same. Here is a exerpt from the state of New-Hampshire's Thanksgiving Proclamation.
"The congress in general assembly do here by command the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness."
In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of "Thanksgiving" as the last Thursday in November, which he may have correlated with the November 21, 1621, anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod. Since then, each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the date for Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939. (approved by Congress in 1941)
As a nation our forefathers knew the value of thanking God for all His blessings. It is my prayer that our current and future generations of leaders will do the same.
The Truth
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Monday, November 11, 2013
Veterans Day
Veterans Day began as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of fighting in World War I on November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m., known as the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Armistice Day was made a legal holiday in 1938, primarily to honor World War I veterans. The honor was extended to all veterans by an Act of Congress in 1954. In 1968, Congress approved the Uniform Holiday Bill so that Veterans Day and several other national holidays would be bumped up to a weekend to create a three-day holiday. The decision angered many veterans and the original date of November 11 was restored in 1975.
Veterans Day, a day to honor those who served in all American wars, is often confused with Memorial Day, a day of remembrance to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This may be due to the fact that, at 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb of the unknown soldier, the nation's tribute to its war dead.
"We must remember that many who served in our military never lived to be called veterans. We must remember many had their lives changed forever by experiences or the injuries of combat. All veterans are examples of service and citizenship for every American to remember and to follow." -- President George W. Bush, Oct. 30, 2001
Thank you to all who made the decision to serve and have placed themselves in harms way to uphold our freedoms. May God continue to bless our soldiers, veterans and our Nation
Sunday, November 3, 2013
America & The Battle for Truth
The 2013 Veritas National Apologetics Conference will be held at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on Friday November 8-9, 2013. The Friday session begins at 6:15 PM and goes until 9:30 PM and Saturday session begins at 9:30 AM and concludes at 4:30 PM. Admission is FREE both days.
You won't want to miss this great line up of speakers; Ravi Zacharias, author of, "America and the Battle for Truth, head of Zacharias International Ministries; OS Guinness, senior fell at Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, author of, "A Free People's Suicide" Sustainable Freedom and The American Future; John Lennox, Senior Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, author of, "Has Science Buried God?" - Creation: Seven Days That Divide The World; Norman Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary, author of, "America's Godly Heritage" What Is It? How Did We Lose It? How Do We Get It Back? and many more.
In these dark days of our governmental legislative moral decline, we need to know how to fight back. So, mark your calendar, redeem the time, get educated by the leaders in this field, don't miss out. See you there.
You won't want to miss this great line up of speakers; Ravi Zacharias, author of, "America and the Battle for Truth, head of Zacharias International Ministries; OS Guinness, senior fell at Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, author of, "A Free People's Suicide" Sustainable Freedom and The American Future; John Lennox, Senior Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, author of, "Has Science Buried God?" - Creation: Seven Days That Divide The World; Norman Geisler, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics, Veritas Evangelical Seminary, author of, "America's Godly Heritage" What Is It? How Did We Lose It? How Do We Get It Back? and many more.
In these dark days of our governmental legislative moral decline, we need to know how to fight back. So, mark your calendar, redeem the time, get educated by the leaders in this field, don't miss out. See you there.
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)
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
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)
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)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Defeating Your Giants
David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Samuel 17:45)
Every day, this giant named Goliath would come out to the battlefield and challenge the armies of Israel to a winner take all contest. Using his words, his armor, and his size, Goliath would intimidate Israel. Saul's army stood and faced the giant every day with great fear and dismay. But then came David, a Shepard boy, who was delivering food to his brothers and heard this blasphemy. David, willing to fight, expressed great confidence before Goliath. However, his confidence was not in himself - but in the Lord. He saw more power in the ability of God to deliver him, than in this giant to destroy him.
As with David, it is not really a contest between the giants in our lives and us, it is a contest between the giants and the Lord. And like David, we too can stand and fight in the Lord's power and His might. All we need is the proper perspective about the giants in our lives and simply place them at God's feet. Then through faith, we walk in the power of His promises remembering that; "If God is for us, who can stand against us." (Romans 8:31)
Through the power of the Lord, every giant in our life can fall.....but we must trust in Him.
The Truth
"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)
Every day, this giant named Goliath would come out to the battlefield and challenge the armies of Israel to a winner take all contest. Using his words, his armor, and his size, Goliath would intimidate Israel. Saul's army stood and faced the giant every day with great fear and dismay. But then came David, a Shepard boy, who was delivering food to his brothers and heard this blasphemy. David, willing to fight, expressed great confidence before Goliath. However, his confidence was not in himself - but in the Lord. He saw more power in the ability of God to deliver him, than in this giant to destroy him.
As with David, it is not really a contest between the giants in our lives and us, it is a contest between the giants and the Lord. And like David, we too can stand and fight in the Lord's power and His might. All we need is the proper perspective about the giants in our lives and simply place them at God's feet. Then through faith, we walk in the power of His promises remembering that; "If God is for us, who can stand against us." (Romans 8:31)
Through the power of the Lord, every giant in our life can fall.....but we must trust in Him.
The Truth
"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
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)
Friday, May 10, 2013
Praising The Mother of My Children
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 31:10)
I have - And her worth is far above rubies. She has loved me through many seasons in our 27 years of marriage, when a woman of lesser character would have taken another road. But this virtuous woman has; bore me two children, cared for them, trained them, provided for them, stood by them, encouraged them, sacrificed for them, been patient with them, corrected them, let go of them and has never ceased praying for them......or me.
I am so blessed to have Lori in my life - and fortunate too according to Pastor Romaine who once told me, "She doesn't need you. She has been doing OK on her own. Your no door prize, you might even be the "booby prize" for all I know. What makes you think you deserve her?"
My answer to this is the same as it was 27 years ago, "I don't.....but I'm working on it."
The Truth
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:28)
Happy Mothers Day sweetheart.
I have - And her worth is far above rubies. She has loved me through many seasons in our 27 years of marriage, when a woman of lesser character would have taken another road. But this virtuous woman has; bore me two children, cared for them, trained them, provided for them, stood by them, encouraged them, sacrificed for them, been patient with them, corrected them, let go of them and has never ceased praying for them......or me.
I am so blessed to have Lori in my life - and fortunate too according to Pastor Romaine who once told me, "She doesn't need you. She has been doing OK on her own. Your no door prize, you might even be the "booby prize" for all I know. What makes you think you deserve her?"
My answer to this is the same as it was 27 years ago, "I don't.....but I'm working on it."
The Truth
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her." (Proverbs 31:28)
Happy Mothers Day sweetheart.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Prayer Request
On April 2, 2013 Pacific Health Corp announced that it would be closing the Newport Speciality Hospital in Tustin. This hospital, scheduled to close in May, provides round the clock care for acute pediatric patients with severe brain damage and paralysis caused by; illnesses, congenital disabilities or catastrophic injury. The 32 patients are currently being cared for by staffers who haven't been paid in weeks and are frequently reaching into their own pockets to buy essentials the company is no longer providing for the patients.
There are only 10 pediatric subacute facilities in California and long term beds for severely disabled children are in short supply. Many parents are now contemplating the prospect of a transfer to facilities farther away from Tustin in Los Angeles, San Bernardino or San Diego counties. This will place a very difficult burden on them to visit their children regularly and to monitor their care and progress.
My nephew's son Jak, age three, is one of the 32 patients currently set for relocation. Jak was born with a congenital heart disease and has been at Newport Speciality Hospital since January 2011. My nephew Josh is currently unemployed, has no health insurance and - like all of the families who's children are in this facility - can not afford the private care that would be needed at home.
I am asking my readers to join with me and remember these families, their children and the staffers in prayer. Families will need peace, patients will need long term care and staffers will need paying jobs. Our God is an awesome God and He rules in the affairs of men. Thanks for your prayerful support.
The Truth
" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request me made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
There are only 10 pediatric subacute facilities in California and long term beds for severely disabled children are in short supply. Many parents are now contemplating the prospect of a transfer to facilities farther away from Tustin in Los Angeles, San Bernardino or San Diego counties. This will place a very difficult burden on them to visit their children regularly and to monitor their care and progress.
My nephew's son Jak, age three, is one of the 32 patients currently set for relocation. Jak was born with a congenital heart disease and has been at Newport Speciality Hospital since January 2011. My nephew Josh is currently unemployed, has no health insurance and - like all of the families who's children are in this facility - can not afford the private care that would be needed at home.
I am asking my readers to join with me and remember these families, their children and the staffers in prayer. Families will need peace, patients will need long term care and staffers will need paying jobs. Our God is an awesome God and He rules in the affairs of men. Thanks for your prayerful support.
The Truth
" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request me made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Fight The Good Fight
Every man struggles with his flesh. Why? Because it is in our nature. We are all sinful by nature and we all struggle with our own inner man. Early in life this sin nature manifests itself in many ways; lying, not sharing, wanting our way, throwing fits, name calling, etc. As we grow older, we still want our own way - we still want what we want... and that old selfish nature just comes out in a more devious fashion.
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 2-3, there are basically three types of people. The natural man, the man not yet saved; the spiritual man, one who is saved and walks in the Spirit; the carnal man, who is born again but lives in the energy of his flesh. Although the carnal man may appear to be saintly and righteous he is miserable internally. Why? Because he knows he can not live up to the expectations he has placed upon himself. That's where Paul was, he was converted but he was miserable in his carnality. Paul put it this way, "for we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Romans 7:14)
Paul goes on to say, in his own personal fight against carnality, he wants to do what is right but, he ends up doing that which he hates. "For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I." (Romans 7:15) Ever feel that way? Ever done something you regretted? Boy I have - especially in times of frustration.
So what causes us to sin? - to miss the mark set by the law or our expectations of ourselves? The problem, according to Paul, is not the law but the sin in us. (Romans 7:16) He goes on to say about himself, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."(Romans 7:18) Here Paul is in the battle, fighting against his own mind about what is good and how to accomplish it. Boy, to see Paul struggle here gives me hope as I have had some of these same issues come up in my life. How about you? Have you ever known what was right in a situation you found yourself in but, you choose another path? How did that work out for you?
We are bombarded every day with choices between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral, righteous and unrighteous - even the Apostle Paul had to look into his own soul and admit he could not be saved from sin by the law or his own standard because he was basically sinful by nature. Paul eventually came to the conclusion that he was a captive to the law of sin (Romans 7:23) and asked the question, "O wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) Finally, Paul is no longer looking at "how" he might get victory over his sin nature but "who" can save him?
You may have asked yourself over and over again..."how" can I get out of this mess? "How" can I start over with a clean slate and make better decisions? The question is not how but who can deliver me? The answer is Jesus Christ!
The Truth
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but after the spirit."(Romans 8:1)
The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 2-3, there are basically three types of people. The natural man, the man not yet saved; the spiritual man, one who is saved and walks in the Spirit; the carnal man, who is born again but lives in the energy of his flesh. Although the carnal man may appear to be saintly and righteous he is miserable internally. Why? Because he knows he can not live up to the expectations he has placed upon himself. That's where Paul was, he was converted but he was miserable in his carnality. Paul put it this way, "for we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin." (Romans 7:14)
Paul goes on to say, in his own personal fight against carnality, he wants to do what is right but, he ends up doing that which he hates. "For that which I do I allow not; for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I." (Romans 7:15) Ever feel that way? Ever done something you regretted? Boy I have - especially in times of frustration.
So what causes us to sin? - to miss the mark set by the law or our expectations of ourselves? The problem, according to Paul, is not the law but the sin in us. (Romans 7:16) He goes on to say about himself, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."(Romans 7:18) Here Paul is in the battle, fighting against his own mind about what is good and how to accomplish it. Boy, to see Paul struggle here gives me hope as I have had some of these same issues come up in my life. How about you? Have you ever known what was right in a situation you found yourself in but, you choose another path? How did that work out for you?
We are bombarded every day with choices between right and wrong, good and evil, moral and immoral, righteous and unrighteous - even the Apostle Paul had to look into his own soul and admit he could not be saved from sin by the law or his own standard because he was basically sinful by nature. Paul eventually came to the conclusion that he was a captive to the law of sin (Romans 7:23) and asked the question, "O wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24) Finally, Paul is no longer looking at "how" he might get victory over his sin nature but "who" can save him?
You may have asked yourself over and over again..."how" can I get out of this mess? "How" can I start over with a clean slate and make better decisions? The question is not how but who can deliver me? The answer is Jesus Christ!
The Truth
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but after the spirit."(Romans 8:1)
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Two Thieves
In Luke’s Gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus, he records some of the conversation between the "two thieves" who were crucified along with Jesus. One blasphemes and mocks Jesus (Luke 23:39) while the other comes to believe in Him. (Luke 23:40)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocences. (Luke 23:41) Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions. One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42) These two thieves represent the struggle for mans heart and soul still today. One willing to believe while the other, denies Jesus right up to his last breath on the cross.
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom." To which Jesus responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Confirming there is life after death in Heaven (paradise) for all who believe. Which now begs the question, "What if I don't believe?" Well, just assuredly as there is a heaven, there is also a hell. (Matthew 13:42) And if all one has to do to go to heaven is believe in Jesus - then all one has to do to spend eternity in hell is not believe in Jesus. (John 3:36)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How? The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
The Truth
"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." (John 3:18)
Two thieves, aware of their crimes and their guilt and just as aware of His innocences. (Luke 23:41) Two thieves, in the same proximity of Jesus - at the same time - hearing and observing the same things - arrived at two different conclusions. One thief verbally rejects Jesus for what He would not do, give into Satan and save himself and them; the other thief comes to a belief in Jesus for what He did do, die willingly a sacrificial death for all who would believe. (Luke 23:42) These two thieves represent the struggle for mans heart and soul still today. One willing to believe while the other, denies Jesus right up to his last breath on the cross.
Luke goes on to record the salvation of the thief who believed at death’s door. “Lord remember me when you come into Your kingdom." To which Jesus responded, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in “Paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43) Confirming there is life after death in Heaven (paradise) for all who believe. Which now begs the question, "What if I don't believe?" Well, just assuredly as there is a heaven, there is also a hell. (Matthew 13:42) And if all one has to do to go to heaven is believe in Jesus - then all one has to do to spend eternity in hell is not believe in Jesus. (John 3:36)
End your fear of death today and be ready to move on with peace in your heart. How? The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)
The Truth
"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." (John 3:18)
Monday, March 25, 2013
Christ - The First Fruits
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ are fundamental to Christianity. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then there is no victory over sin - no victory over the grave - no hope in life after dead - the Bible itself then is a lie - and our faith is in vain. However, the scriptures not only predict and record the death of Jesus but, they also predict and record His burial and resurrection.
The death of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT in Isaiah 53:5-6 in about 500‘s B.C., and recorded in the NT gospels. (Matt.27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18) His crime was, He claimed to be the Son of God. An accusation He did not recount even after a very brutal scourging. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, to pay the penalty that our sins deserved.
The burial of Jesus Christ was prophesied in Isaiah 53:9 and recorded (among others) in the gospel of Matthew 27:57-61 - His resurrection prophesied in Psalm 16:9-10, recorded in the gospels and again in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. In these verses, the Apostle Paul records a list of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection - Peter, the twelve disciples, over 500 brethren in Galilee, James (the half brother of Jesus), all the Apostles and then Paul himself. These all remained united in their testimony as to the resurrection, even unto death. (violent)
Therefore, since Christ is risen from the dead, He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. It was by man that death first came into the world, through Adam to all men. But, praise be to God, who sent His Son into the world as a Man, in order to undo the work of the first man. (John 3:16) Thus, by the Man Christ Jesus, came the resurrection from the dead and the hope of eternal life.
This is not however, a universal salvation to all men from death. Adam and Jesus Christ are presented as federal heads, this means they acted for other people. All who are descended from Adam die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:23) Meaning, only believers in Jesus Christ will be raised from the dead to dwell forever with Him.
So how then are we to live? The apostle Paul says, “If the dead do not rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) He testifies here that - if there is no resurrection - we all would be better off by making the most out of life. However, since Christ has risen, Paul suggests we should not spend our lives on passing interests. We must live for “then” (resurrection) not for “now.” (pleasures)
The Truth
"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh will also rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:9-10)
The death of Jesus Christ was predicted in the OT in Isaiah 53:5-6 in about 500‘s B.C., and recorded in the NT gospels. (Matt.27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:18) His crime was, He claimed to be the Son of God. An accusation He did not recount even after a very brutal scourging. Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, to pay the penalty that our sins deserved.
The burial of Jesus Christ was prophesied in Isaiah 53:9 and recorded (among others) in the gospel of Matthew 27:57-61 - His resurrection prophesied in Psalm 16:9-10, recorded in the gospels and again in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. In these verses, the Apostle Paul records a list of the eyewitnesses of the resurrection - Peter, the twelve disciples, over 500 brethren in Galilee, James (the half brother of Jesus), all the Apostles and then Paul himself. These all remained united in their testimony as to the resurrection, even unto death. (violent)
Therefore, since Christ is risen from the dead, He has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. It was by man that death first came into the world, through Adam to all men. But, praise be to God, who sent His Son into the world as a Man, in order to undo the work of the first man. (John 3:16) Thus, by the Man Christ Jesus, came the resurrection from the dead and the hope of eternal life.
This is not however, a universal salvation to all men from death. Adam and Jesus Christ are presented as federal heads, this means they acted for other people. All who are descended from Adam die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:23) Meaning, only believers in Jesus Christ will be raised from the dead to dwell forever with Him.
So how then are we to live? The apostle Paul says, “If the dead do not rise, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) He testifies here that - if there is no resurrection - we all would be better off by making the most out of life. However, since Christ has risen, Paul suggests we should not spend our lives on passing interests. We must live for “then” (resurrection) not for “now.” (pleasures)
The Truth
"Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh will also rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Psalm 16:9-10)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
"Crucify Him"
“So he (Pilate) delivered Him (Jesus) to them (the chief priests) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.” (John 19:16)
Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days.
The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23)
Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath-day.
Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. But the best is yet to come - He Is Risen.
The Truth
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days.
The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23)
Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath-day.
Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. But the best is yet to come - He Is Risen.
The Truth
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
By His Stripes - We Are Healed
"So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." - Mark 15:15
The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, zinc, iron or heavy indented pieces of bronze. Bone was often added to help rip off the skin. Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name "scorpion."
The criminal was lashed to a flogging post which would help the "lictors" make deeper cuts into the shoulders, waist and legs. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) however, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews.
Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal "half-dead." Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. Therefore, the Centurion in charge would order the "lictors" to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.
The severe scourging of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Him in a pre-shock state. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to His generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at the very least serious and possibly critical. (Isaiah 50:6)
After the scourging, the Roman soldiers began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next, they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff which made Him, unrecognizable. (Isaiah 52:14)
This voluntary, loving act was only the beginning of the pain He would endure for us, as the cross still awaits Him.
The Truth
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - (Isaiah 53:5-6)
Friday, March 15, 2013
Speak With Grace
"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:6)
The older I get, the more I see the value of this great truth. That in our speech, we should always come from a position of peace. The Bible tells us that, "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1) There's just something about a person who is filled with grace. Not only does it manifest itself in their continence but, it also comes out in their voice. Conversely, one who is not filled with grace can be just the opposite and very difficult to communicate with.
In the text above, the apostle Paul is also indicating that our speech should have some seasoning (salt) to it. Meaning, what we say is just as important as how we say it. Again, the Bible tells us that, "The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable." (Proverbs 15:2) Therefore, our words should be spoken in knowledge and presented in such a way as to be easily taken in, accepted - more flavorful if you will. In this way, we can create a more harmonious exchange that is less likely to blow out of proportion.
Finally, Paul tells us that if we follow this pattern, we will know how to respond - He doesn't say that we will win the day - just that we will know how to respond. And in the end, that is all we need do....along with praying that our speech creates a thirst to hear more, to seek additional council and a desire for His spirit in those we speak with grace too.
The Truth
"Walk in a manner worthy of the calling which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love." (Ephesians 4:1-2)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Senior Saints
As a young boy, I spent a great deal of time with my grandparents as they lived just across the street. I can remember spending the night in their home on many occasions. My grandmother was a little Irish woman with a big heart who served others before herself. She was a real prayer warrior and I am sure she prayed for me and my brothers often. I can remember spending time with her playing canasta, dominos, gin rummy and watching wrestling, roller derby and the Price is Right. But mostly, just spending time with her.
There is so much to be said for, patriarchal leadership in the body of Christ. Senior saints have so much to offer younger people, especially in the ways the Lord has worked in their lives. Just spending time together can be beneficial for both and can bring the body of Christ much closer, while knitting the Church together. I recently introduced myself to an elder saint at Church and spent about 20 minutes just talking with him about some of his life experiences. When our conversation was completed, we were both blessed by the experience and a true kinship had attached.
Solomon writes in Proverbs 16:31, "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." There is no substitute for experience. Those who are, "full of days in the Lord", have had many victories and times of struggle to share. I think of my own life and how I have matured in Christ - as a result of God's chastening and instruction over the years - and have come to realize,
I have plenty to share as well. How about you? Young or old, I pray our Lord brings someone new into your life. Someone you can pour into or that can mentor you as, "iron sharpens iron."
The Truth
"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18)
There is so much to be said for, patriarchal leadership in the body of Christ. Senior saints have so much to offer younger people, especially in the ways the Lord has worked in their lives. Just spending time together can be beneficial for both and can bring the body of Christ much closer, while knitting the Church together. I recently introduced myself to an elder saint at Church and spent about 20 minutes just talking with him about some of his life experiences. When our conversation was completed, we were both blessed by the experience and a true kinship had attached.
Solomon writes in Proverbs 16:31, "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." There is no substitute for experience. Those who are, "full of days in the Lord", have had many victories and times of struggle to share. I think of my own life and how I have matured in Christ - as a result of God's chastening and instruction over the years - and have come to realize,
I have plenty to share as well. How about you? Young or old, I pray our Lord brings someone new into your life. Someone you can pour into or that can mentor you as, "iron sharpens iron."
The Truth
"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." (Psalm 71:18)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
In Everything - Give Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
How can grieving parents be thankful for losing their child? How can a man give thanks for being terminated from his employment? How can a victim of abuse be thankful for what has happened to them? These are difficult questions but they are the kinds of questions many ask whenever they read this passage of scripture. How do we give, (why should we), give thanks when our circumstances involve a tragedy?
Perhaps it will help us to better understand Paul’s intent if we look more closely at the language he uses – ‘in’ everything and not ‘for’ everything. Those two simple little words make a big difference.
Those who are thankful ‘for’ something are so because they find delight in the circumstances. The enjoyment of the event produces the thanksgiving. In other words – “I am so thankful for how much I have been blessed!” Yet it requires no faith or relationship with God to be thankful for a blessing. Even publicans can do the same. But to be thankful ‘in’ something, especially a tragedy, says that although our circumstances themselves may not be enjoyable, there can be joy in knowing that our heavenly Father is behind the scenes, working in our behalf.
Grieving parents are not be thankful for the sadness they feel with the loss of their child but, they can be thankful that God is the God of all comfort and that He can use them to help bring comfort to others. A man who is terminated from his job may not be thankful for the loss of employment but, he can be thankful that God will continue to supply all of his needs and that this closure may lead him to an even better opportunity. A victim of abuse is never thankful for the evil done to them but, they can be thankful that Christ’s is able to heal the broken-hearted.
Even in tragedy we can be thankful for God’s unfailing love.
The Truth
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Notice Paul does not say that everything is good or enjoyable, but that God is able to take all things, both the pleasant and the unpleasant, and to make them work together so that the ultimate end will be good for those who trust Him.
How can grieving parents be thankful for losing their child? How can a man give thanks for being terminated from his employment? How can a victim of abuse be thankful for what has happened to them? These are difficult questions but they are the kinds of questions many ask whenever they read this passage of scripture. How do we give, (why should we), give thanks when our circumstances involve a tragedy?
Perhaps it will help us to better understand Paul’s intent if we look more closely at the language he uses – ‘in’ everything and not ‘for’ everything. Those two simple little words make a big difference.
Those who are thankful ‘for’ something are so because they find delight in the circumstances. The enjoyment of the event produces the thanksgiving. In other words – “I am so thankful for how much I have been blessed!” Yet it requires no faith or relationship with God to be thankful for a blessing. Even publicans can do the same. But to be thankful ‘in’ something, especially a tragedy, says that although our circumstances themselves may not be enjoyable, there can be joy in knowing that our heavenly Father is behind the scenes, working in our behalf.
Grieving parents are not be thankful for the sadness they feel with the loss of their child but, they can be thankful that God is the God of all comfort and that He can use them to help bring comfort to others. A man who is terminated from his job may not be thankful for the loss of employment but, he can be thankful that God will continue to supply all of his needs and that this closure may lead him to an even better opportunity. A victim of abuse is never thankful for the evil done to them but, they can be thankful that Christ’s is able to heal the broken-hearted.
Even in tragedy we can be thankful for God’s unfailing love.
The Truth
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Notice Paul does not say that everything is good or enjoyable, but that God is able to take all things, both the pleasant and the unpleasant, and to make them work together so that the ultimate end will be good for those who trust Him.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The Corrective Hand Of God
"And David's heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in what I have done: Oh Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant." (2 Samuel 24:10)
In the passage above, David is convicted in his own heart of not adhering to God's promise in Genesis 22:17. There God promised that, His people would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven, as the sand upon the seashore. Realizing he should have taken God at His Word, David confessed his sin, of submitting to the prompting of Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), to get statistics that would swell his head with pride and make him independent of God. Although he was forgiven, he also had to endure Gods punishment - three days of plague upon all of Israel. (2 Samuel 24:15) Likewise, when David had Uriah the Hittite killed with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own - David was forgiven but, there were consequences for his sin - the loss of the child born to Bathsheba and the promise that, what David did in secret would be done to him openly before all of Israel. (2 Samuel 12:13-14)
The Holy Spirit will always convict the Christian, the blood of Jesus will always wash us clean and the Father will always correct, chasten, punish His children. Why? Because He loves us. God forgives us, He gives us peace, but He will not pamper us.
The Truth
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6)
In the passage above, David is convicted in his own heart of not adhering to God's promise in Genesis 22:17. There God promised that, His people would be as innumerable as the stars of heaven, as the sand upon the seashore. Realizing he should have taken God at His Word, David confessed his sin, of submitting to the prompting of Satan (1 Chronicles 21:1), to get statistics that would swell his head with pride and make him independent of God. Although he was forgiven, he also had to endure Gods punishment - three days of plague upon all of Israel. (2 Samuel 24:15) Likewise, when David had Uriah the Hittite killed with the sword and took his wife Bathsheba for his own - David was forgiven but, there were consequences for his sin - the loss of the child born to Bathsheba and the promise that, what David did in secret would be done to him openly before all of Israel. (2 Samuel 12:13-14)
The Holy Spirit will always convict the Christian, the blood of Jesus will always wash us clean and the Father will always correct, chasten, punish His children. Why? Because He loves us. God forgives us, He gives us peace, but He will not pamper us.
The Truth
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." (Hebrews 12:5-6)
Monday, February 11, 2013
A Man After God's Own Heart
There is a big difference between love and unconditional love. Unconditional love has no strings attached. It does not require some action in return. It is simply the act of dying to self. Unconditional love says, no matter what you have done, I forgive you because I love you without reservation.
The Bible says that, "love is patient, kind, long-suffering. It does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up; love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth;it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Wow, now that's love and although I have come a long way in learning to love unconditionally, I must confess, I am still working on this.
King David is described as, "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 16:7&13) yet, he certainly wasn't a sinless person. On the contrary, he committed adultery, murder, deception - a series of failures that would match or surpass any of ours. In fact, if he were on trial before the Christian community of his day, I dare say they would have written him off long ago. However, David did recognize when he had sinned against God and sought His forgiveness in true repentance. To know David's heart, all we need to do is read his Psalms. When David penned the Psalms, he did not know they would be preserved and studied for centuries. He was simply writing love letters, expressing his unconditional love for God - bearing his soul, praising His God no matter what he was going through.
Like David, we all have our own faults, sins, failures and struggles. God knows them because He knows us, our weaknesses. He knows we are imperfect, but He loves us unconditionally anyway. So much so that he has made a way of escape for our failures just as he did for David.
The Truth
"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
The Bible says that, "love is patient, kind, long-suffering. It does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up; love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own way, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in truth;it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Wow, now that's love and although I have come a long way in learning to love unconditionally, I must confess, I am still working on this.
King David is described as, "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 16:7&13) yet, he certainly wasn't a sinless person. On the contrary, he committed adultery, murder, deception - a series of failures that would match or surpass any of ours. In fact, if he were on trial before the Christian community of his day, I dare say they would have written him off long ago. However, David did recognize when he had sinned against God and sought His forgiveness in true repentance. To know David's heart, all we need to do is read his Psalms. When David penned the Psalms, he did not know they would be preserved and studied for centuries. He was simply writing love letters, expressing his unconditional love for God - bearing his soul, praising His God no matter what he was going through.
Like David, we all have our own faults, sins, failures and struggles. God knows them because He knows us, our weaknesses. He knows we are imperfect, but He loves us unconditionally anyway. So much so that he has made a way of escape for our failures just as he did for David.
The Truth
"If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleans us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Take Your Seat
In 2nd Samuel Chapter 9 we read of the story of King David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the first king of Israel, King Saul. After Jonathan's death, David went forth to show kindness to Saul's house as he had vowed.(1 Samuel 20:14-15) He had learned through Ziba, a servant of the house of Saul, that Mephibosheth was the only remaining family that had not been shown his kindness. Mephiboshet had become lame at the young age of five — he had lived his entire life as a cripple. When David called for him, Mephibosheth replied "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" His identity had become completely based on his disability, when in fact he was the grandson of a king! He had forgotton his royal lineage and was wallowing in self pity. Yet David looked beyond his disability and recognizing who he was, offered him a place at the King's table.
The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!! In Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward — know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
The Truth
" For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. (1 John 5:4)
The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us focused on our disabilities so that we are distracted from the calling of God on our lives. He wants us to have a "victim mentality". But let's not lose focus of the reality of who we are. In Jesus we are a chosen generation, part of a royal priesthood, and the King has offered us a place at His table! We are heirs of His great throne!! In Him, we should have a victor mentality! Press forward — know who you are in Him and take your rightful seat at the King's Table.
The Truth
" For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. (1 John 5:4)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Submit to His Lordship
Growing up in a Baptist home, the son of a cop and the grandson of a German oil refinery worker, I knew all about authority. Mostly I came to know how to respect and submit to it. In our culture, authority is ascribed through various means; position, wealth, title, seniority. It can also come by birth, education, knowledge and experience. However, none of these qualities can guarantee good leadership - just that we may need to submit to someone who ends up in a position of authority over us. How then do we conduct ourselves? The Bible, in 1 Samuel, gives us a good example.
The book of 1 Samuel describes a common picture of royalty and servitude. Specifically, the relationship between King Saul and David, the son of Jessie. Here we see how David, a Shepherd boy, faithfully served King Saul in many different capacities. The Bible tells us that David became so respected, that King Saul became jealous and developed a consuming desire to kill him. In the story, not only did David serve his King well but he did nothing worthy of death nor did he ever lose the perspective of who Saul was. Twice David had the opportunity to kill the King in his sleep but, he never raised his hand against, "God's elect". (1 Samuel 24:6-7, 1 Samuel 26:8-9) He never plotted revenge nor tried to undermine Saul's kingdom. On the contrary, David went out and came back, in the King's name and always sought peace with Saul.
Throughout most of Saul's reign, he made decisions in his own strength and of his own free will, not submitting to the King of Kings. Had Saul listened to the instruction of the prophet Samuel and submitted to the Lordship of his heavenly father, the hand of God would have been with him and his kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 28:17-18) Tragically however, he did not.
How often do we try and do things in our own strength? As Christians we need to remember who is the true authority in our lives and submit to His lordship. My exhortation for you today is to; be still, be in His word, listen for His small voice guiding your heart and mind through your path in this life.
The Truth
"Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whoes leaf will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
The book of 1 Samuel describes a common picture of royalty and servitude. Specifically, the relationship between King Saul and David, the son of Jessie. Here we see how David, a Shepherd boy, faithfully served King Saul in many different capacities. The Bible tells us that David became so respected, that King Saul became jealous and developed a consuming desire to kill him. In the story, not only did David serve his King well but he did nothing worthy of death nor did he ever lose the perspective of who Saul was. Twice David had the opportunity to kill the King in his sleep but, he never raised his hand against, "God's elect". (1 Samuel 24:6-7, 1 Samuel 26:8-9) He never plotted revenge nor tried to undermine Saul's kingdom. On the contrary, David went out and came back, in the King's name and always sought peace with Saul.
Throughout most of Saul's reign, he made decisions in his own strength and of his own free will, not submitting to the King of Kings. Had Saul listened to the instruction of the prophet Samuel and submitted to the Lordship of his heavenly father, the hand of God would have been with him and his kingdom. (1 Samuel 13:13-14, 1 Samuel 28:17-18) Tragically however, he did not.
How often do we try and do things in our own strength? As Christians we need to remember who is the true authority in our lives and submit to His lordship. My exhortation for you today is to; be still, be in His word, listen for His small voice guiding your heart and mind through your path in this life.
The Truth
"Blessed is the man who delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whoes leaf will not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
Monday, January 21, 2013
Peoples Choice
There are many titles/positions, in our society, that are left
in the hands of the people to choose. These choices govern and
rule our land. If man has proven anything throughout his history,
it is - that he can not govern justly nor without impartiality.
In the days of Samuel, Israel had prophets, priests, judges and
God was their King. As Samuel became advanced in years and his
sons proved they did not walk as their father did, the elders
requested of Samuel, "a man" for a king. (1 Samuel 8:4-5)
Up until this time, Israel had been a theocracy and God was the
leader of the nation. Despite repeated warnings of the repercussions
of their request and although it was not in His plan for them, God
gave His people what they wanted, a man as king. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
Saul then, became the first king of Israel, the peoples choice. The
Bible describes him as a "goodly" man, handsome, strong, brave,
tall - head and shoulders above any of the people. He seemed to be
a perfect choice to lead them. When Samuel presented Saul before
the people at Mizpah, they shouted their acceptance, "long live
the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24)
The problem is, man looks only on the outside (appearance) while
God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) It wasn't long before Saul
set himself above God and he began to make decisions, out of God's
will. These decisions had a rippling effect on his family, his
country, his rule and eventually his life. Don't make the same
mistake of leaving God out of your decisions.
The Truth
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
in the hands of the people to choose. These choices govern and
rule our land. If man has proven anything throughout his history,
it is - that he can not govern justly nor without impartiality.
In the days of Samuel, Israel had prophets, priests, judges and
God was their King. As Samuel became advanced in years and his
sons proved they did not walk as their father did, the elders
requested of Samuel, "a man" for a king. (1 Samuel 8:4-5)
Up until this time, Israel had been a theocracy and God was the
leader of the nation. Despite repeated warnings of the repercussions
of their request and although it was not in His plan for them, God
gave His people what they wanted, a man as king. (1 Samuel 10:17-24)
Saul then, became the first king of Israel, the peoples choice. The
Bible describes him as a "goodly" man, handsome, strong, brave,
tall - head and shoulders above any of the people. He seemed to be
a perfect choice to lead them. When Samuel presented Saul before
the people at Mizpah, they shouted their acceptance, "long live
the king!" (1 Samuel 10:24)
The problem is, man looks only on the outside (appearance) while
God looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) It wasn't long before Saul
set himself above God and he began to make decisions, out of God's
will. These decisions had a rippling effect on his family, his
country, his rule and eventually his life. Don't make the same
mistake of leaving God out of your decisions.
The Truth
" Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct
your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Beginnings
Beginning a new year is always a time of reflection. Looking back over the past and resolving to make changes in the future. Generally those changes center around something we would like to improve upon or a habit we would like to change. People often take stock of their lives and vow to; become a better person, stop drinking or doing drugs, become a better husband or wife.
These are all good and noble resolutions. The problem is, most of us just can’t brake our old habits or nature, in our own power. We are a product of thousands of decisions, made in our own free will over time. Each decision, has strengthen us into the person we are and has hardened us into our current state. We need help - We need to be freed up - We need, forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:17-24 that being a new creation, we should, “no longer desire to involve ourselves in the former conduct but, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.”
Meaning, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have messed up, God will forgive us and we can then move forward into a new beginning in Christ, through His Word and guided by His Spirit. Happy New Year!
The Truth
“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
These are all good and noble resolutions. The problem is, most of us just can’t brake our old habits or nature, in our own power. We are a product of thousands of decisions, made in our own free will over time. Each decision, has strengthen us into the person we are and has hardened us into our current state. We need help - We need to be freed up - We need, forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Paul also tells us in Ephesians 5:17-24 that being a new creation, we should, “no longer desire to involve ourselves in the former conduct but, to be renewed in the spirit of our minds.”
Meaning, no matter what we have done, no matter how bad we have messed up, God will forgive us and we can then move forward into a new beginning in Christ, through His Word and guided by His Spirit. Happy New Year!
The Truth
“For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light.” (Ephesians 5:8)
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