Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the master planner. Even though illness, afflictions, problems and “situations” may seem to be all around us…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.
Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered a lot where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. Joseph summed it up beautifully in speaking to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
When our situations seem to difficult to handle, we need to remind ourselves that God has a plan. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more than that. The fact that we have a problem is a sign that we also have a promise. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions to us. When the test is completed, we come out, stronger in faith, more useful to Him, and ready………for our next test.
The Truth
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Your Eternal Location
The Bible tells us that, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27) This means we all have that appointment - Death is a certainty. The statistics are unchangeable; 100 out of every 100 have died....which makes some people fearful of death because of the unknown - their eternal location.
The child of God knows what to expect at life's end. At our physical death, we will be changed. Our physical body will die and decay into dust because we live in corruptible bodies - but, as the apostle Paul wrote, "This corruption must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51) We will be changed! As the bible says, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him." (1 John 3:2)
Jesus said, "In my house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Here Jesus is telling the believer that they will enter into the eternal existence with God.
For the the carnal man death is just as certain but, the location of eternity is different. The Bible says this concerning the unbeliever, "The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) Yikes! Hell is a real place and is reserved for the unbeliever. Revelation 20:15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire."
There is no escaping death nor the events that will follow for your soul. The only question is, Where will your soul spend eternity?
The Truth
"He that believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
The child of God knows what to expect at life's end. At our physical death, we will be changed. Our physical body will die and decay into dust because we live in corruptible bodies - but, as the apostle Paul wrote, "This corruption must put on in-corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:51) We will be changed! As the bible says, "it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him." (1 John 3:2)
Jesus said, "In my house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3) Here Jesus is telling the believer that they will enter into the eternal existence with God.
For the the carnal man death is just as certain but, the location of eternity is different. The Bible says this concerning the unbeliever, "The angels will come forth, and separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50) Yikes! Hell is a real place and is reserved for the unbeliever. Revelation 20:15 says, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life, will be cast into the lake of fire."
There is no escaping death nor the events that will follow for your soul. The only question is, Where will your soul spend eternity?
The Truth
"He that believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Eternal Life Is a Gift
Recently a colleague at work passed away in his sleep. It was very unexpected and caused many people to reflect on life, death and eternity.
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:2)
Wages are something you earn for work done – they are a payment owed to you for actions. God told Adam in Eden about the wage for eating the forbidden fruit – death (Gen 2:16-17) Just as Adam sinned, so have we all. We all deserve our wages, every bit of them. But...a gift of eternal life was given. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place for our sins. (Matt 20:28; John 3:16) Hallelujah!
All you have to do is accept the gift.
The Truth
"Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for His unspeakable gift." (II Thess 2:13)
The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:2)
Wages are something you earn for work done – they are a payment owed to you for actions. God told Adam in Eden about the wage for eating the forbidden fruit – death (Gen 2:16-17) Just as Adam sinned, so have we all. We all deserve our wages, every bit of them. But...a gift of eternal life was given. God gave His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place for our sins. (Matt 20:28; John 3:16) Hallelujah!
All you have to do is accept the gift.
The Truth
"Brethren, we are bound to give thanks to God always for His unspeakable gift." (II Thess 2:13)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Blind Trust
I can remember as a child growing up how much I trusted my dad. I trusted him to; hold onto my bike while learning how to ride, to catch me when learning how to swim or jumping into the deep end. There is nothing I would not try as a child, if my dad said that he would be there for me. The best way I can describe this is, “Blind Trust.”
Blind trust is a type of faith that obeys regardless of personal understanding. (Chuck Smith)
The Gospel of Matthew describes the blind faith of the Centurion in Capernaum who asked Jesus, “just speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) Another example can be found in Luke’s Gospel. There Simon Peter, after fishing all night and catching nothing, at the word of Jesus, let down the nets for a catch. (Luke 5:5) Because both of these men believed blindly and did not stumble at the promise of our Lord, they found success.
This is a beautiful blueprint for us to follow. In both cases faith is follow by obedience. The Centurion was told, “go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” He went his way and his servant was healed that very hour.(Matthew 8:13) Simon Peter also obeyed blindly (not because the request was logical but because it came from Jesus) and at His word, pulled up a net so full of fish that it nearly broke. (Luke 5:6)
What is God asking you to blindly trust Him about? Whatever it may be, I strongly suggest that you.....Trust - Believe - Obey!
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 will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Blind trust is a type of faith that obeys regardless of personal understanding. (Chuck Smith)
The Gospel of Matthew describes the blind faith of the Centurion in Capernaum who asked Jesus, “just speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) Another example can be found in Luke’s Gospel. There Simon Peter, after fishing all night and catching nothing, at the word of Jesus, let down the nets for a catch. (Luke 5:5) Because both of these men believed blindly and did not stumble at the promise of our Lord, they found success.
This is a beautiful blueprint for us to follow. In both cases faith is follow by obedience. The Centurion was told, “go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” He went his way and his servant was healed that very hour.(Matthew 8:13) Simon Peter also obeyed blindly (not because the request was logical but because it came from Jesus) and at His word, pulled up a net so full of fish that it nearly broke. (Luke 5:6)
What is God asking you to blindly trust Him about? Whatever it may be, I strongly suggest that you.....Trust - Believe - Obey!
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 will direct your path." (Proverbs 3: 5-6)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
It’s Natural To Make Mistakes
Failure is never a pleasant feeling. It isn’t enjoyable to lose a job, see a relationship falter, fail a test or just plain make a mistake. But the disappointment we feel when we face defeat can be turned to joy if we look at it the right way!
Abraham Lincoln had a string of failures in his life before he was elected president in 1860. Thomas Edison failed 2000 times while trying to invent the light bulb. When asked if he was discouraged Edison replied, "No, I have just discovered 2000 ways not to make a light bulb. Now I can start over again.” Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road — not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success.
Living a life of victory is not about being perfect — because we are human — and will always make mistakes. The key is learning how to get up after we have fallen. It’s natural to make mistakes — but it’s supernatural to learn from those mistakes and move forward.
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalms 37:23-24)
Abraham Lincoln had a string of failures in his life before he was elected president in 1860. Thomas Edison failed 2000 times while trying to invent the light bulb. When asked if he was discouraged Edison replied, "No, I have just discovered 2000 ways not to make a light bulb. Now I can start over again.” Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road — not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success.
Living a life of victory is not about being perfect — because we are human — and will always make mistakes. The key is learning how to get up after we have fallen. It’s natural to make mistakes — but it’s supernatural to learn from those mistakes and move forward.
The Truth
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalms 37:23-24)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Godly Inheritance
Back in my college days I remember my ethics professor asking the question, "Who would you die for?" Most of the class responded with the typical answers; family, loved ones - even a few responded - friends. But know one responded; a righteous man or a good man and certainly not - a evil man.
But God demonstrated His own love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Just think on that for a moment - Christ died for us while we were still in our sin. Why would he do that? Simple, He loves us. (John 3:16) and He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
His sacrifice, if we accept it, justifies us before God, brings us eternal life and a relationship of sonship (Romans 8:15) - or heir.
Our obligation, according to Paul, is to be controlled by the Spirit of God because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14) "The Spirit then testifies with our spirit that we are God's children - if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:15-16)
The Truth
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)
But God demonstrated His own love for us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Just think on that for a moment - Christ died for us while we were still in our sin. Why would he do that? Simple, He loves us. (John 3:16) and He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
His sacrifice, if we accept it, justifies us before God, brings us eternal life and a relationship of sonship (Romans 8:15) - or heir.
Our obligation, according to Paul, is to be controlled by the Spirit of God because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Romans 8:14) "The Spirit then testifies with our spirit that we are God's children - if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." (Romans 8:15-16)
The Truth
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:7)
Friday, October 1, 2010
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)
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)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Be a Good Student
I’m not sure where I learned this, but the idea has been ingrained in my mind for over thirty years in education — if you want to be a good teacher, be a good student. When Jesus lived on the earth, his disciples were called "talmudim". The Hebrew literally means “students”. “Talmudim” comes from the verb, "Lilmod", to
learn. In essence then, talmudim are learners.
Jesus, who was commonly called "Rabbi or teacher" in the biblical times can still be viewed as such by Christians today - which would make us his students. As such, we then go through a learning process with our teacher which may include testing!
Unlike our attempts to cram knowledge into our brains the night before a test in school, in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again.
If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Jesus wants us to learn today’s lesson – so He can teach us a new lesson tomorrow!
The Truth
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)
learn. In essence then, talmudim are learners.
Jesus, who was commonly called "Rabbi or teacher" in the biblical times can still be viewed as such by Christians today - which would make us his students. As such, we then go through a learning process with our teacher which may include testing!
Unlike our attempts to cram knowledge into our brains the night before a test in school, in the testing of faith, we cannot cram knowledge or understanding and still hope to pass. If we try this approach to learning we will simply find ourselves retaking the test, over and over again.
If we are truly His talmudim, we will study, pray and delve deeply into the challenging material at hand, to learn and absorb the lesson well, so that we are educated, transformed, and well equipped to move forward in the Lord. Jesus wants us to learn today’s lesson – so He can teach us a new lesson tomorrow!
The Truth
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15)
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