Monday, March 18, 2024

Life's Battles - Part 1

 

Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

 

Yesterday, our pastor Kyle completed preaching through our Sunday sermon series in the Pauline Epistle to the Ephesians, stating that in our fallen in sin world, on this side of eternity we will constantly be enduring temptations and spiritual battles against the God-rejecting rulers, against the secular humanist and atheist authorities, against the demonic powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil of the devil in the heavenly realms. These spiritual attacks manifest themselves in real battles; Battles for the heart, mind and souls of everyone, battles against our children, battles against our grandchildren, our families and our fellow man. But 1 John 4:3-4 tells us, “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

 

In 1529, the Father of the Protestant Reformation wrote the classic Christian Hymn, which begins “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same, and He must win the battle. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.” Who can stand against the living God; Creator of all - [Jehovah Sabaoth - "The Lord of Hosts"]

 

In 2 Kings 6:17-20, Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Open your spiritual eyes, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, become increasingly aware of the enemy, beware of his strategies and discover where he comes in; do not give the devil a foothold. Do not underestimate the devil. The Lord Jesus tells us in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The enemy is delighted by nominal Christian who profess and call on the name of Jesus Christ, but live worldly lives; happy with material things, but are blind to godly things, therefore practical atheists. In Luke 4:46. the Lord Jesus that they profess asks, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 

 

On this side of glory there are three members of the “unholy trinity”: (1) our fallen flesh which lusts in unrighteousness and wrestles with our indwelling Holy Spirit in our heart. Galatians 5:17 says, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (2) the God-rejecting world system, which is at war with their Creator; against His kingdom on earth, His reign and His people. Isaiah 1:4 declares, “Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.” (3) the devil, “the deceiver” tempting and telling lies in order to take as many as he can with him to Hell. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Watch against Satan’s tactics, arm yourself spiritually and stand firm. Let’s see how from pastor Kyle in the next post.

 

In Christ, Brian


Saturday, March 16, 2024

A Higher Standard – Part 2

Michael continues: Today’s worldly standard of political correctness says, “I have the right not to be offended by God, God’s Word or God’s people.” The world will trick us to compromise, criticize, condemn, and complain. However, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father except by me.” According to John 15, Jesus Christ is the standard. He said, “Unless the branch abides in the vine, the branch cannot bear fruit. I am the vine and you are the branches.”  

Outside of Christ, the Christian life is impossible; you cannot follow Jesus and not follow Jesus at the same time. Unless we have the power of Christ in us, we cannot truly forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable ... not even ourselves. If our love doesn’t carry us above and beyond ourselves, then it’s not the agape love of God. 


Oswald Chambers said, “After being born-again in the transforming consecration of the Holy Spirit, I found myself on a mission to abide in Christ in every area of my life ... to bring all thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ as Scripture calls us to. I don’t need to change and arrange my circumstances, because the Lord planted me here and now for a purpose. Jesus found himself in the circumstances where God planted him. He always did His Father’s will. Therefore, seek the Lord while He may be found. In the early stages of a new Christian’s walk, it’s a deliberate effort. Then as we mature, abiding in Him becomes second nature.” God will bless your decision to proceed in the direction He’s given you.” 

 

Ephesians 6:10-14 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm. 


As the people of God we have been called to defend the faith, identify evil, expose darkness, and stand against the godless standards of this world. Also, we have been called to be witnesses for Christ and God’s grace, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion; pointing to the foot of the Cross where the fallen are restored to an upright position before their Maker. These are the qualities of the unconditional love of God which is His righteous standard. We cannot love our neighbor in our own power. However we are in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us God’s wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. 1 Peter 1:15-16 instructs us, “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” In Christ, we were called to His higher standard ... as Jesus said, “to love one another even as I have loved you.”

God works all things for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The lyrics to the song, “Is He worthy?”, are appropriate to remember God’s remarkable love wherewith He loved us ... for His love is His natural attribute – God is love. Because He loved us we can love Him. The greatest blessing is that we have the high and holy privilege of loving Him. In blessing Him that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Friday, March 15, 2024

A Higher Standard - Part 1

 

This week Michael writes that Isaiah 55:8-9 says God’s ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts than our thoughts. His holy Word is the higher standard. The characteristic of God, according to the Old Testament, is loving kindness and tender mercy. His steadfast love is singularly significant, His love is remarkable and extraordinary ... a divinely higher standard than the standard of this world.

In Matthew 5:43 Jesus said, “you have heard that you should love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” This is the world’s standard. However Jesus continued in verse 44, “but I say love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you and despitefully use you.” Why? Because unconditional love is the nature of God himself. God wants to reproduce His children “after His kind.” He loves us despite the fact that we were unlovable. He has given us His love with mercy and grace, even though we do not deserve it. He loved us not because we were deserving but because God is love .... not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

According to Acts 1:8, Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you, you shall receive power from on high and you shall be witnesses unto me. The power from on high is the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the power of this world. Anyone can resent and wish evil upon their enemies. However the power of the Holy Spirit is to love the unlovable and to forgive the unforgivable. This is the love wherewith He loved us, for in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly – Romans 5:8.  


Ephesians 2:1-5 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the [a]course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),”


The love of God is remarkable, uncommon, and above the standard of this world. Jesus said, therefore be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. The perfection is not in our own power. The perfection is in the power of the Holy Spirit [the third person of the Triune God]... the power of the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. For in Christ He has made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Obviously, our perfection is not in our sinful nature that we inherited from Adam. Instead, our perfection is in the righteousness of Christ which we inherited from God when we were born-again of the Holy Spirit ... born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which lives and abides forever.

Jesus said in John 13:34, a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. The ability to love one another is a gift the Lord gave to us. The purpose is that we shall be His witnesses ... that those who do not know Christ can witness the love of God which is not of this world through His born-again Believers. Therefore encourage one another to love and do good deeds.  

1 Corinthians 13 is called the “love chapter”; a higher standard and the “charity checklist” for the love of God, 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a declares, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.“ 


Let's continue Michael's message on a higher standard in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

New Life in Christ – Part 2

 

Ephesians 4:25-32 “Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.  Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

 

 Pastor Kyle continues that lying is not an attribute, but a vice. Proverbs 6:16-19 declares, “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. God detests lying. “Thy shalt not lie” is one of God’s Ten Commandment of His immutable Moral Law, stating in Exodus 20:16, “You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).” Speak truth. Psalm 120:2 prays, “Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.”

 

1 Timothy 1:8-9 “Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully and appropriately, understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane.” How else would we know “right from wrong”, “good from bad”, “righteous form unrighteous”, holy from unholy”. God established those standards by which mankind is to live by.

 

Psalm 4:3-4 tells us, “Know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.” Let go of bitterness and anger, holding onto forgiveness and kindness. There is “righteous indignation” we can experience, but that is a corrective anger, not the ongoing character of the born-again Believer. God is angry with sin (the voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the Divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act; iniquity), and so should the child of God. It is unacceptable to accept what the Lord, our God does not accept as righteous in His eyes; God sets the standards. In Romans 1:16-19 the Apostle Paul explains, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” This is not uncontrolled rage, but corrective anger to induce repentance unto forgiveness and restore the person to an upright position before God, and not give the devil a place in their life. 

 

Stealing is also a sin against God’s Moral Law of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal.” Doing so with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without their consent. Also, put off foul language and put on truth and grace in communication. “Swear words”, “cuss words”, and foul-mouthed profanities are ugly, ungodly and unnecessary. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

 

2 Timothy 3:15-17 “From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Study God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures of the living Bible enough to have a Word for someone else. 

 

Logically, Romans 10:14 asks, “how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" It is said that you don’t know what you don’t know, but you cannot teach what you do not know either. In the "seeking and saving the lost" mission ministry of God’s redemptive work for new life in Christ. In witnessing for the Godpel, we all need to grow in the knowledge of the Word of life. 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.” That hope in Christ is unto salvation and eternal life in Heaven for eternity. Let us know God and make Him known.

 

In Christ, Brian

Monday, March 11, 2024

New Life in Christ - Part 1

Ephesians 4:17-24 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

 

This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued in our church’s sermon series through the Pauline Epistle to the Ephesians. The born-again Believer, upon repenting of sin with a contrite heart, believing in the grace of God which provided redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ, the regeneration of the spirit and the transformation of soul, becomes a sanctified convert (inwardly putting off the old self and putting on the new self). It is a newness of life, no longer walking alienated in sinful lust desires, but putting on the life of Christ, walking by faith and walking in the Spirit. Romans 12:2 tells us, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This is a renewal that cleansed our soul, but continues to cleanse daily in sanctification. 

 

Psalm 51:10-12 prays, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”

 

To be consecrated is to make or declare to be sacred; to appropriate to sacred uses; to set apart by God for the purposes of God in earth. 1 Peter 1:15-16 instructs us, as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” The word “holy is defined as: whole or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Mankind is more or less holy as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, godly. 2. Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God. The calloused, hardened heart is petrified against God, but the true Christian has a self-reflecting soft heart which listens to the Holy Spirit, reads and meditates on God’s Work, fellowships with other Believers, confronts sin, and communes with God in prayer. Proverbs 4:23 declares, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The children of God are in His likeness.

 

Lamentations 3:22-24 proclaims, Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”

 

 Let's continue PAstor Kyle's message on new life in Christ on the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Saturday, March 9, 2024

Value

Proverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.”

 

This last week, our Wednesday night Bible Study group met for a biblical study on “value”. What on earth do we hold dear and precious in life? What do we truly value in life? What do we consider sincerely worth our time and consideration? We seem to all have things (goals, aspirations, achievements and prized possession) which we live for. But, what about our spiritual values towards God, Christ, the Christianity and Heaven?

 

Whether we realize it or not, each of our everyday existences are lived out “Corum Deo”, before the face of our all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful and ever-present Creator God. In your system of values, where does your heavenly Father rank? The first of God’s Ten Commandment in His Moral Law found in Exodus 20:3 is “You shall have no other gods before me”,ʿal pānîm, literally meaning “before your face and my face.” Anything that we value more than God and place before Him is technically an idol (another god). Do we value God above all as God? Our heart, mind and soul is to always be upon the Lord, our worthy God with His holy and perfect Word, Will and Way in thought, cognizance and intellect. 

 

In Matthew 13:44 Jesus tells us a parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “ Bible Commentator Matthew Henry states that  in this parable Jesus represents the kingdom of heaven as of great value in itself, and of great advantage to those who embrace it. Jesus Christ is the true Treasure; in Him there is an abundance of all that which is rich and useful: redemption, forgiveness of sins and salvation: all fulness of life: treasures of wisdom and knowledge, of righteousness, grace, and peace; these are laid up for us in Christ. The gospel is the field in which this treasure is hid. It is the greatest thing to discover the treasure hid in this field, and the unspeakable value of it. Those who have searched the scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, have discovered such a treasure in this field as makes it infinitely more valuable. 

 

Immediately, Jesus tells a second parable in Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew Henry states that we are just material people living in a material world where all the children of men are busy, seeking fine pearls (the fine things of life): one would be rich, another would be honorable, another would be learned; but the most are imposed upon, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is the Pearl of great price, a Jewel of inestimable value, which will make those who have it rich, truly rich, rich toward God; in having Him, we have enough to make us happy here and forever. A true Christian is a spiritual merchant, that seeks and finds this pearl of great price; that does not take up with any thing short of an interest in Christ. Do we value Jesus Christ above all as Savior and Lord? Those who would have a “saving” interest in Christ, must be willing to part with all for him, leave all to follow Him. Whatever stands in opposition to Christ, or in competition with Him for our love and service, we must cheerfully quit it, though ever so dear to us. A person may buy gold, but not this pearl of great price; He is received by grace through faith.

 

Mark 8:36-37 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Being a child of God, a citizen of Heaven and a follower of Christ advancing the Kingdom Heaven is what we truly value for a fruitful life.

 

Seek the face of God.

In Christ, Brian

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Path Three - Walk in Wisdom


 

Ephesians 5:15-21 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.

 

Pastor Obie continued that as Christ followers, stating that foolishness is rejecting God’s righteous will for our lives. Therefore, knowing and doing the right thing is the wise thing. Three factors help us to walk circumspectly (meaning cautiously, on guard and watchful in everything) in order to not be foolish - (1) Confession of sin, (2) Accountably to the Word, Will and Way of God and (3) Commitment to Christ and His church mission of advancing the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologian C. Samuel Storms wrote that true Christian repentance involves a heartfelt conviction of sin, confession and contrition over the offense to God, a turning away from the sinful way of life, and a wise turning towards a God-honoring way of life. Dr. David Jeremiah declares that this is God’s preference for all people today – that they would end their rebellion and come back to Him. 

 

Galatians 5:19-21 states that “when you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, drug abuse, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

 

We live in a fallen world with temptations, deceptions and distractions on all sides which can cause us to drift onto the wrong side of the road. The fallen flesh nature, the God-rejecting world system, and the devil (Satan the deceiver) are our enemies. Sinful pleasures allure, entice and influence our souls unto aberrant lusts. Romans 1:21-22 explains “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” Drunkenness and recreational drug use for intoxicating pleasure leads to debauchery, which is sinfully intentional excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures of the foolish heart. Like sexual immorality, let these sinful thoughts, discussion or actions not even be named among you, as they are unfitting for the sanctified child of God. Truth and consequences.

 

In Galatians 5:1624-25 the Apostle Paul proclaims, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

 

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, opportunities and matters because the days are evil. Be filled with the Spirit and walk wisely with the Spirit. Pursue goodness, righteousness and godly truth. Expose darkness with the light of truth and bring hidden iniquitous acts and issues into the open. Continually seek God’s Will, propelled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Live a worshipful life, honoring the Lord with praise and glory. Follow the Leader (Jesus Christ - the Word made manifest) and stay active in His blessed Words of the Holy Bible. Pray without ceasing and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost the dying world. That is walking in wisdom.

 

The path to love is light. Live out the “Golden Rule” of Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”. Overcome evil with good and advance the Kingdom.

 

In Christ, Brian

This is my 4000th blog message.

Praise be to God!