Anxious for Nothing

  

Philippians 4:6  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This week, Michael writes, how much worry should fill your mind?  How much worry should agitate your soul? The peace of God requires zero tolerance of worry. Through prayer, you close the door to every enemy of peace. The book of Philippians holds the keys to maintaining joy and peace. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul said I will rejoice in everything. Despite the troubles and tribulations of this fallen world, misery, fear, anxiety and doubt are optional. Courage is a decision. The choice is ours.  Therefore in everything give thanks.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

The world and its earthly and lawless systems are run and ruled by fear. The problem with a “living sacrifice” is that it "crawls off the altar", if not genuine. You've got to kill the old man of the flesh in order to present your body a “living sacrifice”, holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable act of worship.  

In the book called "New Morning Mercies” by Paul David Tripp, the author asks:  “Have you come to the place where you filter everything in life for the purpose of the gospel of the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ? When amazing realities of the gospel quit commanding our awe and wonder, then the troubles of the world will invade our hearts. When we quit celebrating grace, we quit seeking the refuge that only grace and mercy can give." It's easy to give our minds over to the things that create doubt, worry, and fear. God is waiting patiently for us to turn our hearts back to Him. Mercy is the nature of God and forgiveness flows from mercy. We must turn our hearts back to God in repentance of our sins to “seek first the kingdom of God”. When we turn our eyes back to God, we can press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

In the trying times of life, the question is "How much control do you have over this situation? At the deep end of the pool, God will ask, "No matter the outcome of this situation, will you purpose in your heart to honor and praise me?"  A true relationship with God depends on two things. The first is our confidence that God is Sovereign and in control. The second is that He does all things and works all things for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. The "upside down" kingdom of God is full of paradoxes. I must decrease so that He may increase. When I'm weak, then I'm strong. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. The greatest leader is the greatest follower. Thy strength is made perfect in my weakness, thy grace is sufficient for me.  

The charge therefore is, remember Jesus who stood in our place. The call is to remember the destinies of all who have been saved by the blood of Jesus. We choose to set our affection on things above, not on things of the earth. We fill our hearts with awe and thankfulness when we look unto Him. In the midst of the challenges of life, we have the peace of God. Therefore, be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God that passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

May God richly bless you!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Rest in Christ

Genesis 8:9 “But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself.”

Came across this short devotional on true rest in Jesus Christ that I’d like to share today. Unlike the raven, which Noah had sent out first, the dove could not live on the carrion floating on the floodwaters. After nine months cooped up in the Ark, she had reveled in her freedom when Noah first released her from the window of the Ark. Unaware of the outside perils while safe with Noah, she flew gaily off into the open spaces beyond, just like many a professing Christian, eager to cast off the constraints of his or her parental religion.

Psalm 55:6-7 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.”

But the dove could find no rest away from Noah, whose very name means “rest”! His father, Lamech, by prophetic inspiration, called his name Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.” - Genesis 5:29. So, she finally returned, finding rest once again in Noah’s outstretched hands.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Just so, the Lord Jesus, in His greater ark of secure salvation, is waiting at its open window with arms outstretched, inviting all those weary of the doomed world outside to return to Him. Christ’s message to the weary wanderer is: “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” - Isaiah 44:22. 

Rest in Christ, Blessed in Christ

Scars of Hope

John 20:24-29 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Last week, Pastor Kyle preached on Sunday that scars; all of us have one or two. In a way, they are tattoos that God gives us as reminders. He stated that scars tell stories, proving that something happened. Jesus’ nail scars from His crucifixion are a reminder to us of our atonement and forgiveness in resurrection life, to serve and follow.

Romans 10:8- 9 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Christ’s scars prove who He is … the Savior of the world. The Cross of Calvary is the ultimate image of what God went through and where all the power in life comes from … nails and scars. There is divine peace and soul gladness in His scars.

Acts 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Jesus’ scars constantly reaffirm His love and commitment to us. The foundational truth of our redeeming redemption must be revisited when we are downcast, because the realization of the love of God and His commitment to His children in the grand scheme of life, help get us through issues of the day.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Jesus’ scars remind us of our need for forgiveness. In our most honest moments, even if those moments only occur when no one else is around, even the most vocal opponent of Christianity knows they are guilty. In presenting the gospel and defending the faith, ask people what they do with their guilt. Romans 3:23-24 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”  There is nothing more important than finding forgiveness and the Christian faith alone offers a way to experience true forgiveness from God.

Jesus’ scars empower and push us into our God-given callings. God wants the whole world to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to be forgiven. We need to go out and practice the ministry of reconciliation as redeemed children of God, participating in godly ministry in proclaiming the gospel of salvation. Lastly, Jesus’ scars confirm that no matter how ugly things get, there’s always a greater hope. Isaiah 53:5 foretells of Christ, “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.” His scars trigger hope; not pain. The cross stands as a symbol of hope.

In Christ, Brian

The Spiritual Gift of Love – Part 2

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

With these definitions in mind, McGee states that the word “love” can be translated three ways. You may know this already, but the review is good. (1) The first “love” is from the Greek word “eros” (where we get our English word “erotic”), which means “passion”. Passion unchecked leads to lust. The word is not used al all in the New Testament. (2) The second translation of “love” comes from the word “phileo”, which means affection – the brotherly love we have towards others. It’s human love at its highest and most noble. (3) The word “agapao” is the highest word for love in the New Testament, and it means divine love. More than emotion, it is love that wills. This kind of love chooses its object. Agapao is the kind of love that the “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 characterizes. It begins with our speech and our attitude.

The first verse of 1 Corinthians 13 speaks of love as it come from the heart.  The second verse is from the mind – love a s an act of the intellect. Knowledge alone is not sufficient; love must be added to that knowledge. Understanding alone is not enough; love must be added to that understanding. Godly love is an act of the will. Love involves the heart, the mind, and the will.

Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Love is the fruit of His Holy Spirit. Although we are to covet earnestly the best gifts, they are to be exercised in love and only the Spirit of God can do that through us. Friend, love is the thing that makes every gift of the Spirit worthwhile. Without it, the Christian life is empty and meaningless. But with it … ah, there’s the joy!

McGee points out that the theme of 1 Corinthians is the supremacy of Jesus Christ. It’s important for us to come back to Jesus Christ as our power and authority. IT’s shocking to discover that 2000 yeas later, we circle around the same issues. The real problem is that we’ve lost sight of the centrality of Jesus Christ crucified for our salvation. That was the problem then, and it is the problem now. Love is the only thing to be carried over into eternity. The God of love and the love of God.

Blessed in Christ.

The Spiritual Gift of Love - Part 1

1 Corinthians 13:8a “Love never fails.”

One of the best evangelical programs is the “Thru the Bible” five-year systematic study of each book of the Bible, which started airing on radio in 1967, founded by Pastor J. Vernon McGee. Continuing with the theme of “love”, the TTB March article tells us that we do not need lessons on how to love loveable people. It’s when you’re around not-so-loveable people that it gets hard. The book of 1 Corinthians was written to those kinds of people. But, to be fair to the young congregation, they lived in one of the most morally corrupt cities in the first-century world. They had no generational role models and everyone around them was out for themselves. Yet, it is surprising the similarities between the church in Corinth and our own churches today. We could use a lesson from the Apostle Paul on how to love.

McGee writes: What could possibly energize us more in expressing our spiritual gifts than love? The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines that word “love” as: In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend, on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case, gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. we love to hear an eloquent advocate. The Christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received. 

An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual. It is opposed to hatred. Love between the sexes, is a compound affection, consisting of esteem, benevolence, and animal desire. Love is excited by pleasing qualities of any kind, as by kindness, benevolence, charity, and by the qualities which render social intercourse agreeable. In the latter case, love is ardent friendship, or a strong attachment springing from good will and esteem, and the pleasure derived from the company, civilities and kindness of others. Between certain natural relatives, love seems to be in some cases instinctive. Such is the love of a mother for her child, which manifests itself toward an infant, before any particular qualities in the child are unfolded. This affection is apparently as strong in irrational animals as in human beings.

We speak of the love of amusements, the love of books, the love of money, and the love of whatever contributes to our pleasure or supposed profit. The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending him is its inseparable effect.

Let's continue Dr. McGee message on Spiritual Love in the next post.

In Christ, Brian