Living Truth

Ephesians 4:17“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.”

Our church’s Pastor Kyle stated that there was going to be a greater focus on “holiness” this year. 1 Peter 1:13-16 instructs to: “Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but 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 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “holy” as: Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man 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.

Hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred purpose and use that the Creator designed and desired. The child of God is a citizen of the kingdom of Heaven and therefore Ambassadors and Sojourner in this fallen world. Pastor desires to not reflects the trends and pursuits here, this side of eternity. Our king is Jesus Christ and we follow His holy Word, Will and Way; not the God-rejecting world-system. We are to be light in the darkness.

I read a commentary on Ephesians 4 recently that states that this brief and succinct command in Ephesians 4:17 quickly is followed by a sweeping description of the impotent mind of the Gentiles of that day in contrast to the utterly changed condition of the Believer (whether Jew or Gentile). The non-Christian Gentiles had a darkened perceptive ability, rendering them alienated because of the ignorance that was in them, and an overall blindness of their heart that was the root cause of their inability to function, even to feel, in the same way as the children of God. Ephesians 4:18-19 says, “Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.”

Then, Ephesians 4:20-24 replies, “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.”

The saint of God (meaning the person who is sanctified), however, is told to discard the old man and to put on the new man, as though that simple picture of a powerful reality is adequate instruction to fulfill the earlier command. No longer is the child of God to be corrupted by the deceitful lusts of his or her old condition but, having learned Christ and been taught by His holy Word, Will and Way, is to be renewed in the spirit of their mind. A transformation is now possible through the new mental (intellectual, spiritual) abilities given to us by Christ. The new man, which we are responsible to wear like a body-enveloping cloak, is created for us by the omniscient Creator in righteousness and true holiness. We have been given a specially created new man to wear (externally visible), which will show (exhibit, demonstrate, make clear) the spiritual difference between the Gentiles and the “born-again” saints of God and disciple of Jesus Christ, with a regenerated spirit, is led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 4:25-5:7“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. Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them.”

The article concluded that the 17 commands that in Ephesians 4:25-5:7address every aspect of the Christian walk, all relating to a lifestyle of truth, giving specific contrast between the unbelieving hell bound Gentile and the heaven bound saint. The consequences are immediate and eternal. That's the truth, so let’s start living like it is. 

The Big One

They say that when you live in Los Angeles, California, you need to be ready for the "big one"; a 9-10 earthquake that will devastate the West Coast. In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus, "What shall be the signs of your (second) coming?" According to verse 7, one of the signs will be "earthquakes in diverse places." That which can be shaken will be shaken. Are you ready to be shaken? The scripture says that we must prepare our hearts and stand upon the solid rock, which is Jesus Christ himself.  He is the sure foundation.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul said, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” Be on your guard, be alert. Live every day like Jesus is coming today. Stand firm in the faith. When the crisis comes and courage is required, God expects his people to be the reliable ones; ones who have prepared their hearts beforehand. Can God trust us in the crisis of life? When the crisis comes, we'll conduct ourselves as we have prepared. How can we prepare our hearts to stand firm despite the shaking?  

Our hope is in that which cannot be taken away. The things of this world can be taken away ... the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. However, the things that cannot be taken away are the things of the spirit of God, in Christ, in us. To be ready for the crisis there are four important themes.

The first is that life in this world is hard. Life in the jungle is no bowl full of cherries. In this fallen world, there will be trials and tribulations. God is teaching us that in all things we must practice to respond like Jesus Christ himself would respond. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11, "Blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven." Trials of life will either tear us down or prove the power of God in our lives. God is training us as Men and women of God through trials that His strength is made perfect in my weakness, His grace is sufficient for me.

The second theme is that it's not about me. The devil's tactic is to appeal to our pride. However, if you look at yourself, you will be distressed. If you look around you, you'll be depressed. But if you look unto Jesus, you'll be blessed. The blessing is in giving and not in receiving. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."

The third theme is that “I'm not in control”. Lord Grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change. God is sovereign and I'm not. The fourth theme is that one day I will die. It is appointed once for all men to die and then comes the judgement. The secret of this life is to live, not for today but for eternity. As Paul said, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which he's committed unto me against that day of righteous judgement."

Therefore, as Paul said,"Be prepared, conduct yourselves like men.."  The life that we now live is our preparation for eternity.  Training in righteousness with the Love of God is profitable for eternity.  The word of God and the spirit of life in Christ will correct us along the way.  God's Correction is to "restore us to an upright position" so that we can walk in fellowship with our Lord.” God is teaching us to see the troubles of life from His heavenly perspective. Trials teach us to look unto God to prove His power in our life. Problems are only as big as the power required to overcome them. How powerful is omnipotent God? Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." The requirement is that we are yoked together with Christ. When we work together with Him as fellow laborers in the mission field, when we plant and water, the Lord will give the increase. The harvest is in His hands.

The final theme is that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life. A man of God is God's man.  A woman of God is God’s woman. It's not who I am but whose I am. We are slaves to whom we obey. Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way.  Thou art the potter I am the clay.  Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still. Are you a=ready for the Big One?

May God richly bless you,

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Pentecost Matters – Part 2

Deuteronomy 26:1-11“And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ “Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. And you shall answer and say before the Lord your God: ‘My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us. Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So, the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”; and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.’ “Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God. So, you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message on Pentecost Sunday. The OT Jewish nation knew of the Holy Spirit, but just came to specific individuals at specific times for a specific purpose. On Pentecost Sunday, during the Passover festival, the promised indwelling Holy Spirit was made available to everyone. For today’s Christians, Pentecost is an opportunity to (re)examine how God want s to use our spiritual gifts (in our current life season). Every Christian has been given supernatural spiritual gifts by God to use in the context of ministry (that Ecclesiastical function; service of the body of Christ ministering the gospel in the modern church). Pentecost is a reminder of our need for the perpetual filling of the Holy Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and be refilled with the Holy Spirit. We all need a reset now and then. 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Five quick things that every Christian needs to know about the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. (1) The Holy Spirit is God – the third member of the Trinity (1X1X1=1) – the provider of spiritual knowledge and power. (2) We receive the indwelling Holy Spirit when we become a born-again Believer and disciple (student/follower) of Jesus Christ. (3) Sometimes, the Holy Spirit moves and speaks spectacularly and sometimes He moves and specks subtly. This side of eternity, we have sin in our lives, so do not hear everything properly. The Holy Spirit speaks by confirming moments. (4) The Holy Spirit’s power is most evident by our love and obedience. Actions without love and obedience is just a bunch of noise. Who and/or what do we love and are obedient to?

This is the era of the Holy Spirit at work in the world, transforming hearts, minds and souls. The child of God is on mission, empowered by the same Holy Spirit, for God’s purposes in ministry and the glory of Almighty God, in both seasons of strength and weakness. Activate your calling.

In Christ, Brian

Happy Memorial Day 2018

Happy Memorial Day

Pentecost Matters – Part 1

Acts 2:1-4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday in our Christian church year. Pastor Kyle was perfectly between tow Sermon series, so gave a message on this defining moment in communicating with God. The term Pentecost comes from the Greek Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) meaning "fiftieth" (50th). It refers to the festival celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover, also known as the "Feast of Weeks" and the "Feast of 50 days" in rabbinic tradition. The festival so named is first spoken of in Exodus 23:16 as "the feast of harvest," and again in Exodus 34:22 as "the day of the firstfruits" (Numbers 28:26). From the sixteenth of the month of Nisan (the second day of the Passover), seven complete weeks, i.e., forty-nine days, were to be reckoned, and this feast was held on the fiftieth day. 

Acts 2:14, 16-24 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. and on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord ‘Shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” 

For Jewish Believers in the Old Testament times, Pentecost represented a commemoration of God giving the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) at Mt. Sinai. For New Testament Christian Believers, the Christian festival of Pentecost is celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension, held on the seventh Sunday after Easter. A celebration of God giving the Holy Spirit.

Let's continue Pastor Kyle's message on Pentecost Sunday in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

Never Rests

Job 1:7 “The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”

It has always bothered me that fallen archangel Lucifer, Satan, the devil had an audience and chat with Creator God in the book of Job. Further, I read that this remarkable scene in heaven provides us a striking picture of Satanic activity. The devil, in his opposition to God and His program of salvation, evidently never rests. We know that Satan is not omnipresent, like God, because he is a finite (though very powerful and brilliant) created being. To accomplish his goal, therefore, he is never at rest, but keeps going from place to place and working lies and deception after lies and deception, bringing everyone he can under his damming influence. Therefore, God urgently warns us: 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Living in a material world, we tend to focus on the physical and not on the spiritual realm that co-occupies time and space of this cosmos. But, the same is true of the demonic spirits (fallen angels) who have followed the devil in his rebellion against God. They never rest until they can take possession of some person’s mind and then control that person’s behavior. Matthew 12:43-44 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.”

Some people cannot accept the spiritual realm, but Satan does not spend time going after those that he already owns. This restlessness that characterizes the devil and his demons often also manifests itself in the unsaved, and this will be the ultimate state of those who yield to the pressures of these evil spirits. Revelation 14:11 “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” This issue is not mentioned much, but reality drives us to the foot of the cross.

True rest of soul is found only in Christ, with His forgiveness, cleansing, and guidance: John 10:25-30 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Matthew 11:28-29 “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.

Death by Sin. / Life by Christ

Romans 5:12“Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”

I read that this very important verse conveys several vital truths. It teaches us that, first of all, death came into the world only when sin came into the world. Suffering and death of conscious life, whether animal or human, were not a part of God’s “finished” and “very good” creation. In the Garden of Eden, there was no abundance of food and all other provisions for both people and animals. There was certainly no “struggle for existence” or “survival of the fittest,” for every creature was created “fit” for its own environment. When Adam sinned, however, it became necessary for God to bring the curse of decay and death not only upon Adam, but also upon all his dominion.

This is the Hebrew word for "man". According to Genesis, Adam was created from the earth by God (there is a word play on Hebrew אֲדָמָה ('adamah) "earth"). Furthermore, there remains no warrant for the notion that “Adam” is simply a generic term representing the human race. He was “one man.” In fact, he was “the first man”, and Eve was “the mother of all living”. There was certainly no population of evolving hominids becoming “Adam.” Adam and Eve were created creatures by the Creator. In fact, Christ Himself made it clear that Adam and Eve were there in Mark 10:6 “From the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’“

There is reality in the saving work of Christ. Rejection of the Christian faith is hardly warranted by the fragmentary fossils with no intermediate forms that have been alleged to try and support the notion of human evolution. No one should stake his eternal soul on such a theory as that! Mankind made the sin mess and God is cleaning up the mess; reconciling us unto salvation and eternal life in heaven. We allowed sin and death into the world, but Jesus, the Savior of the world, conquered sin and death. 

Romans 5:10-11,15“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. The free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.”

Blessings in Christ

PSALM 18:2

I stand on Him as my foundation and derive every good from Him who is the source of good. He is my fortress; a place of strength and safety. He who causes me to escape; my preservation in straits and difficulties.  My strong God, not only the object of my adoration, but He who puts strength in my soul.

The Inescapable Self

This week Michael writes that there are times in life when crisis comes without warning.  

O Lord, our times are in thy hands. You're a good, good Father and your plan for us is a good plan. Your plan is better than we could ever imagine and your Sovereign Will works for good to those who love you and are called according to your purpose.

Even though we don't understand God's plan and His unfolding will, Jesus Christ is still at the right hand of the Father making intercession for the saints. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.Therefore, despite the trials of this world, we will purpose in our hearts to walk in close proximity with our Lord Jesus Christ. We serve at the pleasure of our Lord. Our delight is His delight ... our wish is to serve our Lord with the love of God in the renewed mind. The bond-slave serves his master from a heart of love. He is not bound by chains of debt, obligation, or law. He is bound by love to serve his master willingly according to the good pleasure of his own will, aligned with his master's will. 

We are our own worst enemies. To walk in fellowship with our Lord we must forsake our selfish sin nature. When we come to our Lord, we have found the enemy and he is me. We who have been “born again” of the spirit of God, in Christ in us, have the freedom to choose whom we will serve.  

My flesh fights for acceptance, approval, and praise of others. Men and women try to escape the influence of the flesh through addictive behavior and indulgent fantasy. The egocentric self-absorbed person says, "I may not be much but I'm all I think about."  Egotism says that self-interest is the motive behind every action. Narcissistic self-centeredness used to be a vice, but today, it's celebrated as a virtue.  

The devil's original lie to Eve was: God's not God, you are. “You shall be as God, knowing good from evil."  Our original father Adam didn't uphold the truth of the Word of God when his wife considered the devil's lie. Eve disobeyed God's command by doubting God and believing the devil's lie when she "ate of the fruit of tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Then she gave Adam the fruit and he did eat. Men and women have been worshiping their own egos ever since. When Adam and Eve doubted god and disobeyed, they lost their innocence before God. In their disobedience, their sin nature was unleashed and they understood guilt, condemnation, and shame. Mankind has inherited this sin nature from Adam and has suffered the consequence of Adam's disobedience ever since.

Jeremiah 17:9-10says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”

The truth of the Word of God has been turned upside down. The heart of mankind is deceitful and cannot know the truth of the Word of God. God will solve all the "why" questions when we come to know his Truth through our Lord Jesus Christ.  We come to an understanding that God is a good, good Father. We may not know His ways, but we know His heart of tender mercy, grace, and loving kindness.

Philippians 2:3-5“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

When we come to the realization that it's not all about me, we will find rest in the midst of the storms of life.  Jesus said, come unto me all ye that are weak and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  The attitude of Christ was to look on the things of others to serve and to bless them. Jesus emptied Himself of the right to His own will, to serve His Father by gladly serving from a heart of love those whom God had committed to His keeping. 

Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

A bond servant doesn't serve his master by law, but by love. Jesus Christ gave up His "right" to Himself and crucified His own will when He prayed to his Father, "not my will but thine be done."  The paradox of the Christian life says that in order to gain, you need to lose.  Jim Elliot, the missionary to South America understood this truth.  Elliot said before he was martyred, "He is no fool who gives that which he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Humility defeats pride.  Humility frees us from "the insidious preoccupation with self."  Humility says, "Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free. Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life's alarms, if by myself I stand. Imprison me within thine arms and free shall be my stand!"

May God richly bless you!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

The Peace of Christ

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Peace on earth and good will towards man is a prayer and ideal that does not seem to exist in the heart of men in this angry and violent day and time. I read that if history is any criterion, the search for world peace always will be futile, for there have been wars going on somewhere in the world practically every day throughout history. But even if world leaders could bring peace to the world, it would not be true peace. The peace of Christ, heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven, is not the peace of the world. We live in a dead-in-sin fallen world and light cannot exist in peace together with darkness. James 4:1 asks, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?” It’s a “dog eat dog”, survival of the fittest, world.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 

It’s been explained that peace is internal, not external. The true Christian will never be left at peace in this sinful world, even when there are brief reprieves of peace between the nations of the world. Only in Christ is there real peace. In John 16:33, Jesus says: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The Lord Jesus Christ alone can give true peace, for only “he is our peace”. The Prince of Peace is the true peacemaker, for He “made peace through the blood of His cross”. Before there can ever be genuine peace between men on Earth, there must be peace between man on Earth and God in heaven. Know Christ, know peace. No Christ, no peace.

Galatians 5:22a“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.”

The Word of God states that once a person has been “justified by faith,” however, they have eternal “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Then, for daily peace, they can simply appropriate this truth in their life. “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”.

Peace in Christ.

Tithes and Offerings

Malachi 3:8-12 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,”says the Lord of hosts.

Yesterday’s Sunday sermon reminded me of a devotional that I came across stating that today there is much talk of financial security. I was discussing the topic of “giving tithes and offerings” with our church board and the need for communicating God's word and the pure joy of this Christian blessing. God gave, God gives, and God's children, by nature, give to the church for the on-going work and mission of ministry and the advancement of the kingdom of heaven. Yet, the general reality of most of the churches that I’ve attended is that around 10% of the church members give 90% of the church’s income. The biblical formula in today’s passage, given to Israel, but applied to all, begins with a scathing indictment. “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings”. What a terrible thing, to rob God. This teaching and promise has not been rescinded. One dime on a dollar, first and off the top of what we earn, back to the Lord that gave us that dollar, for His work in the church and its work in the community and the world. That way, God is not receiving our leftovers, if there are any; we put God first. The issue is not that God needs the dime on every dollar. The issue is that we need to “give” as a part of loving God, trusting God and obedience to God. We bring and give out of who we are, because of whose we are. 

2 Corinthians 9:5-7 “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” Giving to God is fundamental part of worship.

That devotion pointed out that God’s charge to us as given in Malachi 3:8-12 is in three steps. First, we are told to obey; i.e., "bring." This cannot be considered an option. Secondly, God proposes a test. "Prove me," He says, give and see if He lives up to His promises. Thirdly, trust His promise to meet our needs. Note that His promise is also threefold. It abundantly covers present needs, for He promises to "pour you out a blessing" unmeasurable in quality or quantity. Likewise, it covers the threat of future loss. Most precious is His promise to reward obedience and trust with a special relationship: "All nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightful land". Thus, we see that with less than 100 percent of our income at our disposal, we will have greater financial security than if we had kept it all to ourselves. To be blessed by God is true security.

Deuteronomy 26:1- 4, 8-11“And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. And you shall go to the one who is priest in those days, and say to him, ‘I declare today to the Lord your God that I have come to the country which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’ “Then the priest shall take the basket out of your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, “a land flowing with milk and honey”; and now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land which you, O Lord, have given me.’ “Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God. So, you shall rejoice in every good thing which the Lord your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you.

Bring, give and rejoice

The Trouble of Suffering

John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Since the fall of Man in the Garden of Eden, there has been pain, suffering and trouble on the earth due to sin. When we look around us, instead of being distracted by the pursuit of happiness through fleshly desires, we see the reality of a world of hurt. 80% of the world population live in poverty with 22,000 children dying daily in poverty. 815 million people do not have enough food to eat, there are disease outbreaks, ramped drug abuse, violent crime and murders, injury and lose every day. 

I heard a message from the late pastor J. Vernon McGee stating that most asked Bible-related question by both believers and unbelievers is “Why do people suffer?” More books have been written on this subject than the subject of how to live the Christian life.  McGee explains that too many have believed the unbiblical sales pitch that if you will only trust Christ, then you will move into the green pastures on the other side of the fence where all is calm and the problems of life are solved. Prosperity Gospel proclamations tell you that you have joy without any sorrow. In other words, Christianity has been made an inoculation against disease, trials and trouble. 

Job 5:6-7 “For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.”

Pastor McGee is not trying to mislead anyone. There is joy in the Christian life. There is peace and there is healing. Galatians 5:22-23atells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. All of them are certainly true. However, it is an axion of the Christian life that God’s children suffer in this fallen world. There is no escaping from it. But, the Lord Jesus Christ came from heaven’s glory and took upon Himself our frail humanity to bring man to God. Job didn’t have the benefit of the New Testament, but what faith we see in this man.

   Job 19:25-27 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!”

This is the one prop that held Job upright when he was robbed of all the others. Living on the promises of God, we have the rock-solid foundation of truth. Hebrews 10:19-22 tells us, “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” 

Pastor McGee points out that many of us don’t draw close to God until we face crisis. We’ve become complacent and distracted by existentialism and materialism to where we, too often, become blind to reality. But God may move you into a crisis, and you’ll hear the Apostle Peter encouraging you: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) 

Pastor McGee concludes, When the props are knocked out from under you, let the love of Christ hold you up.

Romans 8:16-18“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Blessed in Christ

Do you do well to be angry? – Part 3

Ephesians 4:22-24 “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.”

Continuing Pastor Obie’s sermon message on the Book of Jonah, chapter Four, he states that when we walk with indwelling Holy Spirit into our lives by putting off and not gratifying the old sinful desires of our flesh and aligning our will with God’s will, then He starts a good work within us and starts to change us so that our character becomes more and more like God’s. Why? Because, if we are a regenerated child of God following Jesus Christ, then we have a calling. Jonah had an assignment to accomplish and so do you and I. We were created with a purpose, for a purpose. Know that God will provide for the purpose He has called us to. But, our purpose will always involve loving God and loving people. This will change the world around us and God will provide for that purpose He had placed over us.  

The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “provide” as: literally to see before; pro and video. 1. To procure beforehand; to get, collect or make ready for future use; to prepare. As when Abraham said, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering - (Gen.22:8). 2. To furnish; to supply. In Jonah 4:6, it tells us that God “appointed”, “prepared” and “provided” (manah in Hebrew). The purpose of the prophet is to be the messenger of God and to bring repentance, but this prophet Jonah forgot his purpose. God revealed to Jonah that he wasn’t living out his purpose; caring more about his own self than the people. Do we care more about a life of self-pleasures, luxuries, entertainment, comforts, money, position, protection or security more than God’s purpose in your life? Do we place those “self-centered” purposes in a higher priority than the purpose that God has called us top? You cannot have two gods because “push come to shove” you’ll choose “self”, like Jonah over loving God and loving people (your neighbor). And that is the definition of idolatry. 

Sometimes, God removes our protection for our own protection. If our comfort and pleasure are keeping us from our calling, then that is a good indicator that things need to change. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, did not live a life of comfort, but, on mission, lived a life of sacrifice and purpose by loving people to have the greatest impact, loving people into the kingdom of God. In order for us to be on mission for the calling of the kingdom of God, we are going to have to choose to do the uncomfortable that will cost us something to show love to someone. Everything that we have is because God has given us the breath and ability to have it. Everything comes from God, who provides and we cannot take anything with us when we leave this life, so we should use everything for the purpose that God gave them to us in the first place and bring glory to Him. We have been blessed in order to be a blessing to others. God’s blessings flow to and through. 

If “the plant” is our purpose, than God sends a worm and a wind to change our vision shifts our direction and develops our godly character. The lesson for Jonah is a lesson for us all. God has called and prepared the disciple of Christ to a “good work” of loving God and loving people, so who is your “Nineveh”? The Christian has been commissioned to share the love of God. There is someone in your life that God is asking you to step out in faith and share the forgiveness of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It may take us letting go of our “plant” (whatever that self-centered item(s) is), to step out of our comfort zone and outreach to others when it is inconvenient or cost us something, but God is saying “go”. We must remember that we are undeserving people as well. The book of Jonah points to Christ and it points to us.   

In Christ, Brian

Do you do well to be angry? – Part 2

 Jonah 4:5-11 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the Lord God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So, Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

Continuing Pastor Obie’s sermon message on the Book of Jonah, chapter Four, he states that our character is critical in life, in family, in business, and in ministry. Our ability may get us to the top, but it is our character that keeps us there. If we want to be successful in life, do not build a life of pleasure, luxury, entertainment, or comforts; but build a life of good godly character. The best character to build is a Christ-like character, as we are on a constant journey to live and love as Jesus did. As Ephesians 5:1 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” Not imitators of the next set of secular role models that our fallen world produces. Follow the godly as they follow Christ and God’s character of graciousness, merciful. Slow to anger, abounding Selfin steadfast life and relenting from disaster.

John 14:15, 23 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Through God’s exercises in our personal character development, we learn that we tend to be selfish. Nine times in chapter four, Jonah says either “I”, “me” or “my”. Being exceedingly self-centered, Jonah was over-concerned with what he desired to make him comfortable and happy.  We cannot be God-centered and God-honoring people when we center our heart and life around ourselves. It is not about us; it is about how God wants to use us to bless the world. Sadly, this is the most self-centered generation in all of history – the “selfie generation. When we focus on ourselves, we get in the way and miss the picture that God has for us. Sometimes, we need to just get out the way and let God frame the shots and allow them to unfold. We need to substitute our self-centered living for sacrificial giving. Jesus modeled sacrificial giving, so we should imitate that. 

Ephesians 5:2 “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Be clear that God does not cause all bad things to happen in this fallen world. Jesus said that in this world, we would have trouble and trials, but He also said that if we love Him and are called to His purposes then God works all things for good. God doesn’t waste pain, sadness or heartache. But uses them as a beautiful mosaic in our character development to bring glory to His kingdom. God provides and continues to provide. We must have trust and faith in God to come through. This trust and faith do not come from times of comfort, but from our times of discomfort. Those uncomfortable times when we had no options but to get on our knees and pray. God uses the seasons of discomfort in our lives to build us up. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” In those seasons, stay faithful and strong, leaning into what God is doing in your life because He is preparing us for greater impact and double usefulness in the completed work started in us.  

Let’s continue Pastor Obie’s message from the book of Jonah in the next post.

God Works for Good

Extraordinarily busy day today as pulled Jury Duty and attended our Small Group Bible Study tonight. Will pick up tomorrow with Pastor Obie inspiring message from Jonah.

Blessings in Christ, Brian

Sin Not

On the same subject as Pastor Obie’s message from the fourth chapter on the Bible book of Jonah, I found this interesting devotion on “Righteous Indignation”. Creator God gets angry at sin and injustice, so it makes sense that His creatures, made in His image, have circumstances and situations that will similarly anger them for the same reason.

Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

The Commentator wrote that there are many occasions when a Christian may be rightly angered by some ugly word or incident and thus be strongly tempted to respond in the same manner. Our Ephesians 4:26 text above, however, urges us to get control of our anger before sundown. We are not to let our anger fester until it breaks out in action. A very similar command was given long ago to Old Testament believers also. “Be angry, ^a] and do not sin;ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.” –Psalm 4:4.

When angry, it is far better to wait and communicate with God about it in bed than to bring recriminations in the street (or, perhaps, in the home) against the ones who have angered us. The Lord Jesus Himself is always our example, "when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly – Peter 2:23.

Anger is often one of the most difficult areas to overcome in the Christian life. As James says, "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,^[a] these things ought not to be so.” – James 3:8-10.Nevertheless, what man cannot tame, God can! We are finite; God is infinite. We are “fallen” in sin; God is without sin. We are limited; God is all-powerful. 

" Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;  for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." – James 1:19-20.

"Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord" – Romans 12:19.

Anger may come, but sin not.

Do you do well to be angry? – Part 1

 Jonah 3:10-4:4 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?”

Pastor Obie finished the Sunday Sermon series through the book of Jonah and stated that the purpose of a prophet was to be a messenger of Almighty God, to bring all people into repentance and a closer relationship with the Lord. But, humans are flawed by sin and our prejudice can get in the way of our purpose, hindering us. It is important for us to search our own hearts daily because it is a reality that we live in a fallen and sinful world. Society and culture, where prejudice exists. We must know the goodness of God’s nature and character, which Jonah accurately identifies as gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and relenting from disaster. Let’s add faithful also to that list. 

God’s character is consistent through all of time, but our fallen character is inconsistent. As redeemed and “born again” Believer’s, Followers of Jesus Christ, and children of God, we are to be transformed into the likeness of the Lord, living and displaying the character our heavenly Father. But, some of our traits are exactly opposite, and sometimes we act like immature little children. Yet, God still loves us despite that. 

A question designed to bring out critical thinking on our part is: “Do we do well to be angry?” The Hebrew word for “anger here is “Charah” and means “to blaze up” of anger, kindled to glow, hot and burning with anger. The emotion of anger can consume our thinking, blinds us and causes us to think irrationally, making us say and do things in the heat of anger that we regret later. All disappointments and anger stem from unmet expectations. So, we need to communicate and set realistic and accurate personal preferences and expectations, while setting margins of grace around them. 

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

There is a type of godly anger that produces “righteousness”, when its aligned with God’s perfect Word, Will and Way. To be a disciple (follower/student) of Jesus Christ, we must desire what God desires and care for what God cares for. God wishes that none perish in Hell, but that everyone would repent of their sin and be saved. Repentance is making a complete U-Turn away from sin in our life and walk towards God. Our Creator Father God uses life situations to reveal something in our character, as an opportunity for a godly teaching moment for character development in us. Often times, it is in the moments of discomfort that the most growth and development in our character happens. God cares more about our character than our comfort. 

Let’s continue Pastor Obie’s message from the book of Jonah in the next post.