Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Dead Works


Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.”

In a short study that I found, it stated that the phrase “dead works” can be found only twice in the New Testament. In the first, it refers to the deeds of the unsaved sinner from which he must turn away in salvation, while in the second is in Hebrews 9:13-14 “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”, and it refers to unprofitable deeds accomplished by the believer, from which we must also turn away.

Dead works are certainly not good works, but neither are they necessarily evil works. Rather, they are ineffective, useless acts that count for nothing. They are as different from evil or good works as wild fruit is from good fruit or bad fruit. In this analogy, while bad fruit looks unappealing and would never pass for food, wild fruit may have the appearance of good fruit but lacks flavor and nutritional value and would provide no useful function even if it were eaten. In just the same way, dead works, which may be of some humanitarian value, lacks life—not stemming from proper motives and not being propelled by godly love and thus accomplish nothing of lasting value.

The non-Christian can pridefully indulge in such works, but this must be repented of at the point of salvation. In theology, repentance is defined as the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of His holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Supreme Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life. 

Likewise, the Christian must replace his useless dead works with good works through the power of the Spirit of the living God. May we continually submit all our efforts to Him, recognizing that service to the living God does not entail our dead works.

Monday, December 30, 2019

God is with You - Part 2


Joshua 24:15 “If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message from the last post, he explains that of the five examples from Joseph in the Matthew 1 passage on how to reflect that God is with us, the third is (3) Be humble about your obedience. Character counts. Human character is defined in the 1828 Webster’s dictionary as: the peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation. Hence we say, a character is not formed, when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities. By way of eminence, character is distinguished or good qualities; those which are esteemed and respected; and those which are ascribed to a person in common estimation. We enquire whether a stranger is a man of character. It is said that true character is how you think and act when no one is around. Be 100% obedient to the Lord, your God. Do not brag about your accomplishments, but communicate your progress in areas of righteousness (living “right” before God), your advancement in Christian maturity (growing into the likeness of Christ), and both what you are standing on (the Word and promises of God) and the path that you are waking on (the path of holiness and righteousness with the Holy Spirit at your side). How far towards the ways of God can you go? When God says it, we should do it humbly.

Galatians 5:22-25 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 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.”

The fourth example from Joseph is to (4) Be in tune with the Holy Spirit enough to know what is and isn’t of God. In John 14:15-17 and 25-27, the Believer is given the promise of a Counselor/a Helper, the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide our heart, mind and soul. Walk in the Spirit. But, we must also stop and think: Is what we are hearing or comes to mind of God? How do we know? There is the enemy (the sinful flesh desires, the God-rejecting secular humanist world system and the devil (the deceiver of mankind) all tempting and distracting us from the things of God. Here are some tips: (a) Does God’s Word confirm it? (b) Does my heart resonate from it? (c) Do godly people that I love see it? (d) Are there other things in my life that confirm it? Nail sin to the Cross and leave the past in the past as you walk choose the narrow gate and walk the straight and narrow path on the highway to Heaven. Not fear, not anxiety, not the enemy; just God alone. 

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

The fifth example from Joseph is to (5) Be a spiritual leader (starting with yourself and go out from there). It is not someone else’s job to get you to grow spiritually (though there are those who do help). Life is a learning experience that lasts a lifetime. They is always more we can learn and experience on this side of eternity. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Pray and hear from God, seek helps available, find resources, equip yourself then lead others into the light of truth in His marvelous light. Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

In Christ, Brian

Sunday, December 29, 2019

God Is With You - Part 1


Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So, all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Pastor Kyle preached the last Advent sermon on the Sunday before Christmas that our confidence in life is firm when we know who is with us. This fact is true with family, friends, teams, community or church. We need trusted people around us, who challenge us, hold us accountable, rebuke us when we are wrong, celebrate with us and stand by us in tough times because we know that they are “for” us. How different would you feel if you knew and trusted that God was with you? Yet, the Scriptures of the Bible tell us that all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God is with us wherever we go. Psalm 139:7-10 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

Pastor Kyle pointed out five examples from Joseph in the Matthew 1 passage on how to reflect that God is with us. (1) Be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others above your own and be willing to help. Philippians 2:3-5 tells us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Be aware of short-comings, but never put people to shame but work to restore fallen people back to an upright position. We live in a “me” society today; getting whatever you want, whenever you want. Personal public attacks and cyber-attacks on social media destroy, not build up or repair relationships. Be honest that we tend to put our own needs and desires before those of others. You are free to be the person that you are, but child of God remember “whose” you are. 

(2) Be a first-time listener with God. God’s love never leaves His children. GO to Him in prayer. He teaches us and leads us as our heavenly Father. Yet, due to our fallen sin nature, we have to be taught to do the “right” thing because we are included by the sinful desires of the flesh to do the “wrong” thing. 

Let’s continue Pastor Kyle’s message on “God is with you” in the next post
In Christ, Brian

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Morality without Religion? – Part 3


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Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

Continuing Michael's message, he writes that t third reason that you can't have morality without religion is that when you get rid of God, you have nothing less than the experience of people. The Humanist Manifesto says that human ethics is based on human experience. However, what people do is not what people ought to do. 100% of Americans sin. This doesn't mean we ought to sin. You cannot get from human experience what people ought to do.

Allan Bloom, in his book The Closing of the American Mind said, "Reason cannot establish values." However, today's schools teach that students should rationally write down what they value. These values become their morals. However, reason cannot establish values and belief that it can according to Bloom, "ls the stupidest and most pernicious illusion.  Our children are being taught the height of stupidity because if you look at what people do, we'll look at the ‘end’ and if it establishes a good end, we'll conclude that these behaviors are right." Everyone knows that lying would be right if the "ends justify the means."  

There is no "reason" without God.  Darwin said, "it's horrible to think that my speech would have no more significance than the babbling of a monkey and Who would put stock in the mind of a monkey if a monkey could even think."  Evolutionists think that matter can think. As Materialists, they think that thought is only the result of electro chemical changes in the brain. Therefore, the "Twinkie Defense" is a rational "mitigating circumstance" to mitigate a charge of First Degree Murder down to manslaughter. This defense says that the killer is not responsible for his own thoughts since a "sugar rush" induced his thoughts which resulted in his behavior.  

Romans 2:13-15 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which showed the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

Stephen Jay Gould of Harvard, a leading Evolutionists says, "little man is just a little twig, lying in the back yard and is good for nothing except to be thrown into the garbage can."  Who are we to expect that little man could construct a moral code for his own good? There is no one but God who is Just enough, Powerful enough, Wise enough, and Loving enough to create a moral code whereby we must live and should live. Because of His morality, not ours, He was just and loving enough to send His only begotten son to redeem us from our sinful nature. For Jesus Christ, who was without sin, became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. Only God who is righteous has the moral authority to establish a moral code of ethics according to the standard of His Word.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

Morals are from the word "mores" meaning: the essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community. Ethics and morals relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. While they are sometimes used interchangeably, they are different: ethics refer to rules provided by an external source, e.g., codes of conduct in workplaces or principles in religions. Morals
refer to an individual's own principles regarding right and wrong. May our morals be in line and aligned with God's ethics.

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Friday, December 27, 2019

Morality without Religion? – Part 2



Continuing Michael's message, he asks: Why can't you have morality without religion?
Some irreligious people lead so-called decent lives. However, even though you could write down your own decent moral code of behavior, they would actually be founded on religious principles, and you could never get other people to follow them. Author James Michener, who claims to be a Secular Humanist, says, "I think that humanity with constant moral guidance can create a reasonably decent society." However, he never cites any such societies that bear out this assertion, nor does he indicate the source for such moral guidance. Historian Will Durant said, "We shall find it no easy task to construct a natural ethic strong enough to maintain moral restraint and social order without a supernatural constellation of hope and fear. There is no example of society successfully maintaining a moral society without the aid of God."  According to Napoleon, "you don't rule over men without the fear of God.  You shoot them because they have descended to the level of beasts."

People who maintain the belief that you can have morality without religion are either cut off from any knowledge of Human history or they are trying to pull the wool over our eyes with a lie. The first reason that you can't have morality without religion is that even though you can draw up your own moral code of behavior, you can't get others to follow it. The secular Humanist's have written a moral code of ethics in their Humanist Manifesto. However, they have taken Christian ethics and turned them upside down. Therefore, they oppose Christian ethics by condoning gambling, divorce, suicide, free love, fornication, adultery, incest, euthanasia, and other things, all of which biblical ethics considered immoral acts. If you declare a moral code that which is immoral, you can get others to indulge "the things of this world which oppose the things of God:  the lusts of the eyes, the pride of life, and the lusts of the flesh."  

Romans 2:13-15 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which showed the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.”

The second reason that you can't have morality without religion is that you can't impose your own morality on others. Ironically, this is exactly what the Secular Humanists have attempted. When they oppose your “so-called” puritanical, restrictive, close-minded, bigoted, and intolerant Christian morality, they are in-fact imposing on you their own Humanist definition of morality. They have successfully imposed their own morality on Christians by legal enforcement. This results in the tyranny of a despot's will imposed against the will of aimless individuals who have descended into anarchy. This descent was observed by Yale's president in a conference of educators when he said, "We need a new renaissance of morality in Americas colleges and universities." Instead of being applauded, he was booed and condemned. The audience countered, "Whose morality are you attempting to impose?" He couldn't answer them because he himself had abandoned Christian ethics.

When the people in Matthew 7 heard Jesus' message in “the sermon on the mount”, they were astonished or knocked out. They were knocked out because he had the audacity to declare God's ethical code with God's authority. He not only declared God's code of Ethics but He also said that He would enforce it. He said, in Matthew 7:22-23  "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Jesus Christ as God's righteous judge will judge according to God's code of morality. Only God can impose and enforce His morality on others according to His Word.

Let's continue Michael's message on morality in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Morality without Religion? – Part 1


Matthew 7:21-29 “Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

This week, Michael writes that a modern myth is that we can have morality without religion. We have eliminated the study of scripture and Christian morality from our schools and yet we intend to turn out a moral society. George Washington said in his farewell address: "Of all of the dispositions and habits which lead to success and prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would any person claim to support patriotism who would subvert these great pillars of human happiness and let us with caution indulge the supposition of those who embrace the proposition that morality can be maintained without religion."  

Russian author Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevski said, "without a moral code everything is permissible." Jean-Paul Sartre, an avowed atheist, said, "without God, without religion, all activities are equivalent." It doesn't matter if you help someone across the street or if you just run over them. Al Capone is equivalent to Mother Theresa. Lichtenstein said, "If there are any absolutes, then they would need to come from outside of the human situation." For the last twenty five years Americans have attempted to banish religion from the public square. According to the Gallup poll, The USA is facing a moral and ethical crisis and needs to find spiritual answers to deal with the question of morality. According to the last chapter of the Bible’s book of Judges, "every man did what was right in his own eyes."

1 Corinthians 15:33. Be not deceived: evil communications (bad company) corrupt good manners.

Honesty, perseverance, respect for others, personal responsibility and a sense of duty to honor God and country used to be revered and respected as the bedrock of our Christian morality. In contrast, today's eighteen to thirty year old self indulgent generation holds to the belief that "I am entitled." As a consequence, grim statistics from a House Committee on morality indicates that Suicide is now the second leading cause of death in this age group and homicide is the most common cause of death. Teen pregnancy has increased 621% since 1940 and 85% of the boys who impregnate these girls abandon them. The average age of first time drug abuse in America is thirteen years old.  

Let's continue Michael's message on morality in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Merry Christmas 2019

#forest #tree #nature #winter #snow #photography

Luke 2:1-14  And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Merry Christmas to you and yours!



Tuesday, December 24, 2019

God With Us



John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

I came across a great little Christmas article that I’d like to share today. Many of us who’ve been in church most of our lives and become believers along the way sometimes take for granted that Jesus is our Savior. Have you taken time lately to consider what it means to have Jesus in your life? Jesus’ name Immanuel is translated “God with us.” God with us. What does it mean to share life with the Creator of the universe?

If we’ve accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation, we are never alone. We enjoy the presence of almighty God every second of every day. He’s always available for conversation—we always have God to talk to. He walks through life with us—He is there in our celebration, defeat, fear, uncertainty, strength, weakness, and grief. He provides wisdom and guidance as we make decisions. He assures us that He has a plan for our lives, and He orchestrates circumstances to fit with that plan. He works all things for our good in His time. He comforts and heals, helps us when we struggle, and provides grace to persevere in suffering. He is “full of grace and truth.” And this ever-present God of grace lives in us.

Christ’s redemption is sufficient and satisfactory for the sins of the whole world. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus because Jesus, our Redeemer, paid the price for our sin—past, present, and future. As Christian author Brian Thomas notes, “Jesus is the last Adam—the first Adam brought death, but the last Adam brings life for those who trust Him”. Our identity rests in Jesus. God sees us as clean, complete, and chosen children of God. This perfect gift is the reason we celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas Day ... What joy is ours to accept it, knowing we shall spend eternity in heaven with Him!”

We don’t have to die to enjoy the blessings of salvation. Eternity begins the moment we accept Christ. We have new life—He lives in us. God’s free gift of salvation takes away all shame and blame, and we have the awesome privilege of walking in newness of life, having “God with us” every day. This new life, walking with our Savior, is something to celebrate at Christmas and all year round!

Christmas blessings

Monday, December 23, 2019

The X in Xmas


Winter Lapon Mood

I read a timely article recently on why people use the term “Xmas” for Christmas. As we know, the letter “X” can mean so many things. For example, when we want to denote an unknown quantity in mathematics, we use the symbol X. It can refer to an obscene level of films, something that is X-rated. People seem to express chagrin about seeing Christ’s name dropped and replaced by this symbol for an unknown quantity X. Every year you see the signs and the bumper stickers saying, “Put Christ back into Christmas” as a response to this substitution of the letter X for the name of Christ.

First of all, you have to understand that it is not the letter X that is put into Christmas. We see the English letter X there, but actually what it involves is the first letter of the Greek name for Christ. Christos is the New Testament Greek for Christ. The first letter of the Greek word Christos is transliterated into our alphabet as an X. That X has come through church history to be a shorthand symbol for the name of Christ. We don’t see people protesting the use of the Greek letter theta, which is an O with a line across the middle. We use that as a shorthand abbreviation for God because it is the first letter of the word Theos, the Greek word for God.

The idea of X as an abbreviation for the name of Christ came into use in our culture with no intent to show any disrespect for Jesus. The church has used the symbol of the fish historically because it is an acronym. Fish in Greek (ichthus) involved the use of the first letters for the Greek phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” So the early Christians would take the first letter of those words and put those letters together to spell the Greek word for fish. That’s how the symbol of the fish became the universal symbol of Christendom. There’s a long and sacred history of the use of X to symbolize the name of Christ, and from its origin, it has meant no disrespect.

This excerpt is adapted from “Now, That’s a Good Question!” by R.C. Sproul.
Christmas blessings to you and yours.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

The Christmas Prequel – Part 2



Why is sin, its residual affects and it’s consequences taken so light? Know that repentance and born again conversion, belief in Christ as Blessed Redeemer and Savior, faith in the love, mercy and grace of Almighty God, and the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit create a strong and firm foundation and witness to your transformed life for the world to see, hear and experience. The full context is in Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 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” and in Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Ephesians 4:22-24 “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.”

(2) My past can be my platform my sense of purpose in Christ. Redemptive grace and merciful salvation for sinners is why Christ came. For the faithful Believer, their story and their past are redeemed with no more guilt or shame from their sin because Jesus died for them all. Their life choice is to be a disciple (student / follower) of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Use that platform to stand on. Satan works to take out our platform from beneath our feet in order to make us fall and the gospel of Jesus Christ to be silenced. But Christ died for sinners, not “good” people (which by define there are none good because of sin).

1 Peter 2:24 “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

Tell others what God has done through Jesus Christ, talk about the things that God has forgive you for, find freedom in your redemption by God grace through faith. God is not afraid of sin; Christ defeated them by His atoning death on the Cross and God forgave them. That is the true Christmas story. The reason for the season of Christmas is found in Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Christian, your platform is your life.

In Christ, Brian

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The Christmas Prequel – Part 1



Matthew 1:1-17 “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”

A couple weeks ago, Pastor Kyle continued in our Advent season Sunday sermon series “The Christmas Story Most People Miss” and stated the basic reality that begins mean so much to the meaning for the rest of the story. Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. "Christmas" is a shortened form of "Christ's mass". The word is recorded as Crīstesmæsse in 1038 and Cristes-messe in 1131. Crīst (genitive Crīstes) is from Greek Khrīstos (Χριστός), a translation of Hebrew Māšîaḥ (מָשִׁיחַ), "Messiah", meaning "anointed"; and
mæsse is from Latin missa, the celebration of the Eucharist.

Christmas draws the world focus on Jesus Christ, but unfortunately many know of Him, yet do not know Him or where He came from. Unbelievers wrestle with Christmas in their heart. They may deny God and the Savior of the world He gave to pay for the sins of the world by His atoning death on the Cross for the redemption and salvation for all who by faith repent, believe  and receive the greatest Christmas ever, but the reality is that God the Son came and dwelt among us that we might be forgiven and saved through Him. It took a perfectly sinless being to pay for the inequity of sinners, otherwise He would have to pay for His own sin. God provided One Way in sending Jesus Christ.

Luke 3:23-38 “:Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, … the son of Adam, the son of God.”

The Greek word for genealogy is genesis. Pastor Kyle listed two import lessons about Jesus from His genealogy. (1) Jesus had the right pedigree (from the lineage of King David) and fulfilled the right prophesy to be the Messiah. The mathematical odds of Jesus fulfilling all the prophesies about Himself are a staggering 10 to the seventeenth power. (2) Jesus’ life is the only one whose performance matched that of the Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit, living a sinless life, performing supernatural miracles and doing what only God can do.  

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; “Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

What are some important lessons about me in light of Jesus’ genealogy? (1) My past can be my professor to learn from, or my prison to keep me locked up. Sin is defined in the 1828 Webster’s dictionary as: “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. Sin is against a just and holy God, our maker, Creator of Heaven and Earth, architect and producer of all that exists; the state of sin in which humanity has existed since the fall of man. Romans 3:22b-23 brings light that, “there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We have a tendency to sweep our sins under the rug. Yet, God exposes all sin for everyone to see.

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

Friday, December 20, 2019

Returning to Our Roots – Part 2



Continuing Michael's message, he asks: Where did we loose our moorings and how do we get them back? The Emerson decision in 1947 argued by the ACLU presented a decision by Hugo Black that mentioned that there was a "wall of separation between church and state" and that America was a secular nation. 

The constitution says: The church... shall be separate from the state and the schools from the church. However when secularists cite these words they are quoting the wrong constitution. These words appear in the constitution of the USSR, not America. When they argue for the wall of separation  this phrase does not exist in the US constitution. The "wall of separation between church and state" first appeared in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist's in Connecticut.  This was not a governmental document but a private letter.  The Bill of Rights was written to protect the people from the government and not vice versa.  Washington said the government is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

What if there were a two way wall of separation between the government and the press and the press and the government?  What kind of nation would America be if the press couldn't say anything about the government nor the government about the press?  The intent of the "wall of separation" was to separate the churches from the government but not the government from the moral, decent, and righteous influence of the church.  It was intended to restrict the power of the government from the people but not vice versa.

What was intended by the first amendment regarding religion? In 1835 Chief Justice Story who was appointed by Madison said, "the general sentiment in America is that Christianity ought to receive encouragement from the state so far that it is not incompatible with all Americans' freedom of worship. An attempt to level all religions would have created universal indignation. The real object was not to advance other religions by excluding Christianity but to exclude all rivalry among Christian sects and to prevent ecclesiastical establishment (of one denomination over another.)"

The original constitution, the Mayflower Compact written by the Pilgrims said that the founding of this nation was for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith.  If barbarians are knocking at the door we must as Christians recommit ourselves to the goal for which the founders were wiling to give up their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor: firm reliance on Divine Providence to uphold the unalienable God given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...the blessings of liberty according to biblical virtue.

When a nation sets its face in moral opposition to God's law, God is faithful to his Word and will judge a nation accordingly.  God will honor the believing faith when America as a nation turns its heart back to the truth of the Word of God. 

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Returning to Our Roots – Part 1


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Again Michael writes that the governor of Mississippi declared in 1993 that America was a Christian nation.  He was denounced and criticized by Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, atheists, agnostics, and others.  He bowed to the pressure and retracted his statement.  In earlier times in 1947 Harry Truman noted that American was a Christian nation and no one objected.

Every nation is founded upon some theistic or anti theistic basis. If America were not founded on Christianity, then what was the theistic basis of America? In the "Trinity Decision" of 1892 the US Supreme Court examined all of the evidence for the founding of the United States and declared that America is a Christian nation. Today such a declaration would be denounced as intolerant, biased, and bigoted. 

The first Chief Justice chosen by Washington and an author of the Federalist Papers concluded that America is a Christian nation. Patrick Henry said, "Is life so sweet and peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of slavery?  Forbid it! As for me, give me liberty or give me death." He said, "our nation was not founded upon religion but upon Jesus Christ."  The founders acknowledged that they would not be subject to an earthly King and that there is only one Sovereign:  The Lord Jesus Christ himself.

TV Talk-show host Merv Griffin interviewed Pastor and Historian Dr. D. James Kennedy on the founding of America as a Christian nation. He was interviewed after Sam Donaldson, a secularist who kept interrupting him and objecting to his premise. After Kennedy supported his thesis, Donaldson said, "there may have been a "few" Christians around at our founding but they gave to us a secular government."  Kennedy responded, "at America's founding, 99.8% of the people called themselves Christians. The founders of this country never heard of a secular government since such a government had never before been contemplated.  When the French set up the first government not based on theism, the American founders were appalled." A secularist is one who denounces every religious basis of government and who believes that education should be without the religious element.

However, when George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States of America, the first thing he did was to kiss the bible. The second thing he did was to lead the congress to church to pray, which they did for two hours. He also appointed chaplains for both houses of congress and for the military.

The Northwest Ordinance which was the model for the American state constitutions said that since religion, morality, and knowledge are essential to good government, schools shall be forever established in the Northwest Territory.  When you get rid of religion, you get rid of morality.  When you get rid of morality you get rid of knowledge.  When the people of the nation think they are wiser than God, the education of the nation will suffer and the people will slide into depravity.

Let's continue Micheal's message on returning to our roots int he next post.
In Christ, Brian

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

America: God and Country – Part 2

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Psalm 33, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

Continuing Michael’s message, he writes that the infidel insists that government be conducted with the premise that there is no God.  However, it is the principles of Christianity that have made our nation great. In the proportion that the people of the nation recede from the blessings of genuine freedom they will progressively approximate the misery of destitution.  The powers of totalitarianism will be restrained where the people stand on the principles of truth according to the standard of truth, the word of God.

Only by the providence of God will a people know the blessings of liberty.  The founders trusted in the providence of God.  Washington said that the providence of almighty God kept him safe through the revolutionary war, even though bullets were shot through his coat and horses were shot out from under him.

The pilgrims originally landed at Cape Cod and determined to continue to sail south to Virginia.  They could not make it to Virginia due to a fierce storm.  In Cape Cod where the pilgrims originally landed a plague had eradicated the native tribe of hostile Indians three years before they landed at Plymouth.  Only one remained named Squanto who had been educated in England. He was converted to Christianity and eventually helped negotiate the treaty between the Pilgrims and the native Americans. America came within a hair's breadth of losing the Revolutionary War. The British fleet under General Howe had the Americans bottled up in the heights of Brooklin. That night Washing endeavored to escape.  He acquired every rowboat and private vessel he could muster.  As they put the vessels into the water a strange fog came up and obscured the escape of the Americans. These evidences of God's providence led the framers of the Declaration of Independence to declare their "firm reliance upon divine providence."

Infidels (Ones who disbelieve the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and the divine origin of Christianity) continue to denounce the sovereignty of God and the belief in his son the Redeemer Jesus Christ. They have taken over the media, the government, and the public schools. One mission is to restore America to her foundations as One Nation under God. The foundations of our American heritage as a godly nation are what has allowed our nation to prosper with the blessings of liberty.

Our challenge as Christians is to renew our commitment as did the Pilgrims to dedicate this nation to the glory of God.  The principles of Christianity will reform all cultural institutions of media, education, government, and entertainment.  If we do not stand up for the liberty wherein Christ has made us free, America will continue to fall into the vanity and degeneration of godless destitution.  Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.


Your brother in Christ, Michael



Tuesday, December 17, 2019

America: God and Country – Part 1

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Psalm 33:1-12 “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea together as an heap: he lays up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to nought: he makes the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

This week, Michael writes that some would like to erase the motto of the United States, "In God We Trust."  Such people are aliens to the spirit which gave birth to this country.  Our country was founded by people who came here to establish the Christian Faith and glorify God.  This is "The American Covenant" since God's relationship to man was in the form of a covenant.  The founders established a covenant with God. The first covenant in America was the Mayflower compact. They landed at Cape Cod and drew up this compact, "The birth certificate of America." It begins "In the name of God, Amen." 

Their purpose was twofold: The glory of God and the advancement of the Christian Faith.  Official documents that followed have repeated this purpose for the founding this country.  William Bradford, governor of the Plymouth colony, wrote the first history in America about the Plymouth plantation. The purpose for establishing a colony in America was "The advancement of the kingdom of Christ" and that this new nation would be a stepping stone for advancing the Christian gospel to the rest of the world. 

Today, the fact that America was established on Christianity is adamantly opposed. However, our country was established as a Christian nation and not a Christian state.  In 1892, the courts established that America is a Christian nation. Daniel Webster said, “our fathers were brought hither by their dedication to a Christian nation.” Let us cherish these sentiments, in the full conviction that those people are happiest which partake of the highest degree of Christianity.


Even though all of the founders were not Christian, they embraced the Christian world view that was prevalent at the time. Examples were Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson who embraced a godly world view although they did not profess Evangelical Christianity. Charles Hodge of Princeton was one of the greatest theologians of Presbyterian Christianity.  According to Hodge, When Christians came to this country, they professed Jesus Christ as their Savior. They taught their children to read the bible as the word of God.  They joined together in their communities and they declared Christianity to be the common law of the land.

Let's continue Michael's message on America's Christian roots in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

Monday, December 16, 2019

Three Worldly Powers


1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

I read how this well-known passage identifies three fountainheads of ungodly power that will, if unchecked and unguarded, ensnare a believer into a sinful lifestyle. To set the foundation of truth for understanding, we must first define “the world”. The three adversary of God is the flesh, the world and the devil. The world refers to the God-rejecting world system that rejects and is hostile towards God’s holy and just Word, Will and Way because of self-centered sin. 

Sensual power (lust of the flesh) is a body-oriented and emotion-driven reaction to fleshly appetites that can never please God and is in constant warfare with the Spirit of God (see Galatians 5:17). We are told to “flee” these “youthful lusts” that are a corruption of the fearfully and wonderfully made, God-designed human body. Visual power (lust of the eyes) is an intellect-oriented and imagination-driven stimulation of wishful thinking that will take control of behavior if not carefully curtailed by walking in the spirit. Although impacting men more than women, this kind of lust will conceive sin instead of merely reacting to it. Personal power (the pride of life) is a self-oriented and ego-driven desire for dominance that has no ethic or limiting factor other than the praise of men, not God. Such pride, dominated by the “natural mind” and a deceitful heart, spirals into a self-love that twists and distorts human behavior into a litany of ungodliness that loves pleasure rather than God. Do you see this hedonism around you today? 

Hebrews 11:25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

Giving in to these “worldly” powers may grant us pleasures for a season, but will surely make us an enemy of God” and God must punish sin. May our Lord Jesus grant that we stay armed against such deceit, covered and protected with the whole armor of God”. There are spiritual battles being waged in a war for your heart, mind and soul. Do not be deceived or distracted by the three worldly powers tempting each and every one of us. Be aware, then beware. Walk in the Spirit and keep your eyes upon Jesus, our Savior and Lord.

Blessings

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Missing the Obvious – Part 2


Matthew 1:20-23 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
           
Continuing Dr. Willie Nolte’s message from the last post, he states that with all these ways that we can miss what Christmas is all about, there must be something that we can do. What is the solution to the problem? The first thing is that we need to see Jesus. Keep Christ in Christmas. Be intentional and pay attention because something is going on and you want to see it. Ask: What is there here in the Christmas story that you maybe have not seen and understood fully in your life? What child is this? That is a whole different attitude towards getting the message. If you are looking and expecting, the message of Christmas is there. Intentionally build time into your schedule to stay focused in hope, peace and love to center in on the meaning of God breaking into time and space (God with us) to have a relationship with us and save humanity. This simultaneously comforts us and rocks our world.        

John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The second part of the solution is to take Jesus at His word and the Bible as truth. Hear the Word for what it says. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; I am living water; I am the bread of life; I am the way, the truth and the life and I have come to seek and save that which was lost.” If you think about and unpack what is light? What is water? What is bread? What is direction, truth and true life, but the things that we need to find our way ultimately. Jesus says, “I am that!” Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to make all that possible for us. Let’s take a step back and let the Holy Scriptures (the Word of God) speak for themselves and be honest that maybe we don’t know exhaustively everything about the Christmas story and its meaning. With fresh eyes, there is more to learn, more to know and more for God to show.  
   
The third thing is to learn from Luke 2:8-14. Three terms stand out in that passage of Scripture: great joy, Savior and peace. The highlight of the Christmas story is about celebration, salvation and reconciliation. I challenge and encourage you to be very practical and realize that in order for us to truly see and embrace, live and experience what is so obviously there. What is we became the people. that in a new, fresh and refreshed way in this Christmas season, stepped forward and said that Christmas was about  celebrating ‘good tidings of great joy which will be to all people”, because it is about salvation and “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” God did that! Jesus did not come so that we put trees in our houses and decorate them with ornaments, not to put colorful light on the eves of the roof outside, or to go to Christmas parties. Literally, Jesus came because humanity was and remains separated from God and our relationship with our Heaven Father broken by our sin. All of us fall short of God’s perfection and that separates us from a Just and Holy God. But God is not willing to leave humanity is a broken state, so God came in the person of Jesus Christ. Christmas is about salvation. God loves us and wants us to experience the full life that He intended for us to live and enjoy it.

It’s not about “once a year” good tiding, but us stopping separation and start reconciling to bring peace on earth and good will toward mankind. It is time. Unless we look for it, we cannot see all or experience all and we will miss it. Step forward because that is what this season is all about. Merry Christmas to all.

In Christ, Brian 




Saturday, December 14, 2019

Missing the Obvious - Part 1



Luke 2:8-14 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

A couple weeks ago, our church welcomed Dr. Willie Nolte as guest Preacher for our first sermon of the 2019 Advent/Christmas season. Pastor Nolte explained that the word “Advent” (from Latin “adventus”), means “coming” or “Arrival”. There is a term: “unintentional inattention”, where things are happening around us but we miss it. Sometimes, things are happening, but we miss the significance of them. We don’t realize what we are looking at or hear right in front of us. We might be missing the beauty, the value, the importance or what God is saying to us.

At Christmas, what child is this? In the Christmas holiday season there is a lot of stuff going on. We could miss what Christmas is all about. Why? Pastor Nolte suggests three reasons. (1) Christmas is too familiar to us. We know the story of the Christ child miraculous birth to the Virgin Mary in a Bethlehem merger, the Star, the Angels, the Wise men and their three gifts. We can get to thinking that we know it all already and don’t need to think about it. But in reality, when do we know everything there is to know about someone? And especially, when do we exhaust and fully grasp the true meaning of an infinite Creator God, who broke through time and space in the Incarnate Christ among us, and the love, mercy and grace towards sinners for their forgiveness, reconciliation and salvation? It hasn’t happened yet: that takes a lifetime. Stop and look again. What time does a society re-calibrate itself to the Son of God coming from Heaven to Earth with His love and kindness in sight and in focus besides Christmas? We get too busy and to cluttered with distractions. Christmas may be commercialized, but the more lights and trees that go up, the more Christmas cards that are mailed and the more get-togethers with family and friends will all come together and focus our attention on the light of the world, God’s gift, and peace on earth.

(2) We could miss what Christmas is all about by our preconceived notions or conclusions of who and what the Messiah was and would be. Many have ideas already what God is like. Is God all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present or absent and mad? What we have decided in our minds affects our understanding, belief and faith. When our understanding and associated belief differs from what the Bible says is opposite, we tend not to accept that. (3) We could miss what Christmas is all about by our existing paradigm (the way that we receive, act and react). Our misconceptions and misunderstandings do not allow us to break through our preconceived notions and conclusions, including the message of Christmas. Most understand God as being transactional. If I do “this”, then God will do “that”. Example: If I do good, then God owes me because that is a part of the deal. But, God is not transactional; He is transformational. Romans 12:2 says, “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.” God is interested in breaking into our world and changing the way that we think and act, giving us the ability to start doing it in an improving and maturing sanctification process. The spiritual and miraculous are above our intellect, yet exist and are true. Don’t let Christmas become Christ missed.

Let's continue Dr. Nolte's message on the significance of Christmas in the next post.
In Christ, Brian

Friday, December 13, 2019

Paradoxes of Scripture


Proverbs 11:24 “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.”

A paradox is not two waterfront piers next to each other; that would be a “pair of docks”. Kidding aside, the word paradox means a tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion, or seemingly absurd, yet true in fact. As in the saying “To get, we must give.” I read that this is not the world’s method for attaining prosperity, but it is the paradoxical message of today’s verse, as well as that of Christianity in general.

An article noted some of the many other paradoxes in the Bible related to this basic truth. To really live, we must die gets its paradoxical meaning from Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me”. Likewise, to save one’s life, he or she must lose it gets its meaning from Luke 17:33, “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it”. Similarly, to be wise, we must become fools receives its connotation from 1 Corinthians 3:18, “If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise”. The saying, to reign, we must serve comes from Matthew 25:21, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things”.

To be exalted, we must become humble is from Matthew 20:16, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”. To be first, we must be last. “So the last shall be first, and the first last”. Finally, note the nine-fold paradox of a truly Christian ministry: “In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God. . . . By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:4, 8-10). 

Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Spiritual Battle – Part 2

  

Continuing Michael’s message on Spiritual Battles, he asks: If someone calls you a Christian, will there be enough evidence to convict you? If we’re not being rebuked, it’s not because we don’t need it, it’s just because they think you can’t take it. The word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, and correction, for instruction in righteousness. We should thank God when our brothers and sisters in Christ or even the World reproves and corrects us. Trials and tribulations reveal who we are and what we really believe. For tribulation works patience and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Our fight is not against flesh and blood. It’s not against male and female, Republicans and Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives, haves and have-nots. We’re in the midst of a spiritual battle. Are we fearful about our finances? Are we fearful about our relationships?  Are we fearful about losing our material possessions? The Word of God says, God is our sufficiency. To rely on God, he says give of your finances and God will bless you. According to Corinthians, give not of necessity, but cheerfully for God loves a cheerful giver. The world will praise us for doing the right thing. The World thinks that it’s exceptional to love the unlovable, to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile, and to recompense no man evil for evil. However, this is the norm for those who are following after Christ.  

Through the trial God will ask, “no matter the outcome of this situation, will you still purpose in your heart to love, honor and serve me.” Either God is in control or He’s not.  Jesus said, be not weary in well doing, for in due season you shall reap if you faint not.  Through pain and suffering the Apostle Paul came to understand, “Thy strength is made perfect in my weakness, thy grace is sufficient for me.”

According to 2 Timothy 2, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.  Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are his. And let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
The spiritual warfare is a gift to bear up under suffering in His power and not ours. By God’s grace He has given us today to live in fellowship with Him, with our Lord Jesus Christ, and one with another in the household of faith.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

The Spiritual Battle – Part 1



This week, Michael writes that Jesus suffered and died so that we could be made righteous because of his payment for sin on our behalf. Many Americans see today’s conflicts as a political battle. However, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness from on highEphesians 6 says, “put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand.”

Today is the evil day. In order to stand, Christians must be trained. Trials and tribulations will test us so that we will learn to stand not in our own strength but in His strength alone. We’re instructed to put on the whole armor of God. God won’t put it on for us. This is a command, so that we will actively stand against the devil’s schemes.  According to 2 Timothy 2:24-26, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 

Jesus said in Luke 14, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” A disciple is a follower and a student. Unless you “hate” everything else in comparison to your love for God, you cannot be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s to our own benefit to make Him Lord of our lives. Lord means owner. You are slaves to whom ye obey.  Either we follow our Lord Jesus Christ or we’re followers of this world. 

Are we Christians who happen to be Americans or are we Americans who happen to be Christians? The question is, are we Christians first?  When we came to Christ, we became enemies of this God-rejecting world. We can choose either to be victors or victims. Jesus said, “in this world you will have tribulation, but be not dismayed, for I have overcome the world.” Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.  Not as the world gives give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” There is no peace without the prince of peace – Jesus Christ. Peace is the result of reconciliation: for there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

When Jesus addressed the Pharisees in John 8 He said, “you are of your father the devil. He is the father of lies and you have believed the lie rather than the truth of the Word of God.” Jesus Christ himself is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except by Him. Men and women of this world are wrapped up in the things of this world. However, we’re to set our affections on things above, not on things of the earth. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. Instead treasure treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

What does God’s Word say about the devil?  In 2 Corinthians he’s the god of this world. In Ephesians he is the prince of the power of the air. In 2 Timothy, he sets snares for the righteous. We have a moment by moment decision to follow the things of the world or the things of the spirit of Christ in us. According to John 8, “He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. The devil makes his schemes seem natural. The things of the spirit are counter to the things of this world. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Our joy is not the absence of pain, but the presence of God. Joy does not depend on worldly circumstances. Joy and rejoicing is in the spirit of the Lord, Christ in you the hope of glory.  

Let's continue Michael's message on Spiritual Battles" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian