Friday, March 24, 2023

Moral Compass

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Proverbs 21:1-2 “ The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.”

 

I was talking to my father’s pastor this week, and he expressed his concerns concerning morals in both the nation and within the church. He is concerned that people have lost their moral compass to guide them. The word “morals” is defined as: the practice of the duties of life; as a man of correct morals. Our conduct; behavior; course of life, in regard to good and evil. The standards for good or bad character. The standards for what is right and wrong for them.

 

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” People can be truly sincere about what they believe is good and right, but they can be sincerely wrong. What are people basing their morals upon? For many, they base it upon what is acceptable thoughts words and actions in the culture today … what is right in the eyes of society. But the secular world a swayed by the desires of the flesh (pleasure, position, popularity, profitability and pride). But, really matters is what is “right” in the eyes of the Lord. God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is our true moral compass for what is right or wrong, good or bad, godly or evil. The Word of God communicates the Lord’s standards for His creatures conduct and behavior for living.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 15:14, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” There are many that argue that “everyone is doing it”. But, as my grandmother used to ask me: “If everyone else was jumping off a cliff, would I jump off with them?” The point is “right is right”, and God defines what is “right”. Don’t follow the “wrong” crowd with their immoral compass. Follow Jesus, listen to the lead of the Holy Spirit, learn, know and obey the Word of God, using them alone as your moral compass for life.

 

In Christ, Brian

 

I’ll be without WiFi for a little while. Be back soon.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Here come the Judge

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John 8:26 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy,

and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”

 

Last week in our mid-week Small Group Bible Study, we read the verse above and it struck me that Jesus’ first visitation was as the “suffering servant” being the promised Messiah and Savior of the world in God’s plan of Salvation delivering teachings to abide in and live in accordance with as His true born-again believing disciples that know the freedom giving truth (v. 31-32). But, the Lord starts by stating that “I have much to say in judgment of you.” Who gave Jesus this authority to judge? John 3:35 tells us, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.”

 

John 5:26-29 further explains, “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” In the “Second Coming” of Christ, Jesus arrives as the “Conquering King”, the judge of all. Hebrews 9:26-28explains, “Now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him, He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

 

In 2 Timothy 4:1-3 the Apostle Paul speaks to the sin that will be judged, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” The Apostle Peter confirms the coming judgment of sin in 1 Peter 4:1-5“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

 

The Apostle John describes the final judgment by Jesus Christ in Revelation 20:10-15, “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him [Jesus] who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. 

 

Order in the court, here come the Judge. 

In Christ, Brian


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

The Race of Faith

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Hebrews 11:39-12:4  And all these [great heroes in the hall of faith], having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 


All time was divided by one individual and in God’s plan of redemption on the world from the fall by sin in the Garden of Eden, the BC (Before Christ) believing patriarchs lived by faith in the promised Messiah, the coming Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Christ, Emmanuel (God with us) but did not live to see the day that the world received the promise. They were given the vision and the promise to put their steadfast faith in and hold onto in firm reliance. But the A.D. (Anno Domini, which is Latin for "Year of Our Lord.") believing Christians have been provided “something better” by God with the blessed Redeemer, the Word, the Way, the Truth and the Life, God incarnate, the Savior of the world to all who repent of sin, believes by faith and receives Jesus – the gift by God to justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification and eternal life, being made perfect in the blood of Christ on the Cross. 

 

The BC heroes of faith paved the road and set the stage, just to witness in us A.D. believer experience in the forgiveness of sin in what the father of the Reformation Martin Luther called “The Blessed Exchange” of our sin for Christ’s righteousness. In every human’s fallen flesh nature, we are easily tempted, distracted, lured, ensnared and trapped by sin (the voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command). They are our great cloud of witnesses, elated to now see this time fulfilled.

 

Recognize and realize the great privilege of receiving the promised Savior of the world and in believing, not only receive salvation by faith in Christ, but also by abandoning the evil sin that enslaves us and follow Jesus as Lord of our life, running with endurance the race that is set before us. Galatians 5:1,16 instructs us to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, was sent by our loving Father in Heaven to set the captives of sin free, to conquer death, to give life and be our Lord. 

 

Hebrews 11:1 declares, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Jesus died for you. Will you live for Him? Walk by faith and not by sight. Citizenship in the kingdom of God is yours now; residency in Heaven is next. As Bible Commentator Matthew Henry stated: Let us then pray continually for the increase of our faith, that we may follow these bright examples [in the hall of faith], and be, with them, at length made perfect in holiness and happiness, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father for evermore. Faithfully run the race of faith with joy.

 

In Christ, Brian




Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Trial Blessings - Part 2

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Michael continues: Through his suffering and pain the Apostle Paul asked God to remove his “thorn in the flesh.” God finally answered his prayer. But God’s answer was not the answer Paul expected. God said, “My strength is made perfect in thy weakness… my grace is sufficient for thee.” The greatest life lessons are learned through the crucible of the melting pot and the refining fire of God’s purifying. 


According to Philippians 3:4-10, Paul said, in the world’s eyes I had accomplished many great things. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Even though Paul had the right worldly credentials, He concluded, what the world values, I count worthless in order to gain Christ.

Paul knew that in order to live for Christ he had to forsake his own ways and die to himself. Even though he had the right pedigree, born of the tribe of Benjamin, even though he was schooled in the strictest teachings of the Law of the Pharisees, and even though he kept all 613 of the Old Testament Laws, Paul said, these things I count but loss so that I may gain Christ. He knew that his righteousness was not in the works of the Law, but in the righteousness of Christ. The Apostle said, all of my worldly accomplishments, I count but dung, rubbish, excrement, that I may know Christ. Everything I’ve done that the world holds dear, I flush down the toilet so that I may gain the knowledge of Christ. It’s not for my own glory anymore, but for the glory of God through my Lord Jesus Christ.

Oswald Chambers said, if you enjoy being tortured and suffering pain, then you’re insane. However, if you suffer and endure for Christ, then you’re living on a higher plain than the physical comfort of this fallen world. If you love God above all, then you’re motivated to live for Him and not for the pleasures of the world. The greatest blessings of life are learned through suffering. Joy is not the absence of pain. Joy is the presence of the Lord. The Apostle James said, “count it all joy when you encounter various trials. For when tribulation is completed, God will reveal his perfect work in you… that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” The Apostle Paul prayed, that I may know the fellowship of his suffering, that I, too, may die to self in order to live for God. Jesus said, “whosoever shall hold on to his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it.” As missionary Jim Elliot said, he is no fool who loses that which he cannot keep to keep that which he cannot lose.

Why is suffering a blessing and not a curse? When our heart’s desire is to be conformed to his image and to his suffering, for tribulation works patience, and patience experience. A blessing of proven character, the character of Christ in us, the hope of Glory. And a blessing in endurance and long suffering, for we will know by experience the meaning of hope and love. A blessing, for proving the character of Christ in us produces hope of the return of our Lord, and hope makes us not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit that even through the trial and suffering and enduring, we may live to the praise of the glory of God’s grace!


Your brother in Christ, Michael

Monday, March 20, 2023

Trial Blessings - Part 1

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This week, Michael writes that Jesus said in John 16:33, “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.” It is not a matter of “if”, but of “when” it is going to come in our lives. But, has God blessed us even through tribulations; the severe afflictions; the distresses of life; the vexations? In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution. Are we blessed even through persecutions; the infliction of pain, punishment or death upon others unjustly, particularly for adhering to a religious creed or mode of worship, either by way of penalty or for compelling them to renounce their principles. 

 

The world doesn’t know the full meaning of the word “blessing”. It’s often a buzzword, a covert code word that conveys that someone is a Christian. The world thinks that blessings are favorable circumstances in the world around us. The word “blessing” is defined as any means of happiness; a gift, benefit or advantage; that which promotes temporal prosperity and welfare, or secures immortal felicity. The divine favor is the greatest blessing. The Greek word for “blessing” is “eulogia”, meaning consecration (the act of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God, by certain rites or solemnities). Consecration does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted to God or to divine service. A (concrete) blessing, a benefit. 

 

However Jesus’ definition of blessings are defined in the beatitudes, and has the connotation of being made “happy”. The final beatitude says, 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. According to 1 Peter 3:14, if you suffer and endure for the sake of righteousness, you shall be blessed. James 1:12 says blessed is the man who remains faithful under trial. How can that be?

Thomas Payne said, the great man will pursue conscience until death. The founders of America and the signers of the Declaration of Independence suffered for their convictions. They knew that they would be persecuted for their stand for their God-given inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness based on godly virtue. To these ends they pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in firm reliance on Divine Providence (of almighty God, who provides). 

The materialistic world thinks that enough is never enough. John D Rockefeller, the richest man at the time, was asked, “when is enough, enough?” His answer: Just a little bit more. Buy the lust of the flesh and the pride of life is an insatiable hunger, enough is never enough.

The perils of Paul are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 states: “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, 
in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 


Let's continue Michael's message on finding blessings, even in the trials of life in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Stubborn Faith

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This Sunday, retired Pastor Willie was guest preacher in our continuing sermon series on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His topic was “stubborn faith” and used Mark 5:21-43 (Bible stories of healing a woman and raising Jairus’ daughter) as today’s Scripture passage.   

 

The word “stubborn” can have both a positive and negative connotation to it, depending on how it is used, but more than not is used to mean a negative attribute in someone. Noah Webster defined the word as: 1. Unreasonably obstinate; inflexibly fixed in opinion; not to be moved or persuaded by reasons; inflexible; a stubborn mind or soul. 2. Persevering; persisting; steady; constant; as stubborn attention. 3. Stiff; not flexible; as a stubborn bow. 4. Hardy; firm; enduring without complaint; as stubborn Stoics. 5. Harsh; rough; rugged. [Little used.] 6. Refractory; not easily melted or worked; as a stubborn ore or metal. 7. Refractory; obstinately resisting command, the goad or the whip; as a stubborn donkey or horse. The instances where it arrears in the Bible (in Deuteronomy 21, Psalm 78, and Proverbs 7), the word “stubborn” is the Hebrew word “sārar”, with a negative meaning to rebel, be stubborn, be rebellious, be refractory. But, “stubborn faith” has the positive aspects of the definition of being steadfast for the Lord.

 

Four characteristics of “stubborn faith” are: (A) It rejects the pull and weight of status, position and pride of the fallen flesh. (B) It risks ridicule, judgment, and rejection knowing that darkness of sin and unbelief opposes the light of Truth. It doesn’t matter what stubborn faith looks like to other people. It matters what it looks like to God. (C) It refuses to be stopped by barriers by un-detoured persistence in godly living and the relentless pursuit of the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven. (D) It resists fear. Jesus said in Mark 5:36, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Easy to say, but hard to do without spiritual strength. But, Jesus says in 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.” Stubborn faith is being convinced that Jesus Christ is the answer. 

 

All this results in [1] being seen and known by Jesus. Do you know Jesus? Ask, seek, find, know and abide. He can be known and be with you in a person relationship always. John 1:11-13 tells us that Jesus “came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” That is God’s desire. Is it yours? 

 

[2] God’s almighty power and loving mercy are released upon you. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Romans 5:8 declares that, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ephesians 2:1 confirms that, “you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Busy lives crowd out life and true living, because to live is Christ.

 

[3] Salvation is wholistic peace, because Romans 6:23 tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The born-again Believer’s sins are forgiven, the captive bondage to sin broken and the wrath of God lifted in redemptive liberation. We should have a sense of desperation to get to Jesus at the foot of the Cross, because as John 1:29 proclaims, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

So, go to Jesus in faith without fear or delay. Have stubborn faith and believe in the power of God. In Christ, Brian

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Absolute Trust

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Isaiah 26:1-4 “We have a strong city; He sets up salvation as walls and ramparts. “Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful and trustworthy. “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. “Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

 

The old French 17th century Christian Mathematician and Philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote in his famous “Pensées. Meaning “Thoughts”, that mankind does not realize just how great the Fall of man actually was from the Garden of Eden. It was truly paradise lost. Our heavenly Father has been on a rescue, redeem and restoration mission ever since as His plan of salvation we see through the Old Testament history, including the Isaiah passage (above). Sin entered the world and it was cursed with decay and death. The sin nature of the human heart seeks self-gratification and personal gain based upon godless ambition. 

 

To convert means to change or turn from one religion to another, or from one party or sect to another; as, to convert pagans to Christianity. The word pagan refers to a heathen; a Gentile; an idolater; one who worships false gods. Pagan is used to distinguish unsaved individuals from a Christian. Conversion means to turn from a sinful life to a godly one; a change of heart and moral character, from enmity to God and from vicious inclinations, to love of God and to a holy life. 

 

Properly, holy means made whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions in the life-long grow and maturing process of sanctification. But, this side of eternity, we remain the sin nature of the fallen flesh and its impure desires. 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.

 

True conversion is a change of heart, or dispositions by the Holy Spirit, in which the enmity of the heart to God and his law and the obstinacy of the will are subdued, and are succeeded by supreme love to God and his moral government, and a reformation of life. This conversion of the soul requires acknowledgement of our sin against a just and holy Creator in heaven and repentance of that sin; turning away in disgust of the sinfulness, putting our complete trust in the Lord, and accepting God’s mercy and grace as a gift in the atoning sacrifice by the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, sent from heaven to take our place for the wages of sin and die in our place. Acts 3:19 instructs us, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” 

 

In the Believer’s born-again process of justification and salvation by steadfast faith and absolute trust in God, they are consecrated to the Lord, meaning made sacred by ceremonies or solemn divine rites; separated from a common sin-natured life to a sacred use; devoted or dedicated to the service and worship of God; made venerable. In conversion of the soul, we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, made holy in the eyes of God; set apart for sacred services and good works for the advancement of the kingdom of Heaven. Ephesians 2:10“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

 

In God we completely trust.

In Christ, Brian



Friday, March 17, 2023

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day 2023

 St. Patrick's Day 2023: When Is St. Patrick's Day? Who Was St. Patrick? |  The Old Farmer's Almanac 

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.— Philippians 1:21

 

On this day that we celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day, wearing green clothes, eating Corned Beef and Cabbage and maybe toasting a Guinness Stout or Irish Red Ale to this great man, I wonder if we know who we are celebrating and why? I looked this man up on the internet and found that Patrick, who was actually born in Scotland, was kidnapped as a young lad by a band of marauding pirates. These pirates bound Patrick, took him to Ireland, and sold him as a slave to a druid chieftain. Patrick said of this experience, “It was while I ate the bitter bread of that hateful servitude in a foreign land, that the light divine broke upon my benighted soul and I called to remembrance the holy things which I had been taught in my dear old home . . . ” Patrick’s heart was transformed, and he became a new creature in Jesus Christ. By faith in the Blessed Redeemer of mankind, by a trust in the blood shed for his sins, this young man in the depths and darkness of the forests of Ireland found the Savior of the world.

 

After six years of slavery, Patrick escaped. But he had vowed revenge—the noble revenge of sharing the Gospel with the very people who had held him captive. Patrick believed that God had called him to return to the land of his slavery and preach the Godpel. The Encyclopedia Britannica declares that Patrick himself baptized one hundred and twenty thousand persons. St. Patrick—echoing the apostle Paul, who said, “For me, to live is Christ”—said, “For me, life is Christ.” 

 

St. Patrick was a saint in the only real sense of that word, made such because he was sanctified by God, by His Spirit, as he submitted himself wholly to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and received Him as Savior and Lord. He accomplished incredible things. This man was a great Christian missionary from England to Ireland. He brought the Gospel to the Emerald Isle and saw virtually the whole country converted under his ministry. St. Patrick was fearless and bold, and Christ was the source of his strength. He prayed something (in "the breastplate of St. Patrick") that we can all pray:

 

"I bind to myself this day to
The Power of His Incarnation, 
The Power of His Crucifixion, 
The Power of His Resurrection 
With His Ascension.

 

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in the hearts of all that love me,
Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.

Christ is life. Christ is all in all. "For me to live is Christ." 


That is the real meaning of St. Patrick’s Day.

In Christ, Brian

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Worry

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Matthew 6:24-27  No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 

The King James version translates the word “worry” in Matthew 6 as the term “taking thought”. It is the Greek word “merimnaō”, which means to be anxious, to be troubled with cares. Noah Webster’s dictionary defines “worry” as troubled; to be harassed with importunity, or fatigued with care and anxiety. I read that worrying is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation or problem. With excessive worrying, your mind and body go into overdrive as you constantly focus on "what might happen." In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic attacks. 

 

Anxiety from worrying is a normal reaction to stress. Stress comes from the demands and pressures we experience each day. The problem occurs when fight or flight is triggered daily by excessive worrying and anxiety. Chronic anxiety and outpouring of stress hormones can have serious physical consequences, including: Suppression of the immune system, digestive disorders, muscle tension, short-term memory loss, premature coronary artery disease, and even a heart attack. Do not allow worry to be your master.

 

Matthew 6:28-34 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

Meditating daily on God and His holy words of the bible, instead of worrying will help you move beyond negative thoughts and allow you to become "unstuck" from worries that keep your body on high alert. Spending time with God, you purposefully pay attention to your personal relationship with your all-seeing, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present Father in heaven without thinking of the past or future stresses. With a heartfelt prayer, have a conversation with your loving and caring Lord. Worries become like “water on a duck” and roll off. The opposite of worry is peace of mind. It’s one of the fruits of the Spirit – (Galatians 5:22). The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ tells us in 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." That is why Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” Rejoice in peace!

 

Philippians 4:4-8 declares, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your  gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

 

Don’t worry, be happy.

In Christ, Brian




Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The Rat Race

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1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

 

There is a term that we use to describe the busyness in our lives today – the Rat Race. You may remember the 1960 romance movie starring Tony Curtis and Debbie Reynolds, or the 2001 comedy movie starring Rowan Atkinson and Whoopy Goldberg of the same name, but the expression “The Rat Race” refers to the strenuous, wearisome, and usually competitive activity in a rushed “way of life”. It is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. The phrase is commonly associated with an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that leaves no time for relaxation or enjoyment. Just when you think that you have gotten ahead in the race, someone throws more rats in. Is that "living the dream", "living la veda loca" or "living a nightmare"? Not to mention, it is just a perishable crown that you win.


Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 “I set my mind to seek and explore by man’s wisdom all human activity that has been done under heaven. It is a miserable business and a burdensome task which God has given the sons of men with which to be busy and distressed. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.”

 

I remember a family at church that was caught up in Youth Sports, being in multiple sports at one time and running their child from one practice or game to another constantly. It totally consumed them as a way of life, and when their child fell and broke their arm, all stopped and they didn’t know what to do. I had a friend that excitedly pursue the purchase of expensive new items that they craved, but once they finally acquired the item, the “thrill of the chase” was over, and it was onto the next fancied thing. We were on a Cruise ship for our wedding anniversary and a couple that that we dined with described how exhausted they were on the ship because they run from one shipboard activity to the next all-day-long from morning till midnight. I was exhausted just listening to them tell the details. These are all just examples of running in the Rat Race.

 

You may have been led to believe that the one who does the most or has the most at the end wins, but there are no U-Haul trailers behind a funeral Hurst on the way to the graveyard. You can’t take it with you when you go, and you don’t come running to “slide in sideways”, so what do you really gain in the end by running in the Rat Race? There is just a headstone marker with a “dash” [not a 100 year dash]. You see in society every day though people running from one thing to the next in order to “keep up with the Jones” by doing every popular thing, having every trendy thing, by running at the top of their game and being cool. The Rat Race certainly sounds exciting and a ton of fun, but is merely an enticing temptation that is competing for our attention, which lures and seduces our fleshly desires and distracts our focus from the true source of pure and honest happiness and contentment. God has something better in mind for us then the Rat Race. The Lord has a godly race that He has set before His team to run. Jesus paved the course, delineated the way, and set our focus on the finish line for an imperishable crown. Do not get weary or become discouraged as you run with the eternal perspective. 

 

Hebrews 11:39-12:3 And all these [in the Hall of Faith], having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

 

In Christ, Brian

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Livin' the Life

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Isaiah 40:6-7 “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.”

 

It is second nature for people to live for the day. I remember that my employer would give us a notepad with the words “Things to do today” at the top, so we could plan our entire day out and check off the items one-by-one as they were completed. If something else came up, I’d simply add it to the bottom of the list. It was a productivity tool that was designed to keep us focused on priorities, goal-oriented and not forget something in a busy day. At the end of the workday, any unfinished items on the list would be put on the top of tomorrow’s list. Did you have a “Things to do today” list also? It is natural to plan out your day, or your week. We live in a busy world that is full of distractions and temptations that vie for our attention and time. Life is short and time is of the essence. 

 

James 4:14 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

 

But, busyness tends to make us short-sighted and drives us to secular existentialism. The word “secular” comes from the Latin word “secularis” meaning pertaining to the present world, or to things not spiritual or holy; relating to things not immediately or primarily respecting the soul, but the body; worldly. The secular concerns of life respect making provision for the support of life, the preservation of health, the temporal prosperity of self; “Living the life” by "living in the world”. Existentialism is relating to, affirming, and grounded in existence or the experience of existence: having being in time and space, therefore “living in the moment”. Secular existentialism says, that yesterday is dead and gone and tomorrow is out of sight, so eat, drink and be merry. Egocentric hedonism (self-centered living for pleasure) is “vanity faire” (man's sinful attachment to worldly things.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

Though our Creator did create humans live and exist in the world, but did not design or make us to be “of the word”; worldly. We are certainly supposed to make provision for support of life, but that is not the purpose of the life that God intended; just the means to the way. We are going to exist daily, but we God’s people serve the Lord, advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and use the spiritual gifts given to each of us help our neighbor in this life. God put us on this earth, in this time and place, for a divine reason. The Christian is “livin’ the life”, but it is the righteous life that God planned; a godly prosperous life of kingdom living, to give you hope and a future in the time that we have.  

 

In Christ, Brian

Monday, March 13, 2023

What’s your Motive?

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This week, Michael writes that in Luke 4 Jesus was tempted of the devil in the wilderness. The devil took Jesus up to a high mountain and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. He said to Jesus, all this will I give you if you will bow down and worship me, for it was delivered to me and I will give it to whomsoever I will. Adam had transferred the power and dominion over the world to the devil when he committed the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Jesus responded to the devil’s offer, “Thou shall worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve.” Jesus made it clear that we must worship and serve God. The question is whom do you serve? Why are you doing what you’re doing? What is the motive behind your action?

God will humble us to teach us to learn humility and to serve Him from a heart of love. This is a hard lesson to learn. Jesus said, whoever humbles himself as a child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. In Mark 9 and Mark 12, Jesus said, whoever wishes to be great among you must be servant of all. Then In Luke 9 Jesus said, the Son of Man must suffer many things … if anyone wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake shall save it. In the Upper Room Jesus said to the twelve disciples after he had washed the disciples’ feet, “if I’ve washed your feet you shall also wash one anthers’ feet.”

Jesus said to Peter, “feed my sheep”. Jesus taught Peter that if you’re serving without the love of God, you will not endure. You will burn out if you serve for any other reason. Jesus knew what was in the heart of man. Jesus himself said, “I came to give my life as a ransom for many.” John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life. Jesus came not to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.”

The question is, whom do you serve? The world teaches us to serve ourselves … to look out for number one. However, Jesus said, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. The “kingdom of self” is heavily defended territory. However, Jesus said, you need to die to self in order to live to serve me. According to Galatians 2:20, “For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me and the live that I now live I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Without loving God above all, we cannot serve faithfully for believing faith works in love. The love of God activates believing faith that sustains the energy that appropriates the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His purpose. The world creates works-based systems to get people to follow worldly leaders. The church prioritizes attending, spending, and sending ... these are works based priorities. In other words, attend regularly, give generously, and serve diligently. It’s one thing to work, as long as the work is motivated by the love of God. However, if the work is the purpose, it will profit me nothing. This is the theme of 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (the Love of God,) it profits me nothing.

There are two great Commandments upon which hang all the law and the prophets: You shalt love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and you shalt love your neighbor as yourself. Why did God say to love their Maker above all? CS Lewis asked this question: Is God so egotistical that he demands our worship, praise, love, honor and glorification? Serving God is the nature of the spirit of life in Christ, not the sin nature of our flesh. Our fallen nature is to serve ourselves. The world indoctrinates us to ask, what’s in it for me? This “WIFM” paradigm doesn’t miss anything, except the boat. Jesus said to his disciples, get on board with me and we’ll go over to the other side. To serve the Lord is to obey His word from a heart of love.

Serving the Lord is believing faith that works in love. The greatest blessing is not in seeking the blessings but in seeking to bless the Blessor, in loving God above all. For what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve from a heart of love, that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace.


Your bother in Christ, Michael

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Doubt

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Matthew 14:22-33 “Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” 

 

Our Pastor Kyle preached  this morning on this great passage of the Bible, but the moral of the story is not about supernaturally walking on water, as much as it is about our faith and unbelief / trust and doubt and staying focused on the Lord; His statutes, commands, teachings, direction and promises. 

 

After feeding the 5000 men, plus the women and children from five loaves of bread and two fish by miraculously multiplying them, enough to feed them all and have twelve baskets of left-overs, Jesus tells his disciples to get in their boat and row across the Sea of Galilee toward Capernaum, off Gennesaret. Remember that a disciple is defined as a student, a learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another, but also a follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts. Their Lord Jesus told them to go, so they obeyed. Jesus stayed behind to dismiss the crowd that He fed and to go pray to His heaven Father before meeting up with them on the other side later.

 

Well, the weather started getting rough and the tiny ship was tossed. They were halfway across, staining to row against a stiff headwind, when Jesus came walking by on the water. The depths of the Sea of Galilee was known as the abyss where the underworld resided, so seeing a figure supernaturally walking on the water, concluded that it was a ghost. Jesus proclaims “don’t worry; be happy, it’s just me.” Peter requests and is granted to supernaturally walk on the water with Him, but gets caught up in the fearful reality of the storm and the gravity of the situation physically and sinks because he took His mind’s eye of Jesus. 

 

The lesson was in Jesus’ comment: “why did you doubt?” Not just in Peter’s lapse of faith and confidence of being able to walk on water, even though Jesus was. But, also the general faith in God. Jesus didn’t say, “get in the boat, row half way across, be swamped by a storm and drown.” He said, “go to the other side of the lake”, and the disciple of the Son of the living God should have had faith and full confidence that they would reach where the Lord told them. This was not a man; the God/man (fully God and fully man), God incarnate – Omnipotent God in the flesh, Emmanuel – Almighty God with us. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. John 6:21 adds Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. The Laws of nature obey their Creator.

 

Jesus is the immoral  and infinite Son of God, sent by the Father as Savior of the world to restore what was lost by sin. The finite must have complete faith in the infinite and all-powerful God who is beyond time, space and matter. as we know it. The mortal person must have complete faith in the immortal and ever-existing God. The natural man must have complete faith in their supernatural Creator of heaven and earth. The physical human being must have complete faith in the spiritual reality of God. “Why did you doubt?” Focus on Jesus and have faith!

 

In Christ, Brian

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Rein

Wild Horses Running

 

2 Peter 1:2-7 “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”

 

When she was in High School, my wife owned and showed Quarter horses. It is well-known in the equestrian arena that bridle and bit is used to control the horse and guide them as desired, The reins are the straps of a bridle, fastened to the curb or snaffle on each side, by which the rider of a horse restrains and governs them. There is also slang terms of “taking the reins”, meaning to take the guidance or government of someone or situation. A similar term of “giving the reins to someone else” means to give license; or to leave without restraint. A third term is they were “given free rein”, meaning being allowed unrestricted liberty of action or decision.

 

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

 

But, there is also the term “to rein something in”, which means to restrain; to control; to check by self-control or laws. Due to the “Fall of Man” into sin, there are natural flesh desires now, which lust after power, possessions and pleasures which are evil in the eyes of the Lord. We are all Sinners is what the Bible is communicating to us. Our inclination to sin and our tendency to rationalize that sin, make it all too easy to for us to ignore our responsibility towards God and our fellow man. Yet, when we believe by faith, repent of sin and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we receive a transformed heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit, but retain the fallen flesh and it’s sinful desires. Galatians 5:16-25 says, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But 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.” Walking in the Spirit, reins in the sinful flesh desires.

 

Titus 2:11-13 tells us, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

 

Take the reins and ride on paths of righteous with joy. 

In Christ, Brian

Friday, March 10, 2023

Rain

 For California, El Niño's Dark Clouds Could Mean Rain but Also Trouble -  The New York Times

Genesis 7:12 “And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights.”

 

The earth is rotating on its axis, tilted at 23.5 degrees, spinning at 1000mph and orbiting around the sun in approximately 365-24 hr. days. This causes the four seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall, and with them rain falls each year in a cycle of precipitation of the water that covers 71% of the planet’s surface. In America, the western states have experienced a drought cycle for many years in a row now. The snowfall in the mountains and total inches of rain in each of those seasons has been far below normal and the rivers that feed the Reservoirs cannot keep up with the increasing demands. The lakes behind the western state’s dams have been going dry and restrictions on water usage instituted to conserve the life-giving liquid.

 

James 5:7 “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” 

 

Well, this year appears to be making up from the previous drought years that we have been experiencing, because we are currently receiving record snow and rainfall this season due to extreme winter storms out of Alaska and across from Hawaii. All California Reservoirs are projected to fill to capacity this year. I read that the snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin was at 133 percent of the 30-year historical average as of Monday, and sits at 101 percent of what the basin has received on average through an entire season as of March 1 and more falling weekly. This will greatly impact both Lake Powell and Lake Mead in recovering their watershed, which has been at historic lows previously. 

 

Psalm 147:7-8 “Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God, Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

 

The word “rain” is contracted from “regenerate”. It is the Greek to water, and the Latins, by dropping the prefix, in “irrigo”, to irrigate. The primary sense is to pour out in Hebrew. It is understood that rain comes from God’s sovereign will and by His almighty hand as the Provider and Sustainer of the earth and all that lives upon it. Creator God made the Cosmos, the Solar system, this privileged planet and the seasons, the laws of nature and systems that provide and sustain the ego-systems, including the rain that without there could be no life.  

 

Ecclesiastes 1:7 “All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.”

 

The God that created us has a purpose for everything and everyone. Our Maker originally created this planet and then per  Genesis 1:31, “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” Sin entered the world, and with sin came death. God has been working ever since to save the world by reconciling, restoring and forgiving the world through the atoning death of His Son Jesus Christ [the Savior of the world] to those who believe, repent and accept God’s grace by faith. The ultimate and eternal good news is that God provides the end of the spiritual drought caused by sin. It is "living water" from the Lord. Salvation is regeneration, like rain; as we are washed clean in the baptism of Christ.   

 

Matthew 5:45b “For He [God] makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  

 

God bless the rain.

In Christ, Brian

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Reign

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Revelation 19:6 “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”

 

In America, we have a Republic government in which the exercise of the sovereign power is lodged in representatives elected by the people. It is a government of the people, for the people, by the people. Every country on earth is a sovereign nation. But, many other countries have a monarch – a ruler of a nation, who exercises all the powers of government without control, or who is vested with absolute sovereign power; an emperor, king or prince invested with an unlimited power. Every kingdom has a king and his domain to reign over. The kingdom of Heaven has a King, a Lord who reigns.

 

The Webster’s dictionary defines the word “reign” as: To possess or exercise sovereign power or authority; to rule; to exercise government, as a king or emperor; or to hold the supreme power. To rule; to have superior or uncontrolled dominion. Royal authority with supreme power; sovereignty. But notes, [This word is never applied to the exercise of supreme power by a legislative body or the executive administration, in the United States of America]. We are a sovereign nation, not global citizens ruled by a one world government. 

 

The American Declaration of Independence states: We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—-That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed … We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the Rectitude of our Intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly Publish and Declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be, Free and Independent States … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” 

 

America, whose national motto is “In God We Trust”, acknowledges Creator God as the Supreme Judge of the world, the true Lord that reigns over the affairs of mankind, that gives divine Providence on earth, and bestows unalienable Rights to His created humans. God reigns over His creation and creatures. His Word, His Commandments, His Laws are righteous. Let Him reign! 


Praise be to God!

In Christ, Brian

 

 


Wednesday, March 8, 2023

A Steal of a Deal

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The Seventh of the Ten Commandments from God in Exodus 20:15 is “You shall not steal.” The term “a steal of a deal” is an old example of marketing hyperbole. It means “this price is so low, it’s almost as if you are stealing the thing from us.” We all love sales and low price, but stealing is never good; it is a sin. 

 

Leviticus 19:11 “Do not steal.”

 

The word “steal” is defined in the Webster’s dictionary as: To take and carry away feloniously, as the personal goods of another. To constitute stealing or theft, the taking must be felonious, that is, with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without his consent. It’s criminal; they are guilty of a crime. These thieves have partaken in and committed a crime; violated public law, divine or human Theft is a criminal act. And have violated a moral obligation; have broken the Moral Law of God. They have sinned against God and man, and therefore are wicked. 

 

Deuteronomy 5:19 “You shall not steal.”

 

Our church Youth room was broken into last month and thousands of dollars worth of equipment and instruments were taken. There was absolutely no regard that they were stealing from a house of Worship, and therefore, no regard for God Himself. I asked what was the “take away” lesson learned here. The answer I received was: “Turn the other cheek” and “I hope that the thieves used the money from the sale of the stolen items to feed their family.” To turn the other cheek, in this case, is to “look the other way” [to intentionally overlook a wrongdoing], not addressing the true issue or doing something to change or prevent it in the future. I replied: No. You have to look at the root cause of sin in the first place. One of the main jobs of a Christian church is to learn, know, obey [live in righteousness] and worship God, then make Him known. The “take away lesson” here is that the church needs to get out of their pews, out of the four walls of the Sanctuary, off the church campus property and go make disciples of all nations; to change hearts by bringing the light of the Gospel; the Gospel of Jesus Christ for repentance of sin, forgiveness of sin, transformation of the heart that restores a person to an upright position before God, and creates a desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord. 

 

Romans 6:16 “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”

 

The church needs to be the “salt and light” that the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told them to be, teaching and preaching the Truth that transforms lives from enemies of God to children of God. Those who commit sin are “slaves to sin”. Romans 6:23 proclaims, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Those thieves, and all other thieves, are dead in their trespasses and sins and object of wrath by God. They do not love God and live by another code of life: I see it, I want it, I steal it, then I have it. The desires of the flesh rule their being and they are slaves to sin. There is a great need today. 

 

Romans 3:23-24 explains, “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.”

 

But Jesus Christ was sent by Father God to redeem and sent the captive free. John 3:16-18 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” God is in the heart and life changing business. Instead of walking away from God, we change our mind and turn around to walk towards God with the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Counselor and Guide. Reconciliation and eternal life in Heaven is the consequence. That is a steal of a deal!

 

Ephesians 4:28 tells born-again Believers, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” Why would I steal? I would be letting my Heavenly Father and my fellow man down and causing them grief and sadness. I do not want to steal.

In Christ, Brian