Focus Forward

 

Philippians 3:12-14 “{Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

This week, our Bible Study’s Turning Point series “Forward” focused on the need for the Christian to discover their God-given gift, discern their God-given dreams, set their priorities to achieve them, then focus on the one main thing in life that we keep us moving forward to obtain it. But, life is full of distractions, obligations, responsibilities, demands and duties compete for our time and eclipse our ability to see clearly what needs doing and how to do it. The push and pull of others and schedules can get us spinning in so many different directions, lose momentum and we grow weary. We must not look inward and base decisions on personal preferences, but faithfully focus on God’s will for our lives and doing what is required in the present to spiritually discernment our righteous path and reach our godly goals. Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the [evidence of things not seen.” 

 

John 3:16-17, 36a “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. ”

 

In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” The key is to maintain this eternal perspective that allows us to see our lives, our schedules, and our daily choices from God’s perspective. And take each step as He leads while focusing by faith on our ultimate heavenly home. Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith is the assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to his guidance, and dependence on his merits for salvation from our sins unto eternal life. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation.

 

Pastor Don Stewart of Calvary Chapel states that since life is short, and we do not know when we will die, we need to make the most of the time that we do have. The Apostle Paul proclaims in Romans 10:9-10, “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Consequently all of us should live each day in light of eternity. The believer’s responsibility in light of this assurance is to live life in such a way that demonstrates your expectance of eternity. Having an eternal focus means we must live in light of eternity. When we go down in the grave, we go up to the kingdom of Heaven! 

 

Romans 1:16-20 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and

unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

 

By faith focus forward on the straight and narrow path through the narrow gate of Jesus, walking with the blessed assurance of your ultimate destination and home in Heaven.

 

In Christ, Brian

Highway To Hell

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

 

Growing up in the 1960’s and ‘70’s in the greater Los Angeles area of Orange County, Rock music was the popular genre for kids to listen to: From Elvis songs, to Beach songs, to the British Invasion, to Jimmy Hendricks and hundreds after, including “heavy Metal” songs. One of those was "Highway to Hell", a song by Australian rock band AC/DC. It is the opening track of their 1979 album Highway to Hell. AC/DC had made several studio albums before and were constantly promoting them via a grueling tour schedule, referred to by songwriter Angus Young as being on a highway to hell, hence the name. The band says that the title and lyrics reflect the arduous nature of touring constantly and hellish life on the road. But, the actual lyrics reveal a darker meaning and statement behind the song. 

 

The first verse says: “Living easy, living free. Season ticket on a one-way ride. Asking nothing, leave me be. Taking everything in my stride. Don't need reason, don't need rhyme. Ain't nothing I would rather do. Going down, party time. My friends are gonna be there too. I'm on the highway to hell. On the highway to hell. Highway to hell. I'm on the highway to hell.” The concept of “Easy Street” (the carefree lifestyle in a state of wealth, independence, or ease) has been around along tome and the life goal of multitudes pursuing life’s journey on their own humanistic terms; outside and authority of God and His guiding Word. Scores of secular people think of living godly lives by biblical boundaries as binding their will, as sin has no boundaries and anything goes, but sin is a Season ticket on a one-way ride and it is the Broadway to eternal destruction. The blind-to-the-truth, existential hedonists run for pleasure, luxury and party time fun with like-minded friends, desiring no voice of experience or reason in their ear, because there is nothing they’d rather do. They’re going down the highway to Hell.                                                  

 

The second verse says: “No stop signs, speed limit. Nobody's gonna slow me down. Like a wheel, gonna spin it. Nobody's gonna mess me around. Hey Satan, paid my dues. Playing in a rocking band. Hey mama, look at me. I'm on my way to the promised land, whoo! I'm on the highway to hell. Highway to hell.” Without the Bible, the lawless life has no stop signs or speed limits. They believe that neither God nor God’s people will stop them. No God as a Police Office or Judge, their wild ride runs out of control and they admit that Satan (the grand adversary of man; the devil or prince of darkness, who steals, kills and destroys) is the one that paid their dues, but little do they realize that there is hell to pay in the end. In their minds, it is just play, play, play and look at me getting away with it all. They even mock God by referencing to this destructive, egocentric lifestyle as their demonic promised land, not realizing that willful sin, rebellious disobedience towards their holy and just Creator, and mad existence on the highway to hell is death.

 

John 3:19-20 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”

 

The song concludes with these maliciously defiant words of life’s final destination: “Don't stop me. And I'm going down. All the way. Whoa! I'm on the highway to hell.” They’ve made a conscious decision to reject the narrow gate of Jesus Christ (the Light of the world). Moral evil is any deviation of a moral agent from the rules of conduct prescribed to him by God. We choose what road that we travel and ultimately throw ourselves into hell. Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to true life and eternal life in heaven. Take the next offramp, get  off the highway to hell and be one of the few to find the straight and narrow path to the kingdom of heaven in Jesus Christ – the Way, the Truth and the Life as Savior of the world.

 

In Christ, Brian

Runnin' With The Devil

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 

Driving home today, I was listening to music on my car radio and heard the old song "Runnin' with the Devil" played. If you are not familiar with this tune, it is a song by the American hard rock band Van Halen, released as the second single from their Self-titled debut album in April 1978. The song remains a staple track of classic rock radio and Van Halen's discography. The first two verses are: “I live my life like there's no tomorrow. And all I've got, I had to steal. Least I don't need to beg or borrow. Yes, I'm living at a pace that kills. Runnin' with the devil. 

 

I grew-up listening to the Los Angeles, California heavy-metal Rock stations of KLOS and KMET, so was well acquainted with the song, but never thought about the lyrics or the message in them. Obviously, the title/chorus speak to a life that is not following God, nor led by the Holy Spirit, but identifies as aligned with the ways of the devil. The first verse speaks to a fast-paced existential life without ambition or a moral compass, where the daily survival is self-centered and anything to achieve getting whatever you want, from whoever you want, whenever you want by stealing it better than asking or earning it. And, he not only realizes that the ultimate conclusion for such a life is an early death, but is running in the devil’s camp; a sinful life that is not pleasing in the eyes of God. 
 
The second verse reveals the knowledge of a life that realizes its misconception of what “real’ life truly is and the sad reality of a blind life in darkness, believing the wrong guide. It goes: “I found the simple life ain't so simple. When I jumped out on that road. I got no love, no love you'd call real. Ain't got nobody waiting at home. Runnin' with the devil.
 

 

Life in the jungle of this fallen world is no bowl full of cherries, which will tempt and deceive us that we do not need to know God’s Word, Will and Way, but to follow what the world says is the way to pleasure and happiness though the natural desires of the flesh. We grow up supplied and supported by our biological parents, but one day, we jump out on that road on our own, stand on our own two feet and have to earn our own way. We live a charmed life with everything provided, thinking that life and love is so easy in a secular world, but it is not. A Godless life has meaningless direction and seeks purpose, pleasure and love in all the wrong people, places and things. Wise old King Solomon lived this way himself and labelled this type hedonistic living as “chasing after the wind” that is neither “real life” or truly fulfilling. 

 

Jesus tells us in John 10:9-11, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” In Luke 15, Jesus tells the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. Why? Because we all are lost and dead in our trespasses, sins and inequities against God, in need of the Good Shepherd to seek us and save us.  

 

In Luke 15:7 Jesus says, I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. And in Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Galatians 5:24-25 verifies that, “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 Lord Jesus instructs us in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.“ be one who finds the narrow gate, who is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. And walk the straight and narrow path of life which leads to Heaven that is laid out for us in the biblical truth of the Word of God for true, real and abundant living. The broad way that leads to destruction that many egocentrically run through life on is the “Highway to Hell”, but that is a different song by a different band for another post.

 

There is a love, a love you’d call real. There is somebody waiting at home for you. It is the One who has been loving and seeking you all along. Christ is waiting for you to come home. Quit runnin’ with the devil, turn around, walk with the Spirit and follow Jesus. 

In Christ, Brian

Narrowness – Part 2

Luke 13:23-25 Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

 

Michael continues: Eternal life is on God’s terms, not ours. So, make every effort to enter through the narrow door, which is Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. In our own power there is nothing we can do to approach God in His holiness. In our own power, nothing is good enough to earn God’s righteousness. The only way is through Jesus Christ, the narrow gate to the narrow path. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 

 

Ephesians 2:4-8 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

Repentance is 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 Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life. It is a turning from our own egocentric self and unto the Lord, and is the first step to salvation, after realizing that you have sinned against your Just and Holy God. When God calls a man or woman, He says “come and die”. To die to self is to live for Christ ... to turn from the God-rejecting world’s way and to God’s way through the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, He who saves his life shall lose it and he who loses his life (for Christ’s sake) shall save it.  

 

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.”

There will be difficulties, trials, temptations, and tribulations in this world. These things are inevitable. However, joy in the Lord is a conscious decision. To rejoice in the Lord is an active, intentional, and purposeful deliberate choice. The Bible says, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. God is faithful to His word. The power of prayer works miracles. Mortality is 100% for it is appointed for all men once to die. Our challenge is to be a man of the Word and a man of prayer. Therefore 1 Timothy 4:15 says, “Meditate on these things, give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear unto all.” Pray, meditate on the Word of God, fellowship with Believers, and “humble thyself under the mighty hand of God.” Owe no man anything but to love one another with Christ’s heart behind your heart. Therefore, rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, let your consideration and loving grace and mercy be made known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.

 

Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

In order to proceed through the narrow gate to the narrow way along the narrow path, we need to leave our sin-nature, worldly self at the gate. As the apostle Paul said, “put off the old man in order to put on the new man.” When we come to the Lord on His terms, He will put His life within us, that we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace! Thank God for narrowness.

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Narrowness

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].”

 

The Bible says where there is no vision the people wander aimlessly. The purpose of a leader is to remind us who we are, where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re going, and how we’re going to get there. A spiritual leader focuses our purpose in this life to align with God’s perspective according to His holy Word.

Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew with three parables. Jesus showed His followers who they were and how to live out the purpose for which they were called. According to Romans 12:2, we’re not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Jesus came into this world to call His people out of the darkness of this worldly kingdom into His kingdom of heaven; His kingdom of light. He empowered His born-again followers to live this Christian life according to His purpose. His kingdom is entirely different from the kingdoms of this world. 

 

Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Why? Because the kingdom of heaven is distinct from the kingdoms of this world. Continuing in Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus said, the God-rejecting world “will revile you, persecute you and despitefully use you. They will hate you for standing against their kingdom and for God’s kingdom. However Jesus said, rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

The last parable Jesus shared in Matthew 7:24-27, in the Sermon on the Mount, was the parable of two houses: one built on the sand and the other on the rock. Men who build their house on the rock, which is Jesus Christ himself, will be able to stand against the winds and waves of the storms of this world of darkness. As followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, He’s empowered us to overcome the world’s darkness. for greater is he that is in you than he that is in this world. But, our house’s foundation must be the rock of Christ. 1 John 4:4assures us: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

 

Early-twentieth-century Scottish Baptist evangelist and teacher Oswald Chambers said, “The kingdom of self is heavily defended territory.” In order to approach God’s throne of grace, we need to conduct our own “white funeral (the burial of our old lives).” According to Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 5:24-25 confirms that, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

 

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Jesus’ parable in the Sermon on the Mount about the narrow gate that leads to the narrow way signifies that Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth and the only source of eternal life. The outstanding characteristic of following Christ is narrowness. Critics of Christianity say that Christianity is too exclusive ... that it’s too narrow-minded. They argue that if God is a God of love, then why would He allow anyone to perish? Answer: Because He is Holy and Just, so must punish sin. However, without Jesus’ sacrificial death for sin on our behalf, everyone would perish. Jesus is the Savior of the world. 

 

John 3:16-18 plainly states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The exclusive gate to the narrow way separates followers of Christ from the broad way of the world that leads to destruction. The critics are asking the wrong question. It’s not “Why is Jesus the only way to Heaven?” The real question is “Why did our Just God provided any way for a Sinner to be forgiven and go to Heaven?” Think about that. 

Let's see what Micheal writes about that in the next post. In Christ, Brian

God, I Need a Favor – Part 2

Isaiah 26:3 asserts, “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].” Peace is not the absence of trouble in our life, but the presence of God in it. With the Lord, our omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient and omnibenevolent God, we are carried through the storms of life.

 

Pastor Obie continues that praying through problems may not cause you to avoid them. It is a true bless when they are avoided, but praying always helps us get through the problems. Diamonds are formed under tremendous pressure and gold is refined by enormous heat. When walking through the pressures and heat of life, follow the next step that God is calling you to do. We learn and grow from them. Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

 

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The ancient oil lamps could only illuminate well for a few feet in front of the person carrying it, so the individual could literally see their next step only in the darkness of the night. Bible commentator Matthew Henry confirms that the nature of the Word of God, and the great intention of giving it to the world; it is a lamp and a light. It must be not only a light to our eyes, to gratify them, and fill our heads with speculations, but a light to our feet and to our path, to direct us in the right ordering of our conversation, both in the choice of our way in general and in the particular steps we take in that way, that we may not take a false way nor a false step in the right way. We are then truly sensible of God’s goodness to us in giving us such a lamp and light when we make it a guide to our feet, our path. Prayer is key to moving forward on that path.

 

Praying through the problems of life in a “fallen in sin” world, aligns us with God’s Word, Will, Way and Divine Providence. This Providence in theology means the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. By divine providence is often understood God himself. When God decides, He guides and provides. But, everything is in His timing. The Lord Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 instructing us, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven ,,.” In this first segment of the “Model Prayer”, we acknowledge God as our Heavenly Father, that He resides outside of our visible time and space in Heaven, that His very name is holy (applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character). That though the world was corrupted by sin, decay and death, we anticipate His perfect Kingdom is coming soon where His will rules and reign on earth as it reigns today in Heaven. We have to remember that there is an Almighty God, and that He is neither you or I. God’s way in God’s time.

 

The Creator of Heaven and Earth says in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” It is a given that our infinite God knows more than our finite and corrupted by sin minds can fathom. The reality of 1 John 2:16 Is that, “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.” The One who knows the end from the beginning has an over-arching plan which He is divinely orchestrating by His all-powerful providence. We are to keep praying, keep communication, and keep making our requests be known to God, who hears your prayers, because praying brings God’s power. 

 

Pastor Obie says that pride precedes a downfall, but Prayer precedes an upfall. Okay, that’s an oxymoron, but we understand that God’s supernatural power and providence lifts us. So keep knocking at the door, pray louder and praise God always, because God, I need a favor. Amen, amen.

 

In Christ, Brian

God, I Need a Favor

 

Acts 12:1-5 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

 

This last Sunday, our Associate Pastor Obie continued in our church’s sermon series through the book of Acts. He had learned that Country Music Artist Jelly Roll (Jason Bradley DeFord) recorded a hit single “I Need A Favor”, which was released in December of 2022. The lyrics of the song centers on a man being on the verge of losing his daughter and praying for God to do him a favor, but also admitting he does not deserve it and hoping to repent for his past actions. The first verse goes: “I only talk to God when I need a favor. And I only pray when I ain't got a prayer. So, who the hell am I, who the hell am I to expect a Savior. o-o-oh, If I only talk to God when I need a favor. But God I need a favor!” 

 

Jelly Roll correctly identified prayer as a conversation directly with God; our Father who art in Heaven. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary  defines the word “Prayer” as: In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God's glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits. A prayer however may consist of a single petition. Our Maker is the Supreme Creator of our body, soul and spirit, who cherishes communication with His children and hearing our thoughts. concerns, confessions and petitions for His Divine hand upon our life. The song speaks of a person that in desperation goes to God in prayer for assistance, saying: “Hanging in there, just barely. Throwing up prayers, like Hail Mary’s. If You're still there, Lord spare me. Oh my God, oh my God - Hail Mary.”  

 

The reference of throwing up a “Hail Mary” prayer refers to a very long forward pass in American football, typically made in desperation on the last play of the half or game with no time left in regulation play, with an exceptionally small chance of achieving a completion. Due to the difficulty of a completion with this pass, it makes reference to the Catholic "Hail Mary" prayer for strength and God’s help. But, Pastor Obie declares that prayer needs to be our first response, not our last resort. Focus on the promises of God, not the problems of life. Read you Bible, fix your eyes on Jesus’ faithfulness and catch a glimpse of the future. Thy Word is truth, so adore the Lord.

 

Philippians 4:5-7 tells us, “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.”

 

Supernatural gentleness and peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 proclaims that “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 other spiritual fruit is much desired for the Good Life in Christ. Praying through problems brings peace. In John 14:25-27 Jesus states: “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 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. Ephesians 2:13-14 explains, “But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace.” 

Let's continue Pastor Obie's message in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

https://youtu.be/P1nRboaLTzU?si=UHWzWTCK_W6UbZAE

Distributors of the Bread of Life - Part 2

 

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

Michael continues: We are called to be “distributors” not manufacturers of the Word. We’re to distribute the bread of life. When Jesus instituted the sacrament of Communion in Luke 22:19, He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Jesus Christ is the bread of life which was broken for us. He was broken like a flask of perfume to permeate the church, the body of Christ, like a sweet smelling fragrance unto God.

According to John 6:22-28, On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone — however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks — when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

They sincerely wanted to know how to further God’s kingdom. The answer is in verse 29: “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” The freedom is in believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believing in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God is the work of God.  

God is a God of reconciliation and restoration. Continuing in John 6:30-32, Therefore they said to Him, “What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

What can we do to distribute the true bread from heaven, the bread of life? According to Verses 6-8 of 2 Timothy 4, Paul said by revelation, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” Therefore, watch and pray. 

 

In the Old Testament, Ezekiel 33 says that the watchman was responsible to warn the people when the enemy approached. If the watchman blew the trumpet and the people did not heed the warning, then the blood of the people would be on their own hands. However, if the watchman failed to sound the alarm, the blood of the people would be on the watchman’s hands. As men and women of God we’re called to sound the alarm. There are godless attacks of the Word Will, Way and Authority of Almighty God today. The battle is a spiritual battle. As watchmen on the wall, in the hedge of God’s protection, we need to watch, pray, sound the alarm and warn God’s people of the enemy’s approach. To put on the full armor of God and defend the faith valiantly. 

In Mark 16:15 Jesus said to us, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Like the disciples distributed the loaves and the fishes to the multitude, our call is to distribute the bread of life ... the gospel of Jesus Christ. How do we distribute the word of God? Preach the Word of God, preach the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ, and distribute the Bread of Life; be prepared in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and sound doctrine, that despite the enemy’s assaults, we may stand firm and ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Distributors of the Bread of Life - Part 1

 

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

 

This week Michael writes: We’re living in a generation where there is so much distraction and division around us. The church at Laodicea was reproved for being lukewarm. The church in America can learn from this reproof; to gird up the loins of our minds and to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, his “son in the faith”, in a time of history similar to ours. The Scriptures speak of the high ground, an “advantage vantage point”, where we can view the spiritual battlefield from our position seated in the heavenlies from God’s perspective. A godly person is an individual whose heart’s desire is to spend time with the Lord. 

 

In Psalm 27, God set David upon the high rock so that he could survey the lay of the land from the Lord’s vantage point. God warned David about the divisions between families and between those whose relationships we value. It grieves our hearts when people we love turn their hearts away from the Lord for they have chosen death.

God will give a born-again Believer/child of God a heart to serve those in need. As Mother Theresa, whose life ministry was to serve the needy, said: “God works best with nothing.” Jesus said, in that you have served the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2: “I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” The preaching of the word implies that Timothy knew the Word of God. Always be ready in season and out of season for an opportunity to speak the Word of God. It is profitable for doctrine, reproof and correction which is instruction in righteousness.  

God works in mysterious ways. He works in us and through us to will and to do of His good pleasure as we delight ourselves in the Lord. Through experience God tests our character through the crucible of life. The pressure of this world tempers us and refines us to prove what’s really important. That being, living this life in the hope of the return of Christ with the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. (Romans 5:3)

The devil will attack at any time. His tactic is to attack us at our weakest point. In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted for forty days in all things like as we are, yet without sin. He was continuously under Satan’s attack, not just the three temptations that we read about in the gospel records. As the people of God, we’re to reprove, rebuke, convince and exhort with patience, the right and true teaching of the Word of God. This is our charge to teach those whom God has called us to minster to. The sound doctrine is the foundation of our faith: the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” - 2 Timothy 4:3. When the storms of life come, the foundation upon which our lives are built will be revealed. Jesus said, the wise man built his house upon the rock. Jesus Christ is the rock, the firm foundation. Then when the rains and storms came that house stood fast.

Like the people at Mars Hill in Athens, Greece, the people of this fallen world have “itching ears”, looking for some new thing to believe. To those whom God has called, the seed of the world of God will take root in the lives of men and women who “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” In the parable of the Sower, the four types of soil represent the four kinds of hearts of people. Only the “good soil” will take root and produce fruit, “some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold and some a hundred-fold.” Yet, as the Apostle Paul said, some are called to plant the seed of the Word of God, some to water and cultivate the field, but God gives the increase.

Continuing in 2 Timothy 4-5, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Paul reminds Timothy that he was called as an evangelist, one who delivers the truth of the gospel ... the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. We’re called as born-again Believers and children of God to distribute the Word of God (the Bread of Life). According to John 6:11 “Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples (distributed) to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”

Let's continue Michael's message on the Bread of Life in the next Post.

In Christ, Brian

What is a Christian?

Acts 11:21-26 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

 

This last Sunday, Pastor Kyle continued in our sermon series through the Book of Acts, where the disciples (the students and followers) of Jesus Christ were first given the name of Christian. But, it is important that the defining of terms be made clear for our understanding. Throughout history and up until today, there are those who claim to have made a insincere profession of faith in the Gospel and in Jesus the Christ as Savior and Lord, but do not “walk the talk”. Mock Christians deceivingly pretend and claim to know and follow Jesus as Lord, but only really wanted a Savior to save them from the flames of Hell and do not obey Him. Jesus asked in Luke 6:46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Many times the pseudo-Christian manufactures an ersatz Jesus of their own imagination, who likes what they like.

 

Jesus, himself warned us in Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of religious impostors, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?  Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” 

 

The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Christian” as: A real disciple of Christ (as oppose to a false or nominal Christian); one who believes in the gospel truth of the Christian religion, and studies to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, and obey the precepts (teachings and instructions) of Christ; a believer in Christ who is characterized by real piety (dedication, devotion and undying desire to live for Jesus). Pastor Kyle expounded on the definition by stating that a Christian is someone who has publicly accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, is pursuing a life of obedience to God and His living Word found in the Holy Scriptures of the Bible, who perseveres in saving faith unto death. The covert to Christianity has repented of their sins against nature’s God and their fellow man, they have sincerely asked for forgiveness with a contrite heart. They believe and accept by saving faith the sacrificial, substitutionary and sacred death of Jesus as their divine Savior given by the grace of God. They are born-again of the Spirit and their hearts are transformed, their spirit regenerated in reconciliation with God, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But, there is more than being saved from Hell to Heaven at the end of this life. The “good life” begins immediately.

 

John 1:10-13 proclaims that “He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the God-rejecting world (the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ) did not know Him. He 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.” All together, this is a what a Christian truly is.

 

In Christ, Brian

Forward / Dream

 

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

 

This week, my Bible Study and prayer group at the senior Living facility near me will be beginning a new video series by Dr. David Jeremiah titled “Forward “, with the subtitle “Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow”. Our first session is “Dream – Seize Your Tomorrow Today”. 

 

The word dream here is not the ideas or images in the subconscious mind, in the state of sleep, but the conscious vision, aim, ambition, aspiration, goal, hope, intent - formal or specialized, intention, object (purpose), objective, or target in life. This dream guides, inspires, motivates, and applies to us personally. 

 

The foundational truth of any dream is that, it is important that our dreams to be aligned with God’s will. Dr. Jeremiah states that if we are merely chasing after a self-made vision of our own creation, we will never find satisfaction – even if we make our dream a reality. God has created each one of us for His unique purposes, and He plants dreams inside us that we never realize on our own, by our own power. He wants us to walk by faith and trust Him. The best dreams do not start with us but instead are planted in us by God. 

 

The five principles in building your dreams today are:

1.    Root Your Dreams in History

Think about your heritage,  background, passions, and life experiences.

 

2.    Reproduce your Dream in a picture

Ideas transmit into practical plans. The ability is see what could be.

 

3.    Reinforce Your Dreams with Determination

Plan for the worse and hope for the best. Look forward through the windshield and not backwards in the rearview mirror. 

 

4.    Reconcile Your Dream with it’s Cost

Reset priorities and be willing to sacrifice. For any God-given dream there is a price, but a price worth paying; good works that are worth it.

 

5.    Release your Dreams to your Legacy

Our dreams are our mission on earth. Leave something behind that will live on after you leave. Our labor is never routine, our labor is never wasted, and our legacy is capable of outliving us.

 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 are no small tasks in doing the Lord’s work and there are no insignificant dreams when aligned with God’s will and purpose. You can trust God with His vision for your life. When God puts a dream in your heart, never stop until you realize it in your life. 

 

Look forward to tomorrow.

In Christ, Brian

Part Two -Tenants with Talents

 

Continuing in Matthew 25:24-30, “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

 

Bible commentator Matthew Henry points out that Christ spoke of the giving talents of silver (approximately one year’s wages at that time). He gave to some more, to others less. When Divine Providence has made a difference in men and women’s ability, as to mind, body, estate, relation, and interest, divine grace dispenses spiritual gifts accordingly, but still the ability itself is from him. Observe, First, everyone had one talent at least. A soul of our own is the one talent that every one of us are entrusted with, and it will find us with work. 

 

In Matthew 28:19 the Lord Jesus commanded, “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.” Our Lord Jesus, when He had given this commandment to His apostles, as one in haste to be gone, went to heaven.

 

Essentially, disciples make disciples by witnessing and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The ordinances of the gospel, and our opportunities of attending them, bibles, ministers, sabbaths, sacraments, must be improved for the end for which they were instituted. Communion with God kept up by them, and the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit must be exercised; and this is investing our talents. It is the duty of a man to render himself beneficial to those around him. He that is useful to others, may be reckoned a common good. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and there is no greater good for us than seeking and saving the souls of the lost in sin; to reduce the population of Hell and advancing the kingdom of God on earth. The hand of the diligent makes rich in graces, and comforts, and treasures of good works. There is a great deal to be got by productive industry in religion.

 

Matthew Henry adds that the stewards of the manifold grace of God must shortly give account of their stewardship. God’s good stewards have something to show for their diligence and integrity, for our comfort, in the day of account, will be according to our faithfulness, not according to our usefulness; our sincerity, not our success; according to the uprightness of our hearts, not according to the degree of our opportunities, and they that are found faithful, shall be called so; all their work and labor of love shall be rewarded. Good thought of God would beget love, and that love would make us diligent and faithful; but hard thoughts of God beget fear, and that fear makes us slothful and unfaithful.

 

Henry concurs with Dr. Sproul that all within the Christian church are given great gifts, great abilities, great advantages, and yet many do no good with them; they have not the wherewithal to do what they say they would, that when they have but one talent to take care about, they neglect that one. So it is in spiritual gifts; many have them, and make no use of them for the end for which they were given them. Whatever abilities and advantages we have, they are not our own, we are but stewards of them, and must give account to our Lord, whose goods they are. Slothful servants (like the third steward in the parable) are wicked servants, neglecting the good that God has commanded. Slothful servants will be reckoned with as unprofitable servants, who do nothing to the purpose of their coming into the world, nothing to answer the end of their birth or baptism, who are no way serviceable to the glory of God, the good of others, or the salvation of their own souls. Their doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. Outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth is, in Christ’s discourses, the common periphrasis of the miseries of the damned in hell; out from the light of heaven, out from the joy of their Lord, into which the faithful servants were admitted. 

 

In John 4:34-36 Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” Use your talents for the God’s good works, just as they were intended. 

 

In Christ, Brian