HGO is a forum for Biblical discussion.
We believe there is
ONE GOD - The Father
ONE Lord - Jesus the Messiah, King of the Kingdom
ONE Hope - The Kingdom of GOD
ONE Gospel - The news regarding the coming
Kingdom and it's King
We believe there is
ONE GOD - The Father
ONE Lord - Jesus the Messiah, King of the Kingdom
ONE Hope - The Kingdom of GOD
ONE Gospel - The news regarding the coming
Kingdom and it's King
From: Rhode Island, US
About me: In love with the LORD and my wife. Jesus is coming to take over the world. Are you ready?
More..
Monday, December 25, 2006,9:03 AM
I want to raise a controversial subject because I don’t understand why we aren’t talking about this subject more. There is obviously something going on here. Just yesterday five people were baptized. Four people we baptized last July, and two last August. Last April I was present at the baptism of two fellow-believers, and six other converts to the true understanding of the Kingdom and Jesus. Nearly three years ago now I was baptized. And at least two years before myself perhaps the first of our fellow-believers were ever baptized. This is a new development, we’ve never done as a community of faith. Now, some of us are changing in light of the scriptures. And there seems to be a refusal to talk about this issue openly and publicly. And I don’t understand that. Why aren’t we talking about this?
We shouldn’t be scared to talk about it. We shouldn’t be scared to change our beliefs. We shouldn’t be scared that we disagree. We should find our disagreement to be most interesting and dive into it to figure out the truth on the subject. We’ve had plenty of time to consider this idea of water baptism to warrant a discussion, haven’t we?
I earnestly pray that we can be Bereans in regards to this subject. And that we can seek unity on this issue. But we’ve first got to talk about it, don’t we?
Friday, December 22, 2006,8:38 AM
The Centrality of the Gospel
The Sufficiency of Christ and the Gospel...
I have to agree wholeheartedly with Timothy Keller here. I suspect that we might disagree as to the contents of the Gospel from some of his phrases but ultimately this statement is wholly true:
The main problem, then, in the Christian life is that we have not thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not “used” the gospel in and on all parts of our life.
I think this is absolutely dead on. Some of us don't even have a firm declaration of what the Gospel is! If someone asked, we couldn't tell them exactly. This is most definitely a problem - because our Lord did, and what kind of disciples are we if we don't learn from him? Bad ones.
This Gospel of Repentance in light of the coming Kingdom has to permeate every aspect of our life. It has to bring out the darkness by shining light on it. It has to cause us to fear the coming day of the LORD, and change. We have to realize how Jesus' commands for us to live is going to alter our life. Then we have to grab ahold of those reigns for dear life - because it is going to be a crazy ride! We have to be willing to die for that Gospel. We have to be willing to give our dreams and lives to our God who sent his Son to make this proclaimation - just to obey his words. By being baptized - a declaration of your intent to follow Jesus as your Master - you have put yourself into the role of a servant. A bad servant does not obey. A bad servant is punished. If you are a good servant, do what is asked - and do not glory in doing what you are told - that is merely your duty. It is humility to say "When you have done everything say:' We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty. '" - Luke 17:10 But that has to be our attitude. We have to take on the yoke of the lord Jesus as his servants. There are so many parables where Jesus talks about servants.
Not recognizing God's powerful logos/word/Gospel is causing us to fail and fall short. In some cases we are unwilling to let God work through that Gospel. We have to rid ourselves of these walls and let God's light in. We have to let that light shine in our heart first, otherwise it will never shine through our skin.
Thursday, December 21, 2006,11:30 PM
Even grandma had premarital sex, survey finds
This sad news. Most people in America have sex before they are married. With these stats so high, it would be hard to imagine that these numbers do not include people who consider themselves Christian. This is sad news indeed.
God is seriously concerned about holiness. Sexual purity is one of the most important aspects in our call to holiness:
For those of you who have had sex before marriage, there is forgiveness through Christ through repentance and faith. For those unmarried who have not had sex, hold fast to your faith and God will help you escape temptation. If you are currently caught in this sin, God can provide a way for you to escape these temptations. Seek the LORD's help on this matter. Also, you might consider confessing your faults to another, for guidance and support.
For people who are not convinced that sex before and outside of marriage is acceptable, they are not sharing God's opinion.
After reading these stats, I was saddened at the state of the world. This is very sad news.
How do you think God feels? Why is sexual purity important to God? Are these views too "narrow-minded?"
This sad news. Most people in America have sex before they are married. With these stats so high, it would be hard to imagine that these numbers do not include people who consider themselves Christian. This is sad news indeed.
God is seriously concerned about holiness. Sexual purity is one of the most important aspects in our call to holiness:
I Thessalonians 4:1-5 - "Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God."It is God's desire for His people to be holy. In fact, those who are holy, are His people. He is serious about holiness and His people being set apart, separate from the world and it's ways.
For those of you who have had sex before marriage, there is forgiveness through Christ through repentance and faith. For those unmarried who have not had sex, hold fast to your faith and God will help you escape temptation. If you are currently caught in this sin, God can provide a way for you to escape these temptations. Seek the LORD's help on this matter. Also, you might consider confessing your faults to another, for guidance and support.
For people who are not convinced that sex before and outside of marriage is acceptable, they are not sharing God's opinion.
I Thessalonians 4:7-8 - "For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you."America is full of immorality and fornication. Lust permeates our culture and is the driving force behind marketing, entertainment, and fashion. The world will put more and more pressure on the church, especially youth, to partake in its lusts. It will be disguised as something that "everyone is doing" or an action that there is "nothing wrong with doing that." In light of this, the church must fight hard against the schemes of the god of this age by drawing near to the LORD and holding fast to the words of Christ. As the people of God and Christ, we must take our direction from our leader and Lord.
After reading these stats, I was saddened at the state of the world. This is very sad news.
How do you think God feels? Why is sexual purity important to God? Are these views too "narrow-minded?"
Wednesday, December 20, 2006,10:26 AM
I'm Not Talking About Perfection Here
That phrase drives me nuts. Every time a preacher really gets going preaching about righteousness he suddenly feels the need to point out that we are not going to be perfect. In fact, we can't be perfect. That's like a cross country team rallying themselves up before a race and then the coach saying, "I know we are all excited now, but I know we probably won't win, the other school has some really strong runners and I don't want you to feel disappointed if you lose." This is a sure prescription for losing the race. Meanwhile, the other school's coach says, "we are going to win this race if it kills us." And they will win. It is a matter of perspective.
What are we so afraid of? Do we think that if we set perfection as the goal then the the first time someone sins they will quit? Of course not. Are we afraid people will feel guilty if they sin? Isn't that a good thing. Doesn't godly sorrow lead to repentance and then to salvation? If God is not convicting and chastising us then we are orphans not sons.
Jesus said we are to "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Paul said to make "no provision for the flesh." Shouldn't we have the goal of perfection, of holiness, of righteousness constantly before our eyes? Isn't that a major aspect of the kingdom (a new heaven & earth wherein dwells righteousness)? Ladies and gentlemen it is time to stop hedging our bets and fall unflinchingly, uncompromisingly, irrevocably into the hands of God--the place where we have nothing but God and if He doesn't pull us through, we will perish. Only in this place of craving to do what He wants and striving, suffering, fighting, for perfection can we ever hope to find it. All to the glory of God.
That phrase drives me nuts. Every time a preacher really gets going preaching about righteousness he suddenly feels the need to point out that we are not going to be perfect. In fact, we can't be perfect. That's like a cross country team rallying themselves up before a race and then the coach saying, "I know we are all excited now, but I know we probably won't win, the other school has some really strong runners and I don't want you to feel disappointed if you lose." This is a sure prescription for losing the race. Meanwhile, the other school's coach says, "we are going to win this race if it kills us." And they will win. It is a matter of perspective.
What are we so afraid of? Do we think that if we set perfection as the goal then the the first time someone sins they will quit? Of course not. Are we afraid people will feel guilty if they sin? Isn't that a good thing. Doesn't godly sorrow lead to repentance and then to salvation? If God is not convicting and chastising us then we are orphans not sons.
Jesus said we are to "hunger and thirst after righteousness." Paul said to make "no provision for the flesh." Shouldn't we have the goal of perfection, of holiness, of righteousness constantly before our eyes? Isn't that a major aspect of the kingdom (a new heaven & earth wherein dwells righteousness)? Ladies and gentlemen it is time to stop hedging our bets and fall unflinchingly, uncompromisingly, irrevocably into the hands of God--the place where we have nothing but God and if He doesn't pull us through, we will perish. Only in this place of craving to do what He wants and striving, suffering, fighting, for perfection can we ever hope to find it. All to the glory of God.
Monday, December 18, 2006,1:32 PM
Draw near to God.
It is interesting to note that in James’ epistle, we are instructed not that God draws near to man, but that man needs to draw near to God. Mankind is inherently evil and wicked as the entire counsel of Scripture speaks to.
If we are in the world (doing the things of the world, looking, talking like the world, etc) we need to stop and change our ways. However, I think that is the general statement regarding what we need to do. “What do I need to do” and “what do you need to do” are the questions we really need to be asking. There are practical steps we can all take.
Let us draw near to God until the day we are perfected so that he will finally be able to dwell upon the earth. Praise be to our holy God. May that day come soon.
Let’s talk about what some of the practical steps we can take this week, today even to draw near to God.
Recently, for me, keeping the television off in my home has been a practical step towards God. My wife and I do not want allow the glorification of sin and evil to be used as entertainment in our house any longer. At the same time, we have been working to seek alternatives that we can fill our time with, especially in ways that can be relaxing. In light of this, we’ve enjoyed more time together (and with God) by going for walks, reading, or inviting other believers over for dinner. We’ve gone bowling, played cards and visited a nice coffee shop in our city.
At the same time, we have really seen the LORD working in our lives. He has been showing us some amazing things. We have been going to prayer more often about things. We’ve been having more opportunities for evangelism. We have had more time to minister to people with needs. Also, I’ve seen more things that I have in my life that are not right. This is an exciting process for me because I know that it is all because as I draw closer to God and His glory, my filth will be exposed more and more. That’s fine with me.
The past three weeks have been amazing for me to see the LORD’s hand on my life. I’m looking forward to what’s next. It hasn’t been that the LORD hasn’t been doing His job, I haven’t been doing mine.
What about you? I encourage your to seek the LORD on this matter.
It is interesting to note that in James’ epistle, we are instructed not that God draws near to man, but that man needs to draw near to God. Mankind is inherently evil and wicked as the entire counsel of Scripture speaks to.
God of course is holy. Holy. Holy. Can that which is holy dwell with that which is unholy and yet remain holy? Can that which is pure mix with that which is un-pure and remain pure? I think the answer that is clearly no. In light of this, I believe James states what he does about our need to cleanse ourselves of evil and draw near to God.Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Romans 3:10-18 - “…there is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open grave, with their lips they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
James 4:6a-10 - “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.”There is a lot in this section worth consideration, but for a moment, let’s focus on what we can learn about our relationship and proximity to God. We need to draw near to God. We also need to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. These are all actions we must take. They are not something that miraculously happen at our baptism that will then keep us right for life. I believe we do that by taking active steps in our lives now.
If we are in the world (doing the things of the world, looking, talking like the world, etc) we need to stop and change our ways. However, I think that is the general statement regarding what we need to do. “What do I need to do” and “what do you need to do” are the questions we really need to be asking. There are practical steps we can all take.
Let us draw near to God until the day we are perfected so that he will finally be able to dwell upon the earth. Praise be to our holy God. May that day come soon.
Let’s talk about what some of the practical steps we can take this week, today even to draw near to God.
Recently, for me, keeping the television off in my home has been a practical step towards God. My wife and I do not want allow the glorification of sin and evil to be used as entertainment in our house any longer. At the same time, we have been working to seek alternatives that we can fill our time with, especially in ways that can be relaxing. In light of this, we’ve enjoyed more time together (and with God) by going for walks, reading, or inviting other believers over for dinner. We’ve gone bowling, played cards and visited a nice coffee shop in our city.
At the same time, we have really seen the LORD working in our lives. He has been showing us some amazing things. We have been going to prayer more often about things. We’ve been having more opportunities for evangelism. We have had more time to minister to people with needs. Also, I’ve seen more things that I have in my life that are not right. This is an exciting process for me because I know that it is all because as I draw closer to God and His glory, my filth will be exposed more and more. That’s fine with me.
The past three weeks have been amazing for me to see the LORD’s hand on my life. I’m looking forward to what’s next. It hasn’t been that the LORD hasn’t been doing His job, I haven’t been doing mine.
What about you? I encourage your to seek the LORD on this matter.
Sunday, December 17, 2006,12:15 AM
http://www.biblicalfoundations.org/?p=80
To answer his question - I say we side with the Puritans. Christmas has nothing to do with Christ. He wasn't born in December. Everything about the holiday, from the feast and tree, to the gifts has some root in Pagan practice. The gifts today represent the entire form of consumerism we in the West are so caught up in. We should repent of our covetousness. We should keep from all appearance of evil, and strive to keep pagan symbols - like Christmas trees, and Yule logs, and mistletoe - out of our Churches, and houses. If we want to be a pure and holy bride for Christ, shouldn't we do this. Isn't this such a minor consideration to make? In light of all that we are called to repent about, our lust, our idolatry, to come to the saving light of the Gospel of the Kingdom - are we really going to hold out on Christmas?
Just honestly take a look at the holiday, as a whole, and what it stands for. Does it stand for your company holiday party where there is an open bar and everyone can get drunk? Does it stand for the children to understand that "Santa" will pardon their "bad ways" and bless them will gifts anyway? Does it stand for families to play "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality? If you want to celebrate Christmas - make it different than the world.
Am I drinking the kool-aid on this one? Let me know
To answer his question - I say we side with the Puritans. Christmas has nothing to do with Christ. He wasn't born in December. Everything about the holiday, from the feast and tree, to the gifts has some root in Pagan practice. The gifts today represent the entire form of consumerism we in the West are so caught up in. We should repent of our covetousness. We should keep from all appearance of evil, and strive to keep pagan symbols - like Christmas trees, and Yule logs, and mistletoe - out of our Churches, and houses. If we want to be a pure and holy bride for Christ, shouldn't we do this. Isn't this such a minor consideration to make? In light of all that we are called to repent about, our lust, our idolatry, to come to the saving light of the Gospel of the Kingdom - are we really going to hold out on Christmas?
Just honestly take a look at the holiday, as a whole, and what it stands for. Does it stand for your company holiday party where there is an open bar and everyone can get drunk? Does it stand for the children to understand that "Santa" will pardon their "bad ways" and bless them will gifts anyway? Does it stand for families to play "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality? If you want to celebrate Christmas - make it different than the world.
Am I drinking the kool-aid on this one? Let me know
Friday, December 15, 2006,11:11 AM
If You want me to (2)
Just over two-thousand years ago Gabriel visited a young Jewish girl living in Palestine. Gabriel, a chief figure in God’s communication department comes to Mary with a very important message:
Mary is being greeted by a skipping Gabriel who has the privilege of giving the greatest birth announcement in history. Calling Gabriel an unexpected visitor would be a serious understatement. He brings her news that she would give birth to the one who would redeem her, her people, and the planet. God Almighty had looked upon Mary with favor. He had chosen her to give birth to the one who would restore the Davidic throne. The nation of Israel and the people of the world have long awaited this man and at the time of his coming, a simple girl in Nazareth would be a central figure in this coming to pass. She would be the mother of the Messiah.
Mary must wrestle with the words of Gabriel and her own belief in them. She must do this while also considering the ramifications of word getting around about a young maiden, previously thought to be a virgin, is now pregnant, unknown to her fiancée. Legally this can lead to death by stoning. If Joseph chooses to “put her away quietly” she could live as an outcast from her family, friends, and town.
Mary’s response to Gabriel’s words are honest and humble:
Just as Mary must have known how God had worked in the past to help her gain faith in the present, we too can look to Mary’s example of simple trust in God’s promises. Mary’s love for God would allow her to conquer any fear she had about what He was asking her to do. She understood that she was just the servant, God is the master.
Just over two-thousand years ago Gabriel visited a young Jewish girl living in Palestine. Gabriel, a chief figure in God’s communication department comes to Mary with a very important message:
Luke 1:30-33 - “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the LORD God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end."We have all heard this account and know the details of what follows well I’m sure. However, I want to highlight the response of Mary specifically in light of these circumstances.
Mary is being greeted by a skipping Gabriel who has the privilege of giving the greatest birth announcement in history. Calling Gabriel an unexpected visitor would be a serious understatement. He brings her news that she would give birth to the one who would redeem her, her people, and the planet. God Almighty had looked upon Mary with favor. He had chosen her to give birth to the one who would restore the Davidic throne. The nation of Israel and the people of the world have long awaited this man and at the time of his coming, a simple girl in Nazareth would be a central figure in this coming to pass. She would be the mother of the Messiah.
Mary must wrestle with the words of Gabriel and her own belief in them. She must do this while also considering the ramifications of word getting around about a young maiden, previously thought to be a virgin, is now pregnant, unknown to her fiancée. Legally this can lead to death by stoning. If Joseph chooses to “put her away quietly” she could live as an outcast from her family, friends, and town.
Mary’s response to Gabriel’s words are honest and humble:
“How can this be, since I am a virgin?"Perhaps Mary is not even hit with the information that this child she will have will be the king of the Kingdom of God and provide salvation to mankind. She may have been overwhelmed and so she wants to understand more. She is astounded that she will have a baby at all! Graciously, Gabriel gives her some insight into this supernatural event:
“Holy spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy child shall be called the Son of God.”And Gabriel speaks then the words that finally help Mary make some sense of this message:
“For nothing will be impossible with God.”Think for a moment of Mary growing up. She listened to her father and grandfather tell her the stories of Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Deborah, Hannah, or David. She had heard so often how God had worked in and with the faithful men and women before her. Now this same God was calling her to something that although she may not have understood fully, she could be sure that what God had promised He was also able to perform. God would take care of His part, Mary only needed to trust Him and obey. God would take care of the impossible. Young Mary needed to trust that with God the impossible was possible.
Just as Mary must have known how God had worked in the past to help her gain faith in the present, we too can look to Mary’s example of simple trust in God’s promises. Mary’s love for God would allow her to conquer any fear she had about what He was asking her to do. She understood that she was just the servant, God is the master.
“Behold, the bondslave of the LORD; may it be done to me according to your word.”Is our love of God bigger than our fear of something in this life? Is our faith in God’s promise overshadowing the uncertainty of our circumstances? May we, like our sister in faith Mary, trust that God has more figured out that we will ever know. May we also hear the word of the LORD and respond to what He has promised because of our devotion and love for Him. Let us be His bondslaves and echo the words of Mary’s heart in our lives
“Almighty Father, may it be done to us according to your word.”
Luke 1:46-55 - And Mary said: "my soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and has exalted those who were humble. HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; and sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever."
Thursday, December 14, 2006,2:41 PM
The Great Commission
Therefore go and make disciples…
I think Rick Meigs hits the nail on the head regarding discipleship. If you find yourself wondering if you consider yourself a disciple, or thoughts about discipleship - read this post for a brief outline of some of the things you expect.
Obviously my biggest point of emphasis is on the lack of the Kingdom in the author's second point. That is the entire story arc from where I sit - so to not mention it - I just can't imagine it. It makes my head hurt not mentioning it! And you'll see my in the comments down there trying to raise the question about the Kingdom and what part that plays in the Gospel. But overall this is well done. It requires a firm stated commitment (baptism, his 4th point), a withdrawl from the world (his first point), obedience (6), involvement in the community (5), and giving the commandment that they need to listen to their lord (8). I think an emphasis must also be placed on a personal understanding - a personal, internal struggle with coming to grips with the very words of Jesus. Not having these doctrines hand-picked for your consumption. But getting dirty learning the words of your master yourself.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006,1:38 PM
Commands to Christians about the Poor
Matthew 5.42"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."How many times have I walked past a homeless person who asked for some change? This is a direct command of the Messiah in the Sermon on the Mount. If I am to name Christ as my Lord then I must do as he says (Luke 6.46). Once John Wesley was walking down the road on a snowy day and he passed by a woman who was wearing only a very thin piece of cloth. He reached into his pocket and found only a couple of pennies. Suddenly, a realization hit him as he recalled buying a painting earlier that day: the money that would have clothed this poor creature of God is adorning the wall in my house. He never made that mistake again. He made sure he had money on him to give to him who asked. Do you have extra money on you so that you can "give to him who asks of you?"
Matthew 6.3 "But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing"Jesus said, WHEN you give to the poor. This is not an optional activity. This is standard operating procedure. Giving to the poor is supposed to be normal. Do you regularly give to the poor?
Matthew 25.31-46 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him; and he will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep on his right, and the goats on the left.Imagine a college professor giving his students the exact questions that were going to be on the test the next day. Imagine if he gave both the questions and the answers. Wouldn't it be bizarre if one of the students said, "I know he said these are questions and answers but I'm not sure if I really believe him. Does he really expect us to take him literally?" Jesus has already told us what he is going to say on Judgment Day. He is going to divide the people into two categories based on how they treated the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. I am not implying that if we do this one thing then we can "earn" our way into the kingdom but I'm sure of one thing: if we don't do this we will be thrown into the "eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." Do you seek out the hungry, thirsty, sick, strangers, naked, and imprisoned in order to minister to Jesus by providing for their needs?
Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 'For I was hungry, and you gave me {something} to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me {something} to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you {something} to drink? 'And when did we see you a stranger, and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? 'When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, {even} the least {of them,} you did it to me.'
Then he will also say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave me {nothing} to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in; naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.' "Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of you?' "Then he will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
Luke 6.20, 24 "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God...but woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full."When is the last time you visited a poor Christian's house and thought to yourself, "God must really be blessing this person, look how poor they are." It is just the opposite. We enter a wealthy Christian's house and they show us all of their "blessings" from God (big screen TV, Play Station 3, stylish curtains, fancy woodwork, rare paintings, etc.). How did we ever get so confused? Jesus is in the business of flipping everything upside down and we need to adjust our mindset to match his words. He said, "Blessed are the poor" that means the poor are blessed, simple as that. [Note: I am not saying that the poor who live in a constant state of covetousness are blessed. The ones who have to have the most stylish clothes, live above their means, play lotto incessantly, and have satellite hookups to watch worldly entertainment, have not "died to self" and need to repent. I am talking about followers of Christ who are poor]. Do you consider the poor blessed?
Luke 14.12-14"When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."Have you ever done this? Have you ever, even once, thought to yourself, "Who should I have over for dinner tonight, hmm... the Jones are pretty poor, they can't even afford a car, I think I'll invite them because they can't repay me." Of course not, we think to ourselves, "I'd like to have the Browns over because I enjoy their company and I'll have a good time." Perhaps we need to make a mental change here. Will you invite over the lame, blind, crippled even if it makes you uncomfortable?
Luke 19.8-9 "Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, 'Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.' And Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham."The specific thing he mentioned to Jesus was that he gave to the poor and didn't rob anyone through collecting taxes. Jesus response was simple, 'Today salvation has come to this house.' He could have eaten with anyone, why did he choose Zaccheus? Isn't it ironic that we are not as righteous as this tax collector?
Acts 6:1-3Now at this time while the disciples were increasing {in number,} a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic {Jews} against the {native} Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.} So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serveThe early church took care of widows as part of their daily ministry. In fact, this issue was so important to them that they searched to find seven men who were "of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom." This was an important job that needed to be done right and the early church understood that taking care of the poor was crucial. Do we find our top people to take care of our poor, or is the care of the poor an afterthought?
tables. "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
Acts 10.3-4"About the ninth hour of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had {just} come in and said to him, 'Cornelius!' And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, 'What is it, Lord?' And he said to him, 'Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God.'"Why did God send Peter to Cornelius? I'm sure there were plenty of others around that needed to hear the life-saving gospel of the kingdom. However, Cornelius was "a devout man and one who feared God with all his house-hold, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually" (Acts 10.1). Nonetheless, when the angel spoke to Cornelius he mentioned his prayers and alms had ascended to God and that is why men from Joppa are coming to give you a message. Do your prayers AND alms ascend to God?
1 Corinthians 13.3 "And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing."Giving to the poor needs to be the expression of love not some mechanical, heartless endeavor. There is no profit in God's eyes for grudgingly giving out of obligation. Is your giving to feed the poor done out of love?
Galatians 2.9-10And recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. {They} only {asked} us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.The only thing James and the apostles were concerned with was giving to the poor. It is remarkable that taking care of the poor was such a priority for the early Church. Paul is delighted to hear this request because giving to the poor was "the very thing I also was eager to do." Are you eager to give to the poor?
James 1.27 "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world"Is your Christianity pure and undefiled? If so then you visit the less fortunate and you are not conformed to the world. Giving to the poor is a central part of being a disciple of Christ. May God grant us repentance in this area of our Christian walk. What excuse can I bring to the Lord of Lords on the Day of Judgment? When he says to me, "Why didn't you care for the hungry, sick, thirsty, lame, downtrodden, widows, orphans, social outcasts, and imprisoned?" Will I say to him, "they were the lazy poor" or "they would have gotten drunk with the money" or "they would have gambled with it" or "it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish" or "welfare takes care of them" or "I didn't know." Then he will say, "'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave me {nothing} to eat..." There are plenty of Christians in third world countries slowly starving to death. We need to get outside of our little box and really seek to do what our Lord has commanded. Do you need to repent?
Monday, December 11, 2006,9:46 AM
Family Values.
We can learn a lot from the gospel accounts of Jesus and his thoughts on and relationship with his family. On one hand we see him calling those who “do the will of His Father” the members of his family, while on the other we see him caring for the members of his family even at his death. Jesus spoke often of the cost of discipleship including a forsaking even of ones own family. At the same time he spoke that honoring one’s mother and father was an important commandment. In Jesus’ mind one should not even tend to the tying up of family matters, but focus on the preaching of the kingdom. However, Jesus appeared to his brother after his resurrection and he became a leader of the early church.
Family can be the strongest bond that ties people together. Parents will sacrifice greatly for their children. Grown children are often devoted to the care of their elderly parents. Our brothers and sisters become our best friends and closest confidants.
But what if this unwavering allegiance gets in the way of our service of God? What if our family members do not believe? Should we justify our relatives’ sinful behavior out of our love for them? These questions are very practical and relevant for many of us. We must seek the LORD on these important matters so His wisdom can guide us and our love for them does not blind our assessment of the circumstances.
I believe Jesus’ view of family values is based on his belief in approaching of the end of age. One should not be tied down to the things of this life and thus not live in light of the Kingdom. At the same time, it is the servants and children who will be exalted during the Messianic rule and it is critical for his followers to adopt those positions now. We should honor our parents, love our brothers and sisters, and care for the widows.
For the disciple, this honor and love is understood in light of the greater apocalyptic context. One who follows Christ must forsake all for him and his Kingdom gospel, including family. The one we love with all of our heart and in all we do is our God. The one we serve is our Lord, the Messiah. God, knowing the importance of the family for our desire to belong and be connected with others for love and instruction, uses the church in this way. The church becomes the new family we identify with even when our biological families are not members. The older men are to provide leadership and good examples for the younger while the older women lead the younger to understand their role as well. The younger men and women in turn help the older and encourage and strengthen the weak.
Forsaking all to follow Christ is a great task. God has designed the church to function as a family to replace the family the disciples forsake. In turn the disciple will find a new family and community.
For some interesting thoughts on a similar subject, read a current Newsweek article on “How Jewish Family Values Shaped Christianity”
We can learn a lot from the gospel accounts of Jesus and his thoughts on and relationship with his family. On one hand we see him calling those who “do the will of His Father” the members of his family, while on the other we see him caring for the members of his family even at his death. Jesus spoke often of the cost of discipleship including a forsaking even of ones own family. At the same time he spoke that honoring one’s mother and father was an important commandment. In Jesus’ mind one should not even tend to the tying up of family matters, but focus on the preaching of the kingdom. However, Jesus appeared to his brother after his resurrection and he became a leader of the early church.
Family can be the strongest bond that ties people together. Parents will sacrifice greatly for their children. Grown children are often devoted to the care of their elderly parents. Our brothers and sisters become our best friends and closest confidants.
But what if this unwavering allegiance gets in the way of our service of God? What if our family members do not believe? Should we justify our relatives’ sinful behavior out of our love for them? These questions are very practical and relevant for many of us. We must seek the LORD on these important matters so His wisdom can guide us and our love for them does not blind our assessment of the circumstances.
I believe Jesus’ view of family values is based on his belief in approaching of the end of age. One should not be tied down to the things of this life and thus not live in light of the Kingdom. At the same time, it is the servants and children who will be exalted during the Messianic rule and it is critical for his followers to adopt those positions now. We should honor our parents, love our brothers and sisters, and care for the widows.
For the disciple, this honor and love is understood in light of the greater apocalyptic context. One who follows Christ must forsake all for him and his Kingdom gospel, including family. The one we love with all of our heart and in all we do is our God. The one we serve is our Lord, the Messiah. God, knowing the importance of the family for our desire to belong and be connected with others for love and instruction, uses the church in this way. The church becomes the new family we identify with even when our biological families are not members. The older men are to provide leadership and good examples for the younger while the older women lead the younger to understand their role as well. The younger men and women in turn help the older and encourage and strengthen the weak.
Forsaking all to follow Christ is a great task. God has designed the church to function as a family to replace the family the disciples forsake. In turn the disciple will find a new family and community.
Mark 10:28-31- Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed you." Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first."
For some interesting thoughts on a similar subject, read a current Newsweek article on “How Jewish Family Values Shaped Christianity”
Friday, December 08, 2006,5:00 PM
If you want me to.
Throughout Scripture, God has illustrated some amazing things to His people, both good and bad, often times through the preaching and lives of the prophets. Consider Hosea, who preached at a time of great sin and idolatry in his land. The people had turned away from the LORD and worshipped other gods. The LORD wanted to tell them that not only had they turned from Him unto others, but the consequences of these actions would be serious.
Another example is found in Isaiah. A certain people had again turned from the LORD and were committing abominable acts. This time they were acting as if they thought that the LORD did not know what they were doing. God wanted to communicate with them that in fact He saw more than they thought and that soon all of their evil deeds would be exposed; out in the open for all to see. What they thought they were doing in secret would be uncovered, they would be ashamed.
One last record is found early in history in the book of Genesis. God was very unhappy with all of mankind for they had all turned to their own way. Everything they did and thought was evil, all the time. God indicated that He even felt sorry that He had made man! As a result of their actions, God was going to destroy the earth and save the only man who had found favor in His sight - Noah. He told Noah the method of the destruction of the earth was going to be through a cataclysmic flood of water upon the earth. He then gave Noah instructions for the building of an ark, a large boat which would save Noah, his family, and a remnant from the animal kingdom.
I am sure these records are familiar to many of us, but I want to focus on something I have not yet mentioned about each account.
In Hosea, the method by which God was to communicate these things to the people was through Hosea’s life itself. So that the people could know and see what God was thinking about their idolatry, Hosea was told to marry a prostitute and have children with her. Just as the people had turned and “whored” themselves with idols and other nations, Hosea was uniting intimately with a whore. Hosea and his new wife would have children whose names would illustrate the fact that as a result of the people’s sins they would not receive the mercy of God and would no longer be His people.
For Isaiah, to illustrate vividly the fact that the people’s actions would be exposed, he was asked to walk around naked. Not just walk around naked when he preached one message, but walk around without any clothes for three years! Imagine what that would have been like.
In Noah’s case, we sometimes overlook the fact that his faith in God’s words included his belief in the flooding of the earth at a time in history when it had not even yet rained! To this point, a mist from the ground had given the needed water to the plants on the earth. Imagine Noah building this huge boat in the middle of dry land like say, Iowa, while being mocked daily by his neighbors. Noah, known as a preacher of righteousness, must have tried to share the news of the coming destruction with the people around him yet not one person repented in over 100 years of ark building.
So how does this all relate to my point today? I see three men in these records who were asked to do pretty crazy things – marry a prostitute, walk around naked for three years, and build a boat in the middle of Iowa when it had never even rained. But in each instance, these men did what God was asking them.
I believe the reason they did is because they really loved God. It did not matter what He was asking them to do, they were going to do it simply because He was asking. They loved God and knew His ways were higher than theirs. Even if they did not understand why He was asking what He was of their lives, they were willing to trust Him.
What about us? Do we really love God enough to do what He asks of us simply because He is asking? Do we trust that His ways are always true and right and He knows what is best for us in light of His plan?
What is God asking you to do? Turn off the TV? Turn the other cheek? Forgive those who have done wrong to you? Do your good deeds without looking for the praise of others? Stop stealing and start giving? Be gentle rather than violent? Praise Him rather than curse man?
At times it may seem like something God is asking of us is crazy or difficult or peculiar or challenging. However, if we truly love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength as Hosea, Isaiah, and Noah did, we will long to do what God is asking of us knowing that anything He asks of us is designed for us to bring Him glory. Perhaps what God is asking of us is not really crazy, difficult, peculiar, or challenging but it is us who are crazy, making it difficult, acting peculiar or being challenging.
Examine your heart today. Do you really love God? Are you willing to do what He asks of you?
He is not asking you to marry a harlot.
He is not asking me to walk around naked, even for three minutes.
He is asking us to be holy.
He is asking us to be His.
He is asking us to love Him.
The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to
When I cross over Jordan,
I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see
You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that will lead me home to You
And I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley
If You want me to
"If You Want Me To" by Ginny Owens
Wednesday, December 06, 2006,11:58 AM
Some thoughts on Isaiah 11.4
Why does God care so much for the poor? He cares because no one else does, because He has to endure their cries for help, none of their afflictions are hidden from His eyes. When God's creatures suffer, He takes it personally and another drop of wrath drips into His cup of righteous indignation ready to be poured out on the last day. Besides in a world that is cold, cynical, and uncompassionate who else does one have but God? This is why Jesus specifically pointed out that Christians will be judged on the basis of how they treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned {Mat 25.34-46}. Do you care for the poor? Aren’t we supposed to imitate God {Eph 5.1}?
But there is a day coming when there will be a just judge. He will not be impressed with pomp nor inclined to pervert justice for a bribe. He will hear the cause of the poor and afflicted but will not falsely punish their adversaries because of a vendetta the poor may have against them. All decisions will be correct and final.
But with righteousness he will judge the poor,God has a special place in His heart for the less fortunate {Is 61.1; Mic 4.6-7; Ps 72.2-4, 12-14; Pr 22.22-23; Luke 6.20-26; James 2.5}. So often it is the poor who are abused by the crafty. It is the poor who squander billions in the lotteries because of their inability to calculate odds, control their greed, or see through the scam. The gullible are sucked into pyramid schemes in order to benefit the few at the top who really make money while these simple ones exploit their relatives, friends, and churches. They are lured to persist because "one day" they will become rich, yet that day never comes. It is the elderly poor who the internet connivers and telemarketers pick clean. The poor are wronged but no one is there to take up their cause. The wealthy and corporations hire the premier lawyers to make sure their interests are safeguarded but the poor are regularly done injustice through ill reputed public defenders. The rich influence the politicians to make decisions in their favor through the use of lobbying (bribing). The employed poor are the support of the economic infrastructure, working many hours and getting paid only enough to barely survive, while supplying gas, groceries, transport, retail, maintenance, etc. yet they are the least appreciated and often not given health insurance or retirement options. The poor man waits a day in the emergency room with internal bleeding while the wealthy has a primary care physician to attend to his pink eye at a moments notice. The poor have no option but to use the public education system in the poor areas they live which merely serves to perpetuate their condition. In countries where the police are sparse or non-existent the poor cannot afford security workers and are robbed, murdered, and raped without mercy and without recourse.
And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth;
Why does God care so much for the poor? He cares because no one else does, because He has to endure their cries for help, none of their afflictions are hidden from His eyes. When God's creatures suffer, He takes it personally and another drop of wrath drips into His cup of righteous indignation ready to be poured out on the last day. Besides in a world that is cold, cynical, and uncompassionate who else does one have but God? This is why Jesus specifically pointed out that Christians will be judged on the basis of how they treated the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned {Mat 25.34-46}. Do you care for the poor? Aren’t we supposed to imitate God {Eph 5.1}?
But there is a day coming when there will be a just judge. He will not be impressed with pomp nor inclined to pervert justice for a bribe. He will hear the cause of the poor and afflicted but will not falsely punish their adversaries because of a vendetta the poor may have against them. All decisions will be correct and final.
And he will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,The people of the earth who have oppressed the poor will be punished by this coming one. He need only say the word and it is done. The large mass of nations [Babylon] that will not submit will be subjugated by force. The people who have said all their lives "no one will rule over us" will submit to the vice-regent of Almighty God. The scales will be tipped, the last shall be first, the humble exalted, and the prideful cut down. The contrite will be given administrative positions in God's new world order. The current political and military rulers will be severely punished for siding with a kingdom (or kingdoms) of this world over and against the kingdom of God (which cannot be mixed together). The politicians who have made a mockery of justice will be punished. The wealthy that have used their means for their own selfish interests will have their fortunes divided up among the poor. The soldiers who would not follow the command of the Messiah (love your enemies) will learn the proverb, "those who live by the sword, die by the sword." The first stage of the restoration program of the Messiah is the conquering of the unrepentant.
Monday, December 04, 2006,9:14 PM
"Just as you are"
That phrase and lyric is really starting to get on my nerves. We actually believe that God likes us just the way we are. I think that the Bible tells us otherwise. When God says that we are DEAD because of our trespasses and sins(Eph 2:1) - I don't think he likes to say that! As a matter of fact I know he doesn't because he sent his Son, the Messiah, to get us OUT of that situation. Therefore don't say "God accepts me just as I am".
What God DID was make a way out for you! He is offering you a promise! To stay "just the way you are" is to REJECT that promise! God makes it plain that to accept his offering you must CHANGE, Repent, the Kingdom is coming!
That phrase and lyric is really starting to get on my nerves. We actually believe that God likes us just the way we are. I think that the Bible tells us otherwise. When God says that we are DEAD because of our trespasses and sins(Eph 2:1) - I don't think he likes to say that! As a matter of fact I know he doesn't because he sent his Son, the Messiah, to get us OUT of that situation. Therefore don't say "God accepts me just as I am".
What God DID was make a way out for you! He is offering you a promise! To stay "just the way you are" is to REJECT that promise! God makes it plain that to accept his offering you must CHANGE, Repent, the Kingdom is coming!
Sunday, December 03, 2006,3:17 PM
Who's Side Are You On?
Its either black or white. Life or death. In or out. Barn or the bonfire. Saved or damned. Life in the age to come or shame and everlasting contempt. Known or never known. Confessed or denied.
Its always been that way. From the Garden of Eden to the mountains of Sinai. From the preaching of John to the letters of Paul.
If it is one or the other, yes or no, and all the rest at the end of the age, why would we think that it is not like that today as well. Doesn't Jesus identify the wheat and the tares growing together in this age and their fate determined at the end? Do not both men build houses, but their choice of foundation is what is determined right or wrong in the age to come? Are you not a sheep or a goat and separated by the great shepherd when he comes to rule his Kingdom?
When the Kingdom comes, the faithful will be changed. However, it would be wrong for us to think that the change would involve a miraculous change of lifestyle from how we are to be living now. Sinful, worldly-involved, ashamed, disobedient people will not be changed to perfect and immortal.
Those who have loved the LORD with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength will be changed to immortal men and women who will continue loving the LORD with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, only now perfectly and forever. A new, sinless heart upon which the LORD will write His laws. We can not be under the assumption that things that are foreign to me now will be experienced by me in the Kingdom. What we must understand is that things that we are doing, challenged to do, long to, and must do will be what we will be able to do perfectly then.
Goats won't be changed to sheep. Tares won't be changed to wheat. Bad fruit won't be changed to good. Sandy foundations to rocks. Rocky ground won't be changed to fertile soil. Worthless servants won't be changed to good, well-doing servants.
That's what we need to change now.
Thankfully we have an example and guide. We must critically examine the life and words of Messiah Jesus for understanding of the way which we should walk, the truth about the world and ourselves and the light to guide us through the darkness of the present age. Apart from him we can do nothing. We must abide in his words, make our home there.
Choose your side. You can't be one and the other. You can't be on both sides of the fence. In the eyes of the LORD, if we aren't loving Him, we are hating Him. If we aren't loving our brethren, we are hating them. If we aren't hating the world and the things of the world, we are loving them. There is no sheegoat category or wheatare. The devil will tell you there is a grey area between the black and white. That's not true. You're either one or the other.
So which one are you? If you examine you life, thoughts, actions, and activities which side are you on? If you are on the side of the world, please change today. Become separate form the world by taking practical steps to remove yourself from it. What do you do for fun? Who do you hang out and fellowship with? What do you watch? What do you ___________? By aligning ourselves with God's position on each of these issues, we will be separating ourselves from the world and choosing our side.
Its either black or white. Life or death. In or out. Barn or the bonfire. Saved or damned. Life in the age to come or shame and everlasting contempt. Known or never known. Confessed or denied.
Its always been that way. From the Garden of Eden to the mountains of Sinai. From the preaching of John to the letters of Paul.
If it is one or the other, yes or no, and all the rest at the end of the age, why would we think that it is not like that today as well. Doesn't Jesus identify the wheat and the tares growing together in this age and their fate determined at the end? Do not both men build houses, but their choice of foundation is what is determined right or wrong in the age to come? Are you not a sheep or a goat and separated by the great shepherd when he comes to rule his Kingdom?
When the Kingdom comes, the faithful will be changed. However, it would be wrong for us to think that the change would involve a miraculous change of lifestyle from how we are to be living now. Sinful, worldly-involved, ashamed, disobedient people will not be changed to perfect and immortal.
Those who have loved the LORD with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength will be changed to immortal men and women who will continue loving the LORD with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, only now perfectly and forever. A new, sinless heart upon which the LORD will write His laws. We can not be under the assumption that things that are foreign to me now will be experienced by me in the Kingdom. What we must understand is that things that we are doing, challenged to do, long to, and must do will be what we will be able to do perfectly then.
Goats won't be changed to sheep. Tares won't be changed to wheat. Bad fruit won't be changed to good. Sandy foundations to rocks. Rocky ground won't be changed to fertile soil. Worthless servants won't be changed to good, well-doing servants.
That's what we need to change now.
Thankfully we have an example and guide. We must critically examine the life and words of Messiah Jesus for understanding of the way which we should walk, the truth about the world and ourselves and the light to guide us through the darkness of the present age. Apart from him we can do nothing. We must abide in his words, make our home there.
Joshua 24:14-15 - "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Choose your side. You can't be one and the other. You can't be on both sides of the fence. In the eyes of the LORD, if we aren't loving Him, we are hating Him. If we aren't loving our brethren, we are hating them. If we aren't hating the world and the things of the world, we are loving them. There is no sheegoat category or wheatare. The devil will tell you there is a grey area between the black and white. That's not true. You're either one or the other.
So which one are you? If you examine you life, thoughts, actions, and activities which side are you on? If you are on the side of the world, please change today. Become separate form the world by taking practical steps to remove yourself from it. What do you do for fun? Who do you hang out and fellowship with? What do you watch? What do you ___________? By aligning ourselves with God's position on each of these issues, we will be separating ourselves from the world and choosing our side.
Revelation 3:15-16 - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouthChoose your side, today. It's the most important decision you'll ever make.
Saturday, December 02, 2006,12:03 AM
The Truth and The Sacrifice.
Oxygen is critical. We don't think about that often though. We live and breathe and don't think about breathing in and out oxygen. It fuels our cells and blood and body. It is so needed. Yet it is most often ignored. Until the day that you get your head held underwater. You fear drowning. You don't know what to do. You feel scared and helpless. You run out of the oxygen that you stored up in your lungs after a deep breath and can only now breathe in water. And this doesn't work. Water can't do what the oxygen does. At last the hand holding your head down in the water releases and you come up to breathe. The experience however changes you. It changes your perspective. You suddenly realize how important oxygen is. You can't live without it. You never want to put yourself in a situation like that again where you cannot partake of this precious thing - the oxygen that will keep you alive.
The sacrifice of Jesus is so important. Unlike some groups, I fear hell because of the chance that I am not attached the the sacrifice of Jesus and thus will not receive a pardon on judgment day. The pardon comes for those who are Christ's through repentance, faith and baptism in his name. I both fear and thank God through the sacrifice of Christ. I fear damnation rather than salvation because I deny Christ and deny the payment he offers. I thank God because of the sacrifice of Christ. From this my personal desire for holiness and hunger for righteousness comes. I desire truth and not falsehood. Godliness and not sin.
For others however, their connection to God is not through the sacrifice of Christ. There is no true gratitude for this offered pardon. Sure they say the right words and speak of Christ dying for their sins, but it is vain repetition and not from their longing heart. For them their joy and expectation is because they belong to the group that possesses the truth. Because of this, their corresponding fear of hell comes from the separation from this group or mixing of their truth with falsehood. Their gratitude to God is for His giving of His truth to them and through this showing the path to the Kingdom that others don't see. It is this opposed to gratitude for God because He will save them from His wrath and open the doors to the Kingdom and that He has given them His truth because of the sacrifice of the Christ.
Do you see the difference here?
One group views God and salvation in light of the precious sacrificial death of Jesus the King of the Kingdom.
One group views God and salvation in light of possession of the truth.
I am banking on the sacrifice of Christ. I need it, badly. I have sinned. In fact, I have done nothing good at all. Because I have recognized this I have also recognized that the death of the King of the Kingdom instead of me is such a big deal. Because of it I will serve God. I will forsake my family and my home and follow Christ. I will cease from sin and live holy in light of the coming Kingdom. And I have a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude to God for giving me His truth, and the true gospel to speak. The truth about the only true God and Jesus Christ who He has sent. But I can't get this backwards.
Fear God not because if you leave the truth possessing group you have been told you will be leavened-infested heretics and go to hell. Fear God because He has the power of life and death in his hands and will only give life to those who have connected themselves to the pardon-giving sacrifice of Jesus.
What does the death of Jesus really mean to you? Is it some vain and empty saying? Something to think about and meditate on once a year just before Resurrection Sunday? Do you cry at the thought of his death instead of you because you are an emotional person and cry when sad things happen or do you cry because he died instead of you?
Get this fact into your hearts. And then live for the one who died for you. Seek the truth and hold fast to it. Abhor evil and falsehood and erroneous doctrines of men. Keep yourselves free of the leaven of the world. Live holy and separate lives. But don't forget about the sacrifice of Christ. Salvation does not come through the possession of truth. Possession of truth should come from hearing the gospel, understanding the atonement and seeking it as a by-product of your conversion.
My brothers and sisters, figure this out. Once you figure this out, do whatever is necessary to connect yourself to this sacrifice, for it is the only thing that will save you on that final day. Get your head out of the water and breathe in the breath of life.
Oxygen is critical. We don't think about that often though. We live and breathe and don't think about breathing in and out oxygen. It fuels our cells and blood and body. It is so needed. Yet it is most often ignored. Until the day that you get your head held underwater. You fear drowning. You don't know what to do. You feel scared and helpless. You run out of the oxygen that you stored up in your lungs after a deep breath and can only now breathe in water. And this doesn't work. Water can't do what the oxygen does. At last the hand holding your head down in the water releases and you come up to breathe. The experience however changes you. It changes your perspective. You suddenly realize how important oxygen is. You can't live without it. You never want to put yourself in a situation like that again where you cannot partake of this precious thing - the oxygen that will keep you alive.
The sacrifice of Jesus is so important. Unlike some groups, I fear hell because of the chance that I am not attached the the sacrifice of Jesus and thus will not receive a pardon on judgment day. The pardon comes for those who are Christ's through repentance, faith and baptism in his name. I both fear and thank God through the sacrifice of Christ. I fear damnation rather than salvation because I deny Christ and deny the payment he offers. I thank God because of the sacrifice of Christ. From this my personal desire for holiness and hunger for righteousness comes. I desire truth and not falsehood. Godliness and not sin.
For others however, their connection to God is not through the sacrifice of Christ. There is no true gratitude for this offered pardon. Sure they say the right words and speak of Christ dying for their sins, but it is vain repetition and not from their longing heart. For them their joy and expectation is because they belong to the group that possesses the truth. Because of this, their corresponding fear of hell comes from the separation from this group or mixing of their truth with falsehood. Their gratitude to God is for His giving of His truth to them and through this showing the path to the Kingdom that others don't see. It is this opposed to gratitude for God because He will save them from His wrath and open the doors to the Kingdom and that He has given them His truth because of the sacrifice of the Christ.
Do you see the difference here?
One group views God and salvation in light of the precious sacrificial death of Jesus the King of the Kingdom.
One group views God and salvation in light of possession of the truth.
I am banking on the sacrifice of Christ. I need it, badly. I have sinned. In fact, I have done nothing good at all. Because I have recognized this I have also recognized that the death of the King of the Kingdom instead of me is such a big deal. Because of it I will serve God. I will forsake my family and my home and follow Christ. I will cease from sin and live holy in light of the coming Kingdom. And I have a tremendous sense of joy and gratitude to God for giving me His truth, and the true gospel to speak. The truth about the only true God and Jesus Christ who He has sent. But I can't get this backwards.
Fear God not because if you leave the truth possessing group you have been told you will be leavened-infested heretics and go to hell. Fear God because He has the power of life and death in his hands and will only give life to those who have connected themselves to the pardon-giving sacrifice of Jesus.
What does the death of Jesus really mean to you? Is it some vain and empty saying? Something to think about and meditate on once a year just before Resurrection Sunday? Do you cry at the thought of his death instead of you because you are an emotional person and cry when sad things happen or do you cry because he died instead of you?
Get this fact into your hearts. And then live for the one who died for you. Seek the truth and hold fast to it. Abhor evil and falsehood and erroneous doctrines of men. Keep yourselves free of the leaven of the world. Live holy and separate lives. But don't forget about the sacrifice of Christ. Salvation does not come through the possession of truth. Possession of truth should come from hearing the gospel, understanding the atonement and seeking it as a by-product of your conversion.
My brothers and sisters, figure this out. Once you figure this out, do whatever is necessary to connect yourself to this sacrifice, for it is the only thing that will save you on that final day. Get your head out of the water and breathe in the breath of life.
"Almighty Father. Thank you for your son. I need that sacrifice so badly. I am so wretched and helpless and sinful. Thank you for providing it for me. Please show me what it is I need to do to partake in it. Whatever it takes."
Friday, December 01, 2006,11:17 AM
Holiness Hurts.
It’s not always “fun” be a Christian. Contrary to many popular beliefs, it’s actually not supposed to be that way. Christianity is supposed to be about holiness and God’s glory, not comfort zones and our happiness. True happiness is found in selflessness and hungering for and being filled by the Almighty. But here’s the thing - we aren’t born thinking of others. We don’t innately desire to be holy. We are born selfish and innately desiring evil. So the breaking/crucifying/dying of our flesh doesn’t happen with ease.
We hold on to our own desires and long for what will gratify ourselves. It’s easier that way. Perhaps you have battled staying like the world because what would happen if people knew we were different?! And of course there is the challenge of letting go things we love. People, places and things. Changing the “way we’ve always done it.”
But then it finally hits us. We don’t care what it takes – we want to live a life that will glorify God. We realize that the Kingdom of God is really coming. The King of the Kingdom died instead of me. The Creator has put together a plan to save me from death. We have sinned and deserve death. The wrath and suffering that fell on Jesus should have fallen on us.
And then there is a shift that begins. The realization that we want to serve God more than ourselves. We want to love God more than ourselves. We want to dwell with God more than the world. Suddenly, we realize we need God, we want Him. A passion begins to burn. This burning in our hearts is finally hot enough to burn off the evil and sin that still remains in our hearts. We are finally willing to sacrifice, regardless of the cost.
Once this happens, we need to seek the LORD on this matter. We need to ask Him to reveal to us practical steps that we need to take to grow in holiness. This is the first step actually. Slowing down enough to stop and pray...
Write down a list of what the LORD puts on your heart. If you are like me you need to make provisions for the spirit almost in the same way we need to not make provisions for the flesh. Maybe it’s not going to sleep until you have prayed or not eating breakfast until you’ve read your Bible. It might be different steps for each of us, but we can not forget that the goal is God’s glorification through our holy lives.
Without a doubt, it is God’s will for us to be holy (I Peter 1:13-16). Knowing this, we can be confident that God will show you what it is you need to do to be holy. He will show us because we aren’t His without holiness. When we continue to cling to the world we are still part of the world.
It’s not always “fun” be a Christian. Contrary to many popular beliefs, it’s actually not supposed to be that way. Christianity is supposed to be about holiness and God’s glory, not comfort zones and our happiness. True happiness is found in selflessness and hungering for and being filled by the Almighty. But here’s the thing - we aren’t born thinking of others. We don’t innately desire to be holy. We are born selfish and innately desiring evil. So the breaking/crucifying/dying of our flesh doesn’t happen with ease.
We hold on to our own desires and long for what will gratify ourselves. It’s easier that way. Perhaps you have battled staying like the world because what would happen if people knew we were different?! And of course there is the challenge of letting go things we love. People, places and things. Changing the “way we’ve always done it.”
But then it finally hits us. We don’t care what it takes – we want to live a life that will glorify God. We realize that the Kingdom of God is really coming. The King of the Kingdom died instead of me. The Creator has put together a plan to save me from death. We have sinned and deserve death. The wrath and suffering that fell on Jesus should have fallen on us.
And then there is a shift that begins. The realization that we want to serve God more than ourselves. We want to love God more than ourselves. We want to dwell with God more than the world. Suddenly, we realize we need God, we want Him. A passion begins to burn. This burning in our hearts is finally hot enough to burn off the evil and sin that still remains in our hearts. We are finally willing to sacrifice, regardless of the cost.
Once this happens, we need to seek the LORD on this matter. We need to ask Him to reveal to us practical steps that we need to take to grow in holiness. This is the first step actually. Slowing down enough to stop and pray...
“Heavenly Father, you alone are wise. You are the great God of heaven. You created all things and know my frame especially. You know my thoughts, you know my heart. More than I do even. I come to you now and ask you to reveal to me what it is I need to do be holy. What is it that you would have me start, stop, change, continue, do less, do more, whatever it might be, Father. Please speak to me and show me clearly what it is that I need to do to be more like you. Please God. Help me. I can’t do this on my own.”And then just wait…..be quiet. Let the LORD do His work.
Write down a list of what the LORD puts on your heart. If you are like me you need to make provisions for the spirit almost in the same way we need to not make provisions for the flesh. Maybe it’s not going to sleep until you have prayed or not eating breakfast until you’ve read your Bible. It might be different steps for each of us, but we can not forget that the goal is God’s glorification through our holy lives.
Without a doubt, it is God’s will for us to be holy (I Peter 1:13-16). Knowing this, we can be confident that God will show you what it is you need to do to be holy. He will show us because we aren’t His without holiness. When we continue to cling to the world we are still part of the world.
II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in theIt isn’t going to be fun at first, but it will be right. You aren’t going to be popular among your friends, but you will be apart of a new family. Holiness hurts at first, but then it all makes sense:
fear of God.
Hebrews 12:14 – Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Matthew 5:8 (HCSB) – Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.