Monday, December 31, 2018

Only One Race

Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬  - For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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There is only one race...the human race. This is a bit off my normal blog. I was listening to a very old sermon, probably recorded in the 50’s. But the message was ever as relevant today as then. The message doesn’t change, though the messenger might! The preacher was A.Z. Tozer. I was riveted as I took notes. So this is his paraphrased sermon with my added comments, in italics where I remembered! 

This is also a sober reminder to myself!

There coexists only two kingdoms: the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God. They touch at least, living side by side. We are born into the kingdom of man. This is the rebellious, fallen kingdom, exiled from God. By nature we are a fallen race. For the most part this human race disagrees on many things. There is division among races and division politically, division on ways of life...”local” things. But we do agree on one thing. The basic principle of human self-sufficiency...instinctive wisdom of the race. 

However, God talks about the folly of the human race. We don’t know our spiritual home nor the hand that feeds us and are not sufficient unto ourselves. The human race believes in moral judgment with a mistake being made here and there. We “basically” know what is right and allow for a few flaws but we are basically good! We do have institutions and people who do good things for others. But there still is a basic evil of the human race. 

We can be distressed over the world conditions. Don’t we realize that this is proof of the depravity of the human race? The human race is nothing unless God is involved in lives. Until then goodness is man-centeredMan’s kingdom is filled with organized evil from satan. It is implemented by science, history and personal success...all of the flesh for the desires of the flesh. All part of the human race. 

Then there’s the Kingdom of God! It’s a totally different Kingdom. This is made up of people who have been re-created, born again into His Kingdom. Persons who have given their lives to Christ. Persons who have no confidence in man’s successes and goodness because man can so easily fail without God. 
I added these:
Without Christ I can do no good thing.
God is my strength and my shield, my help in times of weakness. 
Only God knows just what we really need. Only He knows what is truly the best for us. The world has nothing to offer compared to what He has for those who seek Him. 

These two kingdoms will touch, maybe even seep into one another. Sadly, there will always be a little world that spills into the church because man does that. And there are churches totally given over to man’s kingdom because they don’t really know God; their belief is that man can do good apart from God. Motivational speakers and businessmen are brought in to bring success or tell people the best life is now, here on earth, be the best you can be...without the help of God. 
**I can do nothing apart from God.**

Mankind cannot be made good on their own but only through Divine help. The Church cannot succeed without God’s intervention. Only God in us can do a good thing. 

So if we cannot do anything on our own, apart from God, we must seek Him daily, in prayer and supplication to help us make the right decisions. I know someone who (used to) ask God what she should wear every day. That might be a little overboard but we should at least seek Him about guiding our days, our thoughts, our words. We can so often fail here... So we need a Savior, One who will guide.

Examples of how to do this!!
The world says, "in everything by money"...if you have enough you’ll have what you want. Money talks and opens doors. More money, more success. If we, according to God’s Word, offer up first to the Kingdom of God, He will bless us (not necessarily with more money but spiritual blessings...what we truly need). However, money without prayer behind it, can become a curse.  Even money given to a church without prayer behind it! If a church only wants a person’s money, they do not care about God. And likewise, giving because it’s an obligation, it’s not for God. So, how about everything by prayer and supplication...

The world says "it’s about social prestige," climbing the ladder, success. It’s not what, but who you know. Winning friends and influencing people. What we need is the power of God! We shouldn’t care what the world says; it’s what God thinks of us that matters. He has the power over life and death. 

Let this sink in...Christ was born in a manger. Peter and John were fishermen and Matthew a despised tax collector. The early church rose up out of people with very little, not those in power or wealth. Paul was learned and he persecuted the early church. But he was humbled! He was brought to his knees before God. And converted! Peter was not very learned, but when God got hold of him it was the power of God in him that led 3,000 to Christ! They were a praying bunch! They sought Him. 
When we come to Christ it’s usually when we realize a need, our awfulness, our miserableness, our poor spirits. We are humbled. When all else fails, Christ is there. It is through our testimony that others see Christ. Everything by prayer ... and it doesn't need to be in a mega church; a small, modest one will do too.

With the power of God, all things can be settled...better than any man or group of men committed to doing it their way. Pray more, talk less! 

When a church begins to backslide it tends to try to educate itself through man’s ways. Get books on this, study this...as opposed to being directed into the Word of God. What does He say? 

The world says everything by compromise. Could that be like being politically correct? Trying to be in harmony? All at a level playing field? The Word doesn’t suggest any such thing. There is only one right way. As much as people will balk at this, it is the truth. There is only one way! Through the power of God because His ways are perfect, His ways just.

Compromising in the Kingdom of God has deadly consequences. Yet some churches choose to compromise by seeking what the world wants over what God wants. Letting the church get along with the world, not standing alone with God. Like the "coexist" movement, regarding religion. Not taught in the Bible. 

People have a problem with believers who won’t budge when it comes to the truth of the Bible...the world says, “Did God really say that? If He did He’s a tyrant; He’s supposed to be a loving God.” The Church is not to be used by man but by God. God does not compromise because...He IS God. He IS Creator of all things. He IS all powerful, all knowing, always present. What He commands will happen with or without man. He doesn’t need us but we certainly need Him. I'm thankful for a pastor who is diligent to seek God in all things.

But if we call ourselves to prayer and seeking (and trusting) God in all things, He will deliver. Prayer is what gives power to all the necessary things of life. We’ll find out some day whether the good that we did came to anything. That’s a scary thought. How much of my life will have been stubble which will be burned up, useless? 

This is all truth and yet it is something that needs to be brought into our minds through the Holy Spirit. We will always fail at some things. It’s this fallen human nature we have as a human race. When we fail we rise up and start over.

Must be why Tozer titled the sermon Everything in Prayer! 

Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭- 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.


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Sunday, December 2, 2018

Lord, Is It I?

Matthew 26:21-22 - Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"

I listened to a moving sermon about Judas, yet what the pastor said might seem odd.

Jesus chose the twelve who would become His apostles, whom He would train, whom He would be with to see Him work miracles, hear Him preach. And Judas was one of these men. These men came from various backgrounds, all had flaws. Peter was impetuous, Thomas doubted, Matthew was a tax collector whom people generally frowned upon. Others were mere fishermen without training. All were chosen by Jesus. He did not choose those of importance, but these men, for the most part, became great. We are never told what Judas did prior to being chosen to become an Apostle. It is assumed he was a thief and that money was important to him.

Did Judas have a motive for following Jesus? Did he believe Jesus could not see through him? Did Judas not get Jesus' preaching? Was he not affected by the miracles and the fellowship with the others? So many questions.

A known truth was pointed out: no one is perfect. And not any of the disciples/apostles were. We are only perfect through Jesus Christ when we receive Him into our lives and our hearts are transformed. This world has a wrong view of what God supposes. He does not look at the good things we do, whether we consider ourselves good persons because we donate money to or back worthy causes. Have we given ourselves to Christ? That’s what He’s looking for. 

There is a painting of Jesus knocking on a door. I’ve brought this up before. It has been said that the artist missed something. Take a look at this picture........
What is missing is a door knob. When asked by someone how he missed it, the artist said he didn't. Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts, but we are the ones who will open it. He is not going to barge right in. It's our choice to receive Him. And so it was with Judas. He lived, walked, watched and listened to Jesus. But he never allowed Jesus entrance into his own life. Even though people attend church, do good things, doesn't make them followers of Christ, the pastor said. 

We think we can hide ourselves and our lives and lifestyles from God, but He knows. He knows. And one day we will be standing face to face with God, accountable for every action, every word, every thought. We will see the truth of who we have been. We will even see how wrong we were about how good we thought we were! This is something we should be concerned about today. 

Judas spent much time with Jesus but he would not allow himself to be changed. He lived a lie all the while he was in Jesus' presence. I'm certain none of the other disciples knew it; they just thought he was one of them, believing as they did. And it's the same way in our churches. The outward appearance may be spot on, but Jesus knows the heart. 

At the Passover meal Jesus told the disciples what would happen. He told them He would be arrested, He would have to die, that one in particular would betray him. All His followers were worried. They each exclaimed, "Lord, is it I?"  My, how Judas exemplified what we do when we make the choice not to follow Him seriously. I might have asked the same question. Might we sometimes feel like this also? That's why Jesus came, to put that doubt behind us. Each of these men made a choice; eleven were the right choice and one was not. How many times are we confronted with this choice only to put Jesus aside? I’m so thankful that the Bible is filled with stories of failed individuals. We can learn from them, based on what happens to them. Judas died...Peter became great, some were humbled for a good outcome. 

Judas eventually was sorry for what he had done; he chucked the 30 pieces of silver back at the captors basically saying he didn't want "the blood money." He did not repent of what he had done; he did not go to Jesus. He was only sorry about what he had done. No change took place even before he hung himself. No doubt in anyone's mind where he has ended up.

I think about the two thieves on either side of Jesus at His crucifixion. One’s end was not good, like Judas; the other realized his sinful condition and repented. Jesus pardoned the repentant thief. I love this story.

We cannot pretend about our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. It doesn't work. Saying a prayer one time to receive Jesus isn't the only answer. It's living it out. It's being determined to listen to God speak and be in communication with Him. It's dying to self. It's enduring till the end.

Like Judas, there will be many who will reject that knock on the door of a heart. I don't need Him. He's only a myth. I'm a good person on my own. I don't like having to bow to a higher authority or Authority. I'm all the authority I need. I don't want to change; people will notice, I will lose friends. 

There's more to this story, though. One that puts things into perspective. God knows the beginning from the end and He knows who will choose His Son and who will not. Jesus knew Judas was to betray Him, but He chose him just the same. Maybe He thought Judas would change; but probably not. Some just do not. It had to happen to fulfill the prophecy of His death. This is sad...knowing some just will not make the choice. The account is one more example we are to learn from. 

Isaiah 55:6-7 - Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

More Precious Than Gold

1Peter‬ ‭1:6-9 - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 

Oh, that testing of our faith!! Praise the Lord. Yes, praise Him!

We all do go through trials. Knowing, loving and serving our God doesn’t come easy. We have highs and lows. Those highs are amazing. There’s a richness in those times when we feel His presence. Praise comes easier. Reading the Bible and hearing Him speak is glorious. New truths are revealed. We learn new things or old things are given even deeper meaning. Our faith needs little testing!

Then there are the valleys in our walk. Days are long, maybe darker. His voice is not very clear or not heard at all. We can feel alone, separated even in the midst of other believers, especially when they are on their mountain top. (Ouch) We can begin to, or once again experience, doubt. It’s painful. It can be fearful. That joy is gone. We could be experiencing that testing of our faith. It might feel like we’re being tested by fire! 

I’ve gone through this. More than once. When I get to the breaking point and I’m not hearing God, I might seek a solid Christian friend, if for no other reason but to share my feelings. Depending on who it is, I might receive just enough encouragement! And sometimes they just happen to be reaching out to me with something to share without my saying a word...but what they share is just what I needed to hear. It confirms thoughts I’ve had in the time of pondering my faith...and it’s good! 

Yes, we will be tested. The end result is what we look forward to if we don’t throw in the towel. What has God done in us during this difficult time? Has He purged some things? Maybe He has shown another side to Himself. Maybe we’ve gained even more trust in Him to know that He is who He says He is and does what He wills. Speaking of will, perhaps He has broken a bit of ours, to conform us more and transform us to be more in His image. 

The truth I’ve known over the years is this verse: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (Psalm‬ ‭34:8) It can be hard to go back to our lives before Christ, if we have received Him, tasted His Words that are like honey to our mouths. The truth is also in this verse: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) Even in times of trials one truth remains: ...the word of the LORD endures forever. Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1‭‭Peter‬ ‭1:25‬) 

Jesus is still the same yesterday, today and forever. He never lies; He never changes. The truth is always IN Him. If we remain in Him, He remains hidden within us. His truth is hidden in our hearts. When we have His Word hidden in our hearts, He has spoken to us; and when it comes to mind, He is speaking to us, in this truth, either through admonition or encouragement. We have been set free from the entanglements of the world. How many of us know this and can say this? 

Testing. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again. When students are taking a test in school, the teacher remains silent! Thank You, Lord!!

Philippians‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭- But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...

Sunday, November 4, 2018

Have You?

Colossians 1:19-22 - For it pleased the Father that IN HIM all the fullness should dwell, and BY HIM to reconcile all things to Himself, BY HIM, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of HIS cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now HE has reconciled in the body of HIS flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in HIS sight—

Alienated and enemies. That’s what we are before entering into a relationship with Christ. 

Churches don’t determine who we are in Christ. Having gone to church since childhood doesn’t do it. Being infant baptized doesn’t do it either. Our denomination...nope.  It’s all about a changed heart, a conversion in spirit. In Christ alone.  

I heard our pastor tell a story about a person he once knew. When pastor got saved, he was on fire for God and he began to “preach” even before the call of God in his life to become a pastor. Quite often his friends got mad at him. 
Well, this friend didn’t like what he had to say and asked why his pastor never said those things. Because the truth was not preached. Pastor said, could be that’s why he’s a drunk today. 

A lot of churches fail to take it one step further and preach the truth. They don’t want to offend. Or some hold people captive with rules and regulations, works that do not save a person’s soul. What a shame that some people will be on their deathbed wondering if they have been good enough to go to heaven. But we can have that assurance, if we seek and hear the truth. Through Christ alone. Has He entered your heart? Have you allowed Him in? Have you been transformed by His truth? Have you been set free? 

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Wow, after I wrote all this and was determined not to get lengthy, a day at church added to all this. 

In Bible study the point was made: many churches don’t preach anything but the goodness of God; sin is not brought up. Many believe that if He’s a good God and loves us why does He allow suffering? He allows suffering because He loves us (like a father disciplines his son for running out into a busy street without looking...). It doesn’t seem logical to our human minds but if you look closely in the Bible you’ll see He was always causing trials to bring people back from trusting themselves or kings or others to trusting Him. 

Then pastor mentioned this in the sermon: Rejecting the Word of God (The Bible or Christ, who is the Word of God) in heart and spirit is rejecting Christ. If Christ is planted in us, like a seed is planted in the ground, He grows within! 
Me again: it must be a heart change. It can’t be just an acknowledgment with our mind to something a pastor has said and we agreed to. It must be something that has changed our hearts. Again, have you experienced a time when your heart was truly changed? 

Then coming home from church I was listening to my worship music. One song was Garments of Praise by Robin Mark. It was a reminder to me that in the midst of trials it is strongly suggested we lift up praise to God to relieve any spirit of heaviness. Trust Him always! If we know and have this relationship with Jesus, we know He can lift our spirits! It’s why He was sent to this earth, to reconcile all things to Himself. In Him we have joy and peace. Here’s the prophetic word of the Old Testament that the song is based on (for both the Jews and the Gentiles). I will praise my God!! Let His name be glorified.

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me [the yet to come Savior] because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)


Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Don’t Live in Egypt

Jeremiah‬ ‭42:12-16‬ - And I will show you mercy, that he may have mercy on you and cause you to return to your own land. But if you say, “We will not dwell in this land,” disobeying the voice of the LORD your God, saying, “No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell”—then hear now the word of the LORD...thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “If you wholly set your faces to enter Egypt, and go to dwell there, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt; the famine of which you were afraid shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there you shall die.”


Strong words of warning. The Old Testament of the Bible is filled with allegories that can be applied to today.  All of God’s Word in some way has just as much meaning for us today as it did in the days and circumstances of then. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1Corinthians‬ ‭10:11‬)


Egypt in the Bible is another name for the world. The world we live in has its own way of doing things. If we are true Christians who are devoted to God, Jesus and the Word of God we are no longer part of this world. We are strangers as the Bible tells us. The world offers us very little of value as compared to what Jesus can give us. No amount of prestige, success or money is greater than what God has to give. 

In Jeremiah the words spoken above were for the people of Judah. They turned their backs on their God, repeatedly. However, it can apply to us also. It can prevent us, as God was implying to His people, that they would not enter into the land He had intended for them. They were intent on living as the world around them. 

So look at the verses again. God will be merciful to us if we choose to follow Him. Before the Fall in the Eden everything was perfect. Man had a relationship with God. He lived, walked and communicated with them. Life was perfect with no work, no hatred, no wars, no need. Everything necessary was provided by God. 

But we now live with the effects of that fall. We are separated from God...until we come into relationship again with Jesus Christ. It is through Him alone that our separation from God has ended. When we do, that land He has promised will be attainable. It will not be without trials until He returns, but we have the hope  of that future.

But if you say, “We will not dwell in this land...but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, nor be hungry for bread...” This world cannot offer the hope of peace on its own. We cannot put our trust in man, government or self. If we do we are ultimately in disobedience to God. Our only hope is in one Man, Jesus Christ, as I repeatedly say and which message Jesus tries to convey. I am reminded of another scripture:
For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.‭‭ (1Thessalonians‬ ‭5:2-4‬) I know peace and safety will not come in this world. I know about this day. I am not in darkness. So, then it shall be that the sword which you feared shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt...and you shall die.

People, this is a part of what a relationship with God is about. Eternal life. This world cannot give eternal life. One day, hopefully soon, Jesus will return. He will bring real peace but it will only apply to those in this relationship in Him. Don’t be fooled into thinking you are safe and secure because you’re a good person or do good works. ...share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus... (2Timothy‬ ‭1:8-9‬)

It’s also not about a denomination but that relationship. He offers it to anyone who is willing to choose it. There is only one Way and His name is Jesus. There are not many ways to receive eternal life. 

I don’t write this to anger or scare anyone but to warn. Jesus warned, God warned...for a reason. My words, which are not really mine but the Bible’s, I’m sure I will sound like those old time evangelists who shouted, “Repent, for the day of the Lord is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Not one of us without this relationship with Jesus and have experienced a change of heart, will enter into that promised land. But God is patient. He is holding off His return so that more will seek Him. All it takes is humbling yourself and realizing that you may not know the truth and desire to. An open heart will do this. 

I once was blind, big time, and now I see. Those words to  mean so much more these days. I pray they will for anyone of you who reads this and seeks to know the God of all truth...and hope and peace. 

Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭- Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

You Gotta Know

1John 1:2-3 - ...—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

I’m still awed by a message preached by our pastor’s son. I’ve seen him mature in the six years or so since joining my little church. He was not as confident when he first spoke as he is now. He practices what he preaches. He lives out his faith. I am not saying this to promote this young man, as I'll explain later.

Eight to ten years ago he stepped into the sanctuary of my old church one Thursday night during a little prayer group. He apologized for interrupting and we asked what he was there for, could we pray for him. He’d come to pray about a message he was going to be giving to high school boys using our church gym for basketball. So we prayed.

Then he prayed! Something very powerful came over me. His prayer touched others as well. We found out where he went to church. I did an internet search when I got home but realized the church was “too far away” for me. (I guess I was starting to feel somewhat unsatisfied where I was attending church...) 

For three years he came to mind occasionally and the same powerful feeling came over me. I visited one Sunday while staying the weekend with a friend who lived in the area of the church. It didn’t impact either of us like I thought it might so I tried to push it all aside. 

My feelings for my church were growing more distant. I wasn’t getting enough anymore. Something just wasn't right. I came home from a Bible study with a heaviness I couldn’t shake. I entered the house and the words, “It’s time for you to leave and here’s where I want you to go” entered my spirit, as if I'd heard an audible voice. I knew instantly what they meant with just the little information I received! It was time to leave my church and go to this little church that was “so far away!” 

And I did. And it’s where I am right now. And we’ve moved even farther away!! 

Again, I'm not promoting this young man. God orchestrated my need for change, any surrounding people and circumstances, the change and any growth that may have occurred from that change. He puts the pieces of puzzles together, sometimes in amazing ways. I have gotten away from the church system to a church family. Is it perfect? No. No church is, no man is. But God is and if He chooses to use a young man or a small church for His glory, that’s where I want to be. We have many in our church and many who come to preach in our church who also do so by the power of God. And the Holy Spirit shows up.

This young man said these words. They aren’t anything new to me. They aren’t new to him. But they might be new to someone else. 
You can know that you know [God], but you gotta know that you know Him. And you know what? You can know Him again...and again, and again, and again! - Aaron Fischer

I’ve said this many times. It’s not a religion this walk with the Lord. It’s not a denomination. It’s not a church. It’s not just saying I know who He is but rather I know Him. It is a relationship with the God of all heaven. Our Creator. Our Redeemer. No one else should be revered. No other name under heaven can save (Acts 4:12). Only Jesus. Not knowledge from the head or a book or a church’s or pastor’s teaching, but through the power of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. We have to meet Jesus. 

1John 1:6-7 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Nothing I Have Done

Ephesians 2:8-10 - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that NOT of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

I love when this happens!! I’d been feeling a bit down and a bit hard on myself for some reason. In our Sunday school study in the Book of Job the comment came up that the devil’s job is to steal, kill and destroy. One of the things he definitely doesn’t want for us to cling to is our faith in his greatest adversary, Jesus Christ. 

In 1999 I put my faith in Jesus. Before that I gave no thought to Him, did not attend church and later found out any church upbringing or doctrine I had did not secure my salvation. I had to acknowledge a need for Jesus Christ alone in my life and then, as He has shown me repeatedly, to follow Him, no man made religion (or government or man of any kind) but develop a relationship with Him. 

So I admit I have my doubts occasionally. I have feelings of inadequacy and times when He seems so silent. This may some day be considered “Christian-ese” but it pretty much sums up this point...when a class of students is being tested, the teacher remains silent. He wants me to trust during the times of silence. It builds one’s faith. Ouch. And again I have to ask forgiveness for not trusting! And call only on the name of Jesus when the enemy tries to butt in to steal my faith.

But there’s more! During worship the words to a song we sang probably prompted this reminder: Nothing I have done of myself but what He has done in me. A truth right out of scripture that impressed heavily upon me at that moment. So strongly I HAD to write it down out of concern I’d forget! Again, a very strong need to not forget those words. 

Then came the sermon! Our pastor’s son preached which was a pleasant surprise. His message was the gist of those words God impressed so strongly upon me above! Only God can do such incredible things. And...it was the power of God in the words of the preacher/evangelist this morning, not his own words. 

I needed to hear again that my salvation, and everyone’s, is a product of the power of God alone, nothing I have done. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. (John 3:30-31)

Years ago a word was spoken that pierced my heart, not my head, that turned me to God and made me His child. Before that I was an enemy of God! It was not a church or denomination but the very real power of God. This concept is difficult to understand unless one has been changed by that very power of God alone. 

I praise my God for the almost 20 years of salvation! I have proven that it is not a passing fancy or a fad, but something I have clung to even though there were times of doubt. I’m probably no different in that respect. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I cannot turn my back on that which is true and just and of good report. I know the consequences. For this I can say I love the Lord with heart, soul and spirit. 


2Timothy 1:8-9 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began...

Monday, October 1, 2018

HIS Government

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end...

I know, sounds like something that could be written around Christmas. So thankful God's Word is useful any day at any time. 

So, God is fully aware of all the sin in this world (way too much to list here). Above He has shown us that "the government will be upon His shoulder and of the increase of His government in peace there will be no end..." (Isaiah 9) 

It's not about the world's idea of how government should operate. We do need order and boundaries. Our country started with using the Bible to form that sort of government. Too often in just about anything, man wants to muck things up by exerting his own idea how something should run. God's ways are not like ours. They're better.

I will say this repeatedly: It's all about Him. When we understand this we will understand about His peace. 

All God wants is for us to believe and trust in Him, to turn to Him, not man. HE brings perfect peace through HIS government. HE is to be the head. He is to be Supreme over even our government. We worship Him, not our country, not a flag or pledges. We worship Him. Then all else, for that person, falls into place. 

Sure we have to live in this world till He returns, but knowing there's hope despite all we encounter is well worth it. I am sure of my eternal resting place. Praise God alone for that. 

The Word says...despite all the sin, He still...is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Peter 3:9)  There is

We cannot live without God. We just can't. Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall among the slain. (Isaiah 10:4a) But He continues to call hoping another one will turn to Him or back to Him. This is His love at work for anyone. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 10:4b)

It's not too late to turn to Him. He suggests we do it before it becomes too late. (When's too late? When we die suddenly or He returns suddenly, in a flash and the twinkling of an eye.)

So it is suggested:
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD... (Acts 3:19)

John 3:16 - 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.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

A Sunday Message Take-Away

Genesis 6:5 - Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

History is repeating itself. We need to understand and believe this. God showed us, He warns us, the signs are out there. I went to a church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan two Sundays ago with some girlfriends in Christ. This preacher was not subtle in his sermon, which I like. 

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of MAN was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, “I will DESTROY man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

The EARTH also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will DESTROY them with the earth.”
(‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:5-7, 11-13‬)

An ark was made. All who entered were saved by the great flood. Those people were eight in number...a remnant of believers. This small family left behind family and friends for their belief in their God. It will happen again. 

Like the whole account of Noah’s ark and the great flood, Jesus said He is the Door. The ark had only one door. There is only one way to the Father to obtain salvation. Jesus saves. Works do not, government does not, nothing else does. One way: “I am THE way, THE truth, THE life.” In Noah’s day only that handful survived and were saved. It’s a picture of what will happen again.  laugh it off, don’t pooh-pooh the idea. Don’t be one of the end-time scoffers. It should not be 

Anything that goes against the Word of God is rebellion. One biblical definition of "rebel” is that one refuses to come under the authority of someone who is above them. Or, man rebelling against a human king or God. I'm thankful, however, that when we repent of this rebellion and turn to God, whether it is the first time or another, He will forgive. If not...

Psalm 107:10-13 -Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons--b
ecause they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, t
herefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help. 
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. 





Thursday, September 27, 2018

He Told Me

John 4:39 - And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”

The story of the Samaritan woman is well-known. Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Galilee and had to go through Samaria. Jews at that time were not to associate with Samaritans. But God... Jesus rested at a well while the disciples went for food. It was noon and the Samaritan woman came to the well for water (she was an outcast in the community because of her lifestyle and went at an hour no other would go.) 

She met Jesus. He began to talk with her. He asked her for water. She questioned why He would speak with her when He was a Jew. Now you can’t tell me Jesus didn’t know in advance this meeting would take place! I believe it was His purpose to be at that well, that He would be alone with her, that He knew she would show up so He could reveal Himself to this sinful woman. 

He told her He had a gift from God, living water, not anything like the water she had come to collect. She was curious and asked if she might have some. Then He told her exactly what her lifestyle was without condemnation. She was amazed that He knew such things. He revealed to her that He was the Messiah the Jews were waiting for, the One who would save. 

She ran back to tell others in the town. Imagine, an outcast so excited about who she had met she couldn’t contain herself as and here she was telling them some seemingly outlandish thing. The words she said were “He told me all that I ever did.” 

Don’t doubt that Jesus doesn’t know everything you ever did either! He knew all I ever did but He pursued me. He met me at just the right time and revealed Himself. He may not have told me then and there all I had ever done, but in time I realized through His Word that many things I considered just what everyone else does so it couldn’t be that wrong, were indeed wrong. 

This is where some get hung up. They have created their own beliefs of what God would be okay with; or they just can’t believe He would be so stern as to not allow certain lifestyles or words spoken or types of entertainment or acts/attitudes. He knows and He reveals the truth. It is up to us to believe Him, to choose what’s right over what’s wrong. 

Praise God, like the Samaritan woman, He doesn’t walk past us in our sinful natures but gives us a chance to choose to believe, like she and many other Samaritans did.  And many more believed because of His word. (John 4:41) But it’s our choice. You don’t need to believe me. I pray that He will reveal Himself just to you, that He would tell you all that you ever did, so you can believe. 


John 4:42 - Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

On the Surface

Mark 10:32 - Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him...

...the things that would lead to His death. The things that He would bring about because of His death. The life He would give to others.


In a reading one day (Oswald Chambers Daily Devotional Bible, which I occasionally read from) I was touched to the core by a statement. It is the essence of true Christianity. Belief. Total trust. Faith...the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)


The disciples had been living in closest intimacy with Jesus, but now they begin to see that there is it dread side to His life. He has an attitude to things which is not easy to understand, and it fills them with fear. There are different kinds of fear. We know what fear is in the physical domain, and in the moral domain; but in the spiritual domain a man’s fear is not for his own skin at all, but, as it were, fear that his hero won’t get through. This was the disciples’ fear; it seemed as if all they had expected Jesus to do would end in nothing. Not one of them knew what Jesus was after, but still they followed and they were afraid. Many of us are supernaturally solemn about our religion because it is not real. As soon as a religion becomes real, it is possible to have humor in connection with that. There are occasions, nevertheless, when there is not only no humor, but when humor is unfit; there is a dread sense of detachment from our ordinary attitude to things which fill us with awe. We are all apt to interpret Jesus from our own standpoint; we get too familiar with Him, and immoral surgery of events is necessary before we can understand His standpoint. (Oswald Chambers)


My takeaway from this, I felt, was in the statement: fear that his hero won’t get through.


This is the faith alluded to in scripture. Faith of a mustard seed. So small. How much are we willing to trust Him? In what circumstances? Are we willing to allow Him to take us through a situation and not fear the outcome? Only when that time comes will we really know. Will we continue to follow Him like the disciples, not knowing what the end of our circumstance might be, the end He has for it?  Not one of them knew what Jesus was after, but still they followed, and they were afraid.


They feared His power, what He could do. We can know better than this. If we are fearful we don’t know Him.


Some say they are believers yet they fear death. They fear they are not good enough; fear whether heaven will be a real thing for them. This should not be if one truly knows the Lord, has repented of their sins and become a true Christian, not just by believing because one is not Buddhist or Jewish or whatever, they are Christian. Just because one goes to a church doesn't make them a true Christian. A true Christian knows they have undergone a change of heart and received Christ.


This change of heart is the relationship Jesus wants with us. It's not about a religion, as I've stated before. There isn't one denomination that is better than another. It's not even about that. It's knowing Jesus, not knowing about Him. Going to church doesn't make one secure in their Christianity. For some it's a ritual. I go to church because I experience God's Spirit and presence there. How many others can really say that?

The disciples followed not knowing the outcome. They didn't follow a religion or denomination. They followed a Man. Their fear and the outcome of Jesus' death and resurrection teach that He can be trusted, without our having to know how something will end because we follow Him. This hero will get through.

As with most of these blogs, I urge people to seek God/Jesus. He's the only way, truth and life. He casts out all fear. He is perfect love.


1John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.