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Archive for September, 2010

The Struggle

Posted in Law, Sin on September 30, 2010| Leave a Comment »

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  Romans 7:14-20 New International Version

It pains me whenever the church is involved in a scandal.  When one member of the body is hurting we are all hurting.  Moments like this remind me just how easy it is to fall into sin.  We should never assume we are above sin and look down on others who are struggling with sin.  The truth is as Christians we are struggle and none of us is above falling into sin.  We are prone to wander from God.  Paul understood this.  In Romans 7 Paul discusses his own issues with sin and how it is in our nature to sin.   That is why apart from God we can do nothing including good.

God did not intend for us to struggle so much with sin and the law that is why He gave us His Spirit.  If we walk according to the Spirit we can overcome the struggles of sin.  The key is walking wisely by the Spirit and not according to the flesh.  The Holy Spirit will not instruct us to live on the edge of sin but will always give counsel in wisdom to keep us out of situations that can lead to falling back into a sinful lifestyle.  We have to be aware of the Holy Spirit and heed to His promptings that lead us away from sin.  We all struggle with sin but Jesus has overcome sin and those in Jesus can be free from the enslavement of sin.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25

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Rejoice!

Posted in God's Glory, Prayer, The Righteous on September 17, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:4-8

The news is quite depressing.  There are so many problems going on and people are angry.  Many people are not happy with their life and do not have a positive outlook of the future.  Even the experts say these are tough times.  Yet God is still worthy to be praised.

Why dwell on the negative?  It takes so much energy and stress to worry and be angry.  Circumstances should not dictate how we feel.  We can set our minds on the things above and not on the things of this world.

Paul admonishes us to let our gentleness be known to all because the Lord is near.  We have no reason to worry because we can take everything to God in prayer.  We have peace that surpasses all understanding even in the midst of turmoil and in times we don’t understand why these things happen. 

Choose today to rejoice in the Lord and be glad.  Think about the excellent things God has done and will continue to do.  Remember when God got you out of that tough situation?  Remember when God answered your prayer at the moment all hope seemed lost?  Look at the lilies in the field, they don’t worry about when it will rain or when the sun will shine, they just are lilies in the field displaying the glory of God.  So rejoice, rejoice and again rejoice!  Then you will see the peace of God transcend all life’s problems.

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Rembering 9/11

Posted in God's Glory, The Righteous on September 11, 2010| Leave a Comment »

 23Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

 24″Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?

 25″Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

 26So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”

 32Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” Genesis 18: 23-26, 32

On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced one of the worst terrorist acts in history.  Thousands of people lost their lives that day and many continue as we have been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It’s hard to believe it has been nine years and we are still fighting an enemy that wants to see us destroyed.

When a tragic event like 9/11 takes place the inevitable question is “Why God?”  The mistake many of us make in explaining God’s role is we try to justify what took place.  There were some who said that God was judging the United States and He was not happy with what we are doing in regards to sin.  Those few believed God was passing judgment and even our enemy believed they were doing the right thing by “judging” the USA through acts of terrorism.

I was on a plane at the time the terrorist attacks took place on 9/11.  I was on an airport runway in Pittsburgh waiting for our plane to take off.  We were told to return to the gate and learned when we got off that the FAA had ordered all planes to land and all airports to shutdown.  I was in complete disbelief at the events that began to unfold in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.  As the day progressed I began to see God at work. 

As I heard of the reports of survivors and that this could have been so much worse I began to thank God.  So many people were able to get out of the Twin Towers before they fell and their lives were spared.  The planes were not full to capacity and one of the planes did not reach its target in Washington, D.C.  Instead of seeing God’s judgment, God’s mercy and love were at play.

I know many people died on 9/11 but let us remember it is because of our enemy not God’s divine judgment.  Let’s praise God for the many lives that were saved and the fact that God continues to protect this nation.  I believe it is because of the righteous that this nation is blessed and protected by God.  I marvel at how we have not experienced far worse terrorist attacks in our nation.  It is not because we have such great security (security is still very lax), it is by God’s grace that we have been spared more attacks and innocent deaths.

Our enemy is very real but God is greater than our enemy.  As we reflect on this day let us give glory and honor to God for His mercy, love, and protection.  We are not destined for destruction, but we are destined to be blessed and be a blessing to so many other nations.  God is for us.  He watches over this nation and keeps us safe from our enemy.  We have peace knowing that we are one nation under God, even if only a few righteous are found.  For the righteous sake, God bless America!

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Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath

Posted in Jesus, The Righteous on September 9, 2010| Leave a Comment »

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.  1 Peter 3:14-16

By now you have heard the news of a pastor and his small church in Florida that is planning on burning the Quran to protest radical Islam on the anniversary of 9/11.  The President of the USA, the state department, religious leaders, the military and other governments are asking that this pastor cancel the event for fear of what the Muslim extremists will do.  The fear is extremists will use the images of the Quran being burned to fuel terrorists attacks against our soldiers and against the US.

Is fear a justification for asking this pastor and church to back down?  No.  The argument may be true but in the heart of many of us we do not want to be ruled by fear and intimidation of terrorists.  There are those who are thinking if this pastor backs down then the terrorists win.  Maybe the pastor and his church think the same thing, but let’s examine the scriptures.

Peter sums it up the best.  We should not fear Muslim extremists or their tactics to terrorize us.  We are in Christ and if Christ be for us who can be against us?  Peter exhorts us to be ready with an answer about our faith.  We should always be ready and willing to talk about our faith and why we believe in the Holy Bible and that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life.  There is no need for us to attack others in their faith or even burn their books.  We should always respond with gentleness and reverence, even when our enemies respond with hatred and violence.  It is in that power of our response that we will put our enemies to shame and glorify Jesus.

The Quran should not be burned by Christians – what does that do to our testimony?  What message are we sending?  Does it actually give glory and honor to our Savior Jesus Christ?  Does it make others want to hear and learn more about Jesus?  Right now the whole world is watching what these Christians will do.  We as believers represent Christ on earth.  So the world is asking “What will Jesus Do?”

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The Prodigal’s Brother

Posted in Salvation, The Father on September 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »

“Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.  And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.  And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’  But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.”

“But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’  And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'”  Luke 15: 25-32

In the story of the Prodigal Son Jesus tells us how the younger son had taken the money his father had for him and spent it all.  Then when he had nothing left, he then went back to his father to ask for forgiveness.  The father was so happy to have his son return home he embraced his son and rejoiced he was home.  The father also had a party to welcome the prodigal son home.  Unfortunately, the older brother, who remained with his father, was not as happy.  He was hurt and offended that after all the trouble his brother caused he gets a party.  The older brother wanted justice; he wanted to see his younger brother pay for everything he did wrong to the family.  However, the father was just so happy to see his son home and the past no longer mattered.  Once he was lost and now he was found.  The father did not discount the loyalty of the older son and said everything the father had belonged to him, but his young son was now home and he wanted to rejoice.

Many times as Christians we feel like the older brother in regards to unbelievers.  Many of us have been faithful in our walk with God, and sometimes hate to see those who have done God wrong suddenly say they are sorry and get saved and seem to get away with some pretty serious sins.  We must remember God is no respecter of persons and want all to come to salvation.  We must take the position of the Father and also look forward to the lost ones coming home.  We should rejoice the way heaven does when someone gives their life to the Lord no matter what they have done.

The older son would have been so much happier if he joined the celebration of his brother’s homecoming, and so should we.  We were all once lost and dead in our sin, but now we are made alive in Jesus Christ and we should beckon the lost ones home because this will make our Father in Heaven very happy.  Remember what it was like when you were found by the Father and He welcomed you home?  We should want every person to experience the same love and forgiveness.

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God’s Desire

Posted in Jesus, Knowing God, Salvation on September 3, 2010| Leave a Comment »

 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.  1 Timothy 2:3-6

We love justice.  We want people to get what they deserve.  When we see bad things happen to good people we want vengeance.  Mercy trumps judgment.  Mercy is what we do not deserve and God is merciful.  His mercies are new every morning.  God shows mercy to all, He is no respecter of persons.

It is God’s desire that all men to be saved.  That is why He shows mercy over judgment.  Too often we are quick to label God as a judge and punisher of the wicked, but He does desire that all come to salvation and that is why we have Jesus.

Jesus did not commission us to be judge and jury over the lost, but to be a catalyst of God’s love and mercy toward mankind.  Jesus died for all and not just some.  His death made it possible for anyone to come to God and be reconciled to Him.  We have a responsibility to show the love and mercy of God to everyone not just some.  We must remember that when we were still sinners Jesus died for the ungodly – all of us.  Witnessing is the believers’ mandate.  We are all called to preach the good news of the gospel.

Our prayer should be that our heart is in tune with God’s heart.  We should also desire that all men come to know the truth of Jesus and be saved.

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Do You Weep?

Posted in Jesus, Salvation on September 2, 2010| Leave a Comment »

 41When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it,

 42saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

 43″For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side,

 44and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.” Luke 19: 41-44

Do you weep over your city?  Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not recognize their visitation by God.  They rejected Jesus as the Son of God and denied His power.  Today we know the truth about Jesus but many still reject the gospel.  We are Jesus’ witnesses strategically placed in our cities and towns to spread the gospel and see the Kingdom of God expanded.  But do we weep for the lost the way Jesus does?

Imagine how different our cities would be if every person that lived there were saved.  Do you believe you can change your city, what about the nation?  We should make it known in our cities that the day of visitation has come.  Jesus is here now and salvation is at hand.  Our cities and nations can be saved.  Every believer represents a visitation by Jesus.

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The Greater Miracle

Posted in Jesus, Salvation on September 1, 2010| Leave a Comment »

19“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.

 20″Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”  Luke 10:19-20

 10″In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

On our mission trip to Uganda we witnessed God do amazing things through us.  We prayed for people, laid hands on the sick and saw people get healed, we prophesied and even witnessed demons manifesting themselves and leaving a person’s body.  We also witnessed people give their life to the Lord.  We even ministered that we have the ability to raise the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said we would even do greater works than He did.

With all of this happening I heard the Lord say that the greater miracle is salvation.  Yes demons are subject to us but Jesus tells us that we should rejoice that our names are written in Heaven.  Even Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and gives their life to the Lord.

Too often we downplay people giving their life to the Lord.  We will jump up and holler if we see someone get out of their wheelchair and walk, but we don’t give the same praise when people give their lives to the Lord.   The greater miracle is always a sinner repenting and giving their life to Jesus.  Think about it that person was dead in their sin and now made alive in Christ.  They are a new creation and Heaven breaks out in joy because someone else has come home.

Signs and wonders point us to Jesus and lead lost ones home.  We should always be concerned about the condition of the soul above the physical body.  We should diligently seek after more souls being added to the Kingdom of God.  Wherever miracles take place salvation should also take place.  Jesus commissioned each one of us to go and preach the good news of the gospel to go out and be witnesses. 

The next time someone gives their life to Jesus, let us jump for joy and give a shout of praise because they have come home.  Finally, if you are a believer then praise God and rejoice that your name is written in heaven.

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