Pass the Salt

While reading this morning I was in the book of Colossians both for personal Bible reading and for preparation for a new series for the Carolina Faith Riders. I don’t know about many of you but this is a book that honestly I have never spent a whole lot of time reading and I do not believe I have heard a whole lot of sermons out of it in my years around the church. So I am looking forward to this study personally. However, what struck me this morning is found in Paul’s closing. Colossians 4:5-6 reads:

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

I do not know about you but I believe I could use a little more salt in my diet. I know what you’re thinking it’s not the same kind of salt. It’s just an illustration that was part of the culture that everyone could understand. However, it’s more than that. Recently a friend of mine underwent open heart surgery. His recovery diet does not allow him to have any salt whatsoever in his food. He told me that while he was in rehab nothing he ate had any flavor. The only exception was someone put a piece of cheese on something he was eating and it was good. Cheese contains salt as part of the process of its being made. Truth is haven’t we all reached for the salt shaker when we are eating something that lacks flavor. The same can be said about Christians who are Christian in name only. These Christians have a flavor that they world finds to be tasteless and hard to swallow.

Peter’s words are powerful, “let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” If more people took that to heart we would have a lot less conflict. Not that our response should be flashy or super spiritual when we respond to people instead it should be marked with the grace of God that we ourselves have received. To many time Christians fail to remember what God has done for them through the sacrifice of His son on the cross. Instead we stand in judgment of those who do not look at the world as we do. While the world is telling people to lay of the salt maybe it’s time Christians started back adding flavor to their lives. We can do this by adding the word of God in to our day. Spending time in fellowship with other believers and understanding that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. So that we can listen more and talk less. Both to him and to those we meet every day. I want to challenge you day just as Paul does in his letter to Colossae share the grace you have received so that the flavor is appealing to the world. Be blessed as you walk in the light of God’s Word.  

Why Do We Go To Church?

I was teaching a class last night, I was just filling in and the group is doing a verse by verse study of the Gospel of Mark. I was privileged to share from Mark 10:35-45 and as I was closing the lesson out the words of Jesus in Verse 45 really struck me.

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV)

 So I asked those in attendance this question that I am asking you. Why do you go to church? The answers while not wrong in any way left me wondering about if maybe we missed something in the lesson Jesus is teaching in this passage of scripture.

You see James and John have asked that they receive the thrones that have been promised to them in Matthew 19:28:

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The others only get mad because they did not think of it first. However, Jesus sees the real issue that underlies the jealousy that is being shown. It is a wrongly motivated desire to have those positions of authority. The culture would dictate that those who were seated nearest the leader were the next in line to lead should something happen.

Jesus takes this opportunity like many others to teach them a little bit about the Kingdom of God. Once again he explains that for them to lead the must first follow for them to rule they must be servants. Somewhere over the years I believe we have lost this principle in our Christian walks and especially in our churches.

So why does one go to church? If we understand the teachings of Jesus it is not because that is what we do, or because it’s the only place we can experience God. Because those answers no longer work in the world we live in. They did not work in His time either.  If you are going to church because you like the music, or the pastor is funny or you like to hear him speak or a thousand other reasons that I have heard over the years than I want to challenge your position.

Church attendance should be about discipleship. If you are not attending so that you can become more like Christ than you are wasting your time. You see the model Jesus taught us is simple. You first take a group of people and work closely with them for a period of time teaching them about God. You spend time with them to the point that life is a shared experience taking meals and traveling together. Along the way those in authority begin to delegate authority to the others and they go out and do the things they have been shown. If they have understood what you have taught, they will teach others what they have learned.  Thus you have effectively become a disciple of Christ. Somewhere along the line we stopped sending people out and today we have a learning environment that has no real application in the world we live in.

The challenge today, when do we begin the sending part. Most people sitting on the pew are well versed in scripture they understand the trinity and can discuss end times revelations like a seminary professor. However, those same individuals have never shared the Gospel that brings hope and life with a single soul. Why has this happened? I believe it all begins with the question; “Why do you go to church?” If your answer does not include so you can become a disciple of Christ and servant to others than we have missed the purpose that God intended when he created the church. Beginning today we can make a change that has immediate and eternal consequences for both us and the world around us if we only recognize, why we go to church. Be Blessed as you walk in the light of God's Word.

Through the Fire

When I became a Christian I honestly thought everything would be great. People told me it would be the best decision I ever made. Not to mention that some people told me my problems would get better and while that was all true and God did deliver me from various sins in my life and restored my marriage. What people don’t tell you is the battle shifts especially when you’re a new believer. With the acceptance of Jesus as Your Lord and savior there are new attacks that you need to be prepared for. That the truth is too often we fail to prepare and support the new believer as they face them. Leaving them open to condemnation and distraction from the enemy which intern leads them back into their sinful nature and past. I have heard it said and probably even have thought it myself that life was simpler before I got saved. However, this is not a new struggle that believers face it has been around since the Apostles and each writer in the Bible address the issue at some point in time. Peter is no exception and we read about it hear in 1Peter 1:6-7;

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  (ESV)

There are two parts to Peter’s Message here first is the fact that all believers at one point or time will be and are tested with trials. Just when you think everything is going great there will be a time of testing that God allows with one sole purpose and that is to test your faith in Him. Those times when you feel like God is not present in your situation are just opportunities for your faith to be tested. We see this throughout scripture both in the Old and New Testaments. One example can be found in 2 Chronicles 32:31;

31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. (ESV)

You know even Jesus experienced a time when God was far from Him. We know this from the author of Hebrews;

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

While we are told this in Hebrews the Gospel writers also recorded these times of testing. The one most of us will recognize is found in Matthew 26:36-46 and Jesus prayer to in The Garden of Gethsemane. I just want to share a few verses of this passage;

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.

Matthew 26:42-44 (ESV)

We also see this at the cross as Jesus cries out the passages of Psalm 22:

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

If Jesus had times when God pulled away from Him to test His faith and we know and this to be true than we can expect and anticipate that time will come that each of us will also. However, Peter does not leave us in a state of worry about how long this will last he reassures us after the fire subsides we will be able to offer a greater praise for the faithfulness of God. So today if you are feeling a little like Johnny Cash and you feel like you have fallen into a blazing ring of fire, let me assure you it is to bring strength to you personally and honor and glory to God who is always able to save. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Coexist in Love

I recently saw a bumper sticker on the back of a car that many of you have seen before. It’s the word coexist spelled out using the religious symbols of seven of the most prominent religions in the world. After seeing this I started to wonder what Jesus taught about this concept of coexistence given the meaning of the word and the message that He gave I don’t believe he would have agreed with the concept. You see Jesus explained to His followers that there was no other way to the father but through Him.

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

I would take that to mean that either you chose Christ as your Lord and Savior or you will not see Father. This is for most of the other religions in the world their concept or idea of Heaven. However, as we look at more of Jesus teachings we find an interesting parable in Matthew 13:24-30 it is the parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Weeds).

24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ” (ESV)

 If we look at this passage of scripture and look at the term coexist we see the concept of coexistence explained by Jesus. My best understanding of this passage is this; God’s chosen people, those who have chosen to trust Him and follow after Him are the wheat. While all the lost people and false religions in the world are the weeds. There is coming a day when he will come back and harvest it all separating those who loved Him from those who denied Him. So in the meantime those of us who are wheat (Saved People) will always have to deal with the weeds(lost people).However, we must try to share Jesus with the weeds around us. Paul wrote to the Romans,

“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ” Romans 10:17 (ESV)  

We live in a world where we must coexist in love with non-believers and other religions. This is based on the fact that Jesus showed love to all the people in every situation leaving them the choice to accept Him or not. So our position when people say we need to coexist needs to be; we can as long as you understand that we must share Christ with you in obedience to Jesus’ command found in Matthew 28:18-20. I challenge you today as you walk in the light of God’s Word; while you coexist do not forsake the Gospel after all it is the only real hope for salvation.

Time for Some House Keeping

One of the biggest complaints I hear about Christians is that we are very judgmental in our approach to life and our interactions with others. We often hear people quoting the words of Jesus that are found in Matthew 7:1-2;

1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. (ESV)

However like almost every other passage of scripture that teaches us a truth; Jesus goes on to explain what he means with an illustration. This illustration is how many of us stand in judgment of others. This is found in Matthew 7:3-5;

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (ESV)

We often want to ignore our own issues and point out the faults of others so we can feel good about ourselves. I am just being honest with you. It’s not that Christians are the only ones who do this every person I have ever met Christian or atheist has the tendency to point out the flaws of those around them. It’s just being human. When Paul was writing his first letter to the Corinthian Church he was addressing several issues that had been brought to his attention one of them was the issue of judging one another. We see His response to the issue in 1 Corinthians 11:31-32;

31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.  (ESV)

You see when we judge others we judge them by our standards and what we believe is right or wrong. However, Paul is explaining that the standard is established not by us but by Jesus and the Word of God. This must be applied to our own lives leaving us with no place to stand in judgment of others. In the end only the Lord will judge the whole human race.

There is a little book called My Heart Christ’s Home it is written by Robert Boyd Munger it illustrates what it would be like if when you accepted Jesus as your savior He was to come over and visit you at home. Everyone can relate to this; someone calls you, says they are in the neighborhood and will be coming by in about 20 minutes. In most every case there is a 20 minute cleaning spree and everything you want to hide goes in the hall closet. When your guest arrives you are sure to steer them away from that one place where you have hidden all the stuff you don’t want them to see.

Does anyone know what I am talking about? Paul suggests that if we desire to avoid the condemnation that is coming for the world we need to become disciplined in our own walk and worry less about everyone else’s. So today if we each started doing a little house keeping; looking at what we are doing that dishonors God and keeps us from receiving His best for us. We will be able to live a life that leads others to Christ. Not because of what we say but they will have seen us living what Jesus taught. Not just hiding our failures when others are looking. Be blessed as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

No More Excuses

Have you ever felt like God was telling you to do something and you just refused to do what He was calling you to. If so welcome to the club the line starts right behind me and I am somewhere in line behind Men of God like Moses, Elijah and Jonah just to name the first three that came to mind. You see Scripture shows us time and again that God calls those who at first may not be willing but with a little convincing have gone on to do great and powerful things for God. We read part of Moses discussion with God in Exodus 4:10 as Moses makes an excuse for why God needs to send someone else.

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Exodus 4:10 (ESV)

Like I have said in the past I often feel like Moses when it is time for me to preach or teach God’s Word to others. However, God quickly defends his choice of Moses and it reminds me I did not call myself but God has called me.

11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:11-12 (ESV)

You see God has everything under control whatever he has called you to He has already equipped you to do. Jesus told the Apostles something similar in Luke 12:11-12;

11  And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12  for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12 (ESV)

 

The church for centuries has worked off the concept that all I need to do is bring people to church and the pastor will share the Gospel with them and I have done my part (Keasler, 2013). In reality more people accept Christ one on one while they are in friendship relationships than in the altar on Sunday mornings. That same friendship that you used to get them to church is the same friendship that allows you the opportunity to share Jesus with them. You ask how; I don’t know what to say. Just like Moses God has given you the tools you need if you are truly walking with Christ. Your own testimony of who Jesus is to you is the most powerful tool God has for you when sharing Christ. The transformation that comes from your allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within you and equip you for your new life in Christ is the greatest proof or evidence of who Jesus is. I want to challenge you today what excuses are you making? Whatever they are God has already worked out the solution. For Moses God sent his brother Arron;

14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. Exodus 4:14 (ESV)

 

Whatever your excuse if there is something God has called you to He will make away for you to do it. I don’t know about you but I don’t think God takes no for an answer in the lives of those he calls to do a work and we have all been given a job to do and Jesus has promised to go with you.

 

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

 

Be blessed today as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.

Questioning and Hope

You know I am sure that we all can relate to asking God to do something in our lives and it seems like the answer never comes. I have a habit of listening to Adventures in Odyssey from Focus on The Family when I am working late. The episode I was listening to was centered on John 11:38-44 and the testimony of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. So when I got home I reread these passages found in John 11:1-44. And the thing that struck me was the interactions of Jesus and Martha.

3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:2-4 (ESV)

Mary and Martha were just like you and me they had what they saw as a need and they went to Jesus knowing that He was capable of meeting their need. The sickness that Lazarus had is not described. However, the urgency with which they sent for Jesus indicates Martha and Mary believed the situation was critical. However, Jesus tells the disciples and the messengers that while Lazarus illness may concern all those involved it has a greater purpose than any of them can understand.

My question for you today is have you looked at the situation you find yourself in from this perspective? What seems like a very long dark valley in your life, where you just can’t seem to get any traction and you find yourself desperate for some relief, could be something that God is going to use for a greater glory. It could easily be something that you have never even considered. I am sure that Mary and Martha were filled with despair Martha even meets and confronts Jesus;

21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

John 11:21(ESV)

What I am about to say is probably not going to be popular but it’s the truth. It is alright to question God. It is a normal human instinct to ask why and even to lay blame on God. However, there must be a moment when we shift our blame to belief. Martha while confronting Jesus realized this;

22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” John 11:22 (ESV)

It is interesting to me that even in this moment of anger and despair Martha could recognize the hope that Jesus brings into the situation. Today can you look at your situation and see the hope that only Jesus can provide. Whether it be financial, physical or emotional Jesus is able to bring hope to it. Do you hear Jesus calling? He is calling into the darkness that you find yourself in. Martha and Mary would soon see their brother restored as Jesus was calling Him to come out. I ask again do you hear Jesus calling to you today. You see He knows where you are and He desires to use your situation to Glorify His Father. Are you willing to come to Him? It is alright to ask why when you are in the valley. However, don’t allow your questioning to block out His voice. Jesus is calling to you today your choice is do I turn towards Him or do I go on questioning. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.  

Operation Multiplication; Discipleship for the Church

How many of us when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and shepherd were handed a Bible and appointed to a Sunday School Class only to flounder in our walk. Those of us who were lucky were found by someone who loved Jesus and wanted us to love Jesus as much as they did. So they began to invest time in us showing us how to read the bible, how to pray and how to share our faith with others. The truth is the majority of us were not that lucky mainly because the church and I mean all churches seem to lack an understanding of how to best do discipleship. When we look at the model that Jesus gave we see him working in two particular areas of ministry one was public the other private. Jesus preached to the multitudes (Matthew 5:1 to 7:29) but taught individuals and small groups (Mark 4:10-20) with much greater detail. The other thing we see Jesus doing is he trained them how to do the work and sent them out (Mark 6:7-13). This is where the church today comes up short. While the church today has great preaching and teaching available it is best represented as a two legged stool it just won’t stand up under any pressure. It requires a third leg be installed so that the weight will be distributed equally and it creates a solid structure that will endure. I shared this because I believe discipleship is critical if we are to truly fulfill the great commission as found in Matthew 28:18-20.

I recently attended a weekend seminar at The Cove in Ashville, NC. The training was presented in cooperation with The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the International Evangelism Association. The presentation is part of Operation Multiplication and centered on a new training series Becoming a Disciple-Maker; Develop Spiritual Growth Skills and Help Others to Do the Same (2013) it was written and developed by Billie Hanks Jr and Randy Craig. It is a next level discipleship model that follows after the highly successful A Call to Joy; Encouraging the Growing Believer (2009) and A Call to Growth; Establishing the Growing Believer (2009) from Billie Hanks Jr. and the International Evangelism Association original copyright 1985. These materials are a discipleship tool for a disciple-maker to use to help the new believer establish a basic understanding of the Christian life and grow into a healthy maturing Christian. Personally I had never seen or even heard of the material before this weekend. However, it strikes at what I believe is a critical shortage and time within the church today and is an outgrowth from a book by Robert E. Coleman; The Master Plan of Evangelism (1993). The new material, Becoming a Disciple Maker is developed to train those who are more mature Christians on how to go back and begin the discipleship process with someone else. The goal is growth through multiplication not addition. If you have been looking for something to help grow believers in their walk with God I would encourage you to take a look at these materials. You can get more information from the International Evangelism Association at;

 www.ieaom.org

Or you can write to them at:

International Evangelism Association

P.O. Box 1174

Salado, Texas 76571-1174

 

Promise or Performance

Warren Wiersbe makes a simple but true statement when he explains 2 Corinthians 8:10-12, “There is a great difference between promise and performance.” Now each of us can probably relate that statement. You bought something that promised to remove stains or help you to lose weight only it failed to live up to the promise that it made. On the personal side someone has promised to do something or maybe even you promised to do something but failed to follow through with your commitment. It happens to all of us; not that it’s ok or acceptable after all we are only as good as our word. If what we say is not trustworthy especially as a Christian than how can individuals ever believe your testimony about Jesus.

Let us look at the advice Paul offers to the Corinthians and us today;

10 And in this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. 11 So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 8:10-12 (ESV)

Now the context in which Paul was writing to them was about the collection of monies for the church in Jerusalem that had fallen under hardship because of the persecution of the Jews. Now Paul’s address is specifically calling them to fulfill their promise of a contribution to this offering. They had committed to this the previous year and Paul had been singing their praises and using them as part of the fundraising campaign boasting about their willingness to give and support the church. While I can see some of you cringing already wondering why I am talking about giving I don’t want your money. I am bi-vocational and my desire is trying to help you grow closer to Jesus.

So what is the point in this message? Stewardship is more than just financial giving. It includes how you use all of your resources. These resources are your finances, time and gifts. You see many of us have this simple desire once we get saved and it often is covered by these few words; “I want to be used by God!” or “What can I do?” To be honest I don’t know of a single Christian who when they first came to Christ that has not asked that question or made that statement. Or there is this side of it. Have you ever haggled with God? Lord if you will just _________ I will ________________! Most everyone is guilty of this.

You know when I first read this passage I was struck by the fact that I have made some commitments to God that I have yet to fulfill. I then began to wonder how many others who I see week in and week out also have an issue with fulfillment. Let me say that it is not too late to be found faithful to your word. If there is still breath in your lungs and blood flowing in your body we can move from the promises we made to the performance of them for the glory of God and His Kingdom. So today I want to Challenge you that if you committed to something for God’s Kingdom it’s time to start performing the tasks He has for you. Be blessed as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.

Today is Your Day

You know many people claim to believe in God according to a poll from the Pew Research Center 92% of all Americans hold some form of belief that there is a God. However, a majority of those do not fully believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven or that there is only one way to reach heaven. The same can be said for how they treat the faith that they do have. In both cases 2/3^rd’s of those surveyed believed that there is not only one way that the teachings of their faith can be interpreted. Now this was not just a group of Christian denominations that were polled but also Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus so it is not just a problem of the Christian faith. But religion as a whole has lost its groundings in the American culture. Personally I believe that is because we as a society have allowed ourselves to become conflicted about is God real. Science has worked so hard to disprove the idea in recent years and the main stream media has promoted every sin known to man and God. While making sin and evil something that man has created to control the masses. Sometimes I think they look at scripture and say, “Hey here is a sin we have not tried.” Can you tell I have spent time in a few Psychology classes?

I am dating myself here but there was a song a few years back from Arron Tippin and the chorus used these words, “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.” As Christians we need to decide what we believe and were we will draw the line. As Paul was writing his second letter to the Corinthians he addressed this very issue.

1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ESV)

You see they had taken the Gospel they had received and were living there lives in vain unsure of whom God was and if He was able to supply all their needs. Sounds a lot like the church today if you ask me were we have a superficial relationship with God were we attend church out of duty not desire. However I love what Paul tells them and it applies to each of us today, “Behold now is the favorable time, behold now is your day of salvation.” We can’t straddle the fence any longer God desires that we surrender our lives to Him. Those who say well one day when I have cleaned up my life I will get saved. Nothing you can do will ever get you there. You see it’s through grace that we are saved not through works. Heaven would be a strange place if we all sat around bragging about what we had done to get there. However, the one who paid for it all was Jesus Christ. I want to challenge you today God has been patient with you he has allowed you opportunity after opportunity to come to Him. However scripture teaches at some point in your life your time will have passed and the opportunities will be no more. Today is the day and now is the time to accept the offer of salvation that God has placed before you. For those who have already made this choice, are you confident in the God you serve. If so be bold in your walk show people that the God you serve is that One True and only God that parted the Red Sea and walked on water. Be blessed as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.

 

http://religions.pewforum.org/reports#

Life the Open Book Test

You know one thing that has been constant in my walk with Christ and it is probably the truth in your own is that at some point and time we will have and experienced a testing of our faith. Both James and Peter wrote to the church telling them that these tests would come:

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3 (ESV)

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

So trials will enter into our lives and how we respond to them speaks volumes to the watching world about whom we are and who Jesus is. It shows the hope we have in Him for not only our future but the future of the whole world. Personally I believe that no one in their right mind enjoys being tested. It is a scientific fact that the average person who is involved in a test such as an algebra exam in high school will experience a physical change that overcomes the body. With symptoms of sweating, rapid heartbeat, dry mouth just to name a few. Who has never experienced butterflies in your stomach? Test anxiety also affects our behavior and reasoning skills; things we knew to be fact before we faced the test become possible answers or we completely forget what we have known to be the truth all along. Sometimes we don’t take the test seriously and shrug it off, with the thought I’ll do better next time. Often this is the same mentality we have when we face tests in our walk with Christ.

However, just like there is hope for the individual who has test anxiety in the classroom there are things you and I can do to help us prepare for those tests that we will face in our own lives. In the classroom students are taught how to study, and what to do when the anxiety begins to creep in on them. They are taught breathing techniques and shown ways to help them gain focus so that they can maintain control as the test is going on. These same things can be applied to our lives as Christians. Jesus told the disciples in John 16:33:

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

If we want to face testing with an assurance of the outcome we must understand that Jesus has already taken the test. He has overcome the world and every test we face if we will turn and trust in Him seeing it as He sees it. We can be sure that whatever the result it will be what is best for all involved.

Paul explained that testing or temptation was a part of the Christians walk; however, God has made a way through the sacrifice of Jesus to carry you through each and every one that comes our way;

13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

God has already prepared a way for you and me to pass the tests that come our way it requires first we accept Jesus as the Son of God and the sacrifice He made so that we can have salvation in Him. Then it requires that we learn about Jesus through the study of God’s Word. At this point life becomes an open book test. While this does not remove the test that we face, it does give us a place to turn that has the answers we need to pass it. Now open book tests are still hard we have to know where to turn and how to find the answers. This is where the studying comes in.  However, it does make facing a test a lot less stressful when you know the answers are right there in front of you.  

I pray that when testing comes you remember that God has made away for you and it can be found as you walk in the Light of God’s Word. Be blessed.

Confidence in Prayer

When you pray are you confident that your prayers are being answered or even heard? This is probably one of the greatest concerns most Christians have as they walk with Jesus. I know there have been times in my own life when I have prayed and wondered about the prayers I prayed. I recently shared about persistence in your pray life. However, the Apostle John gives us some more information about prayer that is important for us to understand today in our own prayer lives. It is possible that we can have confidence in our prayer life if we understand that God honors the prayers of those who have a salvation relationship with Jesus and are obedient to His commandments and His will.

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

First point John makes is that it requires that if we want are prayers to be heard our prayers must be in accordance with God’s will. This confidence is found in our ability to believe Jesus is who He says He is:

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31 (ESV)

Once we have the confidence in Jesus than we know that if what we pray is within the will of God than our prayers can be answered. You see Jesus taught the Apostles to always pray for God’s will to be done:

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (ESV)

The rub here is that it’s hard to know what God’s will is if you don’t know God to begin with. However, this is why John and the other writers of Scripture wrote down all of these testimonies we have in the Bible;

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 (ESV)

With the promise of eternal life we have received the promise of the Holy Spirit that testifies to the truth of scripture and the promise of God;

6 This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

1 John 5:6 (ESV)

With the Holy Spirit we are able to accept the witness that God provides through scripture and within our hearts;

10 All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.11 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

1 John 5:10-12 (NLT)

 Today do you know the true testimony of Jesus Christ? That he suffered and died on the cross for the sins of every man, woman, and child that has ever been born and will be born into this sin filled world.  That on the third day Jesus arose from the dead and walked among the world for forty days to give evidence of His resurrection. And that he ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me because we have accepted Him as the Lord and Savior of our lives. If you have that confidence and are walking in accordance with His will and living in obedience to His commands than when you pray you can have confidence that what you pray will be answered in His time and for His glory.

However, if none of that is true for you than its time to examine what it all means to you. Because it all begins with you and your relationship to Jesus Christ; if he was just a great moral teacher and the testimonies found in scripture about Him are not true to you; than this must change. Without this relationship the only prayer God has to honor from you is the prayer for Salvation which is where we all need to begin as we walk in the light of God’s Word. Be blessed today.

Litmus Test of the Christian

If you have never really looked at 3 John1:1-15 it is one of the three Epistles written by John the Apostle and is a total 15 verses containing 330 words it’s located between 2 John and Jude in the New Testament while it might seem like a small insignificant part of the whole Bible John addressed a particular relevant point at issue with in the church then and now and that is one of Christian character and how we are to treat all those who call Jesus Lord. You see the letter was written to a friend and fellow laborer in Christ by the name of Gaius. Just so you understand this man was not something so great in the early church that we have records recording all that he did for Christ the truth is nothing more than what you read in this passage is known about him. He was just a Christian like you or me who sought to serve God and those who followed Jesus.

5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 3 John 1:5-8 (ESV)

However the letter also addresses another individual who professed Christ, however John declares that he is not faithful to the church. His name is Diotrephes and this is what John said about him;

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 3 John 1:9-10 (ESV)

Does this sound like something you may have experienced as you have attended or were part of a church? Having to deal with someone who desired to maintain control or who failed to recognize that God was the authority over their situation driving out all who did not agree with what they thought or did. Are you of this mindset that the church is yours and you won’t be run off by anyone and that no one is going to make changes that you don’t agree with? If so I want to say this were you are will not see any growth until you accept the truth. The truth is God does not bless evil and when we treat one another in a manner that does not show the love of God than what we are doing is evil. John went on to say:

11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 (ESV)

Do you want to know if someone is walking with God or not. John provided the litmus test; if what we do can be considered evil or wrong we are far from Him. If what we do is good than God is present and working in our lives. The sad part is I don’t think in our world today individuals have a moral enough compass to determine which is which. So now we call evil good and good evil. If you want to be found like Gaius; faithful and true to God, than it is time you learn to walk in the light of God’s Word. Be Blessed

Praying with Persistence

As we look at the times Jesus teaches the disciples about prayer we see the model prayer as recorded in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. The passage found in Luke 11 is interesting to me because when the prayer ends Jesus shares a parable with those in attendance that has to do with persistent in one’s prayer life. While we often tell people to pray about things and leave them at an altar there are some issues that Jesus recognizes we must be persistent about  when we pray if we truly want to see change come. We read in Luke 11:5-8;

5 Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

Luke 11:5-8 (NLT)

You see here is the truth while some may believe that God’s Will is unchanging we see throughout scripture that God will stay some forms of judgment against His people if it will bring Glory to His name. King Hezekiah prayed and the Lord gave him 15 more years of life (2 Kings 20) while King David prayed for his son only to have God hold to His word (2 Samuel 12) and the child died but in both situations God gets the glory. Today as you pray I want to tell you until you get a solid undeniable answer the continued prayer for something is not unacceptable and does not show a lack of faith. As Jesus said because of your shameless persistence, “he will get up and give you what you need.” Please recognize the fact it does not say what you want. Two facts about answered prayer it will always bring glory to God and it will always be better than what you asked for in the beginning. Garth Brooks sings, “I thank God for unanswered prayers.” Sometimes the best answer we can receive is a great big NO. If God had answered some of my prayers I most likely would be dead by now. I challenge you to be persistent in your prayers with the understanding that God’s responses are Yes, No and not right now. I pray that as your prayer life grows that you will find hope and understanding as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Be Blessed

Divided Heart

When we look at how to pray there is a lot to be learned from the Psalms. Too often we look at the Lord’s Prayer as recorded in Matthew 6 and use it as the model for our prayer lives and I agree that Jesus provided the disciples and us with a superb model to follow. However, we have taken that prayer and made it into something we say often like a bedtime or mealtime prayer were it has been memorized and very little energy is applied to it. We do it out of habit like many things we do as Christians. Yet when we look at the prayer life of individuals like King David and we realize what James means when he says:

 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16 (KJV)

You see we can see the prayer of David in Psalm 86 and recognize a man who is seeking to reach God. He recognizes that apart from God he is nothing. He pleads with God to hear His prayers.

1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all the day.
Psalms 86:1-3 (ESV)

Have you ever found yourself praying with that hard or with that much passion? We all can think of times when life has thrown something at us that has driven us to our knees. The problem is we don’t often stay there after God hears and answers them. King David explains that in the prayer it has to do with a simple thing we have a divided heart. King David who was known as a man after God’s own heart was still just a man. In verse 11 David prays:

11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalms 86:11 (ESV)

The New Living Translation words it this way:

11 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
Psalms 86:11 (NLT)

Is your heart and prayers going before God from a unified and pure heart or is there some sense of doubt or unrepentant sin that hides within your heart. David was not a perfect man he was adultery and a murderer. However, God saw his true nature and restored David to his position not just physically but spiritually. But it required David having a pure and unified heart that only God can give to someone.

It’s easy to become divided in heart because often what we want in our lives is worldly and what God desires for us is greater than that we just can’t see it. Today I want to challenge you that in your prayer life begin by praying for the unified and pure heart. So that as you pray your prayers will not be about your will but about God’s will for your life. Jesus argued with the Pharisees when they accused Him of working miracles through the power of Satan that, “A house divided cannot stand” Mark 3:25. The same thing applies to us. Is your heart divided between what the world offers and what God promises? I pray that today you ask God to unify your heart and make your motives pure as you walk in the Light of His Word.

Crazy or Peaceful

One thing I have learned as I have walked after Jesus is that everyone is looking for one thing in their life. While it might seem like we all need something different the truth is we are all after the same thing. We may try to find it in money, relationships, drugs or alcohol or any one of a thousand other things the truth is we all desire to have peace. We seek after all the other things trying to achieve a sense of peace. We all can relate to the person who says if I can get a little more money everything will be ok. Or the single man or woman who has the mindset that so and so will make me happy and I will be ok. When all else fails we turn to drugs, alcohol and sex in an attempt to find just a little peace and that is what every man, woman and child in the human race is seeking after.

However, there really is no way to find peace if we are separated from God. I know that may sound depressing but it’s the truth. It also applies to both the Christian and non-Christian. Jesus told us that trials and tribulations would come in our lives:

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NLT)

However, with the warning comes a promise; the promise is that within Christ we can have peace. That peace comes from trusting in Him and the fact that He has overcome all the world has that can drag us away from Him and were He wants us to be. Now this is not a new promise this is just a renewing of one that the Sons of Korah who were the musicians in the house of David wrote of in Psalm 85;

8 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Psalms 85:8 (ESV)

 

This morning as we look forward to what lies ahead personally, professionally and spiritually in 2014 we can be assured that God is more than able to bring peace into whatever situation may come our way. So this morning do you know the peace speaker? Can you say that no matter what may come your way you can have peace in it. It is not about being happy; Happy is insanity. It is about having a peace that passes all understanding. I am talking about the kind of peace that makes people wonder if you are crazy when troubles come your way. Its available you just have to allow Jesus into your heart so that the Holy Spirit can speak it into your situation.

I pray that if you are struggling with some kind of fear as the New Year begins that instead of turning to what the world has to offer that you will turn and trust in Jesus to bring peace to you as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.

Did God Really Say That

Like many of you I have started another Bible through the year reading plan. So this morning I was looking at day 2 of the READ plan sponsored by the Church of God in conjunction with Tyndale Publishing and I noticed something that I had never really grasped before.

It’s found in Genesis 3 and centers on the fall of mankind;

2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Genesis 3:2-3 (ESV)

Now this is not what God told Adam that is found in Genesis 2

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 (ESV)

 

You do you see what I am talking about when the serpent addressed Eve she responded with an instruction that was what God had given them. However she added, “Neither shall you touch it” its funny to me this morning that human beings have been adding to God’s word since the very beginning, trying to either add to it for emphasis as Eve did or to lead people to follow after a certain ideal that they understand from scripture.

 

Let me ask you a question are you well versed enough in scripture to not be led away. Do you know more verses of the Bible than John 3:16? If not I want to challenge you to take the time to read God’s word I promise you His word never returns void it will  find its way into your heart and mind and when you hear others sharing it discernment will be available to you. When you read it don’t look for some hidden meaning. Don’t add your own personal preferences just to make a point or find support for your view. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what God’s word says to you and how it impacts your situation. We must approach Scripture as what it is the divine inerrant Word of God. As you can see when we start adding to it for one reason or another it only leads to our own destruction.

 

That is one reason I love to read scripture God uses different passages at different times in different ways in the life of the believer. Something you read last year that was just words on the page can have meaning when you read it this time. So don’t treat the Bible like any other book and read it once and stop. Pick it up with new eyes everyday search it for what God would have in it for your walk with Him.

I pray that God’s word finds a place in your heart, mind, body and soul in ways that you have never experienced. Have a blessed day as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.

Managing Not Making

Well let me say it Happy New Year; 2013 had for the most part been a good year for me. Yesterday as I was doing like most people thinking about the changes that came and the possible direction the New Year would bring I was thinking about what I needed to make more time for  in 2014 and as God often does he prompted my mind to think on His word and on who He really is. You see we often talk about time as if it was something we could create more of. How many of us have uttered these words, “I will make time to go; or I will make time to do.” Especially on this the first day of the New Year everyone does it it’s just how we think about time.  The reality is that we cannot make time all we are able to do is manage what God created as recorded in Genesis 1:3-5:

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:3-5 (ESV)

The Greek word for day; yom, has a few possible meanings but as laid out in scripture it is a period of time that begins with the dawning of the sun and ends with the following sunrise. We see this as God creates the world and all that is in it as recorded in Genesis 1. The civilian calendar marks it as a 24 hour period of time no matter how you look at it you cannot make more of a day than what God created. How we us it is another thing entirely.

So how do we approach this problem of not having enough time, we must learn to set priorities and goals. When I first went into ministry I was given a simple priority list by an individual who had been in ministry longer than I had been alive. He laid it out this way;

1.      God

2.      Family

3.      Church

4.      Job

5.      Everything else

Now that is a pastors list but as an individual your list should look similar except in our culture you are probably going to find that most people put job in position three and church is in four or it is in the everything else category. My only question for you is how you will serve God if not through the local church. After all that was what it was established for. So that the body of believers could come together worship God and fellowship one with another, now how we do this is changing in our culture. However, we read in Hebrews;

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

 

There is that word again you see the proper use of your time is a central theme throughout scripture.  The writer of Psalms tells us, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” Psalm 90:12 (ESV) and Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time” Colossians 4:5 (ESV). Paul also wrote to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” Ephesians 5:15 (ESV). So this is not something to be taken lightly the management of your time is no different than the management of your finances and God has a lot to say about that subject to.

I challenge you today to examine what is important in your life no matter what you have in the number 3 and 4 positions be sure the first ones are God and family. I pray God blesses you in the New Year and that wisdom is your companion through it all. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.