Prophets and Apples

I find myself still in the Book of Matthew and rereading the Sermon on the Mount found in chapters 5-7. There is just so much there for someone to chew on and try to understand. From the simplest explanation of it that I can give it's Jesus taking the Ten Commandments; not recommendations, and explaining and expounding on them for the listener then and now. Some of them are just so straight forward people just miss what He is saying especially in today's world. In Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus is using a simile to explain how you and I can know people for who they really are. It's really straight forward.

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 ESV 

I know someone is saying that has to deal with false prophets it has nothing to do with other people. Well yes it does, you know what I've learned in my life and ministry everyone you meet is speaking something into your life! It's either to build you up or to tear you down. I had a friend tell me when I entered ministry be very careful who you let pray over you not everyone believes in you like they say they do. I have learned that's true in daily life also. I have a small select group of friends I turn to when I need prayer. People I trust I know that what I share stays with them and I have seen the fruits of their own walks with God that I know they want His will for my life. Friends like that are hard to come by. 

It's because jealousy that, "Ole Green Eyed Monster" is a real thing and it's destructive not only to your relationships but in your own life. If you spend all your time coveting what others have then you miss out on your own blessings. Jealousy and greed go hand in hand many a friendship and family has dealt with it and many more will until we learn contentment with our lives and who we are in Christ. We can do it when we recognize the signs. The truth always comes out as my dad would tell me. You ever bought a great big pretty apple it looks like it came right off the tree bright red no rust on it looks perfect. Only to cut into it and find a worm or realize that it's mealy on the inside. That's the type people Jesus is warning us about here. Be careful who you let speak into your life just because the outside looks good does not mean there is anything good on the inside. 

Be Blessed 

To Worry is to Suffer Twice

Life is full of moments that often leave us wondering why. It's a very common question we hear from family and friends not only when things seem to be going wrong but also when good things happen. Its we just don't realize it so much when its something good. In those moments we often assume its because we did the right thing and our choice was the catalyst of our good fortune. I will not argue that good decision lead to good outcomes, it's just that good things also come out of bad situations. that's God's specialty. The new year always brings new challenges and this one is no different. Already the news brings bleak outlooks about the future, weather and society in general leading lots of people to become anxious about their lives. However, let me share some of the best advice out there on the subject its found in Matthew 6:25-34,

"

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?^{[a] 28} And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I know lots of you have read this before but a reminder is always welcome especially as you start something new. God has created you with a plan and he has promised to provide your needs. Sometimes I need to be reminded too. It's easy to fall into the idea that we are doing all this on our own. However, as Christians we are never alone. Jesus Promised us a helper, comforter and guide when he departed to sit at the right hand of the father. The Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost and with it established a permanent path of power and direction to fulfil God's calling on your life. It just requires that you put your self second no matter what you may want and allow God through the Holy Spirit to direct your steps so that whatever you do God will be glorified. God has promised you and I that if we belong to Him than he will take care of us this life and the next.

Be Blessed  

Signs in Our Time

When Jesus walked the Earth he performed miracles as a sign of the Kingdom of God's soon coming return. However, those in power at the temple; the Pharisees and Saducess, would often try to lay traps for Him so that they could put Him on trial and execute Him. One of these occurrences is recorded in Matthew 16:1-4,

"Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed." NKJV 

Jesus responds to them by presenting to them common knowledge that the average person knew and understood. We still use this saying today at least here in the south. Red sky at night sailors delight, red sky on the morning sailors warning is how we say it were I live. The real issue was that Jesus had worked so many miracles that their asking showed how weak their faith really was. John makes this statement in chapter 21 of his Gospel,
 "25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." NKJV 
The truth is they could not receive Jesus because they could not believe their own eyes and ears. So Jesus told them that only one sign truly remained to try and bring them into salvation and that would be the sign of Jonah. That is a reference to Jonah's three days in the great fish. This was a story they new and understood. 

Now how does all this impact you and I in our walk with Christ. Well the truth is God gives signs and wonders for the church today for the same reason Jesus had them as part of His ministry. So that people would come to know the power of God's Kingdom and repent of there sins and follow after Jesus. Today though it looks a lot different I personally believe that the gifts of the spirit as listed in 2 Corinthians are available to the believer today. The non-believers we meet in our daily lives are looking for a sign to believe in. One of the greatest of these signs is the changed life you have after you accept Jesus and allow him to be your savior. You are the sign that others are looking for. Is it not time for you to live out your potential and create an environment that allows your light to shine in a dark time in our world. 

Be Blessed 

Who Are You in Christ

Much of Paul's writing is often directed towards individuals or groups of individuals and they often follow a style with a greeting, addressing of issues, blessing and closing. One of the simplest of these is the letter to Philemon. It's a short note for the most part addressing the future outcomes of a fellow believer. However, that's not really what caught my attention it's the greeting that makes me think. 

"4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you." 

Philemon 1:4-7

When people think of you what do they think? Are you on someone's prayer list and if so why? Philemon's life, testimony, service to the church and the saints established him as someone who was an example of how to walk a true Christian walk. Paul makes a statement though in verse 6 as great a testimony as Philemon had Paul reminded him to share his faith that he might become more effective for the sake of Christ. I have to say this reminded me that Jesus did not sacrifice himself just so I could avoid hell. He went to the cross for all of those who would believe in Him and live in obedience to the Holy Spirit and God's word. God's word tells us we are to share the good news of Jesus and the power that is available to us to overcome through the Holy Spirit. That's the truth of our salvation there is work for us to do. 

Do you know someone like Philemon? Do you desire to be like Philemon? I would hope we all would desire to be obedient to God's word and live lives that bring joy and blessings to all those we meet and be a blessing to them. 

Be Blessed

It Takes More Than the Knowing the Name

In 2 Corinthians 10; Paul provides a defense of his ministry to the Corinthians. There was a movement against Paul by some at Corinth because they assumed his actions would not match his words. Generally I have seen that when we interact in person with individuals we have attendance to be more patient with them. Being able to see what is really going on has a way of making us measure our response. However, in Paul's case he was writing them to give praise for what they were doing right and instruction on what they needed to fix while he was away. Ever leave a not for your children listing what you expected them to do while you were gone or telling them you loved them. That's what Paul's epistles really are. Have you ever come home to find out that the children chose not to do any of what they were told? Do you show them the ugliness that resides in all of us or do you measure out punishment or wrath based on the circumstances? This is what Paul faced this attitude of a father patiently training their children requires a gentle touch. Those at Corinth who wanted to challenge Paul's authority saw it as weakness and used it to stir up strife in the church. Paul's response though is simple his authority is based on what they have witnessed the Holy Spirit do through him. He tells them in verses 3-6,

"³ For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵ We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, ⁶ being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." NIV

We see this verse quoted a lot by people claiming authority over sin in their lives or the lives of others but I think we often miss the statement made in verse 6, "when your obedience is complete." Our power through the Holy Spirit is present only when we are obedient to those God has placed in authority over us. Ouch!!!

God established His church with certain roles and positions of importance knowing your role and being obedient to it is a critical part of keeping the church healthy. I believe today the positions of Apostle, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers still exist to equip the church. (Ephesians 4:11) The problem comes when we fail to follow our leadership. You see that is sometimes a double edge sword. The leadership must be following the Holy Spirit so everyone answers to a higher authority.
To many churches are missing one or both of these levels of obedience. We are called to keep ourselves in check so that we do not hinder the work of God's Church in the world today. 

If you think I am making it up look at Acts 19:13-17,

 "¹³ Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵ But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” ¹⁶ And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all^[d] of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled." 

The sons of Sceva thought they had the power because the new the name of Jesus but the truth is knowing the name is never going to be enough the power comes through obedience to the Holy Spirit and those in authority over us that Jesus sent to empower us for the work. Today are you being obedient to God through the guiding of the Holy Spirit and those appointed to lead you? If so you have authority to breakdown every stronghold that binds you. 

Be Blessed and Learn to Walk in His Word

17 Words to Change You

Two of the most important things you can read in scripture are the Book of Psalms and the Book of Proverbs. Billy Graham has had the practice of reading five Psalms and one Proverb everyday throughout his life. When he was asked why this was he said the Psalms provide wisdom about God and Proverbs provides wisdom about people. Sounds like something every believer could learn from and apply to their lives. I know I can use wisdom in the area of dealing with people not to mention that my desire is to grow closer to God each day. Maybe you might consider starting this pattern.

However, tonight as I was reading I found myself looking for scriptures about patience. Ever prayed for that if so you know it's not something to take lightly. The scripture my concordance led me to was Psalm 40:1,
"I waited patiently on the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help."

If that's not the Gospel in 17 words I don't know what is. For me that's my understanding of salvation. Jesus loves you enough to die for you but he also loves you enough to allow you the choice to follow Him or not.  Often non-believers and church-goers see a relationship with Jesus as a means to an end. As one friend said people want fire insurance till they realize they need life insurance. However, that's not all Psalm 40 brings to the reader, it also addresses what God will do for you when you surrender to Him.

He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put there trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2-3 ESV

 When you call upon God to save you through His Son Jesus Christ. God has promised to establish you and guide you in your walk. My favorite part of this passage though is the second half of verse 3. The number one reason I know of for why people get saved is because of the testimony of a believer. Often the first response a new believer gets from friends family and loved ones to the news of a salvation experience is often anger and fear. People by nature have a hard time excepting change whether in their lives or in the lives of those around them. However, the change one should experience as a new believer is often so radical that it makes others uncomfortable. It's probably the best testament to a salvation that the individual leaves behind the sinful choices they lived in and starts a new life. It's also why new converts are more effective witnesses to unbelievers. People see the change realize that it's real and want that same change. It's not just a fad but a life choice. Does how you live your life make others nervous? Do individuals monitor their behavior when you are around? If you answered yes then you are having an influence. Don't  be ashamed of what God is doing in you and through you. Just be obedient to His Word and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit and God will use you in ways you could never imagine. 

Be Blessed 

Foolishness, I Call It Love

Well I was just watching NOVA on PBS it was a report from 2015 on the Hubble Space Telescope it's amazing just how far mankind has come and just how amazing creation really is. I guess that might seem strange to a lot of people. However, you have to understand the original premise of science and that was not to try and disprove God but to better understand the creator by understanding His creation. I think though that somewhere along they way science has been corrupted and more emphasis has been placed on trying to disprove God's existence than how we should be taking dominion over the Earth and using it wisely.
I was reading in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, this passage highlights the real issue.

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. ²² For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 ESV

The issue is if there really is a God then human beings owe there lives to something they cannot control. That by itself for individuals with free will is enough to create a desire to deny God. It also becomes the driving force in how they explore our world and the universe. They stated that the Hubble Telescope had allowed mankind to estimate the number of stars in the universe at 2 followed by 22 zeros. It allowed them to determine that the universe is still expanding and that it's actually increasing in speed as it moves out from its point of origin. They have witnessed the birth and death of stars all the while denying a creator that put it all in motion. God's wisdom makes fools of us for the simple fact we are not able to comprehend the magnitude of His power to create. God created mankind for fellowship. Free will and choice placed a divide between us and God. God made a plan to bring redemption to all of mankind first through the law which no one could keep and finally through the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. Through His obedience to His father Jesus took on human flesh, lived a life tempted by all the things we face each day and refused to fall into sin. At the cross He took upon himself all the guilt and shame that mankind has and died for every person on the planet. Talk about a foolish plan. I am a veteran I would have laid my life down for the freedoms we enjoy in America and have friends who did. So I can relate to Jesus when I see ungrateful people doing and saying things that undermine all the sacrifices that have been made so that they can live the lives they want. Jesus died for you and was resurrected so that he could close the gap between you and God. Foolishness is what the scripture calls it. However, I call it love. God loves you so much he allowed his son to die just to make away for you to comeback into fellowship with Him. Why so many people refuse to believe astounds me. However, it does not change the truth Jesus loves you, he has sent a helper to aid you in understanding and accepting this foolishness that leads to a full and eternal life both now and forever more. 

Be Blessed

Accepting Sin

I was reading in 1 Corinthians 5 today and realized that many churches today have decided to forsake the instructions found in scripture when dealing with sinners. Not sure why that is but many churches today are accepting of so many life choices that God's word directly calls sin. I understand the argument that we cannot judge the world by a standard that is foreign to them and that's not my point.   Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 that he is not addressing the sinners outside the church. Our judgement is reserved for our fellow believers who are not walking in righteousness. In Romans 1:26-32 you can read the list of behaviors that God considers sin that come from denying there is a God and placing ones own fleshly desires first. However, in an attempt to seem less judgmental we most often say things like God hates the sin but loves the sinner. In truth if we have repented of our sin and stop living in it allowing it to control our lives then we are no longer sinners. Not saying you won't stumble and fall but when you do as a Christian you ask for forgiveness and get back up and start walking like Christ. The problem is we have laid aside Church discipline in order to be more acceptable in our culture. I know that might sound harsh but it's the truth. In Corinth there was a man known to be sleeping with his father's wife. Paul is being held in a Roman prison and knows about it. What does that tell us about the appearance and perception of the Corinthian church. This action was unacceptable in society in general but was in direct contradiction to the teachings of the church. Paul sends them word about what needs to be done with this man and woman. The solution is to cut them off from the church. Today we joke about excommunication mainly because we have limited standards for membership and we provide services whether a person is a member or not. The early church was a select group of people who had to prove themselves before membership could be received. Today it requires next to nothing there is no requirement for financial support. The need for consistency in attendance is no longer important and let's not forget that we as born again believers in Jesus Christ are called to share the Gospel with a lost and dying world. Somewhere along the way we have lost track of God's mission for the church and made it all about us and what we want. It's not popular but it's time we stopped walking around with our heads in the sand and instead pulled out our shield, sword, helmet, sandles and the belt of truth and brought back a time preparedness for battle. Not everyone that calls Jesus Lord knows who he really is or what the Holy Spirit can do. It is for those individuals who refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to direct them unto repentance, deliverance and salvation that we must pray for and ask God to send a heart of surrender into our churches. With God all things are possible, so let us start by praying for those in our churches who are living a double life and that God will send deliverance and new life. All of that is so the individual can one day be whole and celebrating.

Be Blessed

Is There One That is Worse

Well it's the first day of January 2018 and I woke up thinking about Luke 13:1-9. The first five verses were what was on my mind it's a new year with lots of possibilities ahead for us. However, recently I have had lots of individuals tell me that they are right were they want to be with God and that's scary to me. Most of them have the same attitude as the individuals in the passages from Luke.

1There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 
Luke 13:1-5 ESV

We see bad things happening to others and sometimes say things like, "I wonder what sin they are hiding, or if you prayed more, or if you stopped skipping church, just to point out a few of the reasons we give when bad things happen in life. The reality is that God does not keep score of your good and bad deeds. He only records one choice that we make and that is to repent from our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our savior that's the one that matters. Everything else at it's simplest point can often be attributed to our poor choices in a world lost in sin. Marriage on the rocks are you unequally yoked do you both have the same values and goals. In most cases you have sickness do you take time to eat right and exercise. Money problems do you have a budget that ensures you spend less than you make. These are all issues that are caused by our desire to live the life we want not the one God wants for us. God promises to meet our needs not our wants and if we are not able to handle what he has given us why would he ever give us more. That's were the second part of the scriptures come in to my thoughts. If you started today new with a desire to live the life God truly has planned for you what would it take. A. W. Tozer once said, "God's grace is extended to the sinner in hopes that one day they may come to know Him." If that's the case there will come a time when those doors will close. Jesus shared this parable to make that point.

6And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9 ESV 

There is a time in which we shall all die and then we will stand in judgement of our creator. Let's spend 2018 fertilizing our faith and relationship with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. So that we can bare fruit and live the full and joyful life that we were made for. 

Be Blessed