The Babies Respond, Too

Luke 1:39-45

"And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost."

How do you respond to the presence of the Lord? Do you rejoice in His salvation, or do you slough it off and go your own way? God calls sinners to turn from their sins and follow Him. As they respond to His call, lives will be changed, and God will use them in great ways. We already saw how Mary had responded to God's call to bring the Savior into the world, and we saw the glorious results as she and many others throughout history were saved from their sins as they trusted in Him.

Mary went to visit Elisabeth, and when she came in and greeted her, Elisabeth's baby (John the Baptist) leaped in her womb, and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. John responded to the presence of the Lord—even though he wasn't even born yet! It's like he was rejoicing when he leaped in the womb. Elisabeth recognized this and also rejoiced. She exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (v.42) She knew that Mary was blessed—because she had obeyed God's call. “Blessed is she who believed for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (v.45)

Mary had submitted and agreed to bear the gift from the very God that would save her; Jesus was obedient to the Father to seek and save the lost—and die for their sins! John was submitted to God's plan, and grew to be one that turned many hearts back to their God. “...He will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also go before HIM in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (v.15-17) The life of a Christian is distinctly set apart from the ways of the world. God will use those that respond to His call in great ways. Many people will be touched by the love of God because of one person that responds to the call of God, no matter the cost. You may have a lot of plans for your life, but God has a greater plan. If you lay down your life, surrender all to God, and respond to His call, He will use you to reach the hearts of many that need a Savior.

John didn't live his life, but rather gave all to prepare the way for one far greater—Jesus—and he rejoiced in the opportunity to serve His Savior—even from the womb! Mary, Elisabeth, Jesus, and John all responded to God's call. Will you respond?

Two Babies, Two Nations

Genesis 25:19-34

"And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."

Isaac pleaded with God for his wife because she had been barren. God had promised Isaac's father to have descendants that would be a great nation, but now just a generation later, Isaac found that his wife could not have children. God heard his prayer and opened her womb so that she conceived twins. The Bible says that the twins struggled with one another inside her womb. With the turmoil inside her, she asked, “If all is well, why am I like this?” (v.22) The Lord told her that there were two nations in her womb. That is why there was such a struggle. There were two manner of people: one would be stronger than the other, and the younger would serve the older. Even before they were born, there was a struggle between these two manner of people.

Today, there are essentially two manner of people. There are people that want God and people that don't. It may seem to you that I am over-simplifying things, because if you look around, there are all sorts of people. But it does really come down to two types: God-seekers and God-rejecters. There will always be a struggle between righteousness and sinfulness. There will always be a struggle between those that love God and those that don't.

There is another struggle that we need to look at today—perhaps one that is more often over-looked, but perhaps more crucial. Rebekah quickly saw that there was a struggle between two manner of people that were inside of her. Now eventually her babies were born, but we all have two nations inside of us that have a constant struggle. I'm talking about the struggle between good and evil, of life and death, and of spirit and flesh. Paul described the struggle with sin and his desire to serve God. “...When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.” (Romans 7:21-23) He goes on to proclaim that Jesus Christ will rescue him from this body of death. Jesus also made mention of the struggle within: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Matthew 26:41) There is a struggle between the spirit that wants God and the spirit that does not. In Rebekah's case, God told her that the older would serve the younger. The sin nature is older—we're all born with that. But, praise God! I have been born in the Spirit. God has saved me, and I'm a new person. The righteous nature is definitely younger, and the sin nature doesn't want to give up the birthright, but the older will serve the younger. There may be a struggle with sin and temptation, but as long as I trust in God, the righteous nature will be triumphant! God is able to keep those who trust in Him!

Keep Working (Nov 23)

Keep about your work (that God has given you). Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil's dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil's rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie, let corporations resolve, let the devil do his worst, but see to it that nothing hinders you from fulfilling the work that God has given you.

He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood (about yourself) which Satan and his servants may start to peddle. If you do those things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord.

Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded, and rejected; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men, but see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."

- Source unknown

Sustenance (Nov 16)

At times we may become weary. We may feel lacking. We may feel weak. God is there promising to be our sustenance if we trust in Him. He is Jehovah-Jireh—God our Provider.

Psalm 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

When you are in a time of need, cast your cares on God. Trust in Him and he will sustain you. He will keep you from falling. Sometimes we worry about provision. We worry about a lot of things sometimes. When times get hard and we worry about making ends meet or putting the next meal on the table, I think we're forgetting about something. Or rather, we're forgetting about someONE. God is our provider.

Philippians 4:18-19

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

God knows when you need encouragement. He knows when you need strength to get through another day or to do something that He has called you to do. He knows when you need to hear something in particular from His Word. He knows when you need to be chastened. He knows when you need to be woken up. He knows when you need provision. He knows when you need anything. Will you trust Him? He will be your sustenance.

Luke 4:4

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

I will trust God. He will be my sustenance.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

Bait and Switch (Nov 9)

Have you ever been a victim of a bait and switch routine? A bait and switch is a deceptive way of selling that involves advertising a product at a very low price in order to attract customers who are then persuaded to switch to a more expensive product. It can happen in many ways. Sometimes once you are engaged in a sale, you will be told that the offer is no longer available and now you have to pay a different price. Or you may be told that the item is out of stock and be persuaded to get the next model up. You may find out later that the original item never was available or it was in stock but the salesman lied. Sometimes when you order something on-line, a special offer expires while you're in the checkout process and when you confirm the order, the price is different and you missed the opportunity that originally convinced you to purchase the item. It happens all the time. You can sign up for some subscription or contract, only to have the terms changed a month or two later. Companies often use introductory rates and free offers to get people to sign up for things only to find out that they won't get what they expected. Salespeople will literally tell you anything to make the sale. They will promise whatever is necessary to get you to sign on the line. They know it is easier to apologize that they were “mistaken” about the details after the sale than to lose the sale in the first place.

If you've ever been had by a bait and switch offer, you usually regret it later. You kick yourself for not seeing through the false advertising and pressurized negotiations. You wish you had somehow been able to get the offer as you expected. You wish you hadn't fallen for a trick. You no longer see the company as trustworthy and perhaps you go so far as to spread the poor reputation of the company to others so that nobody else falls into the same trap.

God has an offer on the table today. God is offering you a way of salvation and eternal life through his son, Christ Jesus. This offer doesn't expire unexpectedly. The terms don't change randomly once you've signed up. There is no hidden fine print. It's not a bait and switch routine. The source is extremely trustworthy. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

John 14:5-6

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Don't be fooled by anything else. Jesus is the way. There is no other way. He is the same today as he was yesterday. If you hear a message about repentance, don't expect it to not apply today. There are bad people out there changing the gospel around, essentially changing the offer that God has on the table.

Jude 3-25

3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

You can trust God. He won't change his offer of salvation. But don't use that as an excuse to put off your commitment for another day. Each day you put it off you become more bitter and hard. But don't fall for one of these twisted false-gospel offers that are so prevalent today. They will be a bait and switch.

Persistence (Nov 2)

To persist is to go on resolutely in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning. It is pretty much the basis of perseverance, which is to persist in a state or undertaking in spite of counter-influences, opposition, or discouragement. So, here's my question: is persistence a good thing? Well, it depends on what you are doing or where you are going. I know many people that are quite persistent in their sins against God and other people. In fact, some people seriously persevere in disobeying God, ignoring His call, and throwing out the Word, in spite of all sorts of warnings. So, persistence can certainly be bad, but I want to look at persistence in following God. I want to look at perseverance in faith, no matter what the cost or how much opposition. Earlier this week as we were studying Ruth, I was struck with the level of persistence that Ruth had to stay with Naomi and follow her back to God's people. Naomi tried so hard to get Ruth to go and stay in Moab, but she demonstrated great persistence. I thought about these things in light of some other things that are going on and some other things that I've been thinking about, and thought that we need to take a look at persistence.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2 Timothy 3:12-17

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I've been telling you that God is calling you and if you've listened with even an ounce of attention, you know that He is. I've been telling you to respond to His call, follow Him, and obey. Today I'm telling you to keep doing that. If you've responded to God's call, keep responding. If you've followed Him, keep following Him. If you've obeyed Him, keep obeying Him. It's called persistence. We need to follow God and persist in following. We need to trust Him today, and also persist in trusting Him every day. We need to surrender to Him and be filled with His life today. We need to persist in that every day, too. It's been said to keep on following God. Well, keep on keeping on.

1 Peter 1:13-16

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Acts 2:38-47

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

So, if you've been persisting in sin, turn your ear to God and you'll hear Him calling you. He's showing you your need for Him and the glorious goodness of His heart. Turn to Him and He will make you a new person. You'll be different and you'll be following Him. And if you're following Him, persist in following! Don't quit. Don't give up. Follow Him every day! Even when times get tough or you face some opposition or persecution, persevere!

Renewal (Oct 26)

When a fire has died down, it needs to be rekindled. When life grows stale, it needs revival. When we've lost sight of the spirit in our hearts and minds, we need renewal.

Ephesians 4:1-6

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I'm not going to write out many thoughts about this today. I would like to you read through these passages that I am sharing with you and consider them. Paul instructs us to walk worthy of our calling. Examine your life and see if you are walking worthy of the calling that God has given you. You may need a time of renewal to come before God and rekindle that love and joy that used to be so abundant in your heart. You may need to renew your commitment to God. You may need to ask God to breathe fresh life into your spiritual lungs that you may once again live excitedly on fire for Him. Here are some considerations on our need for spiritual renewal and some description of the worthy walk.

Ephesians 4:17-32

17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.

Friends of the King (Oct 19)

What does it mean to be a friend of the king? Well, first of all, what is a friend? According to Webster, a friend is “one attached to another by affection or esteem; an acquaintance; one that is not hostile; one that is of the same nation, party, or group; or a favored companion.” I'm sure you've all known a few people that fit that description. Some stick with it and some don't. So we know how to be a friend to another person, but today I'd like to talk about being friends of the king. You'd think it would probably be somewhat difficult to become friends with someone so powerful or so “important” and the king probably has a lot of fake friends: people that just try to get close to him so that they can ask for favors or whatever. So who is a true friend of the king?

Proverbs 22:11 NKJV

He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend.

Many times in the Bible, the Lord is referred to or alluded to as a king. I believe that the verse in Proverbs can have two meanings. First of all, people that love purity of heart and have grace on their lips make good citizens, so that would be what the king (or any other leader nowadays, such as a mayor, governor, or president, etc.) would want. These people are model citizens and friends of the king. But I think these words also give a pretty good description of the person that is the friend of God, our heavenly king. I think that God wants you to be His friend. I know that it's more than that: God is to be your Lord, and you His obedient servant; He is to be the Savior, and you the thankful worshiper; He is to be the Leader, and you the follower. But He also wants you to be His favored companion, one attached to Him by affection, and one that is of the same heart. He wants you to be His friend.

Genesis 1:26, 3:8-9

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

After God had created the earth and all that is in it, plants and animals, he created a man in his own image, or resemblance, to take care of creation. We then read that God came and was walking in the garden and calling out to Adam, as if He would often come and walk with Adam in the garden in the cool of the day. The earth was God's garden and Adam his gardener, made after God's own likeness: two friends of the same heart communing in the garden together. Adam was attached to God by pure love. Adam was God's friend. A friend of the king loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips. Adam and Eve had pure hearts, but that purity and grace went out the window when they rebelled and sinned against God. Then when God came to walk in the garden, they hid from Him.

Imagine being a friend of God. Imagine walking in the garden and communing with Him. God offers His friendship to all people. The ones that love purity of heart and have grace on their lips will be friends.

Exodus 33:11

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

Moses is another example of a friend of God. He knew God so well and was so close that the Lord spoke to him face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. You can have a place where you walk and talk with God as a friend. God doesn't have to be just some mysterious thing we talk about in church and you never approach Him personally. God desires to have a personal relationship with you as a friend. He wants you to come and walk and talk with Him and get to know Him—even today!

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Abraham believed God. He had faith and that faith was worked out in his life and his works. He obeyed God and he trusted God as he followed wherever God led. He was righteous and he was a friend of God.

So, where do you stand with God? Are you close to Him? Do you walk and talk with Him? Do you have faith and also live it out in your life? Do you heed His call and follow His direction? Are you His friend?

Do you love purity of heart and have grace on your lips? Are you a friend of the King?

Rear-View Mirrors (Oct 12)

Anybody who drives a car knows the importance of rear-view mirrors. They help you see behind you, of course. If you're driving down the road, you can see if someone is coming up behind you. It's good to check these things to be aware of what's around you, especially if you're going to be changing lanes or something. Also, if you're backing up or turning around, your mirrors can help you see where you're going. You can navigate through tighter spaces if you use your mirrors, especially your side mirrors. My mom and dad have little electric scooters and they even have a little rear-view mirror that sticks up from the handle bars. Some people have similar mirrors on their bicycles. These help them be aware of other bikers coming up from behind (perhaps faster them) so that they can be sure to move over to allow them to pass. Also, if they were to ride along the side of the road, they would be able to see when a car was passing, to give extra room. Yesterday, I took advantage of the beautiful weather to go on a fall bike ride. There were a lot of other people taking the same opportunity, so I passed many bikers and walkers in both directions. One guy had these little square rimless glasses. There was a little rear-view mirror sticking out from the one side leg. I thought it looked funny and I had never seen one before. But I'm sure it let him know when others were coming up behind him, which can be important while biking, I suppose. I usually just turn my head around, but you all know that can sometimes affect your ability to continue in a straight line. :)

Today, I would like to talk about things that sneak up from behind and sometimes catch us unaware. Sin seems to approach us this way often, doesn't it? Can you imagine, as you're traveling down the road of Christian life, you come upon this huge, neon-lit, blinking sign with a huge arrow that says, “SIN!!! Served Fresh Daily!” Well, I suppose we come across signs like that, but those are pretty obvious and we usually avoid them and keep on going. But how about the sins and temptations that sneak up from behind and before you know it, it's right there beside you and you fall? If only you had a rear-view mirror so that you could be aware of your surroundings and properly discern the good and bad that comes face-to-face, but also the good and bad that comes from behind! With a rear-view mirror, you see the things coming from behind just as easily as the things coming head-on.

1 Peter 5:8-10

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Satan and false teachers are not always blatantly obvious. The scriptures say that Satan makes himself look like an angel of light and that false teachers make themselves look like righteous teachers. People can be fooled by this...they might not realize it until after they've been deceived by their words. It's like they sneaked up from behind. We are told that we should be sober and vigilant because our adversary is going around looking for someone to devour. Temptations and sin seem to lie around every turn and they are often disguised as something good. Once again, it's like they sneak up from behind and we don't realize it until they're right there. We must be vigilant and resist these things. Look in that rear-view mirror and see the temptations that are sneaking up to devour you. Don't just stare blankly ahead, oblivious to the things that are approaching.

Acts 28:27 NKJV

For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.

I must point out that it is God that saves. It is God that keeps you from falling. It is God that makes you perfect and establishes, strengthens, and settles you. Looking in the rear-view mirror is like having discernment and being aware of the things that are around you and influencing you. But, you can't have discernment in these things on your own. You need God's spirit to see these things.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 NKJV

14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

I want to point out one more thing about the rear-view mirrors. What is printed on the side mirrors on cars? “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” It says that because sometimes things look little and far away, but you should be warned that it's closer than you think, so be careful about changing lanes. Well, I want to warn you about looking in the mirror and seeing some sin or temptation sneaking up on you and taking the approach, “Oh, no bother, that temptation is still far from me. I don't need to worry about resisting it right now.” Don't play with fire! That temptation or sin is closer than you think!

Jude 24-25

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Undo (Oct 5)

Let's begin by reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Luke 15:11-32

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

How many times have you ever done something and wished that you could “undo” it? Or, perhaps, you look back on something that you did or a decision that you made many years ago and wished that you could “undo” that and do something differently or make a different decision. When the younger of the sons decided to “cash out” early and ran off to enjoy his inheritance while he was still young, it probably seemed like a great idea. Even while the parties were still going on, I'm sure if someone had said to him that he had made a bad decision, he would have had a heard time listening to them. When he was sitting in the pig pen wishing he could eat the pigs' food, he probably thought that he had done some really dumb things and wished he could “undo” it all and try again. Sometimes in life, we get second chances. Sometimes we have the opportunity to fix things. Other times, though, we don't have such luck. For example, once you say something, you can't take it back. You can apologize all over the place and people may forgive you, but those words have still been spoken. Some things can be undone, but other things just seem like too big a mess. Things can seem to be beyond hope. If you do your homework in pencil and make a mistake, you can erase it and do it over. If you do it in permanent ink, there's no undoing it.

I recently heard someone say that God is the only one that can undo all of the mess that you've made of your life. You've made some of life's decisions on your own and even though it seemed like what you wanted at the time, down the road you realized that you really messed things up. You did some things for your own benefit and then look around and see that you hurt someone else. You made some other impulse decision that seemed the best at the time without considering all of the ramifications and consequences and now you realize that it was not best. You sit in my class week after week and you sit through church week after week and you get a good idea of what kind of life God has designed for the Christian. Then you look at your life and there are some things that don't line up. There are some things that just aren't right. Maybe you have tried to fix them. You've tried to make things better or different and they just got more messed up. You wish some things in life had a big “undo” button on them and you could just make everything right. You could make everything righteous, pure, and holy...

Wait! That's something that God will do if you'll just quit trying on your own or going your own way and come home. Finally that son realized that he needed to go home to his father. I guess he didn't really think that his father would forgive him completely, but he figured that he was at least merciful enough to let him be a worker and even that was better than the mess that he had made of his life. He underestimated his father. The man saw him coming from afar and ran to meet him and bring him back into the home as his son—right where he belonged. He restored all that was lost and gave him the fullness of what it meant to be a son in that house.

Folks, if you'll just look around you and see the slop that you're in and realize that you just can't please God when you're continuing to live with that bit of rebellion against God in your heart—or that desire to do your own thing—or that person or thing that is more important to you than God—or that evil spot in your heart against another person, and get up and decide to come home, God will be there to meet you with His loving arms stretched out to receive you as His child. He will heal those things that are not right and He will give you a new heart. He will rejoice, because one of His children that was lost is now found.

Time for Retreat (Sep 28)

When is it time for retreat? That is the very question that we want to explore today. Before we can discover when it is time for retreat, we need to first discover the meaning of retreat. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you hear retreat is that of the military sense. If an army is fighting a battle and the battle becomes too fierce, out of the fear of too great a loss, the army may retreat. In fact, retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster as follows:

1a: an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable. b: the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position.

Now, you see, the Christian life is often described as a battle. You see it all through the scriptures—we have the battle of right and wrong, good and evil, life and death—the enemy is always fighting to destroy the faith of Christians, break the church, and work against anything that God is doing. We know, of course, that God is greater and that He is the victor in the end. Well, at least we've been taught that. Even though God is the victor in the end, there is still a battle in the everyday here-and-now. Sometimes we don't see the victory and want to give up. Perhaps we just don't want to fight the battle for righteousness. We want life to be easy. We want to retreat. OK, in that sense of the word, there is never a time for retreat. Fortunately, Merriam-Webster's definition continues:

2: a place of privacy or safety: refuge. 3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director.

Ah, you guessed it: that's what we're talking about today. We're going to explore the need for a period of individual (or group) withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, and/or instruction in a place of privacy or safety.

Matthew 14:22-23

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Luke 5:15-16

15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Matthew 26:36-39

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Many times in the scriptures, we find Jesus going off alone in order to pray. I believe that this is a time for retreat. I believe that many (probably all) of us need to take some time to be separate from the many things that take our attention, so that we may spend some time alone in prayer, meditation, and study. I have seen this need personally, which I guess is why I got to looking into these scriptures, and then felt the need to share this with others as well. Sometimes there is so much going on that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes we are so busy with so many things that we can be run ragged. Or, the same thing can happen even if we're not super busy, I suppose. If you haven't been in the presence of the Lord, it is time for retreat. If you have been in the presence of the Lord, but you've found that other things have gotten your attention, it is time for retreat! Now, as I was thinking the other day, I thought it would be great if I could just go away, take a tent, and camp out somewhere that nobody could get hold of me. There would be no telephone to interrupt me. There would be no computer to keep me busy. There would be no emails to respond to. There would be no crises at work to attend to, no stores and banks to run to, no people to talk to, no magazines to read, no projects, no noises, no pressures, no....and I could take my Bible and just spend time talking to God, meditating on His Word, listening to His voice...

Yes, that would be wonderful, but it just doesn't seem practical. I'd have to call off work, if I even have that many vacation days left, put so many things on hold, and arrange so many things. You see, you can't always just run off to a retreat and be alone with God. But, if that's what you need, then you should probably find a way to do it. You can also retreat in your own room. OK, so you might still have to go to work every day and meet other commitments, but you can turn your phone off, turn your computer off, put away the magazines and books, ask friends and family to please not disturb you for a time, and go alone to meet God. Make time for such a retreat every day for perhaps a week or so and see if you meet God as you spend time in His presence. I am trying to make time for retreat and I have already been blessed by God's presence. I need more retreat time, to be sure. It's kind of tough because there are things that I want to get done, there are people that want to call (and I want to talk to), and there are many other distractions. Some of these distractions are very, very good things, by the way, but sometimes we need to step back from even the good things so that we can be in God's presence, seeing His glory. When we come from these times of retreat with God, people will see the change. Only then can we bless others. Only then can we be blessed by others' testimony. First and foremost, we need to retreat in God our refuge. Then we can fellowship with others. Then we can go and fight the daily battles. Then we can live the Christian life—because we have been with Him, we know Him, and we have His spirit in us!!!

Exodus 33:9,11-14,18-19, 34:1-3,29-32 (NKJV)

9 ...Moses entered the tabernacle...and the LORD talked with Moses. 11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...12 Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”...18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” 19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

1 And the LORD said to Moses, “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke. 2 So be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself to Me there on the top of the mountain. 3 And no man shall come up with you, and let no man be seen throughout all the mountain; let neither flocks nor herds feed before that mountain.”

29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

Moses went up into the mountain to meet God. He asked God to show him His glory and God did. He showed Moses His goodness. He showed Moses who He was. He showed him His heart. Moses came down from the mountain and his countenance glowed. He had been with God and others knew it. He was a changed man. The prospect of leading the people was not so much an overwhelming task...God was with Him. God had revealed Himself as faithful and able. Moses came from His retreat revived—with fresh faith and fresh life.

Psalm 27:11-14 (NLT)

11 Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

I know that for me, it is time for retreat. I do not retreat, as a coward, from fighting the battle of the Lord, but I do withdraw to the Lord, my refuge, to be in His presence and see His glory. I am confident that I will see the Lord's goodness. I will wait patiently for the Lord. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Look Up and See the Glory (Sep 21)

Ezekiel 1:28

Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of One speaking.

I'm sure you've all seen a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. I mean a really dark, cloudy, and rainy day. The sky is so dark gray that it is hard to see. Then, as the sun peeks out from the other direction, a rainbow appears—so brilliant and colorful against the still-dark gray clouds. If you've ever seen one with such a strong contrast, then you know what I'm talking about. You can't miss it. That rainbow is bright, stands out, and almost seems to burst with joy against the clouds of yucky weather.

Ezekiel saw a storm coming—a great whirlwind with a great cloud with raging fire engulfing itself. If you can even imagine such a thing, you might see that the storm would be frightening. Yet, Ezekiel lookup up and saw these glorious creatures bowing before God. He looked further up and saw a glorious throne of God. Above that was the glorious appearance of the Lord. Scripture likens it to this brilliant rainbow set against the dark clouds of a storm. Wow, what glory!

I know that we recently discussed the story about Ezekiel seeing this glorious vision and how God had a message for him through the midst of the storm, but today I want to talk about seeing the glory of God. I want to see the glory of God! I have seen that God is powerful and He delivers His people from the hand of the enemy and He is a great God! His glory is great! I have seen a glimpse of His glory and I want to bring this to you today so that you also may look up and see the glory!

Maybe you see a lot of storms in your life, but it's in the midst of that storm that you can look up and see that brilliant rainbow set in the clouds on a rainy day! You think, “What good can come from a difficult time?” but be patient and know that God is faithful. Look up and see the glory!

If you've seen a rainbow and you thought it was so beautiful that you stared at it for a long time, you know that eventually, they fade away and all you see is the clouds again. Now, I know that not all analogies work perfectly and God's glory certainly doesn't fade away over time, but let me make this point: If you take your eyes off of His glory and let your focus and attention be back on the storms and the dark clouds, that rainbow just fades away and all you see is the darkness. Don't turn aside from the glory of God! Hold His promises and keep them; don't let them fade away to the stormy skies. So, whatever is going on right now, don't focus on it. Look up and see the glory of God.

Acts 7:54-56

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

We may only see a glimpse of His glory while still on this earth, but when we see that glory, we should fall on our faces before God, as unworthy yet submitted followers. Turn from your sin and trust in Him. Be obedient to what He calls you to do. There is a purpose for all things and God calls you to Himself. Listen. Then God will be glorified through your life as well and people will see that and notice.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Right Conduct (Sep 14)

Psalm 50:22-23 (NKJV)

22 “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: 23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.”

I read this scripture a few weeks ago and was considering it. The Bible makes it very clear that we are saved through faith in God, turning from our sins, and asking for His forgiveness. It also makes it very clear that we don't earn our way into heaven by doing a bunch of good stuff or living a good enough life. But it's also pretty clear (especially from scriptures like this one) that God expects us to live rightly and to give Him all the praise and glory. Now, if you're like me, after you read these verses from Psalm 50, you want to know what right conduct is—since we are called to have such a conduct! In the King James Version, the word “conversation” is used in place of “conduct”. You can see why if you look at the Hebrew definition:

Conduct (KJV Conversation) - a road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever]. (Hebrew definition from Strong's)

The conduct is your way of life, the course that you live, your words and actions, how you act – basically who you are. So, I can order my conduct wrongly or I can set it aright. How does God call us to conduct ourselves?

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ. Is your conduct worthy of the gospel of Christ? Paul elaborates—that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel. When I read the verses from Psalm 50 a few weeks ago, I followed up with this verse from Philippians. The right conduct is described as a church united with one spirit and one mind, serving one God. I look around the church and I don't see unity. I don't see one spirit or one mind. How can we be setting our course in life to be that which is worthy of the gospel of Christ when we're all of different spirits? How can we be a body operating with Christ as our head if we continue to be so divisive? What is a sound church?

Titus 2

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

I pray for you to set aside your differences and ask God how you can truly love one another. Ask Him how you can order your conduct aright and give glory to Him. Ask Him how you can be one with Him and with His church. I believe that He will show you that you can love one another and be loved. You can, but only with one heart, one mind, one love, and one spirit—His.

Sellin' Out (Sep 7)

As we were driving along M-15 or M-46, somewhere between Bay City and Sandusky, we passed an old, run-down church that was in desperate need of repairs. On the sign it read: “Sellin' Out! Make an Offer!” Now, I don't know the story behind this little church and why it was “selling out” (perhaps the congregation size had dwindled to only a few and they merged with another congregation or maybe they just didn't have the budget to cover the costly repairs that the building required, so they moved to another location), but it struck me that the concept of “selling out” is too prevalent in Christian society today. Wikipedia defines “selling out” in the following manner (I don't usually put much stock in the information on Wikipedia, but I needed a nice description):

Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality, and principles in exchange for money, 'success', or other personal gain. It is commonly associated with attempts to increase mass appeal or acceptability to mainstream society. A person who does this, as opposed to following the original path [he or she] laid (or claimed to lay) out for him/herself, is labeled a sellout and regarded with disgust and immediate loss of respect. Selling out is seen as gaining success at the cost of credibility. (“Selling Out.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selling_out.)

This message is for people that have followed Christ or have at least professed to follow Christ and then have turned back or turned away. In other words, this is for Christians and people that at least proclaim to be a Christian, but have given up the Christ-life for something else. You call yourself a Christian: you've made a commitment to follow Christ and you've laid a path before you—you're going to follow in the footsteps of the Lord. Then, for some gain or other advantage, whether real or perceived, you change that path. Maybe it goes completely in the opposite direction. Or, maybe it just doesn't follow the Lord's way quite as closely or takes a few other turns. Whether your faith isn't as sincere or strong (backing off), it's a little bit mixed with worldly desires (compromise), or it's completely dead (turning your back on God)—you're a sellout.

Some people directly choose to sellout. They decide that they've given God a try and now they want to do something else. They want to go and live life to the fullest. They want to do all the stuff that Christians aren't supposed to do. They perceive that their faith has limited their possibilities in finding love relationships, lots of friends, happiness, or success in their career. They think it's held them back and been a hurdle so now they want to leave the Christian life and find a secular life. They chose to sellout and then began looking for the right offer. Other people don't choose to sellout, at least not directly. These people are going along, living the Christian life and then someone or something comes along, making an offer that seems too good, and next thing you know, they've begun to compromise a bit, selling out in certain parts of their life. I guess the end result is still the same. They haven't been faithful to God. They sold out.

Revelation 2:4

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 3:1

...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

So, maybe you're a sellout. Maybe you decided that you'd give up your faithful relationship with God for success, happiness, friends, popularity, or whatever. Are you hearing offers? Are there temptations in your life to compromise the commitments that you've made to God? Do you sometimes have the urge to just give up or back off a little bit because things are too hard? There will be offers to sellout! But stand firm! Have you already sold out though? Are you living a “Christian” life, always in church, singing the songs, praying the prayers, and proclaiming your love for God? At least you say you're a Christian. You have little bits of testimony to share with some of the people with the church, although you may have harsh words for others. You seem joyful, sweet, and Christ-like when you're with some Christians, but angry and hurtful around others. You fellowship in unity with some of the church and at some times, but with other people and at other times, you are divisive and cold. You profess a Christ-like life, but beneath the surface there are spots and blemishes. Somewhere along the line, for some reason, whether a selfish motive or some perceived attainment of happiness, you have replaced the Love of God in your heart with your own selfish love. You have traded in God's peace for your own solutions. You have sold united fellowship with God (and ALL of God's people) for self-serving friendships and alliances. You have put your life on a track that you built instead of the path that God has laid to His heart. Your life is a weird mixture of love and hate, peace and unstability, promises kept and promises broken, people helped and people hurt, encouragements and discouragements, joy and depression, truth and lies...a mixture that doesn't make any sense at all because you've tried to mix faithfulness to God with selfish pleasures. Your life has that mixture, instead of the glorious life in the Spirit that produces love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:19-26

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

So you sold out. But there is still one offer on the table. Maybe up until today you have considered offers from every which way, all of them begging you to sellout to the world and compromise your integrity and faithfulness to God. But God still has an offer on the table. He calls you to come home. Come back to Him. Sell out all for Him. Leave all those other things and repent—receive His forgiveness. He is faithful.

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Revelation 3:2-3

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

As One (Aug 31)

In my absence, we have a guest speaker today. Please listen to this recording of a message entitled, “As One”, by Steven Kromer.

The audio is available online...

http://faithcommunityfamily.org/messages/08-07-13.mp3

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be, were they to become 'unity' conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship." -A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Life Blood (Aug 24)

After a recent bike ride, I was cooling off in my pool. I often just walk around in the pool and tend to use the time to think about things. As I was walking, I just happened to look to the side, just in time to see a big mosquito sitting there biting me. Needless to say, the mosquito was soon floating on top of the water dead. I had no idea that the mosquito was biting me until I happened to see it when I was just looking around. Isn't that how it usually is? Oftentimes, you don't realize that you're being bitten by mosquitoes until later that night or the next day when you are itchy. There they are, sucking out some of your blood and you don't even know it. You sure find out about it later, though.

Blood is often thought of as a source of life. I guess that's because without it, you'd be dead. Sometimes when people are injured and bleeding, they have to be careful to stop the bleeding as soon as possible, lest they lose too much blood and pass out, die, or some other adverse effect.

Now, I know that the mosquitoes aren't going to suck out so much blood that you fall over dead (or are even weakened, for that matter), but I still want to use it as an example today. How often do we allow something or someone (“the enemy”) to suck out a little bit of life from within you (perhaps so little that it's seemingly unnoticeable) and we think nothing of it or don't even feel it? If you are a Christian, God has filled you with Life through His Spirit. His Life is both everlasting and abundant. This Life empowers you to live for God. He fills you with strength, peace, and joy. You can rejoice and live for Him no matter what. But there is an enemy that doesn't want you to have such abundant life. You will run into many temptations that may entice you to turn from that Life and back to where you were—in sin and death.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

It seems pretty simple: God gives you abundant life and the thief steals abundant life. Now, if you are tempted and fail in some huge way and you see massive sin in your life as a result, it's like having some huge gash on your arm and blood is just gushing out. If it's not stopped, you'd bleed to death. There wouldn't be any more life in you. In much the same manner, I think it would be pretty obvious to you that you were no longer filled with God's abundant life, but rather sin and death. However, when instead of a huge gash on your arm, you only have a little mosquito, you might not even notice. You'd certainly not be in any hurry to seek first aid, because you wouldn't think you were in any life-threatening situation. You just lost a little speck of blood, after all. So, maybe there is something bothersome in your life that you are letting wear at you a little bit. Maybe there are times when you doubt God (but just a little bit). Or, maybe the enemy is telling you lies about your faith in God or about your prayers not being answered and you're beginning to believe the lies (but just a little bit). It's like you have mosquitoes drawing out a little bit of life, a little bit of strength, slowly wearing you down, draining your faith, ever so slightly destroying what God has done in you. The mosquitoes begin to steal your joy. They take away a bit of peace. How much is just a little bit and how much is too much? Why do we become concerned when we have a huge gash but don't seem to notice the little tiny mosquitoes stealing from us?

The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The Lord comes so that you might have life...and have it more abundantly!

Pray Always (Aug 17)

1 Thessalonians 5:17

17 Pray without ceasing.

I've spoken before on this scripture, I believe. Pray without ceasing. I told you before that prayer is your connection with God. It is your line of communication with the creator and master of all things. It is in prayer and in the Word that you will truly know God. It is then that you can make your requests known to God and also praise and worship Him. It is also then that He will speak to you. How can you live without prayer? That's why the scriptures tell us to always pray. Today I want to look at another aspect of that verse, though. Pray without ceasing. Don't quit. Keep praying and don't give up. Maybe you don't see an answer to your prayer right away and you feel like giving up. Maybe you have worried and worried about some difficult things in your life and you don't see a solution. Maybe you're looking at some impossible situations and you want to throw up your hands and say, “I quit!” Have faith. Trust God and don't give up. He is faithful. He will come through in the end.

Luke 18:1-8 NIV

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.' 4 For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'" 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

You see, this unjust judge wouldn't listen to this lady that kept coming to him looking for justice. Finally he heard her and saw to it that her needs were met, not because he cared about her or wanted to do the right thing, but because he couldn't take the incessant begging any longer. How much more will God hear your continual prayer since He is not only just (unlike the judge), but He also loves you and cares about you and wants the best for you. Do you have faith? Will He find faith in those that come to Him to ask or are you praying heartless petitions? Sometimes people think that they have not given up because they are continuing to pray. But they have already given up in their hearts because their prayers are no longer backed by faith. They continue to rattle out the words, but the words no longer have any meaning to them.

James 5:16

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.

Are your prayers not accomplishing anything? Where's your heart? If you have a hidden sin in your heart, you cannot have communion with God and your prayers will be empty words echoing through your own ears. Do you have an issue with someone? You need to take care of that so that your heart can also be right with God. What prayer gets results? The effectual (able to produce a desired effect), fervent (marked by great intensity of feeling, zealous) prayers of a righteous (free from guilt or sin) man.

Don't give up! Keep praying always! Don't resort to worrying or figuring out how you'll fix things yourself or turn to other people! Keep coming and asking God! Just be sure that your prayers are effectual and fervent and that your heart and life are righteous before God!!! Then you will see the power of God!

Hurts Will Be Healed (Aug 10)

2 Chronicles 7:13-14

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We've often shared the verse, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” and we speak of God's abundant mercy to forgive you when you humble yourself, pray, and seek Him. But what does it mean when God says that He will heal their land? I included the previous verse, because although it is not as well known, it definitely puts things in context. God speaks of judgments, trials, and pestilence that is send from Him. Then, He says, if people humble themselves before Him and repent, they will be forgiven and the hurt from the trials will be healed. Today we want to look at the healing power of God.

If you've ever gotten hurt, I'm sure that you looked forward to the healing of the injury. I once broke my hand and found it to be an inconvenience to wear a cast for three weeks, but I knew (through numerous x-rays) that the injury was slowly healing. After the cast came off, I had to tape a couple of my fingers together for another few weeks and limit myself to light-weight tasks, but once again, the healing was almost complete. Now, my hand is fine. Imagine how troublesome it would be if that injury was never healed. Of course, as soon as it happened, I was looking forward to the healing. I didn't want to remain in that broken condition any longer than I had to. I have a friend that injured her shoulder. After numerous surgeries and therapies, it seems that the injury keeps coming back. Sometimes it never seems to get any better—the injury persists. I know that she must be frustrated. She wants so much for it to be healed, but the injury persists. I can't imagine having a persistent injury like that and I certainly can't imagine being in such a condition and not wanting it to be gone (not wanting healing).

I can't explain why some people have injuries and some people don't, or why some people have diseases or other hardships when others seem to get a smoother ride. I want to focus more on the healing of spiritual and emotional hurts. Maybe you have heard God calling you in the past, but you have ignored His voice and followed your own way instead. Or perhaps you used to follow God, but have been more or less taking a different course lately. You feel that pain in your heart as you are convicted of your failings. Maybe God has sent some trials or judgments to reveal to you the error of your ways. These things are devastating; they hurt and are frustrating. But God says that if you humble yourself, and pray, and seek his face, and turnheal that which is scarred by the pestilence. Maybe you have some emotional hurts or have been through difficult times. I believe that God wants to heal you, too. I have seen some difficult times when locusts, in the form of people, have come in to devour and destroy me and everything around me. You look around at the devastation left in their path and sometimes it seems as if even others don't even see it. Where do you go? How do you even begin to put things back together and fix the things that are broken? Maybe it seems hopeless! I believe in a God that says that He will heal the land!
from your wicked ways, then He will hear you: He will forgive your sin and

Luke 5:18-25

18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.

Sometimes, when Jesus healed someone, he first asked, “What do you want me to do?” and the person would respond that they desired to be healed. In this case, Jesus saw the peoples' faith and forgave the man's sins. When people were shocked in disbelief, Jesus said that it was just as easy for Him to heal the palsy as it was for Him to heal of the sins. To illustrate this point, He healed the man and he was able to get up and walk. If you are spiritually or emotionally hurt today, you can come to Jesus and when He asks what you want from Him, you can ask for healing. He is both willing and able to do this. But first, you must humble yourself. Set aside the pride and selfishness and seek the Lord and pray to Him. Turn from your wicked ways (we call that repentance of sins) and lay your whole life in God's hands. He will hear your cry. He will forgive you and heal you. He will not just forgive you of your sins and give you a new heart and life, but He will also restore that which has been destroyed by the enemies of God. Rejoice in the healing power of God!!!

Flesh or Spirit? (Aug 3)

Romans 8:5-17

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Are you living after the flesh or after the spirit? Are you working your way towards death or towards life and peace? Does your life please God or does it displease Him? Is the Spirit of God dwelling in you or do you have no part with Him? This scripture gives us much insight towards answering these questions. Examine your own heart. Examine your own life. Do you mind the things of the flesh or of the spirit? Sure, you may be a member of a church and call yourself a Christian. Perhaps sometimes you're nice to people and you do some of the things that would be expected of a Christian. But is the Spirit of God dwelling in you? Have you been given new life through Christ? Just because you come to church, read your Bible, sing songs at church, and maybe even have some things to share with other people, it doesn't mean that you please God. The scripture says that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The carnal mind is enmity against God. You may say that you love God (although perhaps half-heartedly) and that you are fighting “on His side”, but in fact if you do not have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you are actually fighting against Him, as an enemy. Examine yourself to see if what you say about your life is real. You see, the Spirit of God raised up Jesus from the dead. If that same Spirit dwells in you, you will also be given new life. This life will be a different life than before. You will be a different person. You won't continue to lie, hate, cheat, be selfish, hurt people, fall to bad temptations, or otherwise be sinful. The life in you will be pure Godly life.

2 Chronicles 7:14

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

If you find yourself to be “of the flesh” and not godly, there is hope! You don't have to stay that way, shrug your shoulders, and resign yourself to a life of death. You can have true life and peace! Humble yourself and pray. Repent, turning from your sin, and turn to God and he will hear you. He will forgive you and heal your heart.

Life of the flesh tends to be selfish and be about things that will satisfy you, even if that means hurting someone else. Life of the flesh will ignore God's word when He calls you to do things that you don't really want to do. It is often deceitful and fake. Life of the spirit glorifies God. This life is surrendered to Him and all of His ways. It is obedient to the call of the Lord, no matter where it may take you. Life of the spirit looks to put to death the old fleshly life and live only for God. Life of the spirit is not just calling yourself a Christian and doing a few Christiany things, but rather it is a life and heart change. And because of that life change in you, you will now be pleasing to God, a child of God, an heir in His righteousness. It will be a life that glorifies God. This change will be evident in all of your life, including your attitude and countenance. So, how will this indwelling Spirit of God be evident in your life?

Romans 12:9-21 (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is a pretty good description of what it means to life the Christian life. Remember, your life does not dictate your Christianity (or relationship with God), but your Christianity (or relationship with God will dictate your life. In other words, if you evaluate your life and relationship with God right now and find yourself lacking, doing a bunch of good stuff or trying to do all the stuff in this scripture above does not somehow make you a better Christian. But if you humble yourself before God and trust in Him, He will work in your heart and you'll then, as a result, see these things in your life.