Forewarned is Forearmed

James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

There is a natural progression to sin and death. James saw this and he warned us about it. The question is, "What shall we do?" James also tells us not to blame God, He is not responsible for our faults or bad judgement. In fact, nothing but good can come from God. So where does this all come from?

Paul gives us a clue in Romans when he laments that there is a battle inside of him between the 'old man' before Christ came to abide with His Holy Spirit and between the 'new man'; the time after his conversion to Christianity. This is where the problem lies. Again, the question remains, "What shall we do?".

Fortunately God does provide an out for all of us. Paul states in Ephesians 6:10-20:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Let no one say that bad things come from the Lord and let no one say they were not warned about the consequences of bad choices and sin. Above all, let no one say that the Lord abandoned them and left them with no instruction or tools with which to avoid such behavior.

Dig deep within yourself and within God's word. You will find the answer. Always He is with us. Always he is just a prayer away. He always will be there waiting...waiting...with open arms.

Blessings all!

Not as Orphans

Not as Orphans

Text: John 14:16-20
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.  On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 

One of my favorite chapters is John 14 where Jesus is comforting His disciples before His death on the cross.   He was giving them valuable information, which  at the time, I doubt that they understood until much later on.  However we, having the benefit of hindsight, can look at this and realize what a gift Jesus was giving.

But I wonder if we really, truly understand what Jesus was saying to his disciples and by extension, to us today?

1) I will ask the Father
Jesus himself will be interceding for us. This is not something we initiate. This is something God does for us.  Just like our physical lives, our spiritual life is also in god's hands and in His control.  This is how it should be. Your own experiences tell you this is right.  What has happened to your life each and every time you have tried to control it?  If you are like me, you've made a mess of things.  it is only when I have yielded my life over to God that things started taking a turn for the better.  Do not be too hasty to be captain of your own ship. Running upon rocks is far to easy to do.

2) he (The Father) will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.
 This gift that Jesus will ask the Father for will be a) An advocate.  One who will defend us. A barrister who will be with us whenever we are accused of something. He will defend us. His sole purpose it to b) help us when we cannot help ourselves. This defense will not cost us a dime.  It is given freely by the Father because Jesus has asked for it. And importantly, c) (He will) be with you forever!  This is a big deal! Not only do we have an advocate and helper free of charge, but He will be with us forever...not just until we die...God transcends that...it is forever.  I take Jesus at His word.  The Spirit of Truth will be with us...forever. We know this advocate as the Holy Spirit.

3) This gift is not for the world.  It is for people who believe in Jesus.  
 Jesus was talking to his disciples whom he had chosen and who believed in his message. These were people who had an intimate relationship with him and whom he had given a mission to spread the Good News and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 4) Because I live, you also will live.
 Jesus was talking about his death, burial and resurrection. Because He will live after His death, we will also live! Death has no hold over Jesus and neither will it conquer us. Because Jesus will live on, we will also live on. We are not certain how this will be, nor are we certain when this will be, but we can be certain that it WILL BE. I trust in Jesus.  He has never lied. He is capable of bringing to pass, whatever promise He makes.

We who believe in Him today are included in this promise. We all have an intimate relationship with Jesus; we all are given the the Holy Spirit as a seal of our relationship and redemption; we are all given a mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus to all the world. 

On that day, the day of our redemption, we  realized that Jesus was in the Father and we are in Jesus and he is in us.  In other words, all of us...God the Father, Jesus, the Hold Spirit and us...are related..forever...and ever...Amen!

I would strongly suggest you ponder these words that Jesus has left us. It is truly amazing information which will help you understand the unique relationship that you and I have with the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen?

Blessings All!

Reflections

Reflections

Yesterday in church, the Pastor during the prayer time, opened the floor up to anyone who wanted to say what they were thankful for in 2011.  Very appropriate, although my first thought was, "Where do I begin?". Although I did not get up and speak, I guess because I was so overwhelmed at the thought, it did spur me to write this and share with you some of the things I was thankful for this past year.  I am hopping that it will also nudge you into thinking about the same.  It is always good to reflect!

I am thankful for my family. My dear wife, who by the way, has decided to stay with me at least one more year. This will be year 37. She has trouble making up her mind. :-) But besides my wife, I have 3 wonderful sons, 2 of them are married to wonderful women who have made them better people.  My youngest son is now in a relationship which I pray will lead to marriage as well.  We met his significant other and are thrilled with her!  She really is a a person who makes my son a better man. Seriously. He needs her, even if he can not see it now. This is another thing for me to pray about.

I also have 6 wonderful grandchildren. Each one is a blessing.  I often say that if I knew that having grandchildren was so fun, I would have skipped having children and would have gone straight to the grand-kids part. Others have pointed out my folly on this, but I still maintain the concept.

I am thankful for my brother.  I have written about him in the past.  He continues to be an inspiration to me. I appreciate his love for the LORD.

I am thankful for my church family...and it is a family.  We share each others struggles and pains, but we also rejoice when one of us is lifted up and blessed.  It is such an important and meaningful part of my life, I simply cannot put is aside.  I pray that each one reading this would have the kind of church family that I have. Just a blessing!

I continue to be amazed at how the LORD works. Not only in my life, but in those around me as well.  I am doubly astounded when He works with me.  I would probably have given up long ago. But He continues to inspire me and works with me so that I can become the kind of man He wants me to be.  I am forever grateful about that!  I hope you are too as He works with you.

I could go on and on and on and...well, you get my point.  We must all stop sometimes and just count our blessings, don't we?  It is so easy to get caught up in the negative things of life. So easy to become bitter and doubtful, we must always encourage one another to see the good that God has done.

Make no mistake, these blessings are not my own. I have not earned them. They have been given to me to share. So dear friends, why don't you take some time and write your own blessings down and share them as well.  I find when I am feeling down, or when things are not going my way, just pulling them out and reflecting on them is a great way to put everything back into perspective...everything back on the right track.

Try it out and see if is will work for you too.  I am confident that it will because God is Good! Happy reflections.

Blessings all!

The BEST Resolution is not

The BEST Resolution is not

Philippians 3:13-15

¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are ^[a]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

This is the time that everyone makes resolutions on how they will be improving during the coming year.  I don't know about you, but how has that worked out in the past? Mine, not so much.

So instead of making a resolution this year I instead want to have an attitude...a mindset. Promises have not worked in the past..it is doubtful they will work in the future.  What I really want to do is wait for God...not just wait, but wait expectantly.  There is a big difference.

Paul said to the Philippians that he is continuing to press on.  He had not attained his goal yet, but he pressed on in order that he might attain it..in God's time. What is we had the same attitude?  What is we forgot the past? What if we realized that we have not attained our goal, and that we can never attain our goal with out God's help? Would that change our attitude? Of course it would!  I might add that it takes the pressure off of us and puts it squarely on God...just where it needs to be!

So clearly, my exhortation to you is to not even make a resolution.  But my all means, keep on pressing forward with the expectancy that Paul had.  Knowing that God is in control and HE will guide you and make you the kind of person HE wants ...the kind of person He needs you to be. Just the kind of person you want to be!

So remember: The best resolution is not...

Happy New Year!

Blessings All!

Faith of a Shepherd

Faith of a Shepherd

Luke 2: 15-18

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

This Christmas eve service, the Pastor used Luke 2:1-7 as the Scripture verse. But I was captivated by what followed. Let me explain.

The Shepherds who were out in the field that night so many years ago were the first people to learn of the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus. At first they were afraid when the angels all appeared to them announcing the birth of the Messiah. But after they were assured by the angels that they were only there to announce them the most amazing thing ever that would be a blessing to all mankind, they overcame their fear and they decided to investigate further and to see this miracle which was born in Bethlehem.

The Scripture says that they hurried off and found Mary, Joesph and the baby, lying in a manger. But they did not stop there, oh no! They then went back and told everyone they could find about the baby and what the angels had told them about Him!  Everyone was amazed at what they said...these simple nomadic sheepherders who normally probably never said a word to anyone, but now no one could stop there exuberance at what they had found. 

It occurs to me this a perfect picture of how God works today.  If we believe that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, then this story about the birth of Jesus is for us today.  Let me draw several parallels in how God works.

1) God is the one who initiates the miracle.

God is the one who made the birth happen in the first place. This was not initiated by man or by any agency.  It was straight from the Holy Spirit.  Our salvation is the same way. It is initiated by God by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It continues (sanctification) throughout our whole lives. But give thanks to God because of His inexpressible gift! The gift of Jesus.  The true meaning and start of every Christian life.

2) God Uses ordinary people.

In the beginning, God used the shepherds who were just going about their business, but filled them with such joy!  This is really good news for us all because if you really think about it, who of us really deserves such a blessing as to be even told about the salvation that God offers. These humble sheepherders knew the significance of that fact. Do we today?

And finally,

3) They could not contain their joy. They HAD to tell everyone about what they themselves were told and what they knew to be true.

Luke 2:-17-18 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.

I wonder how many of those people that the sheepherders told actually believed what they said.  I don't think it mattered to the shepherds.  What they did, they had to do.  They were so amazed, so astounded, that they just had to tell someone.  They told everyone they came across. 

How about you? Have you heard the news of Jesus Christ? Has God visited you and told you about the salvation which is offered to you today through faith in Jesus?  If you have, then I assure you you are just like those shepherds so many years ago.  I cannot help but tell what the Lord Jesus means to me, and I bet, you are the same.

You see, God still is the same yesterday, today and forever. He still initiates the miracle; He still uses ordinary people who cannot contain their joy and then tell everyone else about Him and what He has done.  Isn't that comforting now that you know the real meaning of what happened in Bethlehem so many years ago?

Merry Christmas everyone!  Now go out with joy and tell someone about it!

Blessings All!

Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost a Cent

Eight Gifts That Do Not Cost a Cent

 

1.   The gift of LISTENING.  But you must really listen.  No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response.  Just listen.

 

2.   The gift of AFFECTION.  Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for your family and friends.

 

3.   The gift of LAUGHTER.   Clip cartoons.  Share articles and funny stories.  Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you".

 

4.   The gift of a WRITTEN NOTE.  It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.  A brief handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

 

 5.  The gift of a COMPLIMENT.  A simple and sincere, "You look great in red", "You did a super job", or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

 

6.  The gift of a FAVOR.  Every day go out of your way to do something kind.  And, when you know someone has a problem or is hurting, send up a prayer on his or her behalf each day.

 

7.  The gift of SOLITUDE.  There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

 

8.   The gift of a CHEERFUL DISPOSITION.  The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.  Really, it's not that hard to say "Hello" or "Thank you".

 

Hope I haven't been too "sappy" but thought some of these would be nice to think of and do sometimes. Another saying I like and live by is:

  

                DON'T LOOK BACK ON THOSE WHO LET YOU DOWN - CHERISH THOSE WHO HOLD YOU UP.   

Blessings All!

Who is Like the Wise?

Ecclesiastes 8

 ¹ Who is like the wise?
   Who knows the explanation of things?
A person’s wisdom brightens their face
   and changes its hard appearance.

Ecclesiastes is turning out to be one of my favorite books in the Bible.  It was hard for me in the beginning because I was looking at it from the wrong perspective. Maybe this has happened to you to. 

It is a difficult book to understand and to appreciate because I first thought it was so negative...that is until I read the whole book.  I then went back with a renewed perspective and re-read the book and pondered on each verse.  It really has made all the difference in the world.

Another thing which has really helped me is studying it with other Christians. We are using the book in our adult Sunday school class.  The wisdom and perspective that other people have brought to the study is amazing.  Try it yourself and see if that truth holds for you as well.  The Holy Spirit peaks through other people and their experiences and bring a fresh look to just about everything.

Who is like the wise?  They are those who embrace the thoughts, words and experiences of other people that God has touched in a special way.  It's not always about us.  It is always about Jesus and what He wants to do with us.

During this Christmas time, I challenge to to ponder on ways you can embrace other people and what they have to say and give. Bring them along on your journey...surround them with the love of Jesus. After all, didn't God do the same for us when He sent Jesus to that manger so many years ago? Didn't HE embrace us?  I did nothing to deserve salvation and yet He thought the world of me.  He brought me along on a womderful Journey...I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow!

Blessings All!