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Archive for May, 2011

A Man In Whom Is The Spirit

19 May

Numbers 27:15-18 –  15 Moses said to the LORD, 16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

 18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

Joshua was a man who took God at his word.  Only two of the twelve that went out to survey the Promised Land did believe the Lord.

Numbers 14:6-9 –  6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Joshua was in the spirit.  He listened to God and he believed God.

Today we have the Holy Spirit.  Couple that with someone who knows God’s true Word and doesn’t try changing it, who believes it whole-heartedly and you have man like Joshua.

What did Joshua do?  He led God’s people.

What does a man do who believes God fully at his Word who’s filled with the spirit?  He leads God’s people.

Study the Word of God, seek the Holy Spirit, and obey the Lord.  You don’t have to lead the whole Israelite community.  Even if one leads a Bible Study or one’s own family is a leader.  Today hear his voice and obey Him.  One brick at a time leads to stronger more sturdy life in Him.

 

How Should We Be Living Today? Part 2

18 May

Yesterday we spoke on the parable which says it is good for those who keep watch for Him and live that way.  Today we will read what Paul has to say in 1 Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8-  1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

Two messages here from Paul.  First, if you’re paying attention, you won’t be caught off guard like those in the darkness.  Second, we don’t live like those who are in the darkness.  Then he reminds us about the armor of God.

We are supposed to be looking for Jesus’ return. 

2 Timothy 4:8 –  8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Rewards from the Lord aren’t cheap.  A crown will be given for all those who were looking for Him in the past before they died, as well as for those who will be when He comes. 

Important?

It really is too bad, because I have talked to many people that their answer is something like this, “When He comes, He comes.  Since I can’t control that I will not let that affect me on how I live my life.”

If you knew He was coming in a month, how would you live your life?  If the Master comes back and finds His servants doing His work and will, it will be good.  If He comes back and they are out in the crowd going berserk like Moses had some of the Israelites doing when he came back to the camp after receiving the Ten Commandments, it won’t be so good for those people.  At least not from what I read.

We need to be children of the Light.

 

How Should We Be Living Today? Part 1

17 May

It’s possible I have written on this topic in this past, but I’m sure it won’t be the last time.

Let’s say you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow.  How would you act?

Let’s say you knew Jesus was coming back a month from now?  How would you act?

There is a good reason for asking that, because His imminent return is supposed to keep us living in the right direction.

Luke 12:35-40- 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Keep Watch!  The Bible is always encouraging us to keep watch and be ready.  This isn’t idleness.  On the contrary we are supposed to be trying to share the gospel and live for Jesus.

Too many people will answer like this, “I just don’t worry about it.  It will happen when it happens.”

Is that what it says on how were supposed to be living? 

Here are the warning just two verses further.

Luke 12:42-48- 42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

   47 “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

The warning I see here is the believer that mixes himself in with the other believers to the point that you would never pick them out of the crowd by looking into it.  You wouldn’t pick them out even after talking to all of them.

Some will say, “Well I’m supposed to inner mingle with others that don’t believe.”  True to a point, however, you are supposed to be a light in the darkness.  The light you bring allows them to see.

Tomorrow we will finish up this post.

 

Who’s Responsible For The Death Of Jesus?

16 May

Was it the Romans?

Was it the Jews?

Ultimately both are incorrect.

Man, as a sinful lost soul doomed for hell is responsible for Christ coming and dying on the cross.

Romans 5:12-18-12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.

We’re talking about God in the flesh.  He didn’t have to die, but chose to.  No one could have put Jesus to death had the Lord not allowed it to happen.

What an evil pathetic thing anti-Semitism is towards the Jews from the church. 

Think about this:

If Christ was not crucified and rose from the dead, we are still unsaved and doomed for hell.  So what is up with a man who claims that Jesus is his Savior and yet wants to hate the Jews for putting Him on the cross?

It makes no sense.  However, evil makes no sense.  All things evil have one thing in common; they are actions or thoughts contrary to how God is.  That’s the gauge of good and evil.

Who’s responsible for Jesus dying on the cross?  We are!  Thank you Lord, for loving us enough to die for us.

 
 

Quote – Augustine

14 May

He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.
Augustine

Ah yes.  Jesus the Word of God helped create us all with the Father.

John 1:1-3 – 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.  3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Genesis 1:26 – 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Whose blood is sufficient to cover your sins?  That’s right, God’s blood.

 

There Is A Famine In This Country

13 May

No, it isn’t food.  Most of us are hardly starving and I’m as guilty as any making sure of that.

The famine is for the Word of God.

This lack of nutrition leads to spiritual starvation.

Luke 11:27-28 –  27 As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”

 28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

How can we obey it if we don’t know it?  If people don’t know it, how can they be blessed for obeying it?

We need to stay in the Word of God and continue to teach our children as well.

 

Do You Know What You Can Teach A Know It All?

12 May

Matthew 11:25-26-  25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Ah yes the wise and the learned.   We see this in life don’t we.  When we are kids we’re like a sponge.  For kids who respect their parents, what they say is the gospel.  Then what happens?  We become independent and are capable of making our own determinations and findings.  The ears become numb to what we don’t want to hear or how it’s delivered.

I was the smartest in my life at the age of 18.  I had it all figured out.  I was peaking at my genius capability.  And then……….?  Reality!  My folks weren’t so stupid after all.

It works the same way with God.  We all try to take charge instead of being like children and taking what He says as the Gospel.  We need to think the way He thinks.  The only shot we have to be able to come close on that is to study and obey the Word of God. 

The simple answer you already know is, you can’t teach a know-it-all anything.

 

To Mock The Christ When You’re a Top Figure

11 May

Mark 15:31-32 – 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

These were the teachers of the law and chief priests?  What were they looking for?

In essence they were looking for what THEY wanted.  They wanted the Christ that was going to make them #1 in the world again.  Anything else was not acceptable.  They had high standards and high hopes. 

So where did they go wrong? 

Self esteem and positive thinking is taught to be pretty important today.  They were doing that.  Work hard and don’t accept second best.  They were doing that.  Try to live by strict rules and only bend the ones that were beneficial.  Today we are doing that and so were they.

So what did they miss?  What happened that the priesthood would miss the Messiah and Savior of the world?  Not only miss Him, but be responsible for crucifying Him?

It’s real simple.  They weren’t interested in the Word of God or the scriptures.

The prophets all foretold of a suffering Messiah.  To have known the scriptures one couldn’t miss who they were looking for.  However, when you’re looking for something else, say something different than the Word of God, you can’t possibly know what to look for.

Today finding a church that accepts God’s Word as fact is hard to find.  This world is ripe to not be ready for the return of Jesus.

Why?  Because they don’t know what it says concerning the time of the end. 

It was prophesied the first time Christ came that He would be betrayed and crucified.  The second time he comes this is what Peter says the church has to say along with others.

2 Peter 3:3-4 – 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Without following God’s Word, man is always capable of not being ready or capable of not following what God’s wants from us. 

How do you think the High Priests that actually were responsible for killing Jesus feel today?  True their hearts were evil and were not seeking God, but billions of people have lived and they were there first hand and made the decision to execute the King. 

We don’t want to be the ones caught off guard on His second coming.  Know the Word.  Know the signs.  Get to know your Lord before your time is up here on this earth.  There is a large remnant living in this world ,which are part of the Wide Road that leads to destruction.  If it weren’t so the Bible wouldn’t say so.  (Matthew 7:13-14)

Know the Word and get prepared.

 

Your Heavenly Reward Is Not Based On Worldly Accomplishments

10 May

The rewards that we are going to get from Jesus are not going to be based on all your hard worldly work.  Your 401k is not a gage on your heavenly retirement.  The employee of the month plaques for a job well done at the work place are staying behind.

 1 Corinthians 3:9-15- 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

The foundation is Jesus. 

Throughout we read of the parables Jesus taught. 

Parable of the Sower – The first too examples either don’t understand or quickly fall away.  The other two read like this.

Matthew 13:22-23   – 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

In rewards talk I see this parable in our world today.  I see missionaries and pastors out there giving up their lives for the love of the Father and wanting to have others come to know the Lord.  They are trying to produce a crop.  I see many others trying to produce a worldly kingdom.  Those things usually take our focus off God.

We also see it in the parables of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) and Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27).  In both cases they were entrusted with a certain amount and the ones who produced were rewarded with much more.  Both times the one that wasn’t entrusted with much at all and didn’t produce was casted out and it was taken away from him.

We need to serve the King.  The devil is the one whispering in your ear to serve yourself.  He is a thief, liar, and murderer. 

Do you want the most sure fire way to hear God’s voice?  It’s in His Word.  You can read and hear it as much as you like.

Your reward is based on your work, just not the work your doing for yourself or the world.  It’s based on what you’re doing for the Kingdom.  How much you love the Lord.  Are prayer warrior?  That’s working for the Kingdom.  Are you doing things for people in His name? 

No one gets paid to milk the cow if he is a computer programmer.  Another doesn’t get paid for picking up rocks out in a field if he is a waiter.  You get rewarded when you accomplish work in the right area.  The Lord wants to reward us all.  Pray and seek what it is He wants you do and start today.  Your loving work for the Lord will only draw you closer to Him.

 

The Church Has Really Lowered The Bar

09 May

The Word of God is full of living words that we are supposed to live by.  Anymore the Churchas a whole just says know the name of Jesus and you don’t have to know anything more.  Is that true?  If it were, there are a lot of wasted words printed all the way through the Bible on how we are supposed to act, treat others as well as serve the Lord. 

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 – 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”

Warnings galore!  If we are honest with ourselves almost everyone is guilty of the very things were being warned about throughout the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 –   1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

This isn’t about having a witch hunt for those who are not perfect.  We all need to read these words and try to improve on them in our lives.  Help others realize that it is important to God.

We are in the last days.  Look at that list.  I’ve had to work on a third of those myself because the world is teaching that it’s the way of success.

Check out some of these.  Don’t pass over them and don’t take them lightly, because the last sentence states have nothing to do with THEM.

Lovers of Themselves – plenty of books to accomplish this one.
Lovers of Money – you don’t even have to have it to love it.  What makes you tick?
Lovers of Pleasure rather than Lovers of God – Ouch.  We love our recreation.  We pay lots to do it and plenty of time getting it done.  Where is time with God on the pie chart?  Big piece?  Small sliver?

Our walk is a journey.  We don’t want to walk backwards or sideways.  We lose a lot of time and ground that way in our relationship with the Lord.  We don’t need to become discouraged either, but motivated by knowing that we have a guideline to follow and today is the day we take a new step towards pleasing God, not ourselves.