"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3 John 2
We live in a world that often teaches that the best way to get ahead is to sabotage the other guy. Some misguided souls will even pray against your success and well-being. That's why it is good to know that we serve a God who rewards those who care about others. In the 3rd chapter of the Book of 1 Kings verses 5-15, God appears to King Solomon in a dream. In the dream, God says to Solomon, "...Ask what I shall give thee." (1Kings 3:5) Instead of going through a laundry list of items he wanted for himself, he instead asked God for something else. "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (1 Kings 3:9) Solomon had a one on one audience with God and his only thought was for the people he was assigned to lead. He didn't ask God to make them all obey or to strike down those who rebelled, instead he asked for an "understanding heart to judge thy people". God was so moved by Solomon's request, that He blessed him far more than he could have ever imagined. "And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches , and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days." (1 Kings 3:13) God rewards those who pray for and serve others. Therefore let not your heart be troubled by the actions of others, continue to pray to God and do God's will. Just remember Jesus' promise to those who follow Him. "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." Mark 10:29-30
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Who is Your Father?
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence." 1 Corinthians 26-29
In recent years many of us have seen or experienced with much pain and sadness the fall of men and women of faith whom we have held in high esteem. We deemed them special and often idolized them due to their ability to preach and teach the Word of God. Far too often the fall of that individual led to a falling away of the flock. This frequently happens because we have not truly hidden the word in our hearts. The Apostle Paul clearly states in verses 26-29 of 1 Corinthians 1 that God chooses flawed individuals purposely. God knows that flesh will fail, it always has, from Adam through today. God wants to make it easy for us to distinguish between the man or woman He uses and Himself. Yet we insist upon worshipping the individual which only leads to heartbreak. It is not a new problem. Paul writes, "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:4-7 The glory is God's alone. He is the source of all that is good in our lives. Appreciate those who are submitted to God, but do not allow them to become a stumbling block between you and God. Examine your faith. If something happens in your life, do you go to God first or your idol? I am not saying that you should not seek wise counsel, but let your first response be prayer. Christ is the ultimate intercessor. He sits on the right hand of the Father and pleads our case. Remember, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 Finally, we would all be wise to heed the words of Jesus, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:8-9
In recent years many of us have seen or experienced with much pain and sadness the fall of men and women of faith whom we have held in high esteem. We deemed them special and often idolized them due to their ability to preach and teach the Word of God. Far too often the fall of that individual led to a falling away of the flock. This frequently happens because we have not truly hidden the word in our hearts. The Apostle Paul clearly states in verses 26-29 of 1 Corinthians 1 that God chooses flawed individuals purposely. God knows that flesh will fail, it always has, from Adam through today. God wants to make it easy for us to distinguish between the man or woman He uses and Himself. Yet we insist upon worshipping the individual which only leads to heartbreak. It is not a new problem. Paul writes, "For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God giveth the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:4-7 The glory is God's alone. He is the source of all that is good in our lives. Appreciate those who are submitted to God, but do not allow them to become a stumbling block between you and God. Examine your faith. If something happens in your life, do you go to God first or your idol? I am not saying that you should not seek wise counsel, but let your first response be prayer. Christ is the ultimate intercessor. He sits on the right hand of the Father and pleads our case. Remember, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 Finally, we would all be wise to heed the words of Jesus, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:8-9
Friday, May 29, 2009
Are you telling the devil to try harder?
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
At the beginning of the popular movie "Hitch", the title character says that women often turn down men for dates by giving answers that seem like a rejection but actually have a hidden meaning. The character, Hitch, proposes that what many women are really saying amongst other things is, "try harder stupid". In many ways we as Christians do the same thing. In the Book of Judges we are introduced to the Nazarite (meaning separated or dedicated) Samson who is indeed submitted to God. "For lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come to his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Judges 13:5) Where Samson ran into trouble was in relation to the second sentence of James 4:7. You see Samson, who was used mightily by God had a thing for a gold digger by the name of Delilah. (Judges 16:4-5) As a result instead of resisting or walking away from her, he continued to entertain the devils of adultery, lust, fornication and seduction by flirting or playing games. (Judges 16: 6-14) You see Samson thought he had everything under control. But James said it best, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) And being unstable, Samson fell and suffered greatly. (Judges 16: 15-21) The enemy is persistent. Satan will wait you out, for he knows that if you flirt with him long enough you will eventually fall. Ask yourself this question: have I resisted the devil or am telling him to try harder stupid? Perhaps you haven't done anything physical, but are you sending mixed messages? Flirting is not harmless. The more time you spend with someone the more you tend to let your guard down. If you have fallen, do not despair. There is still hope. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5 Just as God redeemed Samson, God can redeem you. (Judges 16:22-30) Take comfort in Jesus' words to Peter, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22: 31-32
At the beginning of the popular movie "Hitch", the title character says that women often turn down men for dates by giving answers that seem like a rejection but actually have a hidden meaning. The character, Hitch, proposes that what many women are really saying amongst other things is, "try harder stupid". In many ways we as Christians do the same thing. In the Book of Judges we are introduced to the Nazarite (meaning separated or dedicated) Samson who is indeed submitted to God. "For lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come to his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." (Judges 13:5) Where Samson ran into trouble was in relation to the second sentence of James 4:7. You see Samson, who was used mightily by God had a thing for a gold digger by the name of Delilah. (Judges 16:4-5) As a result instead of resisting or walking away from her, he continued to entertain the devils of adultery, lust, fornication and seduction by flirting or playing games. (Judges 16: 6-14) You see Samson thought he had everything under control. But James said it best, "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) And being unstable, Samson fell and suffered greatly. (Judges 16: 15-21) The enemy is persistent. Satan will wait you out, for he knows that if you flirt with him long enough you will eventually fall. Ask yourself this question: have I resisted the devil or am telling him to try harder stupid? Perhaps you haven't done anything physical, but are you sending mixed messages? Flirting is not harmless. The more time you spend with someone the more you tend to let your guard down. If you have fallen, do not despair. There is still hope. "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:5 Just as God redeemed Samson, God can redeem you. (Judges 16:22-30) Take comfort in Jesus' words to Peter, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22: 31-32
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Where is your focus?
"And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I annointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;" 2 Samuel 12:5-7
Although we often miss it, God often shows us the fault in others so that we might see the fault in ourselves and repent. In the 12th chapter of 2 Samuel, God sends Nathan to David with a parable of a rich man and a poor man. The rich man in the parable wrongs the poor man by taking his only lamb and killing it, this clearly angers David. It is only then that Nathan reveals to David that he is the rich man. David had been in denial about his sin because he was not forced to confront it. God, because of His great love for David would not allow him to continue down the path of destruction. In order to help David see his sin clearly, he had to first demonstrate the severity of the sin in a manner David could clearly identify with. Remember David had been a shepherd, so he understood the value of sheep. It was a matter dear to his heart. Once God put it to David in a manner he could relate to, God then revealed to David his own sin. God still teaches in the same way today. Have you ever left a church because the pastor gossiped and told half truths about you? Have you ever stopped and considered your sin in this situation? What, you say you were the victim? Perhaps, but ask yourself this question: Was it the first time the pastor gossiped or told a half truth (a lie)? Were you present when he gossiped about others? Did you look at your neighbor on the church pew and laugh or shake your head? Guess what, you were a willing accomplice in his sin. You enjoyed the gossip as long as it wasn't about you. However, when it was your turn it was wrong. Don't misunderstand, God is not telling you to go back to that church, but he is telling you that there may be some things you need to clean up in your own life. Take the focus off of the other person and put it back where it belongs. Remember what Jesus said, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Matthew 7:3
Although we often miss it, God often shows us the fault in others so that we might see the fault in ourselves and repent. In the 12th chapter of 2 Samuel, God sends Nathan to David with a parable of a rich man and a poor man. The rich man in the parable wrongs the poor man by taking his only lamb and killing it, this clearly angers David. It is only then that Nathan reveals to David that he is the rich man. David had been in denial about his sin because he was not forced to confront it. God, because of His great love for David would not allow him to continue down the path of destruction. In order to help David see his sin clearly, he had to first demonstrate the severity of the sin in a manner David could clearly identify with. Remember David had been a shepherd, so he understood the value of sheep. It was a matter dear to his heart. Once God put it to David in a manner he could relate to, God then revealed to David his own sin. God still teaches in the same way today. Have you ever left a church because the pastor gossiped and told half truths about you? Have you ever stopped and considered your sin in this situation? What, you say you were the victim? Perhaps, but ask yourself this question: Was it the first time the pastor gossiped or told a half truth (a lie)? Were you present when he gossiped about others? Did you look at your neighbor on the church pew and laugh or shake your head? Guess what, you were a willing accomplice in his sin. You enjoyed the gossip as long as it wasn't about you. However, when it was your turn it was wrong. Don't misunderstand, God is not telling you to go back to that church, but he is telling you that there may be some things you need to clean up in your own life. Take the focus off of the other person and put it back where it belongs. Remember what Jesus said, "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" Matthew 7:3
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
THE WAY
"Jesus saith unto, him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
Too often in the modern day church we trivialize the importance of Christ Jesus. In our rush (however well meaning we may be) to be close to God the Father we often neglect and over look God the Son. In our zeal to become: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) we often forget that the only sure and true way to the heart of the Father is through His Son. Like all children we all long for closeness with the Father. God also longs to be close to us. Yet we must not forget that while we were sinners, it was Christ who reconciled us to the Father. (Romans 5:8-10) In our hast to do the will of God, we should all remember 1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams." I will end with the Father's words to Peter, James and John, "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matthew 17:5
Too often in the modern day church we trivialize the importance of Christ Jesus. In our rush (however well meaning we may be) to be close to God the Father we often neglect and over look God the Son. In our zeal to become: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) we often forget that the only sure and true way to the heart of the Father is through His Son. Like all children we all long for closeness with the Father. God also longs to be close to us. Yet we must not forget that while we were sinners, it was Christ who reconciled us to the Father. (Romans 5:8-10) In our hast to do the will of God, we should all remember 1 Samuel 15:22 "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams." I will end with the Father's words to Peter, James and John, "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." Matthew 17:5
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