tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30551839009988208732024-03-19T00:01:55.160-04:00A Lifestyle of PeaceWhat is truth? Who is God? What is the meaning of life? On this blog we explore the interactions between Christianity and topics like culture, politics and philosophy. The word says we must love God and love others. Jesus Christ is God come to us; He is alive. God will call all of us to give an explanation of how we lived. Trust in Jesus and receive forgiveness; a new life. Stand for the truth. Glorify Christ in how you live. A new world awaits.Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comBlogger1122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-90590489613519672742024-03-19T00:01:00.003-04:002024-03-19T00:01:13.464-04:00How to Experience Conscious Contact with God <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AOaAC4m7oKH57CSlKm5PKO7xMYvXVF8ag9367FViVxhBxUyHv7srUKKBlKBnirQI4Ugx3Oojhuu1P9inO9abYIWmO2VjgqYIK3Kk_Jzepxr_JL70iE5PgeNJkASBxsCErpS2lSGuCA5UShOQHc-jfPMuyHEzA5eVxIc53ps2WxGzuNiD9AkUiPakLjU/s3840/7962095-William-Booth-Quote-I-will-tell-you-the-secret-God-has-had-all.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AOaAC4m7oKH57CSlKm5PKO7xMYvXVF8ag9367FViVxhBxUyHv7srUKKBlKBnirQI4Ugx3Oojhuu1P9inO9abYIWmO2VjgqYIK3Kk_Jzepxr_JL70iE5PgeNJkASBxsCErpS2lSGuCA5UShOQHc-jfPMuyHEzA5eVxIc53ps2WxGzuNiD9AkUiPakLjU/w640-h360/7962095-William-Booth-Quote-I-will-tell-you-the-secret-God-has-had-all.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />There was an evangelist of yesteryear named Wilbur Chapman. One day he was talking to William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army. <br /><br />Chapman asked Booth, “General Booth, God has used you in a great way. What is the secret of God’s use of you?” <br /><br />Booth moved the hair out of his face, looked at Chapman with his piercing eyes and said, “There have been men with greater brains than I, men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart, and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do with the poor of London, I made up my mind that He would have all of William Booth there was. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.’”" <br /><br />This started for William Booth when he was very young. At the age of fifteen Booth came to faith in Christ in a Methodist church. He wrote in his diary: ‘God shall have all there is of William Booth.’ <br /><br />Booth didn’t want to go half in, half out. He wanted to make sure God had full possession of him. <br /><br />That’s our <b>first point </b>for today, Let God have all of you. <br /><br />It makes me think of Mark 14:35-36, when Jesus wanted things changed. He wanted God to take the cup of the cross from him. It says… <br /><br />“And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” <br /><br />Letting God have all of you is this: When you disagree with God, not wanting to do what God says, but do it anyway. You say: “not my will, but yours be done.” <br /><br />That is the beginning of “God have all of me.” It’s surrender to God’s will. It’s letting Him be in control. <br /><br />This is a work of God in you. You can’t force it to happen. But you can cooperate with God in it. You can decide in prayer, as Booth did, that this is your goal in Christ. <br /><br />But God is doing the miracle. Let God do it! <br /><br />“As the Lord gradually begins to do this, to take full possession of you, it is true that you will begin to enjoy a sense of His presence. You will find that this sense of the Lord's presence will become very natural to you. Both the prayer with which you first began and a sense of His presence which comes with that prayer, will eventually become a normal part of your daily experience. An unusual serenity and peacefulness will gradually spread over your soul. Your whole prayer, your whole experience, will begin to enter upon a new level.” -Jeanne Guyon, ch. 12 <br /><br /><b>Second point</b>, the royal road to God having all of you in through basic prayer. Prayer is talking to God. I know most of you think of prayer as “God give me this, God help this person, God change this situation.” That is certainly a part of prayer. But prayer must go deeper then that. <br /><br />Prayer is more often for me, telling God how I’m feeling. Explaining to God about what I’m struggling with. Telling God about my emotions. Telling God stories about what happened today. Telling God what I’m worried about. Telling God about my dreams. Talking to God about my future plans. Talking to God about my friends and family. It’s a lot like a conversation. <br /><br />Let yourself begin to get excited about this conversation. Enjoy spending time with God. Sit down on your front porch, or balcony, or at the park, or by the river, and simply stare out into nature, and talk to God. Pray to God. Tell God about your problems. Make requests of Him. Invite Him to change you. <br /><br />It’s like putting your boat on the river. You don’t do a lot. You simply allow yourself to be in God’s presence. And then the current takes you. <br /><br />As you learn to pray more and more, talking to God in the morning, praying over meals, praying at night, praying at mid day, praying at church, and praying at home, eventually you’ll find that something changes. You’ll realize over time, wow, my entire day is turning into a dialogue with God. <br /><br />All day, in your mind, you’re talking to God. While you ride your bike, you’re talking to God. While you’re at work you’re talking to God. You’re whispering prayers to Him in your car. You’re whispering prayers to Him at home. You’re constantly engaging in conversation with God. Eventually even, it’s not just a prayer, it’s your heart crying out to Him. Not even in words. But in your emotions in your heart, your heart cries out to God throughout the day, and that becomes a prayer in itself. And it’s beautiful. <br /><br />That’s our <b>third point</b>, Prayer is a journey, a pathway, a road. It starts out very basic. I remember when I was a new Christian prayer seemed hard. I found it stressful to try to turn off the technology and just be quiet with God. It scared me. But slowly, I prayed for thirty seconds a day. Then it was a minute or two. Pretty soon it was five minutes, then seven minutes. And slowly but surely I went from near prayerlessness, to talking to God all day. <br /><br />It's like a river. As soon as you get on the river, you are moving in the new direction. God is in control. You simply let Him guide your prayer life ever-closer to Him. You follow the river, keeping clear of the edges, staying at the center, and allow the current to take oyu. <br /><br />As Jeanne Guyon said: “Let us say that you wish to reach the sea. How will you get there? You need to do nothing except this: embark upon a river. Eventually you will be carried to the sea without any trouble, without any self-effort.” -Jeanne Guyon, ch. 12 <br /><br />As you journey along the river of growing contact with God throughout the whole day, you’ll begin to experience God’s presence. <br /><br />At some point in your journey of prayer with God, you’ll begin to feel God’s presence all around you and within you. It is a feeling but it’s not just a feeling. It’s also a knowledge that God is with you. You know it. It’s real. And it’s true. <br /><br />Now God is with all Christians. But someone who has cultivated daily contact with God will experience the peace and joy of God’s presence because they’ve tuned themselves to it. <br /><br />They are in such intimate contact with God, they are tuned in to His presence, they feel Him, sense Him near, and enjoy His presence, power, and comfort. <br /><br />In times of deep prayer I will experience God’s presence in different ways. Sometimes it’s the fear of the Lord. I’m praying and I actually tremble with fear because I know the God of all is literally right there with me. Other times it’s a gentle peace a calmness that surrounds me. Other times it’s a joy, a joyousness where I just smile and enjoy being with him. Other times it a pleasure, a feeling of excitement and pleasure that I love God and God loves me. <br /><br />God works in our lives in so many different ways. Sometimes he encourages us, sometimes he rebukes us, sometimes he gives us peace, other times he tests us in difficulties and sorrows. Sometimes we tremble at the fear of God, other times we rejoice in the joy of God. It all depends on the day, the season, and what God is doing in us at the moment. <br /><br />That’s our <b>fourth point </b>today, as you cultivate continuous prayer with God throughout the day you’ll begin to experience God’s presence at times. <br /><br />With some saints they’ve cultivated a state of nearly always being in God’s presence, I think of Brother Lawrence who wrote <i>The Practice of the Presence of God</i>. He cultivated a state of constantly being in God’s presence. <br /><br />Through constant prayer we’re consistently turning ourselves toward God. We’re turning our faces toward His face. We’re seeking God’s face, which is to seek His presence, His will, and His guidance. And in that comes God’s presence. <br /><br />Let’s put it all together now. <br /><br />First, we decide that God must have all there is of me. So we make that our prayer. And we practice that, we apply that by doing God’s will even when we don’t want to. We say not my will, but your will be done God. That isn’t easy. But it’s worth it. <br /><br />We expand on that submission to God by cultivating basic prayer, second point. <br /><br />Third point, we expand on basic prayer by developing more and more prayer, until the entire day is a dialogue with God. <br /><br />Fourth point, as we cultivate that constant prayer with God throughout the day, we begin to experience at times the presence of God all around us, and within us. <br /><br />And lastly, point five, as we cultivate submission to God’s will, basic prayer, journey expanded prayer, and walk in the presence of God, we begin to experience conscious contact with God. <br /><br /><b>Point five</b>, conscious contact with God. What does that mean? It’s something Bill Wilson the founder of the twelve step movement said is essentially doing the next right thing. Knowing what God wants us to do and then doing. <br /><br />Bill Wilson wrote, “What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. Being still inexperienced and having just made conscious contact with God, it is not probable that we are going to be inspired at all times. We might pay for this presumption in all sorts of absurd actions and ideas. Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration. We come to rely upon it.” <br /><br />As we walk with God in this way, we’ll begin to experience inspiration, God will direct us. <br /><br />In other words, in our prayer times, and throughout the day, God will speak to us. That’s why it’s important in prayer to have quiet times, when you’ve prayed for a while, to stop, and just listen, and let God speak to you. <br /><br />“When you come to the Lord, gradually learn to have a quiet mind before Him. One of the most important things you can do is cease from any self-effort. In this way, God Himself can act all alone. It was the Psalmist speaking for the Lord who said, "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)” -Jeanne Guyon, ch. 12 <br /><br />You may experience this as an internal voice, an external voice (rare), a thought in your mind that grows strong, or a simple knowing, you just know what God is saying. Other times he’ll nudge you to open your Bible in that time, and he’ll lead you to a scripture that will speak directly into your situation. But always remember in this, nothing God says to you will contradict His word. And be cautious, there is a difference between God’s leading and your own internal voice. Lean to quiet yourself and listen.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One of the biggest mistakes I've made is thinking my own internal voice was God's voice, and I made some pretty dumb decisions in those times. It's usually hardest when we really want something. We substitute our voice for God's voice and then claim it came from God. But it didn't. It was us. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I think it takes an honest desire to authentically hear from God, whether it be a blessed word or a challenging word. Let God speak. Don't distort it with your own agenda. <br /><br />As you proceed down this royal road, this beautiful river of contact with God, you will have a back and forth between you and God going on in your life. God will hear you, but you will also hear Him. And then you will be a friend of God. One who hears from God on a daily basis. And that my friends, is amazing, glorious and far too rare. But it is the providence of every Christian, not just for a few elite. Any and every Christian can and should hear from God. <br /><br /><b>So let’s review our main points today: </b><br /><br />1. Let God have all of you (Seek to do His will, not your own) <br /><br />2. Do this through cultivating basic prayer (Set up prayer times in your life) <br /><br />3. As you do, you’ll begin to experience constant conversation with God (daily dialogue with God) <br /><br />4. As you do, you’ll experience His Presence (God’s Presence will flood in) <br /><br />5. As you do, you’ll experience conscious contact with God (Hearing from God Himself/Receiving guidance from Him)</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtpEP-Cp7ECtRSyS1TalUY9XH053dm7Hg_s7MZkGTEQowTYnbQTZlVK4wmg5ZNhQpmMBOvOEPBLgRnkncJYrgnAtDvWosyOIr01Tz-dkO9Jlxl_yQfH-dXES2Dc6jyoPA5phkC9AASBv3NkW4I0QuXdFBhT-adifsuCXZgb3Gpqq2ehJuhy8aML5DW-k/s355/good-inspirational-quotes_14523-6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="355" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtpEP-Cp7ECtRSyS1TalUY9XH053dm7Hg_s7MZkGTEQowTYnbQTZlVK4wmg5ZNhQpmMBOvOEPBLgRnkncJYrgnAtDvWosyOIr01Tz-dkO9Jlxl_yQfH-dXES2Dc6jyoPA5phkC9AASBv3NkW4I0QuXdFBhT-adifsuCXZgb3Gpqq2ehJuhy8aML5DW-k/w640-h420/good-inspirational-quotes_14523-6.png" width="640" /></a></div></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-73647944433905194702024-03-18T23:35:00.002-04:002024-03-18T23:35:32.848-04:00Seven Spiritual Gifts in the Body of Christ: What is yours? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWxgIpSh9etBevRyw1ExtCCs8tFJByU8wOjnIql4Euj4HUTEbmB8uDGvi5ha0GuCrJLZUT3068ztiILMGw77g1xv1VkQ3Uc0ItK9QDd1DMRuLwhh04dD9u3K-Ok4GXMeVrk_k7o1i18oQR0AiJyVXTXGlo3vvioEUfyp7ilt8IrX7_xD67uayPwMC9u0/s1200/20171130220713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWxgIpSh9etBevRyw1ExtCCs8tFJByU8wOjnIql4Euj4HUTEbmB8uDGvi5ha0GuCrJLZUT3068ztiILMGw77g1xv1VkQ3Uc0ItK9QDd1DMRuLwhh04dD9u3K-Ok4GXMeVrk_k7o1i18oQR0AiJyVXTXGlo3vvioEUfyp7ilt8IrX7_xD67uayPwMC9u0/w640-h360/20171130220713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf0UM1jzlvI9yQ7pZD9RisRudEXaEqyc0BANK5mGxzmYRKV9OaBiWPRUWlSbwW96V9WC-xbarLmQe4-T9reoSHKw8g6gRzCzNhSocpu9GOdp1u5VzaCAuYT9DgfAEMDc2l9ZyVNQunIRmOWik6YWW6mrsS0RGt6FvwihLxxXF78f-wRVL6IIV0OJLmPo/s2048/Data-Networks-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAf0UM1jzlvI9yQ7pZD9RisRudEXaEqyc0BANK5mGxzmYRKV9OaBiWPRUWlSbwW96V9WC-xbarLmQe4-T9reoSHKw8g6gRzCzNhSocpu9GOdp1u5VzaCAuYT9DgfAEMDc2l9ZyVNQunIRmOWik6YWW6mrsS0RGt6FvwihLxxXF78f-wRVL6IIV0OJLmPo/w640-h406/Data-Networks-small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo4FMudoyeFNdS6wXwS5M2vTboR6VJXRSp8L2ZJE6bLg45zW4fkHXLaZ_lQRW3gQQJ-L63bnXKcSEjy_X9LznmdZMm72vhyphenhyphenUAW1S21NhSj1ndhJovnXIgM-5mHtQ-uW2yPUkWpqksChPattAwnjjejP9DtyRZcuAWWRmM7jVDTKLVc26uj2K41WQVSBk/s2560/Organ-systems-in-humans-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2560" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo4FMudoyeFNdS6wXwS5M2vTboR6VJXRSp8L2ZJE6bLg45zW4fkHXLaZ_lQRW3gQQJ-L63bnXKcSEjy_X9LznmdZMm72vhyphenhyphenUAW1S21NhSj1ndhJovnXIgM-5mHtQ-uW2yPUkWpqksChPattAwnjjejP9DtyRZcuAWWRmM7jVDTKLVc26uj2K41WQVSBk/w640-h332/Organ-systems-in-humans-scaled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdoIz7xQH1JuoeVfVg5ocm1ISLsr8GbM_z9gD07lJi8jfRQhrCtE0zz1QYHLkQb9actQf5vj3H701mqIzedCZJGR5Yc4ZeKKWiQyjEteyB8Tu8fB8NIa932Lh-Hv7sPg8zJfMt40RkmoB6BH9dpxGt_-LgZRnWWcPu-HW2j4O487NyCCL9m4YU1FS6B8/s750/adult-ministries-programs_featured.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="750" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdoIz7xQH1JuoeVfVg5ocm1ISLsr8GbM_z9gD07lJi8jfRQhrCtE0zz1QYHLkQb9actQf5vj3H701mqIzedCZJGR5Yc4ZeKKWiQyjEteyB8Tu8fB8NIa932Lh-Hv7sPg8zJfMt40RkmoB6BH9dpxGt_-LgZRnWWcPu-HW2j4O487NyCCL9m4YU1FS6B8/w640-h384/adult-ministries-programs_featured.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">When examining the human body, there are numerous systems all working at the same time to regulate, protect, strengthen, and heal the human body. There is the respiratory system which brings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide. The brain communicates instructions to the rest of the body. It is amazing how the entire body works together as one to allow us to live. <br /><br />Similarly, think of a city. All sorts of systems work together. Massive networks of underground pipes distribute water. Electric lines channel power. Supermarkets bring food. Cell towers communicate telephone signals. And it all works together. <br /><br />Think of a football team, certain players block. Others run the ball. Others go out for passes. Others are defensive. Others have special functions, like kickers or punters. One player leads on offense, another on defense. It all works together for the team to fulfill it’s function, to win games. <br /><br />It’s similar in the military, an army has frontline soldiers, it has cavalier units who specialize in speed and firepower. They have artillery units that stay further back. They have air units that fly overhead. They have generals who strategize and lead. They have scouts, they have guards, and all sorts of other roles to make a powerful, mobile force that can fulfill it’s mission, to defeat the enemy. <br /><br />We as Christians are also part of a whole. We are not lone-wolves prowling about by ourselves looking for prey. Instead, we are part of a vast body of believers, all working together to win the world for Jesus, and disciple one another on the journey home. <br /><br />Along those lines we’ll be looking at Romans 12 today, starting in verse 3, which says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment…” <br /><br />We’re told very quickly that it’s important that we look at ourselves with very sober judgment. To me that means firm humility. In our service in the body of Christ we will tend to want to think of ourselves as indispensable to the group. As the worker sometimes says to himself, “Without me this place would fall apart.” But it usually isn’t true. View yourself with humility. Your job isn’t the end all be all. I know that. God can easily replace me, if I were to decide to go back to the sin life. I’m just a small part of the whole. <br /><br />Notice also that we have our place in the body of Christ ‘by grace.’ It’s not that we worked our way in by being awesome or something. No, we were sinners. And Christ saved us, by his death. So have sober judgment about yourself in this equation. <br /><br />So Paul says to think soberly… second part of verse 3, “in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” <br /><br />So we have this measure of faith within us, manifested as trust in God, commitment to God, allegiance to God, and this faith is how we’re connected to the whole. It’s through faith in Jesus that we are part of the body. <br /><br />Next in verses 4-5, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” <br /><br />I have a body with hands, shoulders, feet, knees, eyes, ears, and all sorts of different parts. They do not all have the same function, do they? My feet do very different things from my hands. <br /><br />Yet they are all part of my body. They work together, not against each other. <br /><br />And we as Christians form one body, though we’re many different people. Often I’ll meet a Christian, from another church, in another city, and I instantly know they are family. I can sense they are one with me, with all Christians. And we instantly connect. That’s why wherever I go, I meet family in Christ. Because that’s what we are. We are connected. <br /><br />Each member belongs to all the others. <br /><br />Then it says in verse 6, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” <br /><br />We each have giftings, areas that we are passionate about, and get excited about when we help others. These passions, these gifts were given by God through faith to you, to be used to bless the body. <br /><br />But they are very different from each other. One person has a gifting of exhortation, you see them calling out the sins of the world, calling people to repent. Another person has a gift of showing mercy, and they have great compassion for the lost. The two may sometimes be tempted to argue. The one showing mercy says hey stop calling out all those sins that isn’t nice that isn’t going to win people to Jesus. The one giving exhortation says back, this is my gifting, to call out sin and righteousness boldly, and it is a message that is needed. So the two must understand, don’t fight, understand you have different giftings. <br /><br />Second portion of verse 6, “If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith” <br /><br />Notice again it says in accordance with your faith, or the faith. We want to make sure we’re using our giftings in alignment with God’s will and purpose. <br /><br />What is the gift of prophecy? This is when God gives you a word to share with someone. You may not even realize you’re doing it at the time, but you’ll say something they need to hear. You simply let the Spirit lead. Other times you may know you have a word for someone and it will burn within you, and then you’ll go and give them that word. <br /><br />Amos 3:7 says, “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” <br /><br />Some churches say basically the prophet role doesn’t exist anymore. Neither does the apostle, the only problem is it doesn’t say that anywhere in the Bible. So I tend to believe prophets and apostles still exist today. <br /><br />One example from scripture of a prophet acting was in Acts 21:11, “Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” <br /><br />He gave a prophecy to the Apostle Paul about his arrest. <br /><br />Do you have a gifting in the prophetic area? This can be a ministry as part of the five-fold ministry. It can also be a gifting for any believer to carry. Paul held a high regard for the gift of prophecy, Paul said desire many spiritual gifts, but most of all ask God to give you the gift of prophecy (1st Cor 14:1). <br /><br />From the “Outline of Biblical Usage” the Greek word for prophesy means to “speak forth by divine revelation.” So you receive a word from God, something to tell someone that they need to hear, and then you tell them. <br /><br />You can see how powerful this can be. Someone who doesn’t know God, and you tell them something only God would know, has the power to show them the supernatural is real. Similarly with another Christian, they are greatly edified when they receive a word, they may remember it for years, for the rest of their lives, the word you spoke to them, because it was from God, specifically for them. <br /><br /><b>Prayer: </b>Lord, we ask for the gift of prophecy, for those of us who should have it, please give abundantly in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Next in Romans 12:7, “if it is serving, then serve…” <br /><br />Serving is a gifting for various highly valuable activities, preparing food, cleaning a widows house, stacking chairs, holding the hand of someone who has just been injured, getting an event ready, preparing a food box, or numerous other ways of general service. <br /><br />What would the church do without people gifting in serving? The church wouldn’t do anything. We’d be motionless. They are like the muscles and bones of the body if you ask me! <br /><br /><b>Prayer:</b> Lord, if you are calling me to serve, please prompt me with opportunities in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Next, in Romans 12:7b, “if it is teaching, then teach.” <br /><br />Teaching is not just a role in the five-fold ministry, it’s a general spiritual gift for all believers. Is this a gift of yours? Are you talented from God, in explaining the Bible to others? That is a valuable gift. Use it. Mentor someone. Sit down with a friend and go through the Bible together. Write about the word of God. Use your talent, volunteer here for Bible study or Sunday school. <br /><br />What would we do without our teachers? Teachers in the body help us see the word of God from new angles. They help us to go from hearing to application. They are wonderful. <br /><br /><b>Prayer:</b> God, if you want me to teach the word, show me how, and I will do so Lord, in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br /> Next in Romans 12:8, “if it is to encourage, then give encouragement…” <br /><br />The gift of encouragement is a beautiful thing. One of the worst things for a Christian is when they are feeling discouraged. They are exhausted with life. They are frustrated with difficulties. They are tired of being sick, tired of health problems. They can’t stand any more persecution or trauma. They can’t make ends meet. And they face discouragement. <br /><br />Then it takes a faithful Christian in the body to come along and give them encouragement. They come and give them hope from the word of God. They read them a scripture. They recite a verse. You will rise up on eagles wings. Do not grow weary in doing good. I can do all things through Christ. God works all things together for the good of those who love God. When you are tempted God will provide a way of escape. And this gives us encouragement. We get hopeful once again. We bear up under our problem and remember how much we have to be grateful for. <br /><br />Is this your gifting? We need encouragers so bad in the body. <br /><br />Now it’s interesting also to note that the word used here in Greek, paraklēsis, for encouragement is the same as the word for exhortation. So exhortation is calling someone toward good deeds. Calling someone to make a change. Calling someone toward the right. So I think it also implies speaking a hard truth as well, not just a bubbly flowery word of comfort, but also a word of truth. <br /><br /><b>Prayer: </b>Lord, I desire the gift of encouragement/exhortation. Lord please grant me that gift if it is your will, to build up the body, in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Next, still verse 8, “if it is giving, then give generously…” <br /><br />The gift of giving is beautiful. I think Jesus said it well, in Luke 3:11, if you have two coats and see someone without a coat, give them a coat. <br /><br />If you see someone without food, provide food for them, if you can. <br /><br />The gift of giving is beautiful. It can be giving money as well to worthy causes. Many Americans have a gift for giving, in fact the only reason The Salvation Army exists at all is because so many Americans give weekly, monthly, annually to support our mission. <br /><br />Do you have a gift for giving? It can be a coat, a meal, a bag of groceries, clothing, gas money, many different things. <br /><br />Giving could be time as well. Giving could be an act of service, repairing an appliance or replacing a door. These are all acts of giving. <br /><br /><b>Prayer: </b>Lord, grant us the gift of giving. Grant us opportunities to give. Help us to plan to give, set aside finances and resources for that purpose, and then use them to give, in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br /> Again in Romans 12:8c, “if it is to lead, do it diligently…” <br /><br />Leading is not simply something done by the five-fold ministry. A leader is someone who others gather around. Someone others trust and look to for support and guidance. Many of you are leaders and you don’t even realize it. <br /><br />The Greek word used for leader is not the same as used for government leaders. So this is leadership in a different way. I think it can mean leadership in the church as part of the five-fold. But I think it also means leading in the way of being a guardian or protector of others. <br /><br /><b>Prayer: </b>Lord, if it is your will, give us the gift of leadership. Help us to lead those around us toward the good, toward necessary resources, and most of all toward you God, in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Last but not least, still verse 8, “…if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” <br /><br />Often in the ministry of Jesus, someone who was blind, or unable to move their legs, or deaf, would cry out to Jesus and say, “Lord have mercy on me!” It pictures someone in a state in which they are hopeless. They can’t help themselves. They are doomed without help. <br /><br />Similarly, some of us Christians are gifted in the area of showing mercy to those who are in desperate circumstances. <br /><br />I think I most often think of someone who ministers to the worst kinds of sinners. <br /><br />Many Christians would find it uncomfortable or difficult to minister to someone addicted to crack, or someone who is a prostitute, or someone who has had five abortions, or someone who has committed adultery. It’s difficult. They hate those sins, as they should, but it’s then hard for them to minister to that person. <br /><br />However, many Christians are gifted in showing mercy. They are able to look beyond the horrid sins, and see the person there made in God’s image. That is the gift of showing mercy, a miraculous ability to look past the sins and see the worth of the person. <br /><br />Do you have that gifting? The body needs heroes like that. They are beautiful in their mercy. <br /><br />What did God say? I desire mercy rather than sacrifice. Show mercy to your neighbor. Show mercy to someone who has wronged you. It’s a little miracle when it happens. <br /><br />Desire this gift, if you dare. God will provide. <br /><br /><b>Prayer:</b> Lord, grant us the gift of showing mercy, for those whom you’ve called to it, to have mercy on those who are in sin and evil, help us to see their worth, in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />There are other listings of spiritual gifts in the scriptures, particularly in 1st Corinthians 12, but other areas as well. The scriptures seem to imply that God gives us these gifts, and that we develop these gifts through experience and growth in the Holy Spirit.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NtHi69zl4nWw1hgKlLJoVdGIHB2CLjiQ3a2RHI6AFD2SMTozXPXm1XpgDTwI2JViilyIw5xG0pqmyZ_SiAr2YIqUkoqOQ6TppwXvOPEv8rU0taCyjltzswVop66myH38-q86HBODIX-3DexzqI8OnMlmtB7ACt3MlYvnm6riwkWThnYw_oQFI3F6l3U/s1680/list-of-spiritual-gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NtHi69zl4nWw1hgKlLJoVdGIHB2CLjiQ3a2RHI6AFD2SMTozXPXm1XpgDTwI2JViilyIw5xG0pqmyZ_SiAr2YIqUkoqOQ6TppwXvOPEv8rU0taCyjltzswVop66myH38-q86HBODIX-3DexzqI8OnMlmtB7ACt3MlYvnm6riwkWThnYw_oQFI3F6l3U/w640-h400/list-of-spiritual-gifts.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />All of these gifts together form us into the body of Christ. And as the body we use these heaven-sent gifts to bring forth the kingdom of God on Earth, in the will of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the body. Jesus gives the orders, just as the brain gives the orders to the human body. <br /><br />Now what happens if we don’t use our gifts? Nothing happens. And that’s not good. <br /><br />Also understand it is your obligation to use your gifts. That’s why you have them. Remember the parable of the talents, the one who didn’t use his talents, but hid them, was rejected. And Jesus said those who don’t produce fruit are not of Him. They are like branches that wither and fade away, and such branches are gathered up, and burned. They are worthless. Remember the fig tree that was found without fruit for several years. Christians who don’t produce fruit are showing they have no faith, because faith without works is dead. Is your faith living or dead? <br /><br />I’m trying to impress upon you how important your gift is. But in conclusion let’s put it all together. <br /><br />I’m a new Christian say, freshly born again. God uses a prophet to speak a word into my life, challenging me to grow and build. What would happen without the prophet? No prophet, then I miss that blessing. I’m now getting complacent. <br /><br />Next, I go to an evening meal service, a dinner church, but the doors are shut when I get there. People with the gift of serving never stepped up to serve, so the dinner church shut down many months ago. <br /><br />Next, God calls an older man to mentor me in the Bible, sit down with me once a week or so, and go through the Bible over coffee and donuts in his den. But this man never does so, he's too lazy, decides he’d rather watch the price is right in the mornings. He has a gift of teaching but he doesn’t use it. <br /><br />This new Christian is really being neglected! He’s starting to get discouraged. So God calls a woman to go and encourage him after church. But she decides not to. She has other things she wants to do, go shopping, get a Starbucks. So this new Christian leaves church discouraged and alone. <br /><br />Now, we see this Christian is on his way to work, but his car breaks down. God sends a Christian who is driving by to stop and help them. But they just keep going. They have a gift of giving, but they don’t do it. Now this Christian loses his job. <br /><br />This new Christian is going to a church, but the leader decides he doesn’t want to be a leader anymore, he resigns the ministry, and the church shuts down. Now this new Christian has no church to attend nearby. <br /><br />He drifts off, and becomes homeless. Yet he still hungers for God. He still has hope that maybe someone will help him. God sends someone with the gift of showing mercy along to minister to him, invite them to their church, to a new church, and to help them find a place to stay, maybe drop them at the local shelter. But instead this person sees him, but just keeps walking, she’s too tired that day. <br /><br />Then that night he commits suicide. <br /><br />This is a graphic example of the value of the body of believers. We need each other. Do I believe God could still help someone, even if they miss some of these ministry opportunities? Of course. <br /><br />In this scenario could God easily bring someone else with that same gifting over to help them? Absolutely. <br /><br />So I don’t think it necessarily will end that way. But many a time I’ve felt I needed something, but it never came. Can you relate? You matter. Your gifting is not optional. And no, someone else won’t just magically do it for you. I think we get that idea in America, well, there’s another person who will do this for me. Maybe back in the 70s and 80s during the Billy Graham crusades, not anymore. If it’s going to happen it’s got to be you. Take responsibility, and serve in your place. It’s not too much. It’s not overwhelming. It’s quite natural actually. You'll do great! </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Review of Main Points:</b><br /></span><br /> <div><div><span style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>View yourself with Sober Judgment, as one saved by grace through faith</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Members of the body have differing functions, but belong to each other</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The gift of prophesy means to speak word from God</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The gift of teaching is explaining God’s word</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Encouragement/exhortation is to help a believer stay strong</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Giving is meeting someone’s need</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Leading is being a guide or protector to other Christians</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Showing mercy is seeing the value in someone caught in sin</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Other Spiritual gifts exist as well (see 1 Cor 12)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">10. Your Gifting is necessary to the body, use your gift faithfully</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJtoCVVrtc4aL0gTU3lMIFLYSbitZWqoEEe7TOVz4TwGgIzHiD-Hn4vKbvKBNxcZBUzxn4Eq6vLE2L50SVUhLv7LYCDSx0UeYlcq5hmVKn5xyjtfP1L1N0Uts9AWNVPyyyYBq3RhsQpFW0sE_UgtEFqsChb-AH6w_5EKaKefWZ39f_Bud1kGmK36_EwA/s1920/7SpiritualGifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJtoCVVrtc4aL0gTU3lMIFLYSbitZWqoEEe7TOVz4TwGgIzHiD-Hn4vKbvKBNxcZBUzxn4Eq6vLE2L50SVUhLv7LYCDSx0UeYlcq5hmVKn5xyjtfP1L1N0Uts9AWNVPyyyYBq3RhsQpFW0sE_UgtEFqsChb-AH6w_5EKaKefWZ39f_Bud1kGmK36_EwA/w640-h360/7SpiritualGifts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-22617989803352984562024-03-12T22:40:00.003-04:002024-03-12T23:10:40.829-04:00The Return of Jesus: A Shining Sun in our Christian Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0uVCviorNVbaAzbYsynBfC9H8Wk7ZP8VVxuKSV_3BPXf_rcxelVVDjHPyVFwxXUcsEcgwCv41n4Cry_7KaXmfQaXdWmVkpinb85FNR3pMcG6m1aOcb3nV2jZg2PLocLASAIisx69DBpXdHwuT4tRqeQoTgsGfGKOnt_TnfX6svdgfp6TgZP1TvYRKh4/s540/360_F_423533353_nkxqI74effwIjzsUQufHFzK2nt5I4AKi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="540" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0uVCviorNVbaAzbYsynBfC9H8Wk7ZP8VVxuKSV_3BPXf_rcxelVVDjHPyVFwxXUcsEcgwCv41n4Cry_7KaXmfQaXdWmVkpinb85FNR3pMcG6m1aOcb3nV2jZg2PLocLASAIisx69DBpXdHwuT4tRqeQoTgsGfGKOnt_TnfX6svdgfp6TgZP1TvYRKh4/w640-h426/360_F_423533353_nkxqI74effwIjzsUQufHFzK2nt5I4AKi.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When talking about a vision from God, we have to understand that we can't take it at the same level as scripture. It's a testimony, a vision, something we test against the word of God and prayer. But I sensed God asking me to share a bit of this testimony.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had a vision from God when I was twenty years old. I was addicted to drugs, totally lost, and did not believe in God. Many were praying for me. So I believe God was giving me a warning. I saw myself seeing a bright shining glorious nexus, it was God’s presence and power and glory. And then I saw myself drifting from it. I had missed it. And I found myself in hell. I saw this in a vision from God. I was in hell. And I was being tormented. Yet even from hell I could see above the glory of God, everything I had missed. I had sinned. And I had lost everything.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I gave that testimony a few years ago, and shared it on a video online. And I watched it a few times, and I saw the way it was recorded, behind me was the big light in my kitchen, and it showed me as I watched the video, that I was now with the light, the light was with me, in me, and I now have the hope of salvation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">God had warned me that I was headed in the wrong direction. But praise God he has brought me to that bright shining light of hope and salvation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We’re talking about the bright shining hope of every Christian who is alive today and every Christian who has ever lived. That is the return of Jesus Christ.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The world lives in the fear of death. I recall being afraid of death. I remember how empty it felt. I remember how scary it seemed. When you know that you’re really all alone, well, that’s terrifying.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But, we are not like the world. We have a great and powerful hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In 1st Thessalonians 4 it says in verse 13, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The scripture talks about those who sleep in death. This is a picture that Jesus gave us, when speaking about Lazarus. He said Lazarus is sleeping, but I will go and wake him up. His disciples were confused, they asked him what he meant. He said Lazarus is dead. But Jesus would raise him from the dead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The word tells us not to grieve for the dead in Christ like the rest of the world. Because though the world doesn’t have hope, we have an eternal hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It’s bright and it’s shining, it’s strong and consistent, much like Earth’s sun. It shines day and night. Whether we see it or not, it keeps shining. At night it keeps shining. During the day it shines. We don’t worry that it will run out of fuel. We don’t worry that it won’t shine. It always shines. It burns brightly in space.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What is this eternal hope? It’s the Return of Jesus. He will come again. He will not leave us as orphans. He has gone to prepare a place for us. And he will return to bring us there. God doesn’t lie. If he says it, it’s true. You can take that to the bank.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In verse 14, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We know for certain two key facts: One, Jesus died. He was crucified. Second, Jesus rose from the dead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And Jesus will bring back those who died in Him.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus rose from the dead. Jesus spoke to Jairus’ daughter, she was dead, and then she was alive.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Since God made the universe, since he placed the sun burning at the center of our solar system, since he placed planet earth here, also, God is able to raise the dead and bring them back to life. One of my favorite Christian apologists Prof. Frank Turek often says, if God made the universe from nothing, is it really so hard for Him to raise Jesus from the dead? Not really. If God can make space, time, reality, and the human race, it can't be too hard for Him to raise Jesus from the dead. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So when considering this bright shining hope that we cling to, this sun in our sky, of the return of Jesus, it includes a formula that we believe that Jesus died, and Jesus rose from the dead. Those facts, those historical truths are things we remember when considering the fate of the dead.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Next in verses 15-16 it says, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus promised to return again. And we know he will. The Lord himself will come down from heaven above, he will speak, a command, a trumpet blast will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise first.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There are all sorts of issues we could get into here. Don’t the dead in Christ immediately go to heaven? Do some wait in their graves? Or is it just their bodies being raised at this point but their souls were already with God? I don’t want to get into a lot of this. It’s enough for our purposes today to understand that the dead in Christ will live again, when Jesus returns.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Then, in verse 17 we see the rapture, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In other words, those who are alive when Jesus returns, will never die, they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. We call this the rapture. The lucky people who are actually alive on Earth when Jesus returns will be changed as they are caught up in the air.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But here is where the controversy comes. Because the main event at the end of the book of Revelation is when Jesus Christ returns to Earth, with the saints, and defeats the anti-christ and sets up his millennial reign on Earth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So some would say the rapture event is the same as the second coming of Jesus. But right here in 1st Thessalonians we see it says Jesus catches them up, takes them to heaven. But at the second coming Jesus is coming to Earth. So, some believe the rapture event is a separate event, where Jesus pulls the saints off the Earth, and takes them to heaven, before the great tribulation starts. And then, the saints come back with Jesus at the end of the tribulation, at the moment of the second coming, when Jesus returns to defeat the anti-christ.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The main question is simple, how can the saints be “going up” if Jesus is coming down? In this event in 1st Thessalonians, it appears that Jesus is appearing in the clouds, calling the saints up, and then going back up with them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So then his second coming to Earth must be a separate event? Or is it just that the language is symbolic, and the saints being caught up, means they go up, are changed, and immediately they come back down again at the same event? It’s a debate in Christian circles.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But suffice to say, for us today, we know in general, that Jesus will raise the dead in Christ, and Jesus will also raise the alive in Christ. We are adding these elements to our understanding of the eternal hope we have after death.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Next it says in verse 18, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Use this picture that God is creating, of the living hope, the bright shining Sun, to encourage each other that there is hope after death.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We’re going to continue into 1st Thessalonians 5, where it talks about the day of the Lord.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It says, “Now, brothers and sisters, 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.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently, the church at Thessalonica had been wondering about dates and times for the day of the Lord, but, Paul writes to them telling them, it will come like a thief in the night.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">What is the day of the Lord? Well, when speaking about the rapture, the catching up, it’s spoken of with excitement and joy. But, with the day of the Lord, it’s spoken of in scripture with warning, and intensity, and judgment.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The day of the Lord is spoken of numerous times in the scripture, as a day of judgment and retribution. Zechariah 14:1-3 speaks of Jerusalem being destroyed, and the Lord coming down and fighting against the nations that attacked Jerusalem.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In 2 Peter 3:10 it says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So what do you think? Is the day of the Lord and the rapture the one in the same event? Or are they two separate events? I tend to believe they are separate events, that the rapture occurs, Jesus catches up the saints, the tribulation takes place, and the saints return with Jesus, at his second coming when he defeats the antichrist and sets up his millennial reign.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Others believe that the moment Jesus returns in the rapture, the saints are caught up, the anti-christ is destroyed, and the millennial reign begins then.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It’s what you call an “in family” debate. Christians debate it back and forth, and we agree that other views are acceptable within the Christian family. It’s in family. Now, a non in family debate would be whether Jesus is really the son of God. It’s not debatable in the family. If you don’t believe Jesus is the son of God, you aren’t a Christian, plain and simple.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In any case, it’s clear to me Paul is not trying to delineate here between the rapture and second coming and day of the Lord and everything else. He is making general statements to arm this church with the living hope, the sun in their sky, of the return of Jesus in general.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Yet Paul gives us further details, it says, 3-5, “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 and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The Lord is explaining to us here that though the world will be surprised by everything that takes place, we will not be. We are not of the darkness. We do not walk in darkness. We wear the pendant of the son of God.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So think of this sun picture we’re putting together as a pendant that you wear on your chest, that reminds you everyday of the living hope you share in.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve seen the horrors of destruction. I’ve seen the emptiness and despair of life without God. I’ve walked in pitch darkness. Now, I walk in the brightness, deep brightness surrounds me. I walk in the light as He is in the light. And the blood of Jesus cleanses me from every sin. You, saints, walk in the light as well, you are children of the light, and the light defines you. The light of God surrounds you. Like the sun over the morning fields in the farmlands of Shiawassee county, so the son Jesus shines over us each us day. Bright, steady, constant, firm, and true.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Yet Paul also gives us a warning, he says, “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Because Christians sometimes end up mirroring the ways of the world. That’s why we get reminders like these, be awake and sober. Focus in on Jesus. Stay active in your faith walk. Laser focus on the Lord. Be awake. Be alert.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Paul does this all the time in all his letters, he makes the statement essentially, “You are, so be.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">“You are this, so be this.” You are light in the Lord, so be light, be awake and alert.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Why? Because it’s incredibly common for our talk to not match our walk. Paul reminds me, make sure it does match more and more. It’s something I try to do in my life, doesn’t always work, but I’m growing. Match the two, walk and talk!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Paul continues along these lines, in verses 7-8, “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 sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Many of us here once lived “the night life” of parties and drinking and deeds done in darkness. But not anymore. We belong to the day now. To the Lord now. So...</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Put on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet. Those three words remind me of something, 1st Corinthians 13, but these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is love.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As we wait for the return of Jesus we will need these three characteristics: Faith, Hope, and Love. One we will need faith, to trust God, that he really will do these things he’s promised. That’s faith. Second, we will need hope, hope encourages us to be excited about what Jesus will do when he returns. Hope is powerful. It stirs us to not give up. Hope is the key of this whole formula of life after death. It’s hope. But also, love, love binds it all together, faith, with hope, with love as well. Love means to love God, love others, and love His coming. With these three we cannot fail.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, in verses 9-11, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Verse 9 is sometimes pulled out of context to imply some intense form of predestination. But that isn’t actually what it’s saying. In it’s context, it’s contrasting for the Thessalonian Christians the day of the Lord with the rapture event. It’s saying, you are appointed, you have an appointment to keep, for salvation in Christ, while many yes have another appointment they are headed toward, to wrath, unfortunately.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I like also that Paul writes in verse 10, Jesus died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. That’s the goal. To live with Jesus with all the saints in paradise. I think Paul is also hinting, that it’s OK to literally sleep at night. He was using a metaphor for staying awake. But it’s still ok to sleep at night. Thankfully.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">He's also of course saying, whether a Christian is right now dead, or right now alive, when Jesus returns, we will all be together again, alive and well.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And in verse 11, use all this to encourage each other as Christians and build each other up. And he’s pleased to see the Thessalonians are already doing that. Praise the Lord.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In conclusion brothers and sisters, this sun shining in our Christian skies, in each of our lives, is shining in the end with the radiance of eternal hope, which is our salvation. Glowing from the center of this moment, the return of Jesus, glows with radiance. It’s your salvation. The day of your salvation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So return again and again to look at this hope. Look at it again and again. Encourage yourself with it. Jesus will return. Jesus will make all things new. Jesus will bring us to a new heavens and new earth.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Keep that in the sky of your mind as your live your life, just as the sun shines over the Earth, let the thought of the return of Jesus shine over your life, as a firm, fixed, powerful, and ever-present hope.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As firm and powerful Earth’s sun is, the return of Jesus is even more certain than the sun in the sky each day. It’s a fact, it will happen, and when it does, everything will change for us. Hallelujah. Come Lord Jesus!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Let’s Review Our Main Points Today:</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">1. We have an eternal hope to look to: The Return of Jesus</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">2. Jesus died and rose again (so he can do the same for us)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">3. The dead in Christ will rise to life</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">4. Those living at the time of Jesus coming will rise to life</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">5. Encourage each other with the hope of life after death</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">6. The Rapture references the rising of the saints</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">7. The Day of the Lord references the judgment of God on the inhabitants of Earth</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">8. We are children of the day, so be awake and sober</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">9. Put on faith, hope and love as armor and helmet</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">10. The return of Jesus is the radiance of joy in your life, your salvation</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_ZQqmcfs4h41HSu8i2Op0y51Ec7PSY0zVtxkaypQyzZTxU9VT7VJhgA66lCd0aWemrIGbk4f_lmTck5FfNsIyHKaHBVFPbsK798k0gYBCO3DjhPbH4dROL0-Fkqh0GOt3k9Nk4ihQqn1YdRYoJBsO0DiTqc4geG-N5JT4QqyNYFtivc7OiGpfnDYfK0/s1920/solar-flare.en.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_ZQqmcfs4h41HSu8i2Op0y51Ec7PSY0zVtxkaypQyzZTxU9VT7VJhgA66lCd0aWemrIGbk4f_lmTck5FfNsIyHKaHBVFPbsK798k0gYBCO3DjhPbH4dROL0-Fkqh0GOt3k9Nk4ihQqn1YdRYoJBsO0DiTqc4geG-N5JT4QqyNYFtivc7OiGpfnDYfK0/w640-h360/solar-flare.en.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-61517430386494550762024-03-12T22:30:00.004-04:002024-03-12T22:30:32.574-04:00Seek God & Be Sought by God: Obeying the Magnetic tug at your Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMqUFQDT3-7lMMSV5VndnD_n3yvFSEPMpR2Hj6gL-5ULcMSj783JLnjUCCe21BPlQ1uXAQ523VPZUc_9MbH_1YLW3z8xIy59wANCuZ-FRt3Asi5SJQpJKPSERY37ZyH8Dor0dEzJwy3wtGOVegh5fXJ434hiU4ztkqjWgw0_LmO8j7dWynmUr0IeoRYo/s2500/seekinggod-sermontitle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1602" data-original-width="2500" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMqUFQDT3-7lMMSV5VndnD_n3yvFSEPMpR2Hj6gL-5ULcMSj783JLnjUCCe21BPlQ1uXAQ523VPZUc_9MbH_1YLW3z8xIy59wANCuZ-FRt3Asi5SJQpJKPSERY37ZyH8Dor0dEzJwy3wtGOVegh5fXJ434hiU4ztkqjWgw0_LmO8j7dWynmUr0IeoRYo/w640-h410/seekinggod-sermontitle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />"Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: <br /><br />For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders. There he is, the most powerfully built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. 'Now that's one way to live,' I would point out to my companion, 'trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.' <br /><br />"On the other side of Fifth Avenue is Saint Patrick's Cathedral, and there behind the high altar is a little shrine of the boy Jesus, perhaps eight or nine years old, and with no effort he is holding the world in one hand. My point was illustrated graphically. <br /><br />"We have a choice. We can carry the world on our shoulders, or we can say, 'I give up, Lord; here's my life. I give you my world, the whole world.'" -Bruce Larson, Believe and Belong. <br /><br />Isaiah 55:6-7, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” <br /><br />We can try to run our own lives, our we can let God run our lives. But the weight of the world is too heavy. And we were never meant to live apart from God. We were always meant to live and be guided by God. And then we can fulfill our purposes in life. <br /><br />We’re talking about the way in which God draws us to Himself. Did you know God is always drawing you toward himself? It’s true. <br /><br />God was actively drawing us for much of our lives, toward His son Jesus Christ, toward the cross, inviting us to draw near and receive His son Jesus as savior. <br /><br />As the word says John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” <br /><br />Yet also after becoming a Christian, after coming to know Jesus, we are continuously drawn to our heavenly Father over and over again. <br /><br />Jeanne Guyon in her book refers to this as the law of central tendency. She says… <br /><br />“As you come into this deeper level of knowing the Lord, you will eventually come to discover a principle I will call the law of central tendency. What do I mean by the law of central tendency? As you continue holding your soul deep in your inward parts, you will discover that God has a magnetic attracting quality! Your God is like a magnet! The Lord naturally draws you more and more toward Himself.” -Jeanne Guyon, Ch. 11 <br /><br />There is a magnetic draw toward God within me, that much is certain. I will often be playing a videogame, or watching a movie, or doing something, and I will feel the draw to sit down on the floor and begin talking to my God. Or I feel the tug to grab my Bible from the table and open it up and read. <br /><br />Point number one today is to simply obey that calling when you feel it. As you grow as a Christian more and more you’ll feel the tug to spend time with God. Simply agree with that tug and go spend time with God. <br /><br />It’s the call of love and fellowship. God wants to be with you. Respond by spending time with Him. <br /><br />As the word says in Hebrews 10:22 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” <br /><br />Draw near to God, with a full heart, loving God with all your heart. And believe Jesus really loves you and wants to be with you too! <br /><br />Yet there is also a magnetic push away from God as well. For an unbeliever, someone who rejects God, they may spend many years of their lives trying to avoid God. They do everything they can to avoid even the thought of God. Modern society is like that, the concept of God excluded. Watch a sitcom or almost any tv show or sports event, no mention of God is allowed. Go to public school or university, the thought of God is not even allowed. They exclude God, they don’t want to think about God. They are drawn away from God by their flesh. <br /><br />I call them the “not interested” crowd. They just don’t care. I remember talking to a woman once, and she said I don’t need God, I have everything I need. I see others who simply ignore God, they have their families, jobs, vacations, sports events, and there is no room for God. <br /><br />But such people are not hopeless. Pray for them. And you will begin to see something change, where they begin to hunger for God, and go from fleeing from God, to beginning to move toward God. <br /><br />1 Cor 2:14 says, “But the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” <br /><br />Yet at the same time, even after becoming a Christian, we can run and hide from God. We can get distracted with our pleasures and then not want to spend time with God. I’ve had this happen many a time, I get focused on some silly pleasure and I don’t want to go pray or spend time with God. But God will often convince me, convict me by the Spirit, to come and spend time with Him. But sometimes I resist, like a stubborn child who doesn’t want to come to supper because he’s playing with his toys. <br /><br />I remember one time I woke up very early and was playing an awful videogame called NBA Jam. And it’s super hard. I was getting so mad and upset. And I had to go to school soon. My mom came and tried to get me to go. But I got mad and yelled at her, and she shut off my game. Oh I was mad. But she was right, I needed to get ready. Sometimes when we’re mad it’s harder to do the right thing. But God will help us. <br /><br />I think the main idea here, second point, is to let God draw us to Himself. Obey that call to come. Understand at times you may resist it. But listen to the Spirit, and give yourself permission to simply come to him. <br /><br />Also understand that the Christian life is a journey of continuously being drawn and drawing yourself toward God. It’s not over, it’s just begun. <br /><br />Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This implies a continuous active seeking after God and his word. Everyday. Keep Seeking God’s kingdom first. <br /><br />And as you do that more and more you’re going to find, one, I have a new heart. I’m different than I was before. Two, out of that new heart, I have a whole new way of life. I’m acting differently. <br /><br />As the word says, John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” <br /><br />You will find where you once had a rock solid selfish heart, that instead streams of living water are flowing from it. <br /><br />That’s point number three, seek God continuously, and your heart will become a fountain of life. <br /><br />Next, what might cause problems for us in this seeking after God and finding God? One thing we need to be aware of is that we have an enemy. And that enemy is trying to disrupt our walk with God. <br /><br />I see it with every single member of our church. God does something in their lives. Then demons try to disrupt. If they’re attending church they try to get you sick, or cause an injury. They try to distract you with past relationships. Pretty soon your ex is calling. I remember a good friend of mine was trying to get clean from methamphetamine. And he was doing good, then he randomly finds a bag of meth on the street. The enemy is cunning and trying to harm us and trip us up. <br /><br />The word of God says, Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” <br /><br />And in that same scripture it tells us, to put on the full armor of God to stand against the schemes of the evil one. <br /><br />Watch for enemy plots. You’ll notice it’s very odd and tempting. In that moment know, this is from the enemy, and I’m going to resist and reject this temptation. In that moment pray and ask God for help. And you will have the victory. <br /><br />That’s point number four, recognize there is a enemy, don’t be afraid, but stand in faith and take steps toward victory. <br /><br />Madam Guyon points us to a final area of concern, things we hold on to in life. What might that be? A habit. A sin. Even just something that distracts us from God. And God wants to remove it from us. But sometimes we fight God in it. <br /><br />Here’s what she says… “Thank God, sometimes your Lord, out of His boundless love, strikes the burden violently from your hand. It is then that you realize just how very much you had been hindered and held back. Dear Christian, only allow everything to drop. How? Simply withdraw your hands from self; withdraw your hands from every other person and all things. Of course, that is something of a sacrifice. It can even be called a crucifixion. But you will be amazed to find that there is only a very short space between your sacrifice and your resurrection!” -Jeanne Guyon, Ch. 11 <br /><br />Whenever we allow God to strike something from our lives, it’s a sacrifice. We often hold very tightly to what we’re used to. But if we can find a way to let God remove it, we’ll often very quickly see just how much it was distracting us from God, and disrupting our walk with Him. <br /><br />There have been numerous little things God has removed from my life to build me up. Smoking cigarettes was one. Soda was one, I was drinking four, five, six pops a day. And the Lord dealt with it. Another was not tithing. I didn’t want to give of my funds. And God corrected me on that. Another was excessively violent videogames, God nudged me to discontinue that. Another was certain movies I would watch that were not right for me to be watching. <br /><br />It might be something God is adding, it might be something God is removing, but I encourage you, allow God to remove whatever the issue might be. Trust Him. Take a leap of faith. I’m sure you know deep within what he’s saying to you. You may be resisting it right now. But take a leap and simply let Him have it. See what happens. You might be surprised how blessed you are as a result. <br /><br />That’s our fifth point today, let God remove the thing you’re holding onto. And watch how your walk with God improves. <br /><br />In conclusion, remember these two principles: One, Christ is seeking you. Second, you must seek God. It will go back and forth, at times you’ll be seeking Him, other times he’ll be pursuing you. It’s a back and forth of a relationship. In all this, learn eventually to seek God first, and put God first, and keep God first. And you’ll then be seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, and as a result, he’ll add every good thing to you, and take away that which is not his best for you. <br /><br />Isaiah 45:22, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” <br /><br />To review today… <br /><br />1. Obey the magnetic tug at your heart to spend time with God <br /><br />2. The Christian life is a continuous process of letting God draw us, and drawing near to Him <br /><br />3. As you practice seeking God, your heart will become a fountain of life <br /><br />4. Demons will attempt to disrupt your walk with God, but stand firm in faith <br /><br />5. If you’re holding onto something destructive, let God remove it from you (or let Him add something new)</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ8HVNP27YiDxW-QoLuYt8t5FuXfQD3LZgHCFMVhJhDw2LE4gki4dzOlH6zTLVEmUvLnUuWsftnBd2U-yZCe1FPQImHl4mtS_GdOwM4Fs61l0JnUJfb4qrwyMeDdfrTu3U4sMGWVLpqBgA7jga8yD0Ih4Hb8v3dP_RiMBdTp6ZRdE7AyQezZFlrkGXOQ/s586/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="586" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZ8HVNP27YiDxW-QoLuYt8t5FuXfQD3LZgHCFMVhJhDw2LE4gki4dzOlH6zTLVEmUvLnUuWsftnBd2U-yZCe1FPQImHl4mtS_GdOwM4Fs61l0JnUJfb4qrwyMeDdfrTu3U4sMGWVLpqBgA7jga8yD0Ih4Hb8v3dP_RiMBdTp6ZRdE7AyQezZFlrkGXOQ/w640-h286/waterfall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-53294868815766787082024-03-04T22:41:00.002-05:002024-03-06T19:00:14.292-05:00The Pilgrimage Road of Faith: What does it mean to walk by Faith? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">How do we walk the road of faith? It's completely different than walking as a man of the world. So, we become like toddlers who are unable to walk, and we must learn to walk. How does that work?</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">God walks before us, in front of us, holding our hands, and teaches us to walk by faith. He does not shove us out there onto the road and say "Get going!" No. God walks with us, hand in hand, in front of us, face to face with us, as we learn to take our steps, one step in front of another. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMClKWpaH3FDShfc5H47PeFerJ4fbo1amOpGcKKfD6yDCYFH6vsPiiVYen5RCc20CddPOIrGx04iYmuacsdQUkf1jXSv8zTJuVnTRDPE_8zt7t12EsGsAQ4qWp1cZlfXa67l1Bhij11vVdCijgjq84nXGnZJTXItZ2RRZX3zkw0ZqyJ8wE3FsmflPvEHg/s2125/GettyImages-555172915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1411" data-original-width="2125" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMClKWpaH3FDShfc5H47PeFerJ4fbo1amOpGcKKfD6yDCYFH6vsPiiVYen5RCc20CddPOIrGx04iYmuacsdQUkf1jXSv8zTJuVnTRDPE_8zt7t12EsGsAQ4qWp1cZlfXa67l1Bhij11vVdCijgjq84nXGnZJTXItZ2RRZX3zkw0ZqyJ8wE3FsmflPvEHg/w640-h424/GettyImages-555172915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div>Like a parent teaching a toddler to walk, we learn to live by faith. We carefully take our steps. And God holds our hands, face to face with us, in front of us, teaching us, encouraging us, correcting us, and giving us love and hope and truth. And slowly, but surely, we learn to walk in a new way. </div><div><br /></div><div>“To live by faith is to live joyfully, to live with assurance, untroubled by doubts and with complete confidence in all we have to do and suffer at each moment by the will of God. We must realize that it is in order to stimulate and sustain this faith that God allows the soul to be buffeted and swept away by the raging torrent of so much distress, so many troubles, so much embarrassment and weakness, and so many setbacks. For it is essential to have faith to find God behind all this.” -Jean-Pierre de Caussade, 1675-1751, in Discipleship Journal, issue 40.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we’re talking about a road, a journey, a passage way. It’s a road that we can’t walk normally though, it can only be walked by faith. It can only be walked in deep connection to God through Jesus Christ. We’re going to press toward the goal on this road.</div><div><br /></div><div>What is this road? What is the goal? This road is our journey through this life toward heaven. The Apostle Paul wrote about this journey in Philippians chapter 3, and he compared it to a race, running a race, and running it in a way to win the prize. The goal is of course, eternal life itself, arriving safely in paradise.</div><div><br /></div><div>It starts in Philippians 3, verses 8-11 which says, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything else is worthless, and what Paul is referring to is earlier in the chapter he was dealing with people who wanted to bring back the Old Testament law as a way of getting right with God. So Paul is making a case for moving forward from the old testament law toward the new way of faith in Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>He no longer believes righteousness can come through the law, but he has become righteous through faith in Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>He’s walking the new journey by faith. He’s discarding former things. And he’s counting everything else as worthless compared to knowing Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next in verse 12, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Paul didn’t consider himself done. He considered the Christian life a journey. That’s something we need to remember as well. It’s not done. It’s just begun.</div><div><br /></div><div>The journey is ongoing, it continues!</div><div><br /></div><div>In verse 12 still, “But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.”</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a really profound statement, Paul is saying that he continues on toward perfection, the same perfection by which Christ first possessed him. He knows he tasted of the perfection of Jesus when he was born again. And he longs to made one with that perfection in paradise. He knows in heaven, in the new body, he will be perfect as Christ, holy and pure, because of Jesus! </div><div><br /></div><div>Then in verse 13, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”</div><div><br /></div><div>So Paul has told us that we’re on a journey, we’re on this pathway of eternal life. He’s told us that it’s walked by faith. And the goal is the perfection of Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now he’s telling us some positions of the mind, first we’re told we should forget the past, and then we’re told to look forward to what lies ahead. How should I think? Don't dwell on the past. Focus on the future, the bright hope we have in Jesus. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next, verse 14, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”</div><div><br /></div><div>The goal is growth, the goal is also to reach the heavenly prize that we’re being called to. That’s eternal life. It’s paradise. It’s restoration to full union with God. It’s the highest goal in the universe. Nothing is more important.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next it says in verses 15-16, “Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Here again we find the concept of spiritual maturity, that we as Christians want to aim for finding a place of Christian maturity, where we’re walking in wisdom, in the fear of the Lord, and have found a kind of stability in our walk with God.</div><div><br /></div><div>But we find several principles here to live by on our journey, first, hold to the progress you’ve made. Don’t slip back. Second, God is active in this journey, he is our guide, and third, spiritual maturity in Christ will be an asset in the journey.</div><div><br /></div><div>In verse 17 Paul writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Paul offered his own life as an example of how to follow Jesus successfully. Similarly today we want to look for godly examples to follow in our lives. Look for people who have a strong walk with Jesus, and watch what they do, then mimic what they do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many things in my Christian life I learned from others Christians. I learned to pray with other Christians by watching other Christians do that. I learned to hand out tracts by watching another Christian hand out a tract. I learned to give to charity by watching other Christians give to charity. I learn the best ways to explain the gospel by listening to other Christians explain the gospel. We learn from the examples of others, and then we begin to set the example ourselves. And others learn from our example.</div><div><br /></div><div>In verses 18-19 Paul warns us about those who are off course. It says, “For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.”</div><div><br /></div><div>We are on this track, this pathway, this road of salvation, and others may appear to be on it with us. But we will be able to tell by their own actions what direction they are going. Many get off track, and their actions show it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their god is their appetite, Paul says, they boast about shameful things they do, and they only think about this life on Earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many, many people I know, they only think about this life. They are earthly minded. We as Christians must learn to think about the spiritual realm. We must learn to think about heaven and hell, and God, and justice, and truth. We must learn to love those things of the next life, not just the things of this Earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next in verse 20, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”</div><div><br /></div><div>A few more positions of the mind, we understand we’re citizens of heaven already. We aren’t in heaven yet. But we carry the citizenship. We have the rights of a citizen of heaven. We have the authority of Jesus Christ on earth, to pray in His name, because we are already citizens of heaven.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are sojourners through this life. We are aliens in a foreign land. We are not of this world. We are ambassadors for another kingdom, inviting others to join this new kingdom.</div><div><br /></div><div>Second, we are eagerly awaiting Jesus’ return. We long for Jesus to return. We are eager for that moment. Some of my favorite Christians are always excited that Jesus could return tomorrow or the next day. They long for the return of their King! </div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, in verse 21, “He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Here we see the results of what happens when Jesus returns, and a big part of the eternal prize we run the race for, our current mortal bodies will be changed into a glorious new body, like the new body Jesus has right now, after his resurrection from the dead. God will do this by His own mighty power, the same power by which all things will come under his control.</div></div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiP_iD7reWWqn2dheWDy1yORFeTaXIQEoQ-NDoSaJ9zIxxjJmR6ynPceFnE4xZlu3v3r4pdhqr7jb5jmx2qJMgUjSduZIFjQSuneC3OrpZRx98HcuYgwOhd4cptJoPVD-7d0nXeR00VEcTjNObDRjjtmT-48ozkbAVGtCFiMAflbNTZO2z4DTiH-ZFKE/s1912/RACMJSXXIK7BFWBEPV5KGO6TNA.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1912" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiP_iD7reWWqn2dheWDy1yORFeTaXIQEoQ-NDoSaJ9zIxxjJmR6ynPceFnE4xZlu3v3r4pdhqr7jb5jmx2qJMgUjSduZIFjQSuneC3OrpZRx98HcuYgwOhd4cptJoPVD-7d0nXeR00VEcTjNObDRjjtmT-48ozkbAVGtCFiMAflbNTZO2z4DTiH-ZFKE/w640-h362/RACMJSXXIK7BFWBEPV5KGO6TNA.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Let’s Review our main points. </b><br /><br />1. This race is our first priority, anything else is secondary <br /><br />2. The Christian life is a journey, one day at a time <br /><br />3. Forget past ways, look to things ahead <br /><br />4. The end goal is the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus <br /><br />5. Come into maturity in Christ <br /><br />6. Model your lifestyle after other godly Christians <br /><br />7. Some are off course, their actions will prove them out <br /><br />8. We are already citizens of heaven <br /><br />9. We long for the return of Jesus <br /><br />10. When Christ returns he will change our earthly bodies into heaven bodies</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVItLnh1KKQzKP7n2NnvfiiBGIgMxGCVDPmVKALeuVr1zmKE8lfKEdv4XgOY_QmSkJ__wwP9BKK19KRnLUlFRP4TotZcZThtyC6JE-RxFK2oYeL0q4MXHy4D3SqWTXMJWYqVra7ocqsSg1xTHmWsIiCohVqS3OxhSOQNd6dU6zfdHazWdfLANlfh-z7I/s1440/RACMJSXXIK7BFWBEPV5KGO6TNA.webp" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="866" data-original-width="1440" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVItLnh1KKQzKP7n2NnvfiiBGIgMxGCVDPmVKALeuVr1zmKE8lfKEdv4XgOY_QmSkJ__wwP9BKK19KRnLUlFRP4TotZcZThtyC6JE-RxFK2oYeL0q4MXHy4D3SqWTXMJWYqVra7ocqsSg1xTHmWsIiCohVqS3OxhSOQNd6dU6zfdHazWdfLANlfh-z7I/w640-h384/RACMJSXXIK7BFWBEPV5KGO6TNA.webp" width="640" /></a></span></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-40392776940667898392024-03-04T12:52:00.001-05:002024-03-06T19:36:11.485-05:00What do I do when I Feel Tempted to Sin?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0bg-q1IkyUKNX19PEZhQiFieF6m4mSVDFl6p2tLKjAwXJ8kEa418eSPSGKHDGM9919bRC77lpVwOCeIPdL1Tkola_Lg8NyLtsjP1FTI7NJbnx9v9z_DPAXB1P3_yveqyQuPsBSksetW8X5H7sjWTmkoAOoEn0zNqf6WPKC8jjVOicZFLXtaBc8my5M/s1024/68782732b5f99d65030bf20e96e5452f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr0bg-q1IkyUKNX19PEZhQiFieF6m4mSVDFl6p2tLKjAwXJ8kEa418eSPSGKHDGM9919bRC77lpVwOCeIPdL1Tkola_Lg8NyLtsjP1FTI7NJbnx9v9z_DPAXB1P3_yveqyQuPsBSksetW8X5H7sjWTmkoAOoEn0zNqf6WPKC8jjVOicZFLXtaBc8my5M/w640-h400/68782732b5f99d65030bf20e96e5452f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I remember feeling many years ago that the power of sin was just too strong in my life. I would feel the pressure within to indulge in the sin. And it seemed inevitable. Theres just no way. I can’t stop sinning. It’s too big. It’s too much. <br /><br />But over time as I learned about God, and grew in my relationship with God, the sin did not seem as powerful as it used to be. It’s power was in fact broken in my life. And if I needed new things to be broken I could simply ask God, and he would begin to break it. <br /><br />You may be wondering, will I ever reach that point? Will I ever hate my sin enough to overcome it? Will the power of God ever be great enough to defeat it? <br /><br />Don’t be afraid. God is powerful. And this is a journey. You will find that place of victory. Sooner rather than later. Presently. Now. Today even. <br /><br />“Do not be fearful that you will not wish to walk this way. In the level of experience of which I now speak there is a hungering for suffering. Such Christians burn with love for the Lord. In fact, if they were permitted to follow their own desires, they would put themselves under a great deal of discipline, even excessive self-denial. Once such love burns within the heart of a believer, he thinks of nothing but how to please his beloved Lord. He begins to neglect<br />himself—no, far more than that—in love with the Lord, he even completely forgets about himself. As his love for the Lord grows, so does his hatred for his self-life. May you learn this path.” -Jeanne Guyon, <i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i>, Ch. 10 <br /><br />So we will learn this path, of death to self and life in Christ. It’s real. It’s powerful. God has all power, infinite power to break any broken thing in our lives. God is greater. <br /><br />So let’s get into our study for today. But it begins with hope, point one, hope, and believe that God really can do anything in you. Anything at all that he wants. He made you, as God said, “Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)<br /><br />A natural man, a human being operates in a basic fashion to fulfill three basic areas of life, security, social connection, and romantic interest. Security, social connection and romance. These three areas of general concern make up their approach to life. They seek after food, shelter, and work. They seek friendships and connections within their family, And they seek out a romantic partner and the bearing of children. That is the way of man.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhj3JXQCLnTWskBNvRjHXJlTHw8V9RWcwAtwxag4VwScsPM4Qs4f1QMxvdhex7PS-1SAHhWpN03SNHZpC-9wnDGO-fv7c376RnjglGxumayms69WovmD6OQHK2DjwZCENM4TGU0Ck_ySMsS4wIgtoqElg1aYy-u5tsAVL_0cWNpBq4lkPmLmaMccYy9k/s1156/211113.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1156" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhj3JXQCLnTWskBNvRjHXJlTHw8V9RWcwAtwxag4VwScsPM4Qs4f1QMxvdhex7PS-1SAHhWpN03SNHZpC-9wnDGO-fv7c376RnjglGxumayms69WovmD6OQHK2DjwZCENM4TGU0Ck_ySMsS4wIgtoqElg1aYy-u5tsAVL_0cWNpBq4lkPmLmaMccYy9k/w640-h256/211113.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Something fundamental though happens when a human being encounters God the creator. They are thrust into the fourth dimension of existence, that is, connection with God. <br /><br />And suddenly everything changes. Instead of fulfilling the three basic instincts, the human’s entire footing changes. God becomes first. God becomes all. God becomes the main concern, faith in God. And this faith in God, helps the person to move from desperately trying to fulfill their desires, to being filled by God instead, and then learning to trust God to provide for their security, social connection, and romance. <br /><br />It's a great freedom actually. It’s a victory to learn to rely on God for these things. We let go of control, and we let God lead our lives. It’s better this way. <br /><br />Yet even after becoming a Christian, a follower of Jesus, we still face the battle between the spirit and the flesh. Who is going to be in charge? Who is going to lead my life? <br /><br />Will it be God or will it be my fleshly desires? <br /><br />This struggle is talked about in Galatians 5:16-18, which says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” <br /><br />This battle takes place when we feel tempted to do something we know isn’t right. There the battle begins. Often it involves our five senses, sight, smell, taste, touch, and smell. <br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57v9fsGHpo7uB7tslFEbtCR10b7wBhmr5QcOsIKE9kishgQFNUQI7WK6cXLAIq-2mOWU82apNLBn647rv0DOnZtYmMeGGtR8wXCE7vmTxfUaU50Kqfg-1D7EMZ4cKXiXKpKfSwA0pAIKK5dhYTr0oNZlpu3pmyHOj10rheiIzHXpHl-2noEnQEr2kwbU/s1080/grounding_technique_trauma_five_senses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57v9fsGHpo7uB7tslFEbtCR10b7wBhmr5QcOsIKE9kishgQFNUQI7WK6cXLAIq-2mOWU82apNLBn647rv0DOnZtYmMeGGtR8wXCE7vmTxfUaU50Kqfg-1D7EMZ4cKXiXKpKfSwA0pAIKK5dhYTr0oNZlpu3pmyHOj10rheiIzHXpHl-2noEnQEr2kwbU/w400-h400/grounding_technique_trauma_five_senses.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Guys, you see a beautiful woman, with your eyes you see, you smell her perfume, and so on. It’s tempting. <br /><br />Ladies, you see a beautiful.. piece of chocolate. You smell it, you see it, you taste it and it’s tempting. <br /><br />From the book we’ve been studying, experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ, Madam Guyon writes, “Where do your five senses draw their life and energy? From your soul. It is your soul that gives life and energy to your five senses; and when your senses become aroused, they in turn stimulate your desires.” -Ch.10 <br /><br />So we see that our five senses are accessed by our soul. Our soul operates our body, so logically our five senses are accessed by our soul. And when those senses become aroused, they in turn lead to desire. <br /><br />Desire can then lead to sin if we’re not careful. Of course desire does not always lead to sin. Suppose you are hungry, you have a desire to eat some scrambled eggs. So you eat some scrambled eggs. No sin there. <br /><br />Now, say you have a desire to steal a new cell phone. Now, you’re facing a sinful desire. And the goal is to overcome that sinful desire, by denying the desire. <br /><br />You say yes to the eggs, fine. You say yes to stealing, now it becomes sin. <br /><br />So in those situations where we’re facing a sin, something we know is wrong, but it’s a desire within us, what do we do? <br /><br />Jeanne Guyon talks about the problem here… <br /><br />“Christians have sought to find many ways to overcome their desires. Perhaps the most common approach has been discipline and self-denial. But no matter how severe your self-denial may be, it will never completely conquer your senses.” -Jeanne Guyon, ch. 10 <br /><br />Jesus talked about the value of self-denial. <br /><br />”And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” - Luke 9:23-24 ESV <br /><br />Self denial, deny yourself and follow Jesus. There is value in that. But it can’t remain something that is skin deep. It has to become something that goes deep into our being. <br /><br />When you are tempted in some way, a biblical course of action is in fact to deny yourself. You basically say no to yourself. No, I’m not doing that. You pray. You read some scriptures. And all this helps you to resist the temptation. <br /><br />But it has to go deeper than that. Otherwise it will always be a losing battle. We must allow God to change us. <br /><br />Here is what Madam Guyon says about this issue: <br /><br />“There is only one way to conquer your five senses, and that is by inward recollection. Or, to put it another way, the only way to conquer your five senses is by turning your soul completely inward to your spirit, there to possess a present God. Your soul must turn all of its attention and energies within, not without! Within to Christ, not without to the senses. When your soul is turned within, it actually becomes separated from your external senses; and once your five senses are separated from your soul, they receive no more attention. Their life supply is cut off! They become powerless.” <br /><br />So in other words, Jeanne Guyon says the best way to defeat a temptation is not in wrestling in the five senses or in the desires. It’s by focusing in prayer on God who is alive within us as the Holy Spirit. We submit to the Holy Spirit within us. We surrender and abandon ourselves to the Spirit of God. And the Spirit helps us to detach from our base desires, and then those desires lose their power. <br /><br />Is that biblical? I think it is. <br /><br />We get a picture of a surrendered life in Galatians 2:20 which says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” <br /><br />In this scripture you see a person who is disconnected from their old self, their old self they say is crucified, dead, gone. And they are alive, they are plugged into the Son of God through faith. They are walking in alignment with the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />Galatians 6:8 ESV says, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” <br /><br />So where is the attention? The attention is taken off the flesh, and the attention is placed within on the Holy Spirit. And that brings victory over the fleshly desires prompted by the five senses. <br /><br />This goes back to the issue of abandoning ourselves to God. <br /><br />Your focus determines your reality. Where is your attention focused? Continuously turn your attention to God’s presence with you. And God’s presence within you will guide you away from your fleshly desires and toward the Spirit. <br /><br />But I understand the difficulty. Truly I do. It’s a battle, there’s no doubt. But don’t lean into the temptations. Lean into God. The word of god says God will provide a way of escape. It’s important that you believe that. <br /><br />I think of the worst thing that keep us locked up in sins is we believe a lie, we believe that God can’t remove that sin. That’s a lie. You must first begin to believe that God really can and wants to remove that sin from you. And he will help you, even if you’re trapped in it. You can escape by God’s power. <br /><br />Our thought life is constantly bringing up different thoughts and concerns and emotions. It’s hard sometimes. And a temptation can come out of nowhere. We see something on Facebook or someone walking by or we see a drink or a drug or an old show, and it reminds us of a sin or temptation. It’s hard. But slowly over time God can bring the Spirit’s power to be stronger than the temptation. Sometimes that takes a long time. Sometimes it’s instantaneous. <br /><br />Here's what Jeanne Guyon says, “It is true that what you see and what you hear are continually supplying your busy imagination with new subjects. They keep your thoughts jumping from one subject to another. Therefore, there is a place for discipline concerning what you see and hear. But be at peace; God will teach you about all this. All you need do is follow His Spirit.” -ch. 10 <br /><br />God is the teacher in all this. He is the master. We are the students. He will show us various ways to master sin in our lives. It may be self denial. It may be counseling or a support group. It may be the fear of the Lord. It may be closer relationship with God. It may be focusing on the Holy Spirit within. But in all these cases God will teach us, like a martial arts master, what move we need to make to defeat a sin. <br /><br />Maybe it’s a block. Maybe it’s fleeing. Maybe it’s striking out with a kick or a punch, like speaking the word of God over your situation. Maybe it’s dodging, just leaving the situation. Maybe it’s lifting the shield of faith. Maybe it’s turning up toward God in prayer. Maybe it’s turning off the senses. The battle begins with letting God lead. And he guides our movements toward victory. <br /><br /><b>Let’s Review: </b><br /><br />1. God is strong enough to overcome any sin in your life <br /><br />2. When finding God we go from fulfilling the 3 basic instincts, to the fourth dimension, which is God first <br /><br />3. The battle often takes place in our five senses, so we should redirect our attention to God’s presence <br /><br />4. Self-Denial is valuable, simply saying no to the temptation, but more is needed <br /><br />5. For lasting victory over temptation, when tempted, turn your attention toward God, pray, and focus on the Lord, surrender to His leading <br /><br />6. Change your mind from believing it’s impossible, to believing that God really can and will <br /><br />7. God is the master, we are the student, let God train you to be victorious over temptations</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21XMU-90EHzmT7HT2snruWl7OGOT53nx7x13cldoq5f6JGEhumjUW4aIKtQD5DmweYfMuZRTTUWwthF6iN6A6v5OnBBsuoSxnsu4Eqpscrv6dKdytJDsirHLZ13cOpjhlBN6aarEKAdB8qsT00cvtDFxG-nD0XBKHsN0m-Y5SUX9apN8cMctW65Iuk6g/s1024/_87de9e7f-f55f-46a6-b02c-bb0908281a17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21XMU-90EHzmT7HT2snruWl7OGOT53nx7x13cldoq5f6JGEhumjUW4aIKtQD5DmweYfMuZRTTUWwthF6iN6A6v5OnBBsuoSxnsu4Eqpscrv6dKdytJDsirHLZ13cOpjhlBN6aarEKAdB8qsT00cvtDFxG-nD0XBKHsN0m-Y5SUX9apN8cMctW65Iuk6g/w640-h640/_87de9e7f-f55f-46a6-b02c-bb0908281a17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-75967827317871682432024-02-26T14:27:00.002-05:002024-02-26T14:27:59.631-05:00Built Up in the Fullness of Jesus Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCwUaHvmz-Fy54PmiK8vuY9CyvWP3b23IIQNMtuJyrrWHHY7fkq4W2ggwFPQmWw7RTQ3Wg0RjAkLmmTNNZInmKlwb2a3IXqWcQiWVNEO5ytrzzqvNdolY3Yto3EfwcEZuMiHQ90tkGQBV78x9FZx0qstcJ497zocC1zoCK-ZEC7ZEKcoZxFE7_LTvbqo/s1000/I0000lfHP5WCSuYs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="1000" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCwUaHvmz-Fy54PmiK8vuY9CyvWP3b23IIQNMtuJyrrWHHY7fkq4W2ggwFPQmWw7RTQ3Wg0RjAkLmmTNNZInmKlwb2a3IXqWcQiWVNEO5ytrzzqvNdolY3Yto3EfwcEZuMiHQ90tkGQBV78x9FZx0qstcJ497zocC1zoCK-ZEC7ZEKcoZxFE7_LTvbqo/w640-h428/I0000lfHP5WCSuYs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />"In March of 1981, President Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr., and was hospitalized for several weeks. Although Reagan was the nation's chief executive, his hospitalization had little impact on the nation's activity. Government continued on. On the other hand, suppose the garbage collectors in this country went on strike. It happened last year in Paris for a while. That city was not only in a literal mess, the pile of decaying trash quickly became a health hazard. A three-week nationwide strike would paralyze the country. Who is more important--the President or a garbage collector? In the body of Christ, seemingly insignificant ones are urgently needed. As Paul reminds us, "The head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable" (I Cor. 12:21-22). -David Parsons. <br /><br />Whether it’s president, political leader, pastor, church greeter, garbage collector, the body of Christ needs every member. You matter. You are important. And that’s why it’s so important we grow in Christ, and seek maturity in Christ. <br /><br />The Apostle Paul challenges us, just as he challenged the church in Ephesus two thousand years ago, to walk in a manner worth of the calling we’ve received. <br /><br />He writes, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” </span><div><span style="font-size: large;">-Ephesians 4:1 <br /><br />Each of us have been called to be Christians, followers of Jesus, to be pure and blameless in a wicked world, to be love in a time of coldness, to speak truth when lies reign everywhere, and to care about others when most only care about themselves. <br /><br />The calling is high, to Jesus. Paul tells us to live our lives in a way that matches the heights of what we’ve been called to. <br /><br />We’re immediately instructed on what that looks like. We’re considering the theme of building a house today. The house is you. And we’re going to see the bricks and pieces we want to include to make sure this house is a success. <br /><br />In verses 2-3, "...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” <br /><br />First, we’re told living worthy to our calling looks like humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, and eager to maintain unity. <br /><br />Humility is thinking highly of others and thinking of ourselves soberly. Gentleness is not being too loud, not being too intense, not being too overbearing, but gentle. Patience is being good at waiting. Even in traffic. Bearing with one another is making room for people’s faults. Notice unity as well that’s going to come up again here. Unity among believers is hugely important to God. No divisions. Complete unity. Not partial unity, but total unity. <br /><br />Immediately the Lord points us to unity, in verses 4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” <br /><br />If this house we’re building is like a brick, it fits in with all the other members of the body of Christ, in a larger house, which is the body of Christ, the church as a group. What unites the body? The fact that the Lord is over us all, through us all, and in us all. <br /><br />All of these other character traits, humility, gentleness, bearing up, are going to help us to solidify into the bonds of unity in the larger collective. <br /><br />Next Paul turns back to the individual believer, and speaks of Christ’s gift. <br /><br />In verses 7-10 it says, “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” <br /><br />(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)” <br /><br />In other words, the foundation of this whole structure is Christ’s grace. Along with that grace, Christ gave us gifts. Spiritual gifts, like faith, showing mercy, prophecy, giving, administration, and on the list goes. <br /><br />Not only did Jesus give us His grace, and spiritual giftings for the blessing of the body, he also gave us leaders in the body of Christ. <br /><br />This is what we call the five-fold ministry. It says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” <br /><br />So if the house structure we’re building is you, one believer, the various leaders in the church are given by Jesus, to build you up in various ways. An <b>apostle</b> can minister to you in various ways, they are pioneers, church planters, missionary types. They blaze new trails, try new things and build up the church. <br /><br /><b>Prophets</b> speak a hard truth. They may speak a word over you, give you a word for your life that’s specific to you, from God. They call us away from sin. They mourn the evils in the world. The <b>evangelist</b> is one who is often out on the streets ministering to people who don’t know Jesus yet. The <b>shepherd</b> is the pastor, the counselor, someone who guides Christians to grow in Christ. And <b>teachers</b> are experts in explaining the Bible, explaining the meaning of truths in scripture, and is good at leading a small group or bible study. <br /><br />Each of these five areas of ministry are meant to do one thing: Build up the body of believers. Christ is the chief builder, but through the five fold Christ builds up this house, which is you. <br /><br />Here next in verse 13 we really see the end goal of this whole thing, it says this Ephesians 4:13, “…until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” <br /><br />We see further growth again is exemplified by unity of the faith, more complete knowledge of the son of God, all culminating in maturity. <br /><br />And again in verse 14, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” <br /><br />The contrast is between being children in Christ, to being mature, it says mature manhood. So, having grown up in Christ, we come to a point where we are no longer children, but mature, and no longer tossed to and fro by the ways of controversy and human deceit. <br /><br />I recall a time in my life when I was younger as a Christian and I was very much tossed to and fro, first I would listen to prosperity preachers like Joel Osteen, then I was listening to Calvinists online, then I’m talking with Jehovah Witnesses, then I was taking a Christian basics course online, and I was just all over the place. Slowly over time, as I studied and learned, I found growth toward maturity. <br /><br />All of this is building up toward a place of maturity in Christ where we have a sense of stability and discernment. We aren’t thrown back and forth anymore. We aren’t torn in different directions. We have a stability from knowing God’s word. And we have a discernment to test what is true and what is false. <br /><br />Lastly it says in verses 15-16, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” -Ephesians 4:15-16 <br /><br />“Speaking the truth in love” I think implies the level of maturity Paul is talking about here. I’ve seen unstable Christians before and they usually fall into two camps, first you have those who speak the truth without love. They are so focused on doctrine that they don’t have much love. They want to fight off false doctrines. But they just come off as mean and loveless. It’s unstable, it lacks biblical love. Second camp is the ones who speak in love, but don’t have truth. They are so focused on being loving, being kind, being nice, that they simply affirm whatever someone says. They don’t speak truth. They compromise God’s word. They just want everyone to feel great, feel accepted, feel good. But by so doing, they are unstable, they lack truth, and love without truth is deceptive and empty. <br /><br />So, speaking the truth in love we’re to grow up into Him who is the head, and that was mentioned in verse 13, it said to reach the stature of the fullness of Jesus Christ. In other words, come into a place of maturity that is marked by spiritual fullness in Jesus Christ. To be truly filled with Jesus completely. <br /><br />But, this picture of a house full and mature in Christ is a single believer. So, when each part is working properly, working together, united in Christ, connected and held together by Christ, then the body functions correctly, the church functions correctly, and we’re all like a brick in the wall, of the larger building, which is the church worldwide. <br /><br />Or, like a collection of many houses together, like a city, you might say. And each house represents a person in the city who serves some function to make the city function, whether it’s a teacher, a painter, an electrician, a clerk, driver, musician, artist, plumber, jeweler, construction, day car worker, waitress, politician, lawyer, and so on. We each have a particular part to play in the body of Christ, each a unique role to fulfill. It all fits together. And if each member is serving with their gifts, the body works well, and grows and prospers. If they do not work well together, and fight each other, the body doesn’t grow properly. <br /><br />So, for each of us today, we should make it our goal to come into maturity in Jesus Christ, growing in Christ, and then using our gifts and talents to build up the body.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSxScCUPK6UKZPBb3BVmfFB7uIRReJv1_SVCqcwHyRU3610TTIhnQMHWFOIYoC0mIOcch8j1R34duxxig37tFVzbKC3w_M4oaWtX_-vzJ2YS9CRJu3Xjor8qKcUn2IlBS_77cUGb5wfdNPPddwylF_95cdqdrFzH9vd40Lma-MF-oEhHvo7JnCU7sdsA/s1920/45590-ThinkstockPhotos-496985398.1200w.tn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSxScCUPK6UKZPBb3BVmfFB7uIRReJv1_SVCqcwHyRU3610TTIhnQMHWFOIYoC0mIOcch8j1R34duxxig37tFVzbKC3w_M4oaWtX_-vzJ2YS9CRJu3Xjor8qKcUn2IlBS_77cUGb5wfdNPPddwylF_95cdqdrFzH9vd40Lma-MF-oEhHvo7JnCU7sdsA/w640-h360/45590-ThinkstockPhotos-496985398.1200w.tn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let’s Review… </span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. Live up to your call – Grow into Christ </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2. Grow in Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Bearing with one another, Unity, and the bonds of Peace </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3. This is accomplished through the gift of Christ’s grace </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">4. Christ has also given us spiritual gifts to use to help each other </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">5. Christ also gave us the five-fold ministry to build us up </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">6. Grow in the Knowledge of Jesus / Unity of the Faith </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">7. Then we will find Stability and Discernment to avoid false doctrine </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">8. Speak the truth in love, avoid missing either love or truth </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">9. All of this will lead us to Spiritual Fullness in Christ - maturity </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">10. In maturity we can serve in our place in the body of Christ faithfully and successfully </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Remember brothers and sisters you are part of a family of believers. You are called to unity. Your place in this group worldwide is very important. Your place matters. You can make a difference. You have a role to play in this body. If you can grow in Christ, you can serve effectively in this body, and play your part in the great body of Jesus Christ worldwide.</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_fYMe22jUoNXh6JMYBv2UR9HMS8a9R5HgnAFW8EGo_iTYxyEoy4363ai0W0eJdCMmZRUdM3P_SmdDfG0UfChyphenhyphenv9JK7Q6_VF9QpFUJskP9eUEF1s2NGP6Tev1LKHZV1hoG3wP9ie3YZMhV64a4nYs2wsbQECxMB1B9mj00W6bozomKU4ZW3JRzbmPPR0/s1500/body-of-christ-spiritual-gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_fYMe22jUoNXh6JMYBv2UR9HMS8a9R5HgnAFW8EGo_iTYxyEoy4363ai0W0eJdCMmZRUdM3P_SmdDfG0UfChyphenhyphenv9JK7Q6_VF9QpFUJskP9eUEF1s2NGP6Tev1LKHZV1hoG3wP9ie3YZMhV64a4nYs2wsbQECxMB1B9mj00W6bozomKU4ZW3JRzbmPPR0/w640-h480/body-of-christ-spiritual-gifts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-75139406309137272752024-02-25T23:33:00.001-05:002024-02-25T23:33:00.739-05:00Trusting God through Suffering: Accept the Pain and Move Forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hxsr8BIDSQ6Erny7j1OoNEcryjjwaaQ8ePMRDhbjZfOLsuPcFXHqykl_RzzjEXHcvSvhBKwTCTdP1z9bXpIkxFRJcmF5MsVgfhAUBZBthEjsPnCXqcr-JesQd3aL-HKofypQDEj8U0EqJ2r0tugZx569eHmX49_ujfLeySmaSle4X9amzLg_FWrXkf8/s900/calvary-john-martin-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="900" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Hxsr8BIDSQ6Erny7j1OoNEcryjjwaaQ8ePMRDhbjZfOLsuPcFXHqykl_RzzjEXHcvSvhBKwTCTdP1z9bXpIkxFRJcmF5MsVgfhAUBZBthEjsPnCXqcr-JesQd3aL-HKofypQDEj8U0EqJ2r0tugZx569eHmX49_ujfLeySmaSle4X9amzLg_FWrXkf8/w640-h388/calvary-john-martin-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />“Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness.” -Malcolm Muggeridge, in Homemade, July, 1990. <br /><br />As much as I don’t want to agree with Muggeridge I’m afraid that I do. When I look back on my life, even the last two years, I’m greatly satisfied by painful experiences I went through that taught me great lessons. Particularly times when I went through suffering patiently under God’s care. <br /><br />I think of three experiences, first, in 2020 I was actually banned from preaching for a time, because of a sermon I preached on a sensitive issue. I was bold. I spoke what God told me to speak. I remember when I wrote the sermon, hot button issue, I got on my knees and asked God, should I remove anything from this sermon? I still remember what God said, “Not a word.” Somehow I knew something was going to happen. So I had to be sure. And God made it clear, speak all of it. <br /><br />It was a time of great pressure and strain in my life. I was concerned, afraid, disturbed. But God was at work. God protected me. God helped me. And soon, my freedom to preach was restored. <br /><br />I look back on that no longer with pain, but with gratitude, because I learned so much through all of it. And God helped me bear the suffering with grace. <br /><br />Second, I remember when I had Covid, also in 2020. I was brutally sick. And you probably remember, at the same time I was brutally sick, I was also overcome with severe crippling anxiety. It was something very odd about COVID, it brought on bad anxiety. <br /><br />I remember day by day, sleeping all day, and being so anxious I could barely stand existing in the moment. But God got me through. I recall the only relief I could get, I would wrap myself in a blanket and go sit on the front porch and talk on the phone, and that somehow helped me to calm down. <br /><br />Again, I look back gratefully, because I made it through the suffering and learned so much about myself and the world during that time. <br /><br />Thirdly, I recall a time when controversy broke out at this church with certain leaders, who I was close with. And several people left the church over the division. It was devastating for me. I was so stressed and upset during that time. But again, I recall how God brought me safely through the fire. And it was during that time of severe pain and confusion that God brought Chelsey into my life. <br /><br />Let’s take a look at a quote from Jeanne Guyon’s book on this issue of suffering: <br /><br />“You must be patient in all the suffering that God sends you. If your love for the Lord is pure, you will love Him as much on Calvary as on Mt. Tabor. The Lord Jesus loved His Father on Mt. Tabor where He was transfigured, but He loved Him no less on Calvary where He was crucified. Surely, then, you should love the Lord as much on Calvary, for it was there that He made the greatest display of His love.” -Jeanne Guyon, chapter 7 <br /><br />There are two situations where I see Christians that are very common. There are others, but these two are quite common. <br /><br />First, a Christian who is on cloud 9. They are riding the wave. They are excited. They are on fire for Jesus. Life is good. They feel joyous. Their faith is burning brightly. And they are on top of the world. <br /><br />Nothing wrong with this first area. It’s a great place to be as a Christian. It’s the mount Tabor experience. Jesus is at the heights of his ministry. He’s changing people’s lives. He’s preaching the truth and healing people. He shines brightly on mount tabor. You will have times and seasons like that. <br /><br />Second scenario, a Christian who is on the rocks. They are struggling. They are going through something that hurts bad. They feel exhausted. They are tired. They are stressed and seeing red. They can barely stand their situation. And it’s hard. <br /><br />But, I see Christians here even in a sort of grace. They’ve accepted the situation as from God. And they are walking with Him in it. Then again, I see Christians who are in suffering and they are having a hard time accepting it, they are wrestling in it. And it’s not as pretty. But they make it through as well, as they cling to Him. <br /><br />So how can we learn to bear suffering more wisely? We’re seeing that times we suffer are actually very helpful and we learn a lot in those times. We know it will happen. Pain is inevitable. Is there a way to handle it better? <br /><br />Here’s what Jeanne Guyon says… <br /><br />“As soon as anything comes to you in the form of suffering, at that very moment a natural resistance will well up somewhere inside you. When that moment comes, immediately resign yourself to God. Accept the matter. In that moment give yourself up to Him as a sacrifice.” -Jeanne Guyon, chapter 7 <br /><br />As you find yourself facing some difficulty, simply offer yourself to God in that moment. God I accept this suffering as from you. Unless it’s something that isn’t from him, I suppose. <br /><br />Give yourself up, accept the suffering as from God, and allow it to simply be there for it’s time. And it’s only a time. As the word of God says… <br /><br />1 Peter 5:10 ESV “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” <br /><br />Suffering only lasts so long. Then God brings you through it, out of it, and he restores you, confirms you, strengthens and establishes you. <br /><br />Psalm 34:19 ESV “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” <br /><br />We will face many difficulties as Christians, but God delivers us from them all. <br /><br />And Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33 ESV <br /><br />Take heart, take heart, and take heart again. Have peace. Don’t give up. You will get through this. And a time will come when the suffering will end. God will bring healing. And in paradise, we will suffer no more. There will only be joy. <br /><br />At times you may bear the suffering well. You carry your cross with strength, but there will be other times when you carry your cross in weakness. <br /><br />As Jeanne Guyon said…“Sometimes you may bear the cross in weakness; at other times you may bear the cross in strength. But whether you bear it in weakness or in strength, bear it! Both weakness and strength should be the same to us since we bear the cross in the will of God.” -Jeanne Guyon, chapter 7 <br /><br />I know there have been times that I suffered gracefully. Other times it was ugly, like an ugly, bitter cry in a corner somewhere. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Sure it’s good to bear it in strength, but at times it will be in weakness. That’s ok. Ugly cry it out. Just don’t give up. Keep going. <br /><br />We know one day, Jesus will wipe away every tear, and heal every hurt. One day we will go from groping toward God in the darkness, in this life, to the next life, night to day, where we will see Jesus face to face. And that will change everything. <br /><br />Revelation 21:4 ESV, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” <br /><br />Until then, let’s continue to deal with suffering with grace, accepting it as from God, allowing it to do it’s work in us, and learning the lesson from it, to grow in grace, come into healing, and bear up under suffering as we carry out crosses toward heaven. <br /><br />Also understand that suffering has an expiration date if you’re a Christian. But, if you are not a Christian, suffering in this life is only the beginning. In hell, suffering is permanent. Right now we suffer, but there is a hope beyond the suffering. For the person in hell, suffering is permanent, and it only promises to get worse over time. There is no hope at all. That’s truth. <br /><br />So allow Jesus to be your savior, and you can know, suffering is temporary and joy awaits you in heaven. <br /><br /><b>Let’s Review our Main Points from Today: </b><br /><br />1. Suffering is necessary in life to learn the deepest truths about ourselves and the world and God <br /><br />2. When you’re in the joy of the Lord and everything is great, praise God <br /><br />3. When you’re broken and suffering, and everything seems wrong, praise God <br /><br />4. When going through suffering, accept it as from God, and offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice <br /><br />5. Suffering always has an expiration date, give it time, and God will deliver you <br /><br />6. Accept that sometimes you’ll suffer in strength, other times you’ll suffer in weakness, just don’t give up! <br /><br />7. Believe that one day, in paradise, all suffering will be gone, and joy will be permanent. (While in hell, suffering is permanent and joy is impossible)</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9tlC7zXVipslB3C1mXoyKrd5zh_nb5xV3hjZH_XCOlEAlu20SxdQyiUOIJ5MU6XqsSFAPVCWHfbovWwU1c9Ubo-aSY784TKp7mtQDtV9mNpJpRpIbkDiLlyEknBRhX2vCO-XT2wdTRL1gm2hg6tCkFNOnSz1GhsC2xD2jOsP6U6ML6-qux-48UyMBUA/s650/The-Transfiguration-by-Carl-Bloch-Danish-painter-1834-1890-cropped..webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="650" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9tlC7zXVipslB3C1mXoyKrd5zh_nb5xV3hjZH_XCOlEAlu20SxdQyiUOIJ5MU6XqsSFAPVCWHfbovWwU1c9Ubo-aSY784TKp7mtQDtV9mNpJpRpIbkDiLlyEknBRhX2vCO-XT2wdTRL1gm2hg6tCkFNOnSz1GhsC2xD2jOsP6U6ML6-qux-48UyMBUA/w640-h594/The-Transfiguration-by-Carl-Bloch-Danish-painter-1834-1890-cropped..webp" width="640" /></a></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-19612022282695288612024-02-19T11:55:00.007-05:002024-02-19T12:22:08.667-05:00Abandon Yourself Entirely to God: Examining the Concept of Surrendering to God's Will<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-5Y_xhQIpjzW49NrXEM0ALf4n4vnf3Hk9PGfJcjXXhVG_fdfBcZwt4O957yB46gqLY3FKTTsURsfHGWg6KlSHxgaVd3JZ99ZKDCMUJAVFw9605MOjQ-fOhaL4qRyyQHDkfjzMtbl2SlnS-7tVT1XpCwd_uDr_ubOsu37p2Hd0fBK5JGblu5y-q60IBI/s1024/_c9e97b23-bb08-4d18-a984-64dcb6c44df6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1024" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-5Y_xhQIpjzW49NrXEM0ALf4n4vnf3Hk9PGfJcjXXhVG_fdfBcZwt4O957yB46gqLY3FKTTsURsfHGWg6KlSHxgaVd3JZ99ZKDCMUJAVFw9605MOjQ-fOhaL4qRyyQHDkfjzMtbl2SlnS-7tVT1XpCwd_uDr_ubOsu37p2Hd0fBK5JGblu5y-q60IBI/w640-h474/_c9e97b23-bb08-4d18-a984-64dcb6c44df6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Abandon yourself to God. <br /><br />What does it mean exactly? When we become a follower of Jesus, we are renouncing, or throwing off our old ways of life. And we’re choosing a new way of life. A life which is now fundamentally under the command and control of God Almighty. <br /><br />We abandon ourselves to God. We surrender control of our lives to Him in a very practical way. <br /><br />Madam Guyon said it like this, “You must come to the Lord and there engage in giving up all your concerns. All your concerns go into the hand of God. You forget yourself, and from that moment on you think only of Him.” <br /><br />Now I know what many of you are thinking, can someone really do that? Is that possible? Yes honestly, we can do that. <br /><br />It’s simply doing it. Instead of sitting and worrying about it and wondering if it’s possible, it’s sitting down in prayer and asking God to make it happen. <br /><br />Prayer: "Lord, we give all our worries and concerns to you. We put our lives in your hands. We forget ourselves, and we focus only on You. In Jesus name, amen."<br /><br />As with so many aspects of the Christian life, it’s a little miracle that it really happens, because in ourselves we could never abandon ourselves to God. <br /><br />But it is quite possible. <br /><br />As Jeanne Guyon said, “Be careful; do not listen to the voice of your natural reasoning. You can expect just such reasoning to well up within you. Nonetheless, you must believe that you can abandon yourself utterly to the Lord for all your lifetime and that He will give you the grace to remain there! You must trust in God, "hoping against hope? (Romans 4:18)”<br /><br />The scriptures give a good word about this, from Psalm 46:10 ESV “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” <br /><br />Be still, and know that God is God and let him be in control. <br /><br />Another powerful scripture about letting God run our lives is this one from Proverbs… <br /><br />Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."<br /><br />Here is another powerful statement from Madam Guyon about abandonment to God, “What is abandonment? It is forgetting your past; it is leaving the future in His hands; it is devoting the present fully and completely to your Lord. Abandonment is being satisfied with the present moment, no matter what that moment contains. You are satisfied because you know that whatever that moment has, it contains—in that instant—God's eternal plan for you.”</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Let's break it down... <br /><br />1. It’s forgetting your past, leaving behind old patterns <br /><br />2. It’s trusting God for the future <br /><br />3. It’s allowing God to be in charge in the present <br /><br />4. It’s been satisfied with God’s will in the moment, that’s it’s just right <br /><br />5. It’s trusting that in this moment what’s going on is God’s perfect will <br /><br />This is linked with a concept in the scriptures called humbling ourselves before God. It’s a good reminder to pray a lot, pray on our knees, and submit to Him completely. <br /><br />As it says in 1st Peter 5:5-7, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” <br /><br />Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." -1st Peter 5:5b-7 <br /><br />I know this can seem difficult to abandon ourselves to God, to give everything over, but there are many benefits. We don’t have to be afraid. We aren’t in charge. God is. <br /><br />I remember when COVID hit in 2020, and everyone became frantically afraid. And I had to ask myself, wait Justin, whose in control? Is it you? Or is it God? I knew God was in control. So I abandoned myself to Him. And I wasn’t near as afraid anymore. I could rest in His protection and know that whatever happened, it would be ok. Even if I died, I would be ok. <br /><br />It’s freedom from fear to trust in God. We can cast all our anxieties on Him, and he cares for us, and removes our worries. <br /><br />It reminds me of recovery groups. The first three steps of the 12 steps say: First, we surrender and admit that our lives have become unmanageable. <br /><br />Second, we come to believe that God can restore us to sanity <br /><br />Third, we turned our will and our lives over to the care of God. <br /><br />This concept of surrender and coming to believe and turning ourselves over to God is biblical. It reminds me of Luke 9:23-24… <br /><br />Luke 9:23-24 ESV And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” <br /><br />And again in Matthew 7:1 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” <br /><br />It’s not enough to simply call Jesus Lord, we really have to abandon ourselves to Him, deny ourselves, deny our old pattern of life, and embrace the new pattern of carrying our cross with Jesus. Otherwise there’s no hope. We have to give it all over! <br /><br />But I know what you’re probably thinking, if I completely abandon myself to God, can I really trust that he will care for me? The answer is absolutely yes. God will do exactly what is right. It won’t always be easy. It won’t always be perfect or fun. But it will be 100% right. It will be His will for your life. And we can trust that His will is 100% right. <br /><br />Would God forget us or forsake us or fail to keep His promises? Not a chance. <br /><br />As it says in Isaiah 49:15-16 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” <br /><br />It gives the picture of God being so close that he is a watching over our defenses. He is guarding us carefully. He is always watching, all around us. He’s written our name on His hands. <br /><br />I want to share one final quote from Madam Guyon, all these quotes are from chapter 6 of Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ. <br /><br />She writes, “Surrender yourself to allow Him to do with you exactly as He pleases—both in your inward life of experiencing Him and also in your outward life of accepting all circumstances as from Him.” <br /><br />So in conclusion today, let’s remember it like this, we want to surrender in two main ways, one, we want to surrender ourselves to God within ourselves, in our journey of experiencing Him in relationship. Simply let him do whatever He pleases inside of us. <br /><br />Secondly, we want to accept all circumstances in our lives as from Him (that are not the fault of our mistakes). If we make a bad decision that may not be from God. But in general we should accept outward circumstances in our lives as from Him. And accept things as they are. <br /><br /><b>To Review, Our Main Points are as follows: </b><br /><br />1. Believe that you really can abandon yourself to God completely (it is possible through God’s power) <br /><br />2. Forget the past, trust God for the future, and entirely embrace what God has for you today as coming from Him <br /><br />3. Abandoning ourselves to God means freedom from fear and control <br /><br />4. Deny old patterns of thinking, take up your cross, and follow the way of Jesus <br /><br />5. We can trust that if we do abandon ourselves to God, God will care for us a good Father <br /><br />6. Surrender yourself to Him within and allow God to whatever He pleases in changing you from within <br /><br />7. Surrender your external life to Him, and let Him lead you wherever He wants, accepting circumstances as from Him</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJRtyfyEaFw6VsBRk8rTfYsqriHu4NI9b6Glt4C-ELysSAildFBuv2jOVEN8QPB8WQar7sKuWGO0zIAPMoHDVt9Eil8QBTd73BNuRJ2HGrNCUHhmhspy0dpB9rKH_FGrfSQSlEi6aOe4hTNKcskaaAfVnDW02gSNA4UpfrR_Mr1kBTSikDKT5xT-CMBg/s3840/2500851-Oswald-Chambers-Quote-As-soon-as-we-abandon-ourselves-to-God-and.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJRtyfyEaFw6VsBRk8rTfYsqriHu4NI9b6Glt4C-ELysSAildFBuv2jOVEN8QPB8WQar7sKuWGO0zIAPMoHDVt9Eil8QBTd73BNuRJ2HGrNCUHhmhspy0dpB9rKH_FGrfSQSlEi6aOe4hTNKcskaaAfVnDW02gSNA4UpfrR_Mr1kBTSikDKT5xT-CMBg/w640-h360/2500851-Oswald-Chambers-Quote-As-soon-as-we-abandon-ourselves-to-God-and.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-58726595641282056262024-02-19T11:21:00.006-05:002024-02-19T11:21:55.634-05:00Eternity Written in the Human Heart: Where is Home in a Fallen World? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2xtuxdxwbPOB57Fk8F3xihwclP3lMWcUxc1Rrj-ymM9FMTOMiquGn7O-PiaEtu4yQSpljd9Wp_Umkqcaim05n-97jIYHh5SOl8iTh447-9KZ1B_IfuQboSGV2kynS-Jvaqhi0Ruuk28NhuK14R9YhzpeWsOkv0znDBuIl-IPXim-RQiEi0evh9OrF9c/s1200/2022402_univ_cnt_1_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2xtuxdxwbPOB57Fk8F3xihwclP3lMWcUxc1Rrj-ymM9FMTOMiquGn7O-PiaEtu4yQSpljd9Wp_Umkqcaim05n-97jIYHh5SOl8iTh447-9KZ1B_IfuQboSGV2kynS-Jvaqhi0Ruuk28NhuK14R9YhzpeWsOkv0znDBuIl-IPXim-RQiEi0evh9OrF9c/w640-h360/2022402_univ_cnt_1_xl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />My fiancé and I went to see The Chosen in theaters this weekend, season four, episodes 4-6. And we really enjoyed it. It was very powerful. Particularly I really enjoyed episode 4. You have Jesus seeing the faith the centurion who doesn’t even need Jesus to come to his house to heal his son, he simply believes that Jesus will do it, and Jesus is amazed by his faith. He is excited. But suddenly, his own disciples disappoint him greatly, james and john ask to sit at his right and left. And it's just exhausting for Jesus. He leaves the area and goes and prays. And I just felt the power of that moment. That we groan in this life with the problems and difficulties. <br /><br />Sometimes as Christians we feel as though we’re caught between heaven and Earth. We long to be in heaven with God. We long to escape the flesh, to be free from the evils of this world. Yet we know we have a job, a duty to minister to this world and be salt and light to the world. But it’s tough. We long for something greater. <br /><br />As C.S. Lewis wrote, "I am trying to rip open the inconsolable secret in each one of you—the secret which hurts so much that you take your revenge on it by calling it names like Nostalgia and Romanticism and Adolescence; the secret also which pierces with such sweetness that when, in very intimate conversation, the mention of it becomes imminent, we grow awkward and affect to laugh at ourselves; the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell, though we desire to do both. We cannot tell it because it is a desire for something that has never actually appeared in our experience. We cannot hide it because our experience is constantly suggesting it, and we betray ourselves like lovers at the mention of a name. Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter." -C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, pg. 3 <br /><br />Ecclesiastes says he has set eternity in the human heart. There is a piece of eternity within us, and we long for something more. <br /><br />We long for a place we’ve never been. Our hearts ache for eternity. We’re going to talk about that tension between heaven and earth in the Christian life today. <br /><br />We’re looking today at 2nd Corinthians chapter 5, verses 1-10. Our structure of faith today is an hour glass shape, the bottom represents our life on Earth, the top portion represents our future in heaven. <br /><br />It says in 2nd Cor 5:1, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” <br /><br />I believe Paul is referring to earthly tent here, as our physical bodies, but some translations, like the KJV render it as earthly house. But again it’s most likely the same thing, your body, housing your soul. <br /><br />One day every person in here will pass away, our earthly tent will be destroyed. But we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, so a new heavenly body, that does not age like this body does. It’s not built by human hands. Our earthly bodies grew from our mother’s body, right? But the heavenly body is created by God. <br /><br />Verse 2-3 says, “Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.” <br /><br />Yet while we live in this earthly body, our flesh on Earth, we do groan. We sigh. We long for something better. We long for something new. We long to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling. <br /><br />It gives us this picture then of being clothed vs being found naked. In Christ, while in the flesh, we often wonder, am I properly clothed, am I living the Christian life correctly? We wonder if we’re really saved. We battle against sin. So we are concerned with staying clothed in Christ, and not being found naked. <br /><br />But when we die, and go to heaven, the uncertainty is over, the spiritual battles are over, and we’re safe. In the flesh, we remain in a sense, guarding against sins and evil, but in heaven, the time of guarding is over. We won’t be found naked then, but clothed. <br /><br />Next, “4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” <br /><br />Right now my brothers and sisters we are burdened. We deal with physical health issues, mental health issues, addictions, and temptation, we are burdened, lightly, with the troubles of this world. We groan. The 1828 dictionary calls it uttering a mournful voice in pain or sorrow. <br /><br />Can you relate? We can all relate. That’s why we’re being told by Paul, this is the current state of things. But it is temporary. It’s like an hour glass, our lives, slowly the sand is draining, and one day we will be with Jesus. <br /><br />It’s fascinating an unbeliever dreads the day of their death, they do anything they can to escape it. They won’t even dare think about it. For the Christian we are excited for the day when we’ll be with Jesus face to face. We long for the day when we’ll pass from this temporary flesh to our eternal dwelling. <br /><br />Next in verse 5, “5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” <br /><br />We talk about the uncertainty of life in the flesh, and wrestling with God, wrestling with our prayer life, trying to keep focused on Jesus, yet we also see an assurance here, that if we have the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is this deposit, a guarantee of what is to come. The Holy Spirit will witness to me, when I’m wrestling, “Yes you’re safe and secure. Be at peace.” Or the Holy Spirit will also witness to me, you’re in sin, go to your Father, and seek His help toward forgiveness and repentance.” And then I do that. <br /><br />We have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is like our link to the heavenly world. He glows brightly within us, telling us of God and Jesus and heaven and judgment and the world to come. <br /><br />Verse 6, “Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” <br /><br />Living in the flesh in the pain and sorrows of Earth is a breeding ground for uncertainty, confusion, and doubt. But God counters that by telling us, “you can always be confident.” <br /><br />Know that you are currently away from the Lord. You are not in his direct presence. We are still in the earthly realm. <br /><br />“For we live by faith, not by sight.” -2 Cor 5:7 <br /><br />On Earth we live in faith. In heaven we will live by sight. We will literally see God. We will literally see Jesus. We will see angels. We will see it all. Right now it’s different. Right now we trust, though we can’t see. We believe and know it is in fact true. <br /><br />Notice the dividing line. The bottom portion of the hour glass represents Earth, the top represents heaven. These worlds are vastly different. Yet we’re linked to heaven through Jesus Christ. <br /><br />Next, 2 Cor 5:8-9: “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” <br /><br />Second time he says, “we are confident.” We are confident in what we believe. <br /><br />Next he writes, that yes we would prefer to be away from the body, in heaven, right now. My preference: Be there. So Paul makes this argument, since you want to be in heaven, therefore make it your goal to please Him. <br /><br />So our goal in the flesh, is this: Please God. Whether we’re in the body or not, always, heaven or Earth, the goal is to please God. Live by God’s leading. Love God’s son Jesus. Walk in relationship with God. All those things are pleasing to Him. <br /><br />Then lastly in verse 10, ““For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” <br /><br />Our goal is to please God, because, we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. All our deeds, every word we spoke will be brought into judgment at the gateway between the bottom and top parts of the hourglass. The gateway entry point, is the judgment seat of Christ. <br /><br />Those we have lived by faith in Jesus Christ, and lived holy as He is holy will be rewarded, and welcomed into the eternal kingdom. Those who have rejected Christ, denied Christ, or have made a practice of lawlessness, will face judgment and condemnation. <br /><br />The judgment seat of Christ is a great reminder that the next life isn’t automatic. I read a quote recently from the late R.C. Sproul that the world thinks the only requirement for heaven is to die, that everyone goes to a better place. But that isn’t true. Only those who have Jesus Christ as savior, and have repented of their sins, will have eternal life. There is a heaven, there is also a hell. And it’s perfectly just. God is just. The judgment seat will be entirely just. We’ll know it’s right, when we go there. Each of us will, either to be rewarded, or condemned. <br /><br /><b>Let’s review our main points from today: </b><br /><br />1. Your earthly body is temporary, your heavenly body will live forever <br /><br />2. We are clothed in Christ, but we want to avoid being found naked (keep your garment on) <br /><br />3. Groaning and burdens in the flesh are to be expected <br /><br />4. We have the Holy Spirit connecting us to heaven now <br /><br />5. We are always confident that God is with us <br /><br />6. We live by faith today, next life by sight <br /><br />7. Our preference is to be with God in heaven <br /><br />8. Our Goal is to Please God on Earth <br /><br />9. We all must pass through the gateway of the judgment seat of Christ <br /><br />10. The New Heavens and New Earth are real home <br /><br />Point number 10 I think is key here. Where is home, really? I think about the house where I grew up on Ross avenue in Wisconsin. I miss it, sure. But it wasn’t really home. My grandmas kitchen, home? My other grandmas garden, home? My house here in Owosso? None of it quite feels like home. We get hints of it. We get a taste of it. But we’re always groaning in the flesh, in this life, for something greater. For something better. We’re longing for home. Home isn’t here. We get hints of it. But our real home, the place that will truly feel like home, because it is home, is with God, in the new Jerusalem. That city is home. God is home. That’s where we belong. Accept the groanings of this life, but live in hope, because we have a confident assurance, that if we leave this earthly tent, we have a heavenly dwelling that will last forever. Amen.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjCYEbQER8tBYEaUP3KPPUgSZDQhNp-NtLbfVm-VqkhqFVYjkCLyzWnK-RPX1ZQfzHiFw9sIb1kFoJk3w3-FC3d7vO0-PsBScCBr5dz3FfwTqCQQykx2OX955xB2lK1jxrenhcssiW4B11vLA3dN6I_nubPPJ9WL8Ss9CBWf4ilkhwj-5f6zodCh-10A/s1920/428630790_3389355871210882_5092420791835789755_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjCYEbQER8tBYEaUP3KPPUgSZDQhNp-NtLbfVm-VqkhqFVYjkCLyzWnK-RPX1ZQfzHiFw9sIb1kFoJk3w3-FC3d7vO0-PsBScCBr5dz3FfwTqCQQykx2OX955xB2lK1jxrenhcssiW4B11vLA3dN6I_nubPPJ9WL8Ss9CBWf4ilkhwj-5f6zodCh-10A/w640-h360/428630790_3389355871210882_5092420791835789755_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-42703197353450986292024-02-17T00:30:00.006-05:002024-02-24T11:46:24.968-05:00How do you overcome False Teachers in a Movement? <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuoUYR5w5DNJDHakjCU22aiTZd8sVyetpao5MiasXFORlZiYe6OMiPhWhbwYVBfHFNNVmSd94j53a_kJ0okmktQgGO_sKVq5qIuQa8Ndn8x__OtsZ1ABccCHaOw8SddfzxBc27nsQW1U_Lj_I-us7rPL4BUj3Qhft-2DGQy5V6gLjQbKo55-6IJ58DNg/s1854/1920x1080-1%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="1854" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuoUYR5w5DNJDHakjCU22aiTZd8sVyetpao5MiasXFORlZiYe6OMiPhWhbwYVBfHFNNVmSd94j53a_kJ0okmktQgGO_sKVq5qIuQa8Ndn8x__OtsZ1ABccCHaOw8SddfzxBc27nsQW1U_Lj_I-us7rPL4BUj3Qhft-2DGQy5V6gLjQbKo55-6IJ58DNg/w640-h250/1920x1080-1%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: large;">"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves." -2 Peter 2:1</span><p><span style="font-size: large;">Every church movement, every denomination has false teachers that they have to deal with. As Jesus taught, the wheat and the tares are growing together. Ravenous wolves, he predicted would rush into the flock. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've often wondered about different denominations of the body of Christ. Some have stayed on track over the hundreds of years of their existence. They still faithfully preach the gospel. Others have drifted into false teachings and currently reflect little to nothing of their original values.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What causes the drift? What causes a once proud denomination that faithfully taught the gospel to become something years later that hardly mentions the gospel? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I recall when I lived in Chicago I would see churches in the depths of the city, positioned in such critical locations to spread the gospel, but instead they had gay pride flags on the doors and windows, and promoted secular social justice ideologies and universalism. The gospel wasn't even an issue to be mentioned. Instead of the church ministering to the city, the city had ministered to the church and converted it to secularism.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What causes the ELCA to drift away from it's own biblical teachings? What causes the United Methodist Church, a holiness movement church based around the teachings of John Wesley, to split over the issue of homosexuality? What causes Congregationalists and UCC and dozens of others to have gone from the most fundamental perspectives on scripture, to outright heresy? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It reminds me of when Al Mohler took over as the Dean of the SBC seminary. The SBC, one of the most biblically conservative Christian movements was getting off track. Their seminary had been taken over by activist theologians promoting unbiblical ideas. But one man, Al Mohler took a stand. He cleared out the activists and extremists, and re-centered the seminary on the gospel of Jesus Christ.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I thought to myself, what's the difference? What will save denominations from ideological destruction, denominations that are wavering now, like the church of the Nazarene, or Wesleyans, or The Salvation Army, or a dozen other denominations fracturing over theological issues? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It will take a small group or groups of biblically sound watchmen and watchwomen who are willing to stand up and say no to bad ideas. That's all it takes. When honorable men and women take a stand, faithfully, honestly, truthfully, without hatred or rage, but firmly, then the denomination will stand. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">They become a Gideon's army of sorts within the denomination. They speak up boldly, clearly, with love and truth, without hatred or rage, but firmly, and God is with them. They win the victory. They oppose the false teachers. And they pray. The false teachers can't stand against prayer. God moves in those prayers. And their defeat is certain. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So I want to look at a few keys to victory in the battle against false teachers and unbiblical theology in your denominational movement. Follow these steps, and you will see victory rise from the ashes of defeat. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Target the False Teacher with Specific Prayers -</b> Don't skip past this one. This may be your single greatest asset. Begin praying for the false teacher, pray that God would give them every good thing in life. Pray for their health, pray for their family, pray for their goals, pray for blessings, not curses for them. Also pray that God would guide them away from false ideas, and toward the truth. But also pray that if they do not repent, that God would remove them from the movement. Pray and keep praying, then fast and pray. You'll be amazed at what happens, if you truly believe.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Organize with others in the Movement -</b> Develop a network of heroes, start a Facebook group, or meet in person, to discuss the issues and concerns you notice. It's important for others to know they aren't alone. Encourage one another. Avoid forming a faction or spreading dissensions, instead emphasize loyalty to Jesus Christ, unity, and oneness with the current denominational structure as it exists now. Loyal members standing for truth, not a faction fighting against the whole. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Work in the Chain of Command - </b>If you notice concerns with false teachers at a seminary or at a particular church, alert leaders in your movement. They may not do anything about it. But at least the truth is where it belongs. Do be cautious, if your movement is way off, you may actually find yourself a target after reporting someone for false teachings. It's worth it though, because again, the truth is where it belongs. You did what you could. Now return to prayer. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Go Directly to the Person - </b>God may afford you opportunities to speak directly to that person and correct them. Do so gently, with wisdom and tact. They may not receive it or listen, but again, at least the truth is where it belongs. Approach them not as one looking to clobber them, or destroy them, but approach as a brother or sister in Christ who honestly wants to be helpful. Attitude is everything. Do it with honest love. It may feel more emotionally appealing to slam someone with the truth, but love is merciful and kind. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Innovate Past the False Teachers - </b>Sometimes we try to fight false teachers with anger and accusations and rumors and factions and rivalries, but this only causes the evil and strife and wickedness to grow stronger. We can't fight fire with fire. We are in fact told in scripture that evil cannot be overcome with evil. As the word says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Jesus didn't smash everyone surrounding him when he was on the cross. He died for them. That paradoxical love of enemy started the greatest revolution of biblical truth in world history. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We can't overcome false teachers by yelling and screaming and spreading accusations. And the worst possible thing we could do, is become a "faction" that causes division and chaos in the movement. We've got to emphasize loyalty to the movement and an attitude of unity. God <i>hates</i> those who sow division (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%206%3A16-19&version=NIV" target="_blank">Proverb 6:19</a>) so we've got to learn to walk that line VERY carefully. Speak up boldly, yet also be intensely loyal and particularly submissive to the leadership of the movement. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We can overcome false teachers by spreading the gospel, teaching biblical truth, and praying vigorously. As revival grows from biblical heroes teaching biblical truth, hundreds and thousands will turn to Christ. The false teachers will look like mushrooms on logs compared to the bursting light and love and truth of thousands turning to Jesus Christ. Innovate past them. Spread the gospel with such zeal and power that no one listens to the false teachers, they are too focused on the gospel movement growing up around them. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the end, God will judge false teachers. May we always pray that they repent honestly and return to their Lord and Savior. But in the meantime, we can't allow these people to destroy entire movements. They can't be allowed to lead entire denominations astray from the Master. It will take small gatherings of bold people seasoned with biblical love, to pray intentionally and stand firmly, but God-willing, they will win the day. It may seem impossible. It may seem like the denomination is too far gone. But God can do anything. Believe, and stand, and watch God do a miracle. Then again, maybe it is too late. Maybe the denomination is too far gone. But let it not be said that we didn't stand up, let it be said we went down fighting, letting the denomination fail only at the end of our greatest efforts in Christ to bring hope once again. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Either way, God will reward those who are faithful to the end, who do not allow themselves to be seduced by worldly ideas and ear tickling reinterpretations of biblical truth. But we know the end for false teachers, as it is described in 2nd Peter chapter 2. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2%3A17-21&version=NIV" target="_blank">2 Peter 2:17-21</a> "These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them."</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMGFuONWiZSnMAIsKBu1PA1eqkk9D_xfH2v8L2hyphenhyphenMw_yBNPGe3PIsPJnR5n883NOtZVdl6G4iDeEGKhyphenhyphen1BBQ0g322Sv6_qofoMMcf3roCsrv-0SwrodWSJ6H7vjrPdA47PWui2yqNY8cNv6Wp2zupWAtd_OdTeFne7UQe5Ho55T4kSSao-CuvcVBnZoE/s1584/40_Mat_24_11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1584" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMGFuONWiZSnMAIsKBu1PA1eqkk9D_xfH2v8L2hyphenhyphenMw_yBNPGe3PIsPJnR5n883NOtZVdl6G4iDeEGKhyphenhyphen1BBQ0g322Sv6_qofoMMcf3roCsrv-0SwrodWSJ6H7vjrPdA47PWui2yqNY8cNv6Wp2zupWAtd_OdTeFne7UQe5Ho55T4kSSao-CuvcVBnZoE/w640-h640/40_Mat_24_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0zQeqjqpKoeKa2_smDSwKlcs-kM79mS2vjFcyQeY5WAibbeOObJuRT50a85-eX1K8aRY5iD6De7rrysyg0BKkYR6ezLmQCiDZ5jHaBgsQrQC7VbGb3qgqcVGGWL44dfQC8Zm0Ccsb0gKXWD6UeB-tGgzgxMVkERhU0vseK70B3EA5tzWhW5PyAS9qEw/s640/falseprophets1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0zQeqjqpKoeKa2_smDSwKlcs-kM79mS2vjFcyQeY5WAibbeOObJuRT50a85-eX1K8aRY5iD6De7rrysyg0BKkYR6ezLmQCiDZ5jHaBgsQrQC7VbGb3qgqcVGGWL44dfQC8Zm0Ccsb0gKXWD6UeB-tGgzgxMVkERhU0vseK70B3EA5tzWhW5PyAS9qEw/w640-h640/falseprophets1.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWYxeUBJED1XW_wOAS0mSCca_LW15otxlaRLLHjYagxDlpfy9E7qKuHIBBcCl1X3MAEg6sCEIAeoZoVuXe26VqG9XT3g9oy7Kv16ljiwiGV05TZN_QCqZvHIXfNJKuc2DYax99V08AfwDBWxkx70lGXNlDMivnQY-1lB3yU0p-xP31rIYiwvx_n3nTGw/s1280/EthhpiQXYAEy3al.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWYxeUBJED1XW_wOAS0mSCca_LW15otxlaRLLHjYagxDlpfy9E7qKuHIBBcCl1X3MAEg6sCEIAeoZoVuXe26VqG9XT3g9oy7Kv16ljiwiGV05TZN_QCqZvHIXfNJKuc2DYax99V08AfwDBWxkx70lGXNlDMivnQY-1lB3yU0p-xP31rIYiwvx_n3nTGw/w640-h640/EthhpiQXYAEy3al.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-89660884736464447062024-02-11T23:05:00.005-05:002024-02-11T23:07:20.315-05:00When God seems Distant: The Teacher is Silent during the Test<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakyliItaKcVJzcEZDtnLllV2jkTUrIYNQJH9ZAJmwhyphenhyphenLp2LqyrtdYGPzVSlNgtrTLUsAo5UJMBdduvcc1mfXQUu9mmN0VkRFSwsq5wgRM8qg9YVvVdZDj7RR3xUl6VgrerVtpDjKZfnferaluN8CbX-Q3AMVdrcbA1A0rNJ84Z9Hin8hVjfMSbo8DqE/s800/2-Samuel_22_4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIakyliItaKcVJzcEZDtnLllV2jkTUrIYNQJH9ZAJmwhyphenhyphenLp2LqyrtdYGPzVSlNgtrTLUsAo5UJMBdduvcc1mfXQUu9mmN0VkRFSwsq5wgRM8qg9YVvVdZDj7RR3xUl6VgrerVtpDjKZfnferaluN8CbX-Q3AMVdrcbA1A0rNJ84Z9Hin8hVjfMSbo8DqE/w640-h640/2-Samuel_22_4.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY8ByfRo8V-gd7bsJ9V23VCOCAIT_czyBsT8nwJpjuANVTUBf33r32icAPsw1tLbJggHZDXPMmaOop3hTS6L4btHZKvAHHNWR6sNdTD-GSq4PzjtTMLjWWRN048k0f0Alb6bTTqIf9KxoxjxrqwIMgM0BCW3OS8mlnMI-H-GQQxjiSbZW1wZLp-Sxw8Y/s736/399642566_683748243717438_1881297655160327624_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY8ByfRo8V-gd7bsJ9V23VCOCAIT_czyBsT8nwJpjuANVTUBf33r32icAPsw1tLbJggHZDXPMmaOop3hTS6L4btHZKvAHHNWR6sNdTD-GSq4PzjtTMLjWWRN048k0f0Alb6bTTqIf9KxoxjxrqwIMgM0BCW3OS8mlnMI-H-GQQxjiSbZW1wZLp-Sxw8Y/w640-h640/399642566_683748243717438_1881297655160327624_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><span><span style="font-size: large;">There have been a few times in my life when I felt God’s presence depart from me. And it was for the purpose of testing me, to see what decision I’ll make without his presence strong upon me. Don’t get me wrong, God was still with me in those times. He hadn’t left me or forsaken me. But, his presence, his influence, even his power in my life had departed temporarily, as I was being tempted, or going through a hard time. And I was left with what I’d learned from God to guide me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That seems natural, as the old saying goes the teacher is always silent during the test. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">James 1:12 ESV “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">During those times we want to pray, even if we don’t feel He is close. We want to read the word. We want to hold fast to God’s commands. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">In our journey with God so far, we’re learning something Madam Guyon wrote, “You gradually recognize that prayer is the true way, the real way, of finding God. And once you have found Him, you proclaim joyfully, “His name is an ointment poured forth.” (Song of Solomon 1:3) -Jeanne Guyon, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i><span>, p. 22 </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But we’re challenged by Jeanne Guyon that this journey will not be without difficulties and problems. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There was a man named Elijah who was a heroic servant of God. He was surrendered to God’s will for his life. He was bold, he was fearless. He confronted false teachers in his time, hundreds of them, and God worked mightily through his experience. He was an outcast in his time, hated by Israel’s leaders, feared by the people, and criticized constantly. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">After Elijah’s greatest moment of victory over the false prophets of his time, Elijah was exhausted. He must’ve felt at those moments far off from God, tired, weak. And it was at that moment that Queen Jezebel sent a message to him that she would kill him for what he’d done. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It was too much for Elijah at that moment, Elijah ran for his life. He ran for days. God cared for him on the journey. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There will be times when we feel weak, when we feel far from God, even when it seems God has withdrawn from us. That’s the time when we want to cling to what we’ve been taught and stay true to our Master. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Then, after the test is through, the teacher comes over pleased that we’ve passed, we’ve walked through the flames, we’ve not been burned, and all is well.</span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">Elijah ran for his life. But God was with him on the journey. He ministered to him, cared for his needs, fed him, and gave him rest. Then God revealed himself to Elijah on the mountain, in a still small voice.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We will have periods of dryness. We will face times when it feels like God is far off. We will face times when it’s hard to pray. We can learn in all this, to simply be OK with where we are at right at this moment. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We’re always longing for more, aren’t we? We want it to feel good. But it won’t always feel good. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As you seek to know God better, as you embrace this journey to really be intimate with God, it will ebb and flow. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing in this life will ever be perfect in how we experience it. One day is a good day, the next isn’t as good. One day we feel deeply close with one of our friends, a few weeks later, we don’t feel as close. One day when we bike ride it’s perfect, glorious even, the next it’s just dismal and sad. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">In a romantic relationship, some days we get along super well, other days we argue an disagree and feel miserable. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Accept in your walk with God that there will be times when you feel very close, and there will be other days when you feel far off. Don’t get discouraged. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">“I would encourage you to have a believing heart from this point on. You must not be discouraged. There will be a little difficulty along the way as you seek to go into a deep relationship with the Lord.” -Jeanne Guyon, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i><span>, p. 22</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It ebbs and it flows. But keep pushing toward God in the journey. But then as you push toward Him, and you sense Him near, cease striving, and simply enjoy His presence. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As Jeanne Guyon said, “What is the point? The point is this: There is a fire with you and it ebbs and grows. That fire, when it ebbs, must be gently fanned, but only gently. Just as soon as that fire begins to burn, again cease all your efforts. Otherwise, you might put out the flame.” -Jeanne Guyon, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i><span>, p. 23</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Friends it’s like this in any goal we set for ourselves to achieve. There will be ups and downs. Allow God to develop in you a perseverance, where you don’t give up. You keep going. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Honestly I have a hard time with this sometimes. I get far too disappointed when things go wrong. I get far too disappointed when we have a poor turnout for dinner church or Sunday school or Bible study. But I’m slowly learning to take it in stride. I remember a roommate used to say something to me, he said his dad always said it to him. He would always say, “You gotta roll with the punches.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What does that mean? I wasn’t sure for the longest time. I knew it meant to persevere through difficulties. To not give up. But apparently it comes from boxing. When you take punches to the face in boxing, which you certainly will even if you win, you’re supposed to allow your body, your head to move in the same direction the punch is going, and it lessons the blow you take, that slight movement makes it more bearable. So if you get punched from the front, you’d slide back slightly to lesson the blow. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Take the hit, lesson it, keep it outside yourself, don’t internalize it, and you can keep going without getting discouraged. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That’s why the bible tells us to “guard your heart.” We can’t let certain things into our hearts. They have to stay on the outside. And other things we have to let in, good things, like love, trust, and peace and friendship. But keep criticism out, keep anger out, keep hate from others out, don’t take it inside yourself. Keep it out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Romans 5:3-5 ESV “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of this all goes back to the heart. Guard your heart. Keep your heart encouraged. And in prayer, always believe in your heart that God is there and will answer completely. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Jeanne Guyon said, “Praying with a believing heart is more important than anything else that has to do with prayer!” </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>-Jeanne Guyon, </span><i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i><span>, p.23 </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We’ve got to believe, through and through, when we pray, that God is really here and really changing everything as a result of the prayer. God is real. God is good. God is answering. God has answered. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, I want to point us to the heart issue of the motive of the heart. As we seek to get to know God better and better, we want to examine our motive for doing so. Why are we doing this? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There are some common reasons, we love to experience God. We want to know God better. We want the sweetness of fellowship with Him. Those are all reasons we may have. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But Madam Guyon points us to a higher reason. She says, “Bring a heart that is seeking nothing from the Lord, but desires only to please Him and to do His will.” -Jeanne Guyon, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ</i><span>, p. 24</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It reminds me of the parable that Jesus taught about the servants. From Luke 17:7-10 it says, “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” -Luke 17:7-10 </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, we are God’s children through faith in Jesus. Yes we call God Father. Yes we call Jesus Lord and Savior. Yet in all that we must remember we are servants of God. So our chief desire as a servant of God should be to please Him and do what He tells us to do. Do His will. </span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let’s review our key points from today: </span></b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span>1. If God seems to depart in a trial, it may be because we’re being tested </span><br /><br /><span>2. Spells of spiritual dryness occur, but we can know God remains with us </span><br /><br /><span>3. When tested, hold firm to the truths of God’s word </span><br /><br /><span>4. Take the hits in the spiritual trials, but don’t let discouragement sneak into your heart, stay focused on Christ </span><br /><br /><span>5. Guard your heart to develop perseverance </span><br /><br /><span>6. Pray with a believing heart – believe God hears and does in fact answer </span><br /><br /><span>7. Develop the motive in your heart of simply wanting to be a servant of God</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzGup1k2qWHSu7_3-fuo1EPqtbkEmcgDGzoDj4lAMXwG9Tx9KK4dGFhD6rEyw1VVZLjhuUW9NQvcIsYevMDdNRGg_ukP-t7lv8Fv9GKbyYs7USpDlaek64bCRVzVOItpfvc5saJpLZjsNJ93xXjIlCygC4B09qe7xN3qmZqvjp-E4TEwiXZOVutSPSjA/s951/359225756_3533267326908349_4406490978739833752_n.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="743" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzGup1k2qWHSu7_3-fuo1EPqtbkEmcgDGzoDj4lAMXwG9Tx9KK4dGFhD6rEyw1VVZLjhuUW9NQvcIsYevMDdNRGg_ukP-t7lv8Fv9GKbyYs7USpDlaek64bCRVzVOItpfvc5saJpLZjsNJ93xXjIlCygC4B09qe7xN3qmZqvjp-E4TEwiXZOVutSPSjA/w500-h640/359225756_3533267326908349_4406490978739833752_n.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-26931579362623399812024-02-11T22:36:00.001-05:002024-02-11T22:37:37.289-05:00What is Biblical Love? How to Walk in the Way of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse0N6s_KjpRUP2XEzE5HlwziLbPmQgZwbMEHiyyau_Y0TpxYHy1gRkmuTDSVsNswcXRF6cPWjysnDhqXbsdaRRepocbZW7He0Y7HtTQDZQx-MsflFR58u1MaqX-1LICncIPCNAO9KZ8pT7Mo2M9uHMiAY4j4su50h9fwv8wBBZMOgHVKS3SXbH-5h0kc/s1920/hearrt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse0N6s_KjpRUP2XEzE5HlwziLbPmQgZwbMEHiyyau_Y0TpxYHy1gRkmuTDSVsNswcXRF6cPWjysnDhqXbsdaRRepocbZW7He0Y7HtTQDZQx-MsflFR58u1MaqX-1LICncIPCNAO9KZ8pT7Mo2M9uHMiAY4j4su50h9fwv8wBBZMOgHVKS3SXbH-5h0kc/w640-h360/hearrt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Dave Simmons shared in his book about being a dad a time when he and his two kids went to a mall, and the mall had a petting zoo there. He had given each of his children, Brandon and Helen a quarter to enter, and then went to continue shopping. Soon he saw his daughter hadn’t gone in. He went to ask her why. <br /><br />She said sadly, "Well, Daddy, it cost fifty cents. So, I gave Brandon my quarter." Then she said the most beautiful thing I ever heard. She repeated the family motto. The family motto is in "Love is Action!" <br /><br />She had given Brandon her quarter, and no one loves cuddly furry creatures more than Helen. <br /><br />What do you think I did? Well, not what you might think. As soon as I finished my errands, I took Helen to the petting zoo. We stood by the fence and watched Brandon go crazy petting and feeding the animals. Helen stood with her hands and chin resting on the fence and just watched Brandon. I had fifty cents burning a hole in my pocket; I never offered it to Helen, and she never asked for it. <br /><br />Because she knew the whole family motto. It's not "Love is Action." It's "Love is SACRIFICIAL Action!" Love always pays a price. Love always costs something. Love is expensive. When you love, benefits accrue to another's account. Love is for you, not for me. Love gives; it doesn't grab. Helen gave her quarter to Brandon and wanted to follow through with her lesson. She knew she had to taste the sacrifice. She wanted to experience that total family motto. Love is sacrificial action.” <br />-Dave Simmons, <i>Dad, The Family Coach</i>, Victor Books, 1991, pp. 123-124. <br /><br />Today we’re talking love in the context of the Bible, referred to in the classic chapter from 1st Corinthians 13. But it’s super important that we understand that love is like Dave Simmons indicates, a sacrificial action. <br /><br />It’s not a feeling. It’s not something we do when we feel like it. It’s a mindset of service to others. And let’s be very clear, we pay a price when we love. We give something. It’s not about receiving. It’s about giving. <br /><br />The Apostle Paul is writing to a community that has a lot of knowledge. And he is reminding them that love has to be first as a Christian. <br /><br />But what is love exactly? That’s what we’re going to be examining today. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But I think as Americans we assume love is “niceness.” The American 1st Corinthians 13 is: "Love is niceness. Love does not make waves. Love does not disagree. Love always affirms. Love goes along to get along. Love accepts everything. Love never judges. Love says anything to make someone feel good. Love never points out a wrong. Love seeks the security of self, rather than the benefit of the other. Niceness never confronts, never disturbs, never speaks a hard truth. Niceness says, "you do you."<br /><br />But that is not biblical love. That kind of love is not love at all, but niceness. And niceness isn’t actually really loving. Niceness wants to be liked. Niceness doesn’t want to have to call someone out on something bad they’re doing. Niceness is just letting someone float on down the river toward hell without saying a word. Niceness is more about wanting to be liked. It’s selfish. And niceness isn’t what we go for as Christians. We go for sacrificial agape love. <br /><br />Jesus modeled perfect love for us, by dying for his enemies, dying for people who rejected him, in the hope they would one day receive the forgiveness he offered. <br /><br />Love says, “Father forgive them they don’t know what they’re doing.” <br /><br />Love says, “I do not condemn you.” <br /><br />Yet Love also says, “Go and sin no more.” <br /><br />And Love also says, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” <br /><br />Love also says, “If your hand causes you to sin cut it off, because it’s better for you to lose your hand than to go with both hands into the everlasting fire.”<br /><br />Biblical love is willing to say a hard truth to someone in love, knowing that we may lose the friendship, but loving their soul more than their companionship. That’s real love. Niceness is a joke and a sham, compared to the glory of agape love. <br /><br />It says in 1st Cor 13:1-3, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” <br /><br />We can do a lot of great things with our spiritual gifts, but if we don’t honestly love people, it won’t matter. Our message will be ugly if it doesn’t come with love. Have you ever known a Christian who had a lot of giftings and knowledge but didn’t have love? The message is toxic. It’s dead. It drives people away. <br /><br />So we come to our structure of faith for today, which is the heart shape. And in the depiction of love in 1st Corinthians 13, we’re going to see categories, first, character traits that are loving. And character traits that are not loving. So we get a list of things to do, and a list of things not to do. Pretty simple. <br /><br />Let’s dive in. First, in verse 4, “Love is patient.” <br /><br />Now I know this scripture is often used in association with romantic relationships, but the context is actually speaking about loving your neighbor. I think we can also apply it to loving God as well. <br /><br />Love is patient. How is your patience? Are you patient with someone who you are trying to win to Christ? Are you patient with friends and family? Patience is waiting on God. Patience is listening to someone when they’re talking. <br /><br />We want to add this characteristic to ourselves, in the heart. How? Pray and ask God for patience. Then learn to practice patience. Sometimes it’s helpful to speak the word, “I’m going to be patient in this situation.” Just remind yourself of that. <br /><br />Next, second part of verse 4, “Love is kind.” <br /><br />What is kindness? I like the <a href="https://webstersdictionary1828.com/" target="_blank">1828 Webster’s dictionary</a> definition for kindness, it says, “Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses.” <br /><br />Delighting in contributing to the happiness of others. As my grandma Monica always said, “It’s nice to be nice.” Niceness isn’t always bad either, as long as it’s seen as part of a bigger whole of what it means to be loving. <br /><br />Does it make you glad to contribute to help someone else? I know it does for me. That’s part of love. <br /><br />Next, third part of verse 4, “It does not envy.” <br /><br />Envy appears outside the heart shape, to remind us, this is something we want to avoid. What is envy? Being envious is seeing someone who has a nice car, nice house, nice watch, nice smartphone, and instead of being happy for them, we envy them, we want what they have. We get envious, jealous, angry that they have something we don’t. <br /><br />Envy is a nasty emotion. We want to pray if we struggle with envy, ask God to help us with that. Put off envy. Replace it with gratitude for what we do have. <br /><br />Many envy the rich in our country, want to get their money for themselves, that’s not wisdom. Be grateful for what you do have. <br /><br />Next, still verse 4, “it does not boast.” <br /><br />We also want to avoid bragging. I did this, I did that, I’m so great, look at me. <br /><br />I remember at my Grandma Bernie’s funeral, all of these people kept coming forward talking about how Grandpa had mentored them, how he had prayed with them, given them something, led them to the Lord, and Grandpa had never told anyone about all those things he did. <br /><br />That’s how we should be. We should not be bragging, look at what my ministry did. Look at all these people we helped. Look at how close to God I am. That isn’t helpful to anyone. We do want to shine our light. But we don’t want to brag about how great we are. That’s filthy before God. <br /><br />Next, similar to boasting, “It is not proud.” Pride is thinking highly of ourselves. Pride is thinking how great we are at what we do. Pride is looking at ourselves constantly and being impressed. Lord save us from pride! Pride is what caused the angels to fall and become demons. Pride leads ministers and great Christians astray, thinking they are something, thinking they are great. Replace pride with humility. Stay humble. Know you are merely a servant of God, nothing more. <br /><br />Next in verse 5, ‘it does not dishonor others.” <br /><br />In the original Greek of this phrase, <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g807/kjv/tr/0-1/" target="_blank">aschēmoneō</a>, it means to “prepare disgrace for someone.” It’s like setting someone up to look stupid or setting someone up to be criticized. I see this in social groups all the time, one of the guys tries to make the other guy look stupid, tries to manipulate the conversation to make the other guy look bad, and make himself look good. <br /><br />Biblical love of course doesn’t set others up for failure or try to push others down to promote ourselves or make ourselves look good. Guard against that. <br /><br />Next, still verse 5, “it is not self-seeking.” What a great phrase, self seeking is talked about a lot in 12 step fellowship groups. It’s the concept of taking your own selfish desires and pushing your own way in every situation. It’s very ugly. Self-will run riot is a great phrase that describes that. <br /><br />Being self-seeking is something we want to avoid. We should instead seek God’s will for our lives. Not what we want. <br /><br />Next, “it is not easily angered.” Love is not easily angered. Do you have a bad temper? Do you get angry too quickly? I know it’s something I had to fight in the past. And a lot of the time it had to be with a deeply rooted insecurity in me. So if you’re struggling with anger, find out what’s underneath the anger. <br /><br />Is it a bad memory? Is it a way you were mistreated in the past? Sit down and talk about what the feeling is connected to. Let it out. Heal from the pain. And next time, the anger won’t be as strong. <br /><br />Next, “it keeps no record of wrongs.” How often do we see this in romantic relationships or friendships? One person keeps a record of every wrong thing that was done by the other. Then the other person brings up the record they have of the other person. We’ve got to get rid of these records, forgive each other, and move forward. <br /><br />Then again, if you do notice a pattern of mistreatment or abuse, you should recognize that and deal with it with the other person. But once it’s been dealt with, let go of the record. Don’t keep bringing it up. We’ve got to forgive those hurts, and move forward. <br /><br />And then it says, verse 6, part 1, “Love does not delight in evil.” This is one of those aspects of love that distinguish it from niceness. <br /><br />Niceness says oh I love you just the way you are. Love says, I love you my friend but I notice something in your life isn’t right, God can help you be free from that sin. Niceness just says oh you do you. Do whatever you like. Love says what you’re doing my dear friend isn’t right, God has something better for you then that. Notice niceness just goes along to get along, it just wants to be liked, love brings up a hard truth to help the person, but in so doing, they risk the relationship. It’s sacrificial. <br /><br />Love doesn’t delight in evil, it can’t. <br /><br />So we see here the first eight aspects of what it means to not be loving, and the first two aspects of what it means to be loving. <br /><br />Paul is now going to get into the remaining six characteristics of a loving person. <br /><br />Next, so love does not delight in evil, but, it rejoices with the truth. <br /><br />What does it mean to rejoice with the truth? It’s as simple as hearing something at Bible study or at morning church and you say, “Amen!” Because the Holy Spirit in you rejoices and says, “that’s true!” I love the truth so much. And I hate lies. We will rejoice in truth in the way of love. And lies and evil will make us sick. <br /><br />Next, love always protects. The word here is rendered by some translations as bears. The Greek word gives the picture of someone setting aside slights and disagreements and problems and arguments, covering over those things, and instead focusing on the good. <br /><br />That’s something I think we’re good at, seeing the good in others, looking for the good things, and papering over the bad. <br /><br />When I have a disagreement with a loved one, family, with my fiancée, or a friend, I will tend to try and overlook it, ignore it, focus on the things I love about them. Let’s try to do that too, when others hurt us, cover over the bad, focus on the good. Bear up in difficulties. Anyone in a marriage knows that we have to bear up with the faults of our loved ones. <br /><br />Notice the word “always” is appearing. It gives us a picture of constantly repeatedly over time, repeating the character trait. Repeat it, repeat it again. Repeat the good thing. <br /><br />“it always trusts.” For our relationship God we want to “always trust.” For our relationship with friends and family, we want to “always trust.” Does that mean that we trust a stranger necessarily? No I don’t think so. But we do trust that God’s word can do something in their lives. Always trust I think primarily is a mindset of being a trusting person who trusts God and trusts others, and isn’t prone to bitter mistrust. <br /><br />Next, Love always hopes. A characteristic of being a loving person is being hopeful. Hopeful for the other. Hopeful for the future. Hopeful for the promises of God. Hopeful in general. <br /><br />I know that’s hard for many of us here who have been through many hardships and have mental and physical health issues, but we can obey this to always be hopeful. Don’t be a pessimistic, don’t be a negative person, cultivate hope. <br /><br />That may take healing for some of us here, to foster. I confess I battle bitterness, negativity. But God is helping me. I pray about it, and he helps. <br /><br />Next, love always perseveres. Love doesn’t give up. Love keeps going. Love stands the test. Love continues through the difficulties. Don’t give up friends. <br /><br />And the eighth characteristic of love is that love never fails. Does that mean we never make a mistake? No. Love never fails means that love doesn’t fall to the ground, love doesn’t end up powerless. Love will continue always in our hearts, if we are living out these principles of what it means to be loving. The result will be, love never fails. But it’s also an attribute. It’s believing that love will not die out. Love will continue. <br /><br />Next in verses 8-12 the Apostle Paul reinterates that love is the most important of all the giftings of the Spirit. It says, “8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” <br /><br />Then in verse 13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” <br /><br />When all the giftings fade in the next life, love remains as the greatest truth. <br /><br />I think the first part of 1st Corinthians 14:1 tells us what all this means. <br /><br />It says, “Walk in, or “Follow the way of love.” -1 Cor 14:1 <br /><br />So, if we are in fact putting off the eight negative characteristics that we want to avoid, and putting on the 8 positive characteristics of love, we will then be fulfilling the command in scripture which says to “follow the way of love.” <br /><br />This is the way of love. <br /><br />Last slide, the white arrows represent the actions of the Holy Spirit we take in cooperation with the Spirit, we actively put off the old ways, the anti-love ways. And then the Holy Spirit also helps us to put on the new ways of love which come from above, from God.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO6JhUH-PTBCRxoe-GEJq8bFKBMc5ztz6_JrzsG2HvYwOrs4sJtHOu6B_NpLyxuWBvVny_TXnHxZbFFejf13CCYvvLrkyXY2XcTUaI7_4zq59-MX0UMwdNOK-tJWeJ9QJmZs1hVeGGXMYl8uzSxGP10WSYUlkcQQmH1neJCHTeTkPK0J_w1MSFgE-w1E/s500/love-one-another.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO6JhUH-PTBCRxoe-GEJq8bFKBMc5ztz6_JrzsG2HvYwOrs4sJtHOu6B_NpLyxuWBvVny_TXnHxZbFFejf13CCYvvLrkyXY2XcTUaI7_4zq59-MX0UMwdNOK-tJWeJ9QJmZs1hVeGGXMYl8uzSxGP10WSYUlkcQQmH1neJCHTeTkPK0J_w1MSFgE-w1E/w640-h400/love-one-another.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><b>To Review: </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. Put off pridefulness, bragging, being easily angered, & Envy </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2. Put off Dishonoring others & keeping a record of wrongs </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3. Put off self seeking, & delighting in evil </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">4. Put on patience and kindness </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">5. Put on rejoicing in the truth </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">6. Put on Protectiveness, Hope, Perseverance, and Trusting </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">7. Believe that Love Never Fails </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">8. In all this, believe you can & will walk in the way of love </span><br /><br /> </div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-15822555422970473502024-02-05T23:58:00.008-05:002024-02-24T12:18:23.472-05:0012 Keys to the Kingdom of God System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR0CVR56seO7_jtcpLBm8vfR5962zhwFrblkPQeiVz0OYzq7Gy87n8QjDvPhivrrpYYAyoBJRNf3ahvzP_1_ehAELVcTtPPwKZOdP-73JsVqLWVIuVQ9Wpin4wtfpVKau3bhEJ0pmOoFMSjQhlxcUkR5XjDMNTCFumHLzcH1Spdfk31l8vhADh1rR64I/s910/jesus-christ-journey-forest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="910" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR0CVR56seO7_jtcpLBm8vfR5962zhwFrblkPQeiVz0OYzq7Gy87n8QjDvPhivrrpYYAyoBJRNf3ahvzP_1_ehAELVcTtPPwKZOdP-73JsVqLWVIuVQ9Wpin4wtfpVKau3bhEJ0pmOoFMSjQhlxcUkR5XjDMNTCFumHLzcH1Spdfk31l8vhADh1rR64I/w640-h426/jesus-christ-journey-forest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sl3OiCwkROqQzvZl3rXdgfPuvJFJyqZqoxbUtqQJmuUYWY-hBt5EmxrdySMlNnKqP_htalbIWjDvkKhVyG0JYPunHQcO666paLlwYPQCm22h-4mwWwbRVdqMhV3p4Opx1l_9d8rSpdCMbMublYDJItTRThQQGsanmckaBptu3z4S-F0G6I2GBvTnbzo/s626/leader-concept-one-glow-man-person-crowd-plain-people-extreme-closeup-3d-rendering_476612-12302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="626" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sl3OiCwkROqQzvZl3rXdgfPuvJFJyqZqoxbUtqQJmuUYWY-hBt5EmxrdySMlNnKqP_htalbIWjDvkKhVyG0JYPunHQcO666paLlwYPQCm22h-4mwWwbRVdqMhV3p4Opx1l_9d8rSpdCMbMublYDJItTRThQQGsanmckaBptu3z4S-F0G6I2GBvTnbzo/w640-h426/leader-concept-one-glow-man-person-crowd-plain-people-extreme-closeup-3d-rendering_476612-12302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />How does the Kingdom of God system work? The Lord Jesus taught one main message while he walked the Earth: The Kingdom of God. He taught it through parables. So if we look at the parables, and try to fit them together, we can find the basic instructions for how to live in God's world system. God's system is radically different from the world system, so we may find ourselves surprised by the paradoxes of the system. <br /><br />These twelve principles are an extension of another post that dealt with an original twelve principles. <a href="https://www.lifestyleofpeace.com/2022/11/12-principles-of-kingdom-of-god-system.html" target="_blank">For the original list of 12, Click here</a>. </span><p><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. It Starts Small -</b> Mustard Seed Parable (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013%3A31-32&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:31-32</a>) - The Kingdom of God system begins very small, a person is born again and they are a new Christian. They've been declared righteous in Christ, but a long journey of growth (sanctification) is just beginning. Over the years the kingdom grows and grows within them, and they go from a tiny mustard seed, to a large and mighty tree.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>2. Shine brightly - (but don't show off) -</b> Parable of the Lamp (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%204%3A21-25&version=NLT" target="_blank">Mark 4:21-25</a>) - The Kingdom of God system requires members to shine brightly before the world as an example of faith and why it's good. We don't hide our beliefs, or refuse to speak for fear of making waves or offending someone. We speak. However, we are also told not to act like the Pharisees who did things to be seen by others. They wanted to feel important. They wanted to be well thought of. We're told to strike a careful balance of shining for Christ, but not doing it for selfish reasons.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Examine Yourself First -</b> Speck and Log (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207%3A3-5&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 7:3-5</a>) - the parable of the speck and the log tells us that we naturally look at others and judge them. But it's different in God's kingdom. in God's kingdom we're told to look at ourselves first, and deal with sins in us, and then we can help others to find freedom from sins as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Spread the Seed Everywhere </b>- Parable of the Sower (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A1-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:1-23</a>) - Our attitude in sharing the gospel should be to spread the seed far and wide. Depending on the condition of each heart receiving it, they may receive it gladly, then fall away, or reject it, or it may get crowded out by the ways of the world, but some will receive it and produce their own harvests in Christ. We may be surprised by who rejects the message, and even more surprised by those who receive it gladly. Allow God to surprise you. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5. Hypocrites in the Kingdom - </b>Weeds among the Wheat (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A24-30&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:24-30</a>) - in the kingdom we will encounter people who seem to be in the kingdom but are not living out what it means to be a Christian. We should not trouble ourselves in trying to sort out whose saved and who isn't. We may mislabel someone who is a new believer as a hypocrite, or a hypocrite as a true follower. The weeds and the wheat are growing together, and Jesus will sort out each grouping when he returns (Parable of the Net) (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013%3A47-50&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 13:47-50</a>).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6. You can Start at any Age - </b>Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2020%3A1-16&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 20:1-16</a>) - For the kingdom of God, it's best to start from birth, being raised up in Christ, but, even if you join in when you're fifteen, or twenty-five, or forty, or seventy, you are welcome, and you will be rewarded for your labor. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7. Whosoever is Welcome - </b>Parable of the Marriage Feast (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A1-14&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 22:1-14</a>) - Those invited to God's kingdom had at first been the nation of Israel, but now it's gone out to the whosoever. Wealth, class, ability, lack of ability, race, gender, it doesn't matter, the kingdom of God is open to anyone who is willing to come and participate in accordance with the rules of the system. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>8. Using your Kingdom Talents </b>- The Parable of the Talents (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=NIV" target="_blank">Matthew 25:14-30</a>) - every saint born into the kingdom of God is given certain talents and abilities to be used to help and bless God's family. If you don't use them, you'll be held accountable. If you do use them, you'll be rewarded. This is also depicted in the parable of the barren fig tree (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A6-9&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 13:6-9</a>). Kingdom saints should be consistently producing fruit, if not the Father will correct us, see also the vine and the branches (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+15%3A1-17&version=NIV" target="_blank">John 15:1-17</a>). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9. Reward in Heaven - </b>the Parable of the Invited Guests (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14%3A7-11&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 14:7-11</a>) - We're told to serve others who can't repay us in God's kingdom, then we'll be rewarded in the next life. Otherwise the people we help will repay us and we receive no reward. Having the most important seat at the party isn't important, but instead it's best to serve others humbly who can't give back. In God's kingdom things are often reversed, the first are last, and the last are first. The greatest is the servant of all. The servant of none is the lowest of all. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Sin comes from Within</b> - Parable of the Heart of Man (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%207%3A14-23&version=NIV" target="_blank">Mark 7:14-23</a>) - In general things that go into us, food or drink, or things outside of us aren't the main cause of sin. In the Kingdom of God we understand sin comes from our hearts, the things we think, the temptations we battle. Don't look at externals, look within, and ask God to bring change in your heart. Don't allow anyone to claim victimhood to external circumstances. The heart is the issue, and God can change the heart to produce good things in Christ. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>11. Tough Times and Problems</b> - Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016%3A19-31&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 16:19-31</a>) - Christians will often face harder times than those of the world. They go through many trials in God's kingdom to test and refine their faith. Christians may have to die for their faith. They face persecution. Meanwhile the selfish and self-interested seem to get rich and live long lives of luxury. But in the next life, God sorts things out. The rich man had everything in his earthly life, but hell in the next. Lazarus had nothing in his earthly life, but heaven in the next. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>12. Bold Access to the Throne - </b>Parable of the Friend at Midnight (<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2011%3A5-13&version=NIV" target="_blank">Luke 11:5-13</a>) - Kingdom saints have an intensely personal access to God. Kingdom saints should use that access to it's fullest extent. Come boldly before God again and again, boldly asking for assistance, and God brings justice and mercy. You can apply the same principle to other Christians, come to them boldly for assistance. By your audacity, they may just give you what you need. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Closing Challenge</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I would challenge you: Examine the parables of Jesus one by one, and begin to fit the puzzle pieces together of how the Kingdom of God system practically works. If we understand the rules of the system, we can live and walk in accordance with the system God has designed. If we walk in accordance with that system, we can walk in deep relationship with God, living out His commands and loving Him and our neighbors just the way God wants us to! What a great challenge, but what a great adventure! </span></p></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-53267590372051447262024-02-04T20:33:00.002-05:002024-02-04T20:33:43.775-05:00Powerful Prayers: Praying the Scriptures & Delighting in God's Presence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pBSkEZBlTNaltR4Ev_QHzVLLN5djqAoHMOvYVU8sCZzjvpJsCcL6WOjJ9fpoarxYpS6_7VrSeQ-_mtbLH6YWoJV3lWTHXAc2crz9vdJ7RDQ1VbOwHgQ0Qb3OpcCZOAdeC5wXTURMOhc-pTTQF7FEZ3qpdLi2-oLO5p7an0iOiz8bLIMcY_14rXRg-IQ/s800/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvcGQ0NC0zNDAtYWUuanBn.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="800" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pBSkEZBlTNaltR4Ev_QHzVLLN5djqAoHMOvYVU8sCZzjvpJsCcL6WOjJ9fpoarxYpS6_7VrSeQ-_mtbLH6YWoJV3lWTHXAc2crz9vdJ7RDQ1VbOwHgQ0Qb3OpcCZOAdeC5wXTURMOhc-pTTQF7FEZ3qpdLi2-oLO5p7an0iOiz8bLIMcY_14rXRg-IQ/w640-h284/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvcGQ0NC0zNDAtYWUuanBn.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fXYWbz88y48FXSVtzBS2J1xgjO9mntE2RgUDpcUq1rTImkQ7Vy6_62H4tiyk5xSr2tilV8m3hyphenhyphenaKtvJGrtGLPaLynREk3VcbYFaO6fJfp8cMiGDDaX_wCQ7pjR1Nq7PVZlonU9m_QlKasJurfGr7ZsEzXA8nrj6uYo6nuh-M96KcpGULWN8UZvn8Nqg/s800/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvcGQ0NC0zMzktYWUuanBn.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_fXYWbz88y48FXSVtzBS2J1xgjO9mntE2RgUDpcUq1rTImkQ7Vy6_62H4tiyk5xSr2tilV8m3hyphenhyphenaKtvJGrtGLPaLynREk3VcbYFaO6fJfp8cMiGDDaX_wCQ7pjR1Nq7PVZlonU9m_QlKasJurfGr7ZsEzXA8nrj6uYo6nuh-M96KcpGULWN8UZvn8Nqg/w640-h360/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvcGQ0NC0zMzktYWUuanBn.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcp8GIQZPRhjFfU3zVLaJMeX0pGb2l3DAiHqahb6VEnO12tNM_6O9I6-_5C_fKs41hiwKlDrgS4wrM_T74mkvBf9dUPPKboSp1Sq-65JMw0VMcjloU4tPfrF_Gw4Gn1yYBkAVVeoXwRVajZHlIruZbebHFEmF4kmdQnaxYZIeWoVJbRhVwhlVnM8jo08/s7500/ITS_Interplanetary_Spaceship,_landed_on_Enceladus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="7500" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcp8GIQZPRhjFfU3zVLaJMeX0pGb2l3DAiHqahb6VEnO12tNM_6O9I6-_5C_fKs41hiwKlDrgS4wrM_T74mkvBf9dUPPKboSp1Sq-65JMw0VMcjloU4tPfrF_Gw4Gn1yYBkAVVeoXwRVajZHlIruZbebHFEmF4kmdQnaxYZIeWoVJbRhVwhlVnM8jo08/w640-h282/ITS_Interplanetary_Spaceship,_landed_on_Enceladus.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">"James Duncan, preaching with great unction and power, was asked what was the secret of such powerful preaching. "The secret," he said, was "thirteen hours of consecutive prayer."<br /> When asked the secret of his spiritual power, Charles Spurgeon said: "Knee work! Knee work!"<br /> <br /> Charles Finney, after spending a day in the woods in prayer and fasting, preached that night in a phenomenally irreligious congregation. The sermon was accompanied by such divine power that the whole congregation, except one man, fell<br /> prostrate upon the floor, and voiced their agony under conviction of sin, in such loud outcries that the preacher was forced to stop." </span><span style="font-size: large;">-Christ Life Newsletter.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Imagine if every person in the world prayed an hour a day! The entire world would change. Imagine if every person in this city prayed a half hour a day. The crime would drop to 0. Imagine if every person in the world knew God’s love. The whole world would be filled with peace. <br /><br />But fear not my friends, it may seem overwhelming, to pray for an hour or a half hour. You can pray for a few minutes, and start there. Because God is near. And he hears our prayers. He answers in mighty ways too. <br /><br />God is here right now. He is among us. And he is working. The kingdom of God is here. <br /><br />"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” -Luke 17:20-21 <br /><br />Understand that God lives within you. We know that for certain. We know Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to live within us. That’s not a theory. It’s a fact. It’s a present reality for every Christian. <br /><br />So when you look for God’s presence recognize yes God is all around you, but he is also within you. <br /><br />When we pray we should pray like Jesus did, looking toward heaven, but we can also know God is around us, and within us. <br /><br />God is not far off. He is here. He is with us. <br /><br />Today we’re going to consider two types of prayer that Jeanne Guyon discusses in the first three chapters of her book “Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ.” <br /><br />The first is the practice of praying the scriptures. The second is the prayer of silence. <br /><br />"Speak to Him then, for He hears,<br />And spirit with spirit can meet;<br />Closer is He than breathing,<br />And nearer than hands or feet."<br />-Alfred Lord Tennyson. <br /><br />One way we speak to God is through praying His word. How powerful don’t you think? To quote God’s own words back to Him? <br /><br />God’s words are written in gold, they are written across the universe itself, they are not of human origin, they are divine. So when we speak them, we are speaking a grand mystery beyond our understanding. Praying those timeless words, has great effect. <br /><br />One of the most common scriptures to pray is Psalm 23. I encourage you to keep Psalm 23 in your back pocket as a prayer to God… <br /><br />Try it like this… <br /><br />Lord, you are my shepherd, I have everything I need.<br />You make me rest in green pastures,<br />You lead me, beside quiet waters,<br />You refresh my soul<br />You guide me along the right paths, for your name’s sake<br />Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil<br />For you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.<br />You prepare a table before me<br /> in the presence of my enemies.<br />You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.<br />Surely your goodness and love will follow me<br /> all the days of my life,<br />and I will dwell in the house of the Lord<br /> forever. Amen (Psalm 23) <br /><br />Sometimes it’s just praying a proverb, Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” And we pray, Lord I trust you with all my heart, I don’t lean on what I know, I submit to you in all my ways, and you make my path straight, in Jesus name, amen.” <br /><br />Sometimes it’s praying a promise of God, John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. <br /><br />The prayer then is, “Lord you gave me your peace, so I receive your peace, I am not troubled, and I am not afraid, in Jesus name, amen.” <br /><br />Do you see how powerful praying the scriptures can be? Quoting God’s word back to Him is an effective prayer that can change the world in moments. <br /><br />Second, we consider the prayer of silence. Here we find some specific biblical instructions from Madam Guyon. She says… <br /><br />“As you come, come with a deep sense of love; come to Him very gently; come to Him with a deep sense of worship. As you come to Him, humbly acknowledge that He is everything. Confess to Him that you are nothing.” -p.16 <br /><br />A lot of what we do in prayer is simply engaging with God our Father in our emotions. And that’s OK. We want to love God and be loved by God, that happens in the heart. <br /><br />Our hearts will overflow more and more with God’s love as we train ourselves to come to Him in prayer humbly. <br /><br />Next Guyon says… “You need only believe that God dwells in you. This belief, and this belief alone, will bring you into His holy presence. Do not allow your mind to wander about but hold it in submission as much as possible. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Once you are in the Lord's presence, be still and quiet before Him. And now, there in His presence, simply begin to repeat the Lord's Prayer. Begin with the word, "Father." As you do, let the full meaning of that word deeply touch your heart. Believe that the God who lives inside you is indeed so willing to be your Father. Pour out your heart to Him as a little child pours out his heart to his father. Never doubt your Lord's deep love for you. Never doubt His desire to hear you. Call on His name and remain before Him silently for a little while. Remain there, waiting to have His heart made known to you.” -p.17 </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Pour out your heart to God. Tell him about your day. Tell him what is frustrating you. Tell him why you are upset. Tell him why you are happy. Talk to him as your trusted Father who loves you. Really believe God does actually love you. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Pause after a little while, after pouring it all out, just wait, and pause, and be silent in God’s presence. This may seem awkward at first. Just embrace it. Allow it to be. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As Madam Guyon says begin praying the Lord’s prayer, but pray it very slowly. Think about the words you’re saying very closely. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When you say, “Father” to God think about it for a moment, wow, God is my father. “Who is In heaven” that’s where God dwells. “Holy is your name.” God is perfect. "Your Kingdom come, your will be done." And long in your heart that God’s kingdom would fully come in this city. See how you slowly reflect on the words and they go from mere words, to your heart cry to God. And now it’s a prayer of power. Because it’s coming from the heart. That doesn’t happen naturally, we have to train ourselves to let it go from mind to heart. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Madam Guyon next says, “ At some point in this encounter with your Lord, you will feel deep within your spirit that it is time to simply remain silent before Him. When you have such a sense, do not move on to the next word—not as long as this sense continues with you. You see, it is the Lord Himself who is holding you to silence. When that sense of waiting before Him has passed, go on again to the next words of the Lord's Prayer.” -p.17 </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Simply allow, at different moments in your prayer time, for God to command you to be silent. Then you be silent before Him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But I’ve also found that at the end of my prayer time, when I’ve spoken everything I wanted to speak to God, God will inspire me to be silent. And in that silence I begin to simply enjoy God’s presence around me. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Some Christians call this practice enjoying God. Others call it the discipline of silence. Others call it God’s presence. Pentecostals call it “soaking.” But for me I simply think of it as “delighting in God’s presence.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">As it says in Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">At some point in this time of prayer, worship, and eventual silence, God’s presence moves in, and we delight in Him. You can tell when this happens in prayer. Because at the beginning of the prayer time it may feel like a chore, but by the end, you find you don’t want to leave, because God is there. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So in conclusion, remember these two styles of prayer, and you can very easily combine them as well. In the early time of your prayer, pray the scriptures, the slowly move toward silence, and then delighting in God’s presence. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">In Review, remember the five basic concepts we talked about… <br /><br />1. Praying the Scriptures as Requests – asking for something through God’s word <br /><br />2. Praying the Scriptures as Promises – prayer as reciting faithful statements of what God has promised <br /><br />3. Praying the Lord’s Prayer (slowly) – praying this prayer to go from mind to heart in prayer <br /><br />4. Prayer of Silence (listening) – being silent before God, listening to what he is saying, waiting on God in prayer time <br /><br />5. Prayer of Delighting God (enjoying) – as God’s presence takes over, delight and enjoy God’s presence</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBGZ9Q2UUDCEiozBKnlKyf4d0V73ugGs4siMZx_NeY6jyA4jvxOIg__fet6u9b4ZIJMb9qrqTThScmjDPFBhd_U7zETUxXHGXFjpYryAbCe616oxD1_ip5uOPYpSXAT1alt_-DrPeJLmwoyUhwA14vMo7zPd4i0tMko6X0QV62H-9lmrSfg26sOPDGGY/s1200/s-l1200.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBGZ9Q2UUDCEiozBKnlKyf4d0V73ugGs4siMZx_NeY6jyA4jvxOIg__fet6u9b4ZIJMb9qrqTThScmjDPFBhd_U7zETUxXHGXFjpYryAbCe616oxD1_ip5uOPYpSXAT1alt_-DrPeJLmwoyUhwA14vMo7zPd4i0tMko6X0QV62H-9lmrSfg26sOPDGGY/w480-h640/s-l1200.webp" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqkCak-NKhCuCNhKYmNGPbp3wWio8f7UEFHxB9rEiUE_RceVJujqg-LLNS7wofiH_LkiDMK-CBUhW2UcA9il-7GC_rruS4yO3RgJ4u0yP2JrxlImBQTw1EOnoe-gQBYAtVhtr4O60eo-FCabo-b9wDKtJWN2Hr4GAoKALJkWa4dCW3ze_wSIYfWpkjUQ/s1920/StockSnap_SQBE2C5NWT%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqkCak-NKhCuCNhKYmNGPbp3wWio8f7UEFHxB9rEiUE_RceVJujqg-LLNS7wofiH_LkiDMK-CBUhW2UcA9il-7GC_rruS4yO3RgJ4u0yP2JrxlImBQTw1EOnoe-gQBYAtVhtr4O60eo-FCabo-b9wDKtJWN2Hr4GAoKALJkWa4dCW3ze_wSIYfWpkjUQ/w640-h360/StockSnap_SQBE2C5NWT%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-18080955718732076852024-02-04T15:08:00.000-05:002024-02-04T15:08:00.503-05:00How to Live by the Spirit's Leading: The Spirit vs. the Flesh in Galatians 5-6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2YSq57pBw-o9WzJLM_8PzeU_evOJPNIhuVUBubgyACf1RUmp3lyE9C3dxQq0RKGf5o1JBCcSx9OOmUyGcHle21Sq6DMgHKwYOCDj9Mde0EdPhp2JMRrzwVWdIL1mFe78kxoAN4clDXh2A_bj3b4MbksU_B5dbkn0R5Fc4dM3MdRV_AW8h564ixnflew/s602/main-qimg-5b99a65053d2c3c1505ad593f4746b04-lq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="602" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2YSq57pBw-o9WzJLM_8PzeU_evOJPNIhuVUBubgyACf1RUmp3lyE9C3dxQq0RKGf5o1JBCcSx9OOmUyGcHle21Sq6DMgHKwYOCDj9Mde0EdPhp2JMRrzwVWdIL1mFe78kxoAN4clDXh2A_bj3b4MbksU_B5dbkn0R5Fc4dM3MdRV_AW8h564ixnflew/w640-h360/main-qimg-5b99a65053d2c3c1505ad593f4746b04-lq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_s5DVDxVAvdJwz6QbtXF2v8cdbvrg7hQMyeCqZA0X9FLx0_qglTS8dhO-qHuL3ViFbOS54mJvUuAYZTyZWUnHR_rf8jzuiexE_wlrFw3-V90Hn_qvc69t7ZIfCrTg1vMD-trVNdgkNa3APv7_TkacysRH51yURftF03Z0bRphuzMBUU_93UbzUhCMEs/s709/MV5BN2Y3ZmY4ZWEtNjY0Ni00NTk4LWIzOWQtNjFlNWEzMWU2YjRhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTAwMDk1MjM@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="709" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_s5DVDxVAvdJwz6QbtXF2v8cdbvrg7hQMyeCqZA0X9FLx0_qglTS8dhO-qHuL3ViFbOS54mJvUuAYZTyZWUnHR_rf8jzuiexE_wlrFw3-V90Hn_qvc69t7ZIfCrTg1vMD-trVNdgkNa3APv7_TkacysRH51yURftF03Z0bRphuzMBUU_93UbzUhCMEs/w640-h478/MV5BN2Y3ZmY4ZWEtNjY0Ni00NTk4LWIzOWQtNjFlNWEzMWU2YjRhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTAwMDk1MjM@._V1_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAxMTbYDNjCj321Y3bCHHjon687lCyHIz0IrRE13JZiTVSBu8ZF5JZ2Sj9KUz75DXqsndJ335SXJYDmwG461KBE5iXi9t_sm0FNnu7rz9NWZMDNv6saU6QtyIH5Kj-UQPEQnksUuuMTDRVVYNn3Y_5kj1u3QHiM-jGeDecgh1SHSy79vN9jjF6IiZ1xA/s600/USS_Voyager_buried_under_ice.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAxMTbYDNjCj321Y3bCHHjon687lCyHIz0IrRE13JZiTVSBu8ZF5JZ2Sj9KUz75DXqsndJ335SXJYDmwG461KBE5iXi9t_sm0FNnu7rz9NWZMDNv6saU6QtyIH5Kj-UQPEQnksUuuMTDRVVYNn3Y_5kj1u3QHiM-jGeDecgh1SHSy79vN9jjF6IiZ1xA/w640-h486/USS_Voyager_buried_under_ice.webp" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I recall an episode of Star Trek Voyager that always hit me very hard. It was called Timeless. The Voyager was a spaceship that had ended up far, far from home, and it was slowly making it’s way back through unknown territory. <br /><br />It reminds me of us, as Christians, lost in the wilds of this fallen Earth, but also now on a journey, through dangerous territory, back home to God. <br /><br />Voyager travels through many difficulties and dark places, and enemies, but, they are always kept safe. They make wise choices. They avoid dangerous areas. They refuel and resupply from time to time. <br /><br />But in the episode Timeless, we see a worst case scenario, in which Voyager was destroyed, and plunged into an icy grave, because of some bad choices that were made. <br /><br />In any case throughout the episode, two of the crew find a way to change history, so that they can change the bad decision they made. <br /><br />One of the crew named Harry, actually sacrifices his life, to correct the mistake, and make things ok again. <br /><br />We as Christians also face decisions that can either keep us on the right path, or begin to lead us astray. <br /><br />The Bible talks about our faith journey as like we’re sailing on a ship. And yet Paul also writes of those who have “Shipwrecked faith” because they got off course. <br /><br />I’ve seen decisions in front of me as a Christian, a temptation, an old friend who wants to hang out, a drink or drug in front of me, and I can see where it leads, an icy grave. <br /><br />But I’ve avoided those pathways, and followed the paths of life. We too must learn to follow the pathway of life. The great thing is, God helps us every step of the way. He protect us. And guides us. And he helps us to make the right choices, to steer our ship toward heaven. <br /><br />But I want you to remember this as well: Even if you tumble off the path and into the clutches of sin and death, God has provided pathways even in those dark places to change history, like history was changed in our example today. <br /><br />Galatians 5:13-25 "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."<br /><br />You have been called to freedom, is one of the key teachings that Paul lays out to the Galatian church. Certain people in this church were saying that they needed to go back to the Old Testament law in order to follow God rightly. <br /><br />Instead Paul gives them different instructions, he says, actually you’re free in Christ. You don’t need to follow the old testament law. But do consider yourself obligated to love your neighbor as yourself. <br /><br />So we see our structure begins to be built. Two towers, one is the Spirit and one is the flesh. The Spirit’s leading in your life is marked by freedom, a call to humble service, and a general command to love your neighbor. <br /><br />However, in the flesh, there is slavery to sin, not freedom. That slavery leads to indulgence of evil desires, and that leads to conflict among believers. <br /><br />Next in verses 16-18, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” <br /><br />All this leads us to the key command for our scripture today: Walk by the Spirit. Or be led by the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />If you do allow the Holy Spirit to lead your life, then you naturally won’t want to gratify the desires of the flesh. <br /><br />But, if you allow the flesh to lead your life, then you will naturally begin to gratify the desires of the flesh. <br /><br />Next we get a list of fifteen ways in which believers can end up walking by the flesh. <br /><br />In verses 19-21, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” <br /><br />Gratifying the desires of the flesh, lead to the acts of the flesh, which are listed by Paul here. You can see how a lot of these acts of the flesh are connected, one leads to the next, sexuality immorality leads to impurity, hatred leads to discord, jealousy leads to fits of rage, selfish ambition leads to factions and envy, sexual immorality leads to drunkenness leads to orgies and the like. <br /><br />Sins of the flesh build and begin to gain steam as a snow ball rolling down a hill. But, one can always stop the process, by seeking God’s help, praying, asking forgiveness, and turning from the sins of the flesh toward the Spirit’s leading once again. <br /><br />The sins of the flesh are the fruit of the indulgence of the flesh. Our choices bear fruit in one direction or the other. <br /><br />Next Paul lists off different fruits, fruits of being led by the Spirit. <br /><br />Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (22-24).<br /><br />If we consistently allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit, we will begin to grow fruit in our lives that expresses itself as love. That love leads to joy. Kindness leads to gentleness. Forbearance leads to faithfulness, which leads to self control. All these characteristics of the Spirit that God produces in us are connected. They build on each other. <br /><br />Paul adds, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” -Gal 5:25-26 <br /><br />There’s a sense given of keeping in step with the Spirit. Listening for the Spirit’s leading. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit within. It’s an art form of sorts. We learn to listen to God’s leading. And we stay in step with the Spirit. <br /><br />We also guard against conceitedness, that’s pride, ego. As we grow in the Spirit and produce the fruit of the Spirit, we may be tempted to become prideful and think wow look at how good I’m doing. But guard against pride, stay humble, and don’t envy each other. <br /><br />Paul continues, in Galatians 6:1-6, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.” <br /><br />There is a lot here, but I want to focus on one key here, If someone is caught in a sin, help restore that person gently. <br /><br />Many Christians from time to time can slip into the wrong category here, into the flesh and begin to be deceived and caught in the cycle of sin. But a believer can help restore that person. And bring them back into alignment with the leading of the Holy Spirit. <br /><br />Calling out their sin gently, encouraging them to repent, praying with them, and bringing to church, or bible study, can all be helpful steps in that process. <br /><br />Pretty soon that person that was lost in the cesspool of sin finds themselves in the Spirit once again, and back in freedom. <br /><br />But we also get a warning, be cautious because you can tempted by the sin they are active in. <br /><br />So conversely, someone walking in the Spirit, if they go into a situation where there is a lot of tempting sin going on around them, can be tempted back over into the sins of the flesh. And they end up back in the flesh and caught up in slavery again. <br /><br />There have been times that I was attempting to help someone escape sin, to break free from lust, or drinking, or hatred, but I began to sense myself feeling the temptation toward what they were doing. And I had to keep my guard up, and leave that situation before the temptation grew too strong. Again, don’t become prideful. Don’t assume that you could never fall to a sin. Temptation still has an effect on us. Don’t be brash, leave the situation before you’re overly tempted! That’s wisdom. <br /><br />Think of it like that classic board game shoots and ladders. Following the Holy Spirit is like slowly climbing the ladder, one foot in front of the other, led by the Spirit we take our journey up in the goodness of Christ. <br /><br />The shoots are quick, we feel tempted, allow a sin in our lives, and quickly that sin begins to take over and we slide down very quickly, like down a shoot, and out into the bottom. But we can always ask God’s forgiveness and come to the ladder once again. The stairway to heaven is transposed with the backslider slipping back down into the pit of sin. <br /><br />Next it says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (7-8)<br /><br />Paul gives this stark reminder, a man will reap what he sows. <br /><br />So all this has to do with sowing. What is sowing? Sowing is planting seeds. If we are sowing toward the Spirit, planting seeds with actions and words in the Spirit, we will be reaping eternal life. <br /><br />If we are consistently sowing to the flesh, we will in the end reap destruction. <br /><br />The fruits of the Spirit well up like a building fountain, bubbling up to eternal life. <br /><br />The fruits of the flesh they well up like a bubbling fountain of filth, bubbling up to judgment and destruction. <br /><br />But understand, if someone is sowing to the flesh, they can always repent, ask God’s forgiveness and they will be completely forgiven, and none of those sins will be counted against them. <br /><br />But also understand, if someone is sowing to the Spirit, but they fall back into sin, and those sins continue to build and build, and they refuse to listen to the Spirit calling them toward repentance, they can, at the end of their lives, having stubbornly refused the Spirit’s calling to repentance, reap eternal destruction. <br /><br />Here’s an interesting question, what if I’m doing both? I’m sowing to the Spirit and I’m sowing to the fleshly sins. In that case, I have to believe that one will crowd the other out. You’ll begin to be in conflict within yourself. The Spirit will be saying to you, clear out those sins. The flesh will be saying, stop listening to the Spirit. And you’ll begin to obey one of those voices, either you’ll begin to put the fleshly sins to death, or you’ll begin to ignore the voice of the Spirit. It will pull in one direction or the other. <br /><br />Does this mean we’re adding works to our salvation? Not at all. We are saved because of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Our only part is to live in response to that by putting to death the flesh and living by the Spirit. It’s simply showing the genuineness of our faith in Christ, or it’s showing we don’t really have a faith in Christ, or our faith in Christ has been shipwrecked due to unbelief/willful sin. <br /><br />We’re not adding anything to our salvation. We already wear the robe of righteousness. We’re simply doing two things, living out the lifestyle of those who wear the robe of righteousness, which is loving our neighbor. And we’re keeping our garment clean and tidy, unstained by the muck of the sins of the world. We’ve added no new garment to the robe, indeed we cannot. Christ is all. His righteousness is enough for perfect purity.<br /><br />If a police officer wears a police uniform he does things that police officers do in a police uniform. An officer in uniform not doing police things would not be right. He would eventually have it taken away because he was not using it correctly. Similarly he’s expected to keep the uniform clean and to wear it with honor. If he does not, again, he may lose it. He cannot make his own uniform, that would not be an authentic uniform. Similarly, we wear what we’re given, and we steward the robe of righteousness of Christ, by living out the actions assigned to us in it, and by not allowing ourselves to be stained or dirtied by the wickedness of the world.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly Paul tells us this in 9-10, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” -Galatians 6:9-10 <br /><br />God knows that we will at times start to feel weary in doing good. We keep living clean, living holy lives, resisting the flesh, doing good deeds in the name of Jesus, but it can be tiring, and we see people living in sin and we start to think, well I want to indulge too. <br /><br />God reminds us, don’t become weary in doing good, because this consistent cycle you’re living in, of doing good, living in Christ, following the leading of the Spirit means that you’re en route, on a journey, to reap a harvest of eternal life. <br /><br />If, it says, if we don’t give up. <br /><br />Notice also in the flesh column, there is a cycle there as well, a cycle of harvest, practicing fleshly indulgence leads to a different kind of harvest, a harvest of destruction. <br /><br />You know in that episode of Star Trek Voyager Harry Kim was tempted because he wanted to find a faster way home. He became prideful in his own abilities, thinking he could do the impossible. And that led to destruction for the spaceship. The ship was blown off course and crash landed on an ice planet. <br /><br />Certain choices we make are routine. Certain choices we make are minor. Certain choices we make are big. They have the capacity to either lead us much closer to God or way off course. <br /><br />The Holy Spirit will help you to recognize those key moments and to choose life. But guard against pride. Pride says I can do it my own way. Pride says I don’t need to listen to the Spirit, I know better. Guard against pride. Stay humble in this process of sowing to the Spirit. And stay patient. Keep sowing. Don’t give up. And you’ll reap a harvest if you don’t quit. And all that is sealed off in loving our neighbor, so much of this played out by thinking of others before ourselves. <br /><br />The flesh is selfishness incarnate. The Spirit is thinking of others before ourselves. That’s not natural for us. But the Spirit helps us in our weakness. And we’re able to do good to all and especially to believers. <br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5DScfMTcPvtDOtB-WjdIF7Ot1mSF8j9E_bRv7Rj6YlWISYkrpstSykLJkej-E9fX4Yai8pOB8BChnE4SYUw9QBYIu7f1SxCMox34W9FOEy7x0bGIrLNNU8z5rd0lUsCQPZ2Pf6GjZ7w_wKu291H2HZZq_3evv-LBqLpZHbbzjN_daQxP-tozgkuDTtQ/s1920/shape%20of%20faith%20galatians%205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5DScfMTcPvtDOtB-WjdIF7Ot1mSF8j9E_bRv7Rj6YlWISYkrpstSykLJkej-E9fX4Yai8pOB8BChnE4SYUw9QBYIu7f1SxCMox34W9FOEy7x0bGIrLNNU8z5rd0lUsCQPZ2Pf6GjZ7w_wKu291H2HZZq_3evv-LBqLpZHbbzjN_daQxP-tozgkuDTtQ/w640-h360/shape%20of%20faith%20galatians%205.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>To Review:</b><br /><br />1. God gives freedom to humbly love & serve our neighbors <br /><br />2. Be led by the Spirit, not the fleshly desires <br /><br />3. Indulgence in the flesh lead to the acts of the flesh <br /><br />4. Walking in the Spirit leads to the fruits of the Spirit <br /><br />5. One caught in the flesh can be restored to the Spirit <br /><br />6. One in the Spirit can be tempted into the flesh <br /><br />7. Our Actions repeatedly sow either to flesh or Spirit <br /><br />8. The process of sowing to the flesh leads to destruction <br /><br />9. The process of sowing to the Spirit leads to eternal life <br /><br />10. If you become weary in doing good, remind yourself of the glorious harvest of eternal life <br /><br />Every single person born is born into the flesh. They seemed destined for destruction. It almost seems inevitable. But God changes history time and again. He changed my story. I was meant for destruction I could taste it. I was locked into that pathway. But I cried out to Jesus Christ, and suddenly time, space, reality, everything changed in a moment, I went from filthy rags, to purest garments. All it takes is calling out Jesus Christ. Even if we’ve fallen from grace, we can come again to Him, and find repentance and renewed purity. It’s a history changing miracle. It changes our future forever.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="408" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERVdsTeLYVI" width="490" youtube-src-id="ERVdsTeLYVI"></iframe></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-76796223383795198702024-01-29T00:19:00.012-05:002024-01-29T15:26:40.962-05:00How to Walk in the Presence of God: The Heart Prayer of Simplicity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v-jfxqKybxJts-ODJOQadUmXPNwCdw_9jtne56gxCHRKrTExtuZ3mWdftFJHRQUXWKZLoUrZWCxuFMTUVFZV2ITo31hrlDvrA1hhM2hYQZwRdsAERMaw0PqZrNmzFTRbYk5bxUPJkQr_pm5wm_9BqUkR1R4WDA6c5tmuBY9PG0b88-a0HQvd5A5uV9U/s985/enoch.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="985" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9v-jfxqKybxJts-ODJOQadUmXPNwCdw_9jtne56gxCHRKrTExtuZ3mWdftFJHRQUXWKZLoUrZWCxuFMTUVFZV2ITo31hrlDvrA1hhM2hYQZwRdsAERMaw0PqZrNmzFTRbYk5bxUPJkQr_pm5wm_9BqUkR1R4WDA6c5tmuBY9PG0b88-a0HQvd5A5uV9U/w640-h526/enoch.png" width="640" /></a></div><span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"God our Father has made all things depend on faith so that whoever has faith will have everything, and whoever does not have faith will have nothing." -Martin Luther. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There is a key that’s very important in this journey, it’s the key of </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">believing something is true.</i><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This concept has been used incorrectly in the past to justify all sorts of silly things. “If you just believe hard enough for a sports car, it will appear in your drive way. If you just believe hard enough that you can fly, you’ll jump off the ground and start flying." We know those things aren't true.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But, let’s take a more concrete example. I recall when I first came up to the idea of learning how to read, I was quite nervous. I thought this is just beyond me, there’s no way I can figure this out. I was sitting there in first grade thinking to myself, I don’t believe I can do this. But, slowly but surely as the teacher taught and retaught the concepts, I began to learn. And I began to believe that I could learn to read. Then I did learn to read. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If you don’t believe you can find a good job, what happens? You don’t find a good job. But if you really believe you can find a good job, you have something, a faith, that propels you forward, and you search and you apply, and you keep believing that you’ll find a decent job. And sure enough, one day you do. You have a faith and confidence that is operative there. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It’s something we know is true in our society: You can find a job. Or you can learn to read. We’d be foolish if we thought it wasn’t possible. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It’s the same with God’s kingdom, there are things that we need to believe, in order to access kingdom systems. It’s not our belief that makes them appear. No. It’s the fact that God has set it up. It’s there. And we can access it by faith. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">There is one key fact I want you to begin to believe as we go through this topic. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">It’s this: <i>I can walk in the presence of God. </i></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Some of you believe that, some of you don’t. Some of you don’t believe that and don’t care to have that. Others here do believe that, but haven’t experienced it yet. And some here do believe that and currently experience it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Is that concept biblical that we can walk in the presence of God? In fact it is, it’s mentioned many times throughout the Bible, but the most famous is probably Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">That’s our goal as well. That we would walk with God in our lives, and then one day, God will take us home. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It’s also said of Noah, that he walked with God. From Genesis 6:9, “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” NIV renders it "faithfully walked" other translations simply say "walked with God." </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Noah walked with God. Enoch walked with God. Indeed many of the greats have walked with God. But just as many average everyday believers have found this blessed life of walking in the presence of God. You don’t have to be a legend of the Bible to walk in God’s presence. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Madam Guyon states in her book, I know that most Christians don’t feel that they of all people have “been called to a deep inward relationship to their Lord” (p.1). She continues, “But we have all been called to the depths of Christ just as surely as we have been called to salvation.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What is salvation? It’s being reconciled to God. Our sins are forgiven. We become born again. We enter into the total approval and peace of God. We are brought back into contact with the God who made the human race. But that isn't the end of it!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The moment we receive the new birth is not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning. The rest of our days we spend learning what it means to “walk in the presence of God.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I know in many circles there is a very transactional way of viewing salvation, Christ died for our sins, we received forgiveness by His blood, we were born again, and we received the Holy Spirit within. That's great stuff, don't get me wrong, all 100% true! But all of that is the <i>process by which </i>we’re brought into right communion with God. It's the starting point, not the end in itself!</span></span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">Now that we <i>have</i> the prize of communion with God we should run with it, and grow in it, for all the many years ahead of us. As the scriptures say, come into maturity, find a stability in our walks with God, where we go deeper, and we really learn to go to the depths of Jesus Christ. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So we’ve launched out on our adventure. Our spaceship cuts through the atmosphere and we burst forth into space. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">But as we head out into deep space, the depths of God that is, we have to understand some terms. We’ve got to learn the controls of the space ship. We’ve go to learn the rules of space travel. We’ve got to know the ins and outs and hows and whys of this adventure. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So let’s dive into what this all really means. What does Madam Guyon mean when she writes to us about a “deep, inward relationship to Jesus Christ?” She gives us this definition, she says, “Actually it is very simple. It is only the turning and yielding of your heart to the Lord. It is the expression of love within your heart for Him” (p.1). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s define some terms. What does the Bible mean when it talks about our heart? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When the Bible talks about our heart, it isn’t referring to the muscle in our chests that is pumping blood throughout our body. It’s talking about really our entire soul, our being. The heart is where we make our decisions from. It’s where we feel our emotions. It’s where we believe in God. It’s where we think as well. The heart is really a combination of our mind, our will, and our emotions. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So to embrace God, as we’re told, we must repent away from our past attitudes and ideas. We’ve got to let go of how we used to think, how we used to feel, and how we used to choose, and let the Bible begin to change those things. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We can’t do that ourselves. I can’t force my heart to change toward God. Instead we’re told to give our heart to God. We put it in His hands. We ask God in prayer to change our hearts. And then our heart indeed does change. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We begin to think differently. We begin to act differently. We study the Bible and begin to live by what the Bible says. We feel differently than we used to. We have different hungers and desires than we used to. It’s amazing what God does in our hearts when we put them in His hands.</span><br /><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span><span style="font-size: large;">First step, turn your heart away from evil things.</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: large;">Second step, yield, surrender your heart to God.</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: large;">Thirdly, watch a miracle happen: Your heart will begin to express love for God. And you’ll receive the love God has for you.</span></span></li></ol><span style="font-size: large;">That is how salvation happens. We repent of our sins in our hearts. We receive Christ as savior, by giving our hearts to God, and then God changes our hearts, from stone to soft flesh, and we find healing and union with God. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But this is also how we go deeper in our relationship with God.</i> Continuously in our lives, as we face different situations, different problems, we turn our hearts toward God in the situation, we yield to God in the situation, our heart to Him, and God helps us to love Him and receive His love freely. Then we find victory through the difficulties of life. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It’s an ongoing process of surrendering things over to God, by surrendering our hearts over to God again and again. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">All of this is done in prayer, and reading the Bible. As you do those two things over and over you come to know the Lord in a deeper and deeper way. Now understand, God doesn’t love you because you’re seeking Him. He already loves you because you received Jesus Christ as savior. He doesn’t necessarily love you more because you’re seeking Him, but I’m sure he loves that you’re doing so. None of this is to earn God’s love. You already have God’s love in Christ. This is all to go deeper, and on into maturity in Christ. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Madam Guyon indicates, “How then will you come to the Lord to know Him in such a deep way? Prayer is the key. But I have in mind a certain kind of prayer. It is a kind of prayer that is very simple and yet holds the key to perfection and goodness- things found only in God Himself. The type of prayer that I have in mind will deliver you from enslavement to every sin. It is a prayer that will release you every Godly virtue. You see the only way to be perfect is to walk in the presence of God” (p. 3). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">She goes on to say that this type of prayer “…leads you into the presence of God and keeps you there at all times; a prayer that can be experienced under any conditions, any place, and any time.” (p.3). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">She refers to this type of prayer as “the prayer of simplicity.” I think she’s speaking of something similar to what Brother Lawrence taught about his famous book “The Practice of the Presence of God.” </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I’m going to call it “the heart prayer” because it’s a prayer that flows right from the seat of your very being. It’s not something that happens in the mind alone. The mind can’t pray this type of prayer correctly. It’s something that happens in the heart, in the seat of our emotions. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When we pray with our mouths, with our minds, often the prayers come out kind of blandly. But I think it’s when we combine those prayers of the mouth with the yearning of the heart, and faith in God, it becomes very powerful. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I’ll give you an example. You pray for your sister (or other family member) to find salvation in Christ. In your mind you say the words, you speak them out of your mouth, but in your heart two things happen… </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">One, you long in your emotions for your sister to know Christ. You long for her to be transformed. You long, you almost weep within, cry out within for a change that will change her life drastically. You feel it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Two, you believe that God is there, God is really listening to the prayer, and huge, you really believe that God is going to change her life. You have that powerful faith in your heart that God is already rising up and changing her story. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It begins in the mouth and the mind, but it grows into the longings of the emotions, but then the miracle comes when in faith, we believe God can and will and is indeed already answering. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I think that’s the key to the prayer of simplicity. We believe God is here in our heart. We toss aside doubts. We just believe that it’s true. A simple, child-like faith that God is here. And as we cultivate that attitude of heart, we throughout the day, are now walking in the presence of God.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">The process is simple... a practice of the prayer of simplicity: <br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. You long in your emotions to experience God </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2. You believe in your heart that God is really here and listening and wants you to experience His presence </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3. We wait on God in faith, then God responds, His presence moves in and we delight in Him</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">In other words... <br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We believe God is with us. Over time that turns into... </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We know God is with us. </span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">In time we learn to focus our attention on Him...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Then, we focus our hearts on God’s presence.</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">That happens in spirts, but over time we learn to keep it nearly constant, then, always...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">And as a result, we find one day, on the journey we can say...</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">"I walk in the presence of God."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">It becomes our new reality. It becomes a state of mind, a state of heart that we constantly walk in. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Do you believe that this is possible? That you could really walk in the presence of God? Then you’re already on your way. </span><br /></span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8sjV0tYIiVebYwNqq2aalSRR0bO3ezVdj7wNkIIzbbz-U4e3JKszsoyYtw1FEjUIS7vGUZef0kq2R5N67NWSakd_7iw-cT212apAnNb4Nj4zOEEjtoFTV4FqTXEbqG_4yv5tByyPhLrFkfRG2VP8Ag9NX24FnZFGju3VViRCEIlc_Cey-M4HXGLN96E/s800/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvcGQ0NC0wNzAtYWUuanBn.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8sjV0tYIiVebYwNqq2aalSRR0bO3ezVdj7wNkIIzbbz-U4e3JKszsoyYtw1FEjUIS7vGUZef0kq2R5N67NWSakd_7iw-cT212apAnNb4Nj4zOEEjtoFTV4FqTXEbqG_4yv5tByyPhLrFkfRG2VP8Ag9NX24FnZFGju3VViRCEIlc_Cey-M4HXGLN96E/w640-h360/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvbHIvcGQ0NC0wNzAtYWUuanBn.webp" width="640" /></a></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-30648291023651830652024-01-29T00:12:00.014-05:002024-01-29T13:01:10.607-05:00Winning your Spiritual Battles: The Armor of God as a Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8OOtqiSAP9GJxkzY8j-XgY2Cytsh-6eVh2bgLJejRqk3kXaJp-xkeX0NFreTwM-EpQZzvpGOXRzL4XATTIDqK3h2k1jqIjPY8R_nTfIBjN0gt1QMF84LgPQmdSp2gY6bROnmeCX3IOajsY5d_nOevpt-qorR3e5NNn017FrdQA_mMgnqTEDOs26NSdI/s1024/_8fa0d49b-9cdd-4871-ab03-a5c0474bcd00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1024" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8OOtqiSAP9GJxkzY8j-XgY2Cytsh-6eVh2bgLJejRqk3kXaJp-xkeX0NFreTwM-EpQZzvpGOXRzL4XATTIDqK3h2k1jqIjPY8R_nTfIBjN0gt1QMF84LgPQmdSp2gY6bROnmeCX3IOajsY5d_nOevpt-qorR3e5NNn017FrdQA_mMgnqTEDOs26NSdI/w640-h608/_8fa0d49b-9cdd-4871-ab03-a5c0474bcd00.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIhoSYog9IQh3AEmqo_P_Jza9zaMShQxpTOCl-yai8CTMBPrcTiiyyiHQoGmrxtlr7Rc9hh-gBtCdULlNWsP8SHz_HYj9a9pprBGZJNiBkOvL1GiJRJGMD78pVvlu0wmX7EvqDUSO03CgxdJ4r2CA5K8dhFk-Dd9sYVyPGAvLzqxWoFyq1m03Q8QRCmM/s1024/_25ff7edc-e697-404e-9bdf-7ba8a35c86a2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIhoSYog9IQh3AEmqo_P_Jza9zaMShQxpTOCl-yai8CTMBPrcTiiyyiHQoGmrxtlr7Rc9hh-gBtCdULlNWsP8SHz_HYj9a9pprBGZJNiBkOvL1GiJRJGMD78pVvlu0wmX7EvqDUSO03CgxdJ4r2CA5K8dhFk-Dd9sYVyPGAvLzqxWoFyq1m03Q8QRCmM/w640-h640/_25ff7edc-e697-404e-9bdf-7ba8a35c86a2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />"John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station."<br />-Today in the Word, MBI, October, 1991, p. 18. <br /><br />John Paton’s wife knew that the real struggle was spiritual, not physical. So she got to work praying and praying that fateful night. God answered those prayers, and he sent his angels to protect them. <br /><br />We too must remember that our struggle is not physical, but spiritual. We must fight our battle in the spiritual realm, which is just as real as the physical world. <br /><br />To that end we’re going to be delving into a scripture today that will give us specific instructions for how to fight and win our spiritual battles. <br /><br />Spiritual warfare is something we Christians understand to be events in our lives that are sent from Satan and his demons to try to disrupt our lives, harm us, confuse us, discourage us, or lead us off course in our walk with Christ. <br /><br />God allows these attacks for the purpose of testing and refining our faith. Satan and his demons can’t do anything without God’s permission. God gives permission, in certain circumstances, and at certain times, to test our faith. <br /><br />Many things in life are not spiritual warfare. They are just simple life problems. Your car breaks down, life problem. You get into a fight with your spouse, life problem. You forget to pay a bill, life problem. <br /><br />But there are also events that are more than that. They are spiritual in nature. We will usually be able to sense that this is an attack from the enemy. I have a discernment, where I can tell that it’s from the enemy. You will probably be able to tell pretty quickly as well, this was from the enemy. <br /><br />But I don’t want you to be afraid. Because God has given you everything you need to win the spiritual battles you face. <br /><br />And we find that formula in the classic structure of the armor of God. Let’s delve into that structure now. <br /><br />It says in verse 10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” <br /><br />Verse 10 is the end goal, this is where we will arrive. If we obey all the instructions in verses 11-20, we will have the solution, which his to "be strong in the Lord."<br /><br />A big part of that solution is going to be verse 11, which says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” <br /><br />What’s the purpose of the armor? To stand against the devil’s attacks. The enemy is trying from time to time, to get me to want to quit the ministry. He wants you to leave the church. He’ll sometimes use an incident to try to make you mad so you want to quit. He will try to cause drama in your friendships. He’ll try to hurt you financially. In all this, we want to put on the armor of God and stand. <br /><br />It continues, (verse 12) “For 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.” <br /><br />And again in verse 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.” <br /><br />Four key commands here: </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">1. Be Strong! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">2. Understand our struggle is spiritual <br />3. Put on God’s Armor </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">4. Stand your ground (continuously) <br /><br />If we understand that our struggle is spiritual, against Satan and the demons, we will want to put on the armor of God daily. If we don’t, and we’re too focused on the physical world, we will end up not even bothering with it. That’s why it’s so important we understand the spiritual world is real. <br /><br />My biggest worry is that we’ll all see this and think "hey that’s cool" and never actually use this formula. This is real stuff. We need to fear God and obey it completely, or we will lose our spiritual battles, and end up on the run in life, naked and fleeing for our lives. The devil isn’t playing around. He wants to drive you out of the church, get you away from the word, isolate you, and destroy you with addictions and sins. That’s his goal. But if we put on this armor, we can stand against the enemy’s schemes. <br /><br />Here's how it’s put together. First, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” –Ephesians 6:14a <br /><br />The first thing we want to do, is to know God’s word very well. Then we’ll be armed with truth. But it’s more than that. We want a gift of God known as discernment. Discernment is being able to look at things in the world and know what’s really going on there. <br /><br />It’s hearing a pastor preach and saying, something is off with that message. It’s hearing another pastor preach and saying, this is a spirit-filled message. It’s listening to a song and knowing, this song has demonic influence in it. It’s listening to another song and saying, this song is of God. We see different things, in entertainment, in academia, in politics, in history, in the church, and we’re able to, with God’s help, discern the truth about it. <br /><br />Pray for discernment. We all need it! <br /><br /><i>Prayer: God, we put on the belt of truth, in Jesus name, amen. </i><br /><br />Next, still verse 14, “with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” <br /><br />The breastplate of righteousness is two things, first it’s wearing the righteousness of Jesus Christ, second, it’s mimicking that righteousness in our own actions. One is justification, the other is sanctification. You are holy in Christ (justification), therefore be holy for He is holy (sanctification) (1st Peter 1:15-16). <br /><br />If you want to stand against the enemy’s schemes, believe Jesus is your righteousness, and then live that out in your own actions. <br /><br /><i>Prayer: Lord, we put on the breastplate of righteousness. Amen. <br /></i><br />Verse 15 says, “...and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” <br /><br />I remember in playing basketball for many years, I attended camps and classes, and they’d always teach us that our footwork was very important, on defense and offense. <br /><br />Spiritually, we want to understand that at all times we want to be ready, ready to spread the gospel of peace. God gives us peace, and that peace helps us to be ready. <br /><br />It’s just always having a mindset that this could be a moment where I get to minister to someone. Are you watchful like that? Are you looking for opportunities? Or are you so focused on yourself that you don’t share the gospel? That’s the challenge friends, be about your Father’s business, not just your own. <br /><br /><i>Prayer: Lord we put on the shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace. </i><br /><br />Next in verse 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.” <br /><br />Stay in a position of faith in your life. We will feel tempted from time to time to complain, doubt God, and begin to despair or give up. Stay in faith. Keep that shield of faith raised up. <br /><br />Choose faith. I know it’s hard sometimes. But keep trusting God. As those arrows fly in, keep that shield up, and faith in God will extinguish the darts of the enemy. <br /><br />It’s a choice in the end. You can always respond to any problem or situation in two ways, doubt or faith. <br /><br />Right now we’re trying to hire a new caseworker at The Salvation Army. My mind battles, how should I respond? Doubt says, great timing this is a mess we won’t find the right one, how could God let this happen, blah blah blah. Faith says, God is going to provide the right person at the right time. This is building our faith. Everything will be ok. Stand firm. <br /><br />Choose faith. It’s the better way to respond. <br /><br />There’s an amazing film that delves into this topic of how to respond. It’s called “<i>Greater</i>” the true story of Brandon Burlsworth. And it catalogues the wrestling of his brother, after Brandon died at a young age. Would he choose resentment and anger at God for letting it happen? Or would he choose faith and trust, that God was still good, and Brandon was home in paradise?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The struggle is played out with Brandon's brother sitting on a bench by the football stadium. An old man represents Satan and comes and sits next to him, and tempts him to despair and become bitter. The old man carves a wooden figurine of him, looking angry and bitter. But Brandon's brother resists the enemy, rejects his lies, and comes to see a wider angle on the problem of pain and suffering. <br /><br />Choose faith today. Lift up that shield. Don’t let the enemy’s lies lead you to be angry at God. <br /><br /><i>Prayer: Lord, we put on the shield of faith. In Jesus name, amen!</i><br /><br />Verse 17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation...” <br /><br />We have a great hope, it’s called the hope of salvation. One day, God willing, we will pass into the next life, and receive our full inheritance, our salvation in the new Jerusalem. I look forward to that day. <br /><br />Keep your salvation in sight. Look upward to your eternal future in heaven. Think about heaven. Read books about heaven. Learn about the New Jerusalem. Consider all the wonderful joys the next life has waiting for you. Keep your mind focused on salvation, the glorious future you have this hope of. Hope does not put us to shame. “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” – Romans 5. <br /><br /><i>Prayer: Lord, we put on the helmet of salvation, in Jesus name, amen. </i><br /><br />Next, still in verse 17, “...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” <br /><br />Your greatest weapon is to speak the word of God. Speak life. Speak truth. Speak the scriptures. The voice is powerful. To speak is powerful. Remember God spoke, and he said, let there be light, and there was light. Now, we are not gods. But, when we speak, it’s powerful too, because we’re made in God’s image. <br /><br />When Jesus returns he will destroy the beast “with the sword that comes out of His mouth” Revelation 19:15. <br /><br />A sword comes out of your mouth as well, it’s the word of God, spoken in the Spirit. When we speak the word, we should speak it in the Spirit. Spiritless word isn’t near as powerful as words spoken by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We must be led by God for that to happen. And he will guide the words we speak. <br /><br /><i>Prayer: Lord, we put on the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, in Jesus name, amen.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i> Lord, help us to speak the word from the Spirit, help us to learn that and walk in step with the Spirit in that, in Jesus name, amen. </i><br /><br />But we aren’t done yet, next it says, “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.” (v. 18). <br /><br />Pray for God’s people, with all sorts of different requests. We do that in life group, we do that in recovery group, we do that at the women’s group, we do that at dinner church, we pray all sorts of different requests and prayers, you should do the same on your own time, write down some prayers, and pray them at night before you go to bed, or in the morning before you start the day. <br /><br />Paul continues in verses 19-20 and says, “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, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” <br /><br />Secondly, we want to constantly be praying for God’s people, praying for his apostles, his pastors, his teachers, his prophets, and his evangelists. Please pray for me. Pray for other pastors and missionaries and leaders everywhere. Pray specifically that we would have the right words to speak, that we would be fearless! That we would be ambassadors for Christ. And again, to not be cowardly, but bold and fearless. Leaders need that.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Many pastors and Christian leaders feel very pressured to not offend anyone. They feel pressured and stressed to go along with the culture. They don't want to make waves. They don't want to end up constant controversies. They stay quiet when they should speak. I get it, it's tough! Pray for Christian leaders to speak the truth boldly and fearlessly.<br /><br />Now, if we do these things, if we discern truth, we if live righteously, if we have peaceful readiness, if we choose faith, focus on the hope of salvation, and speak the word in Spirit, and we pray for God’s people and God’s leaders, then, we will as a natural consequence have, “In His Mighty Power” from God, we will in fact be “Strong in the Lord.” Strong in ourselves? No, Strong in the Lord, in the Lord’s Mighty Power. We will be shielded in God’s strong, and the enemy’s schemes will be a failure. We will overcome and gain the victory over the ancient serpent, and be immovable, standing our ground, in the evil day. <br /><br />The evil day will come from time to time for all of us. But if we put on the armor, and pray, we’ll be strong in the Lord, and all will be well. God bless you today.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKuOIBFG3994mTznoncoHOrct8a5d0NkjiG21dnyUcP0-cCTiGv3to2b5ePHzXCQ1By7RibblCJh2orEsb2wyYQA9uP9qHA-SBpWypbtOBDo2r-vG5a99PIGm-07fk98wxij4RMBQB66OmWEGw5y-6Y2SwVkVz6rg5-Z1lcoI18sJj85I7CTyxjSi1vE/s1920/rick-renner-8-things-angels-do-what-they-dont-do.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKuOIBFG3994mTznoncoHOrct8a5d0NkjiG21dnyUcP0-cCTiGv3to2b5ePHzXCQ1By7RibblCJh2orEsb2wyYQA9uP9qHA-SBpWypbtOBDo2r-vG5a99PIGm-07fk98wxij4RMBQB66OmWEGw5y-6Y2SwVkVz6rg5-Z1lcoI18sJj85I7CTyxjSi1vE/w640-h360/rick-renner-8-things-angels-do-what-they-dont-do.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b>Review: </b><br /><br />1. Understand our Struggle is Spiritual in nature <br /><br />2. Belt of Truth – Discern Truth <br /><br />3. Breastplate of Righteousness – live righteously <br /><br />4. Shoes of the Readiness – peaceful readiness <br /><br />5. Shield of Faith – choose faith <br /><br />6. Helmet of Salvation – hope of salvation <br /><br />7. Sword of the Spirit – Speak the word in Spirit <br /><br />8. Pray for God’s people - make all kinds of requests<br /><br />9. Pray for God’s leaders - pray for boldness for leaders<br /><br />10. Then, we will be Strong in the Lord – able to stand firm<br /></span><br /> </div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-1183323842712300622024-01-21T20:51:00.006-05:002024-01-21T22:53:01.143-05:00Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ: Launching out toward the Heart of God <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9VB0poqW264w1qnyts3p4BA1W1CJQyNy8mwc-V_oVBamGueUlP6z4nBtaSY4mQG0lSx_hYFm6M2QTb1Can-z4PrcIQC9Ho_-zDbreDhjv1PMfa69MxFh3xud3cIjb6rbkmmOFpilsESB6IV9ReiW4zXncaDurdFcPa1uJVKQtc9hOqsi7S0_6Y5cAEU/s1024/_87de9e7f-f55f-46a6-b02c-bb0908281a17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9VB0poqW264w1qnyts3p4BA1W1CJQyNy8mwc-V_oVBamGueUlP6z4nBtaSY4mQG0lSx_hYFm6M2QTb1Can-z4PrcIQC9Ho_-zDbreDhjv1PMfa69MxFh3xud3cIjb6rbkmmOFpilsESB6IV9ReiW4zXncaDurdFcPa1uJVKQtc9hOqsi7S0_6Y5cAEU/w640-h640/_87de9e7f-f55f-46a6-b02c-bb0908281a17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6hAxNOq5l9B6zZzFyIQgAGTc4CBlz-2an9WNWOThDbDC4J-aiCRldeWBPPE29esA20K5eD1DH8YD_3E_034YnGi0BnVKfzjggfdr1ZaV2AvTM-g4KYeBzd_aA3vu4OCIkIfEke4L9kFnTMYnpddNCMVb5xU-2BJ8J_1LXGr0xTTwItt91g4agFaAuJg/s3840/StockSnap_SQBE2C5NWT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6hAxNOq5l9B6zZzFyIQgAGTc4CBlz-2an9WNWOThDbDC4J-aiCRldeWBPPE29esA20K5eD1DH8YD_3E_034YnGi0BnVKfzjggfdr1ZaV2AvTM-g4KYeBzd_aA3vu4OCIkIfEke4L9kFnTMYnpddNCMVb5xU-2BJ8J_1LXGr0xTTwItt91g4agFaAuJg/w640-h360/StockSnap_SQBE2C5NWT.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Today we’re going to set out on an adventure. We’re going to launch out into the depths of God and seek to discover a beautiful mystery, called “the depths of Jesus Christ.” We all long I think for a deeper more meaningful relationship with God. Yet I think for a lot of us it may seem out of reach. Too hard. Too far away. Well, no longer. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We’re going to set out on our space ship, of a sort, into the depths. But not necessarily the depths of outer space, though God made those depths, instead we’re aiming our space ship toward the heart of God. We’re going on a journey, to seek God, and find God, in the depths of His heart. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our tool for this journey is of course the word of God, prayer as well, but also, a classic Christian book, penned in 1685, by a woman who lived in France long ago, named Jeanne Guyon. The title of the book is “<i>Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ.</i>”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In this new series we’ll use Madam Guyon’s book as a guide to lead us toward deeper relationship with God. And I’m going to treat this like an odyssey, an adventure, a journey, because as great as the journey is to launch off into outer space, the adventure is much greater, to launch off into the heart of God. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So here we find ourselves at the launch pad. The ship is fueled and ready for our journey into deep space. But you may be wondering, who am I to embark on such a journey? Am I really worthy of it? Could it really be true that I can know God deeply? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The word of God is clear, that as long as you’re willing to approach God like a little child, with confidence and trust, God is willing to receive you. As long as you’re willing to set aside your sins and find Him, you will find Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As Jeanne Guyon wrote, addressing the concerns of her readers, “Did the Lord not say, You shall seek me and shall not find me?” John 7:34. Ah, but your Lord, who cannot contradict Himself, also said to all, “Seek, and you shall find.” (Matthew 7:7). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, it is true, if you seek the Lord, and yet are unwilling to stop your sinning, you shall not find Him. Why? Because you are seeking Him in a place where He is not. There, it is said, “You shall die in your sins.” </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But if you will take the trouble to seek God in your own heart, and if you sincerely forsake your sins so that you may draw near to Him, you shall infallibly find Him.” -Jeanne Guyon (1685)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">You see the simple requirements of the journey. You are willing to seek God. And you are willing to leave your sins behind. If you are there, you are ready to climb aboard the space ship. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yet you may still be concerned. It can seem scary to chase after God with such boldness. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Madam Guyon wrote, “I realize that the prospect of living a life of piety is frightening to most Christians. And prayer is viewed as a very difficult attainment. Consequently, most believers are too discouraged at the very outset even to take the first step in this direction. It is true that if you consider the difficulty of some new undertaking, it can cause you to despair and make you reluctant to begin. On the other hand, the desirability of such an adventure – and the idea that it may easily be accomplished- can cause you to launch out with vigor.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I recently began my next masters class at Olivet Nazarene University. Looking at everything in the class, all the books, the syllabus, I found myself overwhelmed and wishing I hadn’t decided to take another class right now. But, once I logged in, and began working on the first two assignments for week one, I found myself able to handle those assignments and get them done. Don’t try to do everything at once. Just be ready to take the next step forward when the time comes. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus told the crowds once, when I think he could sense many were concerned and afraid, and nervous about God’s holiness and perfection. Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is not looking for ways to keep you out. His goal is to give you the kingdom. He just asks that you be willing to get to know Him, and turn away from your past sins. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jeanne Guyon in her introduction makes it clear several biblical truths that I find to be thoroughly correct:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1.We can be convinced of God’s goodness toward us His children.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. God does in fact desire to reveal himself to us deeply. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. We only need a little courage and perseverance to begin.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is a giver of good gifts. He has abundant gifts for his people. As it says in the scriptures, “He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not, with Him, also freely give us all things?” -Romans 8:32</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God gave us his own son, his own son’s precious blood, poured out to cover our sins. Does he not also, after giving us his son, also want to give us to know Him deeply? Certainly he does. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Can God really be found so easily? Yes. It's not hard. It is different, because it means coming to God with a child-like heart of confidence and humble trust. That is different. But not hard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you entirely give yourself to God, whole heart, then the answer is yes, God can be found. Absolutely. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As Guyon states, it takes “Humble confidence toward God.” A child confidently moving toward their parent knowing they will be safe in their loving arms. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It’s like a door. If I turn the knob, the door will open. It has to. It will. It’s the same with seeking God. If we seek him with all our heart, the door will open. It must. It has to. It will. Period. It’s guaranteed. That’s the lever system God has set up. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So all aboard the space ship, and we launch off into deep space. The adventure begins. We are seeking the heart of God. We are seeking to know God deeply. We are seeking real, authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We talk so much about theology, biblical texts, parables of Jesus, scientific evidence, the historical Jesus, and so on, these are all good things, but for this journey, we want to consider three things: one, your own heart. Two, God’s heart. And three, the union of your heart with God’s heart. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We’ll talk briefly about these three things, then we’ll pray and that’ll be our start to this new series. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">First, your own heart, has of course been through much in this world. In ways our hearts are soft and attentive to God. Our hearts give and receive love. For some of you though, your hearts are hurt. You’ve become bitter. Some of your hearts have become hard. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So the first step today, is to ask God for help. Now, if you haven’t become a born again Christian yet, this prayer will not have any effect. God cannot heal a heart that doesn’t belong to Him. A heart without Christ is hard as rock and must be given to God to be changed into flesh. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But, if your heart does belong to Christ, pray this prayer, and ask Him to heal it, “Lord, we’ve given our hearts to you, but life still happens. Hurts happen. Pain happens. And we confess we’ve allowed bitterness. We’ve allowed some hardness to set in. So God, we pray that you would send your angels, send your healing power, to heal our hearts. We give them to you afresh, please make our hearts new and fresh and soft again, only then Father, can be experience you in all your goodness, in Jesus name, amen.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Secondly, we consider the heart of God. God’s heart is pure love, so much so that the scriptures say “God is love.” Our hearts are limited, though we do receive and give love freely. But God’s heart is infinite, more massive and expansive than the universe itself... A heart of hearts, a heart beyond anything we could imagine. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Yet we can know God, and the heart of God, as we reach out for Him. As he seek Him, we find Him. God’s heart is our target in all this. And it’s not beyond our reach. There is a spot just for us, in His heart, made just for us. And we fit just right there. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Know this truth in your mind, but I pray and hope you can feel it in your heart: He honestly really does love you deeply, more than you could possibly imagine. God really does love you. He longs to be with you. He beckons you to come. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer: "Lord, as we consider your heart, help us to come boldly toward your heart. Help us to perceive your love for us, even those here who doubt your love, may they sense your love and be amazed, in Jesus name, amen."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Third is the dream, the hope, the proper end of this great controversy: The union of your heart with God’s heart. Divine union. Divine reconciliation. You can experience this union with God in this life, all thanks to Jesus Christ, and what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the way forward. He opened the door. But you must walk through it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The divine union of your heart with God’s heart is this: God expresses his love for you, and you express your love for Him. And in that you find a taste of the union of your heart with God’s heart.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Let’s reach out today, make a beginning toward that union. Prayer: "Heavenly Father, we love you. We receive your love for us. We draw near to you, knowing you accept us in Christ. We simply love you, rejoice in you, celebrate our union with you, and draw nearer to you today. We love you. We receive your love. In Jesus name, amen."</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Your heart. God’s heart. Union of hearts. It all starts there. What does it mean? How do we understand it? There are examples everywhere in our lives: a friendship, a father-son relationship, a romance even, it begins with something as simple as two hearts loving one another, but of course that’s just the beginning of the adventure. It’s long talks at night, it’s sharing stories, it’s going on trips, it’s carrying your son on your shoulders, it’s playing football together, it’s having a tea party with dad, it’s a journey in any relationship. All of those relationships give us pictures of God's love for us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So we begin that journey to learn more about the ultimate love relationship, between God and you. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Off we go, into the depths of space, seeking out the heart of God, and if we seek with all our hearts, we will truly find all this and more. What I can assure you of is this: As much as we’re launching out to find God’s heart, he’s already with us in Christ on the ship as we launch out. Isn’t that amazing? I think so. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I’ll conclude with a portion of a prayer from Madam Guyon’s book:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh Holy Jesus, it is You alone who love the simple and innocent. It is Your “delight to dwell with the children of men,” (Proverbs 8:3) with those who are willing to become “little children.” (Matthew 18:3) Beloved Lord, write it on the hearts of those who read it and lead them to seek You within themselves. It is there You rest, as in the manger, waiting to receive proofs of their love and to give them testimonies of Yours in return.” Amen. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrZoM1juPoTBTGDlKXo1GKNFWUjl73tt-JNverA1X4lfNNnWrc2Mr_LsIl5XWE3eBoq1yiNw4uhZIPMWQC4lRLkQV9saE9KX7mOWvxyjQLOOU834jIz895OMxV0Uu48JQewQLVfogE8E0A2Cb-mjpf7-VN3BK3VvWME58DuL9HJIrvLUd2un0uhAMdK8/s1948/RAhJd5tRTgn9VthxQQXKbg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1948" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrZoM1juPoTBTGDlKXo1GKNFWUjl73tt-JNverA1X4lfNNnWrc2Mr_LsIl5XWE3eBoq1yiNw4uhZIPMWQC4lRLkQV9saE9KX7mOWvxyjQLOOU834jIz895OMxV0Uu48JQewQLVfogE8E0A2Cb-mjpf7-VN3BK3VvWME58DuL9HJIrvLUd2un0uhAMdK8/w640-h360/RAhJd5tRTgn9VthxQQXKbg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-44557371494814125142024-01-21T20:50:00.011-05:002024-01-21T22:40:50.698-05:00Put Off the Old, Put on the New: Tips for Christian Living in Ephesians 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1YReZBmgHZjcPXx-hFggHPiXEzIsneI74mb_n0ag-kddvYVlXH0nSxxw7FV2h9vB-x35CnrhAy8YJ3FoGwzmSFWaWBk8anr4DWu_orqlfb-H-GdpxPfIR1ZicNCBd8vJHIDFl49Vv2hyF-u7xyNtvWP26LdPdXJFWWYgUYFY2X2_vf7T3DeGDihDCog/s735/ephesians-4-22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="735" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1YReZBmgHZjcPXx-hFggHPiXEzIsneI74mb_n0ag-kddvYVlXH0nSxxw7FV2h9vB-x35CnrhAy8YJ3FoGwzmSFWaWBk8anr4DWu_orqlfb-H-GdpxPfIR1ZicNCBd8vJHIDFl49Vv2hyF-u7xyNtvWP26LdPdXJFWWYgUYFY2X2_vf7T3DeGDihDCog/w640-h412/ephesians-4-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What does it mean to be worldly? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“The Bible defines worldliness by centering morality where we intuitively know it should be. Worldliness is the lust of the flesh (a passion for sensual satisfaction), the lust of the eyes (an inordinate desire for the finer things of life), and the pride of life (self-satisfaction in who we are, what we have, and what we have done). Worldliness, then, is a preoccupation with ease and affluence. It elevates creature comfort to the point of idolatry; large salaries and comfortable life-styles become necessities of life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Worldliness is reading magazines about people who live hedonistic lives and spend too much money on themselves and wanting to be like them. But more importantly, worldliness is simply pride and selfishness in disguises. It's being resentful when someone snubs us or patronizes us or shows off. It means smarting under every slight, challenging every word spoken against us, cringing when another is preferred before us. Worldliness is harboring grudges, nursing grievance, and wallowing in self-pity. These are the ways in which we are most like the world.” </span><span style="font-size: large;">-Dave Roper, The Strength of a Man, quoted in Family Survival in the American Jungle, Steve Farrar, 1991, Multnomah Press, p. 68.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As followers of Jesus we must guard against living worldly lives, chasing after money and stuff and influence and popularity. That is the challenge we face as Christians. Though we want to follow Jesus, the influence of the world can get in the way. And we can end up living a compromised life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But that’s not what I want for you or me. I want to live a true, real Christian life. I hope you do too. So we’re going to search out in the scriptures some of the most practical teachings we can find.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We’re going to look at the dos and the don'ts and hopefully we’ll find a better understanding of what faith looks like in the grit and grime of everyday life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Today we’re going to delving into a new series called “Shapes of Faith.” And all of this is going to revolve around Christian living. How do I live a successful Christian lifestyle? How do I practice what I believe in my heart? We’re going to be focusing in on a lot of the letters of the New Testament, Galatians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, Colossians, and so on. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The goal is to put the teachings of Paul into structures, shapes, so we can see them in a deeper way, and begin to process and apply what we’re learning. Right now let's</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> focus in on Ephesians chapter 4. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The more we read the word, the more we’ll be in tune with God’s agenda. The more we watch tv, well, we’ll be in tune with another agenda. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">“Some years ago, musicians noted that errand boys in a certain part of London all whistled out of tune as they went about their work. It was talked about and someone suggested that it was because the bells of Westminster were slightly out of tune. Something had gone wrong with the chimes and they were discordant. The boys did not know there was anything wrong with the peals, and quite unconsciously they had copied their pitch.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So we tend to copy the people with whom we associate; we borrow thoughts from the books we read and the programs to which we listen, almost without knowing it. God has given us His Word which is the absolute pitch of life and living. If we learn to sing by it, we shall easily detect the false in all of the music of the world. “ </span><span style="font-size: large;">-Donald Grey Barnhouse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It says in our scripture today, in Ephesians 4:17-19: “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The scripture here is beginning to contrast between the old ways that we used to live in, and the new way we’ve learned in Christ.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We’ve gone from impure before we knew Christ, to now through Christ, we’ve become pure. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But now we Christians on Earth live in a tension. We still live in the flesh, that wants to drag us back to the old way. Part of us wants to get lazy, and drift back toward that darkened way of the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But the Apostle Paul reminds us here, verses 20-21, “That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We’re being told yes, that old way is a temptation to us. But you know the right path, it’s the truth we've found in Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It continues, 22-24, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alright, so we’re going to start building our structure for today. This one works from top to bottom, and at the top we see, we’ve been taught in the truth, that is the truth of Jesus, and in that truth, we’ve learned this: We must put off the old self, and put on the new self. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">And the rest of our scripture today is going to be Paul giving us examples of what it looks like to put off the old self, and then put on the new self. He gives us very concrete examples, which is super helpful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But it all starts with being taught the truth and living in the truth. And as that happens again and again, it filters down the structure influencing everything else we do. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That’s why it’s so important to read your Bible, pray and talk to God, and attend small groups and church services. In all of that you’re strengthening the flow of the truth into you. As it flows into you, it filters down into all your actions. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If I have no truth coming in, am I going to put on the new self? No. The old self is going to grow stronger and stronger. But if I’m feeding myself the truth, I’m strengthened to live a faithful life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So now we’re going to learn some practical ways to live in the new self. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It says in verse 25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">First example, don’t lie. Sometimes we lie and we don’t even know why we just lied. We’re just so used to lying. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Every time we lie, we put on the old nature. We make something up, to make ourselves sound better. We don’t know what to say to someone so we just lie, well that’s never good. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">But when we target that problem in faith, pray, and ask God’s help, and then we start speaking truthfully, then we are putting on the new self in that. And that’s beautiful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The old self is a liar, in sin right? The new self longs to speak truth and live truth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next, we see a great scripture, classic. It says this, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (26-27). </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Notice something, it’s not a sin to be angry. The new self is consistent with being angry. Anger happens. But when you’re angry, don’t let yourself commit sin. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We all do this, when we’re angry, we’re angry, but we limit what we do. Some of us are better at that then others. But when you’re angry, remind yourself, I need to limit my response, to what the Bible says, "Be angry, but don’t sin." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We also get instructions on limiting the time table of anger. Don’t let the anger go on too long. As the day gets old and the sky goes dark, find a way to resolve your anger. Because if we go to bed angry, we often will be angry again the next day. And it can begin to consume us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In your anger, don’t give the devil a foothold. The enemy is looking for opportunity to enter your life and affairs. Don’t give him one. Keep your anger under control, and then resolve it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My fiancé and I have had disagreements, and we've learned to resolve them in the same night. We've had times where we waited until the next day, and it only made things worse. The anger festered and became more powerful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next, verse 28, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next, stealing. These are such excellent examples. Some of us before we were Christians, we justified stealing to ourselves. Well, they don’t need it. The store has enough money. My friend has a lot of money. But now, we’re told, we must steal no longer. Stealing is part of the old self. Instead we’re told to find something useful to do with our hands, good work, service, and then we’re told, we’ll have something to share with those in need. We go from stealing, taking what’s not ours, to working to earn a living, and then giving things to others. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Isn’t that awesome? God will take someone who is a thief, and turn them into a giver. I love what God does. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, before you say, but I don’t steal. Well, let’s double check that quick. Have you cheated on your taxes? That’s called defrauding the government. In other words, stealing. Doesn’t matter if you think the government deserves the money or not. It’s the law. And Christian’s obey the law unless it disturbs our ability to follow Jesus.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have you downloaded music or movies off the internet illegally? There’s a word for that. It’s called stealing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">As Christians, we don’t steal. We give. We care for. We provide for. We meet needs. We don’t steal from anyone. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Next in verse 29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This is one that I need to work on, actually. Sometimes when I’m joking around with friends or with my fiancé, I joke around in a way that’s probably not particularly helpful or good. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth. That’s the old self again, trying to come back. But instead, speak life. Use your words to build others up. And your words will be a benefit. The new man in Christ speaks life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t get me wrong, it’s OK to tell jokes, it’s OK to make someone laugh, but we need to make sure we’re not speaking filth, but speaking truth and life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We as Christians have received the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus Christ. God has become our Father in Heaven. He has adopted us. Jesus is our friend. Not only that, the Holy Spirit now lives within us, and our bodies are the temple of God, housing God’s presence within us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So here we find a key centerpiece to our structure today, in verse 30 it says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The new self has been sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption. Therefore, don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. It’s a beautiful balance. You have the Holy Spirit. But don’t grieve the Spirit through willful sin. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit within us. You've been sealed with the Holy Spirit. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">A seal is something that holds an envelope closed, wax often melted and then stamped with an emblem. Some use this verse to claim "once saved always saved" but a seal can be broken. In fact that's what happens when you open the envelope, the seal is broken. You have the Spirit, it's sealed, but don't grieve the Holy Spirit, because a seal can always be broken. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Let me draw you back to the opening, we’ve been made new, but the old self is still here. The monkey may be off our back, but the circus is still in town. Keep your guard up. Stay focused on Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The flesh will drag us back if we let it. Instead, we must live by the Spirit, and we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. We will overcome, and gain the victory. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It continues, verse 31, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are you bitter? Have you been through a lot in your life? Don’t let that bitterness lead into rage, and anger, and brawling and slander. Instead, ask God to heal your bitterness. Speak to a good Christian counselor about bitterness. Meet privately with your Pastor. Ask your small group to pray for you. You can find healing from the hurts of the past. God will help you! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Again, bitterness, slander, rage, all these things are the old self again. And we’ve put that off. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, in verse 32, we see the opposite of bitterness and rage and slander. It says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Be kind and compassionate, show empathy, listen, and give encouragement, forgive those who have hurt you, just as God forgave you. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Alright notice in all of this, we have two main actions to take, first, we put away sinful things that we used to do. We take off the old self.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Second, we put on the new self. We replace that bad thing, with it’s opposite, a good thing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did we steal? We start giving instead.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Did we tell dirty jokes? We start speaking encouraging words.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Were we bitter? We find healing and forgive others who hurt us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It’s always removing something bad, and letting God replace it with something good. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is taking sinners like us, and he puts us in the hospital of the church, and he changes us by removing the problem, and then by adding a new attitude and approach to life. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Now, let’s put it all together, as we review today. Our structure for today shows us how the truth leads to progressive changes of mind and heart, and these changes then lead to different actions, and these different actions out of new attitudes are the process by which we put on the new self and put off the old self. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4HcPgN3ZnoDyikfWrO5TB2UamBEUDdyFE2Y6lvFxaNmC9T9LNGvb9hI2RZCiFhkqMuevblsHrbo0UG5xQFea5VsK28PhVtnXwBAjS_Wt_E6OFuwoGvIlK1nGDOaYEq5RcIA4TyLA4jvld0oHRT05RfszwtBI0mI0ojwHBOkk9vRhJ4O5FROgOaAGtRY/s1228/collection-of-basic-2d-shapes-for-kids-learning-colorful-geometric-shape-flash-cards-for-preschool-and-kindergarten-illustration-of-a-simple-2-dimensional-flat-shape-symbol-set-fo%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1228" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4HcPgN3ZnoDyikfWrO5TB2UamBEUDdyFE2Y6lvFxaNmC9T9LNGvb9hI2RZCiFhkqMuevblsHrbo0UG5xQFea5VsK28PhVtnXwBAjS_Wt_E6OFuwoGvIlK1nGDOaYEq5RcIA4TyLA4jvld0oHRT05RfszwtBI0mI0ojwHBOkk9vRhJ4O5FROgOaAGtRY/w640-h364/collection-of-basic-2d-shapes-for-kids-learning-colorful-geometric-shape-flash-cards-for-preschool-and-kindergarten-illustration-of-a-simple-2-dimensional-flat-shape-symbol-set-fo%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Applications</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Learn the Truth – attend church, study your Bible</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Put Off the Old Self – put off the old ways</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Put on the New Nature – embrace the new ways</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Put off Lies / Speak the truth </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be Angry / Don’t sin in your anger</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Don’t Steal / Use your hands for good</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Avoid unwholesome talk / Speak words of life</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit / Sealed for Redemption</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Get Rid of Malice – end bitterness and slander</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be Kind and Compassionate – forgive quickly</span></p>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-58116301553623174282024-01-20T18:30:00.017-05:002024-01-25T12:54:59.792-05:00How Do I Live as a Christian in This World: 10 Areas We Might Not Normally Think About<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEIne66J-wBZQfdOFKh-vUVHrfjOvEc1sf8xlbDUDg6hJzQVX1j6tZigtHXIxLLqQOBdPCMykbIb7OkWULYhnhl1YRSci2Si8V_tb68wyqEzq8KCwq7i9Nr18Jhew-NQrEcKAMXsHlAHfD1k0C0OFcb3EKfn6K3fDSPWabtK3eF4UzMZ_PPV1nzBZCE/s1500/123_1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEIne66J-wBZQfdOFKh-vUVHrfjOvEc1sf8xlbDUDg6hJzQVX1j6tZigtHXIxLLqQOBdPCMykbIb7OkWULYhnhl1YRSci2Si8V_tb68wyqEzq8KCwq7i9Nr18Jhew-NQrEcKAMXsHlAHfD1k0C0OFcb3EKfn6K3fDSPWabtK3eF4UzMZ_PPV1nzBZCE/w640-h360/123_1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The desire of my heart is to live as a true Christian, in a world that is broken. How do I do that? How do I live it out during my daily life? Let's look briefly at ten areas of our lives that we might not have thought about before. </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Group Dynamics / Social Climbing - </b>In our friend group, in the group that surrounds us at work, we may be tempted to try to climb, to try to jockey for position. That's the way of the world. Show how important you are. Quietly wage a war against someone who is a threat to you. Talk about her behind her back, gather people against her. Use carefully worded remarks, offhand, to slowly pick at your rival in the group. These are the ways of the world. They are not the way of Christians. So you should do the opposite of these things you see others doing. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If someone targets you for a campaign of quiet warfare, refuse to engage, simply keep being your best. Pray for them. If someone gets a promotion before you, don't get angry, just keep being a man or woman of integrity. If you see a weak spot and know you could use it against that person to drive them down and yourself up in the group, refuse to use it. See it, and refuse to use that. That is revolutionary. You will feel better about yourself, and in the long term, maybe not the short, but in the long term others will respect you more for your lifestyle. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I used to downright hate the social climbing and alpha male stuff in groups, and by disengaging with it, and simply being myself and my best in Christ, God would often work it out in a unique way. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Stubbornly treat those who consider you an enemy with kindness and respect, it will confuse them. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Slippery Slope of Flirtation </b>- This isn't just for married couples, but also for singles. Singles, hear me on this, you will have many flirtations that are a danger to your future. Before the right godly woman or man comes along, you may run into 15-20 of the wrong ones. Don't let your emotions control you in romance. Even if they're very beautiful/handsome, keep your guard up. Look deeper, to their character, and their faith walk. God will give you flags to watch for. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Married couples, avoid at all costs the slippery slope of flirtation. I think we often act as if, well, I don't even realize what I'm doing. But if we're really being honest, we do. We may slip into it naturally. But we are humans made in God's image, so we are capable in Christ, of catching ourselves and refraining from the flirtations we might otherwise indulge in. It's life and death we toy with, with flirting. A few words, a few choice remarks, and destruction is near. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We all know the story. A married woman has a man who begins flirting with her at work. She resists it at first. But slowly she begins to play into it. And as she begins to flirt back, the ball is now rolling downhill. We all know, it can roll very fast and pick up speed very quickly. This is why many will be in a happy marriage, but they like how the flirtation makes them feel. So they allow it. Just a bit. And slowly that door cracks open wider and wider. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And pretty soon they are in divorce court, and wondering, <i>how could I have let this happen?</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Be very staunch. Shut down the flirtation immediately. Or just walk away. And don't allow it. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had a friend whose wife had a coworker, another woman mind you, who kept flirting with her. My friend didn't like it, but she kept telling him they were best friends. Big mistake. That should not be a friendship you're in. At the same time my friend and his wife were having some problems in their marriage. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This friend of his wife kept whispering in her ear, "I'd never treat you that way. I understand you." And pretty soon she wore her down, and she left her husband for this woman. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you can keep the door closed on any flirtation, you can protect your marriage. If you allow the door to crack open, it can open very wide, very fast, and end in disaster. Head it off immediately, don't toy with it, even though the attention feels good in the moment, be wise, shut and lock that deadly door. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Avoid intense eye contact, it's a form of flirtation that's powerful but hard to pin down (easy to make excuses about).</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Financial Stability - </b>Something that I faced when I became a Christian was financial chaos. I had taken out too many loans. I had many bills in collections. I owed people money that I had never payed back. I had stolen money from people I needed to make amends to. So I got to work. I used free services like Credit Karma to find out about the bills in collections. I began making monthly payments on them, small amounts, $25 here and $100 when I could. I made a plan. I paid people back, with interest. I made amends to those I'd harmed financially. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had a credit card with $10,000 in debt on it. And I asked God for help. He sent an older church member to me and he sat me down and taught me about tithing. He said if you don't put God first in your finances you're never going to have enough. He challenged me to start tithing 10% of my income, and then slowly give more as I'm able. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It seemed so counter-intuitive, I'm in debt! And you want me to give more? Yet I could sense the Holy Spirit speaking to me in the situation. So I said, alright, I'm going to try it. I'm going to start tithing. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In two years the entire $10,000 was paid off. Not much had changed in my income or lifestyle, but God was at the head, and he guided me to pay it all off. Put God first in this area, and watch what he does.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The sense of satisfaction in financial integrity is amazing. Shoot for that, make it a goal, and get to work. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Budgeting can be extremely helpful as well. There are free services out there that can help with this, connect with them. I met with Thrivent finance early on, they were helpful to me!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Read Great Books -</b> One of the greatest things about the protestant reformation and the birth of America was that Christians used knowledge from different disciplines to develop their personal lives, their families, their government and their economy. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Be one of those Christians who reads lots of books. But be cautious that the great knowledge out there doesn't puff you up. It can lead to pride. So stay humble as you read. As the Apostle Paul said, knowledge puffs up. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Read the great Christian classics, the Pilgrim's Progress, The Practice of the Presence of God, The Cross of Jesus Christ, Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ, Humility, The Pursuit of God, Mere Christianity, My Utmost for His Highest, Orthodoxy, Live Not By Lies, I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist, and on and on the list goes. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I know that after twelve grueling years of public education, learning from many teachers who hated to teach and hated their subject, I had learned to hate learning. I despised it. I had to fight through a lot of hurt and brokenness and anger to rediscover the love of learning. But when I found it again, I took off running. I hope you can find it too, if you were one left in the ruins like me. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Process your Christian faith into how you see the World </b>- This has been one of the greatest adventures I've been on since becoming a Christian. After becoming a Christian I realized I had been brainwashed in the modern world system into thinking many things about the world that aren't true. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I had believed the universe was just a howling dark void that came from nothing and was going nowhere. I had believed the human race was here for no apparent reason. I had believed human beings had little value. I had believed after death came nothing. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The adventure has been trying to slowly break out of the modernist mindset and into a truly Christian view of the world, which is simply seeing reality as it truly is. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When I see a human being, I don't see some guy anymore, I see someone made in the image of God, who has great value. When I see a beautiful tree, I don't see a plant, I see something God invented and intended. When I see DNA I see the programming language God used to design living beings. When I see galaxies and nebula on the James Webb space telescope I don't see random phenomenon but inventions of the brilliance of God's mind. When I look at a city, I don't see just a random gathering of people, but a structure of hundreds of disciplines, from plumbing to electricity, to woodwork and architecture all inspired by God and intended by God for man to develop and live in.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Begin to try to do this, when you live your life, stop yourself, and think to yourself, I know what I used to think this was, but what does God and the Bible say about it? What does it really mean? Then slowly, you'll break free from the brainwashing of the modernity. And as you do, you'll see the world more clearly as it truly is, and you'll be able to more effectively live out your Christian faith.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">All the greats, C.S. Lewis, John Wesley, D.L. Moody understood that they had to break out of the old mindset of the flesh and begin to see the world through the lenses of the Spirit. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Several pastors met with D.L. Moody once and asked him what was the secret to his success in ministry. He took pointed to the people around them near the town square and said what do you see? And the men each gave their various insights about the people they saw. And D.L. Moody said, I see dozens of people made in God's image who face an eternity in hell without the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. I'm paraphrasing the story, but you see the point. D.L. Moody was effective because he had trained himself to see beyond this world, to the eternal implications of everything around him. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I don't agree with Mark Driscoll on everything, but this is something he's good at. He went to a football game once and said, "Dang, I've joined a cult!" He could see the worship of the event. He could see it was triggering something of an idolatry in some of the people present. He didn't just see a football game, he looked differently, and saw a spiritual implication. We can train ourselves to do something similar. We ask questions, reinterpret reality, and begin to see Earth, the USA, our cities, our friends, our families, and our lives through biblical lenses. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Extra Tip: Read C.S. Lewis for help with this, he seemed to effortlessly see things others missed in regard to what reality really is. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Value Ceremony and Tradition -</b> I remember in my teens and twenties I looked with general disdain at events like anniversaries, weddings, family reunions, even Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, all of that stuff I thought generally had little point for me as a person. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Why does the wedding matter? What really matters is the marriage after the wedding. Why does Christmas matter? We just eat and open presents, the actual story behind it doesn't matter. Why should the family reunion happen? It's just old people dancing the polka. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Even after becoming a Christian I don't know that I fully understand why it matters. But, I eventually realized that it really does matter. I was reading <i>The Great Good Thing</i> by Andrew Klavan, and he mentioned how he had thought his wedding didn't really matter. That it was just an old tradition. But later he realized he was completely wrong, the wedding expresses the thing, it solidifies the thing, and it makes the thing real. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The cynical kid in me couldn't see the value in remembering. But that's the purpose in all these events, is to remember. Because we as humans so easily forget. We drift into our daily patterns. We rest on our past accomplishments. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The holidays, the family get togethers, the special events, the weddings, the anniversaries are all infusing meaning into our lives. They are reminding us what really matters. They are reminding us that marriage should be celebrated. They are reminding us thankfulness matters. They are reminding us the birth of Jesus changed everything. They are reminding us that the resurrection of Jesus brings us eternal life. Traditions are vital. They are important. And the Bible is full of stones of remembrance, yearly festivals, events, meetings and calls to remember what God had done in the past. It's vital. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: We lose something huge when we miss church, or view online only, we need the human gathering, it does something that can't be replicated on the internet by watching a sermon on YouTube.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Eye Gate - </b>cursing sprees? sexualized content? Imagery that provokes you toward lust or pride or greed? Be cautious what you put in front of your eyes. I used to be obsessed with zombie movies. Today I don't watch zombie movies at all. I love sci fi but a lot of sci fi movies end up being plain demonic. Check the rating on the movie. If something in your spirit disturbs you about what you're watching, turn it off. Switch to something else. Let God guide what you put in front of your eyes, when in doubt, pray it out. Ask God. He will help you. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Avoid making excuses on this one, we want to watch something, so we make excuses and rationalize it. Simply make the hard call to shut it off. Split the disc. Move on. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Develop Spirit-centered Witnessing Radar - </b>Something God has developed within me is a sense of radar in witnessing. Learn to listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will nudge you to speak to someone, or call someone, or pray for someone. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />We can develop a pattern of listening for God and following the leading of the Spirit. We won't always get it right, but we can slowly develop a pattern of simply knowing when God is calling us to speak to someone or pray or act on someone's behalf. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Don't lean too much on emotions in witnessing. God can use emotion, but if allow our emotions to be the sole guide, we'll get burned. Be prayerful, contemplative, and listen quietly. Don't get obsessive. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Drink Deeply of the Evidence for God's Existence - </b>As a guy I tend to be skeptical. I tend to think someone is probably trying to scam me or take my money, because in American capitalism, that's usually the case. If they invite me over, it's just as likely they want to be friends as they want to inculcate me into their pyramid scheme get rich quick scam, essential oil sale service, or Tupperware party (it's happened to me before). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I'm skeptical. I need to see the evidence. If someone tells me a product is good, I go look it up. I read the reviews. I don't just accept what I'm being told. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">That's why I think it's so important to be well read on Christian apologetics. I want to see the evidence for God's existence in science, history, archaeology, and I want to know about the Bible's ancient manuscripts. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It helps me in two ways. First, it helps me internally, if I start to get led astray by the world system telling me there is no god, I simply remind myself, "Where did the universe come from?" God made it, obviously. Look at all the complexity in nature, immutable laws, DNA in our cells, and I quickly remember, yeah, it's obvious that God made all this. If I don't have that information in my head, I could start to be led astray and think that there is no god. The enemy is always trying to lead us away from the Lord. Apologetics has kept me strapped in tight with all the facts surrounding the life of Jesus, science, history, and the impact of the church on the world. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The second reason it's helpful is so I can witness to someone who has questions. If someone tells me that the Bible isn't reliable and has been rewritten, I can explain to them why that's not true. I can point to the dead sea scrolls. I can talk about the manuscripts that date back to within 50 years of the life of Christ. I can talk about the persecutions the early church endured before the canon was established. I can witness better with apologetics in my back pocket.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: You can read great books like <i>The Reason for God</i> by Keller or <i>The Language of God </i>by Collins, but if you struggle reading, just subscribe to some of the YouTube channels of people like Frank Turek, Os Guinness, Ken Ham, Greg Koukl, William Lane Craig, and listen to their videos/podcasts. You'll absorb the information as you listen to it repeatedly. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Little Things In Life -</b> there are a million little things we do throughout the day, laundry, dishes, paperwork, yard work, running errands around town, ordering stuff online, and we should try to remember to do it for the glory of God. Even just speak that out loud. Nothing is secular, all is spiritual. Do it for God, do it to God's glory. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Extra Tip: Even the most basic tasks in life can be done to God's glory. Sharpening your pencil? Do it to the Glory of God! </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxdDZT7GQqXQrjexIF5VjMbbd2lsYLquKKldyWriGQOKr45rCj8KdKdDZhL5VdsjfTpwYa1ZVvy0yopx4_CEaXtBZlhPmLy5acUPCDXt2ZRgPh2fv0RnL7waklODczI__eP11NI4lv79dBGzGBTCCbqpLsxDMOqvB-Rt-yO88bpU1LMecE2hCARknhFE/s1080/272150598_10158272615736502_8767914310174694594_n.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxdDZT7GQqXQrjexIF5VjMbbd2lsYLquKKldyWriGQOKr45rCj8KdKdDZhL5VdsjfTpwYa1ZVvy0yopx4_CEaXtBZlhPmLy5acUPCDXt2ZRgPh2fv0RnL7waklODczI__eP11NI4lv79dBGzGBTCCbqpLsxDMOqvB-Rt-yO88bpU1LMecE2hCARknhFE/w640-h640/272150598_10158272615736502_8767914310174694594_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh9C_tVFs6Nbj2oLEPVxBLTuWje3hNvheNWaNzxGnYJweAvu6UoLimolURYYzqjnBNjsxqisLnDWB6ZKriPmcvRdp22GGd4Qjm9S6jv4mFTLPGBuyYmAKyWpG42qx-zKflqLxpVBTI170xzpuNSkeFS-PQdF2M0n0hfAIthurhV1Xg27HHg2kC6wbPTE/s1024/_8ad81f5f-27b3-4ca3-a433-4de102a53ad9%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh9C_tVFs6Nbj2oLEPVxBLTuWje3hNvheNWaNzxGnYJweAvu6UoLimolURYYzqjnBNjsxqisLnDWB6ZKriPmcvRdp22GGd4Qjm9S6jv4mFTLPGBuyYmAKyWpG42qx-zKflqLxpVBTI170xzpuNSkeFS-PQdF2M0n0hfAIthurhV1Xg27HHg2kC6wbPTE/w640-h640/_8ad81f5f-27b3-4ca3-a433-4de102a53ad9%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGEyPrzZEt1LbYk3iN3EOC7OYyxjldVHvSNUVIkRNlrUiHV4D0tqR_2hQCz1sYIguYBJcXVnOvDxk0Z11gRgL4gn2Zkd17Up4hTdIsRR66NA28PpbqWRaeXN-2nzSqpND6H9v1Dg_W1U6z0WB36w8_emU41QRhAcTQ8hPYyuUIomVZfGu_YAJIvqV80Y/s1024/_daf3ee22-10f7-440b-90e8-d456b1f44b49.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGEyPrzZEt1LbYk3iN3EOC7OYyxjldVHvSNUVIkRNlrUiHV4D0tqR_2hQCz1sYIguYBJcXVnOvDxk0Z11gRgL4gn2Zkd17Up4hTdIsRR66NA28PpbqWRaeXN-2nzSqpND6H9v1Dg_W1U6z0WB36w8_emU41QRhAcTQ8hPYyuUIomVZfGu_YAJIvqV80Y/w640-h640/_daf3ee22-10f7-440b-90e8-d456b1f44b49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />What is the most pervasive false doctrine in the body of Christ today? <br /><br />In particular, we're looking at Western evangelical Christianity, and in particular Christianity within the United States. So in Christianity, in the United States, we've seen two trends that have shaped the theological field of discussion and debate. <br /><br />The two trends are this, one, <a href="https://research.lifeway.com/2020/12/15/megachurches-continue-to-mostly-grow-and-not-just-in-size/" target="_blank">the rise of Calvinist mega churches</a> across the country. We've seen numerous Calvinist mega churches grow and multiple. From Tim Keller, who recently passed away to Andy Stanley, to John MacArthur, Mark Driscoll, Craig Groeschel, Matt Chandler, David Platt, Bill Hybels, and so on. You think of people like Francis Chan. He's sort of an outlier. He's not really firmly ideologically Calvinist, but more instinctually. </span><span style="font-size: large;">So first of all, the rise of Calvinist mega churches affected our theology. </span><div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Secondly, and just as much was the <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/august/nondenominational-growth-mainline-protestant-decline-survey.html" target="_blank">rise of non denominational churches</a>. Most of these non denominational churches are functionally Baptist in theology. I think the reason they've taken off so much and sort of supplanted other denominations is because they have remained biblically conservative in their theology, when many other denominations have strayed liberal in their theology. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When churches stray from the Bible, they shut down. Plain and simple, that's what we've seen with the decline of mainline protestant churches. The rapid decline of mainline protestant denominations was succinctly matched by their total embrace of gay marriage, gender ideology, and critical race theory based social justice. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Now, there is a lot to like with both Calvinist and Baptist churches and theology. They've remained close to conservative biblical theology. They've emphasized personal salvation. They've emphasized the need to share the gospel with others (missional). They've clarified a gospel message around penal substitutionary atonement that makes it starkly clear that salvation is based on the finished work of Christ on the cross. There is a lot of good in all of it. <br /></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If we were looking at church theology in general in the west, and what is the biggest red flag, the answer would almost certainly be gay marriage, and the massive swing of the church toward promoting homosexuality. The swing has been truly seismic and devastatingly destructive. It's the most astonishing shift for the church in two thousand years. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So you could say the most pervasive false doctrine in all of Christianity right now is gay marriage, the promotion of total inclusion. Hundreds of churches have simply decided, 'we will deny what the Bible says about marriage.' </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But what about evangelical Christianity, the vein of Christianity that holds most firmly to the word of God? </span><span style="font-size: large;">What is the most pervasive false doctrine in evangelicalism?</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I believe the most pervasive false doctrine within biblical Christianity is the doctrine of "once saved, always saved." </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This doctrine comes from the fifth point of the Calvinist TULIP acronym which is titled the "perseverance of the saints." And it asserts the idea that is it impossible for a born again Christian to fall away and lose their salvation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The doctrine also finds a home in Baptist churches, which teach as a point of theology, salvation cannot be lost. Many Baptist (non-denominational) churches would reject the first four points of Calvinism, but they would still agree on the last point and teach that a believer cannot lose their salvation. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's a very surprising thing when you think about it. I'm sure many reading of us were taught this doctrine in their churches. But the doctrine is fairly rare outside of Calvinism and Baptist churches. It's a view that rejects free will and asserts a believer can never do things mentioned in scripture like renouncing Christ or denying Christ, or practicing willful active sin. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If we go back to the early church, we see that<a href="https://chnetwork.org/2010/03/16/salvation-from-the-perspective-of-the-early-church-fathers/" target="_blank"> the early church fathers</a> agree that a believer can backslide. It was a basic teaching of the early church, to hold fast to Christ, to remain with Christ, and to reject sin, and to die for Christ if necessary, before ever denying Him. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As Irenaeus wrote, </span><span style="font-size: large;">"But to the righteous and holy, and those who have kept his commandments and have remained in his love…he will by his grace give life incorrupt, and will clothe them with eternal glory" -Irenaeus, <i>Against Heresies</i>, Book I, Chapter 10:1. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But it was a difficult issue to deal with. How does a believer know they are safe in Christ's arms? For the Catholic church, they dealt with this issue by instituting confession. The believer would confess their sins to the Priest. The Priest would then give forgiveness along with penance. This would be practiced monthly, even weekly, or daily if necessary.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So for Catholics, it became a question of salvation security, what kind of sin is deadly to my salvation? So sins were divided up into two categories, mortal sins and venal sins. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Still the question persisted, what happens for a Christian who is living in active sin? So pretty soon purgatory was invented by the Catholics. If a Christian is active in sin, or has unconfessed or unrepented of sins, they will be taken to a sort of temporary hell, where they will be tormented to make up for their sins until they are cleansed and taken to heaven. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">That lead to the sale of indulgences. Christians fearing their loved ones were in purgatory, would purchase indulgences to free their loved ones from purgatory early. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As Johann Tetzel the famous seller of indulgences said it: "When a coin in the coffer rings, another soul from purgatory springs."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But it all went back to the salvation security issue, how do I know if I'm secure in my salvation? What about sins I've committed after becoming a Christian? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You could say this issue may have single-handedly spawned the great protestant reformation. Martin Luther went over and over and over to the priest to confess his sins when he was a monk. He was tormented by the fear of hell. It drove him to study and learn and grow. And Martin Luther found one day in the book of Romans, that salvation was in Christ alone. And we're all grateful for that today. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But what was Martin Luther's view on once saved always saved? Did you know Martin Luther believed a Christian could lose their salvation? It's true. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what he wrote in his commentary on the book of Galatians:</span></div><span style="font-size: large;">"Verse 4, "Ye are fallen from grace." That means you are no longer in the kingdom or condition of grace. When a person on board ship falls into the sea and is drowned it makes no difference from which end or side of the ship he falls into the water. Those who fall from grace perish no matter how they go about it. ... The words, "Ye are fallen from grace," must not be taken lightly. They are important. To fall from grace means to lose the atonement, the forgiveness of sins, the righteousness, liberty, and life which Jesus has merited for us by His death and resurrection. To lose the grace of God means to gain the wrath and judgment of God, death, the bondage of the devil, and everlasting condemnation." -Martin Luther, <i>Commentary on Galatians</i>, 5:4.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">So Martin Luther had to find a careful balance between salvation in Christ, and the reality of the believer's free will and ability to fall from grace. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We in the body of Christ must make that same effort. We can't fall into the trap of teaching people that they can never lose their salvation. This is dangerous, unbiblical, and invites complacency and a lack of zeal in service to God. A believer must know that when they sin, or depart the church, or even renounce Christ, they are putting their salvation at stake. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Yet we must also avoid the trap of teaching believers that their salvation is lost very easily. This would invite believers to be tormented as Martin Luther was before the reformation, constantly running to the priest, or to God, fifty times a day crying out, "Am I still saved?"</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Instead we must a find a balance, the same balance the scripture actually teaches. This balance is that a believer may hold a sense of security in Christ that their salvation is secure in Him. But, that they should balance this security with a sense of vigilance. As the scripture says, "If you believe are standing firm make sure you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12. A believer must be challenged to guard against sin, repent quickly if necessary, and to understand that renouncing Christ under pressure/persecution is in fact tantamount to lost salvation. This balance of security and vigilance will help Christians to both be amazed by the love of God in the security of salvation and also encourage Christians to tremble at a Holy God who shows no favoritism and will judge sin as sinful. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This balance is absolutely vital. Because if a believer is taught that they can never lose their salvation every command of the New Testament suddenly becomes optional, a suggestion, a good idea. But the believer finds there is little affect if they transgress them all. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Many pastors teach that violation of commands, willful sin, or even outright renouncing Christ as savior, simply causes problems in the relationship between the believer and God, but has no affect on salvation status. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Yet it says clearly in the book of Romans, chapters 11:19-22, "You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.<br /><br />Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off."</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">And again it says in John chapter 15, in the teaching on the vine and the branches, that the believer is the branch, the vine is Jesus, the gardener is God the Father. If a believer (branch) abides in Jesus (the vine) then the believer produces much fruit. But if the believer drifts off and doesn't remain in Christ, they shrivel up. And if a branch shrivels up, it is removed from the vine and is burned (John 15:6). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This was one of the last teachings that Jesus gave to His disciples in John's gospel. He had already explained to them that by obeying His teaching they were clean, but lastly he explained how to abide in His love, by remaining Him, and obeying His commands, believers would abide in the vine. But if they did not abide, they would shrivel, and lose their salvation, and in the end be burned.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Why is this so challenging for us as evangelical Christians in the west to understand? Why do we teach believers they can never lose their salvation? </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I think it comes right down to one simple fact. I recall watching the Calvinist documentary called <i>American Gospel</i>. And early on a chart was shown on a line indicating a believer's salvation, and they showed it going up and down, and then showed their view which was that it was better to view it as never straying below the line of saved vs. unsaved, because it more psychologically stable. And I realized at that moment, that is why we embrace once saved always saved, despite the fact that so many scriptures make it plain that it's not true. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's this: It's just too scary to think we could lose our salvation. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's simple <i>psychology</i>. It's mental health. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We want to hear what we want to hear. Our ears are itching for a comfortable answer. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And what could be more comfortable? Sin as much as you want as a Christian, you can never lose your salvation. And suddenly, my duties as a Christian are nil. Zero.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I have no responsibility to share the gospel. I can keep drinking, partying and sleeping around. I can run my own life, God doesn't have to really be in charge. In fact, I don't even need to attend church.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It's mental health in the end. We want to believe it. In fact honestly, I would prefer, if I were choosing based on what I like, and what feels good, I would jump on board for 'once saved always saved.' It feels great. But it's just not true. And the Holy Spirit kept saying that to me over the years. For my first few years as a Christian leader, I taught OSAS. I taught past, present, future sins are already forgiven. But the Holy Spirit just kept whispering to me, and I had no peace about it. The Spirit kept saying: Something isn't right here. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Scripture after scripture jumped out at me... John 15, Hebrews 6:6, Hebrews 3:12, Revelation 2-3, Romans 11, Hebrews 10:26-27, 1 Cor 9:27, 1 Tim 4:1, and on and on it went.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Yet at the same time I saw scriptures which spoke of a believer's security in Christ, John 10:28, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 5:13, Romans 8:38-39, 1 Peter 1:23, and on and on it went. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Revereing God, I knew I couldn't teach once saved always saved. If it wasn't true I didn't want to teach it. And I knew the scripture which said, "Not many of you should become teachers because you know we teachers will be judged more harshly" (James 3:1). </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We as biblical evangelical Christians must find a way to teach salvation security and vigilance against falling away/apostasy at the same time. If we teacher OSAS we allow people to become complacent and sinful in their Christian practice. We may even lead people to hell. Then again if we teach falling away too severely, believers will fear constantly they are not truly saved, and may even stray into works salvation apart from Christ to try to make up the difference. So a sacred balance is needed here. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If we can address this as evangelical Christians and find a better balance, we may find a new level of maturity among believers, who both love and fear God, who are both joyous in their security and vigilant in their battles against sin, Satan, and false teachings. But it shouldn't come down to a risk benefit analysis. We should most highly of all want to teach what is in alignment with God's word. And we can do that. We will do that. The ship must be righted, and we can only do it together. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISwHlA4EJFCE-uWYi21bYD1SRqELLJdHYkAeqhRdvQNgzqMVBPq_nYZxfe8_itJ73_kJY2APcwfj9XF6iJE5WNfLLfNVpzwaa8vKttRi_vfJwB9Cq3ySYQdid9GK8BiPsQKx75uofhiq_dJB2eC09eHZb4X2Wd9qUJmcYbHGYbWuCztBl7M3Ad0zOsMg/s2704/If-Jesus-Christ-be-God-and-died-for-me-CT-STUDD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2704" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISwHlA4EJFCE-uWYi21bYD1SRqELLJdHYkAeqhRdvQNgzqMVBPq_nYZxfe8_itJ73_kJY2APcwfj9XF6iJE5WNfLLfNVpzwaa8vKttRi_vfJwB9Cq3ySYQdid9GK8BiPsQKx75uofhiq_dJB2eC09eHZb4X2Wd9qUJmcYbHGYbWuCztBl7M3Ad0zOsMg/w640-h360/If-Jesus-Christ-be-God-and-died-for-me-CT-STUDD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-7225563083435334732023-12-31T19:30:00.017-05:002024-01-01T14:58:34.890-05:005 Tips for Christian Living in 2024<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviCxdxsPcSvkfmkeYTy2EDv2ua9rvaFhdsu9ZWcM3vx8_iCSTeDPxkqY2DqxChhgNQUMI7rVbhhnKfd91fLOc8NezpTe0_GO9z4pC-i1t7SwqkYD-d9hY9tjN1ma2Cx-bARYKbIUAeD1Hzlq0ZdnCJWSpSEYM1AKOQLZjxxyM3Pl-X4xN8KWvDU9Syag/s1920/happy-new-year-2024-greeting-card-design-template-end-of-2023-and-beginning-of-2024-the-concept-of-the-beginning-of-the-new-year-the-calendar-page-turns-over-and-the-new-year-begins-vector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1920" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviCxdxsPcSvkfmkeYTy2EDv2ua9rvaFhdsu9ZWcM3vx8_iCSTeDPxkqY2DqxChhgNQUMI7rVbhhnKfd91fLOc8NezpTe0_GO9z4pC-i1t7SwqkYD-d9hY9tjN1ma2Cx-bARYKbIUAeD1Hzlq0ZdnCJWSpSEYM1AKOQLZjxxyM3Pl-X4xN8KWvDU9Syag/w640-h384/happy-new-year-2024-greeting-card-design-template-end-of-2023-and-beginning-of-2024-the-concept-of-the-beginning-of-the-new-year-the-calendar-page-turns-over-and-the-new-year-begins-vector.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-size: large;">As we head into a new year, 2024, I want to give you some tips for how to live your life in the coming year. As people we should always be growing, always learning more about God, and always attempting to see ourselves becoming more like Jesus. <br /><br />That takes intentional decisions, decisions to live a special kind of life. We need to give careful thought to our lives and the things we’re doing. We need to practice. We need to study. We need to experience. We need to repent of sins. We’re going to talk about all these things and more tonight. <br /><br />I remember last year I was at a service in early 2023 when they asked us to write on a piece of paper one goal for the coming year. I wrote something pretty simple on the little piece of paper. I wrote, “I will be more positive in my ministry in 2023.” And I remember when I got home I took a magnet and put it on my fridge. I took it down around late December. But I looked at that little piece of paper about one hundred times throughout the year. <br /><br />First thing today, I'd like to challenge you to do the same thing. Pray, ask God for guidance, and then write a simple statement on a piece of paper as a guidepost for the coming year. Put it on your fridge, and let it be a reminder to your through the year. But please phrase it like this: “In 2024 I will…” Don't "try" anything. State it as a current reality. </span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it’s something negative you want to state, like in 2024 I will quit smoking. Maybe it’s a positive statement, In 2024 I will be more hopeful. In 2024 I will attend church every Sunday. In 2024 I will pray 3 times a day. But when you get home, stick it to your fridge, so you see it over and over. That will help you remember to stick with the goal. <br /><br />Alright, second point today, is for many of you the new year 2024 will be a year that you take another step closer to God. <br /><br />That’s something pretty simple, and it starts with you deciding right now, to take one step closer to God. <br /><br />Maybe in the past, you attended dinner church once a month, or every other week. A step forward would be to say, well, from now on, I’m going to attend every Sunday. Or maybe you’d say, my step forward will be I’m going to start attending morning church too. Or maybe it’s I’m going to start attending the bible study each week as well. <br /><br />You take a step forward. I’m going to officially say that the salvation army is my church. This is where I go. This is my home church. It can be something as simple as that. <br /><br />For some of you, it may be that 2024 is a big turning point, where you take several steps closer to God, you go from very little spiritual activity, to reading your Bible everyday, praying over your meals, and attending special events at the corps. <br /><br />But what you want to avoid is same old same old. As a Christian you should be taking steps closer to God, each year. <br /><br />Third point today, is we want to get in the mindset of giving. <br /><br />There is a poisonous attitude that can negatively affect Christians. They show up to the church but they show to take. They show up demanding to receive. And nothing they ever get is quite good enough. And they get mad easily. They make demands. And if all their demands aren’t met then well it’s not a good church and the pastor is mean, and then they leave. But that’s not what Christianity is. We don’t come to get, get, get. <br /><br />And some of us have a bad attitude that way. Where’s my food. Where’s my drink? Where’s my seat. You make demands when you get here. But you should be serving. <br /><br />What is the best way to start to get out of that toxic pattern of entitlement? How do you go from taking to giving? <br /><br />Try something pretty simple, grab something from the free table tonight, and bring it to friend. Hang it on their doorknob. Knock and give it to them. Find something you know your neighbor will like, and bring it to them tonight. Bring an extra to go meal for a friend. <br /><br />It’s simple. But you’re setting yourself up for delighting in giving. And when you do it, it will feel good. And then you’ll want to do it again. And pretty soon you’ll be buying stuff for people you don’t even know. Pretty soon you’ll be bringing a meal to someone you don’t even like. Pretty soon you’ll be bringing food to an enemy someone who was cruel to you. Because by doing it, by practicing it, you’re re-programming your mind toward the action of Christ, which is to give. <br /><br />Begin to set a new pattern. To give. Let it start with something small, a loaf of bread for a friend, and let it grow from there. <br /><br />Point number four, target a sin in your life, to see it removed. <br /><br />Many of us here have things we need to work on. There are obvious things, like smoking, drinking, porn, or drugs. But there are also things like gambling, playing the lotto, swearing and cursing, compulsive lying, stealing, manipulating people for your benefit, unforgiveness, or even hatred. <br /><br />These things can be dealt with though. And I want to give you some simple instructions on how to. <br /><br />What is it on this list that you battle? What is the sin you hide? Do you see it in your mind. <br /><br />First thing, let’s pray about it. Father, God please help us with these issues. We know we can’t remove these things on our own, but we believe God you have infinite power, so God we ask you to set us free in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Now, keep praying about it. Whenever it comes up in your mind and you feel ashamed or upset or angry, turn that feeling into a prayer. Lord, I feel so ashamed, God have mercy on me in Jesus name, amen. <br /><br />Second, understand God loves you so much he will help you in every way he can to set you free. Put the sin in his hands. Admit you can’t fix it. And then put it in his hands. Be motivated by His love for you. <br /><br />Thirdly, recognize you are under threat as well. Anyone, Christian or not, who is living in active willful sin is in danger of hell. If you were to die, while in an active sin, that you haven’t repented of, you would be brought before God, judged as guilty of sin, and you would be sent to hell, permanently. I’m not trying to scare you, but I am trying to help motivate you toward change. You are in danger in active sin. <br /><br />Fourthly, let the love of God, and the fear of God’s justice, motivate you toward change. Sit down with your pastor. Ask for help. Visit a support group. Buy a book on freedom from that sin that you find online on amazon, and read it. Continue to pray about it. Take actions to be free. And you will find freedom and deliverance. <br /><br />Fifthly, after you’ve found freedom from the sin, make plans to stay free. Being an alcoholic addict recovered by God’s grace, I continue to this day to attend recovery meetings that help me stay free. <br /><br />Last point today, turn your life over to Jesus Christ today. Call out to Him, ask him to be your savior, renew your commitment to follow him and serve him all your days. Recommit your life to Jesus Christ today, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Let me Him lead you into the new year, and new seasons ahead. <br /><br />I believe we’re going to see the world get darker and darker as we head into the future. We’re going to see increasing wars, increasing famines, prices going up, jobs and housing harder to find, corruption in governments will spread, even our freedoms will come under attack, but at the same I believe we will see more and more people realizing that they need Jesus to face the darkness. As the world gets darker, I believe we’re going to see at the same time, the body of Christ growing more mature, and more pure, and more active, and we’ll begin to see revivals break out. As the world falls more and more under the sway of Satan and evil, we will see more and more people giving their lives to Jesus and being lights in the darkness, shining ever brighter until the second coming of Jesus. Amen. <br /><br />Alright, so, to review… <br /><br /><b>1. Set a Goal for the new season ahead <br /><br />2. Take a step deeper into the body of Christ (or several steps) <br /><br />3. Learn to give by setting a new pattern of giving <br /><br />4. Target a Sin in your Life, repent, and give it to God <br /><br />5. Give your life to Jesus Christ, and shine brightly in the darkness</b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAqmrFMjj3lPhyphenhyphen-L2c9dSWC3c6vTH2yT858-nyGM2-ysMSlla1CwzP1AdkhVqSEuBotNgxIZv7aIgv_LQ-Y6-x-EklXZFQrZPQAxbuixSMIoFPKQ1QRgsdu1eOf3umLe0to_33TEalegIrQSIKGSR8QbH9TZZ33sdymxa7sW8Do5dN0fxtwN_RGcznno/s900/sermon-on-the-mount-bryan-ahn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="900" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAqmrFMjj3lPhyphenhyphen-L2c9dSWC3c6vTH2yT858-nyGM2-ysMSlla1CwzP1AdkhVqSEuBotNgxIZv7aIgv_LQ-Y6-x-EklXZFQrZPQAxbuixSMIoFPKQ1QRgsdu1eOf3umLe0to_33TEalegIrQSIKGSR8QbH9TZZ33sdymxa7sW8Do5dN0fxtwN_RGcznno/w640-h388/sermon-on-the-mount-bryan-ahn.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp2l9d7TcCluoEYAuS2D0LQlGodKWfz5RqedwlQnFnJZ_PCbIYymqB2kq6kpWBpdT2flX8UGgO8pqDlpbAjZX6sLRF7QknAZkllIVo6do2e2rR7pT0JH4TdEs8YT1yAU2xVtOkfhtBbCEDrHI6tiIRWTqO8vfNaYg973SGSQO1InbC012hcg1F0Wq5ec/s2848/bible-verse-isaiah-60-arise-shine-for-your-light-has-come-and-the-glory-of-the-lord-has-risen-upon-you-2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2848" data-original-width="2848" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYp2l9d7TcCluoEYAuS2D0LQlGodKWfz5RqedwlQnFnJZ_PCbIYymqB2kq6kpWBpdT2flX8UGgO8pqDlpbAjZX6sLRF7QknAZkllIVo6do2e2rR7pT0JH4TdEs8YT1yAU2xVtOkfhtBbCEDrHI6tiIRWTqO8vfNaYg973SGSQO1InbC012hcg1F0Wq5ec/w640-h640/bible-verse-isaiah-60-arise-shine-for-your-light-has-come-and-the-glory-of-the-lord-has-risen-upon-you-2014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-76263112400771771892023-12-31T15:50:00.003-05:002023-12-31T15:50:25.372-05:00Structure for Christian Living in Colossians 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LJmnWCk6qReTyh2PNZYvEIKiber-cqYfoAuGaRCWGESSxNUQoz1UWGKq8nOfwJQue_Yoxo9ex1TV3HYW-o-o7muoQLkXOTC0o3Sh3382pGFBkxWERNumiFUQXTf4HbELeFcOFVF_gebYZqa0EtdoqnYDiWoH8La4GeClv-Pd0O1JccPgf2EIiz0VHG8/s640/tumblr_povuw6S4Ju1s94jl7o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LJmnWCk6qReTyh2PNZYvEIKiber-cqYfoAuGaRCWGESSxNUQoz1UWGKq8nOfwJQue_Yoxo9ex1TV3HYW-o-o7muoQLkXOTC0o3Sh3382pGFBkxWERNumiFUQXTf4HbELeFcOFVF_gebYZqa0EtdoqnYDiWoH8La4GeClv-Pd0O1JccPgf2EIiz0VHG8/w480-h640/tumblr_povuw6S4Ju1s94jl7o1_500.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />“One spring our family was driving from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Florida. As far as the eye could see, orange trees were loaded with fruit. When we stopped for breakfast, I ordered orange juice with my eggs. "I'm sorry," the waitress said. "I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken." At first I was dumbfounded. We were surrounded by millions of oranges, and I knew they had oranges in the kitchen--orange slices garnished our plates. What was the problem? No juice? Hardly. We were surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get it. Christians are sometimes like that. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes, but if something should happen to the Sunday morning preaching service, they would have no nourishment for their souls. The problem is not a lack of spiritual food--but that many Christians haven't grown enough to know how to get it for themselves.” -Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciple Making. <br /><br />Today we find ourselves in between series, after Christmas, before new years, so as we approach 2024, I thought it would be wise for us to open the Bible, and examine some keys for Christian living. <br /><br />We’re going to be looking at Colossians chapter 3 today, and we’re going to look at some keys for Christian lifestyle. <br /><br />We’re going to look at 7 key points. What are the nuts and bolts of how to live a successful Christian life? And for each point, we’re going to be building a structure, a guide, for how to Cloth yourself with the new nature. And we will need God’s help to do live this. So with each of the 7 points we’re going to stop and pray after each point. So 7 prayers will be happen here as well. <br /><br />Colossians 3:1 says, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven.” <br /><br />If you’re a Christian, a real one, you’ve been changed from within. You’re different than you used to be. That’s the work of God within you. <br /><br />God’s part is to raise you to new life with Christ. Your part in this formula, is to set your sights on God’s ways. <br /><br />Well, you probably wonder to yourself, how exactly do I do that? <br /><br />Verse says how: 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. <br /><br />So this goes into your thought life. From when you wake up in the morning, to when you go to bed at night, what are you thinking about? <br /><br />I worry we sometimes are thinking about the things of Earth. We’re thinking about money. About things we read in the newspaper. We’re thinking about football games, groceries, cleaning the house, and we aren’t thinking about what God commands us to think about. <br /><br />Then we’re surprised when we have little joy, and we feel depressed. We aren’t thinking about what God tells us to think about, which is to think about Him. <br /><br />Our first point today is this: Change your thought life. Find ways to think about God, the Bible, Jesus, heaven, and fill your thought life with these truths. <br /><br />If we adjust our thought life, to think about God’s kingdom, throughout the day, we are going to be focused on a different drumbeat. And that is going to help us to live right. <br /><br />That’s the foundation, Christ-centered thought life. <br /><br />Next in verse 5 we get more instructions… 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. <br /><br />Verses 5 and 6 bring the fear of the Lord to me. It reminds me that the judgment of God is coming, like a flood into the world one day soon. <br /><br />And I’ve got to practice self-examination. Does it say God is going to put to death the sinful things in us? No it doesn’t. Does it say that’s already finished? No it doesn’t. We’re told you do that. The Holy Spirit will help us, but this is something we need to do. <br /><br />Put to death the sinful earthly things lurking inside you. <br /><br />Identify them. What do you battle? My fiancé right now we battle lust, we’ve been dating a year, now engaged, and it’s tough, but we know we’ve gotta fight through and make sure we wait until we’re married to fully express how we feel toward each other. <br /><br />Lust is a big one. Impurity of any kind though, is mentioned. Evil desires. We all have certain desires that aren’t right. <br /><br />So how exactly do we “put it to death”? We identify it. We pray about it. We ask God to help us be free from it. Maybe it’s swearing. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s love of money. <br /><br />We ask God to forgive us in prayer. Then we repent from within. We say to God, Lord, we turn away from that sin. I renounce that sin. I turn away from it. And we begin to practice the opposite. If it’s pride, we start to practice being humble. <br /><br />Please take this seriously, the concept of putting to death sinful habits. I worry we in the body of Christ read it like it’s a nice suggestion. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command of almighty God. If we ignore it, and just kinda skate along, we may find it come up on judgment day and lead us to hell. I don’t want the day you stand before God to be a nightmare for you. Take it seriously now, today, fear God, and repent quickly. <br /><br />Take it seriously. This isn’t a game. We don’t come here every Sunday because we needed some therapy. We want heaven, to want eternal life, and we know God is for real about this stuff. He loves us, but he is just. God can’t be mocked. We will reap what we sow. So please, again, take it seriously. Deal with it now. Judge yourself. Examine yourself. <br /><br />That’s our second point today, self-examination, repentance. <br /><br />The word here is saying don’t drift back into the ways of the world. We still battle it within ourselves. We have been changed in Christ, but the old ways still tempt us. So we should put them to death quickly and say no more to sinful patterns of life. <br /><br />Third point, Put on the new nature. It says in verse 10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” <br /><br />The command here is put it on. Put on the new nature. Embrace the new way. Put on the armor of God. I do that every morning, Lord, I put on the armor of God today. Each day it starts over. And as you do that, you’re going to learn to know your Creator, and in knowing God, you’re becoming like him. You’re learning godliness and putting it on. <br /><br />A few verses down we get a definition of what this new nature is: “12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” <br /><br />Showing mercy is huge for a Christian. If someone really hurts you, messes up, lets you down, you do have to come forward with mercy and avoid condemning them. That’s not easy. Especially if it’s happened many times. But keep showing mercy. That’s the nature of God to come with mercy. <br /><br />Showing kindness is huge too. A kind word, a soft word, a sweet response to someone who is unstable can change their whole day. Be kind to the waiter. Be kind to the volunteer. Be kind to the check out lady at the cash register. <br /><br />Stop and notice that they exist. Smile. Slow down, and give someone an encouraging word. <br /><br />Humility is huge for a Christian. We aren’t arrogant people. We don’t honk our horns at people on the highway when they won’t get out of the fast lane quick enough. <br /><br />We don’t lash out at someone who is rude to us. We don’t react in anger. We humble ourselves. <br /><br />We show gentleness. Are you gentle? It’s a beautiful characteristic. Gentleman, gentlewoman. It’s beautiful. Do that. <br /><br />Of course patience. Be patient with people. Give them time to get it. Give them time to learn. Give them time. If they mess up your order, be patient. Be kind. It’s a witness to them. <br /><br />Those are all aspects of putting on the new self. In Christ. <br /><br />When you do those things, you are putting on the new nature, in that moment! Cool! <br /><br />Point number four, make allowance for each other. Make room for each other. This connects back with point 3, putting on the new nature. But it’s now telling us about living in community with other Christians. <br /><br />It says, “ 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” <br /><br />If someone here, or in your family, at your job, in your community has a fault that bothers you, sometimes you just have to tell yourself, “That’s just Bob being Bob. That’s just Stacy being Stacy. And that’s OK. And you make an allowance for them to be that way. You decide in your own mind, that’s ok for them to be themselves. And I’m going to be ok with it. <br /><br />If you can learn that, you’re going to prosper in getting along with people around you. <br /><br />In connection to that, you also forgive those who offend you. Some of you have from time to time offended me. I’m sure I’ve offended you too, from time to time. But, we forgive each other, and we keep going together, as a community. We remember how God forgave us our terrible sins. And as we remember that, it helps us to be quick to forgive people who hurt us. <br /><br />If you’re going to live in church community with flawed human beings, who love Jesus, but do make mistakes, learn to make allowance for peoples faults, and forgive quickly. <br /><br />Point five, above all, cloth yourself with love. <br /><br />“14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” -Col 3:14 <br /><br />What is the single greatest virtue of the Christian? It’s love. Real, honest, heartfelt love for each other. Jesus told his followers, if you really love each other, from the heart, all the world will know that you’re my disciples. That will be the perfect evidence to the world, the love of Christians. <br /><br />So above all the other aspects of the new nature in Christ, the most important by far is love. And love is going to filter down into all the others and make them real. If you really love from the heart, you will be humble. You will be kind. You will learn gentleness. You will be kind. You will make allowance for others faults. You will forgive quickly. <br /><br />We’ve got to learn to love people deeply. <br /><br />Point number six, allow the peace from Christ to have control in your heart. <br /><br />That is your calling, to live in a state of peace. <br /><br />Peace of Mind we’re talking about here. You can have real peace. How? You allow the peace from Christ, to reign, to have authority, to be in charge in your soul. Isn’t that interesting? <br /><br />Let Christ’s peace rule in you. <br /><br />It says this, Colossians 3:15, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” -Col 3:15 <br /><br />There is a way of life which many of us are used to, where we constantly complain. We’re depressed. We live with anxiety. We are negative. There are seasons of certain things, so I don’t want to say that you’re always going to be chipper. It’s ok to be sad for a season. <br /><br />But, in general, we should live in peace from Christ. Let it reign in us. That’s a calling, a command. Secondly, we are to “always” be grateful. Sometimes be grateful? No, always be grateful. <br /><br />So for 2024, maybe you need to write up a gratitude list, fill a few pages in a notebook of things you’re glad for in your life. <br /><br />In verse 16 we get the whole picture summed up together: “16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” <br /><br />Verse 16 first of all is sending us back to verses 1 and 2, let the message of Christ fill your life. In other words, think about the things of heaven. The whole structure fits together now, all those things fit together, each layer, and once it’s all together, and you’ve done of all it, you can say, the message of Christ in all it’s richness has in fact filled my life. And it’s amazing. Then take this lifestyle and teach it to each other, with wisdom. Then in your gratitude, sing about it, sing songs and hymns and spritiual songs to god with gratitude in your heart. It all fits together. <br /><br />All of that for the purpose of point number 7, which is, if you live like this, you will be an ambassador for Jesus, a representative to others. <br /><br />Colossians 3:17 says, “17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” <br /><br />The command, do everything in your life as a representative of the Lord Jesus. Then others will see it, and want to know Jesus too. <br /><br />And in doing all this, give thanks through Jesus to God your Father in heaven. <br /><br />Let’s review out main points from today. They are… <br /><br />1. Change your Thought Life – focus it on God’s ways <br /><br />2. Practice Self Examination – put to death sinful ways <br /><br />3. Put on the New Nature – live out the new ways <br /><br />4. Make allowance for Each Other – forgive quickly <br /><br />5. Above all cloth yourself with Love – genuine love <br /><br />6. Let the peace of Christ rule your heart – be peaceful <br /><br />7. Live life as an Ambassador for Christ – an example <br /><br />I want you to take a picture of those 7 main points and make it your plan for living in the new year. Make it your new lifestyle. Learn to live this way. Learn God’s ways more and more. And you’ll find yourself becoming a devout and godly man or woman of Christ. <br /><br />Make sure that in this coming year you aren’t like the waitress surrounded by oranges but unable to make orange juice. Take your Bible, study it carefully and then apply what it says, so your life changes, and you live a life devoutly in Christ. Amen.</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJN7FZzANxpL0sAx_tda3gLqXmncOMtyTRPpTBgYQ08Xd5ETaBEtK1z_NIQIiUQaJ7ucJKuHnO65NsFoB21shWdjv0B0ADcg2h1Wq5spZobqZ6rxje3el8wnT1yojlQvki3E128tmWrToMO4fM9tgyeLWxHGn5ewee7j_FTRtIJ-ZvFtvV-b1ufaKsfY/s1920/Boost-Orange-Yield3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJN7FZzANxpL0sAx_tda3gLqXmncOMtyTRPpTBgYQ08Xd5ETaBEtK1z_NIQIiUQaJ7ucJKuHnO65NsFoB21shWdjv0B0ADcg2h1Wq5spZobqZ6rxje3el8wnT1yojlQvki3E128tmWrToMO4fM9tgyeLWxHGn5ewee7j_FTRtIJ-ZvFtvV-b1ufaKsfY/w640-h360/Boost-Orange-Yield3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO3gC3A3AN_W5N_b25VCNxUqQhT5Ps10xiFUYq_ALh8Gjsf4VLkyJ3LCwc0xj8nJyBuu-TDwUFpJaLKyVMAWAUn5iCkM1H9w0uSsCS-TYJVPknL2otUaQHQ7pZTwv_hJoG_DL2fAdVfK72qOTboL160a1Yv0LkJQQwz-bewVwSvEmAj_WYePDhiF4tmQ/s672/col-3-5a.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="672" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqO3gC3A3AN_W5N_b25VCNxUqQhT5Ps10xiFUYq_ALh8Gjsf4VLkyJ3LCwc0xj8nJyBuu-TDwUFpJaLKyVMAWAUn5iCkM1H9w0uSsCS-TYJVPknL2otUaQHQ7pZTwv_hJoG_DL2fAdVfK72qOTboL160a1Yv0LkJQQwz-bewVwSvEmAj_WYePDhiF4tmQ/w640-h458/col-3-5a.webp" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQm75smBIvKlZbu5vkqboViyd3VFH341WXbZboFVzgdXQsBJgvF58Oybeb2FaUhYX1Td75hnjXyIuhWd5E5I9XEoboUOjAXfBO8iViXrk8Kz2vQ3ZWKrMxtlyPM-KFOvKGGyoJCLdSzAPfymRMuxzfB_Rg5aYfCf4wLirZFIapsMpRJysIXcgoTL3oqw/s640/dggdckh-95097fd9-57f5-4fe5-abc3-e7602c8f4dfb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQm75smBIvKlZbu5vkqboViyd3VFH341WXbZboFVzgdXQsBJgvF58Oybeb2FaUhYX1Td75hnjXyIuhWd5E5I9XEoboUOjAXfBO8iViXrk8Kz2vQ3ZWKrMxtlyPM-KFOvKGGyoJCLdSzAPfymRMuxzfB_Rg5aYfCf4wLirZFIapsMpRJysIXcgoTL3oqw/w640-h640/dggdckh-95097fd9-57f5-4fe5-abc3-e7602c8f4dfb.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx42hW9PUcz9aF8taMxGgC4gLUYHFQlhIsP5bX3kACuLyPuZFFuI0FtizSOsxJCQe7eDMQhIXmI9OFihqhtJgocGihomGxUBWilnIqnnD8G3itLpJO3CdWEO6_geX1hP8AX_HGjkHxkZaeCdQstXb8LslRdF-1ZUNlD-hx50rFfZeSARhkmwWPFIneXE/s1920/pexels-rodnae-productions-4921150-scaled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx42hW9PUcz9aF8taMxGgC4gLUYHFQlhIsP5bX3kACuLyPuZFFuI0FtizSOsxJCQe7eDMQhIXmI9OFihqhtJgocGihomGxUBWilnIqnnD8G3itLpJO3CdWEO6_geX1hP8AX_HGjkHxkZaeCdQstXb8LslRdF-1ZUNlD-hx50rFfZeSARhkmwWPFIneXE/w640-h360/pexels-rodnae-productions-4921150-scaled.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Friend of Jesushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15928144917029124335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3055183900998820873.post-56005977966746613622023-12-24T13:08:00.010-05:002023-12-25T00:18:51.122-05:00What is the Glory of God? The Telescope to the Microscope and Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXvFd5QlXPxGjDhTsWkK0QdEcs-5g3Bvilr-ZyFJTp9Ar2HUkU6ZJE9t9ZqKdMT0B_4FmaAPk52L_FJ81aKKBrvqPgl8CwXHzb_9EkHqvZoSIPgntbNEm1gPKYOrNBYTJT4f7omAVGQmc_rH6NAleyQa-RFfQSEQOC0RzGQER8V4U-kEPxoGLaO5UV4A/s2000/STScI-01G8H1NK4W8CJYHF2DDFD1W0DQ.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXvFd5QlXPxGjDhTsWkK0QdEcs-5g3Bvilr-ZyFJTp9Ar2HUkU6ZJE9t9ZqKdMT0B_4FmaAPk52L_FJ81aKKBrvqPgl8CwXHzb_9EkHqvZoSIPgntbNEm1gPKYOrNBYTJT4f7omAVGQmc_rH6NAleyQa-RFfQSEQOC0RzGQER8V4U-kEPxoGLaO5UV4A/w628-h640/STScI-01G8H1NK4W8CJYHF2DDFD1W0DQ.png" width="628" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i37FDMmr3IV6GkGZj-6Mf2alVafWTF6c3kltAs4FerXtCuaQIXRh09D0no1A4eOWTHyRSg7HNrnPkz6PxfcxA3s2jX464WjXTPvf2GpwOmdQ0YC3o3oMr5PTp2Dl50atTNC7kq_aAKWJTdoegAIDEouU6k6wFOa_iLvcqwGrQy7YRpRAVYNosWJapKk/s2000/STScI-01H530BR24BZMXSY06PCR4E1EC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="2000" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i37FDMmr3IV6GkGZj-6Mf2alVafWTF6c3kltAs4FerXtCuaQIXRh09D0no1A4eOWTHyRSg7HNrnPkz6PxfcxA3s2jX464WjXTPvf2GpwOmdQ0YC3o3oMr5PTp2Dl50atTNC7kq_aAKWJTdoegAIDEouU6k6wFOa_iLvcqwGrQy7YRpRAVYNosWJapKk/w640-h372/STScI-01H530BR24BZMXSY06PCR4E1EC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLJDZ3vYCXExJBM0D7Tb-ad-kRB8_zRn3-trZJyWABB-QTSQBskE3L3rH8CZrSE5dfW6ZJuZmyHvqkuway5xWN6K_WkmYSMKoZ9I4nv3FgrkbOa4K_GJFkCjAc_9k5J1Ikp7XNx2HC_6Hdz1tN2mGByAH8uFnY2_PhjG8h2uHTLGt2BCIBvP4vWUa2lU/s1932/STScI-01HBVHZW1Q7GTJ0VRPE721T5PT.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="1851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLJDZ3vYCXExJBM0D7Tb-ad-kRB8_zRn3-trZJyWABB-QTSQBskE3L3rH8CZrSE5dfW6ZJuZmyHvqkuway5xWN6K_WkmYSMKoZ9I4nv3FgrkbOa4K_GJFkCjAc_9k5J1Ikp7XNx2HC_6Hdz1tN2mGByAH8uFnY2_PhjG8h2uHTLGt2BCIBvP4vWUa2lU/w614-h640/STScI-01HBVHZW1Q7GTJ0VRPE721T5PT.png" width="614" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lKiWh_C4GtJJxZvh43e1RX0LhxGjgEpM8fDwrJXxRrUdwnrLKXDFm8UouUmH1-hW495wDHCtl10otkybLJiaiPjAOMWEayJ16fabUGwrRyi4WgrxoRs8td37zDDg2_t2Cpi7TMd27QaO6okNfCOeNFHR73AzCImvIV96aneQ7fmC4BDB3eKmpswPN3A/s2000/STScI-01HFC8KWYQK5ZH2KKGH2362BBF.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1492" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lKiWh_C4GtJJxZvh43e1RX0LhxGjgEpM8fDwrJXxRrUdwnrLKXDFm8UouUmH1-hW495wDHCtl10otkybLJiaiPjAOMWEayJ16fabUGwrRyi4WgrxoRs8td37zDDg2_t2Cpi7TMd27QaO6okNfCOeNFHR73AzCImvIV96aneQ7fmC4BDB3eKmpswPN3A/w478-h640/STScI-01HFC8KWYQK5ZH2KKGH2362BBF.png" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">The James Webb space telescope was launched into space on December 25th 2021, it’s predecessor the Hubble space telescope had taken thousands of amazing pictures of deep space with it’s powerful lenses, but the James Webb telescope would be even more precise in it’s photographic abilities, taking pictures of deep space with great accuracy. <br /><br />I recall as a new Christian, about 10 years ago I went on the Hubble space telescope website and I was looking at the pictures. And suddenly I was shocked by a realization of what I was looking at. I realized suddenly, wait a minute, God made this. <br /><br />The Bible says, Psalm 19:1 ESV “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” <br /><br />Every nebula, every galaxy, every star was created by an infinite creative intelligence massively brilliant beyond my ability to comprehend. And when I looked at the images in that light, I was stunned by the glory of God as looked at the pictures. <br /><br />So I wanted to share some similar pictures with you today, which show us the glory of God, what God has made, and we should look and say wow, God made that. And it’s amazing. Be in awe! <br /><br />Yet we also know that the Earth itself, not just the heavens are filled with God’s glory as well. <br /><br />As it says in Isaiah 6:3 ESV And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYi7D3EyK2Y8T2QnKF8pkFpAmIps92xhr55tA_kf7MQ_JQ8aBA1Hfan6b0bl-D3-E-WVgyeGJaZ_7Xh-9HxhzUko99n4jcMhG0PmYpgGxhEjX_hOsQzh4IH9w-NW5fNgW9GM__7wgUvce7WsRWGEU3aN5O0ItLSJXVOKwhpuWxVwecxUw7CgwT7rhwVs/s512/lung-cell-development1512474822147.png" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYi7D3EyK2Y8T2QnKF8pkFpAmIps92xhr55tA_kf7MQ_JQ8aBA1Hfan6b0bl-D3-E-WVgyeGJaZ_7Xh-9HxhzUko99n4jcMhG0PmYpgGxhEjX_hOsQzh4IH9w-NW5fNgW9GM__7wgUvce7WsRWGEU3aN5O0ItLSJXVOKwhpuWxVwecxUw7CgwT7rhwVs/w640-h640/lung-cell-development1512474822147.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Example of AT2 and AT1 epithelial cell generation in a lung alveolar organoid used to examine MANC and AMP function. Green staining for surfactant protein C indicates AT2 cells whereas red staining for Hopx indicates AT1 cells. Credit: The lab of Ed Morrisey, PhD, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania”</span></i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Here is another picture, what is it? Perhaps a galaxy or nebula from the James Webb telescope? No, this is a microphotograph of a molecule in your lungs, from the lab of Ed Morrisey. <br /><br />Whether we look through the telescope, or the microscope, we find something we’re studying today, called the glory of God. We find the fingerprints in the world of what God made, and we wonder at how he made it. We wonder at how it all works. And we’re amazed. <br /><br />These are reflections of the glory of God. But what exactly is it itself? <br /><br />What is the glory of God? Last week we talked about the presence of God, and being led by the Spirit of God. But, the glory of God is something different from the presence of God, or the leading of God. <br /><br />The glory of God is an event or experience which reveals who God is to us in a deeper way. <br /><br />Experiencing the glory of God explains to us in a deeper way, who God really is. It’s something that changes us forever. <br /><br />The glory is mentioned in our foundation scripture for this series, John 1:14, it says, “ “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ -John 1:14 <br /><br />So you have the disciple John, writing the gospel of John, reflecting on his whole life, looking back, as an old man I’m sure, and saying, wow, living with Jesus those 3 years, I saw the glory of God simply by being with Jesus, listening to Jesus, watching Jesus work, seeing him crucified, it changed my life forever. I was not the same. <br /><br />So I think, as we experience the glory of God, a little bit more each day, it simply reveals to us who God is, more and more. Until we can say wow, I really do understand who God is to me. Not completely, not entirely, but enough to say wow, I really do know God. <br /><br />I recall particularly during our series of going through the parables of Jesus, we studied every single parable Jesus ever spoke recorded in all four gospels, and that was exciting for me, because every week I felt like we were getting another piece of the puzzle. And I think that’s how it is with the glory of God, more and more we encounter God, experience God, study God’s word, we understand more and more deeply the glory of God. <br /><br />I want to look briefly at three different ides about the glory of God in the Bible where the glory of God is revealed. <br /><br />Then conclude with the glory of God revealed to the shepherds at night, the night Jesus was born. <br /><br />But first, what does glory mean exactly? The Greek word used in the new testament for glory is <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1391/kjv/tr/0-1/" target="_blank">doxa</a>. <br /><br />The <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/help/BLBStrongs.cfm" target="_blank">Outline of Biblical Usage</a> includes the following definitions… (abridged)<br /><br />I. opinion, judgment, view <br /><br />II. opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone <br /><br />A. in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory <br /><br />III. splendour, brightness <br /><br />A. of the moon, sun, stars <br /><br />B. magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace <br /><br />C. majesty <br /><br />I found it fascinating that the concept of glory is tied to the idea of holding an opinion. You have this idea about who God is in your mind and in that you are showing glory, assuming it’s a positive opinion. <br /><br />In <a href="https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/" target="_blank">Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary</a> we see the following definition for glory… (among many other definitions)<br /><br />1. Brightness; luster; splendor. <br /><br />2. Honor; praise; fame; renown; celebrity. <br /><br />3. Celestial bliss <br /><br />So the glory of God, among other things, is an opinion we hold in our minds about who God is, that he is great, and true, and righteous and holy. <br /><br />The glory of God is brightness, it’s viewing God as honorable. It’s worship as well. It’s considering God famous. It’s considering what God has created to be amazing. It’s awe and wonder as well. <br /><br /><b>The first thing</b> we want to understand today about the glory of God is that we as humans were made for the purpose of glorifying God. <br /><br />It says in Isaiah 43:7 ESV, “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” <br /><br />God created you to show His glory. To show just how amazing God is… he made you. He made you for his creative purposes, out of perfect love. I can only conclude that in making you, he was showing the world something about himself. You represent something about who God is in your redeemed personality. <br /><br />True story. Your purpose is through living a life in relationship with God, you would show God’s glory to others through the example you set. <br /><br />That was the original plan, but in connection to our first point, we also understand a problem occurred, a glitch in the system. We call it the fall of man. <br /><br />So we also understand, we’ve all fallen short of it. <br /><br />That’s what it says in Romans 3:23 ESV, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” <br /><br />Deep within ourselves we sense we’re meant for something more. For the glory of God. We long for glory, for righteousness, but we fall short. So we find ourselves in this desperate, miserable state, where we know we want to be good, we want to be holy, we want to be glorious, but instead we seem to often end up in the mud. Messy. Sinful. Wicked. Wrong. So we get frustrated and angry, wishing for something more. <br /><br />We realize our need for a savior. <br /><br />Which brings us to our <b>second point for today</b>, the glory of God is perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ himself. Like John said in verse 1:14, they saw the glory of God in the life of Jesus. Something touched them, and changed them within, after being with Jesus those 3 years. <br /><br />We know the same thing. We’ve seen in church, in sermons, in prayer, in bible reading, glimpses of something more, that something more, is the glory of God. You can sense it from time to time. Something pure, something greater, something perfect, as you read your Bible, as you pray, and worship God in song, you sense a taste of the glory of God. <br /><br />Jesus is then to us, a picture of the glory. <br /><br />It says in Hebrews 1:3 ESV, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” <br /><br />Jesus radiates the glory of God. Like a furnace pumps out heat, Jesus radiates the glory and goodness of God. Grace and truth. I imagine being with Jesus we would sense it continuously. <br /><br />Another scripture brings this to light, “2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV, “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” <br /><br />Remember the definition of glory is like “brightness.” That’s one thing to understand, heaven is bright, much brightness. Hell is of course total darkness. Here on Earth, we get light and darkness. A mix of both. <br /><br />God has shown in our hearts, giving us the light, which is in fact the knowledge of the glory of God. And we find it in the face of Jesus Christ. <br /><br />Which brings us to our <b>third point for today</b>, that, God has allowed us to see Jesus, many in this world, most in this world, are deceived, they have blinders on their eyes, so they can’t see Jesus. They are deceived by Satan and his demons. But God has helped us, as we’ve reached out for him, to see Jesus. And then to receive Jesus as our savior. <br /><br />Then we went from seeing Jesus, to receiving Jesus, and Jesus came into our hearts. <br /><br />As it says in 2nd Corinthians 3:18, “ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” <br /><br />The glory of God has jumped off the pages of the Bible, and into our hearts, and is now transforming us, changing us slowly, into the same image, which is the image of Jesus Christ. We are being changed into the likeness of Christ. <br /><br />Today you are not the same as you were a year ago, or a month ago. The glory of God in your heart, the Spirit, is changing you, from one step to the next step, to the next. <br /><br />1 Corinthians 10:31 ”So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” <br /><br />As you’re working, or helping someone, or eating a meal, or drinking a cup of coffee, I want you to say out loud, God I do this to your glory. Get in the habit of saying that, God, this is for your glory. Do it for God. <br /><br />This is the mystery of Christ in us. Which is talked about in Colossians 1:27, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” <br /><br />Christ in you, is also a hope for a future glory. <br /><br /><b>Point number four</b>, our future is heaven, a place where the glory of God is the sun in the sky. <br /><br />We as Christians look forward to a time in the future, when we will see God face to face. We will live in the glory of God. That is our great hope. <br /><br />Romans 8:18 ESV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. <br /><br />A time will come when the glory of God will fill the Earth, as it says in Habakkuk. <br /><br />Habakkuk 2:14 ESV For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. <br /><br />In the end times, at the end of the book of Revelation, we know that Jesus will return to the Earth. Many will mourn when they see him coming, because they had rejected him, and followed satan instead. <br /><br />It says in Matthew 24:30 ESV, “ Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” <br /><br />Power and glory, as Jesus returns to the Earth. The glory of God will be made manifest. Some will rejoice in the glory of God, others will mourn because they know judgment is coming against them. <br /><br />What’s amazing though, for our reward in heaven, we will live in the New Jerusalem, the city of God. <br /><br />It says about it in Revelation 21:23, “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” <br /><br />The light of the city is the glory of God, his brightness, his goodness, his infinite power, his infinite love and we will rejoice in the glory of God. Because the glory of God is His holiness, yes, but also, his perfect love. <br /><br />To tie it all together, we go now to the night of Jesus birth. Sheep herders were out that night, watching over their flocks. <br /><br />It says in Luke 2:8-14 (NIV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” <br /><br />13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, <br /><br />14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” <br /><br />The glory of God is at first terrifying. God is so much bigger than us. He is infinite. When we see into His realm, it’s just plain scary. For some, their worst fears will be realized on that day when they see Jesus face to face, because they will know they rejected him in this life, and they will be sent out of his sight, into a repeating horror known as hell. <br /><br />For us we find good news, behind the initial fear, of forgiveness of our sins, and the hope to be brought into the glory of God, through Jesus Christ. We either become the glory of God, by embracing Jesus, or we face judgment because we rejected the glory of God. <br /><br /><b>Point number five</b>, as God reveals his glory to us, like he did to the shepherds, our job is to cry out “glory to God” to return the glory to God as worship. In the now, before heaven, we must live our lives everyday to glorify God in how we live, how we think, how we feel, all of it. We receive the glory, share the glory with others, as the shepherds did, and we return the glory to God as praise. <br /><br />The angels cry out Glory to God! We cry out, Glory to God! We see the glory of God, we receive the glory of God, we repeat the glory of God, and we speak the glory of God, back toward God, then one day we bask in the glory of God, in the eternal city, the new Jerusalem. <br /><br /><b>Let’s review: </b><br /><br />1. The universe out there, and the universe with declares the glory of God <br /><br />2. You were made for the purpose of glorifying God <br /><br />3. We’ve fallen short of God’s glory due to sin <br /><br />4. We see the definition of God’s glory in Jesus <br /><br />5. With Jesus in our hearts, we are being changed from one point of glory to the next <br /><br />6. In paradise, the glory is the sunlight around us <br /><br />7. In the now, we perceive the glory, declare the glory to others, and return the glory to God as worship <br /><br />It started at Bethlehem, it ends in the New Jerusalem. But the end, is really just the beginning, for the hope of the glory of God, within us right now, in Christ, becomes the thing we bask in forever in heaven. We live in the constant joy of the glory of God in paradise. That’s the future goal. Until then, live giving glory to God as much as you can in your life. <br /><br />One day from ground to sky, the new Jerusalem will be filled with the glory of God. Right now, we carry a smaller portion, within us, the Holy Spirit, Christ within us. So, as a reminder of what Jesus has done for us, come forward during our response time and take a cup. Keep it as a reminder that God has poured out his glory in the birth of Jesus, for your salvation.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqAkobRqi87Ql5YtfjijDpksXMbAmqJXK2yWgMC-V6zHPOaeggk-4jrxCHFjkBeL3ebdoQ-Xyv2aj2rjtVW4Ol36vkniYMIWlNuBTB5Dh2dnz_uNHuJ74dwlf8bxE8RLLDBrIazWdQgs7L3sfaDd8of3-0_vEyTVdUXbFcX6Yoxb2F8zl54-ZxEVwvBw/s1280/TheReturn-3x2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqAkobRqi87Ql5YtfjijDpksXMbAmqJXK2yWgMC-V6zHPOaeggk-4jrxCHFjkBeL3ebdoQ-Xyv2aj2rjtVW4Ol36vkniYMIWlNuBTB5Dh2dnz_uNHuJ74dwlf8bxE8RLLDBrIazWdQgs7L3sfaDd8of3-0_vEyTVdUXbFcX6Yoxb2F8zl54-ZxEVwvBw/w640-h426/TheReturn-3x2.webp" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYrwyt2WBBrZ-8xPl0iYgwioG6sEynOaB9ivra_QleoYAk4zClYRnaBVMI2vXkINl5oPTaDo5ql41R1zuW00MyrjRNBd9lsdm7kSSOYJ6fCCCOTF_bu0XtEWn2wTVxygkw45zpKXVZY_zWFZKWE0QXSfqML3hpPSnPvQWhaSCh4AkNgPvAhBXK7cICbw/s900/the-glory-of-the-cross-in-the-new-jerusalem-robert-d-fohr.jpg" style="font-size: medium; 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