Bible Studies 5 (For newest Bible Study see "Bible Studies 19")
Mankind's Dilemma (10/29/12)
I wanted to share something my wife said (Patty, she’s pretty smart and has a really good way of explaining things to people). She said God is like natural parents with His children. When He made Adam and Eve and put them in the garden their lives were perfect. They did not know sin, pain or discomfort. They had anything and everything they wanted, and they had a complete, loving, one-on-one relationship with their Father. The only thing He told them was not to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He said if they did they would surely die (It was entirely their decision to make – do what their Father God instructed, or suffer the consequences. He gave them free will.). Much like when natural parent’s children disobey them. When the child disobeys they are punished. So, He set limits on their behavior. Like God, natural parents set limits for their children’s safety, protection, and development.
When they ate the fruit they disobeyed their Father (they committed a sin). Once that happened they were subject to the consequences of that sin: death, disease, heartache (one of their sons killed another), pain during childbirth, hard work growing their own food and providing for themselves, separation from God because of their sin, etc… This allowed sin into mankind. God’s children disobeyed Him. This “original” sin led us to where we are today: a fallen world where babies die for no real reason, there are earthquakes and tsunamis and tornadoes and man-made disasters and war. Sweet, young children have terrible diseases. Things like the Holocaust happen and millions die of starvation and abortion.
These things happen not because God does not care for us or does not love us, but because through Adam and Eve sin entered the world. When sin entered the world mankind became separated from God, separated from His presence. Like the natural parent God still loves us, but we are paying for our sins. However, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus (when we accept that perfect, loving gift of salvation and ask forgiveness for our sins) we are forgiven for our sins and allowed back into His presence. We become children of God.
Does God heal the sick? Does He answer prayer? Does He truly love us? Yes He does. Does He always answer the prayers the way we want? Does He always heal the sick? Does He ever quit loving us? No He does not. However, we must always remember God is our creator. He truly does know what is best for His purposes. Here is the perfect example of God using a person who society may not accept as whole, and who may have just given up and blamed God for his circumstances: Nick Vujicic (click name for his story). Or consider Tim Tebow. His mother considered abortion. He is now a strong man of God who inspires millions to worship God and live sanctified lives.
Dear One, I am not saying you blame God for your circumstances, but I just want you to understand that despite your circumstances God has big plans for your life too. Please allow Him to direct your life, your spirit, and your joy.
Heavenly Father, please guide whoever reads this to a deeper, more intimate relationship with You through Your Son Jesus. Give them peace in their spirit they have never felt before. Show them Your perfect love as manifested through the sacrifice of Jesus. Have Your Spirit be a blessing and guide for them. Help them to hear You speaking and guiding them through that “still small voice” (the Holy Spirit) who indwells them. In the precious, loving name of Jesus, Amen.
Mankind's Dilemma (10/29/12)
I wanted to share something my wife said (Patty, she’s pretty smart and has a really good way of explaining things to people). She said God is like natural parents with His children. When He made Adam and Eve and put them in the garden their lives were perfect. They did not know sin, pain or discomfort. They had anything and everything they wanted, and they had a complete, loving, one-on-one relationship with their Father. The only thing He told them was not to eat the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He said if they did they would surely die (It was entirely their decision to make – do what their Father God instructed, or suffer the consequences. He gave them free will.). Much like when natural parent’s children disobey them. When the child disobeys they are punished. So, He set limits on their behavior. Like God, natural parents set limits for their children’s safety, protection, and development.
When they ate the fruit they disobeyed their Father (they committed a sin). Once that happened they were subject to the consequences of that sin: death, disease, heartache (one of their sons killed another), pain during childbirth, hard work growing their own food and providing for themselves, separation from God because of their sin, etc… This allowed sin into mankind. God’s children disobeyed Him. This “original” sin led us to where we are today: a fallen world where babies die for no real reason, there are earthquakes and tsunamis and tornadoes and man-made disasters and war. Sweet, young children have terrible diseases. Things like the Holocaust happen and millions die of starvation and abortion.
These things happen not because God does not care for us or does not love us, but because through Adam and Eve sin entered the world. When sin entered the world mankind became separated from God, separated from His presence. Like the natural parent God still loves us, but we are paying for our sins. However, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus (when we accept that perfect, loving gift of salvation and ask forgiveness for our sins) we are forgiven for our sins and allowed back into His presence. We become children of God.
Does God heal the sick? Does He answer prayer? Does He truly love us? Yes He does. Does He always answer the prayers the way we want? Does He always heal the sick? Does He ever quit loving us? No He does not. However, we must always remember God is our creator. He truly does know what is best for His purposes. Here is the perfect example of God using a person who society may not accept as whole, and who may have just given up and blamed God for his circumstances: Nick Vujicic (click name for his story). Or consider Tim Tebow. His mother considered abortion. He is now a strong man of God who inspires millions to worship God and live sanctified lives.
Dear One, I am not saying you blame God for your circumstances, but I just want you to understand that despite your circumstances God has big plans for your life too. Please allow Him to direct your life, your spirit, and your joy.
Heavenly Father, please guide whoever reads this to a deeper, more intimate relationship with You through Your Son Jesus. Give them peace in their spirit they have never felt before. Show them Your perfect love as manifested through the sacrifice of Jesus. Have Your Spirit be a blessing and guide for them. Help them to hear You speaking and guiding them through that “still small voice” (the Holy Spirit) who indwells them. In the precious, loving name of Jesus, Amen.
The “Sword of the Spirit” (11/13/12)
Have you ever heard of the “Armor of God?” When the apostle Paul wrote the book of Ephesians (look up 6:10-18) he was living in Israel which was under Roman rule. He was also placed in prison for being a Christian and was guarded by Roman soldiers during his imprisonment. The Roman soldiers wore armor for offensive and defensive purposes much like our soldiers and police do today. They carried large, tall shields and swords, and they wore helmets, chest/back protection and a very wide belt to protect their vital organs, intestines, kidneys, etc… They wore thick, heavy sandals with leather leggings going all the way up their calves to protect them and give them a firm footing in all kinds of terrain.
Paul was able to equate the common armor worn by the Roman foot soldier with the armor we Christians need to put on before beginning each day. If you look at the armor they wore you can easily see each piece is vital to the soldier’s ability to fight and survive. The Armor of God is just as vital to our survival and victory in the battles we face daily. Much like the Roman soldier’s short sword, our primary, close-combat offensive weapon is our “Sword of the Spirit.”
What exactly does Paul mean when he talks about the “Sword of the Spirit” and using it as a weapon? Paul knew that the most powerful weapon a believer has (the ONLY weapon we need) is the Word of God. In Hebrews 4:12, Paul wrote, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Paul knew we cannot be victorious by ourselves or by relying on our own abilities. God alone secures the victory. However, we have His mighty Word to go before us. In Isaiah 55:11, God said, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” When Jesus rose from the grave He gave His followers (us) the Power of Attorney to use His name. That’s why when we pray we end with “In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.” Just like we use the powerful name of Jesus when we pray, we are to use Scripture to combat and defeat Satan when he tries to tempt us or make us stumble. When Jesus Christ was tempted in the desert by Satan (Matthew 4), he countered with the truth of scripture (Jesus actually quoted pertinent verses from the scriptures to combat Satan when He was tempted), setting an example for us.
That brings me to my next point. I’m going to use a quote from Andrew Wommack Ministries (http://www.awmi.net/bible/eph_06_17) here because I love the way he explains this vital weapon of ours: “Several Greek words are used for the "word" of God. The Greek word used here is "RHEMA," and it literally means a spoken word--specifically, a spoken word appropriate for your situation. It's not the Bible lying on your coffee table that makes the Enemy flee; it is the Word of God hidden in your heart, activated by the power of the Holy Spirit, and spoken in an appropriate situation. It's similar to what Jesus said in John 6:63—‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ Ephesians 6:17 is not speaking of a book, but it's speaking of a book as a RHEMA; i.e., the words we speak that come from the written Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Word by itself doesn't make us free. It is the Word we know and speak that will deliver us (John 8:32).
Why is the Word so effective? It's because it is the Word of God. It has authority, because it is indeed the Word of God. God's Word supersedes all authority of the church, of reason, of intellect, and even of Satan himself. That's why it is so effective.”
Satan's tactics have not changed, so the Sword of the Spirit, the Bible, is still our best offensive and defensive weapon. Commit the Word to your memory and to your heart and use it to combat and defeat the evil one.
One last thing I need to say. If you do succumb to temptation, or you stumble in your walk, do not let Satan defeat you. When I stumble (and we ALL do) I have a tendency to condemn myself and allow that sin to separate me from my loving Father. However, what we all must do is immediately go to the Father, tell Him we’ve sinned, and ask for forgiveness. The only thing that keeps us from His presence is our sin. If we repent of it, we can be confident in our relationship with Him.
And finally, if you do not have a loving, healing relationship with God and have not accepted Jesus as your Savior will you please say this prayer with me? "Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word (the Bible) says "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" and "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." You said my salvation would be the result of Your Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me and that if I would ask, You would fill me with Your Spirit. I take You at Your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I ask that you forgive me of all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that You have raised Jesus from the dead and I am a "New Man" (or Woman) in Christ. Thank You for coming to live in my heart, for giving me Your Holy Spirit as You have promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen." (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:4, 2:21; Romans 8:9-11, 10:9; John 3:5-6, 15-16)
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Abortion (11/15/12)
Now that I've gotten your attention, I know we’ve all seen the video of the man who was born with no legs and arms sharing the Gospel to hundreds and thousands of people (I posted a link about him on FB not too long ago). He is a child of God. We’ve also heard that Tim Tebow’s mother was instructed to get an abortion due to an illness. She did not, and look @ the man-of-God he has become.
As I was reading my Bible on a totally unrelated topic I read John 1:12-13, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And it occurred to me it is not our decision to make whether to keep or abort a child. Every child was created by God. That child, every child, has a purpose and we cannot decide if it should live to fulfill God’s plans for it. God made it regardless of the circumstances surrounding its’ conception. King David said in Psalm 139:13-14, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” King David knew that God made him to be who he became. At the moment of conception there is life. God has plans for each of us.
I have a friend who has a child that was born with Progeria. That is the disease which makes children grow older way beyond their time. Hayden is a true miracle child. She is sweet, loving, intelligent, fun, and at peace with her life. She has been an inspiration to everyone who meets her. We will never know just how deeply and personally she has touched so many lives. The world is truly a better place because she is in it. I would not be surprised if her parents would have been counseled to abort Hayden if the doctors had known about her illness. (Sweet Hayden passed away on November 23, 2015)
I also know some babies are not born, but pass before birth. And some are born into abject poverty, disease, sickness, degradation, etc… Even with all of that each child has a right to life and we may never know how that life affected those around them or those who come after.
My point is this: regardless of how a child is conceived, or the circumstances it may be facing, that child has a God-given right to life. We should honor our Father’s desires for that life. King Solomon said in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
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Are You Happy? (Added 12/23/12)
Do you feel fulfilled and at peace with your life? Are you concerned about how others treat you, with what they can do for you? No, since it’s Christmas this is not going to turn into one of those messages that in order to be happy, and to receive, you must give. No, we’re going to go in an entirely different direction. So, stick with me. :-)
I am really beginning to grasp that we can’t depend on anyone to make us happy or make our life fulfilling. No one is going to make us happy. No one is going to always be there for us every time, in every way we need them. Everyone has a selfish side and most do what is best for them. So, if you’re looking for a person to “complete” you I fear you are setting yourself up for disappointment and loneliness.
So, where does that leave us? How do we find happiness and a fulfilling life?
By going exactly where we need to be - back @ the feet of Jesus.
Let’s explore more shall we? Before we do though, let me ask, are you saved? Have you asked Jesus into your heart and repented of your sins? And a little further, when you accepted Him as your Savior, you were sincere in your mind and spirit, Right? You have, right? If not, that is another issue entirely.
Now, if you truly did those things I just mentioned, there is one more step in this “happiness” process: you MUST accept His gift of eternal life and forgiveness. When a person accepts Jesus into their heart and repents of their sin, ALL of their sins are forgiven – PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE! How exactly does this work? Well, when Jesus willingly gave His life for us (no one killed Jesus or took His life. He willingly laid it down for us.) He became sin. He was the perfect, unblemished sacrifice for us, but when He submitted to the cross He submitted to, and accepted, every sin of every person who would call on His name for forgiveness. When He did that, He replaced our sin for His Righteousness. We became righteous while He became sin. This is the grace of God towards us. Through Jesus’ sacrifice we actually became justified to be in the presence of God ALL the time. When God sees us, He does not see our sin. He sees Jesus in us. (Now, I must make sure to emphasize here this DOES NOT give us license to sin. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and God’s perfect redeeming grace, we should want to serve Him and live a sanctified life. J) I hope all of this makes sense?
So, what exactly does all this mean to you? Merely this: if you want to have a fulfilling, blessed life full of love and happiness you cannot seek it, nor expect it, through another person. What you need to concentrate on is your relationship with Jesus and our Father. Is that it then? Just work on our relationship to our God and our Savior? Well, almost. :-)
Let’s briefly go back to the perfect grace God has bestowed on us: complete forgiveness. There is a 2nd part to that – we must accept His forgiveness, and forgive ourselves. Is there something in your life you’re not willing to give up that is keeping you under a spirit of condemnation? Some secret sin, you’ve never been able to forgive yourself for, or you’re still allowing to remain in your life? Or perhaps someone in your past did something to you or a loved one and you’ve never been able to forgive them for it? Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Sins we have not surrendered at the cross, or unforgiveness in our hearts, is how Satan so easily sidetracks our relationship with our Father. That leads to the fall from grace Paul talks about and then to bitterness in our spirits. Which then leads to more sin, which keeps us from developing our relationship with God, which keeps us sinning, which … Well, you get the picture - a never-ending cycle.
If you truly want to submit your whole being to Jesus you have to be able to release your secret sin and/or forgive those who have hurt you in the past.
Are you unhappy with your life? Is your relationship with God not going the way you think it should? Are you having problems forgiving someone else or forgiving yourself? Say this prayer right now: “Father, I know I have been trying to do this on my own – on my terms. But that is not working out for me. I am unhappy and feel alone. I need Your presence and Your love in my life. Dear God, I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins right now (name them – speak them out loud to God – He already knows them anyway, so it won’t be a surprise to Him) and also Father I forgive (name those people you have not forgiven or you are bitter towards) for what they did. Father, I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and heal my spirit. Heal me emotionally and spiritually. Help me to see my life differently and to have a different outlook on my life. Dear God, help me to feel the love of Jesus wash over me as I fully accept His sacrifice for my sins and accept Him as my Savior. Help me to know I am completely forgiven. Guide me Father in my walk with You and help me to abide in Your presence. In the mighty, loving name of Jesus I pray. Amen”
Now, finally, you will want to change your thinking. To do this you must stop the negative thoughts: towards yourself, others, your situation, etc… Start thinking good thoughts: “I am a child of the living God.” I am redeemed, sanctified, and I am loved.” “Jesus is my Rock and my fortress.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” DO NOT GIVE THE ENEMY A FOOTHOLD WITH YOUR WORDS!!! Do not prophecy bad things on yourself. Don't say things like “I’m unhappy.” “No one loves me.” “No one cares about me.” “I am lonely.” "My job's ok, but," or “I wish I didn't have to go to work." or “I wish I had a different job." or "my back hurts," etc ... instead be positive "All is well." "I am happy." "I am blessed to be a child of God." "I am healed and strong." etc... Find some Bible verses you like, and that lift you up, and strengthen you. Speak them out loud. Prophecy righteousness, goodness, peace, and joy into your life and those whom you love. What we allow into our minds, and that which we speak, will control us. We must control our thoughts and our words. James 3:7-10 says, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
Now to prayer. I have found my day goes so much better and I am prepared to meet any challenge (with God’s help of course) if I give the 1st portion (1st fruits) of my day to God. I go into my office and just start praising God for His love, His blessings, His might and power and holiness. I lift up my holy hands to Him in worship. Then I begin my prayers. I set aside time to spend with Him.
One last thing that goes hand-in-hand with the above: praise and worship. I’m not talking about just walking through the motions and pretending here. I’m talking about full-blown adoration, praise, worship, abiding in His presence. Loved Ones of Christ, I absolutely believe we get closer to God through praise and worship. When I am just there with God, lost in His love, I am at peace. We are meant to worship our Father. He is our Creator. He alone loves us completely, unconditionally, perfectly. We just have to accept His love.
Practice these things Loved Ones. Put your hope, love, and time into your relationship with our Father and you will live a blessed, joyful, happy life no matter what your “worldly” circumstances might be telling you. :-)
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How Should We React? (added 1/24/13)
If you do an internet search for Christian Persecution you will find that around the world men, women, and children are being persecuted for their belief in Jesus and their adherence to Christianity. Christians are being killed, tortured, and persecuted in the most painful and heinous ways imaginable simply because they do not renounce their belief in Jesus, and won’t subscribe to a false religion (usually Islam).
Here in the US Christians are being increasingly targeted and persecuted. Our rights are being stripped from us by the courts and in the public square. If a person speaks out against homosexuality, abortion, or even suggests that there are moral absolutes set down by God, he or she (and the whole) are ostracized, detested, ridiculed, and dismissed as intolerant, haters, archaic, narrow-minded, unloving, etc… It is becoming socially acceptable to openly show contempt, hatred, bully, and discriminate against a person simply because of their Christian beliefs.
Jesus said in John 15:19-21, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” We know what happened to Jesus. His Apostles and Christians since then, experienced similar fates filled with torture and cruel, painful deaths.
Most people’s natural inclination when confronted with open hostility, bullying, and hatred is to relent, give in, dial it back, give up, hide, quit fighting, live in fear, etc… Is that what we should do? Should we just be quiet and go along to get along? Should we conform to the watered down Christianity being forced upon us today: the doctrine that there is more than one way to heaven and that we are all gods? (Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”) Or should we run headlong into the breach with guns blazing ready to “sacrifice” ourselves with religious vigor and be a martyr for God?
What does God’s Word say about how we should react to persecution?
Some verses to help you remember who you are in Jesus and where you stand in God’s holy kingdom:
Paul was able to equate the common armor worn by the Roman foot soldier with the armor we Christians need to put on before beginning each day. If you look at the armor they wore you can easily see each piece is vital to the soldier’s ability to fight and survive. The Armor of God is just as vital to our survival and victory in the battles we face daily. Much like the Roman soldier’s short sword, our primary, close-combat offensive weapon is our “Sword of the Spirit.”
What exactly does Paul mean when he talks about the “Sword of the Spirit” and using it as a weapon? Paul knew that the most powerful weapon a believer has (the ONLY weapon we need) is the Word of God. In Hebrews 4:12, Paul wrote, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Paul knew we cannot be victorious by ourselves or by relying on our own abilities. God alone secures the victory. However, we have His mighty Word to go before us. In Isaiah 55:11, God said, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” When Jesus rose from the grave He gave His followers (us) the Power of Attorney to use His name. That’s why when we pray we end with “In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.” Just like we use the powerful name of Jesus when we pray, we are to use Scripture to combat and defeat Satan when he tries to tempt us or make us stumble. When Jesus Christ was tempted in the desert by Satan (Matthew 4), he countered with the truth of scripture (Jesus actually quoted pertinent verses from the scriptures to combat Satan when He was tempted), setting an example for us.
That brings me to my next point. I’m going to use a quote from Andrew Wommack Ministries (http://www.awmi.net/bible/eph_06_17) here because I love the way he explains this vital weapon of ours: “Several Greek words are used for the "word" of God. The Greek word used here is "RHEMA," and it literally means a spoken word--specifically, a spoken word appropriate for your situation. It's not the Bible lying on your coffee table that makes the Enemy flee; it is the Word of God hidden in your heart, activated by the power of the Holy Spirit, and spoken in an appropriate situation. It's similar to what Jesus said in John 6:63—‘The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’ Ephesians 6:17 is not speaking of a book, but it's speaking of a book as a RHEMA; i.e., the words we speak that come from the written Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Word by itself doesn't make us free. It is the Word we know and speak that will deliver us (John 8:32).
Why is the Word so effective? It's because it is the Word of God. It has authority, because it is indeed the Word of God. God's Word supersedes all authority of the church, of reason, of intellect, and even of Satan himself. That's why it is so effective.”
Satan's tactics have not changed, so the Sword of the Spirit, the Bible, is still our best offensive and defensive weapon. Commit the Word to your memory and to your heart and use it to combat and defeat the evil one.
One last thing I need to say. If you do succumb to temptation, or you stumble in your walk, do not let Satan defeat you. When I stumble (and we ALL do) I have a tendency to condemn myself and allow that sin to separate me from my loving Father. However, what we all must do is immediately go to the Father, tell Him we’ve sinned, and ask for forgiveness. The only thing that keeps us from His presence is our sin. If we repent of it, we can be confident in our relationship with Him.
And finally, if you do not have a loving, healing relationship with God and have not accepted Jesus as your Savior will you please say this prayer with me? "Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word (the Bible) says "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" and "If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." You said my salvation would be the result of Your Holy Spirit giving me new birth by coming to live in me and that if I would ask, You would fill me with Your Spirit. I take You at Your Word. I confess that Jesus is Lord. I ask that you forgive me of all my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe in my heart that You have raised Jesus from the dead and I am a "New Man" (or Woman) in Christ. Thank You for coming to live in my heart, for giving me Your Holy Spirit as You have promised, and for being Lord over my life. Amen." (Luke 11:13; Acts 2:4, 2:21; Romans 8:9-11, 10:9; John 3:5-6, 15-16)
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Abortion (11/15/12)
Now that I've gotten your attention, I know we’ve all seen the video of the man who was born with no legs and arms sharing the Gospel to hundreds and thousands of people (I posted a link about him on FB not too long ago). He is a child of God. We’ve also heard that Tim Tebow’s mother was instructed to get an abortion due to an illness. She did not, and look @ the man-of-God he has become.
As I was reading my Bible on a totally unrelated topic I read John 1:12-13, “But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” And it occurred to me it is not our decision to make whether to keep or abort a child. Every child was created by God. That child, every child, has a purpose and we cannot decide if it should live to fulfill God’s plans for it. God made it regardless of the circumstances surrounding its’ conception. King David said in Psalm 139:13-14, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” King David knew that God made him to be who he became. At the moment of conception there is life. God has plans for each of us.
I have a friend who has a child that was born with Progeria. That is the disease which makes children grow older way beyond their time. Hayden is a true miracle child. She is sweet, loving, intelligent, fun, and at peace with her life. She has been an inspiration to everyone who meets her. We will never know just how deeply and personally she has touched so many lives. The world is truly a better place because she is in it. I would not be surprised if her parents would have been counseled to abort Hayden if the doctors had known about her illness. (Sweet Hayden passed away on November 23, 2015)
I also know some babies are not born, but pass before birth. And some are born into abject poverty, disease, sickness, degradation, etc… Even with all of that each child has a right to life and we may never know how that life affected those around them or those who come after.
My point is this: regardless of how a child is conceived, or the circumstances it may be facing, that child has a God-given right to life. We should honor our Father’s desires for that life. King Solomon said in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
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Are You Happy? (Added 12/23/12)
Do you feel fulfilled and at peace with your life? Are you concerned about how others treat you, with what they can do for you? No, since it’s Christmas this is not going to turn into one of those messages that in order to be happy, and to receive, you must give. No, we’re going to go in an entirely different direction. So, stick with me. :-)
I am really beginning to grasp that we can’t depend on anyone to make us happy or make our life fulfilling. No one is going to make us happy. No one is going to always be there for us every time, in every way we need them. Everyone has a selfish side and most do what is best for them. So, if you’re looking for a person to “complete” you I fear you are setting yourself up for disappointment and loneliness.
So, where does that leave us? How do we find happiness and a fulfilling life?
By going exactly where we need to be - back @ the feet of Jesus.
Let’s explore more shall we? Before we do though, let me ask, are you saved? Have you asked Jesus into your heart and repented of your sins? And a little further, when you accepted Him as your Savior, you were sincere in your mind and spirit, Right? You have, right? If not, that is another issue entirely.
Now, if you truly did those things I just mentioned, there is one more step in this “happiness” process: you MUST accept His gift of eternal life and forgiveness. When a person accepts Jesus into their heart and repents of their sin, ALL of their sins are forgiven – PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE! How exactly does this work? Well, when Jesus willingly gave His life for us (no one killed Jesus or took His life. He willingly laid it down for us.) He became sin. He was the perfect, unblemished sacrifice for us, but when He submitted to the cross He submitted to, and accepted, every sin of every person who would call on His name for forgiveness. When He did that, He replaced our sin for His Righteousness. We became righteous while He became sin. This is the grace of God towards us. Through Jesus’ sacrifice we actually became justified to be in the presence of God ALL the time. When God sees us, He does not see our sin. He sees Jesus in us. (Now, I must make sure to emphasize here this DOES NOT give us license to sin. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, and God’s perfect redeeming grace, we should want to serve Him and live a sanctified life. J) I hope all of this makes sense?
So, what exactly does all this mean to you? Merely this: if you want to have a fulfilling, blessed life full of love and happiness you cannot seek it, nor expect it, through another person. What you need to concentrate on is your relationship with Jesus and our Father. Is that it then? Just work on our relationship to our God and our Savior? Well, almost. :-)
Let’s briefly go back to the perfect grace God has bestowed on us: complete forgiveness. There is a 2nd part to that – we must accept His forgiveness, and forgive ourselves. Is there something in your life you’re not willing to give up that is keeping you under a spirit of condemnation? Some secret sin, you’ve never been able to forgive yourself for, or you’re still allowing to remain in your life? Or perhaps someone in your past did something to you or a loved one and you’ve never been able to forgive them for it? Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Sins we have not surrendered at the cross, or unforgiveness in our hearts, is how Satan so easily sidetracks our relationship with our Father. That leads to the fall from grace Paul talks about and then to bitterness in our spirits. Which then leads to more sin, which keeps us from developing our relationship with God, which keeps us sinning, which … Well, you get the picture - a never-ending cycle.
If you truly want to submit your whole being to Jesus you have to be able to release your secret sin and/or forgive those who have hurt you in the past.
Are you unhappy with your life? Is your relationship with God not going the way you think it should? Are you having problems forgiving someone else or forgiving yourself? Say this prayer right now: “Father, I know I have been trying to do this on my own – on my terms. But that is not working out for me. I am unhappy and feel alone. I need Your presence and Your love in my life. Dear God, I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins right now (name them – speak them out loud to God – He already knows them anyway, so it won’t be a surprise to Him) and also Father I forgive (name those people you have not forgiven or you are bitter towards) for what they did. Father, I ask You to cleanse me of all unrighteousness and heal my spirit. Heal me emotionally and spiritually. Help me to see my life differently and to have a different outlook on my life. Dear God, help me to feel the love of Jesus wash over me as I fully accept His sacrifice for my sins and accept Him as my Savior. Help me to know I am completely forgiven. Guide me Father in my walk with You and help me to abide in Your presence. In the mighty, loving name of Jesus I pray. Amen”
Now, finally, you will want to change your thinking. To do this you must stop the negative thoughts: towards yourself, others, your situation, etc… Start thinking good thoughts: “I am a child of the living God.” I am redeemed, sanctified, and I am loved.” “Jesus is my Rock and my fortress.” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” DO NOT GIVE THE ENEMY A FOOTHOLD WITH YOUR WORDS!!! Do not prophecy bad things on yourself. Don't say things like “I’m unhappy.” “No one loves me.” “No one cares about me.” “I am lonely.” "My job's ok, but," or “I wish I didn't have to go to work." or “I wish I had a different job." or "my back hurts," etc ... instead be positive "All is well." "I am happy." "I am blessed to be a child of God." "I am healed and strong." etc... Find some Bible verses you like, and that lift you up, and strengthen you. Speak them out loud. Prophecy righteousness, goodness, peace, and joy into your life and those whom you love. What we allow into our minds, and that which we speak, will control us. We must control our thoughts and our words. James 3:7-10 says, “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
Now to prayer. I have found my day goes so much better and I am prepared to meet any challenge (with God’s help of course) if I give the 1st portion (1st fruits) of my day to God. I go into my office and just start praising God for His love, His blessings, His might and power and holiness. I lift up my holy hands to Him in worship. Then I begin my prayers. I set aside time to spend with Him.
One last thing that goes hand-in-hand with the above: praise and worship. I’m not talking about just walking through the motions and pretending here. I’m talking about full-blown adoration, praise, worship, abiding in His presence. Loved Ones of Christ, I absolutely believe we get closer to God through praise and worship. When I am just there with God, lost in His love, I am at peace. We are meant to worship our Father. He is our Creator. He alone loves us completely, unconditionally, perfectly. We just have to accept His love.
Practice these things Loved Ones. Put your hope, love, and time into your relationship with our Father and you will live a blessed, joyful, happy life no matter what your “worldly” circumstances might be telling you. :-)
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How Should We React? (added 1/24/13)
If you do an internet search for Christian Persecution you will find that around the world men, women, and children are being persecuted for their belief in Jesus and their adherence to Christianity. Christians are being killed, tortured, and persecuted in the most painful and heinous ways imaginable simply because they do not renounce their belief in Jesus, and won’t subscribe to a false religion (usually Islam).
Here in the US Christians are being increasingly targeted and persecuted. Our rights are being stripped from us by the courts and in the public square. If a person speaks out against homosexuality, abortion, or even suggests that there are moral absolutes set down by God, he or she (and the whole) are ostracized, detested, ridiculed, and dismissed as intolerant, haters, archaic, narrow-minded, unloving, etc… It is becoming socially acceptable to openly show contempt, hatred, bully, and discriminate against a person simply because of their Christian beliefs.
Jesus said in John 15:19-21, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” We know what happened to Jesus. His Apostles and Christians since then, experienced similar fates filled with torture and cruel, painful deaths.
Most people’s natural inclination when confronted with open hostility, bullying, and hatred is to relent, give in, dial it back, give up, hide, quit fighting, live in fear, etc… Is that what we should do? Should we just be quiet and go along to get along? Should we conform to the watered down Christianity being forced upon us today: the doctrine that there is more than one way to heaven and that we are all gods? (Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”) Or should we run headlong into the breach with guns blazing ready to “sacrifice” ourselves with religious vigor and be a martyr for God?
What does God’s Word say about how we should react to persecution?
- Zechariah 4:6b, “’Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.’ Says the Lord of hosts.”
- Paul said in Ephesians 6:12-13, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
- And he continues in 18-20, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
- And Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 3:13-17, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
- Luke 12:11-12, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Some verses to help you remember who you are in Jesus and where you stand in God’s holy kingdom:
- 2 Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
- Isaiah 54:17, “’No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,’ Says the Lord.”
- Hebrews 13:5-6, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
- Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- In Revelation 2 & 3 Jesus said to the Angels of the seven churches:
- “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
- “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”
- “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”
- “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star.”
- “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
- “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”
- “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
