“But if I say, ‘I will not mention His Word or speak anymore in His name,’ His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” [1]
In Jeremiah’s day, it was culturally abnormal among his peers to speak about obeying God. It was even more shocking if someone dared to say if we do not heed God’s Word, we will perish. Nevertheless, God’s Word was a fire in Jeremiah’s heart and bones. He could not hold it in. How could be silent while his fellow countrymen sailed full steam ahead towards their death?
God’s love compelled him to care and to speak. He overcame undesirable outcomes by caring more about the salvation of others than he did about his own comforts or popularity. The Spirit of God helped him to be strong in this way.
What about our cultural? Is it acceptable to speak about obeying God’s Word in the communities where we live? If not, should we remain silent? What will happen to the people who do not know Christ if we remain silent?
The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on the cross to pay for their sins, but each person must appropriate what He did by believing in Him. If we want to save the lost souls in our community, we must point them to Jesus. There is salvation in no other Name. [2]
[1] Jeremiah 20:9
[2] Acts 4:12
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Sharing the Gospel is a Worthy Cause
The Gospel is simple for us thanks to Christ. When we truly believe in Christ, He forgives our sins, saves by His graces, guarantees a place in heaven for us, and He gives us a new life by the transforming power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
When I realized the value of the Gospel at my father’s funeral, I was greatly encouraged. My father believed in Christ. He received a new home in heaven. I was able to move forward with blessed assurance of my father’s eternal happiness. I said to the Lord, “Lord, I want to share this Good News with others.”
The Gospel is simple, but sharing it can be complicated because, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [1]
The devil does everything to keep people from Christ. He lies. He bribes. He exploits weaknesses. He urges people to be their own gods and saviors. He often attacks preachers of righteousness as he did Job. This is why Jesus told disciple wannabe’s to take up their cross and follow Him. Being His follower is costly.
The cross is a symbol of Christ’s obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was “slain from the foundation of the world.” [2] Even as God created the world, He had a plan to give His Son for the fallen race of people who did not yet exist. Jesus submitted His will to His Father’s plan. He said that what He saw the Father do; He did in like manner. [3]
To follow Jesus is to be dedicated to our Heavenly Father’s will. The devil rages against obedience to God. He does everything within his power to destroy the person who lives to honor God.
For example, during the 80’s and 90’s, the Holy Spirit led me to preach the Gospel in the parks of Hong Kong. Once, at three in the morning because that was when the people that needed Jesus the most were outside. Once, He led me to a Buddhist temple on the side of a mountain. The only way up to the temple was to climb many steps. I had a 103° fever and dysentery that day. The Lord gave me faith that I would be healed as I went, and I was. I handed a couple of Buddhist monk tracts and told them that Jesus loved them and was offering to them salvation. I returned home healed. Praise the Lord!
During those days, the devil would use critical remarks of false brothers to dampen my zeal to save lost souls. Like David brothers, they suggested that I was arrogant. [4] Some called me a lone ranger. Others a Christian gunslinger! In fact, I was humbling myself to the will of God, which is to seek and save the lost.
The Gospel is simple, but the firestorm of opposition that comes against its proclaimer is complicated. Therefore, we need to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” [5]
Before we left for China, a sister in Christ prophesied over us that we would either receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit before we got to the mission field or on the day we arrived. By baptism of the Spirit, she meant the gift of speaking in tongues. I did not think I needed such a gift because I was well-versed in Scripture and was already born again. Sherry desired the gift and prayed for it.
The first day we arrived in a missionary boot camp, a couple named Keith and Shelley Snowden, convinced us to open our hearts to the gift and we did. We both spoke in tongues. I found myself saying, “I love You Lord, I love you Lord, etc.” The Holy Spirit poured God’s love into us as the apostle said He would. [6]
The Holy Spirit baptism helps us to be witnesses for Jesus. God urges us to be filled with the Spirit. [7] The way to dethrone the prince of darkness is to invite a stronger prince to dwell in one’s temple. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. His indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to discern and overcome the works of devil.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” [8]
Sometimes, the devil will use people within our ranks to betray us. The following verse applies to the experience of Jesus being betrayed by people: “’What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then He will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.’” [9] The enemy sometimes turns brother against brother and sister against sister. The devil spreads lies. He misconstrues information to anger and embitter people.
We must submit ourselves to God. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” [10] A house divided falls. We keep the unity by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is greater than unclean spirits. The Holy Spirit unify us by keeping the mission of spreading the Gospel to save souls as the burning passion of our existence. He helps us to set aside secondary differences to keep the ministry of spreading the Gospel as our primary objective.
In his commentary on the book of Galatians, Luther wrote, “Some of the old saints labored so hard to attain perfection that they lost the capacity to feel anything. When I was a monk, I often wished I could see a saint. I pictured him as living in the wilderness, abstaining from meat and drink, and living on roots and herbs and cold water. This weird conception of those awesome saints I had gained out of the books of the scholastics and church fathers. But we know now from the Scriptures who the true saints are. Not those who live a single life, or make a fetish of days, meats, clothes, and such things. The true saints are those who believe that they are justified by the death of Christ.
Whenever Paul writes to the Christians here and there, he calls them the holy children and heirs of God. All who believe in Christ, whether male or female, bond or free, are saints; not in view of their own works, but in view of the merits of God which they appropriate by faith. Their holiness is a gift and not their own personal achievement.”
The grace that we have received in Christ is a marvelous gift. Sharing the Gospel is a worthy cause despite the opposition. Let us keep our Gospel presentations simple, and trust in the Lord to provide victories for us when complications arise.
[1] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[2] Revelation 13:8
[3] John 5:19
[4] 1 Samuel 17:28
[5] Ephesians 6:10-12
[6] Romans 5:5
[7] Ephesians 5:18
[8] 1 John 3:8, 4:3-4
[9] Zechariah 13:6
[10] James 4:7; Ephesians 4:3
When I realized the value of the Gospel at my father’s funeral, I was greatly encouraged. My father believed in Christ. He received a new home in heaven. I was able to move forward with blessed assurance of my father’s eternal happiness. I said to the Lord, “Lord, I want to share this Good News with others.”
The Gospel is simple, but sharing it can be complicated because, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [1]
The devil does everything to keep people from Christ. He lies. He bribes. He exploits weaknesses. He urges people to be their own gods and saviors. He often attacks preachers of righteousness as he did Job. This is why Jesus told disciple wannabe’s to take up their cross and follow Him. Being His follower is costly.
The cross is a symbol of Christ’s obedience to the will of the Father. Jesus Christ is the Lamb that was “slain from the foundation of the world.” [2] Even as God created the world, He had a plan to give His Son for the fallen race of people who did not yet exist. Jesus submitted His will to His Father’s plan. He said that what He saw the Father do; He did in like manner. [3]
To follow Jesus is to be dedicated to our Heavenly Father’s will. The devil rages against obedience to God. He does everything within his power to destroy the person who lives to honor God.
For example, during the 80’s and 90’s, the Holy Spirit led me to preach the Gospel in the parks of Hong Kong. Once, at three in the morning because that was when the people that needed Jesus the most were outside. Once, He led me to a Buddhist temple on the side of a mountain. The only way up to the temple was to climb many steps. I had a 103° fever and dysentery that day. The Lord gave me faith that I would be healed as I went, and I was. I handed a couple of Buddhist monk tracts and told them that Jesus loved them and was offering to them salvation. I returned home healed. Praise the Lord!
During those days, the devil would use critical remarks of false brothers to dampen my zeal to save lost souls. Like David brothers, they suggested that I was arrogant. [4] Some called me a lone ranger. Others a Christian gunslinger! In fact, I was humbling myself to the will of God, which is to seek and save the lost.
The Gospel is simple, but the firestorm of opposition that comes against its proclaimer is complicated. Therefore, we need to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.” [5]
Before we left for China, a sister in Christ prophesied over us that we would either receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit before we got to the mission field or on the day we arrived. By baptism of the Spirit, she meant the gift of speaking in tongues. I did not think I needed such a gift because I was well-versed in Scripture and was already born again. Sherry desired the gift and prayed for it.
The first day we arrived in a missionary boot camp, a couple named Keith and Shelley Snowden, convinced us to open our hearts to the gift and we did. We both spoke in tongues. I found myself saying, “I love You Lord, I love you Lord, etc.” The Holy Spirit poured God’s love into us as the apostle said He would. [6]
The Holy Spirit baptism helps us to be witnesses for Jesus. God urges us to be filled with the Spirit. [7] The way to dethrone the prince of darkness is to invite a stronger prince to dwell in one’s temple. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. His indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to discern and overcome the works of devil.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” “Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” [8]
Sometimes, the devil will use people within our ranks to betray us. The following verse applies to the experience of Jesus being betrayed by people: “’What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then He will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.’” [9] The enemy sometimes turns brother against brother and sister against sister. The devil spreads lies. He misconstrues information to anger and embitter people.
We must submit ourselves to God. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” [10] A house divided falls. We keep the unity by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is greater than unclean spirits. The Holy Spirit unify us by keeping the mission of spreading the Gospel to save souls as the burning passion of our existence. He helps us to set aside secondary differences to keep the ministry of spreading the Gospel as our primary objective.
In his commentary on the book of Galatians, Luther wrote, “Some of the old saints labored so hard to attain perfection that they lost the capacity to feel anything. When I was a monk, I often wished I could see a saint. I pictured him as living in the wilderness, abstaining from meat and drink, and living on roots and herbs and cold water. This weird conception of those awesome saints I had gained out of the books of the scholastics and church fathers. But we know now from the Scriptures who the true saints are. Not those who live a single life, or make a fetish of days, meats, clothes, and such things. The true saints are those who believe that they are justified by the death of Christ.
Whenever Paul writes to the Christians here and there, he calls them the holy children and heirs of God. All who believe in Christ, whether male or female, bond or free, are saints; not in view of their own works, but in view of the merits of God which they appropriate by faith. Their holiness is a gift and not their own personal achievement.”
The grace that we have received in Christ is a marvelous gift. Sharing the Gospel is a worthy cause despite the opposition. Let us keep our Gospel presentations simple, and trust in the Lord to provide victories for us when complications arise.
[1] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[2] Revelation 13:8
[3] John 5:19
[4] 1 Samuel 17:28
[5] Ephesians 6:10-12
[6] Romans 5:5
[7] Ephesians 5:18
[8] 1 John 3:8, 4:3-4
[9] Zechariah 13:6
[10] James 4:7; Ephesians 4:3
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Thank You Father for Your Commandments
After the Lord delivered the slaves out of Egypt, He gave them laws to help them. They had been abused by their slave masters. God did not want them to abuse themselves or one another. The Lord’s commandments are gifts of His grace to help us discern between what is good for us and what is not.
The Lord wants us to experience holiness. He doesn’t want people to feel like helpless worms. God made Christ who committed no sin to become sin for us, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God. [1] The righteousness of God that Christ gives us is both imputed and imparted to us. Righteousness is imputed to us by God when we believe in Christ. God declares believers in His Son righteous based on their faith in Him. Righteousness is imparted to us when we receive the Holy Spirit, and He regenerates in us a desire to live for God.
For example, when I asked Jesus to take my life and have it, He did, and He gave me new life. Jesus gave me an appetite for holiness and a distaste for sin. Jesus did in me what I could not do for myself. That doesn’t mean I no longer sin. No, I sin, but I don’t enjoy it. When I sin, the Holy Spirit graciously convicts me to repent, to ask God to forgive me, and He does. I place my sin under the blood of Jesus that was shed for my forgiveness.
The Lord Jesus graciously draws me to the Bible to read it, meditate on it and to implement its guidance in my life. He daily draws me to pray for myself, for others and for God’s glory. The Holy Spirit accomplishes this in me.
Today, Jesus is with the Father. We cannot see Him face to face, but He embodies Himself in our lives by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to be holy. He gives us respect for father and mother. He causes Sabbath observance to be a blessing to us. Knowing the resurrected Christ is far better than serving false gods. [2]
The Lord gave us commandments that are based on love and respect for people.
For example…
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.”
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
“Do not swear falsely by My Name and so profane the Name of your God. I am the Lord.”
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker.”
“Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind but fear your God. I am the Lord.”
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great but judge your neighbor fairly.”
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.”
“Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
“Do not practice divination or seek omens. Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights… I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” [3]
These are good commandments, and God has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live by them. Praise the Lord!
[1] Psalm 22:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:21
[2] Leviticus 19:2-4
[3] Leviticus 19:10-18, 26, 28, 30-36
The Lord wants us to experience holiness. He doesn’t want people to feel like helpless worms. God made Christ who committed no sin to become sin for us, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God. [1] The righteousness of God that Christ gives us is both imputed and imparted to us. Righteousness is imputed to us by God when we believe in Christ. God declares believers in His Son righteous based on their faith in Him. Righteousness is imparted to us when we receive the Holy Spirit, and He regenerates in us a desire to live for God.
For example, when I asked Jesus to take my life and have it, He did, and He gave me new life. Jesus gave me an appetite for holiness and a distaste for sin. Jesus did in me what I could not do for myself. That doesn’t mean I no longer sin. No, I sin, but I don’t enjoy it. When I sin, the Holy Spirit graciously convicts me to repent, to ask God to forgive me, and He does. I place my sin under the blood of Jesus that was shed for my forgiveness.
The Lord Jesus graciously draws me to the Bible to read it, meditate on it and to implement its guidance in my life. He daily draws me to pray for myself, for others and for God’s glory. The Holy Spirit accomplishes this in me.
Today, Jesus is with the Father. We cannot see Him face to face, but He embodies Himself in our lives by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us to be holy. He gives us respect for father and mother. He causes Sabbath observance to be a blessing to us. Knowing the resurrected Christ is far better than serving false gods. [2]
The Lord gave us commandments that are based on love and respect for people.
For example…
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.”
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
“Do not swear falsely by My Name and so profane the Name of your God. I am the Lord.”
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker.”
“Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind but fear your God. I am the Lord.”
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great but judge your neighbor fairly.”
“Do not go about spreading slander among your people.”
“Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
“Do not practice divination or seek omens. Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.”
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”
“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
“Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight, or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights… I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” [3]
These are good commandments, and God has given us His Holy Spirit to help us live by them. Praise the Lord!
[1] Psalm 22:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:21
[2] Leviticus 19:2-4
[3] Leviticus 19:10-18, 26, 28, 30-36
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