A man did a thorough search and documented his findings. He used a scientific approach to uncover which lifestyle is the most meaningful existence in a world filled with meaningless activity. He stated his conclusion at the end of his book…
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” [1]
Why should we reverence God and uphold the commands He gave us? He’s our Creator and Sustainer! He is wiser than we are! He is more trustworthy than we are! His goal is to bring us into a wonderful existence with Him for all eternity.
“The kingdom of God is… righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” [2]
[1] Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
[2] Romans 14:17
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
Bible verses that reveal the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives.
He fills us with God’s with love (Romans 5:5)
He empowers us to worship God (John 4:23-24)
Rejected by Leaders but Anointed by God’s Spirit
“It came to pass on one of those days, as He (Jesus) was teaching the people in the temple, and proclaiming good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came upon Him.” [1]
The religious leaders feared that the Roman government would close down their meeting places and put them out of jobs if the Jesus movement continued to grow. The fact of the matter is that after these leaders crucified Jesus, the Romans did destroy the religious institutions and gathering places of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
I remember a preacher telling a story about an on-fire-Christian being denied entrance into seminary. He was downcast afterwards. He wanted to learn the Word of God so he could win the world to Christ. As he walked away, Jesus came and walked aside him. Finally, Jesus asked him, “Why are you so downcast?” He replied, “Because the seminary would not let me in.” Jesus replied, “Don’t be too disappointed, I am Messiah, and they won’t let me in either.”
Religious leaders, don’t throw Jesus out of your congregations or student body! Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and proclaim Good News of Jesus to your people. Trust in God to deal with those who oppose Him. After all, He’s got the whole world in His hands.
[1] Luke 20:1
The religious leaders feared that the Roman government would close down their meeting places and put them out of jobs if the Jesus movement continued to grow. The fact of the matter is that after these leaders crucified Jesus, the Romans did destroy the religious institutions and gathering places of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
I remember a preacher telling a story about an on-fire-Christian being denied entrance into seminary. He was downcast afterwards. He wanted to learn the Word of God so he could win the world to Christ. As he walked away, Jesus came and walked aside him. Finally, Jesus asked him, “Why are you so downcast?” He replied, “Because the seminary would not let me in.” Jesus replied, “Don’t be too disappointed, I am Messiah, and they won’t let me in either.”
Religious leaders, don’t throw Jesus out of your congregations or student body! Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and proclaim Good News of Jesus to your people. Trust in God to deal with those who oppose Him. After all, He’s got the whole world in His hands.
[1] Luke 20:1
Cleave To & Profess Christ
The Church was initiated by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. When any religious group, State, or Empire acts on the belief that it has the right to eliminate the Christian Church, it puts itself in direct conflict with the Lord of the Church: Jesus Christ. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of lords whose kingdom has no end.
Babylon was once a world power. Her king thought he could defy and ignore the living God until a hand appeared and wrote on the wall that his kingdom had been weighed by God and came up short. That very night Babylon was overthrown.
“You… Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart…. You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [1]
We are in a time of derision because so many kings and their people have risen up against God and His Anointed One (Christ). Political and religious upheavals are happening everywhere.
“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” [2]
It is time to cleave to and profess Christ as Lord. Be saved not lost!
The destiny of every human being is stated in the Bible…
“God has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name, which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]
We may or may not have to stand before earthly authorities due to our professed beliefs, but every one of us will stand before God’s throne and give an account of what we believed and professed on earth.
[1] Daniel 5:22-23, 27
[2] Psalm 2:1-4
[3] Philippians 2:9-11
Babylon was once a world power. Her king thought he could defy and ignore the living God until a hand appeared and wrote on the wall that his kingdom had been weighed by God and came up short. That very night Babylon was overthrown.
“You… Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart…. You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [1]
We are in a time of derision because so many kings and their people have risen up against God and His Anointed One (Christ). Political and religious upheavals are happening everywhere.
“Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.” [2]
It is time to cleave to and profess Christ as Lord. Be saved not lost!
The destiny of every human being is stated in the Bible…
“God has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name, which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [3]
We may or may not have to stand before earthly authorities due to our professed beliefs, but every one of us will stand before God’s throne and give an account of what we believed and professed on earth.
[1] Daniel 5:22-23, 27
[2] Psalm 2:1-4
[3] Philippians 2:9-11
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Victory Over Futility
“’Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless, everything is meaningless.’” [1]
The Teacher tried to satisfy himself by gaining superior wisdom. He tried to satisfy himself with every kind of earthly pleasure. He tried to satisfy himself with his work. At the end of each phase, he came up empty handed and lamenting “meaningless.”
“To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” [2]
I believe the Teacher found God’s strategy meaningless because God’s plan was not about gratifying his sinful self. God’s plan is that we unite with Him through faith in Jesus Christ and that with Jesus Christ we carry out God’s will on earth.
Who pleases God? Who experiences victory over futility?
“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [3]
Life does not have to be meaningless. Jesus Christ replaces futility with faith by filling us with His Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God can do things through us that otherwise He could not do. Jesus helps us to live victoriously.
[1] Ecclesiastes 1:2
[2] Ecclesiastes 2:26
[3] 1 John 5:4-5
The Teacher tried to satisfy himself by gaining superior wisdom. He tried to satisfy himself with every kind of earthly pleasure. He tried to satisfy himself with his work. At the end of each phase, he came up empty handed and lamenting “meaningless.”
“To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” [2]
I believe the Teacher found God’s strategy meaningless because God’s plan was not about gratifying his sinful self. God’s plan is that we unite with Him through faith in Jesus Christ and that with Jesus Christ we carry out God’s will on earth.
Who pleases God? Who experiences victory over futility?
“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world, only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” [3]
Life does not have to be meaningless. Jesus Christ replaces futility with faith by filling us with His Spirit. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God can do things through us that otherwise He could not do. Jesus helps us to live victoriously.
[1] Ecclesiastes 1:2
[2] Ecclesiastes 2:26
[3] 1 John 5:4-5
Monday, August 24, 2015
Suffering For Righteousness’ Sake
“The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” [1]
The blood test result was Bar Epstein virus. Three months, four rounds of steroids, one round of antibiotic and still not better! The bright side of the trial was more time redeemed in prayer for my family members, relatives, friends, church members and for lost souls.
I’m twelve chapters deep into the seventh edit of a book that I have been working on for three years. I have learned during this trial that much of the Bible was written by authors in exile or prison. The Lord slows down His servants, so that we take time to reflect on and write down what He teaches us from His Word. “Thank You Jesus for pruning us so that we yield good fruit.”
Job was laboring for righteousness’ sake when the devil attacked him. His friends believed he was suffering because he sinned against God. Job knew that was not the case, but he did not know why the Lord allowed him to suffer. The Bible tells us that Job’s book was written for our sake, to encourage us that at the end of every trial, we will know just as Job did, that God is merciful and full of compassion. [2]
I enjoyed wonderful times of prayer during my season of hardship. Revelation from God’s Word! Spirit anointed worship! More empathy for others!
Job was a type of Christ. He suffered unjustly so that others could read of the Lord’s faithfulness to His servants. Job blessed the Name of the Lord when he lost his worldly wealth but agonized over the concern that he had lost God.
Remember when Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God why have You forsaken Me.” [3] Christ was forsaken for our sake. But on the third day, Christ resurrected by the power of God and showed Himself to His disciples and to over 500 witnesses. He ate and drank with them for forty days before He ascended up on high. This same Jesus is coming back for all who love Him.
The Bible says, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [4]
“Holy Spirit, please anoint God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness’ sake. Please make the latter part of our lives more fruitful than the former, and may You get all the glory, for You alone are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen. And by the way, thank You Lord Jesus in advance for healing me. As Your word says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” [5]
[1] Job 42:10
[2] James 5:11
[3] Mark 15:34
[4] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[5] Psalm 34:19
The blood test result was Bar Epstein virus. Three months, four rounds of steroids, one round of antibiotic and still not better! The bright side of the trial was more time redeemed in prayer for my family members, relatives, friends, church members and for lost souls.
I’m twelve chapters deep into the seventh edit of a book that I have been working on for three years. I have learned during this trial that much of the Bible was written by authors in exile or prison. The Lord slows down His servants, so that we take time to reflect on and write down what He teaches us from His Word. “Thank You Jesus for pruning us so that we yield good fruit.”
Job was laboring for righteousness’ sake when the devil attacked him. His friends believed he was suffering because he sinned against God. Job knew that was not the case, but he did not know why the Lord allowed him to suffer. The Bible tells us that Job’s book was written for our sake, to encourage us that at the end of every trial, we will know just as Job did, that God is merciful and full of compassion. [2]
I enjoyed wonderful times of prayer during my season of hardship. Revelation from God’s Word! Spirit anointed worship! More empathy for others!
Job was a type of Christ. He suffered unjustly so that others could read of the Lord’s faithfulness to His servants. Job blessed the Name of the Lord when he lost his worldly wealth but agonized over the concern that he had lost God.
Remember when Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God why have You forsaken Me.” [3] Christ was forsaken for our sake. But on the third day, Christ resurrected by the power of God and showed Himself to His disciples and to over 500 witnesses. He ate and drank with them for forty days before He ascended up on high. This same Jesus is coming back for all who love Him.
The Bible says, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [4]
“Holy Spirit, please anoint God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness’ sake. Please make the latter part of our lives more fruitful than the former, and may You get all the glory, for You alone are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen. And by the way, thank You Lord Jesus in advance for healing me. As Your word says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” [5]
[1] Job 42:10
[2] James 5:11
[3] Mark 15:34
[4] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[5] Psalm 34:19
Sunday, August 9, 2015
The Holy Spirit with Fire Baptism
“He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” [1]
The baptism of repentance is about changing our perspective of who is Savior. Living in a particular geographical place or being of a particular race of people doesn’t save us. The Savior is not an elite religious group. He is not an imaginary comic book hero or a current political leader. He is Jesus Christ.
When we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruits of love, joy, and peace. He gives us grace-gifts which help us navigate through this dark world. He gives us an appetite for righteousness. He ignites in us love for God and love for neighbor.
The unholy trio of the devil, sin and death defile and destroy the human race. The Triune Father, Son and Holy Spirit saves us and renews us. All God’s fullness dwells in Christ. [2] God restores what was stolen and gives us eternal life as we trust in His Son Jesus Christ and receive His Holy Spirit.
[1] Luke 3:3, 15-16
[2] Colossians 2:9
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
John answered them all, ‘I baptize you with water. But One who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” [1]
The baptism of repentance is about changing our perspective of who is Savior. Living in a particular geographical place or being of a particular race of people doesn’t save us. The Savior is not an elite religious group. He is not an imaginary comic book hero or a current political leader. He is Jesus Christ.
When we confess Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and fire. The Holy Spirit gives us the fruits of love, joy, and peace. He gives us grace-gifts which help us navigate through this dark world. He gives us an appetite for righteousness. He ignites in us love for God and love for neighbor.
The unholy trio of the devil, sin and death defile and destroy the human race. The Triune Father, Son and Holy Spirit saves us and renews us. All God’s fullness dwells in Christ. [2] God restores what was stolen and gives us eternal life as we trust in His Son Jesus Christ and receive His Holy Spirit.
[1] Luke 3:3, 15-16
[2] Colossians 2:9
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Encouragement for the Lord’s Servants
After God removed His hedge of protection from around Job, Satan attacked and destroyed all his assets and killed ten children. [1]
Job’s response was totally amazing!
“He fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” [2]
Job loved God. “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” [3] He wanted to keep on worshipping and loving God despite his losses. He did not want to end the relationship.
Then, Job’s three friends drew near to comfort him. However, when the pain of his losses sunk in, he began to curse the day he was born. Job’s three friends began to debate with him as to who was to fault for his losses. Their point was that God cannot be blamed because God is faultless, so therefore, Job must have done something wrong and that is why Job was being punished. [4]
There was a high school girl who had a “Job experience.” Hateful classmates hacked her social media page and posted accusatory lies on her Facebook page towards her friends. Her friends forsook her. Some beat her. Her Mom finally chose to move to new school district to protect her. Those who delighted in hurting her, started the same cycle again with her new classmates. She probably would have ended her life had two faithful friends not stepped in to defend her.
Thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I understand that good people, even the Son of God, are falsely accused and attacked. Satan hates those who love God and their neighbor. He wants to wipe off of the face of the earth. He wants to humiliate us in every way possible.
The good news is that the Lord confronted the three “friends” about their treatment of Job. He told them to ask Job to pray for them. Then, the Lord restored all that Job lost, twice over. [5]
The Good News about our Lord Jesus Christ is even though people falsely accused Him, tortured Him and crucified Him, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. When Jesus reappeared to His twelve disciples, He did not tell them to slay those who killed Him. He told them to speak of His forgiveness and love. He instructed them to tell the people everywhere how they could have eternal life with God if they only trusted in Him.
During a dialogue with an audience, Jesus framed the story of good versus evil in the following way: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” The devil is a thief. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. [6]
God says, “I will show love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [7] Jesus said, “My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” [8] James the Apostle urged the Church, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [9] The Apostle Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on God because He cares for you.” “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” [10]
[1] Job 1:8-19
[2] Job 1:20-22
[3] Song of Songs 8:7
[4] Job 2:11; 3:1; 4:1-32:1
[5] Job 42:8-10
[6] John 10:10; 14:6
[7] Deuteronomy 5:10
[8] John 12:26
[9] James 4:7
[10] 1 Peter 5:6-7, 10-11
Job’s response was totally amazing!
“He fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the Name of the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” [2]
Job loved God. “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” [3] He wanted to keep on worshipping and loving God despite his losses. He did not want to end the relationship.
Then, Job’s three friends drew near to comfort him. However, when the pain of his losses sunk in, he began to curse the day he was born. Job’s three friends began to debate with him as to who was to fault for his losses. Their point was that God cannot be blamed because God is faultless, so therefore, Job must have done something wrong and that is why Job was being punished. [4]
There was a high school girl who had a “Job experience.” Hateful classmates hacked her social media page and posted accusatory lies on her Facebook page towards her friends. Her friends forsook her. Some beat her. Her Mom finally chose to move to new school district to protect her. Those who delighted in hurting her, started the same cycle again with her new classmates. She probably would have ended her life had two faithful friends not stepped in to defend her.
Thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I understand that good people, even the Son of God, are falsely accused and attacked. Satan hates those who love God and their neighbor. He wants to wipe off of the face of the earth. He wants to humiliate us in every way possible.
The good news is that the Lord confronted the three “friends” about their treatment of Job. He told them to ask Job to pray for them. Then, the Lord restored all that Job lost, twice over. [5]
The Good News about our Lord Jesus Christ is even though people falsely accused Him, tortured Him and crucified Him, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. When Jesus reappeared to His twelve disciples, He did not tell them to slay those who killed Him. He told them to speak of His forgiveness and love. He instructed them to tell the people everywhere how they could have eternal life with God if they only trusted in Him.
During a dialogue with an audience, Jesus framed the story of good versus evil in the following way: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” The devil is a thief. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. [6]
God says, “I will show love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” [7] Jesus said, “My Father will honor the one who serves Me.” [8] James the Apostle urged the Church, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [9] The Apostle Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your cares on God because He cares for you.” “The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To God be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” [10]
[1] Job 1:8-19
[2] Job 1:20-22
[3] Song of Songs 8:7
[4] Job 2:11; 3:1; 4:1-32:1
[5] Job 42:8-10
[6] John 10:10; 14:6
[7] Deuteronomy 5:10
[8] John 12:26
[9] James 4:7
[10] 1 Peter 5:6-7, 10-11
Monday, August 3, 2015
My Redeemer Lives
Do not say, “There is no way God can make a difference in the world through me.”
God called you not according to your works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to you in Christ Jesus before time began. [1]
For you see your calling, brothers, that...
Not many wise according to the flesh,
Not many mighty,
Not many noble, are called.
God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise,
God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the mighty,
God has chosen the base things of the world,
God has chosen the things which are despised,
God has chosen the nothings, to bring to nothing the things that are,
That no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus...
Who became for us wisdom from God,
Who became for us righteousness from God...
Who became for us sanctification from God...
Who became for us redemption from God. [2]
Jesus, not us, is the answer! “O Lord my God, and my Redeemer, I will give thanks to You forever.” [3]
[1] 2 Timothy 1:9
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:26-30
[3] Psalm 30:12; Job 19:25
God called you not according to your works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to you in Christ Jesus before time began. [1]
For you see your calling, brothers, that...
Not many wise according to the flesh,
Not many mighty,
Not many noble, are called.
God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise,
God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the mighty,
God has chosen the base things of the world,
God has chosen the things which are despised,
God has chosen the nothings, to bring to nothing the things that are,
That no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus...
Who became for us wisdom from God,
Who became for us righteousness from God...
Who became for us sanctification from God...
Who became for us redemption from God. [2]
Jesus, not us, is the answer! “O Lord my God, and my Redeemer, I will give thanks to You forever.” [3]
[1] 2 Timothy 1:9
[2] 1 Corinthians 1:26-30
[3] Psalm 30:12; Job 19:25
Let The Seed Die
“The Gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you who are speaking but the Holy Spirit.” [1]
Several times in my life, I had the privilege to see the Spirit of God move through the ministry of God’s Word to bring people to Christ and make disciples of them. This heavenly experience usually comes with severe trials because the devil hates Christ and does not want people to follow Christ. In such times, a decision has to be made. Is it the cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, I have decided to follow Jesus, or is it to throw up my hands and say the cost is too great?
The main point of Catherine Booth’s book, “Aggressive Christianity” is that if Christianity had continued has it was in the days of the Apostles, the world would have been won to Christ by now. She also pointed out that one way that the enemy defeats Christians is to infiltrate their minds with the thought that Christlikeness is impossible, that we are bound to be sinful wretches that can do nothing right for God.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” [2] I can to try to avoid death, or I can yield my life to Jesus, and come what may Christ will produce much through me for His glory and for the salvation of others.
What should I do? What should you do? The souls of people hang in the balance.
[1] Mark 13:10-11
[2] John 12:24
Several times in my life, I had the privilege to see the Spirit of God move through the ministry of God’s Word to bring people to Christ and make disciples of them. This heavenly experience usually comes with severe trials because the devil hates Christ and does not want people to follow Christ. In such times, a decision has to be made. Is it the cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, I have decided to follow Jesus, or is it to throw up my hands and say the cost is too great?
The main point of Catherine Booth’s book, “Aggressive Christianity” is that if Christianity had continued has it was in the days of the Apostles, the world would have been won to Christ by now. She also pointed out that one way that the enemy defeats Christians is to infiltrate their minds with the thought that Christlikeness is impossible, that we are bound to be sinful wretches that can do nothing right for God.
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” [2] I can to try to avoid death, or I can yield my life to Jesus, and come what may Christ will produce much through me for His glory and for the salvation of others.
What should I do? What should you do? The souls of people hang in the balance.
[1] Mark 13:10-11
[2] John 12:24
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Inheritors of the Kingdom of God
Jesus said to some, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.” [1]
He said to others, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers.’” [2]
The first audience consisted of common people sitting on a hillside while the second audience consisted of chief priests and the teachers of the law. The first audience gladly heard what Jesus had to say while the second audience “began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching.” [3]
The people who put what is right before fame and fortune are persecuted by the world but blessed by God. The people who are highly exalted by the world are rebuked by Jesus for creating a culture of crime.
Thankfully, one day those who have been hungry for, thirsty for, and persecuted for the sake of righteousness shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus described the inheritors of His Kingdom with such words.
[1] Matthew 5:6,10
[2] Mark 11:17
[3] Mark 11:18
He said to others, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers.’” [2]
The first audience consisted of common people sitting on a hillside while the second audience consisted of chief priests and the teachers of the law. The first audience gladly heard what Jesus had to say while the second audience “began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching.” [3]
The people who put what is right before fame and fortune are persecuted by the world but blessed by God. The people who are highly exalted by the world are rebuked by Jesus for creating a culture of crime.
Thankfully, one day those who have been hungry for, thirsty for, and persecuted for the sake of righteousness shall inherit the Kingdom of God. Jesus described the inheritors of His Kingdom with such words.
[1] Matthew 5:6,10
[2] Mark 11:17
[3] Mark 11:18
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