Has anyone noticed that the news media spends a large percentage of its time publishing accusations against people? Always expressing outrage!
Do we really want a mentality like unto the days of the French revolution and the cultural revolution in China to be kindled? During those days, a person’s expressed outrage could lead to the public denunciation, shaming and instant execution of another.
During the Passion Week, religious leaders resolved that they needed to falsely accuse and condemn Christ lest the Romans would “come and take away both our temple and our nation.” [1]
Whatever happened to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you?” [2]
Jesus once told a group of vigilantes, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” [3]
Paul wrote to his young protégé and fellow pastor Timothy: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” [4]
Did you hear that? God’s apostle said to pray and give thanks for people.
The Lord says to us in His Word: “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” [5]
A constantly disgruntled mindset can lead to futile thoughts... thoughts that accomplish nothing. An accusatory attitude can lead to a darkened heart. The people described above knew God but would not glorify Him. They were not grateful. Paul advised Timothy, “Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” [6] Did you get to eat today? Did you have clothing to wear? Then, give glory and thanksgiving unto God!
While sitting in a Roman prison, Paul wrote, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” [7] These are healthy meditations. Take it from a guy who spent time in jail seeking to do what was best for others. Meditate on your blessings and enjoy
a better life!
[1] John 11:48
[2] Ephesians 4:32
[3] John 8:7
[4] 1 Timothy 2:1
[5] Romans 1:21
[6] 1 Timothy 6:8
[7] Philippians 4:8
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018
The End of Evil Empires
The Lord’s promise to take down evil empires of the world is a source of hope for those who currently live under such a regime. When I lived in China, I often prayed that the Lord would replace the evil rulers of China with rulers that were more like Jesus. I often the preached from the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation when I did ministry in Guangzhou City, China.
In Daniel’s days, Babylon was the superpower nation of the world. Nebuchadnezzar was Babylon ‘s king. God gave to Nebuchadnezzar a dream. No man could interpret his dream, that is, until God gave Daniel the interpretation. [1]
The dream was of a splendid and awesome image. The image had a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
A stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff which the wind drives away until no trace of them is found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
The interpretation of the dream was that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold, and that after him would arise three other world-ruling kingdoms. God told Nebuchadnezzar that in the days of these kings, He (God) would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed; never be taken over by other people. His kingdom would destroy all previous kingdoms and stand forever. Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, “The great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” [2]
I was ministering God’s Word in a Communist country that arrested and tortured Christians. Mao Zedong said that he would cut out the tongue of God. God gave me faith that Mao’s kingdom would eventually bow to Jesus. Eventually, all anti-Christian kingdoms will bow to the rule of Christ.
[1] Daniel 2:1-30
[2] Daniel 2:31-45
In Daniel’s days, Babylon was the superpower nation of the world. Nebuchadnezzar was Babylon ‘s king. God gave to Nebuchadnezzar a dream. No man could interpret his dream, that is, until God gave Daniel the interpretation. [1]
The dream was of a splendid and awesome image. The image had a head of gold, a chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
A stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff which the wind drives away until no trace of them is found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
The interpretation of the dream was that Nebuchadnezzar was the head of gold, and that after him would arise three other world-ruling kingdoms. God told Nebuchadnezzar that in the days of these kings, He (God) would set up a kingdom which would never be destroyed; never be taken over by other people. His kingdom would destroy all previous kingdoms and stand forever. Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar, “The great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.” [2]
I was ministering God’s Word in a Communist country that arrested and tortured Christians. Mao Zedong said that he would cut out the tongue of God. God gave me faith that Mao’s kingdom would eventually bow to Jesus. Eventually, all anti-Christian kingdoms will bow to the rule of Christ.
[1] Daniel 2:1-30
[2] Daniel 2:31-45
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Blessed
I am extremely blessed because of the Lord’s steadfast love for me and for the people of my race - the human race.
When I consider all that the Lord has done and is still doing daily... I am amazed at His great love for us.
Recently, I’ve been thinking how our Lord Jesus died for us when we did not deserve such lavish love. And yet He lives and intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand.
What the prophet Isaiah said of Israel in his days is true of what the Lord is doing for us:
“I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts.” (1)
The Lord has chosen to love rebellious people. People who betray His love. How can He refrain from legal action against us when we have disrespected and mistreated Him over and over again? We have all failed Him.
In the light of who we are and how we behave towards Him, I stand in awe of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“Thank You Lord for your steadfast love, Your forgiveness and for all the blessings that You give to us when we do not deserve them. To You alone be all glory, praise and honor. In Jesus’ Name. I pray. Amen.”
(1) Isaiah 65:2
When I consider all that the Lord has done and is still doing daily... I am amazed at His great love for us.
Recently, I’ve been thinking how our Lord Jesus died for us when we did not deserve such lavish love. And yet He lives and intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand.
What the prophet Isaiah said of Israel in his days is true of what the Lord is doing for us:
“I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts.” (1)
The Lord has chosen to love rebellious people. People who betray His love. How can He refrain from legal action against us when we have disrespected and mistreated Him over and over again? We have all failed Him.
In the light of who we are and how we behave towards Him, I stand in awe of our Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
“Thank You Lord for your steadfast love, Your forgiveness and for all the blessings that You give to us when we do not deserve them. To You alone be all glory, praise and honor. In Jesus’ Name. I pray. Amen.”
(1) Isaiah 65:2
Friday, March 9, 2018
Enforcer or Empathizer
“Do you [hypocritical judges] despise the riches of His [God’s] goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” [1]
The Apostle Paul addressed the hypocrites who called for obedience to God’s Law while failing to obey it themselves. He reminded them how generous God is with being good, forbearing, and long-suffering with sinners. God’s goodness leads sinners to repent.
The purpose of God’s Law is to afflict the comfortable. The purpose of the Gospel is to comfort the afflicted. Our Lord Jesus gave believers the Holy Spirit to help us know when to apply the conviction of the Law, and when to apply the comfort of the Gospel. In fact, only the Holy Spirit can convert a soul to Christ.
“Thank You Lord Jesus, for providing for us the Law, the Gospel, and Your Holy Spirit. Please grant that our actions and words towards others and towards ourselves will spring forth from the goodness of God. In Your Name I pray, amen.”
[1] Romans 2:4
The Apostle Paul addressed the hypocrites who called for obedience to God’s Law while failing to obey it themselves. He reminded them how generous God is with being good, forbearing, and long-suffering with sinners. God’s goodness leads sinners to repent.
The purpose of God’s Law is to afflict the comfortable. The purpose of the Gospel is to comfort the afflicted. Our Lord Jesus gave believers the Holy Spirit to help us know when to apply the conviction of the Law, and when to apply the comfort of the Gospel. In fact, only the Holy Spirit can convert a soul to Christ.
“Thank You Lord Jesus, for providing for us the Law, the Gospel, and Your Holy Spirit. Please grant that our actions and words towards others and towards ourselves will spring forth from the goodness of God. In Your Name I pray, amen.”
[1] Romans 2:4
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Obeying The Lord’s Commandments
“You shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments and be holy for your God.” [1]
The tassel reminded the Israelites of God’s commandments. They were not merely to know them, but to obey them. God knows we are apt to go astray. We need reminders to be faithful to the Lord. Thanks to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us obey the Lord’s commands.
“Holy Spirit, please empower us to obey God’s commandment’s. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Numbers 15:39-40
The tassel reminded the Israelites of God’s commandments. They were not merely to know them, but to obey them. God knows we are apt to go astray. We need reminders to be faithful to the Lord. Thanks to Christ, we have the Holy Spirit to help us obey the Lord’s commands.
“Holy Spirit, please empower us to obey God’s commandment’s. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Numbers 15:39-40
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Never Give Up
Some said that Paul was a sick man, a divider and cult leader, “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” [1]
Others honored him in many ways, “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.” [2]
God gave Paul the privilege of penning a large portion of the New Testament, planting new churches, physically healing sick bodies, and preaching the Gospel to lost souls. To some, he was deemed a disease to be stamped out. To others, he was considered a great blessing sent from God.
Praise God for helping Paul to never give up. May the Holy Spirit help us to share the Word of God and testify for Jesus as Paul did.
[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 28:8-10
Others honored him in many ways, “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went into him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.” [2]
God gave Paul the privilege of penning a large portion of the New Testament, planting new churches, physically healing sick bodies, and preaching the Gospel to lost souls. To some, he was deemed a disease to be stamped out. To others, he was considered a great blessing sent from God.
Praise God for helping Paul to never give up. May the Holy Spirit help us to share the Word of God and testify for Jesus as Paul did.
[1] Acts 24:5
[2] Acts 28:8-10
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