Witnessing for Jesus Yields Joy

“…At that time a great persecution arose against the Church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.” [1]

May the Lord bring to pass a time of "preaching the Word" everywhere. What word did these wandering witnesses declare? They spontaneously spoke wonderfully about the Savior... [2]

What outcome did their witnessing for Jesus yield?

"And there was great joy in that city." [3]

May this be so all over the world today.

 
[1] Acts 8:1, 4
[2] Acts 8:5
[3] Acts 8:8

Made into a Masterpiece By the Potter's Hands

Many years ago, the Lord brought me to a place where I heard Him say, "Give your life to Me, and I use it to touch many people." I replied to the Lord, "I have only wasted this life, if You can use it, You can have it." Jesus took my life that day, filled me with His Holy Spirit and has been using this life to point others to Him for the last 43 years. Praise the Lord!

He has promised to me, and to all who trust in Him: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” ~ Revelation 2:10

I pray that all who read this post will place their lives into the Potter's hands. He is the Potter, we are the clay. He molds and makes us into a beautiful work of art for His glory and the salvation of others.

A New Way of Living in JESUS

 

Resilient Relationships – How?

“Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” [1]

It is so easy to misjudge God, others, and us. Recently, an intercessor has been praying the above Bible verse for us. God is answering her prayers. The Lord is bringing to light the hidden things of darkness. He is revealing the counsel of the heart. Praise God!

For me, this divine discernment has helped me see a greater need in me for God’s grace and forgiveness. If I am so focused on the high standard, I have set for myself, I may inadvertently make others around me feel unwanted when they are not helping me reach my goal.

Job’s friends misjudged his situation. They thought he was suffering because of sin or injustice in his life, but in fact, Satan had asked God for permission to test Job’s love for God with all out devastation. The concern of being misjudged had the effect of turning Job inward. Before his test occurred, Job was constantly caring for his family, for his friends and even for strangers. He needed to get back to that former lifestyle.

Thankfully, the Lord rescued Job from inwardness. He moved Job to pray with love and forgiveness for his friends who had misjudged him.

“And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” [2]

God’s grace and forgiveness are core teachings of Christ. He works in believers by the power of His Holy Spirit to make us more like Him. The people of the world need an healthy alternative to rage, rants for justice and for offence. What does offence yield? Offences yield fences. What does the Lord’s grace and forgiveness yield? His grace and forgiveness yield loving and resilient relationships. Just what we need.

[1] 1 Corinthians 4:5
[2] Job 42:10

God’s Power is Infinite

God asks, “Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?” [1]

How many of us are guilty of having condemning thoughts of God while having approving thoughts of ourselves?

God asks, “Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?” [2]

What if the God who spoke this universe into existence began to compare your power with His?

God says, “Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you.” [3]

The arrogant and wicked have reinforcements. Spiritual powers of wickedness in high places! These powers are impossible for mere mortals to overcome. The Lord says, “Bring him low. Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.”

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.” [4]

As we praise God and give Him glory, He reveals His greatness to us. There is no one greater than God. He is able to do what we cannot.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” [5]

Our Mighty God has a name for each of the billion trillion stars. He spoke them into existence. And yet, He is gentle enough to tenderly heal a broken heart.

“Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” [6]

It is better to have a humble estimation of oneself than a know-it-all attitude. It is better to realize our smallness and God’s greatness than vice versa.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times that we have harbored proud thoughts about ourselves and lowly thoughts about You. Please mercifully help us to realize Your greatness now, on this side of eternity, before we meet You face to face. Thank You for being willing and able to heal our broken hearts. We praise You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Job 40:8
[2] Job 40:9
[3] Job 40:12-14
[4] Psalm 145:3
[5] Psalm 147:3-5
[6] Proverbs 26:12

How Much Did Forgiveness Cost Jesus?

When Jesus carried that cross through the streets of Jerusalem after having His back scourged, His face spit on and slapped, that was not easy.

When the hammer struck the nails that pierced His hands and His feet, that was not easy.

When people jeered and insulted Him as He hung naked on the cross, that was not easy.

How could anyone so wounded by others say these words to God, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” [1] The people who hurt Jesus so deeply never asked Him to forgive them. Yet, Jesus asked God to forgive them and meant it.

After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus said to His disciples, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” [2]

He died and rose again, and summed up what He wanted His followers to do afterwards, namely, preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Encourage a culture where everyone recognizes our tendency to sin and our need of God’s forgiveness. Consider Jesus constantly!

The most painful lesson that Jesus ever taught was the lesson of forgiveness. He spelled forgiveness with the letters of His wounds, with the insults He endured, and with all the hatred that He experienced. He also spelled forgiveness in His resurrection because God was well-pleased with Him and raised Him from the dead on the third day. And so, it will be for all who choose to believe in Jesus and follow His ways.

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” Mark Twain

“Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting, it means choosing to remember love instead.” Kyle Gray

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“Without forgiveness, there’s no future.” Desmond Tutu

“Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.” Cherie Carter-Scott

“When a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.” Alan Paton

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and realize the prisoner was you.” Anonymous

[1] Luke 23:34
[2] Luke 24:46-48

Crying Out to God for Victories

In the days of Gideon, things had gone from bad to worse. Many had turned from good to evil. Many were living in dens (crevices in rocks), caves and strongholds (hand-built forts). This was due to constant attacks from enemies. Besides this, whenever they planted crops, enemies destroyed the produce. Gideon’s people were living in poverty. They began CRYING OUT to GOD. [1]

CRYING OUT to GOD proceeds many victories in the Bible. CRYING OUT is different than going through the motions of prayer. People can mumble prayers they have always prayed as matter of duty when they don’t sense a need for God, but when they are desperate, they CRY OUT to Him. “God help us!” “We need You!” “Please rescue us!”

Evil had multiplied in Gideon’s community! They were up against overwhelming odds. Their once comfortable normal no longer existed. They had no answers. They were so used to depending on their own ways but now their own ways no longer worked. They needed a miracle!

In answer to their CRIES, the Lord sent them a prophet. The prophet reminded them of the Bible. Yes, the Bible! That book is full of miraculous stories. For example, how God rescued slaves from their oppressors, and caused them to inherit land. God indicted them: “You have not obeyed My voice.” [2]

God works miracles as we rely on Him. Let us CRY OUT to Him as though our lives depend on Him because our lives do depend on Him.

To prove to Gideon’s people that He is God, God allowed one crisis after another to overtake them. Would they CRY OUT to God or would they continue to try to manage things in their own strength and wisdom. Thankfully, they CRIED OUT to God and God raised up an unlikely person to lead them to victory. His name was Gideon. [3]

Gideon was from the weakest group of people in his nation. He was the weakest member in his family. God told Gideon that He would be with him and use his life to rally his people to victory. At first, Gideon did not believe God. He asked God to provide him some miraculous signs to boost his flagging confidence. God did the miracles and Gideon was convinced. [4]

The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. He blew the rallying trumpet. 32,000 people joined him. What a relief! But wait! God told Gideon to release those who were struggling with fear. God wanted Gideon and his followers to know for certain that faith in God is what turns the tide in battles. 22,000 people departed from Gideon. After that, the Lord reduced Gideon’s army from 10,000 to 300. God helped Gideon and his three hundred to overcome a vast army. After this faith-in-God victory, Gideon’s people enjoyed peace and quiet for 40 years. [5]

“Heavenly Father, we CRY OUT to You for victory. We need You. We want miracles! Please rally people to join us in CRYING OUT to You, and in trusting You for victories as we seek to spread Your Gospel and make disciples. we pray this, in Name of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.”

[1] Judges 6:1-6
[2] Judges 6:7-10
[3] Judges 6:13-14
[4] Judges 6:15-22
[5] Judges 6:34-35; 7:1-8:28

The Great Commission

Jesus called His followers to grow the Church when He gave the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20. The action words in His commission are:

Go…
Make disciples…
Baptize them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…
And teach them to observe what I commanded you.

What are some ways to GO and DO?

Chuck Lawless in his blog entitled “7 Ways for Pastors to Re-focus on the Great Commission” made the following suggestion: “Once a week, take a couple of hours to see your community with God’s eyes.”

The Lord has been leading Sherry and me to prayer walk the downtown area and around our two universities. During these prayer walks, we look for opportunities to give a witness for Jesus to people that we meet. We are ready to listen to people and pray with them.

As a Christian, I believe my number one responsibility is to be a witness of what Jesus Christ has done for the salvation of all people. As a Christian, I am called to grow the Church by meeting new people and inviting them into the fellowship of believers. Amidst all the issues that are raging for my attention, I cannot afford to lose my focus on this one. First, I owe all that I am and all I have to Jesus. Secondly, souls without Jesus are not saved. Someone needs to make the attempt to share with them the good news of His love for them, His grace, and His great power to transform their lives.

Please pray for us. You would think this to be a simple task, but the enemy opposes vehemently any Christian who would dare to make the great commission his or her priority. Please pray that the Lord will open the doors of people’s hearts to Christ, and that we will be able to share the Gospel with them.

The Greatest Comeback of all Time!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” [1]

To our heart: “Be joyful in hope!”
To our situation: “Patient in affliction.”
To our faith: “Pray” – rely on God.

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” [2]

Human tendency during a crisis is to abandon authorities, but Scripture urges us to be subject to them. Be obedient. Do what is good. Be a part of the solution not the problem. Don’t succumb to slandering. Intensify peace-making. Increase consideration for one another. Choose gentleness not harshness.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” [3]

Listen to Christ. Promote believer health and unity. Consider the million reasons we have to be grateful to God.

Jesus prayed that we would all be one so that the world would know we are His disciples. [4] Our unity in Christ and in His teaching is a divine miracle. It happens divinely, not naturally. Let us pray with Jesus... “Yes, Lord, make us one, make us one in You.” The witness of our working together validates the value of faith in Christ to our community.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the greatest comeback story of all time. Paul wrote, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” [5] Serious setbacks are opportunities for great comebacks. But like, Paul, we rest in the comeback power of Christ not in our own.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” [6]

Yes, let’s keep our focus on justifying who God is and what He does! Let us promote Christ’s glory! As one song says, “The Resurrected One is resurrecting me.” He is!

[1] Romans 12:12
[2] Titus 3:1-2
[3] Colossians 3:15
[4] John 17:23
[5] Philippians 3:10
[6] Ephesians 3:20-21

Overcoming Antagonism

“They hated me without reason.” [1] Jesus unveils an ugly and unfortunate bit of reality; you do not necessarily have to do anything wrong to be hated. Jesus experienced such hatred. What did He do?

“In the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death. He was heard because of His godly fear.” [2] Jesus committed those who sought to destroy Him to our Heavenly Father. He set forth an example for us.

“Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” [3] Commit your soul to God and keep on doing good. Those who should have your back may betray you, but God is faithful.

King David was once on the run from King Saul. Saul was obsessed with killing David. Yet David still managed to rescue the town of Keilah from the Philistines. His rescue efforts are a complete success, and the town is saved from certain annihilation. We would expect great expressions of gratitude for their survival. However, this is not the course of action they took. They sold him out.

David took the matter to God. He asked God two questions. First, is it true that King Saul is coming against Keilah? Second, will the people betray me over to him? God’s answer to David’s two questions are “yes” and “yes.” [4]

Why did the people that David helped betray him?

They resorted to typical survival instincts. Saul would destroy them. David would not. Saul is dangerous. David is safe. Better to appease the danger at the expense of the innocent. When fear and desperation takes hold of people, they tend to betray godly principles and godly people.

Guy Greenfield offers the following list:

1) Avoiding Conflict. Most people carry a significant fear of conflict and will resort to extreme measures to avoid it. Risking community status for someone in trouble is a difficult decision.

2) Intimidated by “Facts.” Antagonists will go to great lengths to build their case and confirmed facts are not necessary. They do not need to prove anything. False accusations are sufficient.

3) The Force of Personality. The obsessive drive of antagonists for control tends to overwhelm passive people. Misguided crusaders push an agenda of twisted “truths.” They assert their own self-will in how something should be or be believed.

4) Too Busy. Let us face reality, people lead busy lives. Between work, family obligations and personal time not much time remains for major tasks. Overcoming antagonists requires time and adds emotional stress to one’s life. If the antagonists happen to be retired (which is often the case), the reinforcements will not be coming. [5]

So, David set a good example for us. Do not spend too much time lamenting over those who betrayed you. Seek the Lord! Be guided by the Lord! Be grateful that God does have your back.

When a problem besieges our mind, the normal human tendency is to magnify its power and create within our own mind a giant. Allow your mind to dwell on a given problem and the more energy you permit to flow to it. Under prolonged stress one’s functional IQ will lose its affect and decrease. One’s IQ can drop by as much as forty points! [6]

“Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you yourself will be just like them. Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes.” [7] These statements contradict one another, but consider this, when a contrary “fool” crosses your path, your choices become terribly reduced to poor consequences or even worse consequences.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” [8] Jesus promises that people who have used words to hurt others will be held accountable. “If anyone digs a pit, they themselves will fall into it; if anyone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.” [9] We all eventually reap what we sow. So, let us refrain from empty and hurtful words, and from digging pits, and focus on doing good and serving the Lord.

[1] John 15:25
[2] Hebrews 5:7
[3] 1 Peter 4:19
[4] 1 Samuel 23
[5] Guy Greenfield, The Wounded Minister, Baker Publishing Group (January 1, 2001)
[6] Dr. Steven G. Minor, Antagonism, Churchpolitics.org
[7] Proverbs 26:4-5
[8] Matthew 12:36-37
[9] Proverbs 26:27

Blessing, Glory And Praise to Jesus

Job believed in God, but after a series of severe trials, he began to question the fairness of God. In fact, it was Satan who attacked Job and took away his riches and health temporarily. God restored them. But first, God responded to Job’s questioning by reminding Job of who He is. Below are a few of the questions that God posed to Job...

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me if you understand.”

“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?”

“Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me if you know all this. What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?”

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail?”

“Who gives the ibis wisdom or gives the rooster understanding?”

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears her fawn?”

“Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?”

“Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high?”

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!” [1]

Job answered the Lord: “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.” [2]

I wonder how many of us have like Job questioned God and not realized to whom we are talking? Have we considered God’s bumblebees, His hummingbirds, His 369,000 species of flowering plants, His billion trillion stars, His whales, His butterflies, His snowflakes, and His lightning and thundering? These were all created and are sustained by Him.

Jesus taught, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [3] The eye of the needle is that short doorway in the city wall where a man must unload his camel’s burdens before he can get his camel through that short entrance way. Sometimes the only way a rich man can learn of the greatness of God is by being stripped of everything. Then, he will fear, love and trust God above all things. Better to learn this lesson before one dies than to learn it when standing face to face with God Almighty.

Elizabeth Prentiss wrote, “Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best. This all my prayer shall be, more love, O Christ, to Thee, more love to Thee, more love to Thee.” [4]

May this be so! The first and great commandment is... “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” [5]

Oh and by the way, Jesus, whom the world disregards, just happens to be the same One who created and sustains all things: “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, powers, rulers, or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” [6] Blessing, glory and praise be unto the Name of Jesus Christ!

[1] Job 38:4, 12, 18-19, 22, 36; 39:1, 19, 27; 40:2
[2] Job 40:3-5
[3] Matthew 19:24
[4] 2nd stanza of “More Love to Thee, O Christ”
[5] Matthew 22:37-38
[6] Colossians 1:16-17

Staying on Course

In Titus 1:4, Paul wrote, “To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.” He wrote to Titus as a father would to his son. He pronounced a benediction of God’s grace, mercy, and peace. Three blessing that every leader needs to do God’s work.

In Titus 1:5, Paul wrote, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.”

The Greek word for “set in order” was used sometimes for resetting a bone that had been broken, or for aligning teeth that were crooked. Paul advised Titus to appoint elders who would keep the Church in alignment. Tires on a car that are misaligned may cause the car to pull towards one side of the road or to the other rather than keep the car moving straight forward. Misaligned tires usually wear out unevenly and prematurely. “Titus, put leaders in place who will help you to keep the congregation moving straight forward.”

In Titus 1:6-11, Paul describes what alignment for an leader looks like. Faithful in marriage. Having children that are not insubordinate. A good steward. Not self-willed. Not quick tempered. Not given to wine. Not violent or greedy for money. Hospitable. Loves what is good. Sober-minded. Just. Holy. Self-controlled. Holding fast to God’s Word. Able to convict those who contradict God’s Word. He told Titus that the mouths of the insubordinate must be stopped lest they subvert whole households of people by leading them astray. This is a tall order. The very reason that Titus needed God’s grace, mercy, and peace!

May the Lord give grace, mercy, and peace to all who are serving Christ as Paul describes to Titus!

The people of our world need to know what Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior did for them on the cross and at the empty tomb. He paid their sin debt to God in full. Only by Christ’s merits can anyone stand blameless before God on the last day. But how can they believe in Christ if no one tells them about Him? In Matthew 25:30, Jesus said of the servant who did nothing with his talent, “And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” To dwell in darkness never to see light again! What a terrible destiny!

“Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be about the Father’s business. Please bring us back into alignment where we have veered off course. Help us, Your people called by Your Name, to be like a well serviced vehicle that can get us directly to our destination, namely, to preach the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

Faith in God’s Creation Account Matters

After God created everything in six days, He said everything He made was very good. [1]

Everything was good! If we doubt His account, we do two things:

1) We doubt God’s truthfulness. That’s an authority issue.

2) It means we put death and disease before Adam and Eve sinned. The sin of people defiled the goodness of creation. Before they sinned, nothing died. Not dinosaurs, not plants, not people!

God was there! He does not lie. If we feel at liberty to change God’s creation account, what’s to stop us from changing His marriage account? Jesus said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” [2] Jesus is acknowledging the fact that marriage was established when God made the first male and female, you were made one when you became one flesh. There’s an institution of marriage right there.

It is important to believe God’s creation account because it is the foundation of the rest of the Bible. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. Where’s the origin of sin? Genesis 3:1-18! Where’s the origin of death? Genesis 3:19! The seven-day week? Genesis 2:1-3! Why do we all wear clothes? Genesis 3:21! God gave us clothes made from animal skins because sin revealed our nakedness and shame. The first animals were sacrificed to provide a covering for people. The word atonement in the Bible is used to describe what Jesus did on the cross to cover our sins. God covered their shame with skins as a result of sin. [3]

Sin is bad, but God is good. God is ready to forgive our sin. He wants our fellowship. He wants to live with Him forever in heaven. He is also ready and able to help us now.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [4]

[1] Genesis 1:31; 2:1-3
[2] Matthew 19:5, Genesis 2:24
[3] Ken Ham on Creation in Six Says
[4] Psalm 121:1-2

Praying for Revival

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your way.” [1]

“Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.” [2]

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” [3]

“Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your Word.” [4]

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” [5]

[1] Psalm 119:37
[2] Psalm 119:88
[3] Psalm 119:130
[4] Psalm 119:154
[5] 1 Peter 5:6-7

Please pray for the salvation of the souls that the Lord is bringing to us. Please pray that they will come into everlasting fellowship with our Triune God. 

Serving together with grace ~ Doing Good ~ Trusting our Souls to a Faithful Creator

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” [1]

“The idea is that if we are bad stewards of the manifold grace of God, His grace is wasted, because it only comes to us and doesn’t move through us.” [2]

Peter is speaking to Christians who are suffering for their faith in Christ. He urges them to let God’s grace flow between them. We should serve together as a relay team does rather than as rivals. Our end goal is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to lost souls, that they too will believe in Jesus and be saved eternally.

“Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” [3]

Let us commit our souls to doing good and to trusting in our faithful Creator. Jesus Christ suffered for doing His Father’s will. He is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.

“The ancient Greek word translated “commit” in 1 Peter 4:19 is a technical one, used for leaving money on deposit with a trusted friend. Such a trust was regarded as one of the most sacred things in life, and the friend was bound by honor to return the money intact. It is the very word Jesus used when He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).” [4]

When we commit our souls to our faithful Creator and do good, we leave our soul in a safe place. Our Heavenly Father is faithful to us His children. He will do what is best for us.

[1] 1 Peter 4:10
[2] Enduring Word Commentary
[3] 1 Peter 4:19
[4] Enduring Word Commentary

The Salvation of Souls

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” [1]

Yes, bless God for the abundant mercy that He has shown us through His Son Jesus Christ.

What does faith in Jesus Christ yield? Faith in Christ yields an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled that does not fade away reserved in heaven for you being kept by the power of God through faith [2]

Yes, our faith is tried by fire. Yes, we are grieved by various trials. But these hardship prove the genuineness of our faith. The Bible says that our faith in Christ is much more precious than gold. Why? Because when Christ appears, our faith will be to His praise, honor, and glory, and we will receive the result of our faith, namely, the salvation of our souls. [3]

The salvation of souls is what God our Father, Jesus His Son and the blessed Holy Spirit has us at our church focusing on these days. From the pulpit, He is blessing us with messages on evangelistic and discipleship techniques. One member aspires to create a band that will bring the Gospel message to outsiders. He has been putting in many hours of practice on his guitar. A young drummer from another church is voluntarily helping. Another member gave Sherry and me a tour of meeting rooms and a prayer room at a local university. Students will begin arriving this weekend. We are praying that we can start weekly GIG’s with the students. GIG stands for God Investigation Groups. An acronym penned by InterVarsity. Other members lead small group Bible studies and youth ministries. The goal is the salvation of souls.

Yesterday, Sherry and I listened to Christian Classics narrated by Lynn Brooks. [4] Lynn is reading a chapter per day of a book by Jesse Miller entitled, “Prisoner of Hope.” Jesse survived the bombardment of the Philippines by the Japanese. He survived the Bataan Death March. He survived hard labor and torture while in a Japanese POW camp. His faith and hope remained strong in the Lord despite experiencing horrible abuses. Jesse explained that his life was peaceful and happy one day, and devastated the next, but through it all the Lord never left his side.

This morning, I read news reports: “A Pentagon report secretly published in 2020 and first disclosed this week, raises the potential for some form of armed conflict between nuclear-armed powers.” “China is building a third missile field that will hold more than 100 new DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missiles, The Washington Times has learned.” “The militant Taliban group was closing Thursday in on Afghanistan’s capital Kabul after the US already urged citizens to leave immediately.” [5]

“The salvation of souls” is “the why” Jesus came to earth to live, to die, to resurrect from the dead and to ascend back to heaven. May the Lord give wind to the sails of every Christian who is seeking to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.

[1] 1 Peter 1:3
[2] 1 Peter 1:4-5
[3] 1 Peter 1:6-9
[4] https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/home/all-programs/christian-classics-lynn-brooks/christian-classics-monday/
[5] worthynews.com

Jesus Christ is the Answer for the World Today

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” [1]

Three characteristics of a follower of Jesus noted above are:
Faith that Jesus is the Messiah
Love for the Messiah and for God
Love for God and God’s children expressed via commandment keeping

Jesus our Messiah set the example of obedience for us...

“He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also 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.” [2]

Our Heavenly Father honors His Son above all others for His obedience to die for unworthy sinners, and every sinner shall one day bow knee and confess Jesus is the Messiah. In this way, shall God the Father be honored.

John the Baptist steadfastly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus said of John, “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.” [3]

Judas Iscariot betrayed the Messiah for thirty pieces of silver... the price of a slave. Jesus said of Judas, “The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” [4]

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” [5]

Faith in Christ is the one thing the world cannot overcome. This is why the early Church Christians were devoted to proclaiming Jesus. Many were clamoring for honorable mention in the court of human opinion in their day, but the early Church Christians knew it was greater to be mentioned before the Father in heaven by Christ...

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” [6] And so they set themselves to proclaiming Jesus, and “the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved.” [7]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please revive in Your Church today a zeal to proclaim Your Son as the Messiah. And may you add to the Church daily saved souls. I pray this in Jesus' Name. Amen.”

[1] 1 John 5:1-3
[2] Philippians 2:8-11
[3] Matthew 11:11
[4] Matthew 26:24
[5] 1 John 5:4-5
[6] Matthew 10:32
[7] Acts 2:47

Sing to the Lord!

Enjoy sweet meditations with Him that make you glad...

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.” [1]

Consider all He has done for you...

“The Lord forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. He satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.” [2]

He is our loving Heavenly Father...

“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” [3]

Praise Him for caring for and providing for all the creatures of the earth...

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.” “All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time.” [4]

Praise Him for increasing us and making us stronger than our enemies...

“The Lord increases His people greatly and makes them stronger than their enemies.” [5]

Remember, that no matter what happens, when dust settles, the Lord will lead you forth with joy and singing. This is what He does.

“The Lord brought forth His people with joy, and His chosen ones with singing.” [6]

[1] Psalm 104:33-34
[2] Psalm 103:3-6
[3] Psalm 103:11-13
[4] Psalm 104:24, 27
[5] Psalm 105:24
[6] Psalm 105:43

Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory for the Sufferers for Christ

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” [1]

Whether anger or sorrow, both are signs of grieving! Job’s initial response to losing everything was to continue to bless the Name of the Lord, and to worship God, but in the aftermath of his losses, and with the added affliction of critics criticizing him, he turned his anger on himself. We learn something good about Job through one of his critics...

“Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.” [2]

Job had been the richest man in the East, yet he was not self-focused. He coached others from poverty of strength to abundance of strength. He helped others to succeed.

Eliphaz may have intended to help Job, but he failed miserably. After an encouraging comment about Job’s former care for the weak, Eliphaz began to criticize Job for not doing the same for himself: “But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; it [hardship] touches you, and you are troubled.”

After these words, Eliphaz shares a nightmare he experienced: “In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my body stood up.” What question did this evil spirit ask Eliphaz? He asked, “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” [3] In another words, “Job, hasn’t God wronged you in allowing this suffering into your life?”

The simple answer to that question is, “no.” The Apostle Peter suffered for His loyalty to Christ. He wrote, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” [4] Yes, Christians suffer for Christ, but He also rewards us with great joy. Wait for it? The great joy is on the way! The Lord is faithful to His faithful followers.

The Apostle Paul wanted to serve Jesus without suffering, but the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response was, “I will most gladly boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” [5]

“Thank You Heavenly Father, for replacing grief and anger with joy unspeakable and full of glory. You are no man’s debtor. You always reward those who serve You. Blessed be You Holy and wonderful Name!”

[1] Job 3:1
[2] Job 4:3-4
[3] Job 4:3-4, 13-15, 17
[4] 1 Peter 4:12-14
[5] 2 Corinthians 12:9

Victorious in Love Thanks to God’s Grace

The Lord says in the Bible that Job was a blameless and upright man. He feared God and shunned evil. He had 10 children and 11,500 livestock. He was the greatest of all the people of the East. [1]

Satan hated Job. He said to God, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” [2]

The Lord did not harm Job but allowed Satan to test Job’s love for God. He said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” [3] If the Lord does not restrain Satan, Satan destroys. That is what he does.

Waves of attacks follow:
Wave 1: Oxen and donkeys stolen; servants murdered
Wave 2: Sheep and servants consumed by fire
Wave 3: Camels stolen, and more servants murdered
Wave 4: All his children die a tragic death [4]

Job fell to the ground and worshiped God afterwards. He said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” [5]

Satan was disappointed. He urged the Lord, “Stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” The Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.” Satan struck Job with painful boils from head to foot. Job’s wife urged him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” She wanted the attacks to end. “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” [6]

The Lord makes a key point about Job’s suffering when He says to Satan, “you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause.” [7] Satan wants to destroy God’s people though we did nothing wrong to deserve it. If it were not for the Lord’s protection around us, we would perish.

Job is a type of Jesus. Jesus Christ suffered not for sin that He committed, but because He loved His Heavenly Father and He loved us God’s people. The wealthiest Son of Man lost everything when He came to earth. Even His flesh was flayed and pierced. He was falsely accused and crucified, but like Job, He experienced a great reversal. He resurrected from the dead, and as a result, many more have come to believe in and follow Jesus. “Yes, we do love God and are willing to suffer for His Name’s sake, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.”

Praise God, our High Priest (Jesus Christ) sympathizes with us. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [8]

[1] Job 1:1-3
[2] Job 1:9-11
[3] Job 1:12
[4] Job 1:13-19
[5] Job 1:21-22
[6] Job 2:5-10
[7] Job 2:3
[8] Hebrews 4:15-16

Being A Witness for Christ

The attached video link below by Bible Project explains the meaning of being a witness for Christ.

https://youtu.be/jhcmzjwbvyk

It is raining now, but the rain is supposed to give way to dry weather around 9 am. At that point, it is my intention and goal to go forth to where the Holy Spirit leads me with Gospel literature in tow. I am praying, and would appreciate your prayers too, that the Lord will lead me to someone or more than one person whose heart God has prepared to hear the Gospel, and that I will faithfully bear witness for Christ to that person(s). I have noted throughout my life that miracles happen when Christians pray for my witnessing ministry. I would appreciate your prayers.

In addition, I have been preaching a series of messages on evangelism and discipleship at our Church. I have been leading a prayer meeting on Sunday evenings to pray for revival in our community, in our country and in our world. Please pray for us as the enemy would like nothing better than to tarnish our shine for Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect in anyway, but I have experienced the love of Jesus, and I want to share His love and His message of salvation with others with the goal that they too will believe in Jesus Christ and becoming His followers. Please pray.

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” [1]

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” [2]

“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.” [3]

[1] Hebrews 12:1-3
[2] Hebrews 12:28
[3] Psalm 90:17

Unwinnable Battles Won

The sentence was meted out. The abuser could no longer abuse. The silence was broken. The hidden crimes were exposed publicly. The government stood with her. It was a day of rejoicing!

“Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.” So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, ‘Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?’ And Esther said, ‘The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!’ So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.” [1]

The abuser crossed the line once too often. Esther told the king, “Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue.” But the abuser was on the verge of annihilating her whole race of people, so she spoke up. Justice responded, “Who is he? Where is he? Who could do such a thing?” He was identified. He was convicted. He was executed. The legislation that he put into law to destroy her, and her people was reversed.

“So the king’s scribes were called at that time... and it was written, according to all that Mordecai commanded, to the Jews, the satraps, the governors, and the princes of the provinces from India to Ethiopia, 127 provinces in all, to every province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language. And he wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, sealed it with the king’s signet ring, and sent letters by couriers on horseback, riding on royal horses bred from swift steeds.” [2]

The Lord did more than they had asked or imagined. He not only removed the abuser from abusing again, but moved the king to make a new law to protect her people from one end of his worldwide empire to the other. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.” [3] God’s grace is greater than our need.

“So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.” [4] The man who dared to defy the abuser at the risk of becoming his prey, did not die. He was promoted because he trusted in the Lord. He did what was right.

“The Jews had light and gladness, joy, and honor. And in every province and city, wherever the king’s command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast, and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews because fear of the Jews fell upon them.” [5]

Joy and gladness! A feast! A holiday! Many converting to the faith in their God! Praise God!

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” [6] Never forget that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was once condemned when a criminal was exonerated by abusive people. He was crucified, dead and buried, but returned to life on the 3rd day. Now, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father advocating for those who trust in Him. He turns the tide in battles that are unwinnable for us. The Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” [7]

[1] Esther 7:4-6
[2] Esther 8:9-10
[3] Proverbs 21:1
[4] Esther 8:15
[5] Esther 8:16-17
[6] Hebrews 4:15
[7] Romans 10:11

Contempt on Human Pride ~ Praise for the Prince of Peace

He was joyful after feasting with the king and queen. He was filled with anger when a man did not humble himself as to a god in his presence. Before friends and spouse, he spoke of his great riches, his children, his promotion and how the king advanced him above others. He gloried in banqueting with the king and queen, but lamented, “Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” His wife and friends suggested to him, “Let gallows be made, 75 feet high, and in the morning suggest to the king that Mordecai be hanged on it; then go merrily with the king to the banquet.” This idea pleased Haman. [1]

Haman didn’t realize that the Creator of the universe was watching.

“That night the king could not sleep.” A servant read to him of how Mordecai foiled an assassination plot against him. The king wanted Mordecai to be rewarded. He asked Haman to give him ideas for honoring a hero. Haman assumed that he was the king’s hero. He suggested to array the hero in the king’s robe. Let a noble prince parade the hero through the city. Not knowing that Haman wanted to execute Mordecai, the king ordered Haman to honor Mordecai. Haman publicly paraded and honored Mordecai before the city’s people. Afterward his wife and friends said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish descent, you will not prevail against him but will surely fall before him.” [2]

“God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah! Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked.” [3]

The world feasts its eyes on those who heap up praises and blessings for themselves. God favors those who care for the poor and fatherless; the afflicted and needy; the rescuers of the abused from their abusers!

“Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, and do not be still, O God! ...Those who hate You have lifted up their head. They have taken crafty counsel against Your people and consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, ‘Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation...’” [4] “Yes, God, rescue Your humble servants who honor You by serving others from the crafty plots of those who seek only their own glory.”

Wisdom advises, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” [5]

What example did Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, set for us? An example of sacrifice for others! “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” [6] God our Father honors Christ... “being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name.” [7]

[1] Esther 5:9-13
[2] Esther 6:1-13
[3] Psalm 82:1-4
[4] Psalm 83:1-4
[5] Proverbs 4:23
[6] Hebrews 10:10, 14
[7] Philippians 2:8-9

Celebrating Answered Prayer

It was peril-filled time in which the people of God found themselves. The ruling empire of the world had on its throne a man who loved material wealth and loved to show it off to everyone. “For a full 180 days he [the king of Persia] displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. [1]

When the elites of a powerful nation please themselves at the expense of others, people get hurt. Workers have to give an exorbitant amount of taxes to keep the elites happy. But even so, the worker’s safety and well-being is not guaranteed. Such was the case of the people of God in the days of King Xerxes and his right-hand man Haman. If it were not for God answering their prayers, Haman would have exterminated them all...

“Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents (375 tons) of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” [2]

How did Haman come upon 375 tons of silver? How did he have this much disposal income to pay for the genocide of God’s people? Perhaps, unlike Jesus, he had bowed to Satan and Satan saw to it that he got great worldly wealth. “Again, the devil took him [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” [3]

The problem with the devil’s money is that it has strings attached. The recipient must do his bidding. Jesus, unlike Balaam in the Old Testament, would not bow to the devil at any price. Jesus and His faithful followers worship the Lord God and serve Him only. God takes care of them.

“In every province where the king’s command and decree arrived, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.” [4] The people of God pulled out all the stops. They fasted. They wept and wailed. They put on the garments of repentance. They prayed and God answered their prayers. Haman and his sons were hung on the gallows he made for others. 75,511 foes of God’s people were taken out in a day. [5]

The people who prayed to God, rather than genocide, experienced “a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.” [6]

Thus, let us also pray for the safety and well-being of God’s people around this globe. Those whose lives are threatened by tyranny! We can pray as David prayed: “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” [7]

[1] Esther 1:4
[2] Esther 3:8-9
[3] Matthew 4:8-10
[4] Esther 4:3
[5] Esther 9:6, 12, 14
[6] Esther 9:19
[7] Psalm 80:19

Queen Vashti’s Objected to Objectification

How do you make decisions? Especially when a “yes” to an order clashes with your conscience but a “no” lands you in trouble with those who have power or influence over you?

Objecting to objectification dealt dire consequences to an oft-overlooked woman who briefly appears in the Bible. Queen Vashti appears in chapter one of the book of Esther. Vashti is the dethroned Queen of Persia who is replaced by Esther.

What was Queen Vashti’s fault? The king wanted her to appear at the banquet he was hosting and “she refused to come.” We are told this was “in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at.” Her refusal to comply with the king’s order infuriated him. [1]

Queen Vashti had been hosting her own party for the ladies of the land. She was being a dutiful. We read that it was “when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine” that he gives the order for her to be brought into a room full of excessively drunken men like himself. He wanted to “display her beauty” to the men because “she was lovely to look at.” [2]

Queen Vashti did not want to do it. In refusing to come, she set herself apart from the king’s property. He had been showing off his vast wealth to people for 187 days. [3] She was not a thing. She was a person. Her decision was wise compared to his foolishness.

The king’s ego was injured. He commanded a vast domain. He asked his counsellors for a just punishment for her disobedience. His final decision to dethrone Queen Vashti was spun as a saving act for other men whose wives might dare disobey their orders. [4]

“Later when King Xerxes' fury had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her.” [4] Regret came, but was fleeting, as his attention turned to the process of finding a new bride.

Queen Vashti was not able to change the culture, but her act made way for God to send another woman (Esther) behind her. Esther was a woman of strong faith in God. She leaned on God with the fasting and prayer support of others. [6] God empowered Esther to save both the king’s life from assassins [7] and from a coups by his righthand man (Haman). [8] These victories led to the preservation of the Jewish people from evil plot to have them all exterminated. [9]

Queen Vashti’s refusal to cave to abuse preceded Queen Esther’s reign. Both queens were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the cause. [10] Esther had the extra benefit of godly counsel from Mordecai [11] as well as the prayer support of others who were willing to fast for her situation. God, a godly man, and godly people empowered her. Towards the end of the story, we read that Queen Esther issues a royal decree, most likely a first for a woman in the kingdom of Persia. [12] Queen Vashti’s objection to objectification was the right choice.

[1] Esther 1:9-10
[2] Esther 1:11-12
[3] Esther 1:3-8
[4] Esther 1:16–19
[5] Esther 2:1
[6] Esther 4:16-17
[7] Esther 2:21-23
[8] Esther 6:6-9; 7:6
[9] Esther chapter 9
[10] Esther 1:12; 4:16
[11] Esther 2:20
[12] Esther 9:26-32

The Ministry of Praying for Others

“He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [1]

Thankfully, when our Lord Jesus ascended on high, He did not forget about us. The same ministry that He did on earth, He continues to do in heaven, namely, the ministry of praying for others.

Below are two examples of Jesus’ prayer ministry that He exercised while on earth:

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” [2]

“When He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” [3]

Prayer works because when we pray God works, and God is much greater than we are, and much greater than all the nations put together.

Isaiah had the right perspective of God and humanity when he wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit... “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.” [4]

Knowing that the Lord hears and answers my prayer has empowered me to behave with gentleness towards people while behind the scenes be praying and trusting God for the changes that need to happen in their life and in mine.

“Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Please feel free to message me with your prayer request.

[1] Hebrews 7:25
[2] Mark 1:35
[3] Matthew 14:23
[4] Isaiah 40:15
[5] Philippians 4:5-7

Seek the Lord while He may be found

We are living in peril-filled times. I am especially concerned for the well-being of families and individuals across this nation. The government can only do so much to keep people afloat during difficult times. The government depends on the American worker to produce taxable income, but what if the American worker cannot find work?

According to businessinsider.com, retailers have confirmed more than 1,000 store closures in 2021 so far. More than 8,000 US stores closed last year, and experts predict 10,000 possible closures in 2021.

Below is a list from Moneywise.com of predicted store closings:

1. Christopher & Banks Stores closing in 2021: Up to 449
2. Family Video Stores closing in 2021: 250
3. Starbucks Stores closing in 2020-2021: 500
4. Gap Stores closing between 2020-2023: 220
5. Godiva Chocolatier Stores closing in 2021: 117
6. Justice Stores closing in 2021: Up to 103
7. Banana Republic Stores closing between 2020-2023: 130
8. The Children’s Place Stores closing in 2021: 122
9. J.C. Penney Stores closing in 2021-2022: Up to 90
10. Fossil Stores closing in 2021: 65 to 75
11. Disney Stores closing in 2021: at least 60
12. Express Stores closing in 2021: Up to 60
13. Macy’s Stores closing in 2021: 45
14. Bed Bath & Beyond Stores closing in 2021: at least 43
15. Fry’s Electronics Stores closing in 2021: Up to 31
16. Stock Field Stores closing in 2021: 25
17. Designer Brands DSW Stores closing in 2021: Up to 24
18. Best Buy Stores closing in 2021: More than 20
19. GameStop Stores closing in 2021: Dozens?
20. Paper Source Stores closing in 2021: At least 11
21. Kroger Stores closing in 2021: 9
22. Goodwill Stores closing in 2021: 8
23. Michaels Stores closing in 2021: At least 5
24. Toys ‘R’ Us Stores closing in 2021: 2
25. Bloomingdale’s Stores closing in 2021: 1

What can be done now to turn our nation around? God’s Word advises us to seek Him while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [1] There needs to be repentance of sin, a forsaking of wrong ways, and a return to the Lord. His mercy and His forgiveness of our sin is the answer.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” [2] God has the solutions. He will share them with us if we listen.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 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.” [3] God’s Word yields good results in the lives of those who embrace and believe it.

“For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” [4] Rather than doom and gloom, we will have joy, peace, singing, clapping of hands and good produce... IF we will turn FROM sin and TO the Lord and His Word, and trust Him.

The most important truth to hold onto without any skepticism is this: “He [Jesus Christ] Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [5] If our sins are propitiated for... atoned for... washed away by blood of the Lamb of God, we have access to the grace of God, and nothing is impossible for God! This propitiation is available to the whole world when we believe in Jesus Christ.

[1] Isaiah 55:6-7
[2] Isaiah 55:8-9
[3] Isaiah 55:10-11
[4] Isaiah 55:12-13
[5] 1 John 2:2

Reproach has Broken My Heart

“Reproach has broken My heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. For they persecute the ones You have struck, and talk of the grief of those You have wounded. [1]

This reproach, this heaviness, this aloneness, this torture, this persecution, this grief, and these wounds were for our sake and for our salvation.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” [2]

The cruel treatment that Jesus Christ endured was for our sin. He gave perfect obedience to God. We gave proneness to sin for which He had to pay dearly.

All sin matters. Humanity’s sin cost the Son of God great pain, grief, and death. Murder, lying, deceiving, hatred, unfaithfulness, fornication, adultery, gossip, unforgiveness, thievery, greed, rivalry, and selfishness! The fruit of a sin nature. Sin is the deadliest pandemic. It really matters! It ends with death. And for those whose sin whose sin debt has not been paid, it costs an eternity of separation from God. An eternity in hell!

This is why the suffering of our Savior matters. He suffered not for His own mistake or misunderstanding, but for ours. He is the Lamb of God that takes away our sin. All we need to do to be saved is to appropriate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by confessing Him as our Savior and Lord. Embrace Him whom God has sent to save you by trusting in Him and confessing Him!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” [3]

[1] Psalm 69:20-21, 26
[2] Isaiah 53:5-6
[3] Psalm 68:19-20

Let Go And Let God

“The Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest...” [1]

The theme of the Book of Hebrews is faith in God’s Son. The author alludes to the faith failures of the Israelites as a warning to us. They had the Word of God, but the Word of God did not have them. When push came to shove, they would become restless and doubt God’s Word. Their lack of belief and restlessness never yielded good results. They only entered God’s rest when they believed His Word (the Holy Scriptures).

“God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” [2]

God created the entire universe: sun, moon, stars, and earth, and then took a day to rest. He did this as an example for us. He created all things in such a way to work and leave for us an opportunity to rest one day out of seven. The only requirement is trust His Word. Your world will not collapse without your work. You can rest. God will bless you if you do.

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” [3]

Let us cease from our own works on the Sabbath as God did. Let us be diligent to enter it. Our Sabbath Day work is to rest in God. This is what I tell myself when I slip into the workaholic mindset. I have to stop my own work, and trust God to bless me when I do. God does miracles when we trust in Him. At times, I have driven myself so hard, and only made matters worse. And others times, I have rested in the Lord and He resolved the matter quickly. Sometimes when I rest, God reveals to me that I have been toiling and stressing over meaningless matters.

“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.” [4]

Take time for God’s Word. Let it discern your thoughts and the intents of your heart. Rest in Him!

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [5]

The Word of God leads us to our great High Priest: Jesus the Son of God. Not to an angry taskmaster! Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He invites us to come boldly to His throne to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need. To let go and let God!

[1] Hebrews 4:2-3
[2] Hebrews 4:4
[3] Hebrews 4:9-11
[4] Hebrews 4:12
[5] Hebrews 4:14-16

Praise to the Father who Loves Us

“Heavenly Father, praise You, You love us, You save us by Your grace, You adopted us!”

Our Heavenly Father: Jesus taught us to address God as “Our Father in heaven” or “our Heavenly Father.” [1]

Our Heavenly Father loves us: Jesus enlightened a religious man named Nicodemus with these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [2] “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” [3]

Our Heavenly Father saves us by His grace: “by the grace of God I am what I am.” [4] “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [5]

Our Heavenly Father adopted us into His family: “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!’” [6] 

“Heavenly Father, praise You, You love us, You save us by Your grace, You adopted us!”

[1] Matthew 6:9
[2] John 3:16
[3] 1 John 3:1
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:10
[5] Ephesians 2:8-9
[6] Galatians 4:4-6

Maker of Heaven and Earth

“Then He [the Lord] brought him [Abram] outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” “On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.” [1]

Recently, God is graciously granting me a strong sense of His presence. I wake up thinking of Him as the God who created the heavens and the earth. I imagine the stars and know that He made them and sustains them all.

This morning, I stopped to think about this. Then, it came to me to look up the passage where God brought Abram out at and night and told him to look towards heaven. The Lord told Abram that his descendants would be beyond counting just like the stars. Abram believed God. God counted Abram’s faith as righteousness. Then, the Lord made a covenant with Abram.

How amazing that the God who created the heavens and earth would consider me worthy of His presence! King David wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” [2]

When I was young, I felt that the only way to my earthly father’s heart was obedience and a high level of performance. At times, I tried to arise to that expectation, and at other times, I stopped trying altogether. How does one win the heart of a perfect and almighty God?

Who did Jesus focus on during His earthly ministry? Was it the high achievers? Was it the rich and famous?

Jesus focused on people with incomplete bodies like the blind, the lame, the mute, the deaf, the diseased (lepers) and the beggar. Like God Almighty showing Abram the stars, our Lord Jesus reached out to people with grace and miracle power. This is the God I need. One whose might is great enough to overcome my weakness. One whose grace is great enough to fill the achievement gaps in my life. He has been and is this to me.

Finally, my Heavenly Father said to me, “So, you see son, when you give your strength and show grace to those who cannot repay you, you are doing as I do.”

Jesus taught, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

“Thank You Heavenly Father for being close to me though I can never earn or deserve Your attention and Your love. Thank You that You love and help me daily despite the many ways in which I fall short of Your glory. Help me to love others as You love me. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.”

[1] Genesis 15:5-6, 18
[2] Psalm 8:3-4
[3] Matthew 5:44-48

A River of Gladness for God's People

The enemies of Ezra’s people did many things to ensure that they would fail.

They:

Asked for help but planned to sabotage them. [1]
Discouraged and troubled them. [2]
Hired counselors (legal help) to frustrate their purpose. [3]
Composed litigation and submitted it to authorities. [4]
Portrayed them as seditious rebels who did not pay taxes [5]
Projected the king would lose his dominion if they prospered [6]
Recommended that the king stop the work. [7]

Their tactics worked; the king forcefully stopped the work of God’s people. [8]

However, two years later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began prophesying in the name of God, and the people began to build once again based on the Word of God and based on faith in the power of God. “The prophets of God were with them, helping them.” [9]

The enemies questioned the builders. They informed the king on them. [10]

Despite the setbacks and hardships caused by those who opposed them, the story has a happy ending for God’s people. They trusted in God. They kept doing His work. The king eventually ceased to listen to their enemies. He mandated that their enemies should help fund their work. He threatened to execute anyone who opposed them.

“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God...” [11] This river flows from God’s throne and it is rich with words from Him that help those who love and serve Him.

[1] Ezra 4:1-3
[2] Ezra 4:4
[3] Ezra 4:5
[4] Ezra 4:6
[5] Ezra 4:7-15
[6] Ezra 4:16
[7] Ezra 4:21
[8] Ezra 4:23
[9] Ezra 5:1-2
[10] Ezra 5:3-17
[11] Psalm 46:4

Do the Work of an Evangelist

“Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” [1]

According to the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, only 10% of our churches are succeeding at leading people to Christ. Ninety percent of American churches are either not growing, or only growing because Christians are leaving other churches to join theirs.

Why isn’t evangelism happening more, or better? Some possible reasons are:

Church membership is about getting my needs met not reaching the lost.
We do not want to share the Gospel for fear we will offend others.
Too many activities... too busy to do the things that really matter.

Evangelism is Christ’s commission to every church and to every believer. Evangelism needs to be a priority. Some suggestions are:

Start with prayer! A simple prayer is, “Lord Jesus, please give me Your heart for lost people.” Pray at stoplights for the people, do the same in grocery store lines, at the bank, and at the post office. Let Jesus cultivate in you a heart that cares to see lost souls saved by Jesus.

Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [2] And, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [3]

Be inviters. It’s simple! Invite unchurched friends to church.

First time guests usually decide about whether they will return based on their first few minutes’ experience. If no one greets them, they may decide they’re not welcome. Don’t alienate newcomers from Christ by being cliquish, sloppy, or boorish. Take a look at what happens in the service from the perspective of an outsider.

LINE-UP by:
Looking for newcomers.
Introducing yourself.
Never allowing a newcomer to feel unwelcomed.
Engaging in conversation.
Using time before and after the service to build friendship.
Prioritizing friendship to newcomers. [4]

Come to Church prayed up. Yes, pray for the message. Pray for the worship team. Pray for the Sunday school teachers and learners. But also pray for God’s love to be strong among all the believers. Pray for perfect love that casts out fear. [5]

[1] 2 Timothy 4:5
[2] Luke 19:10
[3] Mark 10:45
[4] Adapted from pastormentor.com
[5] 1 John 4:18

The Holy Spirit and Evangelism

Why did the Gospel message impact so many so quickly in the first three centuries?

Dr. Stephen Elliott in his article entitled, “Signs and Wonders in Evangelism,” emphasizes miracles. “Whenever and wherever the Gospel message is substantiated by God’s miraculous activities, the church almost inevitably experiences dramatic conversion growth.”

Stephen’s appeal is for Christians to place a higher emphasis on the person and work of the Spirit. “We speak much of God the Father and God the Son, but rarely do we even talk about the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples not to undertake the Great Commission until they were filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power.” [1] We cannot do miracles, but God the Holy Spirit can. Therefore, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to have freedom to work in and through us.

When God showed up in power on Mount Carmel, the people of God fell to their faces and cried out “The Lord, He is God, The Lord, He is God.” [2]

Below are Biblical examples of the power miracles to influence people to believe in God:

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the concluding statement in the biblical narrative is, “many … put their faith in Him.” [3]

“By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ.” [4]

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.” [5]

“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” [6]

“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.” [7]

“God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” [8]

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [9]

“The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.” [10]

So vital is faith in Christ to be eternally saved that God the Holy Spirit is willing and has done miracles to help yield results whenever and wherever the Gospel is preached.

Early Church Christians prayed to God: “Extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” [11]

[1] seedbed.com/signs-and-wonders-in-evangelism
[2] 1 Kings 18:39
[3] John 11:45
[4] Romans 15:19
[5] Acts 2:22
[6] Mark 16:20
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Hebrews 2:4
[9] Acts 6:8
[10] Acts 8:6
[11] Acts 4:30

Praying for the Salvation of Lost Souls

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” [1]

Yes, the souls who need Christ are plentiful. Below are petitions based on Bible verses that Intervarsity put together to help harvesters to pray for the salvation of lost souls:

Heavenly Father, please help me become whatever kind of Christ-like servant _____ can identify with so that by all possible means he will be saved. [2]

Heavenly Father, please send more believers into ______’s life who will exemplify Christ and cause her to want to know Christ for herself. [3]

Heavenly Father, please open doors for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to ______. [4]

Heavenly Father, please enable me to speak Your Word to ______ with great boldness. [5]

Heavenly Father, please break the blindness on ______’s mind caused by the god of this age. Help him see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [6]

Heavenly Father, please break complacency in _____’s mind and help her to want to be changed. [7]

Heavenly Father, please grant ______ a noble and good heart, help him hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. [8]

Heavenly Father, please help ______ see with her eyes, hear with her ears, understand with her heart and turn, and you will heal her. [9]

Heavenly Father, please me gently instruct ______ when he is in opposition to you, in the hope that you will grant him repentance leading him to knowledge of the truth, and that he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil. [10]

Heavenly Father, please bring ______ to the point he declares with his mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he will be saved. [11]

Heavenly Father, please give me opportunity and boldness to invite ______ to come home to You. [12]

[1] Matthew 9:37-38
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:22
[3] Matthew 9:38
[4] Colossians 4:3
[5] Acts 4:29
[6] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[7] John 4:15
[8] Luke 8:11-15
[9] Matthew 13:15
[10] 2 Timothy 2:25-26
[11] Romans 10:9
[12] Luke 14:23

Words Are Necessary

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel...” [1]

Words. Words are necessary to share the Gospel with others!

“Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” Ever heard this one? Tim Keller, said, “It’s like saying, ‘Feed the hungry. Use food if necessary.’” Words are necessary. We need to speak. We need to say things to lost coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family. We need to tell them about Jesus Christ. The Gospel is communicated by words because its the story of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is about the virgin birth, the life, the words, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, and the return of Jesus Christ. We can’t leave Jesus out of the conversation. The Gospel is about people believing in JESUS!

Paul confessed that Gospel ministry is a daunting task. He told the Corinthians, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” Even so, he did it. “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” He leaned on God the Holy Spirit for help... “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” [2]

Among some people, we should feel helpless. We should feel at a loss for words. Why? Because the name of Jesus is offensive to them, but we cannot leave Him out of the conversation.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” [3] That’s words. We have to tell them about Jesus. He is the Gospel. Thus, we must pray for boldness. We must pray for courage to use words. Words are necessary.

If Paul needed prayer for boldness to evangelize, how much more do you and me? Paul’s boldness to speak for Christ clearly yielded good results.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the chance we’ve had to hear Your word and to be moved by it. Lord help us. Make us strong. Make us brave. Help us to love the lost enough to speak Your words to them, as You do. Help us to see more people believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, and then become His disciples. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] Ephesians 6:19-20
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:2-4
[3] Romans 10:15

Administering God’s Word Accurately

At age one, King Joash’s mother killed his brothers and took over the nation as queen. Jehoida the priest and his wife hid him for six years. Jehoida made a carefully devised plan to dethrone the queen and restore the throne to Joash. It took six years, but his mother was executed for her crimes and Jehoida crowned Joash King of Judah. [1]

“Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” However, after Jehoida died, Joash listened to other leaders. Their advice was to serve wooden images and idols. Consequently, God’s wrath came upon the land. The Lord sent prophets to them to bring them back to the Lord, but they would not listen. [2]

Jehoida the priest had a son named Zechariah. Zechariah spoke to Joash by the Spirit of the Lord. He declared, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’” [3]

King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death. He “did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him but killed his son.” As Zechariah died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” [4]

The Lord did repay. A small company of Syrians defeated Judah’s large army. The Lord delivered Judah into their hand because they had forsaken Him. Joash was wounded in this battle and Joash died soon afterwards by the hands of assassins. [5]

What a parable of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! Jehoida represents God the Father. He preserved Joash from his wicked mother when he could not protect himself. Jehoida also ensured that Joash received his rightful inheritance due to him by birthright. He crowned him king. Zechariah represents God’s Son. He sacrificed his life to bring Joash back to God. In a sense, Joash represents sinners. Sinners are apt to take God’s blessings, then forsake Him, and afterwards turn against Him and His SON. When Joash betrayed God, his life took a hard turn for the worse. In fact, he died a horrible death.

It is important to know and to obey God’s Word. God warns us to keep His Word carefully:

“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” [6]

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [7]

“Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” [8]

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” [9]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive our sins that cost Your Son His life on the cross. Please grant us grace to teach and obey Your Word faithfully all our days. For Your glory and for the salvation of our listeners. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

[1] 2 Chronicles 22:10-11; chapter 23; and 24:1
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:2; 17-19
[3] 2 Chronicles 24:20
[4] 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
[5] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
[6] 1 Timothy 4:16
[7] Revelation 22:18-19
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] James 3:1

Praise the Lord He Defeats our Foes

A great multitude of enemies came against King Jehoshaphat and his people. He was afraid. He set himself to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast. People from all the cities of Judah sought the Lord. King Jehoshaphat led the people in a prayer. The last sentence of his prayer to God was, “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” [1]

“All Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.” [2]

Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and he urged the people, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [3]

King Jehoshaphat bowed prostrate before the Lord in worship and all the people did so as well. Then, the priests “stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.” [4]

King Jehoshaphat urged his people to... “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” “After that, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’” [5]

“When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” They destroyed one another. When Judah came to the place of battle, they discovered their enemies dead. They had a new task... to collect all the spoils... an abundance of valuables. It took them three days to cart away all the treasures. They blessed the Name of the Lord as they returned from the battle. Praise the Lord. [6]

When we were missionaries in the orient, Sherry’s sister Jami sent videos for our children to watch. Our TV screen only played videos via a VCR. The videos that I enjoyed the most were the Gospel Bill videos. I have attached a link to the musical version of the story of Jehoshaphat which was done by Ken Blount and his worship team. The title of the song is, “Fear Not.”

I hope and pray that during our times of testing, we will fear not, but sing praises and worship songs to the Lord. He can do much more than we can imagine. Praise the Lord!

[1] 2 Chronicles 20:1-12
[2] 2 Chronicles 20:13
[3] 2 Chronicles 20:14-17
[4] 2 Chronicles 20:18-19
[5] 2 Chronicles 20:20-21
[6] 2 Chronicles 20:22-26

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpYA5sHhPnY

Loving God

Yes, the God whose very essence is love enjoys being loved by us people in return.

In the days of Jeremiah, the Lord lamented the loss of His people’s love when He said, “Thus says the Lord: I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.” [1]

The Lord reminiscences with fondness of that season long ago when the people actually loved Him. Though they were in a raw wilderness, they were kind and loving towards Him.

Once, Jesus asked His disciple and future Church leader, Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Thankfully, Simon Peter did and was able to answer to His Lord, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [2]

Amidst all the people of planet earth is there anyone who loves the Lord Jesus, and is not ashamed to say so?

“I love You Lord!”

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” [3]

“Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.” [4]

My prayer is for others and for myself is to love the Lord. He is worthy of our love! He enjoys love that is expressed with words and actions...

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” [5]

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” [6]

“Heavenly Father, please revive Your people’s ability to love You with fervent love. You are worthier of our love than anything or anyone else in this world. Thank You for Your great love for us, especially expressed through sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the cross, and to resurrect on the third day for our resurrection unto eternity with You. And thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives and abides with us. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 2:2
[2] John 21:15
[3] Psalm 18:1
[4] Psalm 26:8
[5] 2 Thessalonians 3:5
[6] Jude 1:21

Moving Forward by Faith

For by-faith-missionaries, trusting the Lord to provide for personal needs and for the needs of the mission is a way of life.

The Lord did two amazing things in our lives when we were missionaries to China. The first was to bestow on us the gift of faith. Faith that He would always meet our needs! He gave us faith to praise Him in advance for victory against all odds. Living by faith was the first miracle. Secondly, as the Holy Spirit led, guided, and spoke truth to us, He did a sanctifying work in our hearts. He would put His finger on something that He wanted to change, and He changed us

We need the Holy Spirit’s power to be like Jesus. For example, as we set our hearts to follow Jesus, the evil one would fling flaming lying arrows at us. The Holy Spirit gave us steadfast faith in our Lord Jesus, and Jesus saved us. Our Lord turned what was meant for evil into a larger victory, not only for us personally, but also for our mission.

This morning, I read in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17, how when the nation of Israel split in two, the northern king went against God and the southern king stuck with God. King Jeroboam rejected the Lord’s priests. Verse 15 says that he set up “priests for the high places, for the demons, and calf idols which he made.” The Lord’s priests left his nation and moved south to Judah. Verse 16 says that they “set their heart to seek the Lord God.” Verse 17 says that “they strengthened the kingdom of Judah.”

Psalm 1 says that the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, but delights in the Lord’s word, and meditates on it day and night is blessed. This man shall prosper, but the wicked shall pass away like chaff in the wind.

Psalm 2 speaks of nations, people, kings, and rulers taking their stand against the Lord. They say they want to cast off the Lord’s restraints. What does the Lord do in this Psalm? He laughs. He derides them. He has His King. The King is His Son. Verses 11-12 advise, “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”

Proverbs 8 speaks of wisdom. Verse 13 says that wisdom is to fear the Lord and to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. Verses 15 speaks of God’s wisdom giving kings and rulers the ability to reign and decree justice. He loves those who love Him. God’s wisdom bestows enduring riches and righteousness according to verse 18. His fruit is better than gold according to verse 19. The Lord says in verse 21: “That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross to cancel all Satan’s and sin’s claim against us, and for giving us Your Holy Spirit. Please grant all Your people faith to trust in You and to move forward by faith in Your Word, the Bible. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”