Joseph’s Story: Revelation versus Reason

Joseph of Nazareth was an eligible bachelor and quite a good catch: a successful small business owner, a respected craftsman. He came from a respected lineage: a grandson of famous men, great, great … grandson of Jewish kings. He was mature, established, and probably hoped for a simple, happy life.

You know his story. Mary, a young maiden and his fiancée, was found to be pregnant after their engagement. Now reason was telling Joseph one thing, but an angel, in a direct revelation from God tells him something else. The baby is Emanuel (God with us) and an incarnation by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, to be named Jesus (Jehovah saves!), because He will save his people from their sins. A fulfillment of God’s unusual plan.

Later, Joseph is planning a trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem on a government mandate. Reason says go by yourself, without the burden of taking a pregnant wife along. But, by whatever happenstance he takes her any way fulfilling scripture that the Messiah should be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. This, yet another fulfills God’s unusual plan.

After an unusual birth in an improbable setting, a visit from wealthy kings provide golden gifts and valuable spices. This would set his family up in style back in Nazareth, maybe get him some new tools. But, due to another revelation from the angel, instead of resting in the Jerusalem suburbs before returning home, he makes a quick getaway at night to Egypt. Egypt, where nobody knows him, he doesn’t know the language, and he has no support group. But, this does fulfill God’s unusual plan, and a prophesy that says, “Out of Egypt I will call my son.”

Finally, the angel tells Joseph he can return to Israel, and he starts off for the Jerusalem suburbs. But then, he gets scared of Herod’s heir as the new king, and decides to head up to Nazareth again. Yet again fulfilling another prophecy, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

None of this adventure fit any of Joseph’s plans, and most all of the circumstances flew in the face of reason. But Joseph, a righteous man, was faithful to the revelation, and submitted his plans to the will of God. (Read more about it in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 1)

Put yourself in this regular guy’s shoes. Would you have been willing to overrule reason with revelation? Willing to put aside your plans for God’s plan? Would you have put up with all the whispers of skeptics, or unusual attention shown your step son? Certainly, we have been asked less than this, to be fruitful for the kingdom.

Christmas Blessings!

How many gods are there?

Ever taken a comparative religions class? Man has believed in a superior being or gods since the beginning of history. It's really the atheists who are the odd ones out. I thought I'd just pass along an interesting blog from my pastor at Church of the Lakes. He summarizes the major religions today and makes some good points for we Christ followers. Do you know enough to connect with someone from another religious paradigm and make a defense of the gospel?

"Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides You,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."

Isaiah 64:4

How many gods are there?

In all honesty, this is one of the dividing lines between the world's religions.

For example, in Hinduism, there are 365 million gods.

Can you imagine trying to keep them all straight and happy?

In Buddhism (a furtherance of Hinduism), to my best understanding,

it's not so much about the Hindu gods,

as it is about following the 7 fold path.

And, of course, we haven't even mentioned all the man-made gods

that people have worshiped and all the supposed gods of nature.

In Islam, there is one god, Allah.

In Judaism, there is one God, Yahweh.

In Christianity, there is one God, Yahweh, and His Son, Jesus.

Can you see any points of contention here????

Unless people can agree on just how many gods there are,

and then agree on who those gods or God is,

we're never going to be connected.

Isaiah reminds us that never, in all of history, has any other god

ever revealed himself to humanity in miracles like the Exodus

and the parting of the Red Sea and the parting of the Jordan River

and the giving of the Ten Commandments.

If all these other gods exist, why aren't they doing anything?

Is it possible that they don't exist at all?

Isn't this what Elijah, the prophet of Yahweh, proved

on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16ff)

My friends, remember the teaching of the Apostles Creed and

hang on to the truth that there is one God who had one begotten Son

and about a billion adopted sons and daughters.

I know Him and I serve Him through His Son.

This is Pastor Bruce

John the Baptist recognizes the Prince of Peace

Two weeks ago my 26 year old daughter had her believer’s baptism at College Park church professing her identification with Christ’s death burial and resurrection, and confessing her personal commitment to following Him. It was a special night as I heard her recognize the Prince of Peace.

As we begin the Christmas season, I think about the famous baptizer, John, son of the priest Zechariah and his barren wife Elizabeth. God chose to begin the story of Jesus birth, by telling us about this special man, John, who was to prepare the way of the Lord in the power of the prophet Elijah. When he was born, it says the neighbors were filled with awe, and they were asking, “What then is this child going to be?” for the Lord’s hand was with him.

John the Baptist first recognizes the presence of the God-man Jesus Christ when he is an unborn baby in the womb of his mother. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby (John) leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Matthew 1:39-44.

30 years later and preparing the Jews for Jesus ministry, John is baptizing sinners as a sign of repentance when Jesus appears on the scene. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. I myself did not know him, but the reason I cam baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known Him, except that the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God” John 1:29-34

Although Jesus birth was a normal and humble beginning, there were so many miraculous happenings predicted before, and surrounding His birth, including the beginning of this special man, John. Get a blessing this season by reading the accounts in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. And, take joy in the reason for the season.

About Thanksgiving...

Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that now onwards Thanksgiving would be observed as a legal holiday on the 4th Thursday of November every year.

Prior to that, Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving proclamation on the 3rd of October in 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving.

Before that, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in 1789.

And originally, by the autumn of 1621 only half of the pilgrims who had sailed on the Mayflower, survived from their arrival in December, 1620. They had left Europe and religious persecution in an effort to find a land where they could follow the Bible and worship God freely. During the first winter, some days the rations were as little as a few grains of corn each. So after the next harvest, the survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to give a thanksgiving feast.

The pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, organized the feast and invited Chief Massasoit, and the neighboring Wampanoag Indians to the feast. A good strategy as the Indians had taught the pilgrims how to cultivate the land and still had most of the food.

The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted 3 days.

The beverage that the Puritan pilgrims brought with them was beer.

Happy Thanksgiving!

GRATITUDE

Ten Healed of Leprosy

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked,“Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well. Luke 17:11-19 (NIV)

If you had been cured of an incurable disease, would you have been overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness?

If you think about it, wasn't your sin incurable leading to death? And, hasn't Jesus cured you of that?Why is an attitude of gratefulness so rare?

Why is it found more often among the lowly and outcast, as opposed to the privileged?

Is America cursed with wealth and ease, making it too easy to forget God?

What can we do to have a consistent heart of thankfulness and gratitude before God?

Remember what Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

In Him

Are you a self-made man? You know that they write books and give awards to the capitalist who started out poor, worked hard in his business, and then amassed a large fortune. Perhaps a self made man even gets his name on a building or two for some well placed philanthropy.

The Apostle Paul said if anyone had a reason to be proud of his own resume or accomplishments it was himself: born into the right family, attending the right school, a young charger in the religious elite of his day. But, he says he counts it all but garbage compared to knowing Jesus, and being found “In Him.”

In Colossians 2 it talks a lot about Jesus and us, when we are In Him:

• · In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form
• · In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
• · In Him your were circumcised, buried with Him in baptism, raised with Him through faith to newness of life
• · In Him we are now being built up and established in the faith overflowing with gratitude
• · In Him you have been made complete
• · In Him we should walk

So, do you want the accolades of a “self made man” or do you want to be found “In Him?”

God As House-Builder

(This week's thought forwarded from God's Daily Promises. )

God as house-builder

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good." Psalm 127:1 NLT

Unless the Lord builds the house

"Benjamin Franklin is best known for his inventions (lightning rod) and his aphorisms ("early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise"). But he was also a key figure when the thirteen colonies were giving birth to a new nation.

At the age of 81, Franklin was the oldest representative at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Weeks after the convention began, representatives were still haggling about the relative voting power of large states and small states. Then Franklin stood up and said,

"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered.…Have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.…We have been assured, sir, that 'except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it,' and without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel."

The verse from Psalm 127 had its effect. A compromise was soon worked out, and a Constitution ratified by the states the following year.

adapted from The One Year® Book of Psalms with devotionals by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen (Tyndale) entry for October 27

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

The Purpose of Trials

A hard question for non-believers and believers alike is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Why does Joni Erickson Tada have to go through life as a quadraplegic? Why does my son, Jonathan, also a believer, have to struggle with Crohn's disease? I'm not sure we'll fully understand this side of heaven. But, it's clear from scripture that God has purpose in suffering and trials. And, even Jesus is said to have learned obedience and demonstrated His perfection before His exaltation by suffering the passion and death on the cross.

This Grace To You podcast gives 8 potential purposes or positive results He can bring through allowing trials in our lives. and as Romans 8:28 says, "He works all things together for good, for those He loves and are called according to His purpose."

Enjoy, and let me know what you think...

10/15/2010 The Purpose of Trials

The Silent Witness

Over the years, I’ve heard people, actually people in church, make the following comments:

“We want to raise our kids in such a way that they can sample and discover on their own what they may choose to believe.”

“I have my own private belief, but I don’t feel I have the right to push my beliefs on someone else. I respect their right to believe what they want.”

“I’m not in to preaching at people. I just try to live my life so that I’m a silent witness to those around me.”

Do these comments sound politically correct to you? How about open mindedly tolerant? But are they Christian or Biblical positions?

1. Raise your kids in either a spiritual void or smorgasbord of ideas and let them choose as adults…

This is perhaps the most dangerous idea, and least biblical, as the bible says one key purpose for man is to raise up godly children to love and serve Him. Rather than letting babies figure life out for themselves, parents are supposed to proactively, and diligently nurture, train, and teach their children the truth of God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2. You shouldn’t try to change someone else’s mind about what they want to believe…

The bible has a consistent theme of God, with the help of his followers speaking the truth and reaching out to lost man to bring them to repentance and relationship with Him. Here are some exhortations for believers.

Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. Is a quiet faithful walk better than an outspoken witness?

Our walk should match our talk. And clearly, good behavior, obedience to authority, and acts of charity are encouraged for the believer. But, Christians are to be ready to tell others how to find the Savior.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Witnessing with gentleness and respect is not “preaching at people.”

Romans 10:14,15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

By all means be on your good behavior and walk in a manner worthy of your calling. But, speak up in the marketplace of ideas. The enemy sure has his message out there. Don’t tell Jesus when you see Him that you were just trying to be a silent witness.

Psalm 119 Loving the Law?

This morning was the first time I think I really made it through Psalm 119 without getting distracted, or bored, or just thinking, "Wow this guy goes on and on and on."

This morning I was struck by the thought that culturally the psalmist in the old testament used "the Law" the way we might use "God's Word" or even the Living Word, "Jesus."

So now instead of reading, meditating, loving, ingesting "the Law," think about looking to God's Living Word, Jesus as the focus of our thoughts and meditations.

The other thought that came through in this reading, is that God gave the psalmist Adversity, Affliction, and Suffering to help his life become closer intertwined with the "Living Word of God." The bad stuff and the good stuff of this life, and the promise for a future all purposed for our best at the hand of God.

Spend some time with the Living Word today. Meditate on some of the bad stuff in your past and how God may be using it for your long term good, and to draw you closer to Him.

Ever screw up… really bad?

Ever screw up … really bad? I mean, broke one of the big, ten commandments? Go to jail type stuff? But, you didn’t get caught. No one saw. You thought. But just to make sure, you did what you thought was some really creative thinking and worked a cover up? But wait, somebody knows. In fact it’s going to become public. Does this mean embarrassment? Loss of career? Loss of relationships? Condemnation? Punishment?

I had a Christian friend in the insurance business that spent a client premium on his own bills. Needless to say he’s no longer in the insurance business. But can God forgive? Will he restore us? Will there be lifelong consequences? Will we permanently lose our standing with God?

That depends. It depends on us. Do we fess up? Do we turn around (repent) and seek God? Do we face the music, or submit to the law and restitution?

Let’s remember King David and his experience. And let’s look at his change of heart.

The SIN

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” 2 Samuel 11:2-4

The COVERUP

In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die. Vs. 14

Getting CAUGHT

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Vs 12:7-9

The LIFETIME CONSEQUENCES

Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight.* You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’” Vs 10-12

“But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die.” Vs. 14

The CHANGE OF HEART

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned* against the LORD.” Vs. 13

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:1,2,7,9,10,11

FORGIVENESS

Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. Vs.13.b

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

OK, what about us? What about you? Are you carrying a sin, something you don’t think God can forgive? What lifetime consequences are you living with?

Has God changed? Will He not forgive and restore? Are you willing to pay your debt and make restitution?

Have you had a change or heart? Have you turned back to God? Are you ready to cry out to Him for forgiveness?

My friend never could return to the financial services industry. And, he struggled with money his whole life. But, he did repent of his sin, and confessed publicly before his whole congregation at church one Sunday. And, he's in heaven with Jesus today!

Never Give Up

Guys,

Here's a super verse with some interesting, bittersweet encouragement for us...

We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.… For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18 NLT

It's worth reading again ...

We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.… For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:14-18 NLT

I received a reasonably good report on my uncle Jim the other night, at age 81, the doctors said the spots of cancer in his bones and on his lungs are of a slow growing type. So they said they could treat them for pain, and give him years of life yet. When you talk about the "big C," and you are 81, years instead of months is a good report.

But as the scripture above says, our bodies, sin cursed, are slowly or quickly dying. But the real us, our soul, and our God given spirit is being sanctified and being renewed every day.

John MacArthur, and the Bible say that at a believer's physical death, we are immediately in the presence of God, with a perfected soul, the real us is no longer sin cursed and we are the best we'll ever be and in perfect joy and fellowship with our God forever. Then, when the Lord returns, our bodies will be resurrected, perfect, imperishable, fit for heaven, so "the joys to come will last!"

Have you got troubles? God's plan is working out. His grace is bringing more and more people to Christ.

So as Winston Churchill said, "Never Give Up!"

Getting to know God

Here are some interesting verses, focusing on knowing God...

John 17:3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,(Heavenly Father) the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

What does it mean to know God? (The way God means to know Him, which is the important definition)

Do you know Abraham Lincoln?

Do you know your mother?

What's the difference?

How do you get to know God better?

How did you get to know your wife, when she was your fiancée? You were interested and motivated to develop your relationship with her.

How is developing an intimate relationship with God the same? How is it different?

The Reluctant Hero

I've been reviewing the life of Moses in the book of Exodus to get some insights into his character and how God chose him and used him to rescue the Israelites out of Egypt. What struck me this morning is how God called him to service. It involved God revealing Himself, Tasking or Commissioning Moses with an important work, and then Equipping him for the task.

God gets Moses attention with a burning bush that is not consumed. Moses at this point seems completely ignorant about the true God. "Who are you, who shall I say you are?", Moses says. God dramatically to distinguish himself from all the false Egyptian gods says, "I AM, that I AM."

God then tells Moses what He wants him to do, and Moses starts bringing out excuses. God tells him, "but I'm going to be with you!" Which is all that we should need to know.

Moses continues to balk, and God starts previewing His equipment for Moses. Drop your staff... Put your hand in your robe and take it out... You'll now be able to turn water into blood... Oh, and yes, because you are such a whiner, I'll let your fast talking brother, Aaron, do your talking for you...

Are you reluctant to a call God has on your life? Does He have an important work for you to do in someone else's life? Don't you know Who He is? Don't

you know if He calls you, He'll be with you? Don't you know that if He gives you a task, He'll equip you with heavenly tools to bring it to pass?

Check out the first 4 chapters of Exodus and see how God makes heros out of reluctant servants.

The Good Shepherd

"My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish." John 10:27-28

There's an awful lot in these few words, don't you think?

Jesus says we belong to Him, we are His sheep. He bought us, redeemed us with his very blood.

Christians recognize His voice, receive His words in the Bible. Accept the Bible, His teachings as being life giving and true.

He knows us, better than we know ourselves. Yet, despite our faults, He loves us and still shepherds us.

Sheep follow their shepherd. Believers follow Jesus. It doesn't matter what you call yourself, if you don't follow Jesus, you're not one of His sheep.

He gives us abundant, everlasting life, now, not after the rapture, or after the great day of the Lord, but now, and continuing forever.

His sheep don't go to slaughter and become mutton. We produce fine wool, a crop of good works for the kingdom. And we will never perish

FREEDOM

As we look forward to the Fourth of July, “Independence Day,” I thought it would be fitting to share some quotes with you to remind us ‘from whence cometh our liberty’...

So Jesus was saying to his followers, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and your will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” “So if the Son (Jesus) makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31,32,34,36

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Declaration of Independence

For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible” George Washington

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior (Jesus) of the world is communicated to us through this book. Abraham Lincoln

"We've staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us . . . to Govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded." President James Madison

“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” “ Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” Alexis de Tocqueville

Doing for others?

In Jesus last week of His earthly mission, He prophesies about the destruction of the Herodian Temple. In response to His announcement, His disciples ask Him when these things will take place, which launches Him in to a series of parables about end times and His future role. In this passage He speaks plainly, not in a parable.

“When the Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep (believers/disciples) from the goats (non-Christians). He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous (believing sheep) will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’*

Matthew 25:31-40

This is the Bible account David Pendleton was referencing last week when he talked about the upcoming prison ministry opportunity. As I read this my thoughts were, “Am I doing what I should be doing for others, particularly the poor, the down and out, the prisoners?”

Carrot or Stick?

The old farmer says there are two ways you can motivate a mule. Either get behind him with a stick and prod him to go the way he should go, or get in front of him, and encourage him along with a juicy carrot.

God told Israel in Deuteronomy 30 that He has set a blessing and a curse in front of them. God set a land flowing with milk and honey ahead of them, encouraging them to follow Him and be faithful to only Him. He also had Pharoah, a bunch of chariots, and slavery behind them.

He asks us to circumcise our hearts, set our soul apart for Him, observe His way (behave), and He will encourage us with blessings, and prosperity, and joy. He also has consequences for sin: following after other gods like money, prestige, immorality. Consequences, we’ve all had enough experience with to know to avoid.

We can apply this to our style of spiritual leadership, especially in the area of parenting. Proverbs says that if we love our children we will discipline them. The rod or correction is mentioned more than once. But, we must also encourage our charges. We need to be out in front, doing the right thing, and cheer leading for our families.

Think about your own life. In a boss or parent or spouse, what ratio of encouragement and criticism would you prefer? Let’s be Barnabas, sons of encouragement most of the time. But, let’s not neglect loving correction and discipline to keep those under our care on the path of blessing and prosperity.

A Priestly Perspective

I’ve been enjoying listening to Deuteronomy. This record from Moses gives a priestly perspective on God’s dealing with the nation of Israel, and the giving of God’s law or standards. In chapter 5, we get the second record of the 10 commandments. You know “do this, and don’t do this and that.” Any honest examination by the sincere seeker convinces us that we all fall short, or miss the mark on one, if not all of these simple rules.

Chapter 6, though, hints at the secret to being right with this relational God. This records the greatest commandment as affirmed by Jesus to the young scribe in the gospel. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” If we love God, our heart will lead us to please Him.

Finally, there is the challenge to parents to teach God’s standards and laws to our children and encourage them to follow Him. Or, in other words, pass on the secrets to a healthy relationship with our Maker.

Realize that we don’t measure up. Have a loving relationship with the true God of the Bible. Teach your children and others how to do the same. Gee, it seems like the Gospel to me way back in the Hebrew Scriptures. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

3 G Theology

You’ve heard of 3 G technology. Let’s talk about 3 G Theology. I heard a teacher sharing that the message of the book of Romans could be broken down into 3 phases, and 3 G’s. They are GUILT, GRACE, and GRATITUDE.

Man was not supposed to live with guilt. But Romans lets us know that we are all guilty. “There’s none righteous, not even one.” “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Who hasn’t broken one of the 10 commandments: Never told a lie? Never taken something that hasn’t belonged to you? Not wanted something that rightfully belonged to someone else?

But Romans then tells us that we are saved, not by works, earning our way, but by GRACE. God’s unmerited favor. “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Jesus did what we couldn’t: Live a sinless life. He paid a price we couldn’t, sacrificing a perfect life to take our punishment; then applying his work to our account, our sentence.

Once we accept that gift of grace, our adoption into God’s family, how do we then live: On our own power, in our own strength? No, we let Him live his life through us. We put off our nature, and put on His will and life. “Present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” And, we then live a life of GRATITUDE. “You yourselves are (now) full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able also to encourage one another.”

Live bravely in your 3 G Theology!

A Life Well Lived

The funeral director stopped counting after 1100 people passed through the visitation line at her visitation. Her oldest son said, we are losing another of our role models. When she went home to be with her Lord, she left a big hole in her husband’s, her four children’s, her seven grandchildren’s and four great grandchildren’s and hundreds of friend’s hearts.

She was a first grade and kindergarten teacher who taught dozens of children to read, hold their pencils correctly, and line up and behave. Another said, she raised the bar, on what it means to live a successful life, giving to others. Always with a gift for loving and comforting others, it was fitting that her funeral was on Mothers’ Day, 2010.

She reminded me of what’s important in life, the legacy one really wants to leave, of lives touched and love extended. We honored and celebrated her life. So for those special, godly women you know, I encourage you to provide for, protect, lift up and honor them while they are with us.

One of the two pastors who spoke about her and her love of her Savior quoted Proverbs 31:

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

“Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

Are you fat?

Since the New Year's Resolutions, many have been trying to drop a few pounds, and now that Spring Break season is here, and people are thinking about their swim suit body.... The last thing they want to do is be fat.

But you're suppose to be a FAT Christian!

(F)aithful - Believing God, His Son, and His WORD, and exercising your faith to do more...

(A)vailable - Are you available to God, or too busy on your own agenda?

(T)eachable - A most valuable trait in both the secular and spiritual world. Can the Holy Spirit move you up an onward.

Or are you stuck in old fleshy habits. Are you a good follower, are you open to being a Discipler? Your ID?

Are you FAT?

Ever been held captive?

Here’s an article from God’s Daily Promise I thought was interesting. The Bible tells us that Jesus came to save that which was lost (us), but that He would also lead the captives free from that which imprisons them.

Have you ever struggled with a sin that ensnared and held you captive?

Have you ever been imprisoned?

Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.

Hebrews 13:3 NLT

Tell me how much you know of the suffering of your fellow men, and I will tell you how much you have loved them.

Helmut Thielicke

Solidarity in Suffering

At any given time, many of God's saints are in prison. The prison may be literal, or it may be a product of circumstances. It can be financial debt, a broken relationship, a physical ailment, or any other consuming situation.

A huge problem in the church is when Christians look at their imprisoned brothers and sisters and assume that God has not favored them. Paul probably experienced such a phenomenon. We read his prison epistles and marvel at his suffering for the cause. But many of his contemporaries may not have marveled. They may have seen his trouble as a sign of God's disfavor and wondered why someone with so much potential had fallen to such depths.

God's prisons are full of His loved ones. He uses those experiences mightily, as He did with Paul, Joseph, John the Baptist, John the disciple, and numerous other biblical examples. In fact, many of those whom He used in powerful ways have experienced an imprisonment, captivity, or loneliness ordained directly by Him.

Are you in prison? You are probably not literally behind bars, but your circumstances may make you feel as if you are. Don't despair; it will not last. It is ordained by God and is designed either for your current witness or future usefulness. He is refining you and molding you into His image, the exact likeness of His crucified Son.

Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotionalby Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for April 22.

Dead or Alive?

We know that when people told Jesus that He was too late, and that a girl was already dead, He told them that she was only asleep. Then they laughed at Him.

Then He raised her from the dead. And they stopped laughing, and started praising God.

God considers people who don't belong to Him through faith in Jesus as being already spiritually dead. But considers saints who have physically died to be alive to Him.

Here's some verses on the death of a believer.

Your ID and His Plan

Tony Twist, the president of TCM International , a teaching and discipling ministry to Eastern Europe wrote a neat article I wanted to share with you.

What to do? Powerless to change anything. Going in wrong directions. Corrupt government on the brink of destruction. Feeling abandoned.

People all over the world are feeling this way. And we always have. Just like the disciples hearing the Great Commission in the first century. This was exactly their circumstance! Betrayed by authorities, unable to change things, and not knowing what to do that would make a difference. In fact, just a few years later, their entire country was destroyed by Caesar.

But in His final words to us, Jesus gives the answer. It may seem counter-intuitive. But actually it’s brilliant. We simply forget that His command in the commission was given to keep us focused on what makes the difference. What has the power to turn our world right-side up.

Make Disciples of all the nations.

Why? Because International Disciplers are His PLAN. That’s it. And it’s brilliant! Because it is the only way to be part of real, lasting change. God knows that circumstances will not change if people don’t. But when people commit to His family PLAN, deep lasting change can result. ID’s Pray like Him, Live like Him, Allocate resources as He taught, and Network as He did.

When we reclaim our true ID (international disciplers), we “re-member” whose we are. In His power and presence, we are emboldened to join with brothers and sisters everywhere to honor our family name and promote our family values. Shuch a family brings order out of chaos by radically lighting up our world together with Him. When a family is so grounded, death can’t even stop it. In 2009, TCM committed to a vision for the future that focuses on develoing disciple makers to make a global impact by more effectively influencing churches, cultures, and countries for Christ. Now, in 2010, we want to be part of a global movement to call all of us back to this simple, powerful imperative. It’s time to reclaim our true ID. This is what we must do.

Guys, What do you think about that? Is your true identity ID an International Discipler, or at least an Indiana Discipler? What do you think of this description of the PLAN: Pray like Him, Live like Him, Allocate resources as He taught, and Network as He did.? Have you seen Networking for Christ as your duty?

You need a heart transplant!

“You got a bad ticker, and if you don’t get a new one, you’re gonna be a dead man. In fact for all practical purposes, you’re a walking dead man right now.”

How would you like to hear that rather frank diagnosis the next time you go into your doctor for a routine physical?

The Bible says that if we have not accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior and lord, that we are spiritually DEAD! It also says that from a Hebrew concept, we have a bad heart, the heart being our real selves, our center, our soul, not the muscle that pumps blood around. Here is some interesting information and bible verses on “The Heart:”

Ancient Hebrew Word Meanings Heart ~ lev By Jeff A. Benner

Here is an example of our modern western culture still using a concrete object to express an abstract idea. We often associate the heart with emotions such as love and kindness as in "He has a good heart". This is also true with the Hebrews who saw the heart as the seat of emotion. But unlike us they also saw the heart as the seat of thought whereas we see the brain as the seat of thought. To the ancient Hebrews the heart was the mind including all thoughts including emotions. When we are told to love God with all our heart (Deut 6:5) it is not speaking of an emotional love but to keep our emotions and all our thoughts working for him. The first picture in this Hebrew word is a shepherd staff and represents authority as the shepherd has authority over his flock. The second letter is the picture of the floor plan of the nomadic tent and represents the idea of being inside as the family resides within the tent. When combined they mean "the authority within".

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Psalm 44:21 Would not God find this out: For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Luke 16:15 And He (Jesus) said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”

Ezekiel 36:26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Heart (Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary)

According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. "Heart" and "soul" are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case. (The real you, your personhood)sb

The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good (Luke 8:15), etc. In these and such passages the word "soul" could not be substituted for "heart."

The heart is also the seat of the conscience (Rom. 2:15). It is naturally wicked (Gen. 8:21), and hence it contaminates the whole life and character (Matt. 12:34; 15:18; comp. Eccl. 8:11; Ps. 73:7). Hence the heart must be changed, regenerated (Ezek. 36:26; 11:19; Ps. 51:10-14), before a man can willingly obey God.

The process of salvation begins in the heart by the believing reception of the testimony of God, while the rejection of that testimony hardens the heart (Ps. 95:8; Prov. 28:14; 2 Chr. 36:13). "Hardness of heart evidences itself by light views of sin; partial acknowledgment and confession of it; pride and conceit; ingratitude; unconcern about the word and ordinances of God; inattention to divine providences; stifling convictions of conscience; shunning reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine things."