Got Peace?

My favorite Bible letter, and favorite chapter in that letter is Philippians 4. Pastor Bruce spoke on it last Sunday, but as I was re-reading and thinking about the passage, what struck me was that the Apostle Paul told his brothers and sisters in Philippi more than once, "May God's peace be with you!" It reminded me of what Jesus said to His disciples shortly before His passion, " Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

So in Christ, it says we can have peace, even in the midst of the world's chaos. The Jewish concept of peace, or "shalom" carries with it not only the idea of being at peace, but also the thoughts of " Nothing missing, Nothing broken, wellbeing, and completeness, or wholeness." I think Philippians 4 has some other verses that give us clues as to how to live in God's peace:

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Wow, look at all the nuggets in Philippians, chapter 4!

Has the world got you stirred up? Beat up? Read through Philippians, chapter 4. Meditate on the second half of the chapter, and tell me if it helped you feel at peace. Paul says, If you PRACTICE the Christian way of life, then the God of peace will be with you.

TREASURE

Job, the righteous old testament a patriarch, when he was in the middle of his testing, due to the attack of Satan said,

"I have not departed from His commands, but have treasured His (God's) words more than daily food." Job 23:12

Sounds like what Jesus said in the wilderness, when the devil was tempting Him,

During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." But Jesus told him, "No!" The Scriptures say, 'People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:3-4

Do you treasure what God has to say? Have you been on a healthy diet lately? More donuts than scripture?

Paul told his understudy, Timothy, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Do you want to do what's right? Do you want to be equipped and prepared to accomplish your work? Do you want to live in the truth?

Have you been in His word today? This week?

Final Words

“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.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

“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.” Acts 1:8 NIV

If you were leaving your spouse and children, your dearest friends on a long trip, and you would not see them again for a long time, what would be your parting words? You would probably tell them that you loved them. But then, you might give them some marching orders; Something like: “Watch out for and be good to your mother,” “make the kids obey,” and “Be good,” or “Do good work.” In the 15^th chapter of John, Jesus tells his followers that He loves them, but the last two scriptures were Jesus’ marching orders to his friends, his brothers, his followers.

The Story of Ying Kai

In 2001 Ying Kai had been assigned as a missionary to an unreached people group of 20 million people in a country in the Far East. For the five years prior to this new assignment, he had been effective in planting one new church per year, and personally discipling about 60 people per year. He was receiving accolades for his effectiveness as a missionary.

But as he considered the overwhelming responsibility of trying to have an impact on 20 million people, he realized that if he kept doing what he had been doing he would never make a dent in reaching these unreached people. As he turned to the Lord in prayer and meditated on the Great Commission, the Lord’s instructions for pursuing his new assignment were there. The Great Commission instructs that we are to go, not just invite them to come to us; that everyone is to be engaged in attempting to reach everyone, everywhere; and we are to make disciples, not just church members or converts.

With these new marching orders, Ying Kai began by teaching a group of 30 Christians how to make disciples who would know how to make disciples. (2 Tim 2:2) During the next 10 years, he was used of God to begin a movement that planted more than 158,000 churches and baptized 1.7 million people.

They love us anyway!

God knows us better than we know ourselves. After all, He made us, the good parts anyway. Yet, He knows about all the bad stuff and still loves us enough to send His Son, Jesus to take away our sin.

Similarly, on earth, our wives know us better than anyone else. They know the good parts and they know the warts and wrinkles too. Yet, they still love us. Shouldn’t we return the favor?

“ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Eph 5:25-28”

“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker (a more sensitive instrument), since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7”

Happy Valentine’s Day guys. Don’t forget your best girl!

HE MADE US

You are no accident, or evolutionary product. God loves you, planned you, made you, thinks about you, prepared works for you to do, and has a future and hope for you. Don’t let the world tell you different!

One of the first people in the bible who followed after God was Enoch. Genesis 5:21-22a” says, “Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. THEN Enoch walked with God…

I’ve recently just seen my first grandbaby, and in that little 8 lb 9 oz bundle is a complete person. She has tiny toes and fingernails, dark inquiring blue eyes and cute tiny ears. It’s a miracle, and like Enoch, many a man has been pointed towards God when they witness the miracle of a new baby.

Yet the world, secular science and evolution tries to deny God’s involvement in the miracle. Here’s what the God says in His word:

Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”

Psalm 139:13-17 says, “For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

You are no accident, or evolutionary product. God loves you, planned you, made you, thinks about you, prepared works for you to do, and has a future and hope for you. Don’t let the world tell you different!

Found: God's will

In talking with my young Timothys I found that they are both at some crossroads regarding carreers and possible relocation, and so it is natural that they are mindful and searching for what God wants them to do to make good decisions. One of them shared a short book by John MacArthur on knowing God’s will entitled “Found: God’s Will.”

MacArthur said that we know that God’s will is: 1) That you be Saved, 2) that you be filled Spirit filled, 3) that you be Sanctified for God’s service, 4) that you be Submissive to God’s authority, and 5) that you be Suffering for the cause of Christ.

Saved God desires all men to be saved, by placing their faith in Jesus Christ as their savior and Lord. If you are still rejecting Christ, you’re not in the will of God.

Spirit filled If you have accepted Christ you have the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ. But are you available? Are you yielded? Are you seeking to be filled with, and led by the Spirit?

Sanctified Sanctified means the same thing as holy, it means being set apart for service, like the athlete who is in training, or the soldier with a dedicated lifestyle to accomplish his purpose. It means seeking purity and avoiding sinful entanglements.

Submissive To be faithful, available and teachable, a FAT Christian, one must submit to spiritual, employer, and societal authority. To have humility and a servant attitude is to be really useful.

Suffering To have kingdom impact, one must boldly stand for Christ, with the risks and damage of going against the world, and calling sin, sin. “If you confront the world you will find the hostility that is meant for Jesus coming at you.”

This is my mini-book report on MacArthur’s book. The relationship between God’s direction and being in His will reminds me of the relationship between Character and Reputation. If you take care of your character, your reputation will take care of itself. If you work on the 5 S’s of being in God’s will, and you’re in the game rolling along, it will be easy for God to get you directed where He wants you

Psalm 90

Psalm 90 spoke to me this week.

It says:

LORD, Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

LORD, please have compassion on your servants.

LORD, please satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

It reminds us:

LORD, before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the earth and the World, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

A thousand years in God’s sight are like a day that has just gone by

The length of our days is 70 years, or 80 if we have the strength, but they quickly pass , and we fly away.

Finally it asks:

LORD, may your favor rest upon us; and please establish the work of our hands

Sobering and good thoughts, I think.

(Try to make time and read the whole Psalm 90 today when you can)

ONE ANOTHER

The Bible talks about the ministry that believers have to “One Another.” This support for one another happens most effectively in small groups like the Fishersmen. The New Testament tells us that in fellowship with one another many good things happen to build us up and sustain us:

ENCOURAGEMENT

Encourage One Another 1 Thes 5:11 Heb 10:25

Spur One Another on toward love and good deeds Heb 10:24

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship with One Another 1 Jn 1:7

Offer hospitality to One Another 1 Pet 4:9

Love One Another John 13:34

SUPPORT

Accept One Another Rom 15:7

Agree with One Another 1Cor 1:10

Serve One Another Gal 5:13

ACCOUNTABILITY

Instruct One Another Rom 5:14

Admonish One Another Col 3:16

Submit to One Another Eph 5:21

PRAYER

Brothers, pray for us. 1 Th 5:25

Pray for all men 1 Tim 2:1

Santa and the Baby Jesus?

Yes, I know that Jesus is the reason for the season. But I thought you’d find this letter from Santa Claus enlightening… (Credit to friend, Jack Bussell)

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

There are many rumors regarding whether I am real or exist. I want you to know there is a Santa Claus. I continue to remain in the hearts of children of all ages. Sadly some have denied my existence. Thankfully others believe and continue my traditions in good spirit. My presence is not of any normal life but rather from an existence that is ageless, for all to reflect and enjoy.

My journey began in the 4^th century giving gifts to poor children, those less fortunate. I became known as Sinterklass. Over the ages I have been called Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply Santa. Various cultures share tales of my existence, of my habits and of my traits.

Once a child myself, I grew up to become Saint Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for the Christian figure of Sinterklaas. I was once a 4th century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey.

As many years passed a number of myths and exaggerations have indeed surrounded my existence. The truth… my presence today continues in the spirit of giving and is an example set by God, who gave his son Jesus Christ so that we may all enjoy forgiveness of our sins and the prospects of eternal life.

May you experience the renewal of the Christmas Spirit, the excitement of anticipation, while sharing in many joyous surprises. My Christmas wish for you is to enjoy your time together and remember the importance of family and friendships. Never forget the joy of giving. In the spirit and generosity of Christmas make each and every day of your life and those that you meet joyful.

So you see, Santa and his traditions are alive, continuing throughout the ages by the Spirit of the Holy Day (holi-day) of Christmas. The gifts in Santa's bag are for your family, shared with a heartfelt reminder to reflect in the generosity of God. They are given in the spirit of Jesus Christ.

So…..Do you believe?

Shared in the Love of Christ

Merry Christmas,
Santa

IN THE FLESH

Ricky Bobby (Will Farrell in Talladega Nights) loves the little 8 lb 6 oz, infant baby Jesus and somewhat irreverently reminds us of most people's vision of our Lord at Christmas time. They are comfortable with a baby, born to humble circumstances, who grew up to teach peace and brotherly love. Man likes to fashion God in a comfortable package.

However, Scripture paints a different vision of the appearance of the incarnate Christ, Emmanuel (God with us) on earth in the flesh:

The baby Jesus was an eternal spiritual being and the creator of all things:

John 1:1-4 1 In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through Him (Jesus) all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The baby Jesus left the throne room of heaven on a mission for men:

Philippians 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The baby Jesus is a winner with an impressive resume with titles:

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The baby Jesus is the supreme Lord of Reconciliation:

Colossians 1:15-21 The Son (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

The baby Jesus is Savior, Lord, the only begotten Son of the Living God:

Matthew 1:30 - 35 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God.

Let’s test our vision of who the baby Jesus is. Let’s challenge others this season and speak out about the coming of Emmanuel, God with us.