Joy to the World.

"Joy to the world and goodwill towards all men."

The message the angels gave the shepherds as they watched their sheep was filled with hope. I'd like to know why this message was phrased in such a way. I looked up the word "joy" in Greek, and it is the word "Chara." Some of the meanings of this word can be:

1. Cheerfulness.

2. Exceedingly joyful.

3. Exuberantly exited.

The same word is used in other places when Jesus talks about the sower sowing seed. Jesus describes the people who received the word with joy (Chara) - Luke 8:13. When the seventy disciples returned from their ministry trip, it says that they came back with joy (Chara) - Luke 10:17. Jesus also tells us that there is great joy (Chara) in heaven when one sinner repents - Luke 15:10. What do you think heaven looks like when sinners repent?

Acts 13:52 talks about the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit and great joy. Paul tells us what the kingdom of God is like:

Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy (Chara) in the Holy Spirit.

It looks like we should be enthusiastically excited about serving Jesus. We could still be happy if we had not faced all those pesky temptations and trials in life. Why does it seem like it always steals our joy? If the kingdom is peace and joy, then circumstances should not steal my joy, right? 

James the Apostle gives us some insight. He tells us that we should be joyful when we face all kinds of trials. "Count it pure joy (chara) when you fall into various kinds of trails - James 1:2. Did I read that right? That is what he says. Be exuberantly excited when you face these things. Why does James tell us that?

Facing trials is good because the testing of our faith has enormous rewards. The same thing happens in the story of Jesus' birth. Let's briefly look at the story of Mary - Luke 1:26-38.

The Angel appears to her and tells her she has found favor with God and that the child she would bear would be Immanuel, God with us. Wow, imagine an Angel appears to you and tells you that. The problem was that the favor of God looked like an unwanted pregnancy. What was a crisis to them was an invasion of God into the darkness of the natural world. God's favor does not look like a blessing at first. Is it possible that James is trying to tell us that the trial you face is God's blessing in disguise? 

I refuse to believe the enemy has more space than the Holy Spirit in my life. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. It was all God working behind the scenes. If God can make all things work together for my good - Rom 8:28, then he can make a temptation a trial and a blessing in disguise. That is why we can face all trials with joy and get exuberantly excited about it.

What did Jesus see about his mission and purpose? I see this principle in the life of Jesus:

Heb. 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy (Chara) that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jude encourages us with these words:

Jude 24  Now to Him who can keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.

He has got you! Look at 2024 with joy and excitement. God is bigger than the devil or anything he can throw at us. I chose to stay joyful amid a crooked generation. 

We pray that God's presence will overshadow you and your family in 2024 and that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, rule in your heart and mind. From us to you, we want to repeat what the Angels said: We bring you tidings of great joy and goodwill towards all men.

Merry Christmas!

Proverbs - 2

Proverbs -2. (Life in general)

Last time, we looked at different proverbs and their meaning. The real power of a proverb is that it can share a great truth in a few simple words. Think about how you can share something profound so that people will never forget it. A dear friend used to say: "Sin has an expiration date." The meaning behind this was that sin does not offer anything of eternal value. Another friend of mine in the ministry would say: "I would rather be embarrassed for a minute than to live in bondage for a lifetime." These words made many people respond to the call to repent and change their lives.

Proverbs also have the power to guide and protect us in life. Think about the proverb: "Pain is the best teacher." Nobody likes to get hurt or even like pain, but boy, can it help you understand what your parents were trying to teach you all along. 

One of the Coaches, Derick Stoltz, spoke a great truth when he said: "God is good, Satan is bad, you are the only variable."

I want to continue looking at some of these "great" truths that can be said in a few words. These are from my old FB postings over the years.

• Lukewarmness: When we say: God, I know you, but you stopped inspiring me. 

• Comparison is a spirit of deception!

• If we are to love like God, we are to forgive like God!

• Grace is a revelation of God's aggressive forgiveness.

• Manipulation is the substitute the enemy offers for your free will.

• Faith pleases God, not your mind.

• Tolerance is not a quality of the kingdom. Change is.

• The enemy intimidates you so that he can get you thinking about him.

• Truth is everything filtered through God's perspective.

• Your memory is about your past. Your imagination is about your future. Your faith is about the "Now."

• Complacency can keep you in bondage even if deliverance is present.

• Ignorance empowers the enemy.

• When obedience is lacking, self-interest becomes your god.

• Stop believing the lies that reinforce your unbelief.

• When you desire to know God, change becomes necessary.

What will happen if we write these down and post them somewhere so others can read them daily? If we want to change a generation, we must take the life lessons we have learned the hard way and impart that wisdom to them. 

I have many more that I will share over the next few weeks. I would like to hear about some of these great truths that guide you and your family. Would you share them with us?

We pray for a special blessing for you and your family.

Proverbs - 1

Proverbs -1. (Life in general)

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it. You all know that saying and what it means. Life is full of sayings and "proverbs" we use and hear daily.

Chris Valloton preached a sermon titled: "There are no poop-less cows." This was a play on the scripture in the Book of Proverbs that states: "Where there is no ox in the stable, the stable is clean." His sermon was about the mess in our lives because we have things that can make a mess. 

The Book of Proverbs in the Bible was used to teach people wisdom. You will find multiple subjects covered within the thirty-one chapters of the Book. But let's first establish what a "proverb" is.

It is a persuasive saying proven true by experience. It is a timeless truth and a primary value tried and tested by previous generations. 

Proverbs are general principles in life, sometimes taught in a funny way but easy to remember. Can you remember how many things your parents told you and they used it to teach you a valuable principle in life? 

I want to take the next few weeks and look at some of them. A proverb can teach a lot of the things in scripture. I want to use some of the truths I discovered in scripture and make it a "proverb" to make it easy for you to remember. (these are all backed up by scripture.)

Own Proverbs:

• "Blessed are the flexible. They shall not be bent out of shape. "

It doesn't help to get mad at the things you cannot control. Life will always throw a curveball at you. Go with the flow and figure it out without getting angry or losing your temper.

Prov. 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.

• " It is the second mouse that gets the cheese."

If you fail a task, try again, and don't give up. You can still get a reward if you keep trying. 

Prov. 24:16   For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.

• "Truth is not an opinion. It is reality from God's perspective."

Only God knows both sides of a story and knows all the facts. My friend Joe says his mom always told him: "There is your side, there is the other side, and then there is the truth." 

Prov. 12:17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.

• "To live in un-forgiveness is to have a poverty mindset about the mercy of God."

Don't walk in unforgiveness towards yourself. Stop beating yourself up because you made a mistake. As you forgive others for sinning against you, forgive yourself for your mistakes.

Prov. 28:13   He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

• "Worry is the voice of the enemy trying to dictate the outcome."

Worry is the enemy's babysitter, free of charge – Kelly Varner. Worry is the voice that speaks words opposing faith and God's word. Worry is also like a rocking chair. It will keep you busy but take you nowhere. Words bring faith or fear. Choose which words you want to listen to.

Prov. 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.

We will continue next week with more sayings or proverbs. This is a fun way to look at life and help people make better decisions.

Doubt and Unbelief - 2

Doubt and Unbelief.

Last time, we discussed the process of doubt and how it is a question asking to be answered. In scripture, we see some people who doubted. Some of them were Abraham and Sarah, Peter walking on the water towards Jesus, the disciples doubting even after seeing Jesus alive after the resurrection, and John the Baptist. 

We look at these people and think we are better. We must guard our hearts and our minds against the attacks from the enemy. He has been at this for a long time, and he likes it best if he can sow a seed of doubt and let it fester. Because he knows seed produces a harvest. 

We must deal with doubt in our lives because it can lead us to a place of unbelief. The question remains to be asked. How do I know if I am only in a position of doubt or if I am in a place of unbelief?

1. People who walk in doubt question things about their faith. Some things need to be clarified, or they need help understanding and are eager to learn more and gain greater clarity. Someone who is in unbelief has determined not to believe. They do not question faith; they question God.

2. Doubt is a struggle every believer will face. There is no single believer who has not been in a place of doubt. Doubt doesn't mean you are unsaved. Unbelieving is not a struggle. It is the posture of someone's heart.

3. Someone in doubt is asking for more proof. Unbelievers refuse to believe despite all the evidence.

4. Doubt is honest. You want to know the truth. Unbelief is stubborn. They resist the truth.

5. People in doubt seek the light, greater revelation, and better clarity. People in unbelief are content with darkness.

6. Doubt can happen because of brokenness, a troubled mind, or disappointment. Unbelief is an act of your will.

7. Doubt can happen because something happened outside of your control. Something happened that you did not expect. Unbelief uses things that happen to justify their unbelief.

8. In scripture, Jesus always helped the people who struggled with doubt. When Jesus ran into unbelief, he rebuked it.

9. People with doubt love the community. They can ask questions and exchange ideas and understanding. Unbelievers love isolation.

10. Doubt will push you towards God. Unbelief pulls you away from God.

Unbelief is a much bigger problem than doubt. The writer of Hebrews warns us with a stern warning. 

Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

When Paul persecuted the Church, he was not doing it out of doubt about them. He was not looking for the truth. He was fighting them, opposing them, wanting to destroy the believers. He did it because he was living in unbelief. He tells us himself that he was in unbelief.

1 Tim 1:13 Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Thank God that He can save even those who are walking in unbelief. This gives me great hope. God can turn the hardest hearts around and bring them to a place of salvation and truth. 

Be encouraged. There is hope for all of us. God is never intimidated when we ask questions. He is the answer to all the questions we might have.

Doubt and Unbelief - 1

The opposite of faith is not doubt but unbelief. Doubt is a part of all believer's journeys. 

We all experience doubt in our life. If you ask any honest believer, they will admit, at one time, they doubted. One side of doubt can be a good thing because doubt is the question that asks: "Can I have more clarity." Doubt can also be the thing that motivates the desire to change. There is also the other side of doubt that can lead to unbelief. Let's look at it for a moment.

The first story that comes to mind is Peter walking out on the water to meet with Jesus. He is focused and responds to the command of Jesus to "come." Then he sees the waves, and it causes him to sink. Jesus is close enough to grab him and stop him from sinking. Jesus' response gives us a key to see.

Matt. 14:30-31 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

What caused Peter to doubt? The word for doubt in Greek is "Distazo." It means to duplicate, hesitate, have two opinions, and waiver mentally. Peter got distracted, and it opened the door to doubt.

The Apostle James describes this beautifully when he writes about believers asking for wisdom. When you ask, God gives liberally if you do not doubt. It would be best if you stayed focused on faith. Like Peter, we must not look at the natural circumstances but remain focused. Scripture states that we walk by faith, not sight - 2 Cor 5:7. 

James 1:6-8 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James calls a person that doubts a double-minded man. You allowed a duplication or another opinion to come and distract you. That is precisely what happened in the Garden of Eden. The enemy brought another word; now they had two things to look at: God's or the enemy's word. It doesn't take much for us to walk away from faith into a place of doubt. 

The Bible is full of people that doubted. I would like for us to look at John the Baptist. He was a family member of Jesus. He had the call to make Jesus known and introduce him as the Messiah. When he sees Jesus coming to be baptized, he declares Jesus as the one that will take away the world's sins. Jesus calls him the greatest of all the prophets that came before him.

Matt. 11:11a "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women, there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist.

Do you think that John ever doubted? He knew Jesus, he announced Jesus, and he had the revelation about Jesus' purpose. How can he doubt? When John was imprisoned for preaching against the king, he sent two disciples to Jesus with a specific question. Jesus just raised a dead boy, and the people were astonished at his ministry. John heard from his disciples about the things Jesus was doing. What would make him doubt?

Luke 7:15-18 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.

John said that Jesus would be greater. "I come baptizing with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire." John, will you rejoice when you hear all these things, or will you doubt?

Luke 7:19-20 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?'"

What a strange question. What other "one" might come? Who else are we looking for? Jesus is doing what you said he would do!

Luke 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.

John, why did you question Jesus? Did you get offended at something Jesus did? Was it because his ministry was more extraordinary? Was it because some of your disciples left and followed him instead? 

Luke 7:22-23 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me."

Jesus knew John got offended. The offense was a door for doubt. Here is another key for us. We get offended too easily. Offense is the door the enemy seeks to question God and mess with your faith. How often have you heard people ask: "If God is so good, why?" This kind of doubt is not to get clarity but question God's integrity. That is the wrong kind of doubt. It moved John from a place of revelation to an area of doubt. 

Another example of people that got offended and doubted is the story of Jesus in his hometown. This time it led to unbelief, which happens when you don't deal with the doubt in your life.

Matt. 13:54-55 When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Familiarity always dishonors the anointing of someone's life. What they missed about Jesus is the power to bring change. Instead of receiving a miracle, they accepted the offense, and it limited the miracles that could take place. Be careful how you talk about the Pastor. Be careful how you speak about a brother or a sister. 

Matt. 13:57-58 So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house." Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

The enemy knows that if he can offend you, he can cause doubt to find a place in your heart. He is looking for things to distract you from a place of faith. Doubt eventually progresses to a place where you settle for unbelief. Unbelief will make you walk away from God.

Heb. 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God.

If you doubt, ask the right questions. Find the truth in scripture that will deal with the doubt in your life. Focus on His Word and be set free - John 8:32.

Change, We all need it!

Change: 

We all hate it; we all need it.

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers.

What a powerful verse. John wishes that we are as healthy and as prosperous as our soul(will, intellect, emotions) are. Our daily decisions directly impact the health and quality of our lives. If I choose to eat unhealthy, never exercise and get addicted to things, my quality of life will be poor. The great news is that it can all change with a choice. The amount of effort it takes to make a wrong choice is the same amount of effort it takes to make a great choice. The question remains: do I want to change?

Most people are stuck because they fear change. This is because they might feel unprepared, scared of the outcome(even a good one), or even think they are not qualified. Most people are just too afraid to try because they have failed in the past. The best time to start is now.

Before you make any significant changes in your life, start with a few small ones that can impact your life drastically. Most of these changes are common sense. They are easy to accomplish if you set your mind and heart to it.

A. Exchange toxic friends for mentors.

Friendships work best if there is an equal commitment to what you give and what you take from it. Friends that always take but never add or give the same in return are not great friendships. Toxic friendships never challenge you or commit to helping you grow in life. Mentors are people that can speak from experience. Most of the time, it is people that are older and that can help you avoid the pitfalls in life. They are not scared to call you out and call you higher. They have insight into situations that you might still lack. People who always agree with you because they are scared to offend or challenge you are not mentors. Mentors create a safe place to share and be vulnerable without judging you. They see your potential and will keep pushing you to become your best self. 

B. Exchange comparison with self-acceptance.

So many young people live their lives by comparing themselves to others. The curse of our day is that the media idolize these superstars and create the false perception that followers on TikTok or Instagram make you somebody. Young people will commit crimes and record them to get views on a social platform. They feel that gives them value. They build their identity around "likes" on their pictures and posts. At the end of the day, they still go to bed empty and look for the next great fix. 

You are the best you that ever lived. You don't need "things" to give you value. God gave you your value when He created you. You are the best expression of God, just the way you are. No one else is who you are. BE yourself.

C. Exchange complaining for gratitude.

We complain so quickly. In our travels around the world, we have been to places where people have almost nothing and are so happy. They live in a shack with no cellphones, television, running water, or fancy cars, but they have a family. They laugh and enjoy life and what it gives them. We can access everything our hearts desire in America but are entitled, selfish, and self-centered. When we can't have our way, we threaten to sue and make a big scene. What will change when you focus on being grateful for what you have? What about taking the first hour of your day and just being thankful for all your blessings? 

Lam. 3:22-23 Through the LORD'S mercies, we are not consumed

because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

D. Exchange blaming others by taking responsibility.

I don't believe that it is my fault! Just like Adam, we all do the same thing. "It was not me, Lord. It is this woman you gave me." You will feel most empowered to change anything by taking responsibility for it. If you wait for others to do it, you might wait your whole life. If you get real honest with yourself, most of what needs to change is because of your life choices. To keep on blaming others is to stay in a victim mindset. That will only lead to feeling powerless and shameful. You can make that change today and set yourself on a course of success.

E. Exchange overthinking(worry) for action.

Worry is like a rocking chair. It will keep you busy but take you nowhere. We all worry too much. Most of what we worry about never happens to us. Worry drains your energy and time, and the reality is that anxiety has never changed anything. Taking action is what gives you a different outcome. 

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

F. Exchange things that influence you for something that inspires you.

Anything in life can influence you, your thinking, and your actions. What is better is if you find the things that inspire you. What makes you get up in the morning? What makes your heart jump with excitement? So many things can influence you, good or bad, but nothing makes you come alive, like when you find inspiration. Someone with inspiration and passion tends to be more focused and less distracted when they face opposition. Hardship doesn't make them quit. Lack of resources doesn't make them stop. Their passion and inspiration influence others to improve and improve the world. Think about Mother Teressa, Steve Jobs, and Michael Angelo. If you talk with most artists, they will tell you they succeeded because of their passion and what inspires them. Most successful people can tell you what their passion is. 

G. Exchange gossip for communication.

We all like to gossip. It is easy and judgmental. It makes people feel better about themselves. It doesn't take much brainpower to do. It tends to make you look like an expert. It is also the lowest form of communication. Honest communication takes effort and time. It involves listening to people, setting aside your prejudice, and asking the right questions. It is to value where people are and where they come from and understand that their opinion matters as much as yours. It is the ability to change the room's atmosphere and speak the truth in love so that they will receive it. In an age where most communication happens through email and texts, what an excellent opportunity to step up to the plate and have some great conversations with someone today. 

Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

H. Exchange feelings of failure for feelings of learning.

We all hate failing at something. In life, you will fail many times. Failing is not a life sentence; it is a life lesson. It is impossible to live without failure. What you do when you fail determines how big your comeback is. Scripture says that a righteous man might fail seven times but will rise again. 

Prov. 24:16  For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again.

You get more than seven chances. In the bible, seven represents the number of perfection. Solomon was trying to tell us that even if you perfect failure or feel like you are in a place where you don't think you can succeed or try again, you can still rise and get a do-over. After a failure, it is more important to walk away and learn the lesson than see it as a failure. You learned a valuable lesson, grew, and now you better understand what not to do next time. James tells us to be joyful when facing things that can be a potential failure. 

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

I. Exchange comfort for challenges.

Don't shake the boat. We love our comfort. We pick friends that we like that are like-minded and love the same stuff we like. The first place we can challenge ourselves is to talk with someone who thinks and sees things differently than we see or feel. My whole life, I always befriend people that are different than me. My wife says: " you have the weirdest friends." To them, I look weird, so we are getting along well. The reason is that very little growth happens in a place of comfort. I even like to listen to friends who are theologically thinking differently. Their thinking helps me to discover the truth I believe. Truth does not need to be defended. It speaks for itself. Only two things can happen when your truth is challenged. You know why it is your truth, or you see the need to change. Finds ways to challenge yourself. 

J. Exchange quitting for resolve.

Quitters never win, and winners never quit. We all know that to be true. How long can you keep going? We give up to soon. The problem with quitting is that it creates patterns in your life that spill over into other areas like your relationships, job, marriages, friendships, and many more. We made a generation with no resolve because when things became challenging, as parents, we stepped in and stopped the pain from life to teach them to push through life's complicated issues. We meant well, but we did them a great disservice. What about our resolve? We have gotten so good at quitting that we can make it looks like a compromise. 

Hebrews eleven are full of names of people that did not quit. I plan to add my name to that list!

K. Exchange distraction for focus.

The enemy is a master at distracting us. He usually doesn't use a temptation to distract us because it is too apparent. He does it with doubt and worry. Worry is a negative focus on the wrong thing. We must learn to stay focused. Jesus was the most focused person ever to live. He was focused on what the Father said and what the Father did. His mission and his call were what kept him on track. He never allowed the mundane or the need of people to distract him. He always did what was necessary to fulfill his call. 

What things distract you? Most of the time, it is small things. What you prioritize in life will have your attention. What has your attention is what you will invest in. What you invest in will produce fruit in your life. What produces fruit in your life will determine the decisions you make. Your choices will show what your focus is.

L. Exchange time on the phone with time in the Word.

We spend too much time on the phone. A great way to get better at not doing that is to switch your phone off an hour before you go to bed and not pick it up for an hour after you wake up. What will you do with that time? Take time to read the Word. Close your day with scripture and start your day with scripture. Doing that will revolutionize your life. 

Psa. 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.

Most of these suggestions are common sense. Try it and see how much your life can change.

Eternal Judgment!

Eternal Judgment.

Rom. 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 

Last week in Asheville, I asked a group of young people a question. How many of you are scared when you hear that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ? Most of them raised their hands. Upon further investigation, it became clear that they all had stuff in their past that they felt would bring severe judgment and condemnation. They all lived in fear despite the word saying that God did not give us a spirit of fear - 2 Tim 1:7. This opens a door for the enemy that I wanted to shut immediately. 

I grew up under hell, fire, and brimstone preaching. Yet, I remember the day I was set free from fear and started loving God when I realized that Jesus took care of my sin. There was no more record of my wrongs. Do I have scripture for that? I am so glad you asked.

a. Isaiah 43:25

b. Jer 31:34.

c. Heb 8:12.

d Heb 10:17.

e. Col 1:14 with 1 John 1:7.

When we stand before Him, we will account only for ourselves - Rom 14:12. You will not represent anybody else. So the question remains to be asked. If my sins were taken care of, what would I give an account for?

According to scripture, we will give an account of a few things. The first thing is our words.

Matt. 12:36-37 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.

What a sobering statement. Jesus continues by stating that our no should be no and our yes be yes; everything else is influenced by the evil one - Matt 5:37. James says that our tongue is the only unruly member of our bodies - James 3:6-10. On the other hand, Solomon noted that we could produce life and death with our tongues, and we live from the fruit of how and what we speak - Prov 18:21. Paul admonishes us to speak pure and good words.

Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Col. 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Next, we will give an account of all our work. 

Matt. 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

These works are not to earn our salvation but the works we do because we are saved. James says that faith without works is dead - James 2:14-20. The works he mentions are clothing the naked and feeding the poor. The same thing Jesus said to the righteous.

Matt. 25:34-36 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry, and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.

Paul tells us that our works will be burned and we will suffer loss for the works that are like wood, but for the works that are like silver and gold we will be rewarded - 1 Cor 3:13-14.

We were created to do good work. Daily we are invited to participate with the Holy Spirit in bringing heaven to earth. 

Eph. 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Col. 1:10 That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Thirdly we will also be judged for our stewardship. God takes this very seriously. Your giftings, talents, and anointing need to be stewarded. Stewardship is not maintaining what you have but increasing what you have. The parable of the talents makes it very clear to us. The person that received one talent and then hid it was punished. The master expected an increase. The other two people increased their talents by stewarding them well and received double the reward for what they had. 

Matt. 25:21 His Lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. So enter into the joy of your Lord.'

How will our words, works, and stewardship be judged? What is the metron of God? 

James 2:12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

I dare to say that the law of liberty is what Jesus speaks about when the lawyer asks Him, "What is the great law and commandment?"

Matt. 22:37-39 Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Paul says that when we do anything we must do it as if we are doing it unto God.

Col. 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

What are the rewards we will be getting for serving Jesus?

Rev. 22:12  And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.

The book of Revelation tells us that for those who overcome, ther are seven rewards. I will just give you the scriptures.

a.  Rev. 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.

b. Rev. 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

c. Rev. 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.

d. Rev. 2:26-28 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations — He shall rule them with a rod of iron. They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' as I also have received from My Father, and I will give him the morning star.

e. Rev. 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

f. Rev. 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

g. Rev. 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

We will also receive crowns. The Elders cast their crowns at Jesus' feet - Rev 4:10. Nowhere does it state that we will do the same. I believe these crowns are not to wear, but it represents our authority and walk with God. So what are these crowns for the Righteous?

1. Incorruptible Crown – 1 Cor 9:24-25.

2. Crown of Righteousness – 2 Tim 4:8-9

3. Crown of Rejoicing – 1 Thess 2:19

4. Crown of Glory – 1 Pet 5:4

5. Crown of Life – James 1:12.

There will also be a judgment for the unrighteous. However, this will not be the judgment seat of Christ but the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of time. Jesus makes it clear that the righteous will be resurrected to eternal life and the unrighteous to eternal judgment.

John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

Rev. 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

The unrighteous are judged for two things. First, they are judged for their works, and second, if their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. 

These people will face eternal judgment and eternal punishment - Matt 25:46. 

Now is the time to get right with God. Ask him for forgiveness and receive his provision through the blood sacrifice of Jesus. Allow Him to take care of your sin. What a glorious expectation to know that we can be right with God. Our names are written in the Lambs Book of Life and declared righteous before Him. It all happens with simple faith. 

Rom. 10:9-11 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.

We are constantly praying for you all. You are true friends and fellow laberors in the kingdom of God.

The Resurrection!

We continue looking at the basic principles of our faith - Heb 6:1-2. The writer of Hebrews mentions six principles:

1. Faith towards God.

2. Repentance from dead works.

3. The Doctrine of Baptisms.

4. Laying on of hands.

5. The resurrection of the dead.

6. Eternal Judgement.

This week we will look at the resurrection of the dead. No one gets out of this life alive! We will all die if Jesus does not come back. Death of our bodies is part of what sin did to us. The wages of sin are still death - Rom 6:23. The great truth is that death does not have the final say. Everything has an expiration, even sin, but we can have eternal life through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus. God raised Jesus from the dead to prove that Jesus took the keys and power away from the very one that enslaved us. We have hope. 

1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The one truth distinguishing our belief from every other religion is that Jesus died and rose again. The most significant opposition to the resurrection of Christ is from satan because the resurrection completed his demise. The apostles defended the resurrection vigorously to show that it is not a fable but truth. More than 2200 historical documents support the case for Christ's resurrection. The Gospels and the Epistles were all written by people that have personally seen and were eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus. Scripture alone records eleven accounts of eyewitnesses that saw Jesus after his resurrection. Apart from appearing to Mary and the disciples, we know that Jesus appeared to over five hundred at one time after his resurrection - 1 Cor 15:6.

More than just proclaiming the resurrection, the apostles declared that what they experienced in ministry was proof of it. Let scripture speak for itself.

First, Peter, after Pentecost, commands a lame man to walk - Acts 5. Then, when questioned about the healing that took place by the Pharisees, he makes a statement to them. Peter states that the healing the lame man received was proof that Jesus was alive.

Acts 3:12-16 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? Or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom ye delivered up and denied him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; of which we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Signs and wonders were proof of the resurrection. After this incident, the disciples kept preaching the resurrection, which did not sit well with the religious folk. The disciples are threatened and told not to preach the resurrection anymore. Their response to the religious leaders was that they must be more obedient to Christ. They are threatened again and let go. Do you think the threats would stop them? No, Peter prayed and asked for more signs to prove the resurrection.

Acts 4:29-30 And now, Lord, behold their threatening’s: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

The resurrection also proves that God has forgiven our sins and that we can preach forgiveness as the apostles did. On the day of Pentecost, Peter stands up and preaches about the resurrection and forgiveness of sins. Peter gives the reason why sins can be forgiven.

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men, and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter preached the same message to the Gentiles when God sent him to the home of Cornelius. At first, Peter did not want to go to the Gentiles, but God showed him a vision, so he went. Peter keeps the message the same when he preaches to the Gentiles.

Acts 10:39-40 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day and showed him openly. Him God raised up the third day and showed him openly.

Paul also preached it to the Gentiles in Antioch and confirmed that the resurrection proves that sins can be forgiven, just like Peter preached.

Acts 13:29-31 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulcher. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

After establishing the truth of the resurrection, Paul preaches salvation to them and the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:37-38 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus himself predicted his resurrection. He said that no man takes his life; he lays it down and then takes it up again - Matt 12:39-40, John 10:17-18. Paul confirms that the resurrection demonstrates that Jesus is the Son of God with power.

Rom. 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Jesus' resurrection guarantees our resurrection and eternal life. Anyone that believes in him will not perish but have eternal life - John 3:15. The Apostle John says that he who has the Son has life - 1 John 5:11-13. Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life - John 11:25. We were crucified with him, but we were also raised with him in newness of a better life and hope - Gal 2:20. This is also referred to in scripture as the first resurrection or our resurrection from spiritual death. Jesus states this as recorded in the book of John.

John 5:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

We know that the people hearing Jesus were not physically dead but spiritually dead. This statement clarifies that when you believe the word and receive Jesus, you receive a resurrection and eternal life. Essentially, being born again is our first (spiritual) resurrection - Rom 6:3-6.

John the Apostle tells us what this resurrection does for us.

Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.

There is also a physical resurrection that happens for believers when Jesus comes back. This resurrection will be for the righteous and those who physically died, knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior - 1 Thess 4:13-18. We will put off the mortal flesh and be changed into immortality in a moment in the twinkling of an eye - 1 Cor 15:51-54

1 Th. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead(believers) in Christ shall rise first. 

But what about the dead people that did not believe in Jesus when they passed away? According to scripture, they will not be resurrected until the time of the Great White Throne's judgment.

Rev. 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.

Rev. 20:11-13 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Few believers know that the Bible states that the unrighteous will also experience a resurrection. Both Jesus and Daniel tells us that. 

Dan. 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The righteous are resurrected before the thousand-year reign of Christ. The unbelievers are resurrected after the thousand-year reign to stand before God and give account for everything they have done - Rev 20:12-13. They are then cast into the lake of fire with hell and death. This is called the second death. First, they died without Christ, now they will live without Christ eternally.

Rev. 20:14-15 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The life that God offers is available to us today. Today we can call on his name and be saved. Today we can have life and have life more abundantly - John 10:10. What do you want to do about it?

Call on him while you still have a chance. He is waiting to give you the life he promised to all that would believe and receive him.

God is greater than your past!

God is greater than your past!

What a significant statement. If we only believed it and lived it. Why does it seem like our past has such a hold on us? It robs us of our dreams for the future and paralyzes us from daring to step out and do something great. Personal failures steal the hope of many, and they give up on the dreams they once dreamed. Families are caught in disputes that go on for years and perpetuate into the next generation. The Hatfield and the McCoy’s are legendary in their family feud.

When you look at your past, there are great things that happened as well. Achievements that are so unique to you as an individual or as a family. Think about Rembrandt and DaVinci. Individually they and many others are known for their artistic creativity. Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven, and many more graced the world with their musical abilities. Then there are men and women whose families achieved greatness—the Waltons and the DuPont’s and others that revolutionized industries that blessed the economy in America. 

The Bible has a similar story of a family with history. In John chapter four, we read about a woman that encounters Jesus at a well. 

John 4:9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.

She was a Samaritan and came from Samaria. Jesus, a jew, was waiting at the well when she showed up to get some water. Jews would usually avoid anyone that was a Samaritan, but Jesus was no ordinary Jew. So, he strikes up a conversation with her. But first, she objects by using the racial card: "How come you, as a Jew, ask me for water." Her history was filled with racial prejudice from her culture and how Jews treated her. Maybe this will make Jesus back off.

We all have a default setting that we activate when we don't know how to respond. It gives us identity and value because, somehow, it has worked well for us. But unfortunately, this way of "opting out" is always connected to some experience or trauma in the past. In addition, it has shaped our opinion and belief system. So, for most of us, it is tough to give up.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."

Then Jesus continues the conversation. The first objection did not face him. Instead, he offers her something she has never considered—living water. This living water is better than anything you currently have. It is better than your past, your present, and everything that you value in this life. It has the power to make you see life through a new lens. It will bring hope back into your life; you cannot keep it to yourself. But first, another observation.

John 4:11 The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where, then do You get that living water? 

For a moment, she forgets her prejudice and questions his ability to give this living water as he has no container to get it from the well. She did not even consider another source for this water but assumed that this was the place to get it from. She continues by adding why that well is so important. This well has a history. This is no ordinary well. Jacob, our great ancestor, drank from this very well. His livestock drank from it. So, we drink from it, and it has great value to us. Then she asks one of the most outstanding questions recorded in scripture:

John 4:12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?"

She was asking Jesus: "Are you greater than my history?"

Take time and think about it. Are you willing to summarize your history and give it up for something better? Is your experience more important than taking a chance on Jesus?

We all should ask the question and conclude. Jesus is bigger than all our history. What have you done in the past that you are trying to avoid? What action or decision brings great shame and guilt? What secrets are you hiding, and what thoughts stay unspoken? If you combine all your mistakes, sins, failures, and faults, Jesus offers you something new because he is more significant than anything you have ever done. 

Rom. 6:10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

He is more significant than all your important victories, achievements, and gifts. All the good you have done; he is more prominent. He is bigger than any of your history!

Once this woman realizes that her future is better than her past, a significant change happens to her. She leaves not just her waterpot but her past and goes and talks with the people in town she tried to avoid all along.

John 4:28  The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

Amazingly, she could tell them that her past was now in the open, but it didn't matter anymore because she had found something better. Failures and traumatic experiences no longer dictated her life. She found a future she did not know she had.

What about your past and your history? John says that if we confess our sins, he is able and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Do you believe he is bigger than your past?

Why don't you ask him and trust him? He will give you hope and a better future, more than anything you ever imagined.

Laying on of Hands.

So far, we have looked at the two foundational principles of faith towards God and repentance from dead works. This week we look at the third principle mentioned in Hebrews chapter 6.

Laying hands on someone was very symbolic and used only in specific rituals. The first reason someone would lay hands on someone else was to bless them. We see that with Isaac blessing Jacob instead of Esau – Gen 27:18-29. It also happened when Israel(Jacob) would later bless Joseph's sons and put his right hand on the head of the younger son - Gen 48:8-20. The symbolism was to impart a blessing or an inheritance.

Next, we see that God commands that Aaron and his sons must wear priestly garments, but before serving, they must take a bull, lay their hands on his head, and confess their sins. Then they had to sacrifice the bull and sprinkle his blood on the altar - Ex 29:10. The same ritual was performed on the day of atonement with the scapegoat. Finally, they had to lay their hands on the head of the goat, confess the sins of Israel and let it loose in the wilderness. The symbolism was that the sins of Israel were transferred to the scapegoat - Lev 16.

Thirdly, laying on hands was used to commission people for service or ministry. God chooses people for ministry. They are brought before the Church and commissioned by the laying on of hands. Paul admonishes us to recognize the people that labor amongst us - 1 Thess 5:12-13.

We see this throughout scripture. When Moses was about to die, God commanded him to commission Joshua as the new leader of Israel - Num 27:18-20,23. The Levites had to be commissioned, so Aaron laid hands on them before they could serve - Num 8:10. In the book of Acts, we see the Apostles commissioning seven men to help with the ministry of taking care of the widows. Stephen and Phillip were two of the ones that they laid hands on before they were sent out - Acts 6:3-6. The same thing happened before they sent Paul and Barnabas out to go and do ministry amongst the gentiles - Acts 13:1-3.

This ritual of laying hands on someone imparts a spiritual gift to someone in the Church. Paul laid hands on Timothy and mentioned that a spiritual gift was imparted to him when the elders laid hands on him - 1 Tim 4:14. Paul never tells us what gift Timothy received but admonishes him to keep stirring up the gift.

2 Tim 1:6 Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

We can also lay hands on people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is no mention that they laid hands on people when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, but we do see the Apostles doing it afterward. The Apostles Peter and John went to Samaria after they heard that the new believers there were baptized in the name of Jesus. They prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit and laid hands on them - Acts 8:14-17. After Saul was converted, the Lord told Ananias to go and lay hands on Saul to receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit - Acts 9:17. 

Paul was traveling, and in Ephesus, he found some disciples. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they got saved. These disciples were baptized into the baptism of John. Paul shared with them, baptized them into the name of Jesus, and laid hands on them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit - Acts 19:1-6.

Lastly, we can lay hands on people that are sick. Jesus did it as one of the ways he healed people. 

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid hands on every one of them and healed them.

It is also part of what Jesus told his disciples and us as part of the great commission.

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

James the Apostle writes that if anyone is sick, let the elders anoint him, lay hands on him, and pray and he will be healed - James 5:14-16.

Lastly, Paul admonishes us not to lay hands on people too quickly, nor share in other people's sins, keep ourselves pure - 1 Tim 5:22. The context of this verse has been butchered so many times. In the prior verse, Paul talks about being partial. Allow me to bring some perspective. Paul does not say we should not lay hands on people but don't do it for selfish reasons or in a way that you approve of what is wrong. Laying hands on people does not make you unclean. Jesus constantly touched people who were considered to be unclean, yet they became clean. In the new covenant, we bring light, and darkness does not overcome our light. 

If you are sick, come to Church so we can lay hands on you. If you struggle, come and let us pray for you. Laying hands on people is a beautiful gift of imparting what we carry, a tangible way to show someone that God cares.

Faith Toward God

This week we continue looking at the foundational teachings of our faith. Last week we looked at repentance from dead works. That is where it all starts. Jesus' statement that the Kingdom was at hand obliterated the idea that God is somewhere in oblivion, wanting very little to do with sinners, feeling justified that sin brought separation between Him and his creation. Sin did not change God; it revealed God!

Heb. 6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Let's look at the second thing that the writer of Hebrews mentions —faith towards God.

The very first mention of faith is the story of God and Abraham. It simply states that Abraham believed, and it was accounted to him as righteousness - Gen 15:6. The meaning is to trust, settle, or establish. 

Abraham's faith was 400 years before the Law was given to Moses. Nevertheless, he and his descendants lived by faith. Through the born-again experience, we are Abraham's seed and live by faith just as he did.

Gal. 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The enemy has offered humanity many other ways to undermine their faith. Faith in self is popular but is nothing more than humanism. Faith in what they have, but that is materialism. Faith in religion, but that is denominationalism. How about faith in doctrine? That is pharisaisism. Even belief in democracy, known as politics. With all these options available, why would they consider faith in God?

There is only one way to God. You must have faith for salvation. 

Eph. 2:8-9 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.

Faith in God is a spiritual force that activates when we believe the truth. Therefore, we must accept the truth about what God offers us for our sinful state. 

a. Jesus is the Son of God – Matt 17:5

b. Jesus died for our sin – Rom 5:6-8

c. Jesus freed us from the power of sin – 1 Pet 2:24, Gal 2:20

d. Jesus reconciled us to the Father – 2 Cor 5:17-21

e. God raised him from the dead – Rom 14:9, Matt 281-4.

f. HE forgives us when we repent – 1 John 1:8-9, Eph 1:7

Faith is not passive. Faith is an action. You act, or you speak about what you believe. 

Rom. 10:8-10 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

People ask me: "Where do I start?" You start with God. Faith is not something you have. It is something God gives you when you believe His word. 

Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Without this faith, you cannot please God. His word creates an expectation in your heart to receive what you need.

Heb. 11:6 But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith starts small but grows. Jesus said it is as small as a mustard seed - Matt 17:20. The potential of any seed is in it. What begins as a seed becomes a harvest. Sometimes we are too impatient. We have faith as a seed but need to give it time to grow. 

Faith is also one of the Spiritual Gifts. However, faith as a Spiritual Gift differs from the faith we get for hearing his word. This kind of faith empowers you to do miracles and signs. Jesus promised us that we would see and do these things.

Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

God also honors other people's faith. We have the story of the lame man and his friends that brought him to Jesus. They opened the roof of the house and let him down. Jesus responded to his friend's faith by healing him. If you don't have the faith you need, find your friends to believe with you.

Mark 2:4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the person with paralysis was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."

How do we increase our faith?

1. Meditate on His word. The more of the word you have in your heart, the easier it is to believe in the outcome. 

2. Pray the word. Let your ears hear the word of God. Faith comes that way. 

3. Believe that if God did it in the past, He could do it again. We cannot expect less from God than what we read about Him in His word.

4. Stay connected with believers. They will help you stay the course and can believe with you.

5. Start acting on the word. Act before you see the results. Faith is the substance of things not seen, the essence of our hope.

Repentance from dead works.

In the book of Hebrews, the writer admonishes us to grow up in Christ and leave the elementary things behind. If you know the elemental principles, you will understand and comprehend the more complex beliefs. You do first grade before you advance to second grade. The writer then mentions six essential principles that are pivotal to our faith.

Heb. 6:1-2 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

We will spend the next few weeks looking at each of these separately. Let's start with repentance from dead works.

The first thing Jesus said when He started his ministry was: "Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand - Matt 4:17.

Mark 1:15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

To repent means turning away, going in the opposite direction, or thinking differently. The Greek word "metanoia" means to put your mind next to or let your mind accompany the mind of God. Repentance involves your mind before it involves your actions. You have to be convicted before you will change your behavior. The prophet Isaiah tells us what we must do.

Is. 55:7  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.

Repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit in us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sins, we step in the right direction. Grace demands that we respond and take action - Eph 2:8-9. Repentance is what God provides so that we can be saved and changed. Why do we all need repentance?

We have all sinned and fallen short of God's plan for our life - Rom 3:23. The consequences of our sin and our fallen nature results in death and separation from God's best for us - Rom 6:23. 

Rom. 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned.

When we refuse to repent, sin wins. There is not one person alive that does not need repentance. We have all gone astray like lost sheep and went our own way - Isaiah 53:6. We all need a savior. 

Matt. 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."

Rom. 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man, someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

What redeems us from our sin?

The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can redeem us from our sins. Why would God choose blood? Life is in the blood, and shedding his blood is giving his life - Heb 9:22.

1 Pet. 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

What do we need to do?

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said to them, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Repentance is where we see our condition, get convicted and remorseful, and then change our thinking and acts. 

2 Cor. 7:9-10 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Repentance is more than feeling sorry. Repentance is more than admitting you got caught. Repentance is changing the way you do life. For example, if I stole your car and asked forgiveness, gave it back, and then stole it again, you would not think I repented, would you? 

The story of Zacchaeus is a great example of someone who repented and changed his ways.

Luke 19:8-9 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham.

What is important to remember is that repentance is ongoing. Daily we submit our thinking to the Holy Spirit. Daily we renew our minds - Rom 12:1-3. Daily we respond to the unction of his conviction - John 16:8-11. We must stay in the place of repentance so that we do not allow our hearts to be hardened again - Heb 4:7.

We are imperfect, and we will sin again - 1 John 1:8-9. All it takes is to get honest with yourself and bring it to God, who is always ready to forgive and restore us.

Is. 43:25 "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. Put Me in remembrance;

Let us contend together; State your case that you may be acquitted.

We are praying for you all daily. 

His Empowerment

The Spirit shall come upon you!

Acts 1:8 You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses......

Did you ever wonder what the disciples perceived when Jesus uttered these words? They spent three years following him after they saw the Holy Spirit come on him at his baptism and witnessed firsthand the things he did under the power of the Holy Spirit. Was his life the only reference they had of what it looks like when someone functions with the power of the Holy Spirit on them?

Almost every believer I know has heard Acts 1:8 quoted a hundred times, if not more. So, what do you think Jesus says when he states that his empowerment will cause us to be witnesses? Unfortunately, most people have a very small repertoire of testimonies of when the Spirit came upon them.

The disciples understood this statement differently than how we perceive it in the 21st century. Our culture in America is disconnected from the spiritual world when directing our lifestyle, decisions, and politics. The separation of state and the church is how we live. We are a democracy, not a theocracy. Israel lived and understood everything through the lens of God's perspective given by the Law and the Prophets. Most middle eastern countries don't see their daily life as separate from their belief system. 

Here are some historical examples of what the disciples knew and believed. This was not the first time they encountered the concept of the Holy Spirit coming upon someone. The history of Israel is full of examples.

Othniel was a judge in Israel. When they sinned, God sent the king of Mesopotamia to oppress them. God raised Othniel to deliver Israel from the king of Mesopotamia. This is what happened.

Judg 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, into his hand; and his hand prevailed over Cushan-Rishathaim.

The same thing happened with Gideon. God raised him up as a judge in Israel, and he and his 300 men defeated the Midianites. How did he do it?

Judg 6:34 But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.

The same thing happened to Jephthah. Another judge in Israel. How did he deliver Israel?

Judg 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh and passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from Mizpah of Gilead, he advanced toward the people of Ammon.

Samson was a judge in Israel. So, God used him to defeat the Philistines. He also killed a lion before his marriage. Samson gave the people a riddle to solve, and when they cheated, Samson went out and killed 30 men to take their tunics from them. How did he do it?

Judg 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.

Judg 14:19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of their men, took their apparel, and gave the changes of clothing to those who had explained the riddle. So, his anger was aroused, and he went back up to his father's house.

Then there is Saul. The Spirit of the Lord came on him, and he prophesied when he met the company of Prophets - 1 Sam 10:10.

The Spirit of the Lord came on David when Samuel anointed him as the next king in Israel 1 Sam 16:13. In The very next chapter, David kills Goliath in the battle with the Philistines. How did he do it? The Spirit of the Lord was on him.

The Spirit of the Lord came on, David's mighty men, when they came to him in the wilderness - 1 Chron 12:8-18.

When Israel faced the Moabites and Amonites in battle, God used Jehosophat to defeat them. He placed worshippers in the front, and God fought for them. How did they know what to do? The Spirit of the Lord came upon Jehaziel, and he prophesied to Israel and the king - 2 Chron 20:14.

The Spirit of the Lord fell on Zachariah, and he prophesied - 2 Chron 24:20. The Spirit of the Lord fell on Ezekiel, and he prophesied - Ezek 11:5.

In the same way, Mary, the mother of Jesus, became pregnant - Luke 1:35.

The Spirit came on Jesus at his baptism - Matt 3:16. So the very first statement Jesus made when he started his ministry was:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor.

The people hearing Jesus saying: the Spirit will come on you, had a different understanding of what he meant. Their history proved that anyone that has the Spirit on them is powerful and used by God. So, when he comes on you, you will see things happen. You will witness things you have never seen, and you will see God do some amazing miracles and give you some significant victories.

What is your expectation of Acts 1:8? Do you understand the full implication of what can happen when the Holy Spirit comes on you? How will this change your prayer and your expectation of what God can do when you pray?

Paul says that he did not come with a good message only but also with a demonstration of power - 1 Cor 2:4-6.

I pray that this will raise your expectation for more extraordinary things.

Developing your character!

I firmly believe that the world does not like the church because they have heard us preach one thing but live another. Solomon says something profound.

Prov. 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he is rich.

This is not a session in pointing fingers. Jesus was the only perfect human being and had no character flaws. Apart from him, we all qualify for a checkup. Unfortunately, some of scripture's most remarkable men and women had character flaws. Abraham, the father of faith, lied about his wife and gave her to another man to save himself. So did his son Isaac. David was not only a murderer and an adulterer but a peeping Tom. What about Peter, lying about being a disciple three times and denying he was with Jesus? What about Judas selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? James and John thought they were more important than anyone else. 

Gehazi, trained to be the next prophet after Elisha, ran after a reward for Elisha healing Naaman he had nothing to do with. Miriam and Aaron question Moses' authority. Solomon, the wisest man, worshipped false idols. Jezebel murdered Naboth so her husband could have a vineyard. 

Samson slept around. Paul murdered believers. The list goes on. Today we read the news of huge ministries where leaders engage in sexual abuse, questionable money matters, and enrichment schemes. You wonder how they kept it silent for so long. People leave the church because leaders fail to walk with integrity and godly character. 

Three things that will reveal bad character the fastest are:

1. Power/Authority.

2. Offense

3. Trails.

Paul admonishes the church never to put a novice in a place of authority - 1 Tim 3:6. Such a person does not have the character to handle the pressure and ends up getting prideful, a bad character trait. Authority is earned through hard work and being tested and found faithful through facing hard decisions and leading well under pressure. We know the enemy tried to offer Jesus a shortcut - Matt 4:8. "You can have all this if you just worship me." There is no shortcut to authority. A shortcut doesn't develop your character.

Next, offend someone, and you will see their character. Offense is the most common way to see what is in someone. We all failed this one more than one time. Instead, we brush it off with an excuse: "that was so out of character for me." The truth will offend your mind and reveal what is in your heart. 

Lastly, trials and difficulties will also reveal your character. Paul writes:

Rom. 5:3-4 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience; and patience, character; and character, hope.

James the Apostle agrees with Paul. He writes:

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

How do we discern what our character is like? The dictionary defines character as your core values and the motivation for why you do things the way you do them. Do your actions line up with your core values? Society and culture are challenging our core values daily. Do we give in, or do we make a stand?

John Wooden said: The true test of character is what you do when you are alone, and no one is watching you.

Here is a list of Godly Character Traits.

1. Integrity - Prov 11:3, 1 Pet 3:16.

2. Loyalty - Psalm 78:8, John 15:13.

3. Honesty - Gen 30:33, Col 3:9.

4. Dependability - 1 Cor 16:13, Luke 16:10.

5. Diligence - Rom 12:8, Prov 13:4.

6. Courage - Duet 31:6, Josh 1:6,9.

7. Respect - Matt 7:12, Phill 2:3.

8. Fruit of the Spirit - Gal 5:22-23. (These are character traits of the Spirit and should be the same for believers.)

How do we develop our character?

1. Know your identity.

2. Know your core values/principles.

3. Practice self-discipline.

4. Be accountable to yourself and others.

5. Use setbacks to learn and change.

6. Take responsibility for your actions and decisions.

7. Know your boundaries (how big is your "no")

8. Respect other people's boundaries.

9. Be self-aware of your weaknesses.

10. Learn to distinguish between needs and wants.

https://www.kentingle.com/leadership/6-ways-to-develop-your-character/

I hope this has helped you feel challenged and motivated never to give up. Failure is only absolute when you stop trying. 

Here are some great questions to ask yourself. Take time, be honest with yourself, and answer them.

1. What character traits are most important to me?

2. When do I most struggle to make the right decision?

3. What character traits can I work on, and how do I plan to do that?

The enemies mind.

I love it when I just read the Bible and then see something in scripture that I have read so many times; it grabs my attention and makes me think again about what it says. This past December, my wife spent time with her parents in South Africa, and I had a great time just reading the Word. I was not looking for anything specific, just reading the Old and New Testament stories.

I was reading Matthew chapter 16, and I found a key that Jesus was giving us. In that chapter, Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is. First, they tell him what other people say, but He repeats the question to them. Finally, Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God."

Next, Jesus tells Peter that God revealed it to him, not the flesh. Let's pause a minute. What is the flesh? In scripture, it can mean two things. First, it can be the flesh, the body you live in, but it can also refer to our carnal nature—the sinful part. I believe Jesus referred to Peter's carnal part in this scripture. You might ask why?

Rom. 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

The flesh of man manifests in particular ways. It is also known as the false trinity, me, myself, and I. The fruit of the flesh is evident in how people act and behave. (We all struggle with this.)

1Cor. 3:3 For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

Jesus would never agree with Peter if what Peter understood came from anything in the flesh. 

Jesus then told the disciples that He would die but would rise again from the dead.

Matt. 16:21-22 From that time, Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed and raised on the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"

Peter was upset at the statement Jesus made. So, he rebuked Jesus. I love the way Jesus responds to Peter. Please pay attention. This is the key!

Matt. 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Jesus is not rebuking Peter. Instead, he is speaking to the enemy that is using Peter and influencing his thinking. And in this statement, Jesus is giving us a key if we can see it. Jesus tells us how the enemy thinks.

Satan can only be mindful of the things of the flesh. As a matter of fact, the enemy is not cognizant of the things of God, and neither can he be. Therefore, I believe that when he sinned and was thrown out from the presence of God, he also lost the ability to understand God - 1 Cor 2:8. After Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, God tells the serpent, the enemy, that from now on, he will sail on his belly and eat dust as food - Gen 3:14. God also tells Adam that he was made of dust and that he would return to dust - Gen 3:19. So what is the enemies' food?

Our carnality. Our unregenerated thinking is unable to understand and perceive the things of God.

1Cor. 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The only thing the carnal mind can produce is death. After that, it is only concerned about the flesh, how to satisfy its desires, and how to justify its own sin - we have all made excuses when we got caught. Therefore, it is impossible to please God when we live carnally in the flesh.

Rom. 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom. 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The enemy wants you to think the way he does. He wants to get you to have his understanding of things. So, he will intimidate, judge, manipulate, sow discord, bring fear and unbelief, make you anxious and lie to you. 

Paul admonishes us. 

Rom. 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Our biggest struggle is our thinking. It is food for the enemy. We must replace our minds with the mind of God. How is that possible?

The Word reveals the wisdom and the mind of God. 

1Cor. 2:16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Next time we will look at the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God.

Seeing from God's perspective - 2

Seeing from God’s perspective – 2

This week we continue with this vital subject. So many things in the world are trying to get your attention. The way we see things determines our perspective. Your perspective will influence the way you make decisions. Your decisions will determine your outcome. I want us to focus this week on the trials and temptations we face each day. But before we look at that, let's see what the bible says about perspective.

Perspective is the lens through which we view life and God. That perspective is formed by what you believe is true or know is true. So, Paul prays this for us:

Eph. 1:18-19 I pray that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

The proper perspective helps us to view things differently. It might help you to have a better understanding of things that are happening. The story of Elisha and his servant is in the Old Testament. The king of Syria was fighting against Israel. Any time they wanted to surprise Israel; they realized that Israel already knew their plans. The king asked his servants who were betraying them, thinking they had a spy in their midst. They told him that Elisha knew everything, even what he was speaking in his bedroom because God revealed it to him. The king decided to find Elisha, so he surrounded Dothan, where Elisha and his servant hid. The servant saw all the soldiers and started to panic. His perspective was that they were in trouble and that they were about to die. "What shall we do?" he asked the man of God. "They that are with us are more than they that are against us," the prophet answered. Elisha prayed and asked God to open his eyes, and then he saw the Lord's army surrounding them and the king of Syria. 

2 Kings 16:17 And Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

That changed his perspective fast. The enemy always focuses on your past, failures, and struggles because he knows that will influence your perspective. God deals with your history and focuses on your future because he knows it will change your perspective. Do you want to be influenced, or do you want things to change?

What happens when we face trials and temptations? 

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

There is a difference between temptation and trials. God tests us. Israel constantly faced hardship and temptation so God could test them to see if they would remain faithful to Him. The purpose of a test is not for us to fail. It is to show us what is in our hearts and what our commitment is to Him and His Word. The word for test is "Dokimion" in Greek. This word means to be approved and to be of reputation. The person that would inspect and determine the true value of a coin in biblical times was called a Dokimion. The test you face is to get you approved for the marketplace. Paul faced many trials, but through it all, he was approved to be faithful and had a reputation. When the sons of Sceva wanted to drive out the devils, they responded: "Jesus we know, and Paul we know, who are you?" Goliath was responsible for David's reputation. 

Start looking at the test you face and see that they are there to approve you and give you a reputation that you are a man or a woman of God. At least allow the test to produce patience in you. Man, do we need to start with that! 

The temptations we face are no different. The word for temptation is "Pierasmos" and means to be tested but with the purpose to be disqualified. It can also mean being entangled and snared. The objective is to discourage, condemn and bring shame on a person. After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid because they were ashamed. God warns Cain against the sin lying in wait to pounce on him. Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." The writer of Hebrew warns us:

Heb. 12:1 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.

God gives us a fantastic promise. 

1Cor. 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

James told us to count it all joy when we face these things. You might think he was out of his mind when he wrote that. But you are right. He was in the mind of Christ. Trails and temptations are not a problem when you look at it from God's perspective. They all are opportunities God uses to make us more than overcomers.

Ask God to change your perspective. 

Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above and not on things on the earth.

Seeing from God's perspective - 1

Seeing from God’s perspective. 

In the next few weeks, I want to share about fresh perspective. How does Jesus look at challenges? How should we see and perceive life and all the challenges we face? 

Recently I attended a pastors’ conference and the speaker said something that really hit the spot. Bishop Wellington Boone had us all out of our chairs but the one thing that got my attention was when he said: “We must see things from heaven's perspective.” 

It is such a simple phrase but so profound. I have been meditating on this for a few weeks. We all know that we will live for eternity. Our life on earth is but a dot on a never-ending line. God is eternal and we are created in his image. Scripture tells us that we will live forever. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever should believe in Him will not perish but have EVERLASTING life. 

Also Read 1 John 2:17, John 10:28, 1 John 5:11-13, and John 17:3. 

So how do you prepare for that everlasting life? If you understand that your time on earth is preparing you for eternity, would you do anything differently? 

What will change in your life today if you start thinking and living with eternity in mind? Growing up we lived with eternal expectations. Most of our songs in Church were about heaven. Songs about how glorious it would be when we see Jesus. We sang about how we will worship him for all eternity. Our theology was based on spending time in his presence because of what he did on the cross of Calvary. The Old Covenant people had the same point of view. Abraham saw himself as a sojourner. He was looking for a city whose maker and builder was God – Heb 11:9-10. Job had the same expectation – Job 19:25. 

Somehow the cares of the world and the business of making a living have robbed a lot of believers of this expectation of hope. Most people are just trying to survive from day to day. What is the problem? We have replaced our purpose for living. We want “longevity” instead of purpose. We will do anything just to live longer. The Bible promises us seventy to eighty years. But is that our purpose? 

What is my purpose? 

Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

The truth is: Before God created you, he purposed you. You were created for something much greater than just a long life. Paul tells us after stating that we are called according to His purpose. His purpose is for us to be in the likeness of Jesus. Hold on. How will He make me like Jesus? 

Rom. 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

The book of Psalms says that he knew us before we were formed in the womb. If God knew you then, then he must know your purpose for what He created you for. If he knows your purpose, then He knows what you will need to fulfill that purpose. It is like building a car for the purpose of transporting people. You know that the car will need gas to fulfill its purpose. So, you make sure you supply and use what the car needs to transport people. What does God use to help us reach His purpose for us? 

What does scripture teach us? Adam and Eve would have lived in eternal bliss if they never sinned. The Garden of Eden did not come without its challenges. God put a man in a perfect place yet gave them some parameters. The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil had a purpose. Adam and Eve should avoid it and in doing so they would be overcomers. A temptation is a tool the enemy use, but God also uses it for our good. Like one preacher said: “you can’t have a testimony without a test.” 

We must ask ourselves if it is okay for God to use whatever is needed to make us like Jesus. The answer is yes. 

Because of his purpose for you, God promises to use all the things you will ever face and make them work together for your good. I have young people tell me: “I don’t know my purpose.” You don’t know the scripture and that is the reason you feel lost. To reach that goal, God does two things. 

First, He gives us the Spirit to intercede on our behalf, according to the will of God.  

Rom. 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 

It is impossible for the Holy Spirit to ask God for anything that will not benefit you. That is our guarantee, The Spirit knows the will of God for your life. God does not tempt anyone, nor can he be tempted, but challenges and temptations are all part of the process God can and will use to conform you to His image. Temptation is the test; overcoming is your testimony. 

He also gives us a second promise. 

Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

He is able to use whatever the enemy brings to you for your good. James helps us see it from the heavens' perspective. 

James 1:2 Count it all JOY brothers when you fall into various kinds of trials (temptations), knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

God is using the temptations you face as a test. Next week we will look at this again.  

Bishop Boone told the story of him and a friend that played golf. On the green Bishop took out a gold coin (Kruger Rand) and marked his ball.  

Pastor: “How much is that coin worth?” 

Bishop: “It is a ball marker.”  

Pastor: “But how much is it worth?”  

Bishop: “It is a ball marker.” 

Pastor: “Yes but how much is it worth.” 

Bishop: “This coin does not give me value; I give it purpose.” 

Temptations and things you are facing daily do not determine your value, it comes so you can give it purpose. Your value is not determined by what you face, it is determined by the way you respond to the things that you face. What you are facing is showing you what value God is placing on your character. He gave the Spirit to pray for you and use what you are going through to work out for your good.  

When we see things from God’s perspective, trials and temptation become opportunities for growth and reward. 

I love what scripture says about David. 

Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption. 

We all know the things David faced. Everything worked out for his good. When he fulfilled all the purposes God had for him in his lifetime, he died. 

I pray that you will begin to see from heaven's perspective. Let’s make ourselves ready for eternity, learning in this life to be more than overcomers – Rom 8:37. 

The Secret Place!

The Secret Place. 

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 

What is the secret place? David knew about it and found it to be a place of great protection and provision. Is he the only person that knew about it, accessed it, and can we find it too? 

This was the first Psalm I ever memorized growing up. I have always loved this psalm and in times of difficulty, I would always revert to what it says. Some of the most wonderful promises are included in this psalm. 

I am sure David did not just pen this psalm because he had a poetic inclination and desire to just write down some words. I believe that every word of this psalm comes from a genuine experience he had. Every time God came through for him, he remembered how God protected and provided for him.  

Here are some of the benefits of being in a secret place with God. 

1.     I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 

2.     Surely, He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. 

3.      He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings, you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 

4.      You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, 

5.      Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 

6.      A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 

That is not all folks! 

7.      No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling. 

8.      For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. 

Grab a hold of this! 

9.      You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion, and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 

10.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 

11.   With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” 

With all the benefits that the secret place has, it becomes imperative for us to find it and learn how to dwell in the secret place as well. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to experience this kind of protection and provision? 

David found the secret place while living under the Old Covenant. Is there a secret place in the New Covenant? David accessed the secret place through worship and meditation. He functioned from the secret place. When he faced Goliath, he was not intimidated. When he was faced with betrayal and had to flee his home, he never doubted that God could restore him and his family.  

What about Jesus? Did he have a secret place with God? I believe so. He prayed often, fasted, and waited on God. Jesus even tells us plainly what the secret place is we can find God. When I realized it, I was shocked. It is in plain sight, and I missed it all these years. Would you like to know the secret place that is available to us? 

First Secret Place: Giving. 

Matt. 6:3-4 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 

Giving is a key to the secret place with God. God is a giver. Jesus came to give everything he had. Being generous is to be an expression of the heart of God. We know what scripture teaches us. God so loved that He gave – John 3:16. It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35. I am fully convinced that giving is a connection and entry into the secret place where God finds you and rewards you.  

Second Secret Place: Prayer. 

Matt. 6:5-6 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 

Prayer is another key to step into the secret place. Matthew 6:6 says that God is “in” the secret place of prayer. Once we realize the power of prayer, we will be hard pressed to only pray little insignificant prayers. Prayers bring about answers. Prayer changes things – Phill 4:6. Prayer is the opportunity God affords us to bring His will to earth – Matt 6:9-10.  

Third Secret Place: Fasting. 

Matt. 6:16-18 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces so that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 

Fasting is the quickest way to see how much carnality is in your flesh. The flesh is our struggle. When God cursed the serpent, He told him that his food would be dust – Gen 3:14, Isaiah 65:25. God also says that he made us from the dust of the earth and to dust we will return – Gen 3:19. The flesh or carnality is the enemy's food. Fasting is a way to crucify the flesh and deny the enemy his food. Fasting is also a key to stepping into the secret place because no flesh shall glory in His presence – 1 Cor 1:29. Fasting helps us to step out of carnality and step into the place where flesh no longer rules and dictates.  

When you study great men and women of God you will find that they all had these things in common. They lived lives dedicated to God through fasting, prayer, and giving of themselves. 

Jesus’ life was known by these. He commands us to do the same. Not “if” we give, pray, or fast, but WHEN we give, pray and fast.  

I believe these verses hold a key to a more abundant life where we will and can experience God’s provision and protection. 

Salvation - 1

Salvation!

How about some fresh perspective? You get the same answer whenever you ask the question about the word salvation. Salvation means I get eternal life. Nothing wrong with that answer, just that salvation is so much more.

We have lived way below our potential as Christians. As a result, the possibility of what God promised us when we get saved is still untapped. When we understand the true meaning of the word "saved," we will realize that God has so much more in store for us. In the Old Testament, the word used for salvation is "Yeshuah." It is the same word as the name of Jesus in Hebrew. Therefore, whenever you read a passage of scripture in the Old Testament, you can use the word "Yeshuah" when it says salvation. 

Yeshuah means Savior, one who sets free, is safe, defends, delivers, preserves, rescues, to be victorious.

In the New Testament, the word for saved is "Sozo." The meaning of Sozo is much more than just eternal life. Here is a breakdown of the importance of the word Sozo.

saved G4982 σώζω  

G4982 σῴζω sōzō (173x) 

1. to save, rescue; to preserve safe and unharmed - Mt. 8:25; 10:22; 24:22; 27:40, 42, 49; 1 Tim. 2:15.

2. to bring safely too - 2 Tim. 4:18.

3. to cure, heal, restore to health - Mt. 9:21, 22; Mk. 5:23, 28, 34; 6:56.

4. to save, preserve from being lost - Mt. 16:25; Mk. 3:4; 8:35.

5. to deliver from, set free from - Mt. 1:21; Jn. 12:27; Acts 2:40.

6. to rescue from unbelief, convert - Rom. 11:14; 1 Cor. 1:21; 7:16.

7. to bring within the pale of saving privilege - Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:21.

8. to save from final ruin - 1 Tim. 1:15.

9. to be brought within the pale of saving privilege - Acts 2:47; Eph. 2:5, 8.

10. to be in the way of salvation - 1 Cor. 15:2; 2 Cor. 2:15 → heal; rescue; save.

[Mounce Greek Dictionary]

The first revelation God gave us for the word "salvation" or "saved" is Yeshuah. The name of Jesus includes all the possibilities of what it means to be saved. It means to be delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected.

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected).

Compare this verse:

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected).

His name carries the ability to save us completely. Paul adds to this for us when he writes:

Phil. 2:9-11 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. 

When we understand the implication and the power in the Name of Jesus, scripture opens up.

John 3:16 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. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected).

God wants the whole world to be restored. So Paul writes to Timothy and says:

1 Tim. 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved (delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected) and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

God never saved us just so that we could go to heaven. Instead, he saved us so we could be fully restored and bring heaven to earth. Therefore, we should experience now in our life what it is to be saved, healed, delivered, and blessed. Jesus said this:

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved (delivered, set free, healed, be safe, made whole, and protected) and will go in and out and find pasture. 

Here is what the enemy offer, but Jesus offers us so much more.

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. 

Abundantly means superabundant in quantity, superior in quality, and excessive in measure. Expect your life to look like scripture.

Salvation should cause abundance in your life. An abundance of goodness and a lot of persecution. This is not a prosperity Gospel. We do not measure our spirituality with what we have. We fully believe that salvation is more than barely making it; sorry, I am still here; God makes it stop. 

You are still going to heaven. You can just start having some of heaven now.

Fathers Day 2022

Fathers Day!

We just celebrated fathers day this past weekend. For me, it is one of my favorite days of the year. As you all know we have only one daughter and she writes something special every year. She does not know it, but I copy and save it in a particular file. When God made Adam and Eve, it states that God rested on the seventh day of creation. Have you ever wondered what God did on that day? He finished creating them at the end of the sixth day.

I believe God visited with Adam and Eve on the first Sabbath. We know God walked with them in the Garden of Eden. The first Sabbath was also the first Father's Day in scripture for them. 

Gen. 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Gen. 2:1-2 Thus, the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day, God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.

Gen. 3:8  And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.

I want to honor all our male Coaches because you have modeled what true fathers are to a whole generation. Thank you so much. Here is one of many times Aninka wrote a message to me for fathers day.

"While many girls grew up playing dolls and dreaming of Prince Charming, I grew up climbing trees and listening to stories of the great South African wild. I grew up with my head in the clouds, a keen ear for music, a deep love for the unknown, and a yearning for stories, people, and places beyond my immediate reach. I thank my father immensely for giving me the wings I needed to grasp these things. The gifts he gave me were so much more valuable than a mere blueprint on "how to get swept off my feet by a valiant prince on his noble steed." While my mom taught me HOW to breathe fire, it was my dad that taught me that it is perfectly okay if I DO breathe fire. 

He's always been a strong man that believes in raising strong women. He taught me that it's perfectly okay for a woman to have a voice and to be her own person - that she deserves to be loved and respected, but that her self-worth will never depend on the opinions and feelings of others. He taught me that I will make an impact on this world and that my words and actions will have consequences. He taught me how to love those around me, showed me the kind of love I deserved, and most importantly - how to love myself. 

He told me I was smart, independent, and beautiful. He taught me to never give up on my dreams. And because my daddy said so, I never had reason to doubt in myself. He understood that the amount of faith I have in myself is more valuable, and more powerful, than the faith anyone else will ever have in me. 

So I'm thankful to my mom for showing me that I never needed to wait for a prince to save me - I only needed a sword of my own. And I'm thankful to my dad for giving me that sword and teaching me how to use it. I grew up believing in fairy tales and true love, but he made me know that I wasn't meant to be a broken damsel in distress. He taught me how to save myself and he set the standard for what I expected in a man. For that, I'm forever grateful. 

So thank you, daddy - for not only giving me the best example of a man who loves, protects, and provides for his family - but for raising me to be able to fight my own battles and allowing me to use my voice. Even if what I was saying was wrong. And thank you for always being by my side to encourage me, help me, and push me. I'm who I am because of you, and I'm blessed beyond measure to have you as my father. 

I love you, and Happy Father's Day."

God is our Father - John 1:12-13. James 1:18. I think it would be great if you take some time this week and write God a fathers day letter.