May 2010
Faithful is He who Promises
30/05/10 12:46
Did you
know that every time God sees the rainbow in the sky,
He remembers the promise that He made with Noah? That
promise was that He would never again destroy the
earth with a flood. “Then
God said to Noah and to his sons with him, ‘I
now establish my covenant with you and with your
descendants after you… This is the sign of the
covenant that I am making between me and you and
every living creature with you… I have set my
rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the
covenant between me and the
earth.’”Gen.9:8-13
Now, what is the first thing we do when there is a storm and the sun breaks through the clouds? We look for the rainbow! And when we see it, we are reminded of the promise that God had made about never flooding the earth again.
I have always had the tendency to think this way: When I see the rainbow, I think, “Okay, now God should see it and He will remember His promise that He made and won’t destroy the earth with a flood.” But there is error in that.
It is almost like; we are hoping that the rainbow appears so that God won’t forget! It’s a silly way of thinking, but it’s normal because we don’t even look for the rainbow unless it rains. But the Scriptures say, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds…” The point is that the rainbow is already there! God set it there and when He sees it appear in the clouds, He promises to remember His covenant.
Don’t you see? Science tells us that the rainbow is caused when the sun refracts through water droplets that are in the air. Have you ever heard of a prism? It is a triangular piece of glass that when a single ray of light passes through it, the prism bends the light showing the different colors that make up light. You see, we even look at light, not as it really is, but only as our atmosphere makes it appear. Light is actually a make-up of many colors and not just the “white light” that we see.
So, when the light passes through the prism, we see light in its true make-up. I wonder; doesn’t God see light as it actually is? Yes, He made it! In the same way, God set His rainbow in the sky and it is a constant, perpetual reminder of the covenant that He made with Noah and his descendants. God told us that He would remember; yet in actuality, He was telling us that He would be faithful to His promise.
When you know everything, there is nothing to forget. I know that some evangelicals say things like, “God will forget your sins when you give your heart to Him.” But the Word says that He chooses to remember those sins no more.
In other words, God will not think of our sins, when he thinks of us. Why? How can this be? Because those who God chooses to look at in this way, are those who are in His Son, Jesus Christ. Just like when we look for the rainbow during a storm –only if the sun is shining through! If we don’t see the sun, we don’t bother looking for the rainbow. Just as we are sure that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood, we should be just as assured that when we are in Christ Jesus, God sees us through His Son, and we are seen as we really are!
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
Now, what is the first thing we do when there is a storm and the sun breaks through the clouds? We look for the rainbow! And when we see it, we are reminded of the promise that God had made about never flooding the earth again.
I have always had the tendency to think this way: When I see the rainbow, I think, “Okay, now God should see it and He will remember His promise that He made and won’t destroy the earth with a flood.” But there is error in that.
It is almost like; we are hoping that the rainbow appears so that God won’t forget! It’s a silly way of thinking, but it’s normal because we don’t even look for the rainbow unless it rains. But the Scriptures say, “I have set my rainbow in the clouds…” The point is that the rainbow is already there! God set it there and when He sees it appear in the clouds, He promises to remember His covenant.
Don’t you see? Science tells us that the rainbow is caused when the sun refracts through water droplets that are in the air. Have you ever heard of a prism? It is a triangular piece of glass that when a single ray of light passes through it, the prism bends the light showing the different colors that make up light. You see, we even look at light, not as it really is, but only as our atmosphere makes it appear. Light is actually a make-up of many colors and not just the “white light” that we see.
So, when the light passes through the prism, we see light in its true make-up. I wonder; doesn’t God see light as it actually is? Yes, He made it! In the same way, God set His rainbow in the sky and it is a constant, perpetual reminder of the covenant that He made with Noah and his descendants. God told us that He would remember; yet in actuality, He was telling us that He would be faithful to His promise.
When you know everything, there is nothing to forget. I know that some evangelicals say things like, “God will forget your sins when you give your heart to Him.” But the Word says that He chooses to remember those sins no more.
In other words, God will not think of our sins, when he thinks of us. Why? How can this be? Because those who God chooses to look at in this way, are those who are in His Son, Jesus Christ. Just like when we look for the rainbow during a storm –only if the sun is shining through! If we don’t see the sun, we don’t bother looking for the rainbow. Just as we are sure that God will never again destroy the earth with a flood, we should be just as assured that when we are in Christ Jesus, God sees us through His Son, and we are seen as we really are!
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
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Those who are lead by the Spirit of God
23/05/10 16:02
Paul
opens the eighth chapter of Romans with a tremendous
boost of encouragement. “Therefore,
there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus…” It is a
wonderful thing to know that for those who have
surrendered their lives to God through Christ are no
longer under the wrath and condemnation of God. But
doesn’t this imply that those who do not
surrender their lives to God through Christ remain
under that cloud of condemnation?
It most certainly does. And this is where the Christian who loves his fellow man will warn him to flee the coming wrath. Ah, but this involves some sort of manifested judgment. Now the unbeliever who will not submit himself to God will usually think that the Christian is doing the judging, whereas, those who know God, know that they are only echoing God’s judgment. This sort of judgment must take place, if not, whom then shall we warn. Christians must discern who is actually living for God and who is not, who has Jesus in their hearts and who does not.
If this is not so, then let us all put our Bibles away and never say another word about God. Isn’t it amazing how fast an unbeliever can stop a Christian in his evangelistic tracks by five little words; “Who are you to judge?” A woman stopped D.L. Moody one day and gave him a tongue lashing for his candid evangelism. She told him that he was too harsh and that he need not speak so of Hell and eternal condemnation. On hearing her out and letting her finish, he said, “O, I am sorry madam, tell me then, how do you do it?” “Why, I do not trouble with it at all.” Came her retort. “Then, Mr. Moody continued, “I will try to save men’s souls the only way I know. For my way, is still better than, no way.”
So, as Paul continues into the chapter and his discourse upon the security of the salvation of God to all who believe, we begin to learn that Christ is truly the only way to God. But, Paul begins to hone in on the need to know what it actually means to be “in Christ Jesus.” You see, a lot of people call themselves Christians. A lot of folk say they believe in God. Some folks erroneously believe that if they think about God every now and then, and are troubled by the conditions of the world, well, that constitutes, Christianity. Here’s a news flash; just agreeing with Jesus, doesn’t make one a Christian.
The rich young ruler agreed with Jesus and he walked away from Him sad. He agreed with Christ, he just couldn’t do what He commanded. Two thousand years later, the “rich young rulers” of today, have found a salve for the troubled heart –a deceived mind. Paul tells us in the ninth verse that if a man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in them, then they do not belong to Christ. And then he hammers home in the fourteenth verse that only those who are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God. This is why he told us along with the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you –unless, of course, you fail the test.” 2Cor.13:5
That examination involves not only knowing what you do from day to day, but also, a knowledge of the Word of God –to see if your life aligns up with it.
It most certainly does. And this is where the Christian who loves his fellow man will warn him to flee the coming wrath. Ah, but this involves some sort of manifested judgment. Now the unbeliever who will not submit himself to God will usually think that the Christian is doing the judging, whereas, those who know God, know that they are only echoing God’s judgment. This sort of judgment must take place, if not, whom then shall we warn. Christians must discern who is actually living for God and who is not, who has Jesus in their hearts and who does not.
If this is not so, then let us all put our Bibles away and never say another word about God. Isn’t it amazing how fast an unbeliever can stop a Christian in his evangelistic tracks by five little words; “Who are you to judge?” A woman stopped D.L. Moody one day and gave him a tongue lashing for his candid evangelism. She told him that he was too harsh and that he need not speak so of Hell and eternal condemnation. On hearing her out and letting her finish, he said, “O, I am sorry madam, tell me then, how do you do it?” “Why, I do not trouble with it at all.” Came her retort. “Then, Mr. Moody continued, “I will try to save men’s souls the only way I know. For my way, is still better than, no way.”
So, as Paul continues into the chapter and his discourse upon the security of the salvation of God to all who believe, we begin to learn that Christ is truly the only way to God. But, Paul begins to hone in on the need to know what it actually means to be “in Christ Jesus.” You see, a lot of people call themselves Christians. A lot of folk say they believe in God. Some folks erroneously believe that if they think about God every now and then, and are troubled by the conditions of the world, well, that constitutes, Christianity. Here’s a news flash; just agreeing with Jesus, doesn’t make one a Christian.
The rich young ruler agreed with Jesus and he walked away from Him sad. He agreed with Christ, he just couldn’t do what He commanded. Two thousand years later, the “rich young rulers” of today, have found a salve for the troubled heart –a deceived mind. Paul tells us in the ninth verse that if a man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ living in them, then they do not belong to Christ. And then he hammers home in the fourteenth verse that only those who are led by the Spirit of God, are the sons of God. This is why he told us along with the Corinthians, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you –unless, of course, you fail the test.” 2Cor.13:5
That examination involves not only knowing what you do from day to day, but also, a knowledge of the Word of God –to see if your life aligns up with it.
What is this Life Really?
16/05/10 14:40
Jesus
tells us that if we had the faith the size of a
mustard seed, we could move mountains! So, you know
what my life tells me? I need faith! Do I really
believe God for every aspect of my life? Oh, I know
that I am saved and that one day I will be with the
Lord for all eternity, but what am I to do about the
lack of faith in my life right now? Think about it;
Jesus is given a simple problem at a wedding
reception and He solves it with simple faith, He
turns water into wine. “Oh, Jesus, we
don’t have enough food to feed this
multitude.” No problem for Jesus; He just
multiplies two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus
sees His friends struggling on the stormy waters of
the Galilean Sea; no problem, He just walks out to
them –on the water! “Jesus my daughter is
dying! She’s on the brink of death. She may
even be dead right now. Please come and heal
her.” No problem for Jesus, He raises her back
to life just in time for lunch. “Ah, but
Lazarus has already been dead four days!” No
problem, Jesus knew that He would receive anything He
asked of the Father, for He knew that His Father
always heard Him. And didn’t Jesus say to us
that the works He did and yea, even greater works
shall we do, because He went to the Father.
Isn’t this the same Jesus who, the writer of
Hebrews says, “Ever liveth, to make
intercession for us?” Isn’t this the very
One who promised, “Ask anything in My Name, and
it shall be done for you?” And to make His
point even stronger, He has John tells us,
“I
write these things to you who believe in the name of
the Son of God so that you may know that you have
eternal life. This is the confidence we have in
approaching God: that if we ask anything according to
his will, he hears us –whatever we ask- we know
that we have what we asked of Him.”
I think we make living in this world harder than we need to. And I think it is because we cannot admit that we are not as full of faith as we think we are. We think that we’re pretty good “joes” and that our faith is just fine. Yet we struggle with worldliness, temptation, vanity and pride. James was right you know; he said that we have not because we don’t ask and when we do, we ask amiss. I also think that I have asked amiss in my prayers a number of times. And the rub of the matter is, I truly thought I was being sincere when I was asking. I wonder if I was really asking in Christ’ Name? Was I doing the Lord’s work? Was I in the service of the King, or did I just want my life to be just a little more comfortable, a little more secure, a little safer? I guess one has to admit to oneself a truth that they may not want to believe –could it be that I am “living” for Jesus for what I get out of it? Should not the Christian’s life be one of servant hood from beginning to end? Shouldn’t it be that no matter where we are in life, it’s the Father’s business first?
In the Scripture above, John tells us that we have –right now- eternal life! Jesus knew that, the apostles knew that, and anyone who asks God the Father, “Not what You can do for me, but what can I do for You?” knows that. When you get to that place, your crooked ways become straight; your rough ways become smoother; your valleys are raised and your mountains are moved. There will be nothing you and I can’t do. Walk on water! No problem. Feed a multitude. Let me give thanks. Remember, saint of God, the Life that was given to us is the Life that gives Light. Walk in that Light, have fellowship with the Divine and the Blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all sin.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
I think we make living in this world harder than we need to. And I think it is because we cannot admit that we are not as full of faith as we think we are. We think that we’re pretty good “joes” and that our faith is just fine. Yet we struggle with worldliness, temptation, vanity and pride. James was right you know; he said that we have not because we don’t ask and when we do, we ask amiss. I also think that I have asked amiss in my prayers a number of times. And the rub of the matter is, I truly thought I was being sincere when I was asking. I wonder if I was really asking in Christ’ Name? Was I doing the Lord’s work? Was I in the service of the King, or did I just want my life to be just a little more comfortable, a little more secure, a little safer? I guess one has to admit to oneself a truth that they may not want to believe –could it be that I am “living” for Jesus for what I get out of it? Should not the Christian’s life be one of servant hood from beginning to end? Shouldn’t it be that no matter where we are in life, it’s the Father’s business first?
In the Scripture above, John tells us that we have –right now- eternal life! Jesus knew that, the apostles knew that, and anyone who asks God the Father, “Not what You can do for me, but what can I do for You?” knows that. When you get to that place, your crooked ways become straight; your rough ways become smoother; your valleys are raised and your mountains are moved. There will be nothing you and I can’t do. Walk on water! No problem. Feed a multitude. Let me give thanks. Remember, saint of God, the Life that was given to us is the Life that gives Light. Walk in that Light, have fellowship with the Divine and the Blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all sin.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
Victory is Found after Resoluteness
09/05/10 21:48
A
man’s home is supposed to be his castle! He
rules his domain in love and wisdom and protects it
with all the power that God grants him. Well, every
Spring, intruders from the south swarm into the
man’s territory seeking food and seeking
shelter. Fowls of the air swoop in to build their
nest in eaves, soffits and any other place they can
find; like atop the ladder that is hanging on the
wall at the back of my garage! I have this little
porch area where I keep my tractor and ladders out of
the weather and these little vermin think that they
can just move in building their nests anywhere they
please. Well, I showed them!
My tenacious spirit blocked every attempt of their ideas for making their home in my garage! Every morning for about a week, I would see new activity; grass, mud and twigs being collected and meticulously placed in what they thought was an inconspicuous place! But they don’t call me “Ol’ Eagle-eye Jimmy” for nothing. Especially when they fly right toward me trying to escape! Well, I just want you to know that those birds can be just as tenacious! We fought for two weeks and I have come out the victor! Yeah! Those birds probably tried thirty times, I have grass, sticks and mud all over the place. But today, my garage is nest free, and by the grace of God, (revealed through my resoluteness) it will be all summer.
Did you know that the grace of God is revealed in your fight against sin? Sin tries to build a little home in your heart like those birds tried to build a nest in my garage. Sin tries to over run your life like weeds try to over run your garden. Sin is always looking for a place to nestle in while being inconspicuous until it takes root and you realize that you’re trapped. Solomon tells us that sin won’t let go of the person that practices it. And then Hosea tells us that that very sin will not permit us to return to God. What an awful condition. The spiritual man is aware of his low position –Blessed are the poor in spirit- and his need for the grace of God in his life. But the grace I am referring to here is not the grace that most people are thinking of. You know what I mean; “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.” Too many only think of God’s grace in the area of forgiveness rather than strength for living. But Paul made it clear that it was the grace of God that was working in his life –and that grace was not without effect. He said that he had worked harder than all of those apostles, yet not him, but the grace of God that was in him. To Jesus Christ be the glory!
God’s grace gives us that discernment to know that sin is crouching at the doors of our hearts just waiting for that right moment to come in and make its home there. It is God’s grace that shows us the way in which to live and root the evil out and it’s God’s grace that empowers us to be resolute in our goal. Seeing how that it’s Mother’s Day, let me give an illustration of the tenacity of spirit that I am talking about.
Charles Swindoll tells of a good friend of his who was raised by a godly mother. “…that when she rocked him to sleep, she didn’t sing to him just little ditties and lullabies, she sang him the hymns of the faith. He remembers her singing hymns like, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”; “My Jesus, I Love Thee”; and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” She sang the deep songs. And he says, “I remember. I remember those hymns. In fact,” he says, “when I went to church, I had heard and learned most of the hymns,” a contribution in that young man’s life that he’ll never forget.
In this day and age it’s all the more important to be resolute in keeping sin out of our lives and the lives of our loved ones. So, by the grace of God, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand. And be tenacious!
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
My tenacious spirit blocked every attempt of their ideas for making their home in my garage! Every morning for about a week, I would see new activity; grass, mud and twigs being collected and meticulously placed in what they thought was an inconspicuous place! But they don’t call me “Ol’ Eagle-eye Jimmy” for nothing. Especially when they fly right toward me trying to escape! Well, I just want you to know that those birds can be just as tenacious! We fought for two weeks and I have come out the victor! Yeah! Those birds probably tried thirty times, I have grass, sticks and mud all over the place. But today, my garage is nest free, and by the grace of God, (revealed through my resoluteness) it will be all summer.
Did you know that the grace of God is revealed in your fight against sin? Sin tries to build a little home in your heart like those birds tried to build a nest in my garage. Sin tries to over run your life like weeds try to over run your garden. Sin is always looking for a place to nestle in while being inconspicuous until it takes root and you realize that you’re trapped. Solomon tells us that sin won’t let go of the person that practices it. And then Hosea tells us that that very sin will not permit us to return to God. What an awful condition. The spiritual man is aware of his low position –Blessed are the poor in spirit- and his need for the grace of God in his life. But the grace I am referring to here is not the grace that most people are thinking of. You know what I mean; “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.” Too many only think of God’s grace in the area of forgiveness rather than strength for living. But Paul made it clear that it was the grace of God that was working in his life –and that grace was not without effect. He said that he had worked harder than all of those apostles, yet not him, but the grace of God that was in him. To Jesus Christ be the glory!
God’s grace gives us that discernment to know that sin is crouching at the doors of our hearts just waiting for that right moment to come in and make its home there. It is God’s grace that shows us the way in which to live and root the evil out and it’s God’s grace that empowers us to be resolute in our goal. Seeing how that it’s Mother’s Day, let me give an illustration of the tenacity of spirit that I am talking about.
Charles Swindoll tells of a good friend of his who was raised by a godly mother. “…that when she rocked him to sleep, she didn’t sing to him just little ditties and lullabies, she sang him the hymns of the faith. He remembers her singing hymns like, “A Mighty Fortress is our God”; “My Jesus, I Love Thee”; and “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” She sang the deep songs. And he says, “I remember. I remember those hymns. In fact,” he says, “when I went to church, I had heard and learned most of the hymns,” a contribution in that young man’s life that he’ll never forget.
In this day and age it’s all the more important to be resolute in keeping sin out of our lives and the lives of our loved ones. So, by the grace of God, be strong in the Lord and his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand. And be tenacious!
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
Silence is Golden…and at times, instructive.
02/05/10 21:59
The
chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for
evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to
death, but they did not find any. Many testified
falsely against him, but their statements did not
agree. Then some stood up and gave this false
testimony against him: “We have heard him say,
‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in
three days will build another, not made by
man.’” Yet even then their testimony did
not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them
and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer?
What is this testimony that these men are bringing
against you?”
But Jesus remained silent and gave no
answer.
If I were a betting man, I would say that Jesus had something to say to those folks but wisdom directed Him into silence. There is no sense in arguing, or trying to explain ‘your side’ of things, if those with whom you are debating just won’t listen. Why try to defend yourself when your accusers are determined in their course against you?
These folks were looking for any reason to kill Him and any false testimony would do. Jesus knew that if His accusers would resort to lies, they certainly wouldn’t hear the truth. During the days of the prophet Amos, Israel was truly wicked and far from God. These folks were very materialistic and looking out for themselves. They didn’t care about the poor and they oppressed the righteous.
It amazes me that in this day and age, we see the very same things going on right here in America. Christianity is being marginalized (that’s a twenty-first century word for oppressed) by the media and being pushed into irrelevance –into silence. “You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
Do you see why Jesus kept silent now? There wasn’t going to be any reasoning with the unreasonable. When the times wax evil, truth becomes vulnerable to lies and vain imaginations. Come on folks, evolution? Why is that even a debate? Why is the Church even having to deal with “ordained homosexual ministers” and other social issues that pertain nothing to the Gospel.
Robert Jaffray, was of the family that owned and published the Toronto Globe and Mail, who converted to Christianity against his family’s wishes. And against their protest, he traveled to Africa and spent his life winning men to Christ. A.W. Tozer testified that Robert Jaffray got to the place where you couldn’t talk to him and just discuss common things. He would look down, maybe answer, maybe not, but then he would begin to talk about God and missions.
Now, I am not suggesting that the Church silence herself in this age, if there ever was a country that needed a prophet –America stands right out there in front. But, I am reminded of two things that Jesus said that I think we have forgotten. One is “don’t cast your pearls before swine” and the other is “…if they won’t listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.”
Jesus isn’t advocating that we give up on lost souls, but there comes a time when every effort to testify turns into a futile expression of love and received as an antagonistic attack upon their love for an autonomous life-style.
Believe me Church, there will come a time that our silence will be heard and they will long for the day to hear our voice. But until then, may God grant each of us the wisdom of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim
If I were a betting man, I would say that Jesus had something to say to those folks but wisdom directed Him into silence. There is no sense in arguing, or trying to explain ‘your side’ of things, if those with whom you are debating just won’t listen. Why try to defend yourself when your accusers are determined in their course against you?
These folks were looking for any reason to kill Him and any false testimony would do. Jesus knew that if His accusers would resort to lies, they certainly wouldn’t hear the truth. During the days of the prophet Amos, Israel was truly wicked and far from God. These folks were very materialistic and looking out for themselves. They didn’t care about the poor and they oppressed the righteous.
It amazes me that in this day and age, we see the very same things going on right here in America. Christianity is being marginalized (that’s a twenty-first century word for oppressed) by the media and being pushed into irrelevance –into silence. “You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.”
Do you see why Jesus kept silent now? There wasn’t going to be any reasoning with the unreasonable. When the times wax evil, truth becomes vulnerable to lies and vain imaginations. Come on folks, evolution? Why is that even a debate? Why is the Church even having to deal with “ordained homosexual ministers” and other social issues that pertain nothing to the Gospel.
Robert Jaffray, was of the family that owned and published the Toronto Globe and Mail, who converted to Christianity against his family’s wishes. And against their protest, he traveled to Africa and spent his life winning men to Christ. A.W. Tozer testified that Robert Jaffray got to the place where you couldn’t talk to him and just discuss common things. He would look down, maybe answer, maybe not, but then he would begin to talk about God and missions.
Now, I am not suggesting that the Church silence herself in this age, if there ever was a country that needed a prophet –America stands right out there in front. But, I am reminded of two things that Jesus said that I think we have forgotten. One is “don’t cast your pearls before swine” and the other is “…if they won’t listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet.”
Jesus isn’t advocating that we give up on lost souls, but there comes a time when every effort to testify turns into a futile expression of love and received as an antagonistic attack upon their love for an autonomous life-style.
Believe me Church, there will come a time that our silence will be heard and they will long for the day to hear our voice. But until then, may God grant each of us the wisdom of knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
Think about it,
Pastor Jim