The Shepherd and Ruler Has Arrived

In America, being a shepherd is not a position or career a person endeavors to become, however shepherds still exist today in many parts of the world. When I was in Egypt I had the opportunity to see several shepherds at work, both male and female. These shepherds were walking with their herds keeping them safe, carrying staffs, and exercising control. A shepherd’s primary responsibility was and still is to protect their herds from predators who come out at night to attack and kill. Another characteristic of a shepherd was that they often live away from the public and in ancient times were considered outcasts from society. Most importantly, the word shepherd was a metaphor used to describe God himself and also the human rulers of Israel. In 2 Samuel 5:2, God said of King David “You shall shepherd My people Israel and be ruler over Israel.” In this verse God had just confirmed David as the new king of Israel and all the tribes of Israel had arrived to submit to his rule, but most importantly David was chosen by God to be their ruler and shepherd.

Fast forward about one thousand years to a manger in Bethlehem where a new Ruler is being born and where lowly shepherds are “staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock” (Luke 2:8). This is where God’s plan of salvation really begins to come to life in some amazing and supernatural ways. The Lamb of God who had come to take away the sins of the world was born near flocks of sheep that were most likely used for temple sacrifices in Jerusalem to atone for the sins of Israel. However, at this Lamb’s sacrifice there would never be a need to sacrifice another lamb, he would become the final sacrificial Lamb who would atone for the sins of the world. Amazingly, God sent the angels to the shepherds first, lowly shepherds who were considered outcasts, to proclaim the birth of the Good and True Shepherd. 

Just a short distance from the shepherds and their flocks “the door of the sheep” (John 10:7) was being born into the world. The Good Shepherd who would “lay down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11) was being born into the world. As King David served as the shepherd of Israel, God Himself was now being born into flesh as His Son Jesus Christ to rule over His people forever.

What we often miss in the story of Jesus’ birth is that the shepherds had to leave the sheep in which they were entrusted to protect so they could go into Bethlehem to see the baby King. In fact the scripture says “they came in haste and found Mary and Joseph” (Luke 2:16). Just like first disciples Jesus called, the shepherds immediately left their flocks and came to Jesus. Then they made known all they had seen and heard from the angels. Translation, they took the good news to everyone who would listen.

Will you tell the world this Christmas that the Shepherd and Ruler of the world has arrived?

Jesus: Above All Names

Imagine Mary’s mindset after receiving the news that she was going to bring forth a Son, and not just any son, but the Son. She was a young teenage girl who had never been with a man, was recently engaged to a carpenter named Joseph, and would not be allowed to name her firstborn son. She was also the first person on earth to learn that the Messiah and Savior of the world would be named Jesus and be conceived inside of her womb. This Jesus would be unlike any other Jesus or Yeshua of the past or present. This was the Anointed One, this was the Christ, this was Immanuel, the was the Messiah, and this was the Lamb of God sent to take away the sin of the world. In fact, Jesus’ name revealed His purpose, He was coming to die and take upon Himself the punishment the world deserved.

The name Jesus or Joshua means Yahweh saves and God was coming to dwell with His creation in the form of His Son. Salvation was coming through the womb of a teenage girl and little did Mary know that her Son’s name would become the most admired, yet the most hated name in the world. Paul wrote that “…God has also 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…” (Philippians 2:9-11). Jesus was leaving His throne in heaven and coming in human flesh. He was leaving royalty and entering into poverty. While Jesus could have used His equality with God to His advantage, He never did. Jesus was coming to take on the likeness of men and humble Himself to the point of death and He knew this even as a young toddler. Mary was overwhelmed and fearful when she conceived the baby Jesus, but was told “do not be afraid.” 

The name which is above every other name has now become a curse word. The name in which every knee will bow has been dishonored and used every minute to curse a person or problem. The name Jesus is to be hallowed and was created to be lifted up above every name on earth. Celebrate the birth of Jesus with enthusiasm, thankfulness, and with tears in your eyes. There is only one Jesus and one virgin birth, and everyone who calls on His name will be saved! 

Ministry Equals Warfare

When a person comes to Christ and surrenders, he or she are commissioned into God’s army. Christians are called to immediately to begin preparing themselves for warfare as many battles lie ahead. Believers are not called to hide from the world, they are called to engage. When Paul was writing to Timothy he specifically identified him as a soldier.  Paul wrote “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4). There are some very important take a ways in this text. First, we are called to endure hardship or as some translations state, we are called to share in the suffering of Jesus Christ. Pay close attention to Paul’s words, “we must endure hardships and suffering” for the same reasons Jesus endure it all the way to the cross. Christians are transformed beings and are to respond differently than non-believers. Disciples of Christ don’t get mad when we suffer, they don’t give up and go home, nor are they to become discouraged. Paul was preparing Timothy for what was to come, because a soldier is always prepared.

Second, we are to respond like soldiers in the midst of combat. As a former soldier myself, training and testing are the foundations of readiness. Most importantly however, soldiers must know their mission, purpose, and orders or they will be lost, uncertain, and will eventually become demoralized. When a solider knows their mission and has faith in their leader they are focused and willing to lay down their lives if needed. This is why Paul prepared Timothy for his mission and focusing his eyes on the greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ. If a soldier wasn’t pushed, challenged, and tested they would fall in defeat during the most difficult times of battle.

Do you consider yourself a soldier? Are you aware of the spiritual warfare that exists? A friend of mine just sent me an email to pray for some children in Kenya traveling by bus, because just two weeks ago a group of Muslims stopped a bus and shot 28 teachers and doctors a close range. They shot them because they were Christians, not knowing these martyrs were serving anyone and everyone who needed help, including Muslims.

Satan’s most deceptive tactic is to deprive God His glory through His disciples. Avoid the nonsense of this world and learn your marching orders from Christ. Without knowing your orders you will never be faithful to the mission of God. Claim the victory that has already been assured through the cross!

Suffering For Righteousness

Christians are pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) journeying through a world where they are often hated and persecuted. It’s during this journey that Jesus calls His followers out of the darkness and into His light. We are confident because the true Light (Jesus) has overcome darkness (John 1:5) and He has given light to everyone (John 1:9) who believes and now we are to carry His light inside of us so we can be light in a dark world. However, Jesus also knows that when we do shine our light by living an obedient and righteous life, we will suffer. While it’s common for American believers to never suffer for their faith, very few and I mean very few are faithful about sharing the whole gospel, primarily only sharing its positive aspects. Boldness for Christ is a foreign concept for American Christians because they fear it will affect their comfortable lifestyle or cause them to suffer, which many go to great lengths to avoid. However, when suffering does come it’s a believer’s conduct that will separate them from the world. Whereas the world seeks to retaliate, the follower of Christ seeks to endure. Whereas the world seeks to curse, the follower of Christ seeks to pray for and bless. Suffering is only what God allows it to be, but He also guarantees us that we will remain in His grip and love no matter what happens to our earthly bodies.

Have you ever wondered what happen to Jesus’ disciples, well, except for John, they all suffered greatly and were eventually martyred. Matthew was stabbed to death, Peter and Simon were crucified on a cross, Bartholomew was skinned alive, Thomas’ body was pulled apart by five horses, James was beheaded, and the other James was cut in half by a sharp saw, I hope you are getting the point. These men live righteous lives in Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit, but they also suffered greatly. Why? Because they believed in an eternal hope far greater than anything they could ever experience on earth.

In Peter’s first letter to the church in Asia Minor he sought to strengthen them in the midst of their suffering. In 1 Peter 3:14, Peter writes “But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed…” First, we should never be afraid of doing what is right or fearful of the consequences that may follow our obedience to Christ. Second, so what if we suffer for righteousness? We must see suffering as a privilege and an essential part of being living sacrifices for our Lord, because when we do we are blessed. Don’t miss that, we are blessed when we suffer for righteousness. Not for sinful behavior and disobedience, but for a faithful life of serving God and doing what His Word commands.  Finally, we are told not to be afraid or disturbed because the Lord is sovereign over all of over enemies, Satan, and our circumstances.

Suffering With Eyes Upon Glory

Alan Redpath once wrote “there is no victory without a fight, and there is no battle without wounds.” The genuine Christian life is marked with suffering and is a guarantee of living in a fallen world. Suffering is a constant in this life, whether for the believer or the nonbeliever. But what kind of suffering was Paul referring to in Romans 8:18? After Paul wrote that suffering with Christ will result in glorification in verse 17, he wrote that “for I considered the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Only a person transformed by the Spirit of Christ can fully comprehend this statement from Paul, because who else is going to embrace the suffering of this present time with joy. The majority of Christians, especially American Christians, do everything in their power to avoid persecution and suffering. But did Peter not exhort us “therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind…”(1 Peter 4:1)? Peter is saying that we are to have the same mind, attitude, and perspective as Jesus did towards the suffering He endured. Christians are to endure suffering while looking beyond the present time to the glory of their eternal riches. Without hope of eternal life in heaven a person has no real hope. Now that is true hopelessness.

God uses Peter to distinguish between righteous and unrighteous suffering in 1 Peter 4:15, as Peter lists the sins of men which cause everyone to suffer. Sins such as murder, stealing, doing evil, and being a busybody. However in verse 16 Peter says “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” God uses suffering for His children to purify, sanctify, and prepare us to accomplish His purposes and with the guaranteed gift of the “glory which shall be revealed in us” how can we not abandon all for the advancement of the gospel.

As followers to “live is Christ” and any suffering we experience by living in obedience to God’s word is considered an honor. Nonetheless, we also know that “to die is gain” and that is why we “consider the sufferings of this present time as not worthy to be compared to the glory” we will experience if we perish on this earth because of our suffering for Christ. 

Being Filled By God

 We often hear of people who have received a message from God or as many claim, “God spoke to me.” Now I’m not saying that can’t happen, because I believe it can, however we should remember that God will never speak counter to His written word. So if what “God” has spoken to you is contrary to what He has already spoken through the scriptures, then it’s not from God and is most likely from Satan. In Psalm 81 we see the Lord give Asaph a special message. Asaph was a Levite and a worship leader at the Tabernacle during the reign of King David. As the psalmist for Psalm 81, Asaph was calling the people back to worship. They had strayed and were no good to the Lord. In fact, the Lord had allowed them to go their own way, the greatest of all judgments, and since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we also will suffer  and feel the pain of choosing our own way.

I love the simplicity of obeying God, God told His people to hear His word and then He told them to obey His word. However, our ability to obey is conditioned upon our ability to hear. What happens when we can’t hear God? Well, that usually means we are hearing something else. The Holy Spirit which dwells inside of every disciple of Christ is described as whispering to the conscious of His disciples. The image is an intimacy where the Father and His child almost know what the other is thinking because they know each other so well. As a husband and a father, I am keenly aware of what my wife and children are thinking and have even learned to read their mood through their body language. It’s simply what occurs when people dwell in intimacy with one another. I can often finish what my wife is saying and the same is true of many husbands and wives. So when God tells His people  to “…Open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10), He is saying I know exactly what you need. God said in Hosea 4:6 that “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.”

Ultimately God wants to impart wisdom and knowledge to His followers and His written word is proof of that. The word “ fill” means to accomplish, confirm, and to consecrate. So if we will simply “open our mouths,” translation, if we will open our hearts to God’s Word and drink it in constantly and daily, then we will find it is more than sufficient to satisfy. Once we taste it, we will hunger for more and it will “fill” us and consecrate us.

Our mouths were designed for praise and the Lord wants to fill the storerooms of our hearts to enable us to do just that. 

Gospel Vision, Part 3

The gospel is literally “God’s story.” It’s the wonderful news that God has come  to redeem sinful people enslaved to sin through His Son Jesus Christ. The purpose for the church is found in the gospel, the demand that this gospel is to be preached to the entire world and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). The gospel demands a person live a life of absolute self-denial (Mark 8:35). The word “gospel” is found five times in the gospel of Matthew, eight times in the gospel of Mark, four times in the gospel of Luke, and amazing not at all in the gospel of John. It’s also found six times in the book of Acts and sixty times in the writings of Paul. The gospel is power, the gospel converts souls, the gospel cannot be stopped, the gospel must be proclaimed boldly and simply because it’s the only message that saves.

However, beyond the purpose of salvation, the gospel has tremendous social implications. It shapes our attitude towards creation, sin, and the end of the world. It changes our worldview from temporal to eternal. The gospel propels us to be on mission for God. The gospel compels us to love people that are otherwise unlovable. The gospel compels us to care for widows and the poor. The gospel requires us to serve others and consider others more important than ourselves. The gospel causes us to endure suffering for the name of Jesus. Ultimately, the gospel convicts a person to develop gospel centered ethics. This is just some of what the gospel is about.

Finally, the gospel must be presented with a wholeness that clearly details the implications of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ. The gospel tells a story of suffering beginning with Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane that would lead to his crucifixion on Calvary. Nevertheless, the history of the gospel is littered with men, women, and children who have suffered, are suffering, and will suffer for their risen Savior. The reward is an incorruptible crown that will last for eternity.

So with the words of Jesus let me exhort you “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:14, 15). The kingdom of God is upon us, why not receive Jesus’ and have your sins forgiven. 

Living To Die and Dying to Live

I challenge you to find Christians who are looking forward to death. You won’t find many because unfortunately most are concerned with holding on to this life or “living their best life now.” Which begs the question, why do we live? The answer is Christians live for Christ and to be on mission for God. In fact, the only reason God is keeping Christians on this earth is for the purpose of the Great Commission, the commission of making disciples and teaching them to obey everything God has commanded. However, what we see is a very small percentage of believers being on mission for God, but instead living for themselves while pursuing worldly wealth and fame.

When Jesus heard of the death of Lazarus, he said “this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified  through it” (John 11:4). Jesus’ purpose was that through the resuscitation of Lazarus, God would be glorified and many would come to believe that He was the Christ. Upon His arrival He engaged Martha in conversation about who He was and it was here He would once again identify His divine nature as God in the flesh. Jesus told Martha “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die“ (John 11:25, 26). Jesus was making a promise, a promise that those who live for Him and He inside of them, would live forever with Him. Those who grasp this promise are those who truly believe upon Him. Those who grasp this amazing grace are compelled to live differently while on earth. Those who embrace their gift of eternal life seek to accomplish and fulfill the mission of God and bring glory to Christ. Does this describe your life? Have you embraced eternal life in a way that you do not fear losing your earthly life? Truth be told, you can’t live for Christ, until you die to self. To die without living for Him is to suffer eternally apart from Him.

Do not be deceived, a believer’s life belongs to Christ. He has died for it, He has paid for it, He indwells it, He commands it, He has shed blood for it, He has redeemed it, and He has suffered it. So if your life isn’t bringing glory to Christ and you are living “for your best life now,” instead of for His mission now, then changes are in order. In a spiritual sense, you  can’t live until you die and you can’t die to self until His Spirit regenerates your soul.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life and He is the way, the truth and the life. This is the confidence that compels us to greatness on this planet, not channeling our inner self as many religions teach, but genuine belief based upon Christ and His unchanging promises. The promise that when die, not how or why, but when. We will live life the way it was always intended, reigning with Christ forever (2 Timothy 2:12).

Judgement House: First Baptist of Indian Trail

Beginning this Wednesday at 7:00 First Baptist Church of Indian Trail will host the Judgement House. 

This is evangelistic outreach designed to stir the hearts and minds of those without salvation. Please bring every unbeliever who is unsure where they will spend eternity and leave no doubt that God is actively working in the hearts of those He wants to save. 

Decaying Christianity

Jesus referred to His followers as “salt”  (Matthew 5:13) because they would possess the ability to preserver and preserve themselves in a dying and decaying world. While I was growing up in West Virginia we killed and processed our own hogs on numerous occasions and my dad would always cure the hams by rubbing salt on them. He would then place them inside of cloth bags and hang them up until they cured. Ultimately, the salt would work as a preserving agent for the meat. Without salt the meat would have become unsafe to consume or useless. In fact, for centuries meat has been cured to provide food in preparation for famines. So obviously salt plays a vital role this side of heaven.

However Jesus also said “if salt loses its flavor…its good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” (Matthew 5:13). In light of recent court decisions concerning same sex marriage and the celebration of homosexuality, this verse came flooding into my mind. Something that seemed almost unthinkable is now a reality and has regrettably been enabled and supported by numerous Christian denominations. While this has undoubtedly impacted Christianity in America and around the world, it has also provided evidence that many so-called Christians have lost their saltiness while exposing many who are not salt and never have been.

Can salt lose its flavor or saltiness? It actually can’t. This is actually Jesus using irony, because what He means is that it’s impossible for a true disciple to lose their saltiness. Translation, a true disciple cannot lose the Holy Spirit, because He has sealed them from the inside and that can never be taken away. When genuine regeneration occurs by the power of the Holy Spirit, the transformation begins in the heart and consumes the being of a believer.

So why has homosexuality, abortion, and casual sin gained such a stronghold in America and Christian denominations? Because so many false converts have infiltrated the church and falsely posed as Christians. They may appear salty on the outside, by on the inside they are decaying. A decaying mind is depraved and will only darken as it embraces a lifestyle of universalism and relativism. Which is why impostor Christians have supported the legalization of same sex marriage, given financially to Planned Parenthood, and justify sin in other areas of the public square.

Only genuine disciples are “salt” and they can never lose their preserving ability and perhaps the “salt” is fewer than we think. 

Empty Yourself

Jesus is the standard bearer for humility. If you are looking for a picture of humility, then look no further than Jesus. If you are unsure of what a servant’s life looks like, then once again look to Jesus. In this modern church era, the majority, although not all, of mega church pastors parade around like rock stars enjoying the lifestyle of the rich and famous provided by the large monetary offerings brought forth by their swelling congregations. Their expensive homes, tailored suits, luxury cars, and television shows work to expand their fame. Many of these pastors use King Solomon’s riches as justification for their extravagant lifestyles and rock star fame. Many of the younger pastors wear trendy clothes, have stylish haircuts, and do all they can to build their kingdoms in hope of growing their fame and their bank accounts. It’s not uncommon for many of these pastors to draw attention away from their luxurious lifestyles by large give always to local and national charities. Finally, very few offer any transparency inside of their ministries, especially in regards to salaries and perks. I will be honest, it really bothers me. I love Jesus and when churches and pastors deviate from Christ’s example in the name of self-interest, comfort, and popularity, I get angry. As a chaplain I serve countless people who don’t go to church because they have grown tired of the selfish nonsense of power hungry pastors, arrogance from the pulpit, or the lack of servant leadership.

But is this what Jesus modeled? No. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul spoke of Jesus as humbling Himself as a bondservant, even though He considered Himself equal with God. Particularly, in verses 7-8 Paul wrote that Jesus “…made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…even to the point of death.” This is an amazing statement and one that we should meditate upon before moving to the next verses. Jesus was both fully divine and fully man, yet He still poured Himself out as an offering and lived a life of humility as a servant. There were few people lower than a bondservant, nevertheless Paul identified Jesus as a slave. Jesus was bound to His Father as a slave is bound to His master, yet Jesus came to serve and humble Himself with whole-hearted devotion as the greatest example of humility the world has ever known.

When a pastor is more concerned about their prominence and notoriety, then the church falls by the wayside. When a pastor is more concerned about entertaining the crowds, the church erodes into a Christian concert. Money and multi-million dollar buildings don’t last and are certainly not eternal. A pastor who models the humility of Christ, builds the church and impacts souls. So if you are deciding where to attend church, look for the pastor who has died to himself, is denying himself, and practices servant leadership.

Empty yourself as Christ did so you can identify a pastor or another believer who has emptied themselves. 

MISSION West Virginia: Going to War, Part 1

I spent this weekend in War, West Virginia meeting with the folks from Calvary Baptist Church and the principal of South Side K-8 School. The weather was great and the mountains were beautiful as usual. Unfortunately, this once prosperous coal mining town has been overcome by drugs, unemployment, poverty, and darkness. To say the town is void of religion would be a mistake, an independent Pentecostal church can be found every 100 feet or so and I would estimate that many only have a congregation of 5 to 10 people. Many of these churches are led by men or women who don't meet the biblical qualifications as a pastor/overseer, but that doesn't stop them from starting a church, where tongues and loosing your salvation are fundamental doctrines. Like the majority of evangelical Christians I am a cessationist, believing that charismatic gifts such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and the interpretation of tongues ended with Jesus and the apostles during the first century. But that's another conversation for another day.

Calvary Baptist Church is the lone remaining Southern Baptist church in McDowell County with an unfortunate aging population and could literally close the doors next month. They are presently led by an interim pastor who seems to be a good fit.  However, one member, Debbie King, fights for her church and her town with a passion unmatched by anyone I met in War.

More to follow...

Gospel Vision, Part 2

The gospel provides the assurance we need to persevere through ever challenge of life. Leave no doubt it is sufficient. The power of the Christian faith is discovered in the gospel which ushered in the Holy Spirit. The solution for every problem found on this planet is found in the gospel. During the days of Paul’s ministry the Thessalonian church was facing persecution, but they were enduring in the faith and Paul was giving thanks to God for their unceasing work and patience of hope in Christ when he wrote “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance…” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Just like those living today, the Thessalonians had not seen the living Word (Jesus Christ), but had only received the word from the mouth of Paul. Paul wrote that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and that is how all of us have come to know Christ and the power of His gospel.

The reason so many Christians have virtually no spiritual impact, is because they’ve never truly believed in the gospel’s power. The gospel is life changing, empowering, and is the embodiment of love. It’s the love of the gospel that motivates us to deny ourselves and pick up our crosses and follow Christ. The gospel paints a picture for how we are to direct our lives and why we are alive. Vision follows the gospel, it provides clarity in a broken world, it instills passion for glorifying God and serving Christ, it energizes believers to be leaders and follow Christ to the ends of the earth, and finally it should motivate every Christian to give sacrificially of everything they own, to include themselves.  

Embrace a gospel vision for living life and always remember the gospel has come upon you in power to save you, redeem you, empower you, satisfy you, motivate you, love you, and comfort you. Let it be your vision.

Gospel Vision, Part 1

The word gospel appears 98 times in the New Testament and its mystery still defies our carnal understanding. How could our Creator love us in spite of our rebellion? It is almost incomprehensible, but it’s absolutely true. Many still feel they are undeserving of forgiveness, which is understandable for a person who is first beginning to understand the riches of Christ, but it’s also a work of Satan’s deception. It is my intent to demonstrate the incredible impact the gospel has on a believer’s life. In fact, life is only understood through the lens of the gospel. The gospel is everything to a believer and its implications pertain to everything we do and every thought we have. But it means nothing if a person has never truly believed upon the gospel message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of their sins. Their mind and heart will never be set free to understand the glory of the gospel upon their life. You see, “the gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). It’s the gospel’s supernatural message that transforms the hearts and minds of believers. It’s the inconceivable gratitude filling a believer’s heart that compels them to obey everything Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20). The gospel enables believers to surrender to the Lordship of Christ. It’s what empowers us to submit to God and offer our lives as living sacrifices. Its belief in the gospel that seals us with the Holy Spirit as He begins teaching and convicting us of truth and sin. It’s because of the gospel that every believer first understands God’s grace. Our faith in the gospel declares us not guilty (justified) before God, setting us free to a life without condemnation.

Paul preached passionately that believers are not be ashamed of the gospel but to stand upon its message as the foundation of their life and to share it clearly and unapologetically. In Galatians 2 Paul wrote about the antagonistic false Christians who were opposing the gospel. He exhorted the Galatian church to defend the gospel, because it was certainly worth dying for. To further encourage them Paul wrote “…that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5). Paul knew the gospel of Jesus Christ would be challenged, altered, and hated by many, however he expected the Galatians to stand firm and never compromise or yield to anyone attempting to pollute the purity of gospel by adding human works to it. Paul knew that if “the truth of the gospel continued with them,” they would have the courage to accomplish all God needed them to do, to include defending Christ.

At the beginning of our salvation, the gospel saves and then it’s established as the foundation of our lives. When the supernatural events that occurred on Calvary are understood and alive in a our daily life, confidence fills our hearts with truth.  

Your Way Versus God's Way: His Is Better

Why do so many people choose their own way? What we know is that people are sinful, have hearts that are desperately wicked, (Jeremiah 17:9) and naturally conform to the ways of this world. With nearly 90 million evangelical Christians living in America the spiritual condition and moral direction of our country should not be as it is. I could certainly go into a lengthy discussion as to the reasons why this is, but for the sake of this devotion I am going to focus on just one, Christians choosing their own way. This disobedience and sin has caused the downfall of every major empire since the beginning of time and too many lives to count. The Bible is full of scriptures about choosing the right way, God’s way, but so few choose it. The power of deception is strong and the power of delusion is even stronger.

In the book of Proverbs King Solomon had a great deal to say about the consequences of a man’s choices. In chapter four, Solomon wrote about the two ways of life, one leading to destruction and one leading to life. For the thousands of years since this passage was written people have continued to choose the path that seems right to them, even millions of Christians. Solomon wrote that “there is a way that seems right to a man. But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12) and of course Jesus Himself said that everyone who hears His words and doesn’t act on them is foolish (Matthew 7:26). Why do Christians want to be foolish? Why do believers live and act so carnally? Could it be they really don’t believe? Why don’t they have the desire to seek God’s way? These are questions I ask all the time as I encounter people with overwhelming problems. There are severe consequences for sinful choices and everyone is fully responsible for the results of their choices. Alcohol, drugs, cohabitation, premarital sex, crime, these sinful decisions lead to crushing consequences and incredible stress which often causes a person to abuse one or more of these sinful vices to a greater degree.

Paul said “those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). There is only one solution, complete and absolute surrender to Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Our thoughts and motives must be informed by God’s Spirit and His Word. It’s a non-negotiable for the born again believer.

When something seems right to your carnal mind, beware, it will lead you to death. A follower of Christ lives by the Spirit, where life and peace are found. A spiritually minded person has discovered God’s way and never looks for an alternative. 

MISSION West Virginia

Coming December 2014!

The Solution to Overcoming Sin

It’s the power of Christ in a believer that provides him or her the power to conquer sin in their life. John wrote that “whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6). Those who have read chapter one of 1 John might think there is a contradiction with 1John 1:8 where John wrote that “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” There is actually great harmony in these verses. With Christ a believer has deliverance from the power of sin despite their sinful nature. Its Christ holiness, perfection, and our union with Him that allows us to overcome sin. In other words His life becomes ours.

I asked a guy the other day if he considered himself a Christian and he replied that he did. He then proceeded to tell me that at no point since his so-called “conversion” had he read the Bible or sought to obey God, yet he claimed to love God. I told this gentlemen that he was not a believer because he had never repented and sought to abide in Christ. This man had never acknowledged Jesus as his Lord., thus he “has neither seen Him nor known Him.” This man made a false profession and never truly believed upon Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of his sins. This man, like so many who have been deceived by a pastor or someone else preaching easy believism, universalism, and casual sin, has stood in contempt of the Lord his entirely life while falsely believing he was saved.

Will true believers sin, of course. Will they practice habitual sin, absolutely not. Will sin dominant their life, absolutely not. The essential word John uses is “abide.” To abide means to dwell, remain, and stay in relationship with Christ. Jesus said “abide in Me and I will abide in you” (John 15:4). He said this because it is impossible to produce any spiritual fruit unless we abide in the Vine as His branches. As Jesus goes on to say, He wants His words to dwell in us. Far too many Christians have never abided in Christ and have no desire to study His word. They live in deception as cultural Christians and blend in with the masses having never separated themselves from their previous corruption.

Abiding in Christ leads to action and obedience. Listen closely to the way South African pastor Andrew Murray describes our union with Christ and our ability to "have no sin," “when abiding in Christ becomes close and unbroken, so that the soul lives from moment to moment in the perfect union with the Lord its keeper, He does, indeed keep down the power of the old nature, so that it does not regain dominion over the soul.”

In summary, abiding in Christ makes it possible to keep us from sinning. Have you ever abided in Christ? If not, you are not saved and your soul faces eternal damnation. Repent and abide in the grace and mercy found Jesus Christ.

Baptism: Buried With Christ and Raised to New Life

Tonight was our church's annual outdoor Baptism service and what a great time it was. 84 men, women, and children were baptized this evening. I had the privileged of baptizing 20 children myself. It was an honor and I pray they understand baptism true meaning.

During baptism, believers are symbolically buried with Christ as they are immersed under water and then raised with Him to a new life. However, without genuine belief in the gospel message of Jesus Christ, a person is simply dunked under the water. While baptism is only symbolic, nevertheless, once a person makes a commitment to follow Jesus Christ, He will empower them through His Spirit to obey His teachings and do great works for the kingdom. Ultimately, a person who receives the gift of salvation has agreed to take off their "old self" (Romans 6:6) and put on the new.

It is my prayer that these boys and girls who received Christ tonight and were baptized will begin to learn what it means to crucify their "old self." It's no longer about them, they now have a Lord to obey.

There Is Nothing Limited About Christ's Atonement

To believe that Jesus only died for some, “the Elect,” is a damning doctrine. Furthermore it cannot be supported by scripture. How can a person who believes that Christ’s substitutionary atonement was intended for just a selected few ever share the gospel indiscriminately or with love. The doctrine of limited atonement directly contradicts John 3:16. It’s actually a doctrine that angers me in many ways. God loves the world (the people) and because He loves the world (the people) He has offered up His Son to satisfy His wrath for their sin. Throughout John 3, Jesus Himself says “everyone who believes” (v. 15), “everyone who believes” (v. 16), “anyone who believes” (v. 18), and “the one who believes in the Son has eternal life” (v. 36). To summarize these scriptures, anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ has eternal life.

There are many other scriptures both in the gospels and the epistles which clearly show that Christ died for all who truly “believe.” First, in John 1:29, John the Baptist cried out that Jesus was “the Lamb of god who takes away the sin of the world.” Second, in Romans 5:18, Paul writes that “…as one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” Third, in Romans 11:32, Paul writes that “…God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” Fourth, in 1 Timothy 2:5, 6, Paul writes to Timothy that “…the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all…” Fifth, in Hebrews 2:9, the author writes that “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Sixth, in 1 John 2:2, John writes that “Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” Finally, in 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Love never fails and the love of God saves. Jesus was the embodiment of love while He walked this earth and ultimately came because of the love of His Father. He came for all and died for all and that is not limited. Without that belief, how can any Christian walk up to a non-believer and tell them “God loves you?” They can’t because they’re unsure that person is part of the Elect. Do children who die in the womb, during abortion, or before they consciously understand their sinful nature go to hell? They might for a person who believes in limited atonement.

We should rest assured that Christ has died for “all” who truly believe in Him.  Place your faith in Him and repent of your sins. His grace is sufficient for you and for “all.”

Together As One: The Word Unifies

God’s people love the word of God. Love for God’s word is born from a regenerated soul. When a person is transformed by the Holy Spirit, they begin to crave the spiritual food of the word of God like new born babies crave their mother’s milk. The word of God also unites. In the book of Nehemiah “all of the people gathered together as one man” (Nehemiah 8:1) to hear the word of God read. Not some, but all gathered. We later read that “men, women, and all who could hear…and understand” (8:2, 3) came to hear the word of God. The people of Israel had returned to Jerusalem from the exile, rebuilt the temple, rebuilt the walls, and now it was time for revival and repentance. Revival always begins with seeking God and that is exactly what you see from both Ezra and Nehemiah. Both had also been praying and now it was time to read the word. Nehemiah goes on to describe the result of Ezra reading the word, (1) Ezra “blessed the Lord” (8:6), (2) the people lifted their hands and shouted Amen, (3) they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Not only do people need to hear the word of God, but they also need to understand it. Amazing things happen when people understand the word of God. In the days of Nehemiah, the people rejoiced, wept, and experienced inexpressible joy. In summary, revival happens when people hear and understand the word of God.

In fact, Ezra’s reading of God’s word resembles a modern day revival or church service where a pastor or evangelist stands above the crowd in a pulpit and preaches from the Holy Bible. Even Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah many years later during a visit to a synagogue. Is the Bible important, you better believe it. There is nothing comparable to it and nothing that can replace it.

Ultimately, Nehemiah describes why people need to come to church, because people need to hear the word of God preached. There is something special about hearing the word read and preached and when it’s done right, souls are stirred and hearts are convicted. The word brings awareness of our guilt before God. The word can rebuild and stabilize our spiritual lives. The word demands worship. Prepare your heart and never forsake meeting together as “one man.”

Awake Out of Your Sleep: Lethargic Christianity

Lethargy is a serious problem for Christians in America. It was a problem in Rome. American culture has a way of drawing Christians into a stupor, into selfishness, into sin and away from God. If we have put on Christ, lethargy is the indication we have taken Him off. Lethargy destroys the spiritual energy of the church, it suppresses the zeal of Christians to share their faith and leaves congregations lifeless. How can we afford to disregard that every day brings “our salvation” closer? Each day our death is closer, each day the rapture is closer, and each day hundreds of thousands of people die and go to hell. Can we afford to be lethargic? Absolutely not. In Romans 13:11-14, Paul exhorts the Christians in Rome to “awake out of their sleep” and to love one another. Just like us, they were living in the last days and had failed to remain alert and watchful.

Paul issues several critical commands (1) “cast off the works of darkness” (repent and confess your hidden sins) (2) “put on the armor of light” (prepare yourself for spiritual battle) (3) “walk properly” (not as the world, but as one who has put on Christ) (4) turn from revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife, and envy (cast these off and replace them with the fruits of the Spirit) Finally, (5) “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12-14).

A spiritually lethargic mind “makes provision” for the flesh by contemplating sin before they act upon it. The lethargic mind conforms to the world becoming contaminated and unfit for kingdom work. The lethargic mind seeks to justify sin and make excuses for why it can or cannot do something, such as attending church or studying the Bible. The lethargic mind becomes self-centered and engages in arguments and dissension. The lethargic mind drifts from God into worldly waters where they are battered and eventually taken captive to the darkness.  Finally, a lethargic mind leads the heart to become linked and corrupted by the world, putting out their spiritual fire and zeal for a strong evangelistic witness.

Wake up from your spiritual sleep and put on Christ.

 Ask the Lord to restore your zeal and give you a passion for the Great Commission and for eternal things…the fullness of our salvation could be right around the corner.  

Believing Is Seeing: Do You Have Faith?

Have you embraced the content of the gospel? Have you embraced the reality that you need forgiveness  for your sins? The reality is that there is only two destinations for the human soul, heaven or hell. Every person will die, but very few will ever live and discover their purpose. For the follower of Christ, the gospel must impact every area of their life. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus to settle an individual’s sin debt with God has tremendous implications on a person’s life. If it doesn’t, then that person doesn’t really believe. Faith begins in the mind as a person is drawn by the Holy Spirit to go beyond just knowing about the gospel to receiving and accepting the gospel. However, this will never happen until a person is genuinely convicted about their sinfulness. Faith is a real conviction that comes from God’s revelation to man. In Romans 10:17, Paul wrote that “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Nevertheless, not everyone who hears will respond in faith to the gospel. The problem is not with the message, but with the one hearing the message. Are they willing to surrender their life? Are they willing to die to self? Are they willing to place their absolute trust in Christ for their eternal life? Are they willing to suffer for Him? Are they willing to bow their knee voluntarily to Jesus as their King and Lord? Has the Holy Spirit drawn them and brought about conviction to sin? If you understand your sinfulness before a holy God, then you are willing and able to do all the above and only then will you grasp the understanding behind Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” With faith in Christ, a person believes in everything promised for their future by Jesus and a person of faith has hope in every promise of the Bible which has occurred in the past and will occur in the future which cannot yet be seen. There is an old saying “for the unbeliever, seeing is believing; for the believer, believing is seeing.” I pray you see the difference.

Finally, Peter wrote “at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 8, 9). My friends you don’t need to see Jesus in the flesh to have full assurance of the forgiveness of the your sins and complete hope for eternal life. You should have inexpressible joy as you live for eternity and not for your temporal existence on this planet.

Faith means possessing the result of the gospel now, not later, now. Faith means having constant forgiveness as you remain in a constant posture of repentance. All there is left to do is wait patiently upon the rapture of the church or your full salvation of eternal glory. 

Into the Darkness: The Evil Behind ISIS

Deep inside of every person is the desire to live, it’s the only way to explain how people from the most extreme parts of the world fight to survive in the midst of famines, poverty, crime, terrorism, and severe persecution. While God is sovereign and controls everything in this universe, He has also given each person a soul and a spirit. We are spirit beings who possess eternal souls and therefore have an inborn desire to survive. My heart breaks for my Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq as they suffer at the hands of Satan and the wicked evil of ISIS. However, I also rejoice that many are experiencing glory at this present time in heaven with Christ. But how can anyone not be moved with compassion when they see the videos of children being slaughtered. I find it hard to even enjoy myself in my comfortable home as the emotions from having watched an ISIS video flood back into my mind, and perhaps this is the way the Lord wants it to be. I am also praying that the Lord will crush ISIS and remove them from the face of the earth. I pray this knowing that only He can accomplish this since “our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). It’s not my intention to expound on the armor of God or the sword of the Spirit that Paul speaks about in the verses following, however I want to educate all believers on just how wicked Satan is and how wicked he will become as tribulation draws closer. Kent Hughes wrote that “Satan has no conscience, no compassion, no remorse, and no morals. He feeds on pain and anguish and filth.” In fact our human minds can’t even comprehend how wicked and evil Satan really is.

However, may we never forget the amazing faith of believers such Romanus from Antioch who was martyred around 285 AD. On the day of his glorification, Romanus was tied up, scourged with whips, his sides were slit open with knives until his bones showed through, his teeth were knocked out, his face was beat, his beard pulled out, and his cheeks were gashed with knives. Romanus never cursed God or renounced his faith in Christ, instead he sang psalms to all who would listen and thanked the Roman prefect for allowing him to suffer for Christ. In Romanus’ last moments he was cast into a fire, but a storm arose and extinguished the fire, so they pulled his body from the fire and strangled him until he took his last breath. Standing firm in the face of death is what genuine faith looks like. 

Satan and his demons are real and the warfare they wage is real despite existing in the invisible. Nevertheless may we never forget “our light affliction is but for a moment because we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18). 

For gods and Country

During Hitler’s reign as chancellor of Germany he banned prayer in schools and forced church leadership to compromise and submit to him as their master, with an ultimate goal of making the church irrelevant and divided. Hitler’s Nazi government also reinterpreted the meaning of Christmas and Easter, eliminated Christmas plays from schools, and forbade nativity scenes. If this sounds familiar, it should, it’s happening in America and in our military. Liberal groups across America are waging war on Christianity in ways that are eerily similar to Nazi Germany. One question that needs to be asked is how did the church and its pastors respond to the Nazi regime? Essentially, two groups emerged, those who chose Hitler’s way of religion and those who stood upon God’s word and the cross. The majority of pastors played it safe and compromised their convictions about God’s word in order to please Hitler, while others such as Dietrich Bonheoffer and Martin Niemoller chose to stand with Christ despite the consequences. When I was reading about the tragedies of the German church I learned there was a man named Alfred Rosenberg who was to oversee the spiritual training of the Nazi party and his ultimate goal was to purge Jesus from the Nazi mind. Out of fear and compromise most pastors remained silent and even supported the genocide of the Jews.

What many are unaware of is how our military chaplain corps’ are becoming more and more like the Nazi military under its spiritual teacher Alfred Rosenberg. By the hand of Satan, US military leadership has slowly eroded the effects of Christianity and has systematically worked to force out qualified chaplains for those who are willing to compromise and do just about anything. In January 2014, the Commandant of the US Army Chaplain School stated that his “greatest concern was too many white evangelical chaplains.” The Chaplain Corps’ of our military branches operate under the banner of pluralism in its most extreme form. Even for chaplains from evangelical denominations, the temptation for compromise is before them every day, with officer evaluation reports and 20 year pensions which are often so financially enticing compromise becomes necessary to achieve their temporal goals and promotion. Are these chaplains dying to self so Christ can be glorified? Not a chance, because the focus is systematically shifted away from the Great Commission to work that is needed for promotion to the next rank. In fact the Army Chaplain Corps has become an environment of anything goes. While left wing groups seek to erode the moral fabric of our country and push God from government, military leadership is doing the same. At one time the motto was “For God and Country” and now it’s evolved into “for gods and country.” The almighty Cross of Jesus shares equality with the symbols from Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, religions that either reject Jesus as Messiah, worship no God at all, worship false gods or for some millions of false gods. But this is what happens when relativism and liberalism reigns and permeates an organization. In Isaiah 45:12, God speaks powerfully and says “I made earth and created man on it.” He also said “turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22). I pray you can see the destructive journey our military and nation face if we don’t turn back to God who has created us and seeks to save us through His Son’s spilt blood.

Our Conscience Bears Witness

Have you ever wondered by what standard non-believers will be judged? In Romans 2:12-16, Paul clearly states that no one will ever be judged by a standard that has not been made known to them. “For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11) and because God is completely impartial the standards for judgment are fair and just. Paul introduces the law because it reveals what sin is and it shows we know what is sin; it’s also how we know we have fallen short of God’s perfect glorious standard. Paul would go on a say to the Romans that “no one will be justified (declared not-guilty of their sin) in God’s sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law” (Romans 3:20). But what about those who don’t know the law? What about those who have never been exposed to the gospel or the law? The answer lies within a person, something called the inner law, the law written in their hearts. No matter where I serve or who I encounter, one powerful truth guides my conversations; every person has been created in God’s image. This foundational truth helps me understand that God has written His law on the hearts of every human being He has created. Each person is accountability to God for the knowledge they have been given and this is why there is no one walking this earth from the streets of Charlotte to the jungles of Africa, whose “conscience is not bearing witness” to God’s inner law.

Since we are created in the image of God we are without excuse, to include the hidden areas of our lives. Whether its sinful actions or immoral thoughts “God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). God has entrusted judgment to His Son, His judgment will be completely just and based upon the inner knowledge God has placed inside each man. Thus when I see the constant grumbling of atheist and homosexual/transgender groups for equality and individual freedom I know this goes completely against God’s inner law and they stand in defiance of His holy standards.

For the born again believer, judgment has been dismissed by the atoning blood of Jesus. They have been justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is found in Christ Jesus. Our hearts should be filled with gratitude that we have found refuge in Christ from His judgment and coming wrath. 

Inescapable Judgment

The world is void of truth, yet the majority of people draw from its empty well. They turn to worldly education, daily talk shows, their own experiences, religion, and much, much more as their sources for determining truth. The world rejects absolute truth and devises its own standards for truth and integrity, if they believe in truth at all, thus tremendous conflict exists in our world. The foundational problem is that Christians find truth in one person, Jesus Christ (the living Word) (John 14:6) and the world does not. What Paul is saying to the Jews and the Gentile moralists (Romans 2:1-5) in Rome is that the judgment of God is always right and yours is not.  He is also clearly stating in Romans 2:1 that there is no one moral and ethical enough apart from Christ and finally, he is saying that God’s judgment is inescapable and because of God’s general revelation they are also without excuse. The only way to escape judgment is to repent and receive the finished work of Jesus. For Christians we are to never condemn a person or judge anyone based upon a standard from God’s word that we ourselves are falling short of. Christians have no right to condemn a person’s sin while not acknowledging their own sinful short comings. However the context of Romans 2:1-4 is the delusion of comparison judgment and self-righteousness, while being overly critical of others. Paul stated in Romans 2:2 “but we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.” We are not to measure ourselves against anyone; we are to measure by God’s truth.

Our standard for righteousness must be based upon God’s word and His Son Jesus Christ. For Christians it’s non-negotiable, our lives must be guided by His Word. There is nothing more sobering for a Christian and non-Christian alike, than to expose themselves to God’s standards for judgment. For the Christian, it humbles him or her and brings to light their need for God’s amazing grace. For the non-Christian, it brings them face-to-face with a holy God and standards they will never be able to obtain. In fact, this is exactly what Paul encourages people to do, to come before God’s truth and His righteousness.

When our eyes are focused on the purity and perfection of Christ, we look into a mirror and see our need to be cleansed. Jesus said that “blessed are the pure in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). Those who see themselves broken and destitute before God have expressed godly repentance and are able to live lives that are pleasing to God because of the gratitude for the inconceivable mercy they have received through the gospel.

To function on the frontlines of a spiritual battlefield, Christians must strip off their self-righteousness and embrace the truth by which God will judge the world.

Tremble at Sinful Thoughts

Puritan pastor and theologian Thomas Watson wrote "O how much contemplative wickedness is in the world!" He wrote this in 1681, so you can imagine the increase of wicked thoughts with the modern technology and television shows of our day. Thomas wrote "we startle at gross sin, but we are not troubled so much for sinful thoughts." For Christians, their thoughts are what God judges. Do not be deceived, if you don't tremble at your thought life before a holy God, then you don't understand your need for His daily grace. Nor do you understand that you have been saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8). Before we ever act it out, sin has already been birthed and lived out in our thoughts. Paul addressed this reality in his letter to the Romans when he wrote "but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires" (Romans 13:14). Paul essentially says we have two choices, Jesus Christ or our sinful nature. But how is a believer to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ?" 

The context of this verse is to never assume we just remain in Christ without a daily, moment by moment relationship, where our thoughts are continually upon Him. No, we are to lay hold of Him and live under Christ as our Lord. Neglecting God's word, refraining from prayer, and living for ourselves will remove Christ and distance us from His presence and grace. The result is gratifying the flesh and our self-centered nature. Whenever the word "flesh" is used in scripture it refers to our old enslavement to sin and the corrupt world system. We desperately must continue to be transformed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit and God's word. Separation for a day, week, month, or years greatly cripples a relationship which affects our thought life. The prophet Micah stated that men first devise sin, then act it (Micah 2:1, 2). So what occurs with separation, the heart and thoughts of men "make plans to satisfy the fleshly desires."

So here is Paul's intent as he wrote Romans 13:14, without putting on Christ, believers will be dragged back into sin and given over to temptation. Then provision follows, meaning "forethought." Believers begin to plan their sin in their thoughts. The remedy is to make sin undesirable and inconvenient in our thoughts, so that its never birthed and then carried out, which is only done by putting on Christ.

Put on Christ daily and abide in Him while your thoughts become more holy and honoring to God.

God in the Flesh - Unimaginable Love and Mystery

Holy scripture says that "He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world...by that Man whom He has ordained." Who will this judge be? No other than Jesus Himself (John 5:22, Acts 17:31, etc...). To believe Jesus to be anything less than His full deity is blasphemy and will ultimately condemn a person to hell. This sounds harsh, but it's also reality. In Isaiah 9:6, roughly 750 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet foretells the coming of  "a Child and Son" who would be born and given to the world. The prophet states that "government will be upon His shoulders and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

The Messiah would come and come He did, however this would be a two phase operation with a first coming and a second coming. Phase one is complete or "finished" to borrow the words of Jesus as He hung on the cross, but phase two is coming soon, we just don't know when. The titles spoken of by Isaiah identify a Messiah who would be more than simply a mortal man, this Man would be something greater and remains a mystery that is hard to understand. This "Mighty God" would possess both divine and human characteristics. This man would be completely holy and perfect, He would be without accusation and beyond temptation, and yet He would experience everything we would on this fallen planet. This Man would be able to "sympathize with our weakness " (Hebrews 4:15). This man would be born through the virgin Mary and be known as Immanuel, meaning God with Us. Yes, this is Jesus, the King of Kings. Jesus would fulfill what no human could ever fulfill and do what we could never do, become a perfect sacrifice. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus would teach the world  the way to peace with God and then promised to empower us to live lives of peace.

Isaiah foretold of one of the most important events in history, the coming of the Word, God incarnate, God coming to earth. If anyone wonders what God is like, look no further than His Son. While Jesus Christ was completely human, He fully revealed the Father. The apostle John carefully wrote John 1:1 with one intention, to identify Jesus as fully God, not just fully human. The Word and God share the same essence, therefore whatever is true about God, is true of the Word (Jesus).

In summary, before time ever began on earth, Jesus Christ existed. Jesus (the Word) and God were together and they were the same being. Jesus and God were distinct, yet they shared the same nature and attributes.
These amazing facts transform the way believers view life, because we understand life is found in a person who walked this earth and dwelt among us, the Godman who came to save the people of this earth from the debilitating sin that has infected every human since that day.

Love and life are found when our souls acknowledge the Wonderful Counselor for who He was, who He is. and who He will be when He returns. 

Athens 2014: A Postmodern America Will Fall

Thousands of years have passed since Paul walked into Athens, but America remains very much the same. Just like first century Athens, moral absolutes are rejected in favor of relativism, pluralism, hundreds of gods, and the enlightenment and education a person can obtain. Paul walked into Athens with the truth, he walked into Athens having met the Truth, and Paul was intent on sharing that Truth. What Paul saw in Athens was a city “given over to idols” (Acts 17:16). When we walk around America we also see a country and people “given over to idols.” These idols manifest themselves as career advancement, materialism, accomplishments, self gratification, food, even family. However, leave no doubt, these idols are no different than the wooden or stone idols Paul encountered in his day. 

What did Paul decide to do? Did he just walk around hoping they would notice his lifestyle? No. Paul decided to engage them with the gospel. Paul “reasoned in the synagogue and in the marketplace daily” with all those who would listen. It was in the streets where Paul encountered the Epicureans and the Stoics who referred to him as a babbler (Acts 17:18). Undeterred, Paul preached Christ and His resurrection and the philosophers were so captivated they ushered Paul to the Areopagus to hear “these strange things” he was speaking about. They weren’t interested in learning about Jesus, they wanted to know more about this new belief they were unfamiliar with in hopes of gaining more knowledge.

But Paul “stood in their midst” undeterred because he was there to proclaim to them the “unknown God” that was written on an altar nearby. Of interest is that Paul evangelized them from the beginning of creation and not from the Old Testament as he did with the Jews.

The application for us is that God has revealed Himself to all men in every nation through His creation and “He is not far from anyone” (Acts 17:27). No matter if a person identifies themselves as an atheist, an agnostic, a Buddhist, a Hindu, or something else, God has revealed Himself to their conscience and they are without excuse. Now we must encourage them to acknowledge their sin and repent because “God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained” (Acts 17:31).

Real love is always concerned about the soul of man, thus we must remain undeterred and unashamed of the gospel no matter where we are called to live and serve (Romans 1:16).

Prayer 101: Do Not Doubt, Only Believe

Oh, how we doubt. How often have you doubted what you prayed for deep within your heart? How often have you not even prayed because you didn't believe that God could answer your prayer? The world can beat all of us down. It can exhaust us and cause us to turn our eyes towards our circumstances, instead of focusing upward to the throne of grace where our King is seated at the right hand of the Father. After Jesus had cursed the the fig tree and cleansed the temple of its corrupt and idolatrous practices, He decided to teach His disciples about true prayer (Mark 11:22-26). First, Jesus says "have faith in God." Without knowledge and faith in the One who answers our prayers, why would a person even bother to pray. It's impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), so wavering faith will by no means please God or move Him to action. Second, Jesus says "do not doubt in your heart." Often times we're not even sure what to pray for, but thank God we have His Spirit interceding for us (Romans 8:26). But why bother asking God for anything when we doubt His abilities. God wants us to know Him and then approach Him with boldness because of what His Son has done on the cross. Approaching Him without going through our mediator and intercessor is fruitless. Christ is our mediator and has granted every believer access to the Father, the veil has been taken down and the separation has ended. Third, Jesus states we should "believe what we say will happen and it will be done for us." Of course all of our prayers should center on the will of God; if it's not God's will, then it's not going to be answered with a yes. However, the context of verse 23 is that believer's must seek the unlimited power of their faith in God and then they will experience God's amazing power at work. Jesus promises "it will be done for us," do you believe Him? Fifth, Jesus says "we should believe we have already received them." Now this is what faith is all about and exactly how Hebrews 11:1 defines it. If our prayers are according to His will, then we should never place restrictions or limits on them. Our prayers are conditioned on faith. We understand His will, we speak our prayers, and then we simply believe we have already received before God answers with a yes. However, there are plenty of times when we are not going to know His will, health issues, career moves, relationships, etc.. But if its written in His word, then its His will. Finally, Jesus commands us to forgive others. In fact, if we don't forgive, then not only will our prayers be hindered, but the "Father will not forgive our wrongdoing " (Mark 11:26).
Did you catch that, the Father will not forgive you. To simplify this, allow me to state it this way, forgiveness is not optional, it's mandatory for Christians and without forgiveness you aren't going to heaven. When the Holy Spirit has regenerated the human soul, the hardness and bitterness which prevented forgiveness before coming to Christ are stripped away, making it possible to forgive any wrongdoing done against us. It becomes a way of life.

So here it is, when you pray, discover His will, approach His throne with complete faith, remove all doubt in your heart, believe you will receive before you utter a word, and ensure you harbor no unforgiveness towards anyone.

Trust and Obey Ministries

If you are concerned about reaching children for Christ in Africa through education, then please consider sponsoring and supporting the Potter's House in Cameroon, Africa. I met Terri Smith, the President of Trust and Obey Ministries, this past week during Vacation Bible School. By God's grace and goodness we were able to raise over $3,000 for the Potter's House. Terri opened the Potter House in 2008 with 110 students and now six years later, the enrollment has drastically increased to almost 700. Now Trust and Obey Ministries has been organized to assist, educate, and provide long term relationships with children and families that are in dire need of proper nourishment, medical assistance, and education.

Learn more at www.trustandobey.net

Want to Be First....then Seek to Be Last

Jesus calls those who come to Him to die to self, to be reborn from above, to love Him more than their life, to love others more than themselves, to stand destitute before Him because of their sin, to live humble lives as servants, to cast aside their self-righteousness, and to be last. What natural, carnal man would ever agree to this, the answer is no one. But when a person comes to Christ in faith, drawn by the Holy Spirit, broken over their sin, in need of a Savior, the process of regeneration occurs and provides a person a new spiritual nature able to understand the deep spiritual things of God, thus making it possible for a person to call Jesus their Lord and be willing to be last. But what does that mean?

In Mark 9:33-37, Jesus and His disciples arrive in Capernaum a few days after telling them that He would be betrayed, suffer a violent death, and then be raised from the dead. While traveling to Capernaum the disciples had been disputing among themselves who would be the greatest once Jesus was gone. Unfortunately, the disciples were thinking in terms of a conquering king and a political savior, which was not what His atoning death was about. So when Jesus confronted them about their dispute, they remained silent and we see Jesus call them to Himself and teach them what it means to be great. Jesus states in verse 35 that "...If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Jesus doesn't rebuke them, he tells them that if they want to be first, they must be last. This is not the kind of speech you would hear from a military commander or a football coach prior to battle or a big game. Which should remind us just how different the lives of Christians should be. Worldly or human values are not necessarily kingdom values. How many executives have you heard say, I want to be last?

Jesus then took a child in His arms and said "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me " (verse 37). Let's don't forget that the disciples had just been disputing among themselves which one was the greatest and now Jesus was holding a child and telling them that being great was like receiving a small child. What Jesus is saying is that if a person is humbled in their posture towards Him, they would never hesitate to serve anyone, to include a child. When Jesus says whoever "receives," what He means is to be concerned about and show kindness to. So when Christians accept the outcasts, the poor, the orphans, and the persecuted, they are accepting and receiving Christ and demonstrating godly humility.

Greatness and being last is not a position, it's ministry and concern for the least of these.