Month: January 2012

For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith {Philippians 1:23-25}.

The Greek word hard-pressed pictures a traveler on a narrow path, a rock wall on either side allowing him to go only straight ahead. The apostle Paul knew if he died he would have complete, conscious, intimate, unhindered fellowship with his Lord. Far better. Lit. ‘very much better” the highest superlative. Paul yielded his personal desire to be with his Lord for the necessity of building the church. Confident. . . I shall remain. Paul’s conviction, that their need would determine that he stay on earth longer. Progress . . .of faith. “Progress” pictures trail blazing so that an army can advance.

To be an effective Christian today, We must have the same confidence as Paul did. When a person have lived his or her life with the perspective of God’s kingdom as their own, they will be living for all the right reasons. That in every way, and in everything God would be glorified through His Son Jesus Christ. For at the end of that life will not be one second too soon, or one second too late. They will have finished their race, and be usherd in the glorious presence of Christ our Lord. We are to leave behind a lifetime of faith practices that would enable others to follow. Be confident that they too can attain such an intimate relationship with our Savior God, Christ the Lord. And be confident, that we will see our loved ones again.

Dear Christian saint, Steady on in your walk of faith, you will have much treasure awaiting you in heaven, and many loved ones who will be there with you in glory!

In loving memory: Martha Rose (Yelle) Bushey  (March 21, 1929) – (Jan. 20th, 2012)

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. {Ephesians 5:15-17}

To live “circumspectly” a term we might not use too often, means ” accurately or precisely with great care”. Biblically, a “fool” is not so named because of a limited intellectual understanding, but because of their unbelief of God’s Word, and it’s consequences from not obeying the Word of God {Psalm 14:1}. This person lives apart from God and against God’s law {Proverbs 1:7} and can’t comprehend the truth or their true heart condition {Romans 1:22-23}.

So may ask ourselves why is time so important to God? God knows what a fixed measure of time that is alloted to us as one’s very own lifetime; We are to make the most of it as believer’s in fulfilling God’s purposes using every opportunity to witness the grace and glory of a Father’s love to the inhabitants of the earth. Understanding God’s will for us is not hidden, nor are we ever to think that it is beyond our reach. We will find the true meaning of life, as well as what purpose I have been created for, when I open the pages of Scripture, and read God’s Word, the Bible. His Word is spiritual wisdom, and brings light into dark places of my heart. Truth about God, and His Son Jesus Christ, and the plan of salvation which is the true meaning of life.

Dear Christian saint, let us walk circumspectly, with wisdom knowing how short our time is on this earth. Let us live for the kingdom and glory of God our Father. There is no other life that can be more rewarding, and as we look around us, never more needed!

May the Lord bless your walk!

 

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warefare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck {1 Timothy 1:18-19}.

Paul here,as the quinessential mentor, and father figure, mentions to his young protege Timothy that a series of prophecies had been given about Timothy in connection with his receiving his spiritual gift. These prophecies specifically and supernaturally call Timothy in God’s service. Paul then urged Timothy to presevere this calling and fight the battle against the enemies of Christ and the gospel message.

Having faith and a good conscience — Were to have this kind of perseverance in our walk with the Lord that is based on faith in His redemptive love and finished work of the cross. Our sin debt paid in full must be received by faith. Our calling by God into service for Him must be conducted with faith. What we must be aware of however, is that in order for us to have that conscience that is pure and undefiled, is knowing that it was Jesus Christ, and His blood only, that has cleansed me. Not by my works of self righteousness, or any thought of my good conduct. There is where so much warfare is fought with the adversary Satan. Bringing guilt and condemnation into the believers mind over our past sins, or from the other perspective, fear and doubt, and worry over the future. Bringing accusations that were not even saved! God created man with a conscience as his self-judging faculty. Because God has written His law on man’s heart that we should know right from wrong.

Dear Saint, when we walk in God’s will, we enjoy the affirmation, assurance, peace, and joy of a good conscience!

May God bless your walk today!

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of stars; He calls them all by name. {Psalm 147:1-4}

This psalm might have been used to celebrate the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. Ezra and Nehemiah chronicle this portion of Israel’s history. The love of Jerusalem can been seen in both Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill! If I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth–If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy. {Psalm 137:5-6}

He heals the brokenhearted— The other night in my church men’s fellowship, We read about Job. This ancient patriarch no stranger to hardship and pain wisely observed, “Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” {Job 5:7}. Yet in the midst of reminding us of the inevitability of struggle in this life, he affirmed confidence in his God by saying, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” {Job 13:15}.

For Job and for us, it is this confidence in God that can enable us to endure and know victory even in the darkest seasons in our life. This confidence is born out of the experiences of a life that has God’s sovereign presence in it, reminding us of His power that has overcome this world, and encourages us of God’s faithfulness through His Son, Christ our Lord.

Dear friend, Remember to praise our Lord today, Let your confidence be in His redemption! Praise is beautiful!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. {1 John 4:7-8}

The behavior of a true believer, should characterize love. More specifically Christ like love. It is an irrefutable fact that your attitude toward people will determine their attitude toward you. If you are constantly critical in your love toward others, you create a barrier or separation rather than a spiritual unity. Our attitude to love others should be Spirit produced, and Spirit led and as the Holy Spirit leads us, Jesus Christ our Savior is glorified. To see other belivers is to see them with a love for a family member. To look at others outside of the family of God, is to see them with compassion, for they are lost without any hope beyond this life.

Always remember, We love God only because He first loved us, and He loved us so greatly, so very much that the price He paid for our ransom was with the life of His only begotten Son. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. {1 John 3:16} Here is the standard of love that ought to be practiced to reflect real genuine Christianity. Christian love is self-sacrificing and willing to give.

Whom can you love today? May God bless your walk!

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. {Matthew 5:19}

The consequence of practicing or teaching disobedience of any of God’s Word is to be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus declares that He will hold those in lowest esteem who hold His word in low esteem. That Jesus does not refer to loss of salvation is clear from the fact that, though offenders be called least, they will still be in the kingdom of heaven. On the postive side, whoever keeps and teaches God’s Word, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Here again Jesus mentions the two aspects of doing and teaching.

Christians, as kingdom citizens are to uphold every part of God’s law both in living in this world and teaching His word. Remember, that we were raised with Christ, and should seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, (to this world’s system) and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. {Colossians 3:1-4}

Steady as you go! God bless your walk!

 

 

Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. {Isa. 55:6-7}

Here is one of the clearest OT invitations to salvation now and kingdom blessing later. It gives a great example of how people were saved during the OT period. Salvation grace and mercy were availiable to the soul that was willing to 1.) seek the Lord, and 2.) call upon Him while He is still availiable {Matt.25:1-13}. Such true seeking faith is accompanied by repentance, which describes the forsaking of  ways and thoughts and turning from sinful living to the Lord. A person must come to God believing in God, recognizing their own sin and desiring forgiveness and deliverance from that sin. At the same time he must recognize their own inability to be righteous apart from God and cast himself on God’s mercy. It is then that he receives a complete pardon. His sin has been covered by the substitution of the Messiah in his place.

Luke 18:9-14 is the NT example: I tell you,” this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who who humbles himself will be exalted.” (v.14)

Dear Christian saint, Don’t be affraid to share your faith today, it may destine someone’s eternity.

May God bless your walk!

Let brotherly love continue. {Hebrews 13:1}  Essential practical ethics of Christian living help portray the true gospel to the world, and encourages others to believe in Christ, when they see the love of Christians towards each other. And this brings glory to God.

Having announced His departure and insisting that His disciples could not come, Jesus began to lay out what He expected of them after His leaving.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another. {John 13:34-35}

The commandment to love was not new. O.T. commands were to love God, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. In this request however, Jesus command regarding love presented a distinctly new standard for two reasons:

1). It was to be a sacrificial love modeled after His love (“as I have loved you”).  2nd). It is produced through the New Covenant by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Christian, Be filled with Lord’s Spirit of love, and Let brotherly love continue wherever you are, and where ever you go!

May God bless your walk today!

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me. {1 Corinthians 4:14-16

Despite their carnal, even sometimes hateful immaturity, Paul always looked on the Corithian believers with affection. Only Paul was their spiritual father, no one else cared like him. Spiritual leaders must set the example of Christlikeness to follow.

How about you today Christian? Is there anyone in your life who is waiting for you to lead them? Are you still making excuses that you’ve tried, but because of circumstances beyond your control . . .etc.

Now in this New Year is your chance. To make a fresh start at being all that God has intended you be!

God bless your walk!

Then Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. {Acts 14:21-22}

Is your walk of faith getting tired?Before you drop out, make sure you have the right running partners. The Christian marathon can be long and hard pressed. You need positive people to keep you on pace. Who is the Paul in your life? Who is your Barnabas?

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. {1 Peter 5:6-7}

“Casting” means ” to throw something on something “{Luke 19:35} Christians are to cast all their discontent, discouragement, despair, and suffering on the Lord, and trust Him for knowing what He’s doing with their lives.

And often its when were allowed to go through life with someone of like minded faith, refreshing encouragement is the key  to crossing the finish line.

God bless your walk today!