Category: Uncategorized

The words of the wise  are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

The English title, “Ecclesiastes,” comes from the Greek and Latin translations meaning “Preacher.” The book chronicles Solomon’s investigations and conclusions with most of which, he is looking back at his own life’s mistakes, in regarding man’s lifework, combining all of his activities of pursuing potential pleasures and limited satisfaction. The role of wisdom surfaces repeatedly particularly when Solomon must acknowledge that God has not revealed all of life’s details. Whenever we read the Bible we should listen carefully, or should I say, “prayerfully,” to what God says, and be admonished whether we think that will never happen to me or not, when were young or during our senior years in this life. We are never too old to get wiser or act like a fool. We can read many books about many subject matters, but let us major on what God says through His written Word to us, and live a life of wisdom. If you fear God, you need not fear nothing else. You will be safe in the Father’s will for your life. Let’s have a look.

It is with the examples of two shepherds tools that Solomon refers to in showing his understanding of what it means to learn life’s most meaningful lessons. In one viewpoint, “goads” are used to motivate reluctant animals, the other, “well-driven nails” are dependable multipurpose in use, these are picture aspects of applying wisdom to one’s life. One Shepherd—True wisdom has its source which comes from God alone. Books written on any other subject proved to Solomon to be far less than what anyone could be hoping to find fulfillment from. Here, Solomon again is recalling in hindsight his quest for knowledge and pleasure in this life. Here is someone you could say, “had it all!” We often wonder today, what it would be like to have such riches, such opulent lifestyles of the rich and famous, look at those people! What were forgetting is that Jesus said to us, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12: 48). Ignorance of God’s laws will never be an excuse for anyone who will one day face God’s judgment, just like ignorance of the law does not prevent you from getting a ticket. There is a spiritual application here for us, If you or I would pursue anything in this life, no matter what it is, pleasure, knowledge through education, prominent standing socially or in business, and forsake ever knowing what God’s will is for us, we will be greatly disappointed on the day when we would face God who will use His Son, Jesus Christ, to judge our works. If we never trusted in Christ, for our salvation, never become truly born again, then all of these earthly pursuits will never have no merit for your eternal soul.

Fear God—Solomon’s final word on the issues raised in the 12 chapters of this book, Ecclesiastes; as well as life itself, focus on one’s relationship to God. All of the concern for life under the sun, with its pleasures and uncertainties, was behind Solomon by now. Such things that seemed so important to him, were now comparatively irrelevant to him as he faced the end of his life. But death, in spite of all the focused attention he had given to it in Ecclesiastes, was not the greatest equalizer. No he found out that it was God’s judgment/retribution is the real equalizer. As God will bring every person who has ever lived acts to judgment. Unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne judgment: Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15). Why did this happen? Because their thoughts (Luke 8:17), words (Matthew 12:37), and actions (Matthew 16:27) will be compared to God’s perfect, holy standard (Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16) and will be found wanting (Romans 3:23).

Beloved friend, If you have given your life over to Christ, then you and I will one day stand before Christ too. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). That “Day,” refers to the time of the Judgment seat of Christ. And only what has been accomplished in this life through His Spirit’s power working in the lives of believers, and all that was done for His glory will survive and be rewarded. So I to have ask you, “What is your passion?” What are you pursuing with all of your heart? If it is to glorify Christ, then you will find fulfillment, contentment and peace in your pursuits. But if it is only for what you think is going to bring you much pleasure and fulfillment, you will be very disappointed at the end of your life, when the insignificance of what you at one time found to be more important to you, than learning if God is at the head of it. It seems to me that Solomon was given “Carte Blanch,” by God Himself (2 Chronicles 1:11-12), but it was given so that we who are here today, could learn from what he learned, and that is a life in pursuit of happiness and fulfillment without God, can never bring what every person needs, that is the knowledge that in the end, it will all be brought before a holy God, who will bring it to judgment. Don’t you want to be pursuing after what glorifies Him when He comes back for us? He will come at an hour when we least expect it, according to His Word, yet, wouldn’t it be more helpful if we believed it could be today?

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, it will not tarry. ‘Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.’ ”  Habakkuk 2:2-4

This prophetic book takes its name from its author whose name means “one who embraces,” prophesied to Judah in the last quarter of the seventh century B.C. concerning the impending invasion by the Chaldeans. By the end of this prophecy, this name becomes appropriate as the prophet clings to God regardless of his confusion about God’s plans for His people. His contemporaries of Habakkuk’s day were Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zephaniah. The fact that so little is mentioned in the introduction of who Habakkuk was, suggests that he was a well known prophet of his day. So with that said, let us examine a little further.

The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. The Prophet’s Question: O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds (Hab. 1:1-4). Habakkuk’s bitter lament came at a time reflecting the time period shortly after the death of Josiah (609 B.C.), days in which this godly king’s reforms (2 Kings 23) were quickly overturned by his successor, Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 22:13-19). Habakkuk prophesied during the final days of the Assyrian empire and the beginning of Babylonia’s world rulership under Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar. The Egyptian king Necho, traveling through Judah in 609 B.C. to assist the fleeing Assyrian king, was opposed by King Josiah at Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:20-24). Josiah was killed in the ensuing battle, leaving his throne to a succession of 3 sons and a grandson. Earlier during his rule, King Josiah as a result of discovering the Book of the Law in the temple (622 B.C.), had instituted significant spiritual reforms in Judah (2 Kings 22-23), abolishing many of the idolatrous practices of his father Amon (2 Kings 21:20-22), and grandfather Manasseh (2 Kings 21:11-13). Upon his Josiah’s death, however, the nation quickly reverted back to her evil idolatrous ways (Jeremiah 22:13-19), causing Habakkuk to question God’s silence and apparent lack of punitive action to purge His covenant people.

When any government’s enacting laws interfere and contradict God’s laws you will find a nation that will not be able to rest. There will be an abundant of violence, and corruption in government affairs. Does it surprise anyone today, that our elected officials, from the White House, to the State’s Capital’s, that there is an abundance of confusion as to know which direction the use of state and government aid should go to first? We have such an incredible need in so many places, right here in our own country, yet, we see how foolish we spend our tax dollars. How much waste is being spent on legal matters, that would not have to ever be spent on, “if only I would have gotten away with it!” The Bible tells us: Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice (Proverbs 16:8). And of course, who could forget learning in Sunday school class, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). It’s during these times in which evil seems to be increasing and being unpunished, that is parallel the way which we are living in, like the time of Habakkuk, in which we too should be crying out to the Lord.

Now the Lord’s reply is very interesting. “Look among the nations and watch—Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you.” In response to Habakkuk’s perplexity and pleading, God broke His silence. Informing him that He was not indifferent to Judah’s sin; but rather than revival, He was sending the “terrible and dreadful judgment” in using her enemies as His instrument of judgment. Yet, it would not last; Their self-sufficiency and self-absorbed ways planted the seeds for their own destruction, as they too were judged for their idolatry and blasphemy before the sovereign Lord. We know today, the answer of God, We are not without knowledge of God’s answer to the nation living in sin. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16-17).

And so we see in our text, The response of the vision: To the watching prophet comes the response of the vision with three elements being distinguished. First, the moral judgment of the Lord upon the evils practiced by Israel. Secondly, The future purpose of God: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14), By the coming of the Lord in glory, this revelation awaits its fulfillment. A parallel passage shared by Isaiah 11:9-12; God has promised that the whole earth would recognize His glory at the establishment of His millennial kingdom. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wonderous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen (Psalm 72:18-19). It is then, after the return of Lord, that this vision is fulfilled given to Habakkuk, that the knowledge of the glory, etc. shall fill the whole earth.

Beloved friend, The third element of the vision given to Habakkuk, “The just shall live by faith.” This great evangelical word is applied to Jews and Gentiles in Romans 1:17, Paul writes it to the Gentiles in Galatians 3:11-14; and to the Hebrews especially in Hebrews 10:38. This appeal of life to faith alone, makes possible not only the salvation of the Gentiles, but also the existence of a believing remnant in Israel while the nation, even though now in blindness and unbelief (Romans 11:1) will eventually establish the priesthood and rebuild their temple in their offerings to the Lord, but will be unable to keep the ordinances of the Law, due to the coming of the Anti-Christ. The Good News: In contrast to the proud, the just will be truly preserved through his/her faithfulness to God. And this is the core of God’s message to and through Habakkuk. Both the aspect of justification by faith, as noted by Paul’s usage in Romans 1:17 and Galatian 3:11, as well as the aspect of sanctification by faith, as employed by the writer of Hebrews (10:38) reflect the essence of Habakkuk; no conflict exists. For both goes beyond the act of faith to include the continuity of faith. Faith is not a one time act, but a way of life. The true believer declared righteous by God, will persevere in faith as a pattern of his life. Prayer: Help me Lord, to be steadfast in my faith and to be forever devoted to Your work. Bless me in abundance and help me to use it to Your greater glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:27-30

On Valentines Day, The world is declaring their love for one another, and men are busy about giving a gift to their sweethearts. The Bible has a lot to say about love, doesn’t it? I was realizing this thought earlier this week, God’s gift of love, A Gift exchange that has an eternal inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you (1Peter 1:4). Let us take a closer look. First, let us take notice of Jesus invitation. Come to Me— Jesus had just rebuked these cities that at that time were considered to be renowned in their decadence, for their failure to repent, for their failure to recognize that He was their Messiah. And here He goes from rebuking these cities, to praying to His Father, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes (Matthew 11:25). Jesus is saying, I thank You Father, that the great people of the earth, those great people from Capernaum, and Bethsaida, You have hid truth from them. But here are these babes, simple ordinary  people that You have chosen instead to reveal Your truth to them, Your love to them. All through Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament, God has chosen such ordinary men, common people by revealing Himself first, to do extraordinary things.

All things have been delivered to Me by My Father—This is very critical to our understanding of salvation that is found in no One else, what  Jesus Christ has been given by His Father. There are a lot of people who say, I know God, who thought they knew God the Father, but they had the wrong concepts of God. There are a lot of people today who think they know God, but by their fleshly ways, they have twisted the Word of God, and have a messed up concept of who God is. Jesus said, no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him(v.27). All through man’s history he has made false attempts at what he believes who God is. Then Jesus makes this broad invitation: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest— Jesus is equating the restlessness in man with its godlessness. He is saying to them, “You will never really know what rest is, until you come to know God.” And by coming unto Jesus, we find our rest for our souls, but also Jesus will make known the Father to us as well. So profound! We’re being invited by Jesus Christ, God the Father’s only Begotten Son, to come to Him as we are, weary of life, beset by our sins, heavy laden with guilt and shame. And in exchange for all of our past sinful life, He will bring forth in us a new life. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have past away; behold all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17) In Christ—These two words comprise a brief but most profound statement of the inexhaustible significance of the new believer’s redemption, which includes : the believer’s security in Christ, who bore in His body God’s judgment against sin; the believer’s future assurance for all eternity that we will be in His presence, acceptance in Him whom God the Father is well pleased. And for the believer’s participation in the divine nature of Christ, the everlasting Word (2 Peter 1:4). All of this significant change occurs by our first coming to Christ, accepting His invitation and offer of eternal life. The very first consciousness that person has when they have come to Jesus Christ, is that they now possess a very deep and personal peace inside. This beautiful peace from God enables us to finally have that rest from the inside, that I am no longer fighting against God, I am no longer running away from His calling. I can now rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ on my behalf.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me—The yoke is what a farmer would place on his ox, a wooden yoke that harnessed a team of oxen to plow their fields with. What Jesus is saying, “Let Me have the reigns of your life, and I will guide you to that work I have for you,” that is because the Lord has a purpose and plan for each one of you. Paul the apostle writing to the Philippians said, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12) Jesus Christ has apprehended every one of us, who are born again. And if He has not, you are not His. He apprehended you for a specific purpose and plan that He has for your life. The Lord has a work for each one us to do for Him. And we find in the enfolding of His plan, it is a walk of faith. He chooses often not to reveal it all to you, so that you may trust Him in all things. The Lord does not waste anything. He uses everyone of our mistakes we’ve made in our lives for His sovereign glory. And when we have come to that place of surrender, that place of completely yielded to Him, we begin to perceive His plan for our lives to fulfill for His glory, and the kingdom of God.

Beloved friend, Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Do you have that unwavering peace in all circumstances of your life? Because then we can go on unto the third thing Jesus offers us; Learn from Me. Then we will begin to learn of the Father. Learning of Jesus will enable us to learn the truth of God. You will learn that He is a God of love, a God of compassion, a God of deep concern for you and your everyday lives. And friend, believe this: If we don’t teach our children to follow after Jesus Christ, the world will teach them not to. We don’t have to look too far to see this is already occurring. On this special day of love, reassess your love life with the Lord. Is He truly the first and greatest passion in your life? Pour out your heart to Jesus, and let Him know how much you love Him, and for His for love you, A gift exchange that is eternally rewarded.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.     2Timothy 1:8-14

The Bible tells us “whatsoever we do in word or deed, we should do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Christian liberty, as well as the most common behavior, is to be conducted to the honor of God. Paul in his service was a servant of Jesus Christ. And as a servant of Jesus Christ, his life was totally committed to the cause of Jesus Christ. So whatever happened to him, he did not take it or look upon it personally but as unto the Lord and all for the Lord’s sake. We are right in the middle of his exhortation to Timothy, a younger man who needed the support from Paul to continue on in the faith, and shepherd the flock of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look at what else the Lord would want us to take with us from this text. A holy calling—Holiness essentially defines the Christian’s new nature and should also mark his conduct. But you may say, “Well, that’s impossible for me to do.” I’d say to you, “You’re absolutely right!” It is impossible for us to conduct ourselves in all holiness and righteousness in our natural selves. But that’s the whole point of what Paul is saying to Timothy, Timothy, you’ve been called by God, not of your own goodness, or good works, but of His grace and purpose and as you join up with Him, your whole life is now to be turned over to God. All of your efforts and all of your works are to be generated from His Holy Spirit who dwells in you. And because God is holy, It is He who wants us to conduct ourselves now in holiness and righteousness which are from Him. This is such a stark contrast from what we were like before we were saved. The reason for practicing a holy manner of living is that Christians are joined with, and are now associating with a holy God and must treat Him and His Word with respect and reverence.

And so Paul was saying to Timothy, encouraging him, by reminding him of the grace God has called us, with this holy calling. But God did not call you because of your works, (our works) or because you were so deserving or worthy of it, but just to accomplish His purposes of love and of grace which was given to us in Christ before the world began. You see God has always loved us, but it is now made manifest (v.10) by the appearing of Jesus Christ—The Bible says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the earth shows His handiwork. Day unto day they utter their speech (Psalm 19:1-2). We’ve been told that by the time Christian missionaries had reached certain tribes of people in the jungles of South America, primitive people who had literally no contact with the outside world, that by the time they were told of the love of God, through Jesus Christ, they responded that they already knew of God’s existence through their experiences with the natural resources and jungle life that was all around them. God spoke to them through nature. “Day unto day they utter their speech. Night unto night their voice goes forth. There isn’t a speech or language where their voice isn’t heard.” (Psalm 19-2-3) The message of a created world extends everywhere.

Who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel—“Abolished” means “rendered inoperative.” Physical death obviously still exists, but it not longer carries with it a threat, nor can it be used by our enemy Satan against the child of God. It was until the message of the gospel in the New Testament could heard that God could chose to fully make known the truth of immortality and eternal life, Jesus said, “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also (John 14:19). A reality only partially understood by Old Testament believers (Job 19:26). So when you hear that a professed Christian, make that a true believer in Christ dies, he does not die. Not like in the way of a non believer, we are told in the Scriptures written by Paul himself, “we know that when the earthly tent of our body is dissolved,” meaning when my body goes back to dust, decomposes and goes back to dust, “I have a building of God, not made with hands, that’s eternal in the heavens. . .For we know that, as long as we are living in these bodies, we are absent from the Lord; but we would choose rather to be absent from these bodies and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). Because heaven by far is a better place than earth, Paul would rather have been there, with God. This sentiment is shared by members of the body of Christ.

I am not ashamed—Paul had no fear of persecution and of death from preaching the gospel in a hostile environment, many of us will never be called by God to do this either. Yet, we have so much fear of rejection by merely witnessing to our neighbors or family members etc. But because he was confident God had sealed his future glory and blessing. And thus he could say, For I know whom I have believed—“Know,” describes the certainty of Paul’s intimate saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, whom he had received from Him, His own special recognition and calling from the Lord Himself while on his way to Damascus to further persecute the believers and followers of the Way (Acts 9:1-6).  To summarize, Paul’s life and time had been surrendered, and be given over to the Lord. He lived with this unwavering commitment and confidence and boldness because of his willingness to believe in the power of Jesus Christ and of His faithfulness. And he patterned his life after what he had learned Christ do in his life. That is, be completely yielded to the Father’s will. We can’t get there without this same intimate relationship with the Lord ourselves.

Beloved friend, Let us remain steadfast in our staying close to the Lord. Let us pray and seek after the will of God for ourselves by studying His Word, and then applying it to our everyday lives. We will develop a pattern of sound words for ourselves that will be helpful and useful for those who are in your life. You will be a rich blessing of God’s love and faithfulness to those whom you love, and indeed be a blessing from God to them.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.  2 Corinthians 4:1-4

Been thinking about what we’ve been exposed to more and more of late. For us to be Bible believing Christians, we then must fight the current of this world’s changing viewpoint of morality, political agenda, and it’s covetous greed of corporate America, as simply being the norm and the Church’s viewpoint of Christianity, as being narrow minded and intolerant. We must take a firm stand in Biblical truth, if we are to make any impact of witnessing for Christ in these last days. This spiritual battle is fought on a plane of invisible concept of demonic activity against Jesus Christ, and His body, the Church. Let’s see what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. Since we have this ministry—The ministry of the New Covenant gospel of Jesus Christ is what Paul was referring to. This is what his life was now adhered to, and it is what every Christian is to adhere to. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Literally “breathed out by God,” or “God breathed.” Sometimes God told the Bible writers the exact words to say, Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth (Jeremiah 1:9), but more often He used to their minds, vocabularies, and experiences as the Holy Spirit enabled them to produce His own perfect infallible, inerrant Word.

We do not lose heart—This give us a picture of “abandoning one’s self to cowardice, or cowardly surrender.” This was not how Paul responded to the continual attacks, and opposition he faced. Neither should it be our response as well. The task of ministering the gospel message of Jesus Christ is too noble of a cause to lose heart over. Since it is God who called Paul, and who calls us, it will be His fight and with His weapons are we to use in this fight, which Paul wrote, are not carnal, nor devoid of any power. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Although a mere man, Paul did not fight the spiritual battle for men’s souls using human ingenuity, worldly wisdom, or clever methods. Neither of these has any power against demonic forces who keep humans in a spiritual bondage. It is only by the power and blood of Jesus Christ, that we have been set free from the bondage of sin. So Paul in a sense is saying, “that he trusted in God to strengthen him.” 

We have renounced the hidden things of shame—It is what every believer does when we repent. We turn away from sinful lifestyles, we renounce that we no longer want to be a part of something in this life that has grieved the heart of God. The term “hidden things of shame” actually refers to secret immoralities, hypocrisies, hidden in men’s hearts. We as a people have become very good at hiding our ugly sinful habits. In fact, have you noticed this about yourself, we are far more intolerant about others who struggle with their sinful practices, than we are with our own selves? What is meant to become a part of what God says He has made new in our lives, is that after repentance, the believer is now to turn away from their old way of life, and pursue, devote their lives after godliness. We often though, leave a “backdoor open” when we don’t recognize the spiritual deception that Satan wants us to believe in his lies and half truths. These deceptions often are very subtle and want us to believe that they aren’t harmful to us. Neither of which is true. We cannot have any form of compromise in our hearts and walk in obedience to Christ.
If our gospel is veiled—Like in Paul’s day, the false teachers bring out a new way to believe in the Lord, and try and explain their version of no longer needing the old and true way of Biblical doctrine, Old Testament law, New Testament age of grace etc. They accuse the followers of Christ, as being intolerant of a more modern way of learning about Christ. A universalism that describes everyone will be saved. What deception! All that stops heresy from spreading is for the hearers to know sound doctrine. To be taught sound Biblical doctrine is the best method against false teachings about Jesus Christ.

the god of this age has blinded—This age is the current world mind-set expressed by ideals, opinions, political and social agendas that turn away from Biblical truth, and the majority of worldly people. It encompasses the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. Satan blinds men from God’s truths through the world system he has created and is ruler of. Without a godly influence, man left to himself will follow that system, which panders to that system’s moral depravity and deepens their moral darkness. When Jesus was explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples He tells them and us how this spiritual warfare happens: Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the Word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who receives the word by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endues only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matthew 13:18-23) As there were 3 soils with no fruit, thus indicating no salvation, there is also 3 kinds of good soil which bears fruit, some to the larger degree than others.

Beloved friend, Does this mean that only one in four people are being saved who hear the gospel? Probably not. But what it does say is, even if it is a sort of indictment to the church, is that those who do not understand the gospel message are being deceived. Those who do not believe in the Virgin birth of Jesus Christ, or in the atonement of believers or some other not to be compromised  message of sound Biblical doctrine. False teachers have already crept in the church! It is to our distinct advantage to be alert to our surroundings, to be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer (Romans 12:12). Why? Because of Christ’s return and our ultimate redemption. And if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are blinded by their pride and foolish unbelief. There is no reason for any of us to be afraid, just remain steadfast in the Word, praying for discernment that God’s Word be made alive in you. Our soon coming King will reward you in every activity that your faith in Him is being revealed, whether in word or in your life lived for Him. Praise the Lord!

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:1-6

Greetings friends, I hope your new year is off to a well intentioned life abiding in Christ. For those of you who are struggling, those of you who are feeling a sense of guilt, or shame. For those who have to admit that there is no peace in my heart right now. There is good news. Renewed hope and the letting go of the past is only part of what God wants to see done in your lives. Let’s take a look. From our passage today, in particular verse 1, no condemnation—There is probably a handful of Scripture verses that people in the church have gave testimony to as being a “life changing” verse. Here is one of them. For so many years Christians have lived their lives in constant condemnation, perhaps their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak. These are people who are constantly apologizing to God for the slip of their tongues, or for their thoughts of hatred or lust. Always promising God, “I’ll do better next time.” Repenting, saying your sorry week after week. Only to feel even more guilt because you didn’t own up to your end of the promise. Not wanting to do “those things” is only the initial start of what God says in His Word what I ought not to do. By the way, I am describing myself when I gave these examples. But the life lived with no condemnation now there is something to rejoice in. That is good news for the Christian saint, loved by God that knows what your feeling right now. He sees your struggles with sin, and your flesh. See in fact, as Paul wrote chapter 8 of Romans in particular verse 1, There is therefore—it is the result of the truth just taught previously in chapter 7. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:24-25)

In frustration and grief, Paul laments his sin, indicating to us that a believer perceives his own sinfulness in direct proportion to how clearly he sees the holiness of God and perfection of His law. So we conclude that justification is by faith alone on the basis of God’s overwhelming grace. Condemnation—Occurs three times in the New Testament, and all in the book of Romans, “condemnation” is used judicially and is opposite of justification, refers to a guilty verdict and all the penalty that verdict demands. So what Paul is revealing  through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is that no sin a believer can commit—past, present, or future—can be held against him, since the penalty was paid in full by Christ and His righteousness has been (meaning already has occurred) imputed to us as believers. And there can be no sin that we can commit to ever reverse this divine legal decision. Every true Christian is united in Christ, and is one with Him.

The Spirit has replaced the law that produced only sin and death with a new and simple law that produces life by the law of faith. So I can say, “There is a new law that is working in me,” the law of the Spirit of life that God has written in my heart. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). And it is the words “in Christ,”—that make all of the difference to us. For in Christ, there is an inexhaustible significance of the believer’s redemption, justification, sanctification working in all of our circumstances. Either from a past tense, meaning it has already occurred, or present tense, that it is still a work in progress, God is at work in the believers life to create an atmosphere of love and trust in His power through His Holy Spirit. God now accepts what is in my heart. My love for Him through worship, my desires to be pleasing to Him, God now accepts and even directs and even controls my desires in this new life. It is interesting as I surrender my heart to the Lord, even my desires change so dramatically as I now am in Christ. For what I could not do through obeying the Mosaic Law, that is, have a righteous standing before God, God has done for me by sending His Son, Jesus Christ in the flesh.

Things of the flesh, things of the Spirit—Now man is made of three parts, an inferior trinity. He is body, mind, and spirit. The mind being synonymous with the soul, the consciousness of man. And this consciousness of man is responsive to whatever controls man. So if a man is controlled by his fleshly appetites, these are the things written for us in Galatians chapter 5: Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). Though not every person manifests all of these sins nor exhibits them to the same degree, yet these sins characterize the sinful flesh that we all battle against. For it wants to rule over us, but we master over it. By realizing that Christ died for these sins, and thus since I am in Him, I too have died to these things. Now I must set my mind on Spiritual things, for these produce in me life and peace. Paul went on to say, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-24). These are the Christ-like virtues that are consistent with godly character and attitudes of those only who belong to God by faith in Jesus Christ, and possess the Spirit of God in them.

Beloved friend, This quick review of Scriptural doctrine are the things which must not be compromised with. We must remain steadfast in our daily reading of Scripture, of the leading of the Holy Spirit, and of being in fellowship with other believers. These are evidences that we belong to God, and are in His Son. And this Spiritual life results in glorious peace. If you are struggling in your Christian walk, be still for moment before the Lord, seek His heart for your situation. You’ll find out that He loves you more than can be humanly possible. He desires only what is best for you. And if given over to Him daily, will lead you through your circumstances and into glorious times and seasons in your life of indescribable joy! It is only scratching the surface of all that God has in store for you. Joy, happiness and excitement are often tried to be equated with earthly pleasures, but when we learn that these originate from worshiping a holy God, we can be in His presence with songs of praise and the warmth of His presence. Father God, blessed is the reader who is turning to You by faith, to work in their lives, Your perfect and pleasing will. In Jesus name, amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like the wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  James 1:2-8

If you’ve been a Christian long enough, you have probably wondered, how can anyone going through trials rejoice over them? Yet, that is exactly what we are being told by James to do here. Let’s have a closer look. James’ audience was the twelve tribes of Israel, a Jewish people who had been scattered abroad through persecution after the death of Jesus Christ. And its to those believing Jews that he states: Count it all joy—We are constantly faced with temptations. It’s just part of life. And in each temptation there has to be a decision on our part, whether or not we are going to walk in the flesh or to walk in the Spirit. For the root of temptation is any situation that would draw me to the flesh and into a fleshly reaction. I have to choose, will I walk after the flesh? Or will I trust in God and walk after the Spirit? The Greek word for “count” may also be translated “consider” or “evaluate.” The natural human response or tendency is certainly not to rejoice; therefore the believing Christian is being taught to consciously face them with joy. It is with certainty a commitment I make that gives it all back to God in prayer. Then I must with conscious effort, resist taking it all back from God through my worrying over it. How in the world am I going to fix this? What is taking place however, it is my limited understanding of things that causes me to be in a dilemma, yet when I through faith bring all of my burdens to God in prayer (Psalm 55:22), I am leaving them in the hands of the supernatural God. He sees the end of matters in this life from the beginning. Of whom Paul wrote: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33) The majesty, grandeur, and wisdom of God’s plan revealed in verses 1-32 of Romans chapter 11, caused Paul to burst out in praise. For God’s future plans for Israel, but also to justification by faith. We are bringing ourselves with all our besetting problems to no higher authority. So why then should we be so quick to want to take them back from God and worry over them, as if somehow, I could do better than He could?

Various trials—This Greek word connotes trouble, or something that breaks the pattern of peace in our lives. Whatever opposes our comfort, joy, and happiness in our life or be it in the life of our loved ones. The verb form of this word means “to put someone or something to test,” with the purpose of discovering that person’s nature or quality of self. God brings such tests to prove and increase the strength and quality of one’s faith and to demonstrate its validity. Every trial becomes a test of faith designed to strengthen: if the believer fails the test by wrongly responding, that test then becomes a temptation, or a solicitation to evil. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13-15) It doesn’t ever have to go this far. Be relieved that our sin debt has been paid in full. What we must learn to do, is keep short accounts with the Lord. Confess your sins to God, He shall sustain you in your hour of trial. A reminder for us all!

Testing, Patience—Testing means “proof,” or “proving.” Patience better translated “endurance,” or “perseverance” through these timely trials does a Christian learn to withstand the pressure of a trial by their steadfast position in Christ, until He removes it at His appointed time. For our maturity comes, when we, on this side of the trial, meaning before we even know its outcome, start to pray, “Lord, I know this will end up being for my good, yet I don’t understand it, please help to endure.” We are in need at this time a quality of patience, so often our failure is in waiting upon God. And that is true throughout the Bible. So many in the Scriptures got into more serious troubles because they didn’t wait upon the Lord. This testing of our faith then is certainly not new to God. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing—In regards to perfect, God is not saying, “sinless perfection,” but to spiritual maturity. And that’s the whole purpose of God, is to bring us into a maturity, that we would quit acting like children when we don’t get our way in responding to life’s disappointments.

God wants us to be lacking in nothing. Yet, if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him—We should all be asking for wisdom from God. It is His to disclose for our learning and increase  our ability to understand more and more the will of God for our lives. Now James’ Jewish audience would have recognized the Hebrew meaning behind the word “wisdom.” As  a word to mean “skill to understand,” that was necessary to live life to God’s glory. It was not a wisdom from the world’s philosophical speculation, but the wisdom contained in the pure and peaceable, gentle will of God (James 3:13-17). It is only by the working of the Holy Spirit, and by the believer’s willingness to yield, does this divine wisdom enable us, to be joyous and submissive in the trials of life.

Beloved friend, By faith we approach a holy and righteous God who has enabled us to come boldly to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), where not only to ask God, but to have that expectancy that He will deliver. He will always be on time, and without ever my doubting that He cares for all things that concern me. Knowing this truth, enables me to be asking, seeking, and knocking all the time for the Lord to be at work not just in my life, but in the lives of my loved ones, family members, neighbors, and friends. It is to His glory to reward all those who come to Him in faith, as a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

May the Lord bless your walk with Him.

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones (Ten Commandments), was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. ( 2 Corinthians 2:7-18)

A covenant is an agreement between two parties. In this case, between God and man. In the Old Testament, God made His covenant with the children of Israel through Moses, written on tablets of stone, in what know to be  the Ten Commandments. Now the apostle Paul, without hesitation and great boldness, as the Holy Spirit enabled, declares how the Old Testament covenant, which is the law of God, kills us in a sense that it brings the knowledge of sin and death from its consequences, and without ever being able as humans, satisfy the demands of the law on our own, and we are therefore condemned. Now Paul is not depreciating the law; he was acknowledging that it was glorious because it reflected God’s nature, will, and character. When God manifested Himself to Moses, He did so by reducing His attributes to visible light. This light was reflected on Moses face, which was the glory of God that needed to be veiled. The law had a fading glory, for it was not the final solution for man. Thus we are introduced to the New Covenant, which provides condemned man forgiveness of sins through the death on the cross of Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is “what remains,” because it is the consummation of God’s plan of salvation and has permanent glory. It is an eternal hope in total and complete forgiveness of sins for those who believe the gospel.

Moses, who put a veil over his face—This physical action pictured the fact that Moses did not have the confidence or boldness of Paul because the Old Testament Covenant was veiled. It was a shadow of things to come. And we learn that the Israelites did not grasp the glory of the Old Covenant because of their unbelief. As a result, the meaning of the Old Covenant was obscure to the people of Moses day, and it was still obscure to the people in Paul’s day who were trusting  in it as means of salvation. Without Christ, the Old Testament is unintelligible. But when a person comes to Christ, the veil is lifted and has their spiritual perception unveiled. Just as the veil of ignorance obscures the meaning of the Old Covenant to the hardened heart, so with believing heart, the veil is removed and enables us to see the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). We understand now that the law was never given to save us, but to lead us to the One who could save us.

The Lord is the Spirit—And it is by God’s Spirit that He wants to work in us, and through us. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6). Neither human might, wealth, or physical stamina would be sufficient to complete the work. Only by the abundant supply of the power of the Holy Spirit who enables us to be transformed. This work is from the same God of the Old Testament who is at work in the lives of the people in the New Covenant through the Holy Spirit. The same God is the minister of both the Old and New Covenants. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty—We have now as a Christian freedom from sin and the futile attempts to keep the demands of the law as a means of earning our salvation through our own efforts at righteousness. Through Jesus Christ, is our liberty been purchased by His own sacrifice of Himself and death on the cross. Our righteousness is given to us apart from the law through faith in Him, to all and on all who believe. Why is that? This righteousness is unique in that its source is from God (Isaiah 45:8), it fulfills both the penalty and precept of God’s law. Christ’s death as a substitute pays the penalty exacted on mankind’s failure to keep God’s law, through His perfect obedience to every requirement of God’s law fulfills the demand for righteousness, and since God’s righteousness is eternal, the one who receives it by faith, enjoys it from Him forever. The believer (you and I), is no longer in bondage to the law’s condemnation and Satan’s dominion. What liberty we have in Christ!

But we all—Not just Moses, or the prophets from the Old Testament, nor apostles, and preachers, but all believers who with unveiled face have now nothing obstructing our view of Christ and His glory being revealed in Scripture, and just like a mirror can brings us a closer look at ourselves, so we can also see with intimacy our relationship as an adopted child in the family of God. A mirror in Paul’s day, was polished metal, and thus offered a far from perfect reflection. But that is what our sanctification is all about. We are being transformed by the working of the Holy Spirit more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. From glory to glory, God is at work in your life, using every trial, every testing of difficult circumstances in your life, and in my life, that are uncomfortable to say the least. But this momentary suffering as Paul wrote in Romans: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). This looks forward to the resurrection of the body and subsequent complete Christlikeness which is the believer’s eternal glory.

Beloved friend, from the moment we placed our faith in Christ, He began to transform us into His loving and gracious Spirit filled likeness. What a joy it is to be one of His children! We are transformed from glory to glory into His glorious and wonderful image. We are starting the New Year right, when we keep this fresh perspective on what God through His Son, has done for us in our past, that is, made the way possible for us to come to Him by faith. And simply believe that what He has done for us at the cross of Calvary, is enough for me to have my sin debt paid in full, but also to be in His presence forever. Now it is through His Holy Spirit working in me, that great work of salvation. Just glorious to know, that our future is safe and secure for those who are in Christ, redeemed by His blood, purchased and secure, awaiting the final completion to be with Him in His Father’s kingdom forever! Amen.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!

 

 

 

 

 

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:7-14

The new year is upon us, what can we learn from this past year that will help us move forward into the year coming in the most excellent way? We know Jesus Christ has a perfect will and plan for all of our lives, but how do I go about  discovering what it is? Let’s see if we can learn some spiritual truth to these questions from Paul’s writing his epistle to the believer’s in Philippi. The Greek word for “gain” (v.7) is an accounting term that means “profit.” The Greek word for “loss” also is an accounting term used to describe a business loss. Paul used language of business to describe the spiritual transaction that occurred when Christ redeemed him. All of his Jewish religious credentials that he thought were profit to him, were actually worthless and damning towards him. The first lesson we need to remember is that my religious background, no matter how significant does not automatically make me a Christian. Some people don’t realize yet, that God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him that comes through our faith and trust in the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ. We may go through the traditions of being baptized as an infant and confirmed while growing up, all of family and church introductions are an important part of a religious life, but none of these actions makes us a Christian. “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 humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Jesus spoke this parable to show us that whoever is trying to live by their own righteousness is not truly justified. No, those who are truly justified before God are those who are reckoned righteous before God by means of an imputed righteousness.

So as we step into the new year, make sure that your not just “playing church,” to enjoy the best God would have for you, is to have that authentic relationship by being born again, and the Spirit of God washing away and cleansing us from all sin. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7). Salvation has never been by works, but rather a gift from God. So we see that Paul was describing all of the profitable benefits that accrued to him, when he finally let go of his past achievements of obtaining a righteousness of the law, apart from the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Nothing in yours or my life should ever come close to being more important to us, than our relationship to God through Jesus Christ. As we begin a new year let us not let anything hold us back from wanting to know our Lord through the teaching and studying of His Word. Hold your church you attend accountable to Biblical truth that is accurate, rightly divided, and without hypocrisy. Our nations youth is suffering tremendous loss of personal accountability and integrity before God, because parents are not leading by example. The greatest truth we can ever learn, or teach to anyone, is our ever present need to be forgiven our sins and trespasses against God, and towards our fellow man.  That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (v.10)—To “know” Christ is not simply to have intellectual knowledge about Him; Paul used the Greek verb that means to know “experientially” or “personally,” Jesus said to His disciples: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27) It is equivalent to a shared life with Christ: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20). When a person puts their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, he or she spiritually participates with the Lord in His crucifixion and in His victory over sin and death by the power of His resurrection.

Beloved friend, As we move ahead into this new year, remember that none of us has arrived in that state of sinless perfection. The working of the Holy Spirit of God inside every believer is to conform us everyday into the likeness of Christ. It is called our sanctification. While we work, while we sleep, God is always at work in us. Paul uses the analogy of a runner in a race to describe the Christian’s spiritual growth. The believer has not reached their goal of Christlikeness, but like everyone who runs a race, we must continue and persevere through all of life’s triumph’s, trials, and temptations that is trying to get us to give up! But the best news is that God doesn’t give up on us: being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6), one of the greatest promises of all Scripture, When God begins a work of salvation in a person, He finishes and perfects that work. Thus your life, and my life are all under construction. We are on our way to be in that same state of Christlikeness and one day, we will see Him face to face. Forgetting those things which are behind— The believer in Christ, must refuse to rely upon past virtuous deeds and achievements in ministry or to dwell on sins and failures of our past. Neither of these is helpful, to be distracted by your past debilitates one’s efforts in the present. Satan’s strongholds as the accuser of the brethren, is to get us feeling all of the guilt and shame of our past failures and sins, Christ has forgiven us of all such deeds. But also, Satan would love to have us worry over our future and what lies ahead. These two places can be combatted daily when we present ourselves to God as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2). Live in the victory of forgiveness, and let your gentleness be made known to all man, God is for you. If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32) Praise the Lord! and Happy New Year!

May the Lord bless your walk thru out the New Year!

 

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in their company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.  Luke 2:41-52

Jesus as a boy at the age of 12 could not be perceived as already having the use of His Deity power by performing miracles, and supernatural exploits. But rather, His use of His quest for learning and desiring more and more knowledge from what resources that were around Him. During the time of Passover, the pilgrimage of thousands came into Jerusalem for the yearly feast. In our passage we see the only biblical insight into what Jesus was like as a boy. A typical Jewish boy, in a typical Jewish family. So as we have read that Jesus lingers behind, and was not known by His earthly parents, Joseph, and His mother. Note that Joseph is named, but Mary is known as His mother. This is the last mention of Joseph, other than the list of names in the genealogy of Christ through Mary (Luke 3:23). His lingering was neither mischievous nor disobedient, but of an awareness on His part that drew Him into the temple to see for Himself what these teachers of the Law knew about God. So through a days journey in the midst of a very large traveling party of friends and relatives returning to Nazareth, it’s not that unlikely that it was an honest mistake for parents to think that their children were all within this large group being watched by the other parent, being separated by distances in travel.

Now the Bible has many instances in the New Testament, where Jesus declares that obedience to God, and His commandments are the actions of those who love God the Father. Jesus, at the age of 12, was utterly respectful, taking the role of student, eager to learn what was being taught in the synagogue. Even at that age, He clearly distinguishes Himself through His response and questions He gave in return. These all clearly indicated His wisdom that put His earthly teachers in amazement. Here is an observation, Jesus, during His ministry gave us an insight on those who are raising children: Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16). Most if not all of these children were too young to exercise personal faith and trust in Christ. Jesus’ words imply that God graciously extends salvation to those too young or perhaps due to a mentally impaired person who could not come alone to Him. I find great comfort knowing that God cares more for our children then perhaps we do ourselves. For our window of time for us to influence our children for God while they’re are at that age of  being completely dependent, is not that long of a time. It is comforting to know that Jesus is that concerned for their eternal being as well as their earthly well being.

” Why have You done this to us?” Mary’s words contain a tone of exasperation and even rebuke, a very understandable response for any mother under such circumstances, but in this case, misplaced. Jesus was not hiding from anyone, nor was He defying their authority, in fact, He did what we would want any of our lost children to do, go to a public place in the presence of trusted officials where there would be safety, until His parents had found Him. While mentioning Joseph who was legally His father, Jesus makes a statement the first of many He would eventually make, that brings genuine amazement that they would not understand at first, Jesus here, even at the young age of 12 years old, has begun to realize what His true identity and mission in His earthly life: “I must be about My Father’s business.” His reply was not insolent but reveals a clear consciousness and awareness that His purpose for being here was already taking shape. And this I also find to be of comfort, His relationship with His heavenly Father did not override or nullify His duty to His earthly parents. His obedience to the fifth commandment “Honor your father and mother” was an essential part of the perfect legal obedience He rendered on our behalf and to fulfill all righteous requirements.

Beloved friend, Jesus increased—Jesus, did not cease being God or divest Himself of divine attributes in order to became man. Rather, He took on a human nature an addition, not a subtraction, and submitted the use of His divine attributes to the will of the Father (Philippians 2:5-8). So through out the course of His life on earth, there would be times when His omniscience was on display (Matthew 17:2), and other times when it was veiled by His humanity in accordance to the Father’s will (Mark 13:32). If you are a Christian today, what can we learn from today’s passage? We indeed need to celebrate the angels proclamation that indeed, Christ the Savior was born. But look at how our world has turned it all into superficial and artificial celebratory influences of expense and material gifts, and with out the real joy and peace that it was meant to bring us! The truly wise know that it is time to slowdown from all of the hustle this season can cause, and know that true satisfaction and fulfillment can only come from spiritual things. We must seek to have a proper balance between material and spiritual aspects of life, which is only possible when Christ is at the center of your life. Parents wanting their children to sit with Santa Claus, should even more want their children to sit with Jesus as well in worship and song. The Lord cares about every aspect of our lives, when were young, or teenage, young adults, middle aged, or in the senior years of life. God cares so much for everyone’s need of knowing Him, and His great love for us. These spiritual matters are discovered when we take on Jesus examples for growth and development through the reading and studying of His Word. Utilizing His strength and power to obey His Word. When you taste and see His life is good, your life will be rich and fruitful, and witnessing to our world the joy of our salvation.

May the Lord bless your walk with Him!