Thank God for friends. Friends are like a breath of fresh air in a smoke filled building. Friends are like flowers that come and go. Friends are like a fine wine, they get better with age.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A friend loveth at all times!
Thank God for friends. Friends are like a breath of fresh air in a smoke filled building. Friends are like flowers that come and go. Friends are like a fine wine, they get better with age.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Do not grow weary in well-doing
Probably the worst enemy of enthusiasm is time. Human beings have a remarkable and sad capacity for getting tired of wonderful things. Almost every one of you can think of something you were enthusiastic about recently but now the joy is faded. Your first day of vacation on the coast the sunset was breathtaking and made you so happy you could sing. But by the end of your stay you hardly noticed it any more. Vacationers get tired of sunsets, millionaires get tired of money, kids gets tired of toys, and Christians get tired of doing good. At first the excitement of teaching that Sunday School class was strong, but now you have grown weary of well-doing. The thrill is gone. At first you felt clean and strong in the Holy Spirit as you drove the van, taught the Lao English, led the small group, visited the newcomers, started reading the Bible, worked in the emergency shelter…, but now you have grown weary in well-doing. The inner power and joy have seeped away. It's a chore. You've lost heart.
But Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." It doesn't mean, of course, that you can never stop one job and start another. If you ask what the well-doing is that we must not tire of, probably the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22f is the best answer: don't weary of being patient and kind and good and faithful and gentle and self-controlled. Don't weary of manifesting your peace and joy in all kinds of acts of love to your neighbors and associates and family. In short, don't lose heart in spending yourself through love, because if you do, the works of the flesh take over and Paul says in 5:21, "Those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom." Or, as Paul says in 6:8, if you stop sowing to the Spirit and sow to your own flesh, you will not reap eternal life, but eternal corruption.
This is very controversial. Let it sink in. What is at stake in this text is eternal life; not merely sanctification, but also final salvation. Whether you go to heaven or whether you go to hell depends in some way on whether you grow weary in well-doing or not. The text is addressed to the church. Listen carefully, and note how the thought moves from verse 8 to verse 9: "He who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not (therefore!) grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." You will reap eternal life if you sow to the Spirit, that is, if you don't grow weary in well-doing. Because of texts like these I understand my role as a pastor-teacher to be not merely a means to your sanctification but also a means to your salvation. This text is written to help bring the saints of Galatia to final salvation, eternal life. Therefore, a sermon from this text to the saints at Bethlehem should also aim to help bring you to final salvation or eternal life.
This view of preaching is widely rejected both in our Conference and throughout Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism. I got a letter last year from a retired Conference pastor which closed like this: "In conclusion: We find, then, that a pastor's ministry is limited to a believer's state and not his standing. Therefore, our security and deliverance from the penal consequences of sin do not in any way have a relationship to a pastor's preaching." Over against that extremely widespread view of preaching I appeal to your own insight into Galatians 6:8 and 9. Should I, as your pastor-teacher, deliver to you Paul's message? Should I speak to you the way the apostle spoke to the churches of Galatia? Is not the "corruption" of verse 8 the final penal consequence of sin? Is not "eternal life" in verse 8 the freedom from this consequence of sin? And is not our experience of the one or the other dependent in some way on whether we sow to the Spirit and don't grow weary in well-doing? And if so, ought not a pastor believe that his message from this text may be the divinely appointed means of causing God's children to persevere to the end in well-doing and so inherit eternal life?
My goal in life is to be a faithful teacher of God's word for the good of his people and the glory of his name. I don't see how I could be faithful to this text and not tell you that if you grow weary in well-doing and lose heart, you will not reap eternal life. If you forsake the Spirit and rely on the flesh you will reap corruption. (Cf. Romans 8:13.)
That's what is at stake here. Now let's follow Paul's thought as it develops beginning in verse 6. You recall that in verse 2 he had said, "Bear one another's burdens." Verse 6 seems to give another example of burden-bearing -- namely the financial burden of Christian teachers. "Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches." One way to bear the burdens of those who carry major responsibilities of teaching in the church is to support them financially so that they can be free for prayer and study. Evidently there was some problem with this in Galatia. Perhaps they had made a good start and now they were growing weary in well-doing - the well-doing of supporting the teaching elders in the church. Perhaps some were arguing that they are free in Christ and can use their money for other things. "Who needs teaching, anyway? We know enough of the truth. Money is scarce, these are hard times." We don't know what they were saying, but we do know that of all the burdens Paul could have mentioned he chose to mention the material burden of those who teach God's word.
He had learned the principle from Jesus. When Jesus sent out the 70 to preach he told them not to take their own food because "the laborer deserves his wages." Paul picks this up in 1 Timothy 5:17,18, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages."' Probably the closest parallel to Gal. 6:6 is 1 Cor. 9:11 where Paul says, "If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits?"
I see four implications of Gal. 6:6 that I want to mention briefly. First, teaching the word of God is essential in the church. We will not know the Lord as we ought if we go without sound teaching. Worship will become shallow, affections will become frothy and obedience will languish where the whole counsel of God is not taught. Paul considered it essential. Second, those who carry the main responsibility of teaching need freedom to study and meditate and pray. Finding the meaning of Biblical texts, discovering how that meaning fits with the totality of revelation, and seeing its relationship to contemporary life week in and week out is a glorious calling -- but it takes much time and effort. One of the things that makes me happy with my ministry at Bethlehem is that most of you know this and do not begrudge me the time I need for study. So that you'll know, in general, I devote Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings to prayer and study and meditation. Then all day Friday and Saturday I prepare for the two messages on Sunday. There are inevitable interruptions for crisis situations (like weddings!). That's o.k. I just thank God for your support in the part I have to play in this church.
Third, it follows that pastor-teachers should be paid so that they don It have to do other work to support themselves. Some, like Paul, may renounce this right, but those who are taught the Word ought to be eager to free up their teachers financially. And for that I thank you, too! Fourth, when you give of your money to support the teaching ministry you are fulfilling the law of Christ according to verse 2 (helping bear the teacher's burden) and you are not growing weary in well-doing (according to verse 9), but instead laying hold on eternal life. So when Paul says in verses 9 and 10 that we should not grow weary in well-doing and that we should do good to all especially to those of the household of faith, he has in mind at least the use of our money to support those who teach us the word of God.
Verse 7 comes in now to reinforce the command of verse 6. "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Evidently the people who did not want to share their goods with the teachers in the churches had fallen prey to some deception and were in effect mocking God by their action. Maybe they were saying: "For freedom Christ has set us free. You people that deny yourselves good things and pay to hear the Word of God -- you're acting like Old Testament legalists." So in the name of freedom they had begun to indulge their flesh (contrary to the warning of 5:13). And even worse, they were treating the Word of God with contempt. God is mocked when his messengers are treated with scorn (2 Chr. 36:15,16).
But the text says, "God is not mocked." What does that mean? It means the same thing a good father means when he says to his child, "I will not be spoken to in that tone of voice!" That is, you will deeply regret using that tone of voice. Or, as Paul puts it, you will reap what you sow. "God is not mocked" means: if you treat his word with scorn by not supporting the ministry of the word you will deeply regret it. And, "Don't be deceived!" he says. There is always a time lapse between sowing and reaping. You may be able to deceive yourself for a while that the sowing of selfishness is really going to yield more joy than sowing sacrifice for the sake of God's word. But you are dead wrong, "God is not mocked!" Your disregard for his word and your use of his trust fund for personal indulgences will come back upon your head like an avalanche.
"Where have you been?" said Elisha to Gehazi his servant. "Have you not run after Namaan for money? Are you not more greedy to line your pockets with gold than to magnify the God of Israel? Behold, the leprosy of Namaan shall cleave to you and to your descendants forever. God is not mocked. Your greed has come back upon your own head." (Cf. 2 Kings. 5:25-27.) Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.
"'Where is your husband, Sapphira?" said Peter. "And did you really sell the land for so much? Why have you despised the ministry of the word, plotted your own gain and conspired to deceive the Lord? God is not mocked. Hark, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out. Your greed has come back upon your own head." Whatever a woman sows, that will she also reap.
And so Paul is saying in verses 6 and 7: We honor God and his word when we take money, which might have bought us some comfort or security or prestige, and give it to support the ministry of the Word (domestically and on the frontiers). But if we are deceived and think that more happiness comes from spending that money on our private pleasures, then we mock God and our greed will come crashing back upon us. We will reap what we sow.
Finally, verse 8 makes clear what is really at stake and gives us hope. "For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." What is at stake in your attitude to the teaching of God's word and the use of your goods is eternal life. I know that for some that sounds like a return to salvation by works which Paul has demolished in this letter. But it isn't. Works are the attitudes and actions of a heart that looks to itself for the achievement of virtue or contentment which expects to be credited for its achievement. Nobody can save himself by such works. But love is not a work of the flesh; it is a fruit of the Spirit. We are not teaching salvation by works when we say that in order to enter final salvation you must bear the fruit of the Spirit. All we are saying is what Paul says in Romans 8:14, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Genuine conversion to Christ is not a mere human act of calling Christ our Savior. ("Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord' … but I will say, 'Depart from me. I never knew you!"') Genuine conversion is a divine act by which a Spirit of sonship is made to dwell in our heart (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6) giving us a hatred for sin and a love for righteousness (Ezek. 36:27) and a confidence in the grace of Christ. We are converted when we hear the gospel and are moved to forsake our sin and put our faith in Christ for forgiveness and begin to walk by faith in his promise and power. There are attitudes toward money and toward the teaching of God's word which cannot continue to coexist with true saving faith in the all-sufficiency of Christ. That's why Paul can say that even though salvation is by grace through faith, yet there are attitudes and actions which can destroy you.
The hope of verse 8 is that eternal life can be enjoyed simply by sowing to the Spirit. "He who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." What does this mean? I think it means that the Spirit is the field in which you work and which you hope will produce your harvest. If you look to "your own flesh" to produce the harvest of fulfillment you will get corruption. But if you look to the Spirit you will get life. Do you get up in the morning and feel a need for the power of the Spirit and seek his filling in the word and prayer? Or when you get up do you feel like there is no time to seek his fullness and besides, this is a pretty normal day and I don't need much help. A prayer on the stairs will do!
When you get your paycheck, do you look to the Spirit for how to turn this money to best advantage for God's kingdom or do you invest it in the field of the flesh for your own private use? Sowing to the Spirit means recognizing where the Spirit aims to produce some luscious fruit for the glory of God and dropping the seed of your resources in there. One of the places where the Spirit has promised to yield 30, 60, 100 fold is in the teaching of God's word. Therefore, sowing to the Spirit means supporting pastors and teachers and missionaries with your money. There is more riding in that little white envelope on Sunday than you realize. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap (eternal life!) if we do not faint.
For more teachings from John Piper, visit Piper's Notes in our Recommended Readings Secion.
But Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." It doesn't mean, of course, that you can never stop one job and start another. If you ask what the well-doing is that we must not tire of, probably the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22f is the best answer: don't weary of being patient and kind and good and faithful and gentle and self-controlled. Don't weary of manifesting your peace and joy in all kinds of acts of love to your neighbors and associates and family. In short, don't lose heart in spending yourself through love, because if you do, the works of the flesh take over and Paul says in 5:21, "Those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom." Or, as Paul says in 6:8, if you stop sowing to the Spirit and sow to your own flesh, you will not reap eternal life, but eternal corruption.
This is very controversial. Let it sink in. What is at stake in this text is eternal life; not merely sanctification, but also final salvation. Whether you go to heaven or whether you go to hell depends in some way on whether you grow weary in well-doing or not. The text is addressed to the church. Listen carefully, and note how the thought moves from verse 8 to verse 9: "He who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not (therefore!) grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." You will reap eternal life if you sow to the Spirit, that is, if you don't grow weary in well-doing. Because of texts like these I understand my role as a pastor-teacher to be not merely a means to your sanctification but also a means to your salvation. This text is written to help bring the saints of Galatia to final salvation, eternal life. Therefore, a sermon from this text to the saints at Bethlehem should also aim to help bring you to final salvation or eternal life.
This view of preaching is widely rejected both in our Conference and throughout Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism. I got a letter last year from a retired Conference pastor which closed like this: "In conclusion: We find, then, that a pastor's ministry is limited to a believer's state and not his standing. Therefore, our security and deliverance from the penal consequences of sin do not in any way have a relationship to a pastor's preaching." Over against that extremely widespread view of preaching I appeal to your own insight into Galatians 6:8 and 9. Should I, as your pastor-teacher, deliver to you Paul's message? Should I speak to you the way the apostle spoke to the churches of Galatia? Is not the "corruption" of verse 8 the final penal consequence of sin? Is not "eternal life" in verse 8 the freedom from this consequence of sin? And is not our experience of the one or the other dependent in some way on whether we sow to the Spirit and don't grow weary in well-doing? And if so, ought not a pastor believe that his message from this text may be the divinely appointed means of causing God's children to persevere to the end in well-doing and so inherit eternal life?
My goal in life is to be a faithful teacher of God's word for the good of his people and the glory of his name. I don't see how I could be faithful to this text and not tell you that if you grow weary in well-doing and lose heart, you will not reap eternal life. If you forsake the Spirit and rely on the flesh you will reap corruption. (Cf. Romans 8:13.)
That's what is at stake here. Now let's follow Paul's thought as it develops beginning in verse 6. You recall that in verse 2 he had said, "Bear one another's burdens." Verse 6 seems to give another example of burden-bearing -- namely the financial burden of Christian teachers. "Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches." One way to bear the burdens of those who carry major responsibilities of teaching in the church is to support them financially so that they can be free for prayer and study. Evidently there was some problem with this in Galatia. Perhaps they had made a good start and now they were growing weary in well-doing - the well-doing of supporting the teaching elders in the church. Perhaps some were arguing that they are free in Christ and can use their money for other things. "Who needs teaching, anyway? We know enough of the truth. Money is scarce, these are hard times." We don't know what they were saying, but we do know that of all the burdens Paul could have mentioned he chose to mention the material burden of those who teach God's word.
He had learned the principle from Jesus. When Jesus sent out the 70 to preach he told them not to take their own food because "the laborer deserves his wages." Paul picks this up in 1 Timothy 5:17,18, "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching; for the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages."' Probably the closest parallel to Gal. 6:6 is 1 Cor. 9:11 where Paul says, "If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits?"
I see four implications of Gal. 6:6 that I want to mention briefly. First, teaching the word of God is essential in the church. We will not know the Lord as we ought if we go without sound teaching. Worship will become shallow, affections will become frothy and obedience will languish where the whole counsel of God is not taught. Paul considered it essential. Second, those who carry the main responsibility of teaching need freedom to study and meditate and pray. Finding the meaning of Biblical texts, discovering how that meaning fits with the totality of revelation, and seeing its relationship to contemporary life week in and week out is a glorious calling -- but it takes much time and effort. One of the things that makes me happy with my ministry at Bethlehem is that most of you know this and do not begrudge me the time I need for study. So that you'll know, in general, I devote Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings to prayer and study and meditation. Then all day Friday and Saturday I prepare for the two messages on Sunday. There are inevitable interruptions for crisis situations (like weddings!). That's o.k. I just thank God for your support in the part I have to play in this church.
Third, it follows that pastor-teachers should be paid so that they don It have to do other work to support themselves. Some, like Paul, may renounce this right, but those who are taught the Word ought to be eager to free up their teachers financially. And for that I thank you, too! Fourth, when you give of your money to support the teaching ministry you are fulfilling the law of Christ according to verse 2 (helping bear the teacher's burden) and you are not growing weary in well-doing (according to verse 9), but instead laying hold on eternal life. So when Paul says in verses 9 and 10 that we should not grow weary in well-doing and that we should do good to all especially to those of the household of faith, he has in mind at least the use of our money to support those who teach us the word of God.
Verse 7 comes in now to reinforce the command of verse 6. "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Evidently the people who did not want to share their goods with the teachers in the churches had fallen prey to some deception and were in effect mocking God by their action. Maybe they were saying: "For freedom Christ has set us free. You people that deny yourselves good things and pay to hear the Word of God -- you're acting like Old Testament legalists." So in the name of freedom they had begun to indulge their flesh (contrary to the warning of 5:13). And even worse, they were treating the Word of God with contempt. God is mocked when his messengers are treated with scorn (2 Chr. 36:15,16).
But the text says, "God is not mocked." What does that mean? It means the same thing a good father means when he says to his child, "I will not be spoken to in that tone of voice!" That is, you will deeply regret using that tone of voice. Or, as Paul puts it, you will reap what you sow. "God is not mocked" means: if you treat his word with scorn by not supporting the ministry of the word you will deeply regret it. And, "Don't be deceived!" he says. There is always a time lapse between sowing and reaping. You may be able to deceive yourself for a while that the sowing of selfishness is really going to yield more joy than sowing sacrifice for the sake of God's word. But you are dead wrong, "God is not mocked!" Your disregard for his word and your use of his trust fund for personal indulgences will come back upon your head like an avalanche.
"Where have you been?" said Elisha to Gehazi his servant. "Have you not run after Namaan for money? Are you not more greedy to line your pockets with gold than to magnify the God of Israel? Behold, the leprosy of Namaan shall cleave to you and to your descendants forever. God is not mocked. Your greed has come back upon your own head." (Cf. 2 Kings. 5:25-27.) Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.
"'Where is your husband, Sapphira?" said Peter. "And did you really sell the land for so much? Why have you despised the ministry of the word, plotted your own gain and conspired to deceive the Lord? God is not mocked. Hark, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out. Your greed has come back upon your own head." Whatever a woman sows, that will she also reap.
And so Paul is saying in verses 6 and 7: We honor God and his word when we take money, which might have bought us some comfort or security or prestige, and give it to support the ministry of the Word (domestically and on the frontiers). But if we are deceived and think that more happiness comes from spending that money on our private pleasures, then we mock God and our greed will come crashing back upon us. We will reap what we sow.
Finally, verse 8 makes clear what is really at stake and gives us hope. "For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." What is at stake in your attitude to the teaching of God's word and the use of your goods is eternal life. I know that for some that sounds like a return to salvation by works which Paul has demolished in this letter. But it isn't. Works are the attitudes and actions of a heart that looks to itself for the achievement of virtue or contentment which expects to be credited for its achievement. Nobody can save himself by such works. But love is not a work of the flesh; it is a fruit of the Spirit. We are not teaching salvation by works when we say that in order to enter final salvation you must bear the fruit of the Spirit. All we are saying is what Paul says in Romans 8:14, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Genuine conversion to Christ is not a mere human act of calling Christ our Savior. ("Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord' … but I will say, 'Depart from me. I never knew you!"') Genuine conversion is a divine act by which a Spirit of sonship is made to dwell in our heart (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6) giving us a hatred for sin and a love for righteousness (Ezek. 36:27) and a confidence in the grace of Christ. We are converted when we hear the gospel and are moved to forsake our sin and put our faith in Christ for forgiveness and begin to walk by faith in his promise and power. There are attitudes toward money and toward the teaching of God's word which cannot continue to coexist with true saving faith in the all-sufficiency of Christ. That's why Paul can say that even though salvation is by grace through faith, yet there are attitudes and actions which can destroy you.
The hope of verse 8 is that eternal life can be enjoyed simply by sowing to the Spirit. "He who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life." What does this mean? I think it means that the Spirit is the field in which you work and which you hope will produce your harvest. If you look to "your own flesh" to produce the harvest of fulfillment you will get corruption. But if you look to the Spirit you will get life. Do you get up in the morning and feel a need for the power of the Spirit and seek his filling in the word and prayer? Or when you get up do you feel like there is no time to seek his fullness and besides, this is a pretty normal day and I don't need much help. A prayer on the stairs will do!
When you get your paycheck, do you look to the Spirit for how to turn this money to best advantage for God's kingdom or do you invest it in the field of the flesh for your own private use? Sowing to the Spirit means recognizing where the Spirit aims to produce some luscious fruit for the glory of God and dropping the seed of your resources in there. One of the places where the Spirit has promised to yield 30, 60, 100 fold is in the teaching of God's word. Therefore, sowing to the Spirit means supporting pastors and teachers and missionaries with your money. There is more riding in that little white envelope on Sunday than you realize. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap (eternal life!) if we do not faint.
For more teachings from John Piper, visit Piper's Notes in our Recommended Readings Secion.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Acknowledge God & He Shall Direct Your Path
Proverbs 3:6 reads, "In all your ways acknowledge God and He shall direct your paths." However, do we really acknowledge God in everything? How much influence does God have in our lives? Before we actually get to verse 6, Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding".
What a challenge!! How successful are we at relying on God's direction instead of relying simply on our own good ideas and on our plans?
For example, if you are looking to make a career move and your friends, family, and mentors all tell you it's a good idea, is it a done deal? Does it matter that God is telling you to BE STILL? Do you have the faith, patience, and discipline to stand at the dock and watch your "ship of opportunity" sail away?
It is easier to acknowledge God in the small things as well as the large things when your mind is constantly on God.
If you ask God will answer. If you really trust God you will obey Him. If you obey God, you will please Him. If you please God, you too will be pleased.
What a challenge!! How successful are we at relying on God's direction instead of relying simply on our own good ideas and on our plans?
For example, if you are looking to make a career move and your friends, family, and mentors all tell you it's a good idea, is it a done deal? Does it matter that God is telling you to BE STILL? Do you have the faith, patience, and discipline to stand at the dock and watch your "ship of opportunity" sail away?
It is easier to acknowledge God in the small things as well as the large things when your mind is constantly on God.
If you ask God will answer. If you really trust God you will obey Him. If you obey God, you will please Him. If you please God, you too will be pleased.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Know thyself & know thine enemy.
Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
We are engaged daily in warfare. I am not talking about a the two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood . . . we are engaged in spiritual warfare. We must know how to wage war successfully.
Sometimes I read the Bible to study the tricks the devil has used to fight against the children of God in the past. To Samson, he offered Delilah, a woman. To Judas he offered thirty pieces of silver, some money. To Job, he brought undeserved calamity to all areas of his life. Just reading these three stories, I see that the devil will try to get believers to take our minds off God by either giving something or taking away something.
I find the temptations of Jesus particularly enlightening. The devil tempted Jesus 3 times, appealing to his physical hunger, attempting to make him use his divine power wrongly, and lastly trying to get Jesus to achieve his mission without the cross.
(For further reading, click http://www.apocalipsis.org/jesustemptation.htm
Look at how Jesus responds.
Jesus knew himself and Jesus knew the devil. Jesus knew that the devil could not stand against God's Word like we know that lies cannot stand up to the truth neither can darkness withstand the light. Jesus asserted the truths of God's Word as recorded in the Scriptures. What a weapon!! What a weapon!!
Before going into battle, generals routinely look for the enemies' weaknesses before developing their strategy. As believers, we already know that the devil cannot stand against the truths contained within God's Word. As a result, we must study God's Word and live according to its truths so that we may be victorious in battle.
Remember, study God's words that you easily identify his "bag of tricks" and you are equipped to exploit the devil's weaknesses. I guarantee the devil has studied you and he knows your weaknesses and vulnerabilities. So study God's Word daily and ask God to search you regularly to make sure you are putting on the whole armour of God and you are ready to fight and WIN!!
Be strong my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are already victorious!!
We are engaged daily in warfare. I am not talking about a the two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood . . . we are engaged in spiritual warfare. We must know how to wage war successfully.
Sometimes I read the Bible to study the tricks the devil has used to fight against the children of God in the past. To Samson, he offered Delilah, a woman. To Judas he offered thirty pieces of silver, some money. To Job, he brought undeserved calamity to all areas of his life. Just reading these three stories, I see that the devil will try to get believers to take our minds off God by either giving something or taking away something.
I find the temptations of Jesus particularly enlightening. The devil tempted Jesus 3 times, appealing to his physical hunger, attempting to make him use his divine power wrongly, and lastly trying to get Jesus to achieve his mission without the cross.
(For further reading, click http://www.apocalipsis.org/jesustemptation.htm
Look at how Jesus responds.
Jesus knew himself and Jesus knew the devil. Jesus knew that the devil could not stand against God's Word like we know that lies cannot stand up to the truth neither can darkness withstand the light. Jesus asserted the truths of God's Word as recorded in the Scriptures. What a weapon!! What a weapon!!
Before going into battle, generals routinely look for the enemies' weaknesses before developing their strategy. As believers, we already know that the devil cannot stand against the truths contained within God's Word. As a result, we must study God's Word and live according to its truths so that we may be victorious in battle.
Remember, study God's words that you easily identify his "bag of tricks" and you are equipped to exploit the devil's weaknesses. I guarantee the devil has studied you and he knows your weaknesses and vulnerabilities. So study God's Word daily and ask God to search you regularly to make sure you are putting on the whole armour of God and you are ready to fight and WIN!!
Be strong my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are already victorious!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Experience Never Before(s) in 2009
Someone told me that 2009 is a year of "never before(s)" meaning things will happen this year that have not happened before in your life, possibly never before in history. The election of President Obama as the first black President of the United States is just one example of a "never before" which happened this year.
I have undertaken a major home improvement project for the first time in my life. The professional company I called quoted a $1500 price. Brother man from around the way quoted a $450 price. However, I was able to get the job done for roughly $3. The $3 was the cost of the Gatorade I drank while I did the project myself.
What caused me to shift my intent from paying someone to do a job for me to deciding to do the job myself? Someone suggested/hinted that I could accomplish the project myself. It was their belief in me that caused me to look at me and decide, I can do this. Though I have never done this before, I fixed my mind on God and spoke in faith, "Yes, I can".
Peter had never walked on water before. But one day he did. David had never killed a giant before. But one day he did. Jesus had never turned water into wine before. But one day he did.
These men were able to do these "never before" things because their minds were fixed on God. Who knows what you will accomplish this year? Impossible is a word that does not apply to the believer. With God, all things are possible. Fix your mind on God and make manifest your "never before".
If you have a "never before" you have accomplished or want to accomplish this year, please share in the comments section below.
I have undertaken a major home improvement project for the first time in my life. The professional company I called quoted a $1500 price. Brother man from around the way quoted a $450 price. However, I was able to get the job done for roughly $3. The $3 was the cost of the Gatorade I drank while I did the project myself.
What caused me to shift my intent from paying someone to do a job for me to deciding to do the job myself? Someone suggested/hinted that I could accomplish the project myself. It was their belief in me that caused me to look at me and decide, I can do this. Though I have never done this before, I fixed my mind on God and spoke in faith, "Yes, I can".
Peter had never walked on water before. But one day he did. David had never killed a giant before. But one day he did. Jesus had never turned water into wine before. But one day he did.
These men were able to do these "never before" things because their minds were fixed on God. Who knows what you will accomplish this year? Impossible is a word that does not apply to the believer. With God, all things are possible. Fix your mind on God and make manifest your "never before".
If you have a "never before" you have accomplished or want to accomplish this year, please share in the comments section below.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
What does it mean to be "fixed" on God?
fixed
1 a: securely placed or fastened : stationary b (1): nonvolatile (2): formed into a chemical compound c (1): not subject to change or fluctuation (2): firmly set in the mind (3): having a final or crystallized form or character (4): recurring on the same date from year to year d: immobile , concentrated
Being fixed on God means that I have a made up mind to trust and obey God. I seek to please him daily. "Lord, please be pleased with my actions, my thoughts, and my intentions. Help me to obey when I hear your voice. Let me crucify my flesh daily. Help me love my enemies. Let me not seek treasures and self-glory above your will for my life. These things I pray in Jesus name. Amen."
Being fixed means having a focus that is intense and unwavering. It does not matter what others do, including friends. A person who is fixed on God will be dedicated beyond the haphazard, inconsistent effort of others. If you are "fixed" on God, the temptations of this world will not appeal as much. The devil's tricks and lies will be exposed early and often. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to
5. Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
It pays having a "fixed" mind. We have the confidence that others lack, knowing that obedience to God will give us the desire of our heart. To hear Father God speak of us saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
1 a: securely placed or fastened : stationary b (1): nonvolatile (2): formed into a chemical compound c (1): not subject to change or fluctuation (2): firmly set in the mind (3): having a final or crystallized form or character (4): recurring on the same date from year to year
Being fixed on God means that I have a made up mind to trust and obey God. I seek to please him daily. "Lord, please be pleased with my actions, my thoughts, and my intentions. Help me to obey when I hear your voice. Let me crucify my flesh daily. Help me love my enemies. Let me not seek treasures and self-glory above your will for my life. These things I pray in Jesus name. Amen."
Being fixed means having a focus that is intense and unwavering. It does not matter what others do, including friends. A person who is fixed on God will be dedicated beyond the haphazard, inconsistent effort of others. If you are "fixed" on God, the temptations of this world will not appeal as much. The devil's tricks and lies will be exposed early and often. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to
5. Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
It pays having a "fixed" mind. We have the confidence that others lack, knowing that obedience to God will give us the desire of our heart. To hear Father God speak of us saying, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased."
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Anything is Possible when your mind is F.O.G
When Peter had his mind fixed on God, he was able to step out of the boat, leave the other fishermen behind and walk on the water. He was able to do the impossible. Though we may not have any literal boats we need to step out of, we all have figurative boats that we need to step out of. These boats may be our jobs, our relationships, our mindsets, our interests, etc.
The boat provided the fisherman a place of security. However, for Christians, the boats in our lives may be hindrances the devil uses to keep us content with the status quo. We may have a nice job but is it "kingdom business"? Is your job bringing glory to God? Or are you simply working for a paycheck? It is possible that you are earning treasures that are good only here on earth. When you die and enter eternity, will you be broke?
Are your associations and relationships bringing glory to God? The world wants you to choose relationships based on a person's physical appearance, educational level, class status, financial stability, and power wielded. However, 1 John 2: 16 reminds us that for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Being in a boat on the water is ordinary. It is to be expected. However, God has called us to be extraordinary people . . . peculiar even. God wants us to be the example to nonbelievers that with God all things are possible.
Those who profess the name of Christ Jesus must live the faith we profess. Do not fix your mind on circumstances. Do not fix your mind on what everyone else is doing. Fix your mind on the things of God. Fix your mind on obedience to God.
With a mind F.O.G., you too can walk on water. However, your supposedly "impossible feat" of walking on water may take another form. God can allow you to feed yourself and your family with no job. God can allow you to run for the highest office in the land and win. You can be completely cured of disease that doctors said was incurable. Marriages and parent-child relationships can be mended against the odds and the decay over time. Broken people can be made whole again. The insane become sane. The lost are found. The blind see. The lame walk. Strength is renewed. Hope grows where none before existed. There is no limit to what can be accomplished when your mind is fixed on God.
Share something that you have been able to accomplish because you had your mind fixed on God.
The boat provided the fisherman a place of security. However, for Christians, the boats in our lives may be hindrances the devil uses to keep us content with the status quo. We may have a nice job but is it "kingdom business"? Is your job bringing glory to God? Or are you simply working for a paycheck? It is possible that you are earning treasures that are good only here on earth. When you die and enter eternity, will you be broke?
Are your associations and relationships bringing glory to God? The world wants you to choose relationships based on a person's physical appearance, educational level, class status, financial stability, and power wielded. However, 1 John 2: 16 reminds us that for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Being in a boat on the water is ordinary. It is to be expected. However, God has called us to be extraordinary people . . . peculiar even. God wants us to be the example to nonbelievers that with God all things are possible.
Those who profess the name of Christ Jesus must live the faith we profess. Do not fix your mind on circumstances. Do not fix your mind on what everyone else is doing. Fix your mind on the things of God. Fix your mind on obedience to God.
With a mind F.O.G., you too can walk on water. However, your supposedly "impossible feat" of walking on water may take another form. God can allow you to feed yourself and your family with no job. God can allow you to run for the highest office in the land and win. You can be completely cured of disease that doctors said was incurable. Marriages and parent-child relationships can be mended against the odds and the decay over time. Broken people can be made whole again. The insane become sane. The lost are found. The blind see. The lame walk. Strength is renewed. Hope grows where none before existed. There is no limit to what can be accomplished when your mind is fixed on God.
Share something that you have been able to accomplish because you had your mind fixed on God.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Is Your Heart Fixed on God? (Audio Sermon)
A powerful sermon entitled, "Is Your Heart Fixed on God?" is provided FREELY by Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Ministries. Listen and be blessed.
Visit http://www.cornerstonefwb.org/archives/is-your-heart-fixed-on-god
Visit http://www.cornerstonefwb.org/archives/is-your-heart-fixed-on-god
Hebrews 12:2
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)