Have you ever tried to examine your motives for some of the things you do such as your employment or volunteer work, service in the church, exercise and raising your children to know the Lord? What is the motive behind your "good actions" or "good works"?
Recently I was talking with some friends about a person who is quite knowledgeable in the word and teaches pretty well but we agreed that we were afraid this person's motives were more for selfish gain and conceit rather than caring about those he was serving and teaching.
We cannot and should not judge because it is true that only the Lord knows the heart and the motives. This is one of those places where we are the best judge of our motives and if we are honest with ourselves we can understand why we do the things we do. I believe that is why the Lord through Paul had to tell us in Philippians 2:3,4 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests. but also for the interest of others."
Just writing that convicts me. As I examine my own motives I know they are not always pure.
Many times I do things because I think it is expected of me or because I think it helps others think well of me and I realize many times I am not willing to give up my interests to help someone else with their interest particularly if I think my way is better. Ultimately everything we do is to bring glory to God and to serve others.
In verse 2 of Philippians 2 Paul says "fulfill my joys by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."
Spend some time giving yourself the test. Pick out some of the activities that are important in your life like the list I have in the beginning. Then honestly ask yourself "what is my motive for doing this or being involved in this?" If you find your motives are for selfish ambition or conceit - ways to make you look better, confess it to the Lord.
You're probably thinking "Wow, Merril this is not the most encouraging post." None of us want to see the real us. However, I do leave you with good news. If you do see areas of your life that are for selfish ambition, confess it to the Lord. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Beware of Personal Favoritsm
"You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"(Acts 11:3)
This is how those of the circumcision reacted when they found out that Peter had gone to the gentiles to preach to them.
My husband and I are members of the Presbyterian Church in America. (PCA) We travel to developing countries to train pastors and their wives. Most of the groups we go to are Pentecostal. We do some Anglicans and a few Presbyterians but mostly Pentecostals. I am sure you are aware that some of the doctrines are different. Many don't understand why we are teaching Pentecostals. While they don't say so, it is as if they think we should only be teaching those who are Presbyterians and if not at least try to make Presbyterians out of them.
We tell people "When teach the word of God through the scriptures the doctrines will be in our teaching without using all the "buzz" words like predestination." We thoroughly enjoy the worship with our Pentecostal brothers and sisters in Africa. The music and joy of their worship to the Lord is such a blessing. It is very hard for some of us who are the "frozen chosen" to be "thawed and awed".
Whether we want to admit it or not the same attitude the Jewish believers had in the early church remain today across denominations. I don't know why God has allowed us to have different denominations but He has. I do know that the line shouldn't be drawn between Christians of different denominations but between believers and unbelievers.
Many Baptists will not tolerate Presbyterians because they believe in that horrible word "predestination". Many Presbyterians will not tolerate Baptists because they say they have a choice as to whether to receive Christ as savior and certainly there is a different understanding of Baptism on both sides.
I may be stretching the point because I understand that the Jews were God's chosen people.
I am sure it was difficult for them to understand the Lord now taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
However, even after they heard the Gentiles had received the Word they were upset with Peter.
They were more concerned about favoritism then they were rejoicing over the fact that others had come to know the Lord.
Peter explained the dream he had on the rooftop (Acts 10) and the instruction that had been given to him by the Lord in detail. He said in Acts 11:17 "If therefore God gave them the gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" The Jews finally became silent after they heard this report and glorified God.
Let us glorify God and rejoice when we hear of those coming to faith in Christ as long as they are in a denomination that believes the God of the scriptures. Think about it. There will come a day when there will be no Gentiles, Presbyterians, Baptists or Pentecostals. It will be a day when we as believers will all be together in heaven eating and worshiping the Lord together.
This is how those of the circumcision reacted when they found out that Peter had gone to the gentiles to preach to them.
My husband and I are members of the Presbyterian Church in America. (PCA) We travel to developing countries to train pastors and their wives. Most of the groups we go to are Pentecostal. We do some Anglicans and a few Presbyterians but mostly Pentecostals. I am sure you are aware that some of the doctrines are different. Many don't understand why we are teaching Pentecostals. While they don't say so, it is as if they think we should only be teaching those who are Presbyterians and if not at least try to make Presbyterians out of them.
We tell people "When teach the word of God through the scriptures the doctrines will be in our teaching without using all the "buzz" words like predestination." We thoroughly enjoy the worship with our Pentecostal brothers and sisters in Africa. The music and joy of their worship to the Lord is such a blessing. It is very hard for some of us who are the "frozen chosen" to be "thawed and awed".
Whether we want to admit it or not the same attitude the Jewish believers had in the early church remain today across denominations. I don't know why God has allowed us to have different denominations but He has. I do know that the line shouldn't be drawn between Christians of different denominations but between believers and unbelievers.
Many Baptists will not tolerate Presbyterians because they believe in that horrible word "predestination". Many Presbyterians will not tolerate Baptists because they say they have a choice as to whether to receive Christ as savior and certainly there is a different understanding of Baptism on both sides.
I may be stretching the point because I understand that the Jews were God's chosen people.
I am sure it was difficult for them to understand the Lord now taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
However, even after they heard the Gentiles had received the Word they were upset with Peter.
They were more concerned about favoritism then they were rejoicing over the fact that others had come to know the Lord.
Peter explained the dream he had on the rooftop (Acts 10) and the instruction that had been given to him by the Lord in detail. He said in Acts 11:17 "If therefore God gave them the gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" The Jews finally became silent after they heard this report and glorified God.
Let us glorify God and rejoice when we hear of those coming to faith in Christ as long as they are in a denomination that believes the God of the scriptures. Think about it. There will come a day when there will be no Gentiles, Presbyterians, Baptists or Pentecostals. It will be a day when we as believers will all be together in heaven eating and worshiping the Lord together.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
People Can Change
When my husband was the pastor of a church in Georgia there was a woman who visited our church. The first Sunday she came she expressed sorrow for the fact that her husband was not a believer and was pretty anti-God. He was a rough, tough carpenter that had no desire at all for the Lord. She wasn't even sure he was going to let her come to church with any regularity.
My husband and my brother-in-law went to visit this man one evening. It was one of these situations where my husband and brother-in-law had been working all day to clean our chimney and were tired and exhausted but after cleaning up my husband said to my brother-in-law. "Come with me, I want to visit someone." So off they went to this man's house not knowing what to expect. They shared the gospel with him and at the end of the visit this man accepted Jesus Christ into his life and became a believer that very day. He was immediately a different man. He stopped drinking and going out with his buddies. He never missed a Sunday at church or anytime the church doors were open and in fact became a deacon and one of the head people in building our church building when the time came. Needless to say, we were all rejoicing in the Lord for this new convert and that night was definitely what we call a "divine appointment".
There was another "divine appointment". There was a man whose name was Saul. This man was a zealous Jewish leader who was persecuting the Jews because of their belief in Jesus Christ. You know the story. Saul was on his way to Damascus with a letter from the high priest to bring believers in Jesus Christ to Jerusalem to be imprisoned or murdered. He meets Jesus on the way or should I say Jesus met him and you know the rest of the story. Read Acts 9 to refresh your memory and refresh your joy in the Lord's grace.
We all have special people in our lives who do not know Christ. It breaks our heart and we have been praying for them for a very long time, sometimes years. Yet we don't see any change. It becomes very disheartening. I have a list of those kind of people I have been praying for and am still praying for. I keep praying for that day when they will come face to face with the resurrected Christ and meet Him and understand forgiveness and repentance. My encouragement to you and me is "don't give up".
If the Holy Spirit can take a man like Saul breathing threats to God's people and turn him around to be the leader he became for the sake of the gospel, he can take our loved ones and turn them around. You might be thinking "but you don't know this person and how hard hearted he is." Well I don't, but the Lord does and can and will continue to change people as long as He tarries. We know that only He can change people. We must continue praying and never give up that hope.
Saul who becomes the apostle Paul says he is the chief of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) I encourage you not to focus on who these people are and what they have done but who Christ is and what He has done. People can change.
My husband and my brother-in-law went to visit this man one evening. It was one of these situations where my husband and brother-in-law had been working all day to clean our chimney and were tired and exhausted but after cleaning up my husband said to my brother-in-law. "Come with me, I want to visit someone." So off they went to this man's house not knowing what to expect. They shared the gospel with him and at the end of the visit this man accepted Jesus Christ into his life and became a believer that very day. He was immediately a different man. He stopped drinking and going out with his buddies. He never missed a Sunday at church or anytime the church doors were open and in fact became a deacon and one of the head people in building our church building when the time came. Needless to say, we were all rejoicing in the Lord for this new convert and that night was definitely what we call a "divine appointment".
There was another "divine appointment". There was a man whose name was Saul. This man was a zealous Jewish leader who was persecuting the Jews because of their belief in Jesus Christ. You know the story. Saul was on his way to Damascus with a letter from the high priest to bring believers in Jesus Christ to Jerusalem to be imprisoned or murdered. He meets Jesus on the way or should I say Jesus met him and you know the rest of the story. Read Acts 9 to refresh your memory and refresh your joy in the Lord's grace.
We all have special people in our lives who do not know Christ. It breaks our heart and we have been praying for them for a very long time, sometimes years. Yet we don't see any change. It becomes very disheartening. I have a list of those kind of people I have been praying for and am still praying for. I keep praying for that day when they will come face to face with the resurrected Christ and meet Him and understand forgiveness and repentance. My encouragement to you and me is "don't give up".
If the Holy Spirit can take a man like Saul breathing threats to God's people and turn him around to be the leader he became for the sake of the gospel, he can take our loved ones and turn them around. You might be thinking "but you don't know this person and how hard hearted he is." Well I don't, but the Lord does and can and will continue to change people as long as He tarries. We know that only He can change people. We must continue praying and never give up that hope.
Saul who becomes the apostle Paul says he is the chief of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) I encourage you not to focus on who these people are and what they have done but who Christ is and what He has done. People can change.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Love One Another
To fall in love comes easy. I am talking about the kind of love you have for that special person in your life. You know what I mean. You look into those beautiful green eyes and handsome face and with a few kind and gentle words you are hooked. Romantic love has a way of capturing us many times before we understand the person to whom our affections are attached.
Biblical love or God's love is very different and is not easy. If it was the apostle John would not have spent so much time talking about it. 1 John 4:7,8 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
If we are honest, there is that one person or persons we do not like let alone love. They rub us the wrong way every time we are in their presence. For now I am focusing on those who are in our own christian circles. Many times we will go out of our way to go out of their way - you know, avoidance.
When we find ourselves in this situation we must go back to the gospel. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) Notice we were very unlovely people when Christ died for us. We truly rubbed Him the wrong way and I am sure it was very difficult for Him to be in our presence. We were still sinners when Christ died for us. God loves us and shows His love by sending His only begotten son to die for our failure to love and to give us His Spirit enabling us to love.
I encourage you to read 1 John 4. When you are faced with the person you do not like - think, "Since God loves me, I can and must love you." You may not like him and he may rub you the wrong way but the Lord says you are to love him. Love is patient, kind and does not behave rudely. Love gives and thinks of others first. If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Biblical love or God's love is very different and is not easy. If it was the apostle John would not have spent so much time talking about it. 1 John 4:7,8 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
If we are honest, there is that one person or persons we do not like let alone love. They rub us the wrong way every time we are in their presence. For now I am focusing on those who are in our own christian circles. Many times we will go out of our way to go out of their way - you know, avoidance.
When we find ourselves in this situation we must go back to the gospel. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) Notice we were very unlovely people when Christ died for us. We truly rubbed Him the wrong way and I am sure it was very difficult for Him to be in our presence. We were still sinners when Christ died for us. God loves us and shows His love by sending His only begotten son to die for our failure to love and to give us His Spirit enabling us to love.
I encourage you to read 1 John 4. When you are faced with the person you do not like - think, "Since God loves me, I can and must love you." You may not like him and he may rub you the wrong way but the Lord says you are to love him. Love is patient, kind and does not behave rudely. Love gives and thinks of others first. If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Submissive or Stubborn?
I am very much like my grandmother. My mother and I lived with my grandparents during the years she was separated from my father and then later divorced. My grandmother had a lot of influence on me and I realized after I was grown that I was more like her than I was my mother.
That was good in a lot of respects. She was the kind of person who would not let circumstances hold her back. She was determined and focused in the middle of difficult times. However that determination was also stubbornness at times.
I had a very close friend who was a member of our church when we lived in Georgia. She was old enough to be my mother and we had developed a very close friendship. One day she told me I was like a dog with a bone - she said "you just won't give it up". She knew I was the kind of person who would hang on and push forward in difficult times. We both loved the Lord and she would use this expression as I would continue to pray for her alcoholic husband and beg the Lord for him to be relieved of this bondage.
This is true about me but there is another truth that is not pretty and that is where my determination becomes stubbornness before the Lord.
This morning I was reading Psalm 32 and focusing on verse 8 and 9. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."
I am like my grandmother in terms of stubbornness and that is not good. I see my stubbornness as I read the words of this psalm. The Lord wants to surround me with mercy and take care of me but my stubbornness gets in the way many times. Now I know God is sovereign and does whatever He pleases but He also allows us to walk in our stubbornness many times to show us more of who He is. Often I know the Lord is leading me or correcting and guiding me but if it is a direction I don't want to go I will fight it. I am like the horse or mule who has to be harnessed so it can be brought into submission. Because of the Lord's sovereignty, I will be brought into submission but here is the thing. I can come submissively and enjoy the fellowship and mercy He surrounds me with or I can come kicking and screaming pulling against Him. Either way, His way will be done. It is like a child and we have all been there. You are taking them to the doctor because they are sick and they are kicking and screaming and you are almost dragging them. You are doing it for their good but they don't want to go and get that shot or have their ear poked. It is the same with us. We are just a little more refined about it. What the Lord plans for us is for our good and His glory but we don't want to go there. We have other plans. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Read the passage to get the context but I believe it is applicable.
If you are in the middle of decisions and know that you are wanting your way instead of doing what you know God would have you to do, repent. David in psalm 32 kept silent about his sin and he describes a miserable picture. Then he confesses his sin and receives the Lord's forgiveness. David is the one who says "he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."
By the way, my grandmother did not know the Lord until shortly before her death when she was 91 years old. My friend in Georgia has since gone to be with the Lord. I praise the Lord for both of them.
That was good in a lot of respects. She was the kind of person who would not let circumstances hold her back. She was determined and focused in the middle of difficult times. However that determination was also stubbornness at times.
I had a very close friend who was a member of our church when we lived in Georgia. She was old enough to be my mother and we had developed a very close friendship. One day she told me I was like a dog with a bone - she said "you just won't give it up". She knew I was the kind of person who would hang on and push forward in difficult times. We both loved the Lord and she would use this expression as I would continue to pray for her alcoholic husband and beg the Lord for him to be relieved of this bondage.
This is true about me but there is another truth that is not pretty and that is where my determination becomes stubbornness before the Lord.
This morning I was reading Psalm 32 and focusing on verse 8 and 9. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."
I am like my grandmother in terms of stubbornness and that is not good. I see my stubbornness as I read the words of this psalm. The Lord wants to surround me with mercy and take care of me but my stubbornness gets in the way many times. Now I know God is sovereign and does whatever He pleases but He also allows us to walk in our stubbornness many times to show us more of who He is. Often I know the Lord is leading me or correcting and guiding me but if it is a direction I don't want to go I will fight it. I am like the horse or mule who has to be harnessed so it can be brought into submission. Because of the Lord's sovereignty, I will be brought into submission but here is the thing. I can come submissively and enjoy the fellowship and mercy He surrounds me with or I can come kicking and screaming pulling against Him. Either way, His way will be done. It is like a child and we have all been there. You are taking them to the doctor because they are sick and they are kicking and screaming and you are almost dragging them. You are doing it for their good but they don't want to go and get that shot or have their ear poked. It is the same with us. We are just a little more refined about it. What the Lord plans for us is for our good and His glory but we don't want to go there. We have other plans. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Read the passage to get the context but I believe it is applicable.
If you are in the middle of decisions and know that you are wanting your way instead of doing what you know God would have you to do, repent. David in psalm 32 kept silent about his sin and he describes a miserable picture. Then he confesses his sin and receives the Lord's forgiveness. David is the one who says "he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."
By the way, my grandmother did not know the Lord until shortly before her death when she was 91 years old. My friend in Georgia has since gone to be with the Lord. I praise the Lord for both of them.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Perfect, Sure, Right, Pure, Clean, True and Righteous - What is?
God's Word.
If you are one to follow my blog with any regularity you will quickly learn that scripture memorization and meditation is extremely important to me and my healthiness as a follower of Christ. Therefore, I want others to make scripture memorization a high priority in their walk with Christ.
This morning I read Psalm 19. I am going to focus on verses 7-9.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
These verses not only uses words to describe the word of God but what it does - converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, and enduring forever.
Scripture memorization has often times been my lifeline to "hanging in there" when I felt like giving in to discouragement as well as shown me how to pray and praise the Lord at any time using His words. Often times I may not take the time to memorize a passage but I will memorize key phrases or words after reading and meditating on the passage. Then as I go through my day I am able to think on those things. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Phil.4:8.
Read those verses a couple times meditating on them. You may not want to take the time to memorize them but memorize those key words: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous. Then when you do think of those words you will be able to connect them to those things these verses do for us -God's word is right, rejoicing the heart.
If you are one to follow my blog with any regularity you will quickly learn that scripture memorization and meditation is extremely important to me and my healthiness as a follower of Christ. Therefore, I want others to make scripture memorization a high priority in their walk with Christ.
This morning I read Psalm 19. I am going to focus on verses 7-9.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
These verses not only uses words to describe the word of God but what it does - converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, and enduring forever.
Scripture memorization has often times been my lifeline to "hanging in there" when I felt like giving in to discouragement as well as shown me how to pray and praise the Lord at any time using His words. Often times I may not take the time to memorize a passage but I will memorize key phrases or words after reading and meditating on the passage. Then as I go through my day I am able to think on those things. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Phil.4:8.
Read those verses a couple times meditating on them. You may not want to take the time to memorize them but memorize those key words: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous. Then when you do think of those words you will be able to connect them to those things these verses do for us -God's word is right, rejoicing the heart.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Would you come over for dinner?
In the second chapter of Acts we have the account of the Holy Spirit coming upon God's people and filling them with His presence. Peter preaches a great sermon and it says there were about three thousand souls that were added to them that day.
This was a very excited time for the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. They had received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which He poured out upon them. The apostles/disciples had come a long way and went through some very difficult times to come to this point in their lives. The resurrected Christ was now dwelling in them in the person of the Holy Spirit. Woo!Hoo! "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:46 Some versions say sincerity of heart.
When my husband and I came to know the Lord we had been attending a wonderful bible study that consisted of about 30 people. It was a very exciting time in our lives. We were praising the Lord and getting together with people in our bible study group in individual homes for meals and desserts and fellowship. During these times of meals we would all share different kinds of things about our lives and it was all centered around Christ and our joy and relationship with Him.
Over the years I have noticed that people don't seem to spend as much time with one another in that same manner. We often use the excuse that times have changed and families are busy and people are working and when they get home they just want to spend time with their own families. For most of us we would say our church is full of fine people who love the Lord and care about one another and help one another. Yet, we all seem too busy for fellowship, breaking bread with gladness and sincerity of heart.
How often do you get together with other believers over a meal or desert or prayer together? I am very sorry to say that it doesn't happen much in my life anymore.
I don't pretend to know the answers but I do believe to some extend we have lost our excitement and joy in spending time with one another. The Tyndale commentary said "The joy that characterizes these gatherings was no doubt inspired by the Spirit and may have been associated with the conviction that the Lord Jesus was present with them." Maybe we don't recognize the presence of Jesus dwelling in us as we fellowship with one another, therefore He is fellowshipping with us.
Now before we go pointing the finger at everyone else who doesn't invite us into their fellowship let us take the first step. Call someone and invite them to fellowship with you. Think afresh of the truth that Jesus dwells with us through the Holy Spirit. Let us once again look for that joy and sincerity of heart as we break bread together and enjoy and celebrate Christ.
This was a very excited time for the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. They had received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which He poured out upon them. The apostles/disciples had come a long way and went through some very difficult times to come to this point in their lives. The resurrected Christ was now dwelling in them in the person of the Holy Spirit. Woo!Hoo! "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:46 Some versions say sincerity of heart.
When my husband and I came to know the Lord we had been attending a wonderful bible study that consisted of about 30 people. It was a very exciting time in our lives. We were praising the Lord and getting together with people in our bible study group in individual homes for meals and desserts and fellowship. During these times of meals we would all share different kinds of things about our lives and it was all centered around Christ and our joy and relationship with Him.
Over the years I have noticed that people don't seem to spend as much time with one another in that same manner. We often use the excuse that times have changed and families are busy and people are working and when they get home they just want to spend time with their own families. For most of us we would say our church is full of fine people who love the Lord and care about one another and help one another. Yet, we all seem too busy for fellowship, breaking bread with gladness and sincerity of heart.
How often do you get together with other believers over a meal or desert or prayer together? I am very sorry to say that it doesn't happen much in my life anymore.
I don't pretend to know the answers but I do believe to some extend we have lost our excitement and joy in spending time with one another. The Tyndale commentary said "The joy that characterizes these gatherings was no doubt inspired by the Spirit and may have been associated with the conviction that the Lord Jesus was present with them." Maybe we don't recognize the presence of Jesus dwelling in us as we fellowship with one another, therefore He is fellowshipping with us.
Now before we go pointing the finger at everyone else who doesn't invite us into their fellowship let us take the first step. Call someone and invite them to fellowship with you. Think afresh of the truth that Jesus dwells with us through the Holy Spirit. Let us once again look for that joy and sincerity of heart as we break bread together and enjoy and celebrate Christ.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Credentials or Essentials?
Often when people are asked if they are a Christian, they may respond in several different ways such as, "Yes, I was raised by Christian parents, I was baptized in the church, I teach Sunday School or I serve as a superintendent of the Christian Education Department". These people have given answers that are full of credentials and not essentials.
John the Baptist warned the multitude about relying on their credentials of being children of Abraham as a means to right standing with God. He told them in Luke 3:8 "do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." They were using their relationship to Abraham as being their credentials instead of repenting of their sin and putting their faith in Jesus Christ as essential for remission of sins.
There is a difference between Christianity and "Churchianity". (my made up word here)
I have often spoken with people who seem to link being a Christian to their credentials or "work". They will go on and on about their involvement in their church yet say nothing about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It breaks my heart. I understand that we cannot judge others and that the Lord is the judge of the heart yet I believe that what is in the heart will come out of the mouth. Romans 10:10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We must individually put our faith and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. No one can do it for us. The apostle John said "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." God does not have any grandchildren, only children. Let us not be guilty of relying on what we do or what we have done to feel we are in right standing with God. As Jerry Bridges says in his book "The Gospel for Real Life" we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.
John the Baptist warned the multitude about relying on their credentials of being children of Abraham as a means to right standing with God. He told them in Luke 3:8 "do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." They were using their relationship to Abraham as being their credentials instead of repenting of their sin and putting their faith in Jesus Christ as essential for remission of sins.
There is a difference between Christianity and "Churchianity". (my made up word here)
I have often spoken with people who seem to link being a Christian to their credentials or "work". They will go on and on about their involvement in their church yet say nothing about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It breaks my heart. I understand that we cannot judge others and that the Lord is the judge of the heart yet I believe that what is in the heart will come out of the mouth. Romans 10:10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
We must individually put our faith and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. No one can do it for us. The apostle John said "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." God does not have any grandchildren, only children. Let us not be guilty of relying on what we do or what we have done to feel we are in right standing with God. As Jerry Bridges says in his book "The Gospel for Real Life" we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Be Joyful - Jesus Prays for You
As you can see from my recent postings, I have been reading through the gospel of John. I am not sure why but it is my favorite account of Jesus' life. Perhaps it is because John seems to write with a tenderness, compassion and boldness that appeals to me. Certainly we know that John's epistles are full of explaining God's love for us and our love for Him and one another. It seems fitting when I think of John as he walked with Christ as one of His disciples. In fact it is believed that John was often called "the disciple He loved." (John 13:23, John 19:26)
It chapters 13 through 17 Jesus is preparing Himself, His disciples and all who would believe in Him for His death and resurrection. When my husband and I go on trips I start packing 3 days before I leave. I am not a "throw it in the suitcase at the last minute person." I have to have all my "ducks in a row". The newspaper needs to be stopped, the mail needs to be stopped and then there is always the chore of getting someone to take care of our cat - a cat that hates everyone but us and consequently no one is too thrilled about taking care of her.
As I read chapters 13 through 17, I realized Jesus was getting all His "ducks in a row." Because He loved His disciples so much, He was preparing them for His departure. In chapter 17 He prays for Himself. "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
He prays for His disciples. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." Then He prays for you. "I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in Me through their word."
When I think that Jesus was praying for me before I ever knew Him, it brings me great joy. Hebrews 7:25 says "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus prayed for us while He was here on earth and has continued to intercede and pray for His people - you and me after He went to be with the Father. That is why we are "kept" even though at times we may think life is harder than we can handle.
There is much to say about those chapters. I will not take the time to write about it but would encourage you to read John 13 through 17 all together. It is my prayer that you would be blessed and find joy in Jesus' preparation for you. Jesus wants us to have His joy fulfilled in us!
It chapters 13 through 17 Jesus is preparing Himself, His disciples and all who would believe in Him for His death and resurrection. When my husband and I go on trips I start packing 3 days before I leave. I am not a "throw it in the suitcase at the last minute person." I have to have all my "ducks in a row". The newspaper needs to be stopped, the mail needs to be stopped and then there is always the chore of getting someone to take care of our cat - a cat that hates everyone but us and consequently no one is too thrilled about taking care of her.
As I read chapters 13 through 17, I realized Jesus was getting all His "ducks in a row." Because He loved His disciples so much, He was preparing them for His departure. In chapter 17 He prays for Himself. "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
He prays for His disciples. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." Then He prays for you. "I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in Me through their word."
When I think that Jesus was praying for me before I ever knew Him, it brings me great joy. Hebrews 7:25 says "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus prayed for us while He was here on earth and has continued to intercede and pray for His people - you and me after He went to be with the Father. That is why we are "kept" even though at times we may think life is harder than we can handle.
There is much to say about those chapters. I will not take the time to write about it but would encourage you to read John 13 through 17 all together. It is my prayer that you would be blessed and find joy in Jesus' preparation for you. Jesus wants us to have His joy fulfilled in us!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Please Don't Leave Me!
Have you ever used those words before or have your child or loved one say "Please don't leave me!" Depending on the situation or the person this can be a very fearful place to be - to be left alone. It is interesting that a person can feel alone even in a room full of people because the people they care about the most or depend upon has left them.
When our son was in a kindergarten program in Pennsylvania he would cry every time I would leave him. He was not alone but he didn't want me to leave him. I would encourage him the best I could that I would return for him and take him home, but it didn't seem to stop his tears.
During the feast of the passover Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He should depart from this world to go to the Father. Even though the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years, they still did not fully understand what He taught them about His life, death and resurrection. He knew they would be afraid when that hour came and He left to go to the Father.
In John 14, two times Jesus tells His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid. He was preparing them for His departure. He wanted them to know that He was leaving but He would be preparing a place for them to come to be with Him when that time came. He tells them that the Father will give them another Helper or Comforter - the Holy Spirit. He tells them that the Spirit of truth will dwell WITH them and IN them. In verse 18 He says "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." He tells them in verse 26 "the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." Then in verse 27 He says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Jesus spends time at the passover with them washing their feet and teaching them what it means to be a servant and serve others. He is also teaching and preparing them for the time of His departure. Jesus knew the disciples and all those who followed Him would be fearful and troubled with His death. The disciples had spent 3 years of their lives with Him and had seen the miracles, experienced the blessings and been transformed into different people. Indeed it would be a fearful time for them. That is why He wanted to make it abundantly clear that they would not be left alone because they would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
Sometimes we feel very alone, frightened and left behind. Because we cannot see Jesus, we do feel alone in difficult times. If you know Christ and have accepted His death and atonement as forgiveness for your sins you will never be left behind or forgotten. The Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us teaching us to remember those things He has taught us through His word. Isaiah 49:15 has brought me great comfort. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." The Lord loves His people and will never leave us or forsake us. He will return and take us to where we can dwell with Him forever.
When our son was in a kindergarten program in Pennsylvania he would cry every time I would leave him. He was not alone but he didn't want me to leave him. I would encourage him the best I could that I would return for him and take him home, but it didn't seem to stop his tears.
During the feast of the passover Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He should depart from this world to go to the Father. Even though the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years, they still did not fully understand what He taught them about His life, death and resurrection. He knew they would be afraid when that hour came and He left to go to the Father.
In John 14, two times Jesus tells His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid. He was preparing them for His departure. He wanted them to know that He was leaving but He would be preparing a place for them to come to be with Him when that time came. He tells them that the Father will give them another Helper or Comforter - the Holy Spirit. He tells them that the Spirit of truth will dwell WITH them and IN them. In verse 18 He says "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." He tells them in verse 26 "the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." Then in verse 27 He says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Jesus spends time at the passover with them washing their feet and teaching them what it means to be a servant and serve others. He is also teaching and preparing them for the time of His departure. Jesus knew the disciples and all those who followed Him would be fearful and troubled with His death. The disciples had spent 3 years of their lives with Him and had seen the miracles, experienced the blessings and been transformed into different people. Indeed it would be a fearful time for them. That is why He wanted to make it abundantly clear that they would not be left alone because they would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.
Sometimes we feel very alone, frightened and left behind. Because we cannot see Jesus, we do feel alone in difficult times. If you know Christ and have accepted His death and atonement as forgiveness for your sins you will never be left behind or forgotten. The Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us teaching us to remember those things He has taught us through His word. Isaiah 49:15 has brought me great comfort. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." The Lord loves His people and will never leave us or forsake us. He will return and take us to where we can dwell with Him forever.
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