Jesus makes a sobering statement in Mattthew 7:13,14
" Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it."
Hear what Jesus is saying! The broad way to destruction is full of people! The narrow way to life is only found by a few!
We live in an age where salvation is "easy". Just say this prayer, come as you are, you do not need to give up anything, God loves you just as you are. People are looking for a Jesus who will give them a wonderful life. They want a Jesus who will make them happy without making them holy.
The Jesus of the Bible demands a total commitment of all we are. He demands we deny ourselves, and take up our cross, not just once but DAILY, as we follow Him. There is no coming into the kingdom without a thorough repentance. Repentance was the cry of John the Baptist, of Jesus, Paul, Peter. They did not say "Repeat this prayer after me, while every head is bowed, and every eye is closed" They called for repentance, a turning from sin and self, and by faith, surrendering to Christ as Lord.
There are few who make this commitment. Most want heaven, but have no real desire to live a life sold out to Christ, a life lived for His will, His glory, His kingdom. Most are content to look back at a moment when they said a prayer, exercised some faith, but never exchanged self for Christ. They were never truly regenerated, born again, and made into a new creation.
What road are you on? Are you satisfied to live a life of sin, never getting victory over temptation, never really changed from how you have always lived? You might have "accepted Christ" but where is the fruit? Or have you been transformed, truly set free, living for the will of God?
What road are you on?
Monday, March 18, 2013
Faith
 |
| Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. |
Are you weak? Are you doubting? Are you dry spiritually? Get out your Bible, get on your knees, and come to the source.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
God, the Source of Revival.
Drip down, O heavens, from
above,
and let the clouds pour
down righteousness;
Let the earth open up and
salvation bear fruit,
And righteousness spring up
with it.
I, the LORD, have created it.
Isaiah 45:8 NASB
above,
and let the clouds pour
down righteousness;
Let the earth open up and
salvation bear fruit,
And righteousness spring up
with it.
I, the LORD, have created it.
Isaiah 45:8 NASB
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Achan's Sin.
The sin of one man caused a whole nation to suffer defeat at the hand of the inhabitants of Ai (see Joshua 7). Achan took some of the plunder taken at Jericho, and hid it under his tent. He did this in secret. Nobody else knew, not even Joshua.
God knew, and held the whole nation responsible (verse 11). Because of this, He witheld His favor from them, and allowed them to be defeated (verse 12)! Until Joshua searched out this matter and dealt with it, God would not go with them any longer.
Likewise, God, through Peter, dealt with Annanias and Sapphira in the early church ( Acts chapter 5), and Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for tolerating, and failing to deal with a member living in open immorality (1 Corinthians 5). Jesus rebuked the church at Thyatira for tolerating a false teacher who led others into sin (Revelation 2:18-29). There were consequences to the sins of a few individuals, that threatened to effect the whole congregation.
Is it any wonder that there is such a great lack of spiritual power, and the presence of God in the midst of His people today? We live in an age where there is much tolerance of evil, where no one wants to confront someone who is living in gross sin, open rebellion, yet coming together with other believers as if nothing was wrong! You might say "It is none of my buisness what someone else does" but like the army of Israel at the battle of Ai, it affects you in an adverse way! Until sin is dealt with through confession and repentance, the presence and power of God cannot be restored.
It is time to grieve over the state of things among God's people. It is time to fall on our knees seeking His presence, time to cry out to Him to restore and revive His church, to rise up in the purity and power that come from His presence, secured by His blood, washed over a humble and repentant body of believers ready to stand strong for Him!
God knew, and held the whole nation responsible (verse 11). Because of this, He witheld His favor from them, and allowed them to be defeated (verse 12)! Until Joshua searched out this matter and dealt with it, God would not go with them any longer.
Likewise, God, through Peter, dealt with Annanias and Sapphira in the early church ( Acts chapter 5), and Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for tolerating, and failing to deal with a member living in open immorality (1 Corinthians 5). Jesus rebuked the church at Thyatira for tolerating a false teacher who led others into sin (Revelation 2:18-29). There were consequences to the sins of a few individuals, that threatened to effect the whole congregation.
Is it any wonder that there is such a great lack of spiritual power, and the presence of God in the midst of His people today? We live in an age where there is much tolerance of evil, where no one wants to confront someone who is living in gross sin, open rebellion, yet coming together with other believers as if nothing was wrong! You might say "It is none of my buisness what someone else does" but like the army of Israel at the battle of Ai, it affects you in an adverse way! Until sin is dealt with through confession and repentance, the presence and power of God cannot be restored.
It is time to grieve over the state of things among God's people. It is time to fall on our knees seeking His presence, time to cry out to Him to restore and revive His church, to rise up in the purity and power that come from His presence, secured by His blood, washed over a humble and repentant body of believers ready to stand strong for Him!
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Taking that Step of Faith.
I find the story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan (see Joshua 3) very challenging to my faith. In fact it takes me right out of my comfort zone. This is a good thing, as it is not good to get comfortable in our christian walk.
Joshua is leading the next generation of Israelites into the promised land, after forty years of wandering, and the death of Moses. One obstacle stood in their way. The Jordan river was at flood stage during this time of year. for all practical purposes it was impassible. Perhaps a strong swimmer could get across, but not a multitude including women and children. It would take a miracle.
Joshua instructs the Priests to take the ark of the covenant, and go before the people, with a distance separating them. As the Priests stepped into the water, God would part the river, and the nation would cross over into the promised land. Sounds great, we read of miracles in the bible and have no problem believing them, right?
How would you like to be the first Priest to step into the river? remember the river is flooded. If the waters do not part, you will fall in, pulling the other Priests in with you, ark and all. If you do not drown, you will probobly be struck dead trying to grab onto the ark as you are being swept downstream.
It would be so much easier to stand on the dry ground waiting for God to part the water, but that is not always how it works. Faith demands that we take God at His word whether it makes sense or not. It demands that we take the plunge so to speak, all or nothing. God often brings us to places where we have to live by bare faith. Places where we have to obey regardless of the consequences, places where we have to step out in spite of what the circumstances are, places where we have to go completely against what common sense dictates. Peter could not walk on water sitting in the boat, and we cannot walk into God's calling on our lives while remaining safely in our comfort zones.
God was true to His word. As the Priests bearing the ark, stepped into the water, it stood in a heap, allowing safe passage across. Easy to believe because it is a bible story, and it happened so long ago, but is it easy to step in all the way when God calls?
That is what makes faith, faith. It is that bold determined willingness to go all the way with Christ, no matter what. Our actions are the proof of our belief!
Joshua is leading the next generation of Israelites into the promised land, after forty years of wandering, and the death of Moses. One obstacle stood in their way. The Jordan river was at flood stage during this time of year. for all practical purposes it was impassible. Perhaps a strong swimmer could get across, but not a multitude including women and children. It would take a miracle.
Joshua instructs the Priests to take the ark of the covenant, and go before the people, with a distance separating them. As the Priests stepped into the water, God would part the river, and the nation would cross over into the promised land. Sounds great, we read of miracles in the bible and have no problem believing them, right?
How would you like to be the first Priest to step into the river? remember the river is flooded. If the waters do not part, you will fall in, pulling the other Priests in with you, ark and all. If you do not drown, you will probobly be struck dead trying to grab onto the ark as you are being swept downstream.
It would be so much easier to stand on the dry ground waiting for God to part the water, but that is not always how it works. Faith demands that we take God at His word whether it makes sense or not. It demands that we take the plunge so to speak, all or nothing. God often brings us to places where we have to live by bare faith. Places where we have to obey regardless of the consequences, places where we have to step out in spite of what the circumstances are, places where we have to go completely against what common sense dictates. Peter could not walk on water sitting in the boat, and we cannot walk into God's calling on our lives while remaining safely in our comfort zones.
God was true to His word. As the Priests bearing the ark, stepped into the water, it stood in a heap, allowing safe passage across. Easy to believe because it is a bible story, and it happened so long ago, but is it easy to step in all the way when God calls?
That is what makes faith, faith. It is that bold determined willingness to go all the way with Christ, no matter what. Our actions are the proof of our belief!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
I Need to Be Filled
1. I need to be filled with the spirit, each moment of every day, I need to be filled in the morning, ere starting upon my way.
2. I need to be filled for the home life, I need it for work outside, I need it alone in God's presence, that I may in Him abide.
3. I need to be filled with the Spirit, to hear or to read His word, I need to be filled when by speaking, I witness for Christ my Lord.
4. I need it, and oh, I may have it, for by His enabling power, the Spirit whom He has once given, can fill me this very hour.
chorus
I need to be filled, Lord Jesus, I need to be filled each day;
I need to be filled with the spirit, each moment along life's way.
Ada R Habershon
Robert Harkness
copyright 1910 by C.M. Alexander. Hope Publishing Co.
2. I need to be filled for the home life, I need it for work outside, I need it alone in God's presence, that I may in Him abide.
3. I need to be filled with the Spirit, to hear or to read His word, I need to be filled when by speaking, I witness for Christ my Lord.
4. I need it, and oh, I may have it, for by His enabling power, the Spirit whom He has once given, can fill me this very hour.
chorus
I need to be filled, Lord Jesus, I need to be filled each day;
I need to be filled with the spirit, each moment along life's way.
Ada R Habershon
Robert Harkness
copyright 1910 by C.M. Alexander. Hope Publishing Co.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Return to your first love.
Many couples begin their married life passionately devoted to one another. The things that they do for each other are motiviated by love. Their main concern is to do what is best for their spouse, to do those things that will make their spouse happy. All this flowing out of deep, passionate, love, taking no thought of self.
Years later, many couples are still doing many of the same things. They still provide for each other, still do things together, but something has changed. The passion is gone, habit and routine have replaced love as the motivating factor. One or both of the marriage partners are living for themselves. On the surface things may still look fine, but under the surface things are beginning to decay.
This is the same with our relationship with Jesus Christ.
I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.
Revelation 2:2,3 (NASB)
Look at all the things this group of believers were doing! They did far more than many christians do today! They endured through all forms of trial and testing. No doubt they suffered persecution for their faith. They did not allow false teaching, they tested apostles and had nothing to do with evil men, things that the church today has largely forsaken! This group was doing all the right things, things that anyone who loved Christ would do.
Read on and see what Jesus thought of all this.
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love (vs 4).
It seems that habit had replaced love. They were doing the right things. They were patiently enduring, they were weeding out the false teachers, carefully guarding the truth, standing firm without growing weary, all for the name of Christ. However, the fire had gone out. Love was gone, replaced by the routine of doing the things that christians are supposed to do.
Christ is not so impressed by the deed, but looks at the motivation of the heart. Deeds done without love, are just filthy in His eyes as any other sinful act! True love for God will always produce the deeds that please Him.
What was Christ's instruction to this church?
Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place- unless you repent (vs 5).
Jesus called on them to look back at how it was at first. They were to recall the passion, the love for Him that once motivated them to great things done for His name. They were to have a complete change of mind and heart. they needed to return to the way it used to be. Love must once again become the mainspring of all their action.
It is no different today. Many christians stiil do the things they have always done. They still hold to a moral standard of living. They at one time loved Christ with a passion, but now it is a hollow empty life of service done for other reasons. The answer? Remember the way it used to be, the love, the passion, the devotion, and repent. Come before God with a sorrowful heart, find His grace, and let Him light the fire in your heart once again. Love Him again, like at the first, when you would do anything for Him no matter how big or small, easy or difficult, because you loved Him, the one who gave Himself for you.
Years later, many couples are still doing many of the same things. They still provide for each other, still do things together, but something has changed. The passion is gone, habit and routine have replaced love as the motivating factor. One or both of the marriage partners are living for themselves. On the surface things may still look fine, but under the surface things are beginning to decay.
This is the same with our relationship with Jesus Christ.
I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary.
Revelation 2:2,3 (NASB)
Look at all the things this group of believers were doing! They did far more than many christians do today! They endured through all forms of trial and testing. No doubt they suffered persecution for their faith. They did not allow false teaching, they tested apostles and had nothing to do with evil men, things that the church today has largely forsaken! This group was doing all the right things, things that anyone who loved Christ would do.
Read on and see what Jesus thought of all this.
But I have this against you, that you have left your first love (vs 4).
It seems that habit had replaced love. They were doing the right things. They were patiently enduring, they were weeding out the false teachers, carefully guarding the truth, standing firm without growing weary, all for the name of Christ. However, the fire had gone out. Love was gone, replaced by the routine of doing the things that christians are supposed to do.
Christ is not so impressed by the deed, but looks at the motivation of the heart. Deeds done without love, are just filthy in His eyes as any other sinful act! True love for God will always produce the deeds that please Him.
What was Christ's instruction to this church?
Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place- unless you repent (vs 5).
Jesus called on them to look back at how it was at first. They were to recall the passion, the love for Him that once motivated them to great things done for His name. They were to have a complete change of mind and heart. they needed to return to the way it used to be. Love must once again become the mainspring of all their action.
It is no different today. Many christians stiil do the things they have always done. They still hold to a moral standard of living. They at one time loved Christ with a passion, but now it is a hollow empty life of service done for other reasons. The answer? Remember the way it used to be, the love, the passion, the devotion, and repent. Come before God with a sorrowful heart, find His grace, and let Him light the fire in your heart once again. Love Him again, like at the first, when you would do anything for Him no matter how big or small, easy or difficult, because you loved Him, the one who gave Himself for you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)