Saturday, April 25, 2009

A People Who Live Apart

"From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them, I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves on of the nations." Numbers 23:9

God put this verse in my spirit this morning as I read his word. In these times of turmoil and changing values and the swirl of politics and social agendas. God tells us to step back and look at who we are in his eyes. We are set apart from the rest of the world. We are his chosen. It is up to us as followers of Christ to be different fro the rest of society because we are his children.

The world will try to swallow us up and water down the truth of God's word but it is up to us to remain steadfast and continue to proclaim the truth no matter what the consequence. It is time we stand as believers for the truth of God's word and show the world that we are His and that we are steadfast not tossed about like a wave on the ocean.

As believers we must be aware what the enemy is doing around us and fight back for what is right for our God and our families. No matter what the personal pain and persecution that we will suffer in the months and years ahead, we have only one time to get this right and God is watching us "from the heights."

My prayer. The days of persecution have arrived in America Father and we need your strength to see us through. Walk beside us Father and hold us up. Thank you for the redemption we have through Jesus Christ that when we fall you have already paid the price for our iniquity. Fill us Lord with the Holy Spirit and embolden us to stand for the truth of your Word in a dying and hostile world. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Forgiveness Of God

'If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness which they committed against Me, and also in their acting with hostility against Me...... then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and I will remember also My covenant with Isaac, and My covenant with Abraham as well, and I will remember the land." Lev 26:40-42

The Book of Leviticus is much maligned and often quoted out of context by secular society. It seems to be used by many to show how unreasonable and mean-spirited God is. No one likes rules especially when they interfere with our own selfish desires. From sexual prohibitions to the observance of the Sabbath, Leviticus lays out what God expects from his people. Yet, even some "born-again" believers look at this book as just Old Testament "stuff" that no longer applies because Jesus died for all sin.

As I have been reading through Leviticus and letting the Lord speak to me through it I have come to discover, how much love is really in this wonderful book. As God lead his people out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan, God was preparing his them for the sin that they would find there and like any good father would do for his children, God warned his loved ones, of the trouble awaiting them. As I read this text I see a father pleading with his children to listen to his wisdom so that they don't get hurt.

However, like a good parent, God knew his children would not listen. They could not stop themselves from engaging in improper sexual activity or would not be able to rest from their work on the sabbath. Just like a little boy who had been told over and over that the stove was hot and he still reached up and had to find out for himself. Ouch! God knew they would stray and had to outline for them their punishment.

"Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled." (Lev 19:24) God had seen this behavior from the Canaanites who inhabited the land they were about to enter and did not want his children to fall prey to the things that caused them to be cast out of their land.

God lovingly warns of and sternly promises punishment for sins so that they may live freely. Yet, he also knows that they will fall and he will have to punish them. But at the end of the punishment, God promises forgiveness if his people genuinely repent.

Modern America needs this kind of forgiveness now. Like the Canaanites, I am afraid God is going to cast us from our land because of our disobedience. I pray that we believers wake up before we find ourselves under God's punishment. It's time we repent!

My prayer. Father you are a God of many chances because you love your people. We have taken advantage of your kindness and have deservedly brought your wrath upon our country. Forgive us again please Father and let your mercy reign one more time. I am sorry Lord for the times I ignored your warnings and took advantage of your kindness. I love you Father, and I pray in earnest for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, who are still in sin and disobedience. Thank you for your mercy and your favor, it is truly more than we deserve. I pray in Jesus name, Amen!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Watch Out for Deceivers

“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him.” Daniel 11:32

We live in difficult times. On a daily basis we are bombarded with information and “disinformation” about what is truly happening. We as believers and informed citizens must be diligent so as not to be deceived by those who are trying to gain advantage and destroy our freedom.

In the scripture, Daniel prophesied of events that would occur in 168 AD when the Syrian King Antiocus Epiphanes would enter the Holy of Holies and desecrate the temple in Jerusalem. Epiphanes sought to force Greek culture and manners on the Jews through his smooth talk and logical arguments.

Daniel is warning us today to be aware of the kinds of deceivers like Epiphanes that are likely to cross our paths in the months and years to come. He is emphasizes the importance of having a relationship with God and understanding what his word says as the best defense against the deception of smooth talking deceivers that seem to be more prevalent than ever these days.

My prayer. Father, help us to stay focused and in constant relationship with you through prayer, fasting and study of your word. Forgive us Lord when we falter and raise us up when we stumble. Thank you for your sufficient grace. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Human Understanding

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Is 29:14



The things of God confound the natural man. In Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth he writes of "God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." What? A secret wisdom not even the church fathers had? How exciting! Paul continues, "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." 1 Cor 2:7-8)

On the day of Pentecost, the Lord gave us all the secret to unlocking the wisdom of God that confounds us as natural man and that is the power of the Holy Spirit. With the gifts that the spirit unlocks in us we are able to see that which our natural humanness was blinded since the beginning of time. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives the born again believer eyes that see like Christ and a supernatural insight that confounds conventional wisdom.

We as believer must take hold of this gift that God wants us to have so that we may better serve him while we are here. With this gifting we can see where our prayers will be most effective, where our giving will be effectively used for kingdom purposes. I believe it will give us insight into the current events that are happening around and cause our level of anxiety to be diminished as we begin to see God's plan of salvation accelerate toward the "last days.

My prayer. Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that we may continue in the ministry of your Son Jesus Christ. Help us Lord to see with your eyes into a hurting world that we may better serve you through an outpouring of love on the lost around us. Use us today Father for your purposes in everything we do, in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

He is Risen

"...the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen..." Mathew 28:5-6

Of all the discussion about Jesus whether he was the Son of God, a prophet or just a great teacher, not many deny that the tomb was empty when Mary Magdalen went there that day. Mathew's account attest to Roman guard that was placed on the grave site to prevent the disciples from stealing the body. However even they "shook for fear of him, and became like dead men." (Mat 28:4) when they realized the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty.

Praise him today and thank him for dying on the cross for your sins and saving you through his grace.

My prayer. Father we worship you for your great love and the wonderful gift of grace that you gave us and undeserving people. I love you Father and I praise your name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

Friday, April 10, 2009

It is Finished!

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30

There's a line that is drawn through the ages
On that line stands an old rugged cross
On that cross, a battle is raging
To gain a man's soul or it's loss
On one side, march the forces of evil
All the demons, all the devils of hell
On the other, the angels of glory
And they meet on Golgotha's hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict
And the sun refuses to shine
For there hangs God's son, in the balance
And then through the darkness he cries

It is finished, the battle is over
It is finished, there'll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict
It is finished and Jesus is Lord

Yet in my heart, the battle was still raging
Not all prisoners of war had come home
These were battlefields of my own making
I didn't know that the war had been won
Oh, but then I heard the king of the ages
Had fought all the battles for me
And that victory was mine for the claiming
And now praise his name, I am free.

Lyrics By Bill and Gloria Gaither

Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Passion of Christ - Part 4

Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. Luke 22:54

Peter, James and John were part of Jesus’ inner circle, they were his closest friends. In most of the major discussions and certainly when Jesus prayed the night before he was handed over to be crucified, Jesus had them near. In fact, when Jesus was seized by the temple guards, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers.

Why then, would Peter, as Jesus’ predicted, deny to have even known his best friend after Jesus was in custody. In fact, “…Peter followed at a distance,” as arresting soldiers and Jesus made their way from Gethsemane to the temple court. Peter chose to hide in the shadows rather than admit he was a follower of Christ. He was scared.

This episode speaks volumes about the state of Christianity in 2009. Unlike Peter who had no idea what would become of his friend Jesus, we modern day Christians have the benefit of knowing how the crucifixion story ended. We can look back on the day of Pentecost, where thousands saw the Holy Spirit descend upon the disciples and Peter stood up and led over 3000 to the Lord; yet, most of us still follow Jesus at a distance. What are we afraid of?

Many Christians fail to grasp the power of the risen Lord. If the Body of Christ (the Church) who has asked Jesus Christ into our hearts would understand the power we possess knowing that God has forgiven our sins and that we have overcome death as well, then we would not remain in the shadows, embarrassed to admit we believe. Of all the religions on earth Christianity is the only one that can say that their leader has been put to death but is now alive and has been living for the past two thousand years! That’s empowering!

It’s time to get serious about our faith and stop listening to all of the noise around us trying to put Christianity in a box. The power of Christ living inside of us drives out all fear. Stand up and tell others why you are so confident. The Last Days are here brothers and sisters and if we don’t tell the lost about the good news, it may soon be too late.

My prayer. Father again, forgive us for trying to limit you. Forgive us for being weak-kneed Christians. Empower us through your Holy Spirit to speak boldly without fear or reservation about the gospel. Prepare a way for each of us as we go out in a very dark world to be beacons of light. I pray that we be doers of the word and not hearers only. In Jesus name Amen!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Passion of Christ - Part 3

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. Mark 15:21

This morning a loving wife lost her husband to cancer. He left behind two young boys and a grieving widow. The cancer took him in less than six weeks. An unexpected loss, her best friend gone. She is a widow, left to raise her two young boys, alone.

Simon, the father of two sons Alexander and Rufus, lived in Cyrene, an ancient Greek colony located in the eastern portion of modern day Libya. The bible doesn’t say why Simon was in Jerusalem the day Jesus was to be crucified. He was probably there to do business or perhaps he was on vacation with his family. Who really knows. He was just “passing by,” when God called him. “Hey Simon,” He said through the Roman guard, “I have a job for you. Simon, I have a burden for you to carry. I need to you to serve me and my kingdom.”

Simon didn’t expect when he approached the gates of the Jerusalem that morning he would find himself suddenly under the weight of the cross of Jesus and in the midst of the noise and commotion that must have surrounded the march toward Golgatha. Six weeks ago, the "loving wife" never thought she would soon be a widow and a single mother. Yet in a blink of an eye, she is alone wondering what just happened. Much like Simon she must have thought, why me? Why did God give me this burden? I’m not ready, I cannot possibly do this. I don’t want to carry this load?

When we and desire to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, not only our lives but our responsibilities change forever. We are no longer our own master; if we want to grow closer to God we must bear what he asks us to carry. We must serve where and when he calls us. Usually, he calls us to places outside of our comfort zones, at inconvenient times, and sometimes with pain at some level.

When we carry Jesus’ cross, we find ourselves in the midst of turmoil and often scared. But, when he asks,"Will you do this for me?" God does not leave us alone. No, you will find Him right next to you. He loves his children and wants us to gain experience and grow strong through the difficulties he asks us to endure.

The bible doesn’t reveal what happened to Simon after he carried the cross. I suppose it doesn’t matter in the context of the Word of God. But, I know after that day, Simon’s life was never the same because he answered God’s call.

My prayer. Father, I thank you that you give us opportunities to grow closer to you. I know they are not always pleasant experiences but I am so grateful, that when we must endure them, You are alongside us holding our hand. I pray for the family of your fallen saint. I thank you Lord that I had the pleasure to have known him and that you called me to the hospital this morning so that I could meet his widow and be a part of your miracle in her life. I pray for protection and peace to be upon mother and sons today as they bear up under the weight of their crosses. I thank you that you will never leave us nor forsake us Father. I love you Lord and I pray in earnest in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Passion of Christ - Part 2

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor 5:21

What is worse in God's eyes, murder or adultery? Perhaps stealing is more grave than gossip? Lying must be worse than talking back to your parents. Surely God is going to punish Adolf Hitler more than Dr. Kavorkian.

To the fallen being in a fallen world, sin comes in varying degrees of severity. Child abuse or rape are repugnant and in almost all cases (Note I said almost) the perpetrator of these sins is considered irredeemable to society. Whereas the ladies at church who gossip about the pastor's wife or offer an insincere welcome to the single mother at the new member's supper are considered minor offenders who "momentarily" stumbled. Most believe God will judge Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer with unrelenting power and will give the silver haired grandmother a supernatural "slap on the wrist."

The Bible has a different take on the severity and ranking of sin. God, in his infinite perfection, I believe sees all sin equally for what it is, sin. To him whether the sin is incest or shop lifting, abortion or a "white lie, it is equally damning. It is so serious to Him that he sacrificed his only Son for every sin of mankind past present and future.

It is so difficult to understand the "weight of sin" that Jesus experienced. Isaiah said "he was crushed for our iniquities" Is 53:5 Jesus was literally crushed under the weight of the murder of six million Jews at the hands of Nazi Germany, the idol worship of the Jews at the foot of Mt. Sinai, and for the times when we lied to our parents to avoid a spanking. All sin; sin for every human being who died, who lives, and who is yet to be born. Jesus took the punishment and death on the cross, for Chinese and Germans, black and white, atheists and witches so that all of us may be made "sinless" before God.

He loves the world so much that He, who never sinned, "became sin." Jesus became the motivation for murder and torture, the prompting of a father to leave his family, and for a priest to molest a little boy. Jesus became sin without ever having a sinful thought in his life! And the weight and pressure he underwent "crushed" his spirit.

As we prayerfully consider the depth of Jesus' love and sacrifice on Calvary, remember how foreign sin was to Jesus and how much he loved us for enduring the tremendous weight of our wretchedness.

My prayer. Forgive me Lord for my nonchalant attitude toward. Forgive for ever thinking that if I didn't get caught, I was innocent. Forgive all my trespasses and give me the courage to follow your example of forgiveness toward others. I love you Lord and thank you so much for the unbelievable outpouring of your love on me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Monday, April 6, 2009

The Passion of Christ - Part 1

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Cor 5:2

This week before Easter Sunday has many labels: Passover Week , Holy Week, Easter Week. It, like Christmas, has become another subject in the sound bite wars that seem to dominate our daily lives. As with every other daily "debate" I pray that the monumental sacrifice and the tremendous importance of Jesus' death and resurrection does not get lost in the "noise."

In the Book of Exodus, Moses is instructed by God how to avoid the final plague that would force Pharaoh to allow the Jewish nation held captive in Egypt to be set free.

"Speak to the whole community of Israel. Tell them that on the tenth day of this month each man must get a lamb from his flock....The animals you choose must be males that are a year old. They must not have any flaws....Take care of them until the 14th day of the month. Then the whole community of Israel must kill them when the sun goes down. Take some of the blood. Put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses where you eat the lambs. ...."The blood on your houses will be a sign for you. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. No deadly plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Ex 12:3-13

I did a Google search on lambs. Few sites discussed the lamb as a religious symbol or had cute pictures of lambs with children, but most showed various cuts of meat and or lamb recipes. It seems that lambs that are not destined to be sheep, have one purpose, to be slaughtered and eaten. Perhaps that is why God chose the lamb as a representation of his Son's sacrifice for the protection of His family from the coming wrath against the world's sin.

This week, try to envision an innocent lamb being Jesus. In your mind's eye watch the brutality inflicted by mankind on this helpless creature. Then look at the love in Jesus' eye as he took the beatings and the scorn. Think of a helpless lamb being cared for by a young child and then reflect on the scourge, the nails and the crown of thorns tearing at your Saviour's flesh. Look at the purity of the lamb and consider all of the sins ever committed by mankind being placed upon a brutalized and near naked body hanging on a cross for only one reason. He loves you!

My prayer. Forgive us Lord for not being able to comprehend the depth of your sacrifice because we are so concerned about ourselves. Help us to begin to grasp just how much you love us. Thank you so very much that you who knew no sin would die for a wretch like me. I pray in earnest in the Name above all names Jesus Christ. Amen!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

I Will Protect Him

"I will protect him for he acknowledges my name." Psalm 91:14

These are and will continue to be difficult times. High unemployment, a government stripping our country of its sovereignty, and a general anger amongst the population dominate our thoughts. The warnings of the prophets from Ezekiel to Daniel to John seem to be coming to life nightly on the evening news. Jesus himself said of these days, "...because iniquity (wickedness) shall abound, the love of many will wax (grow) cold." Mat 24:12

One can see tempers growing shorter and unemployment lines longer. Talk of protest and anarchy fill the airwaves of the talk radio stations, while Internet blogs violently slander anyone who disagrees with their point of view. Freedoms that were taken for granted ten years ago are being threatened by an ever-increasingly fascist tone throughout the land.

What can a Christian do, who is chastised for his beliefs, and threatened when he speaks out against the murder of unborn children or in defense of his family against the violence and degradation of pornography?

We must all have faith, realizing that God sometimes allows calamity to strengthen our resolve and to show his glory to those who do not believe. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph when reunited once again with his family after many years, said of his hardships," God sent me ahead of you to preserve your lives." In other words, Joseph knew that God had a bigger plan in mind and he had to allow Joseph to suffer hardship so that Jews would be relocated to Egypt and eventually grow to over two million there. By Joseph's suffering God would lead the Jews out of Egypt and show the world his power and love for his people freeing them from slavery and leading them into the land he promised to Abraham. To God, a little suffering now to bring him glory and new souls into the kingdom is worth it and expected.

No matter what is happening now, it will most likely get worse. Some may lose everything, others may find themselves hungry and homeless, others may even die. However, God is still there and watching and using the power of the Holy Spirit in us to bring him glory and win souls for eternity. This is our chance to shine saints, and to "run with patience, the race that is set before us." Heb 12:1