Sunday, December 17, 2017

Every Spoken Word



Every Spoken Word

In Matthew 12:36-37 Jesus is giving advice to all that will hear.
But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
            Often as the case was in the days of His preaching the Pharisees were in plain hearing of what Jesus said. Some may have been present during His offering of the beatitudes, but there is no record of it in scripture. He does however point to the Pharisees and scribes in Matthew 5:20 as a bench mark of righteousness. And while He points to the high bar of righteous morality Jesus brilliantly gives all to hear some very valuable advice. Matthew 5:37.
            But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
            This scripture has its foundation in Proverbs 17:28
            Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
           
            Before I sought Christ as my Savior and Lord, I never gave much thought about speaking words. I was educated in the worldly way which demanded concise communication for pitching and selling ideas. I even studied debate as an interest. There are those that are eloquent in their word usage, other are pointed and still others are soft-spoken. The are many different styles of speaking amidst the secular world. There is no stopping new creations of babble either. The results are escalating hatred and violence even among the faithful!
            Earlier I had written that I take what Jesus said very seriously. As I press into His words I realize more and more how much of my old me was in ever-present peril. I thought about words I spoke in the way I had an expectation for the world to hear them. They weren’t gentle, filled with compassion, encouraging or even altogether helpful That was 30 years of my life! I couldn’t possible recall all the words I said, or spoke either in truth, lies, exaggerations or verbal assaults. So, when I read the words of Christ as in the above scripture, you can imagine how mortified I felt. At first, this was very hard to read, just as much of Christ said was difficult to get through. Then I had to ask myself if these were loose suggestions. But in rereading His words I saw and understood on the day of judgement ‘every’ idle word was up for review. Then I did scripture comparison. And more than the above scriptures I came to find another even more specific.  James 3:8.
            But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
            As I reflected on the old me, this scripture rang true. An ex-wife of mine used to say, “What you say is right, but the way you say it makes it impossible to hear”. This revelation presented me with a choice. It wasn’t a choice such as flipping a switch as to turn on a light. A choice which provided immediate change, oh no. This choice was one I’d have to contend with until I unlearned some very well-established habits. And even still to this day, I care very little about what people think against what I have to say. I’ve chosen to be less outspoken. I am inclined to consider what folks articulate. What they do articulate doesn’t always require a response and most certainly doesn’t demand a reaction.
            In our world we have celebrities. These folks have a platform to speak like none other. And depending on where their agenda leans to they always seem to find a curious and supportive audience. Many folks in the new technology of the internet have also been given platforms to speak like celebrities. In most cases the position of influence is a very desired place to possess.
Celebrities makes lots of money for their personas. They for the most part protect their identity very carefully. Their language is currency. You can meet any celebrity you want, if you have the right amount of money to depart from. Certain types of speaking are highly sought after by very influential people willing to pay for the privilege of a private audience. They quite literally control the narratives talked about on many different information venues. Very few of them have humble roots. They consistently must outdo prior realities to remain current in that celebrity status.
Self-centeredness is a must for most these folks just because that is the nature of the beast. Self-worth also becomes very important to them. All of these traits remove the individual away from a relationship with Jesus. Self-centeredness requires such departure from humble truths.
In as much as we struggle to feel good about ourselves because we have determined we deserve such a wellbeing, we must look around and wonder why it is that there is such misery in this world. Might the misery begin with our readiness to be judgmental in our walks of life? Are we too busy with the details of our own well being to consider what might be helpful to others? Or are we just so opposed to certain thinking that we consider becoming involved as beneath our position? Do we just not care?
If we go to the book of Genesis during the story of creation. Genesis 1, God said, called and saw all of it. By God’s word our entire reality exists. Are words important to God? My inclination is that His words are very important. And if we as men and women are made in His image, then our words must also be important to Him. So much so that every word will be accounted for come the day of judgment.
The good news is that by God’s grace and mercy, Jesus paid for all of those poorly spoken idle words we have uttered. The most important words you may choose to speak today are by confessing that Jesus is your Lord and savior. By that confession all those ill willed words will be covered by the blood shed by Jesus on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for all of our corrupt creation. Then you must choose to walk in the way taught by Jesus looking for the citizenship privilege of being in heaven for eternity with The Word.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Great Comforter



The Great Comforter

As believers in Jesus, we must believe He is our King and savior. Because we do we must also belief in His words of hope given to the apostles. John 16: 7-14.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall Great Comforter to lead us there, not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Our hope is in Jesus coming again to set all things created as they were supposed to be. Until that time happens, of which nobody knows, we are left with God’s Holy Spirit. What does this mean?
Is the Holy Spirit known to all believers as an individual? Do we accept nurturing, growth and conviction from the Holy Spirit to become the doers of the Father’s will? This is the influence Jesus warned us of as being the unpardonable sin. If we reject His intentions for us, we flatly tell God, “No, thanks.” As God is love, how can He not offer us free will?  Are we to be robots systematically loving God because we have no free will?
From my own personal testimony, I can tell you that God’s Holy Spirit is very real, and He wants us to accept the truth Jesus Lived by and for as our propitiation and has given us the Great Comforter to guide and lead us home. Our home isn’t of this world, here we are pilgrims journeying towards a coming place reigned over by Jesus.
What should we expect from the Holy Spirit? Paul gives us understanding in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
My experience is that while we press into the relationship with Christ the more open we become to be vessels of these gifts.  These gifts are not directed by the believer, but by The Holy Spirit as He does the Father’s will. Anytime I have been used as a vessel it has always been to give God the Glory and nothing else except for being known as a servant of God.
It is important to realize that God’s Spirit shouldn’t be a mystery.
We are introduced to Him in the very first book of the bible all be it the second verse.
Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. God’s Holy Spirit was never a mystery through the Old Testament. Patriarchs, judges, prophets and kings were offered the Holy Spirit of God. Patriarchs, judges, prophets, prophetesses and Kings were all given the Holy Spirit of God. Even pagan Kings and peoples were afforded God’s Spirit for His will to be done. The work of the Spirit in the Old Testament wasn’t the same as it is in the New Testament. Our wealth as New Testament Christians is that we have no prohibition to the throne of God for supplication or prayer. Jesus changed all of that on the cross dying as payment for our sins.
Mark 15:38
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
This meant access to what was known as the holy of holies was wide open, no more need for priests to approach God. Jesus became our high priest. When He resurrected and then sent God’s Holy Spirit as a Great Comforter, living for God righteously became possible.
If our focus was on developing a relationship with Jesus and we took His words seriously, why would we not want to get to know the Holy Spirit? Jesus sent Him, isn’t that what the scripture says?
I would have to say that knowing the Holy Spirit is like possessing a key to wisdom the world doesn’t know. The peace Christ spoke of is a treasure I’d not relinquish for any cost. I hear of believers going to therapists and wonder why they don’t talk it over with Christ. Do they not hear the Holy Spirit? Do they want some other truth than to repent from sin and keep God’s commandments?
I can see how the non-believer might need therapists, they don’t know the Great Comforter!
Haven’t we read in scripture about the Apostle Paul’s great miracles? Acts 19:11-12
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
Isn’t anyone excited about this? Doesn’t anyone desire to be like Paul?
Maybe not, Paul was treated badly by many unwilling to hear his preaching. Even as Jesus said to Ananias, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts 9: 15:16.
Paul did suffer greatly. But let me say this, in my rebellion towards God my actions and choices brought me suffering. At that time, I had no hope in Jesus or God’s promise of eternal salvation for believing on the name of Jesus.
In Jesus’ ministry service of miracles was done by Jesus, his apostles and disciples following Him. Paul never followed Jesus, nor likely met Him until after His resurrection. So, my question is simple. If we are on fire for the Lord would isn’t it possible that God would use us as He did the church founders?
I know I have been a vessel of the Holy Spirit Gifts whenever God has decided to use me. I pray and desire that God would find me worthier to do so more frequently. There is nothing in the world like seeing someone have the Ah-hah moment when connecting blessings to God.
Praying is another powerful tool to use in growing faith in knowing God’s Holy Spirit. Praying for God’s will to be done in all matters concerning our world is wise. But as we pursue God’s mercy the Holy Spirit leads us right back to the love of Jesus. John 14:14
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
I surely hope that knowing these scriptures is not just idle knowledge. I pray that knowing these scriptures are promises that you possess and depend on in your daily life. And that is the key. Depending on guidance from and by the Holy Spirit as he leads us back to Jesus’ mercy, grace and love.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Jesus said it.



Jesus said it

As I study the bible I pay close attention to what Christ says. Let us examine Matthew 21:21.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Is Jesus speaking figuratively here, or is He stating fact?
Didn’t Peter walk on water? Didn’t the woman Christ called a dog have so much faith that the demon was cast out of her child? Didn’t Christ marvel at the faith of some and bemoan the lack of faith in others?
If ye have faith, and doubt not,
What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 tells us.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Most Christians hope on the return of Christ, but is that really enough? Shouldn’t we hope to be more like Christ or his substance while we live here in this earth. We can’t see Christ, yet we have faith that He is our savior and that he will be returning.
If you were to apply the parable of the hidden talent, or three servants to application of faith it may be easier to understand.
Matthew 25: 14-26. The first servant working the money of the master was rewarded accordingly to his diligence of handling the money. The servant found not working the money or handling it diligently was harshly dealt with for his lacking.
When Jesus is speaking to us having faith I don’t believe it is a figurative statement. I believe it is factual. Remember he sent His Apostles out to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils. Matthew 10:8. These men knew Christ, followed him and were given power to do these works. Weren’t the 120 waiting and praying in one accord in the upper room also given the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Doesn’t the entire book of Acts describe the divine multiplying factor of Christ’s church through the promised Holy Spirit?  John 14:16
In the course of my journey in Christ I run into other folks claiming to be Christian. As we speak, it seems as though they don’t know the Holy Spirit is an individual that we can not see. Christ used a very specific term when He introduced the Apostles to Him. John 14:17
If we don’t know that the Holy Spirit is an individual, is it possible in our ignorance we grieve him? And aren’t we told not to grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:30.
Getting back to the point that I pay close attention to what Jesus said, I am convinced the only reason why God’s truth isn’t more readily known is because of a very weak faith in him by his believers.  The fault is not completely of the believers. We have a very convincing enemy working against God’s Holy Spirit these days. He is very busy especially with the technological blessings we all live by today. Fame, wealth, self-interest, influence are all idols before God. Satan and his demons are whispering into the ears of many rebellious to God. Satan has deceived many including the religious. Wherever God’s blessings are at work, Satan’s deceptions follow relentlessly turning proper thanks of those blessings into a creation of self-dependence and hard work. Take for instance the life saving work of a cardio surgeon. Or even the wealth building capability of a diligent money manager. These folks become very influential and sought after even without knowing or wanting to know their creator. And even with all these great talents the problems never end.
Now if we were to look at the potential of what Christ was plainly stating.
If we had faith without doubt, could we heal the sick, cleanse the lepers raise the dead and cast out devils today? The Apostles did so after Christ’s ascension. How is it that a nation built on Christian doctrine faces so many problems of need? Aren’t we supposed to have life and more abundantly? With a command Christ killed the fig tree. By example we should also have the power to speak to a mountain and have it cast into the sea! Remember we mustn’t doubt.
As I reflect there is a greater fear among people than when I was growing up.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 6:27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?   '
Here Jesus is speaking to what we as modern Christian might call worry.
I notice that many Christians don’t speak much of their faith. They do speak about things that are of this world such as money, security, healthcare, possessions, interests, justice or injustice, politics and world events. Is it any wonder there is fear or worry or doubt?
Even when I make the point of what Christ said in scriptures about caring for worldly concerns some of the so-called Christians, knowing scripture say that worldly wisdom in healthy. My heart grows heavy in hearing these sentiments because I know that there is so much more potential in Christ’s instruction than in precautions of men.
Because of this fear or worry of losing worldly things the Christian demographic has abdicated the once cherished moral authority of “In God We Trust”. Our reality is plagued with manners and ways that reject God’s prominence and authority as honored by a people or nation. Unnatural lifestyles are accepted, criminal proceedings seem to be unpunished, lying is the new conveyance.
If Christians spoke their faith and lived it out boldly would this reprehensible tendency have had any room to grow? Or was it a certainty of prophesy Christ discussed in end times prophesy?
And if it must be a certainty then should we not seek out the condition from Old Testament prophecy speaking to similar times and conditions?
Isaiah 5:1-23 describes a condition which should seem very familiar to anyone honest about current conditions in our world. Isaiah 5:23-30 speaks to what is yet in front of us for our wickedness.
Christians worrying about tomorrow or fearing death in this world are removed from the truth of God’s promises in eternal life, I know we are warned not to be deceived, but I also know many of those claiming to have faith simply don’t possess faith and deceive themselves welcoming woes stated in Isaiah.
We will have faith in God and seek to walk in righteousness of Christ or we will be the children of disobedience. Christ warns us of the time when those believing themselves as saved with be dreadfully surprised. Matthew 13: 14-23
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If these scriptures don’t motivate any believer to press further into just what the Father’s will is I’m uncertain of any that will. There are some in Revelation that hold the same truth and reality, but among those that study Revelation prophesy many are divided in meaning and interpretation. So, we must also press into the word to see what it says about unity in Christ’s church.
Ephesians 4 speaks to the Christian walk from the Apostle Paul. In these words, we can have a surety that we are keeping with the will of the Father. Because Paul is the largest content writer of the New Testament, speaking largely to faith in Christ we must also have faith in Christ as part of the triune Godhead. Father son and Holy Spirit. Christ in flesh gave us the template to honor God’s the Father’s will, and He did so with warning the closest group he ever shared time with in fulfilling His mission. Read what He said to the group concerning how He would be perceived. John 15:18-21
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
And what did Jesus say to do to all His followers?
Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The very thing Christ compels us to do will provide us with a certainty of many hating us.
Now are some unwilling to do what Christ tells us is it because they lack faith, or do they want to avoid persecution? Or is not doing what He told the faithful to do just a choice to be not interested either? Christian capitulation for man’s doctrine is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. To know this is to know the meaning of what the accuser of the brethren does. Keep in mind that as long as we are in the flesh without Christ are helpless to become children of disobedience. There bye not being found at the straight and narrow gate.



Another weakness of faith I see is that of the believer that misuses or misconstrues scripture for a personal affection they have that has no basis in context of scripture.  Many will mix our 2nd Amendment right to bear arms as a notion that God approves of and even commands. This is malarkey. The favorite quoted scripture is Luke 22:36.
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
This would sound like Jesus is promoting warfare and if it stood alone such a thinking would make sense, but the following verse opens up the meaning a bit more than the less than faithful are interested in knowing.
Luke 22:37 states:
For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
What was written about this time and Jesus’ words? The answer is in Isaiah 53:12.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
What is a transgressor? Someone violating a law of God. Is killing against God’s Law? 6th commandment.
How is it that folks claiming to be Christians can claim faith on nothing taught by Christ?
Remember Jesus answer to speaking in parables? Mark 13:13
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
Such is the case with any violence proscribed in Jesus name that I question the faith of the beholder.
If we are to build our faith, we must press into scriptures and compare scriptures to each other for understanding the truth of God’s word. If we don’t we should consider ourselves twice accursed as Paul says in Galatians 1:6-9
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
In my study of God’s word I hold fast to what Jesus said as He ministered for three and a half years of His life. More study has shown me how the Old Testament is replete of Jesus types and course destinations. In as much as I understand that a relationship with Jesus is needed, I am grateful He left us not alone and with a great comforter.