Election Day 2024. Dates like this seem to be a decade away and then they’re here before we know it. I would have loved on Election Day to give a rah rah speech of great patriotic magnitude that caused red, white and blue streamers to fall from the skies with sparkling glitter. But let’s get real… I don’t really think that’s what God’s feeling this morning as this Election Day has begun. The polls are open, and the votes are being casts, and His will may or may not be considered by those who are voting, but it’s seriously considered in Heaven.
I found myself reading one of my favorite chapters that I heard preached a decade or two ago, and never forgot. “Creeps in the Church,” from the book of Jude.
They’re not only in the church, they’re in the courthouse and every other business and home across the world. We are a society filled with creeps who have assumed that our Holy God wasn’t paying attention or didn’t care about the vile reprobate minds of this society. They’ve mocked God and His children. They’ve killed innocent babies without remorse and the airwaves and cyber space is filled with the ungodliest of images that is now considered the norm.
I wanted a reminder for myself as I go to the poll today to cast my vote as best I can with the candidates afforded. I want reminded that God will not be mocked and it is my job as His child and a servant of Jesus Christ Who willingly died for me on the cross, so that I could have the opportunity to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH! That’s our job, every day all day.
If you have that common salvation. Saved by the blood of Jesus Christ alone, it’s your job to contend.
If you have that same faith that was delivered to the saints of old, it’s your job to contend!
It’s our job to protect our families from the wickedness that would consume our world were it not for the grace and mercy of Almighty God.
When you read Jude, it’s a good reminder that, like Sodom and Gomorrah, we may be in the vilest of places right now, but God is still God, and every vile and wicked thing done is known by Him. He will have His day. But for today, we’re extended grace and an opportunity to show people that God still has a remnant of people who are willing to stand in the gap. For today, standing in the gap is to cast your vote on the side of God.
The Archangel Michael could have mopped the earth with Satan and his minions. But he left them to God. So should we.
Jude 1:3-10 KJV Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. [4] For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [5] I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. [7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. [8] Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
It was on the front of the church bulletin last week; those words from Paul stating that He had learned, whatsoever state he was in, therewith to be content. I have moments of contentment, about twenty minutes on a good day. And then I see something shiny and my contentment is fleeting. Am I alone with that line of thought? Do you, like myself, desire the things of this world far more than you should? It’s been on my mind a lot lately. I am still soaking in the revival from a few weeks ago, grateful for the word of the Lord that stirs the fires of my soul, but then aggravated in the same breath at the flesh that arises so often!
In the book of James 1:1-12 it says
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
While it’s important to note that James is the brother of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, and he is writing a letter to the Jews, but it does not lessen the directive in it to the children of God who are Gentiles. It’s a good word (as all of the Bible is) for us all. And this morning it fell harder on my heart as those words pierced my soul, knowing that my flesh is every bit as alive as the Spirit in me and is warring daily in my life to take my mind off the things it should be on. James was obviously not a stranger to it either, but James didn’t have the internet! James didn’t have Temu ads popping up in his face every ten minutes with shiny things or a mega sale going on out the road with a five dollar bag that you can fill to the brim with goodies that you have no need for, but it’s really cool stuff, and it’s a whole bag for five dollars! Where’s your sense of shopping adventure.
Where’s that church bulletin, I need to find it!
I said all that to help you understand my state of mind. I really am learning contentment. But it’s a struggle, because it’s deeper rooted in misguided priorities which I fear is the problem that many face. It can become very guided in a moment of time when the news of a tragedy or heartache comes and you know that it is the most important thing in your life at that time, but then it passes, and the flesh rears its ugly head again and again and we’re no longer content … we want stuff. So James wrote us this word to remind us that we’re all going to fall into various temptations, but we’re suppose to count it as joy. And by temptations, those are not the temptations of a shopping spree, but the lure of Satan to pursuade you to follow the worldly ideas around you and not the Lord Jesus Christ. The idea that another way is better, or another thing will make you happy. It’s why He took Jesus up on the mountain and tempted Him forty days with the things that the world had to offer. Only Satan’s misguided sense of direction caused him to think that he had a power above Christ. He does not. Nor does he have that power in us if we will take back what God instilled in us through the Holy Spirit.
James goes on to say
[5] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Is it not a lack of wisdom, the wisdom of the Word of God, that causes me to want? You bet! Funny thing, when I’m reading the word of God, I want nothing, except more of the word of God. Because it fills every void in my life. And James reminded me this morning that God laid it out before me in a way that James and his friends never experienced it. The word is on my phone, my iPad, my computer, in my hand through dozens of bibles in my office, waiting for me to search the Word of God. But temptations come that distract my mind and heart causing me to waver just like that boat tossed to and fro on the sea.
The next words of James made my stomach roll like it had been tossed on a wave when he said:
[7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Even in my weakened state of want in this world, I know in my heart that what the Lord offers is far greater than any material thing I could desire here on earth. And the thought of not receiving what the Lord has to offer, because I am too unstable in my ways, makes me even more sea sick! God wants to give His children wonderful things. Not material things, but spiritual things that cannot be taken and the payment has already been made. I have never experienced anything in the world that has brought as much joy to my soul as the love of Jesus Christ. Him loving me and providing me a peace that cannot be purchased, a love that is not mail order and a contentment that I could just sit on the porch and watch creation like I’d just unwrapped the neatest toy on the market! God created that for me! He gave me people to love, what an amazing gift! A gift that gives back to me in massive quantities every time I hear one of my grandchildren say “I love you Noni.” Which is most every day.
[8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. [9] Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: [10] But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. [11] For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. [12] Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
There is reward here, but there is certainly a reward in Heaven awaiting those who are faithful!!! Help me Lord to be faithful so that I may lay that crown at Your feet.👣
Sunday mornings are the most exciting day of my week. Going to church and studying the word of God puts fuel in the fire of my soul! Fellowship with the believers is unlike any earthly relationship. My two youngest grandsons attend church with me and they have dozens of questions and often some very strange commentary on their lives as new members of the body of Christ. The boys, ages 9 and 10, gave their life to Christ this year and were baptized. I pray the zeal they currently have never dies down. It hasn’t in my life, although there have been times that struggled to keep the fire lit. So I “somewhat” get it when I meet with people who say they’re Christian, but there’s no joy or evidence of Christ working in their lives. But it causes me great angst (and not just a little bit) I mean GREAT ANGST when those people are family and friends.
Salvation is a very personal event. It’s different for everyone. But the one thing that is undeniable with salvation is that there is a change in a person’s life. That’s what causes me angst. I know many, many people who never darken the door of a church house, never crack open the word of God, never bow their head in prayer unless they’re in trouble and they know nothing about an actual relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.
If that’s you… you scare me.
Matthew 7:13-14
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.
If I quote a verse like that to someone who appears to be out of the loop with Jesus, they’re either offended, or assume it can’t mean them, because they’re “fine.” And I want to believe they’re fine, that way I can sleep easier. But I can’t… Because I believe that true salvation brings a change in a person’s life that is undeniably evident.
And so I read further to determine what God meant in the book of Matthew 7
The heading in my Ryrie study Bible says that this part of Matthew 7, verses 13 through 29 is “The Proof of the Kingdom Life.” Those who are saved are members of the Kingdom of God, so proof of the Kingdom life should be easy enough to find in them, right?
Two Gates
Two Trees
Two Builders
One soul
One decision
The outline of this scripture should allow the believer to look at their life and determine if they’re okay.
Matthew 7:13-29 KJV
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: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [21] 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. [22] 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? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. [26] And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: [27] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Two Gates
These are the words of Jesus as He preaches His gospel. He, who is the determining factor of your salvation. Should we not look earnestly at his Word? In Sunday School yesterday, I learned something new about the word earnest. That it could be used in defining the serious of a commitment such as the purchasing of a car. Earnest would refer to the down payment. Meaning that you’re serious about that new ride! How serious are you about eternity? When Jesus mentioned the two gates He said one was broad and one was narrow. One, many would choose, and one, there would be few. More reason for more angst! A commitment to God is more than the average decisions of every day life. When I think about how quickly I reached the age of 61, I’m shocked. I am so happy that I have the promise of eternity. It won’t go nearly so fast! And once I’m there, I’ll no longer lose anyone. I won’t have angst. Nothing but sweet peace in the presence of my Savior. But I am concerned about the decision makers on this earth that I call family and friends. Which gate have you chosen?
Two Trees
The proof in the puddin’ as they say. Jesus tells the story of two trees that have the ability to bear fruit. One has good fruit, and one has rotten fruit. So he rids himself of the rotten fruit by throwing the tree into the fire. Wait! Jesus throws out the whole tree? Yes. Just as He does the whole body of a nonbeliever. Not because He doesn’t want them in Kingdom, but because they’re unfruitful. How on earth can a Holy, perfect God, allow people in Heaven that have refused to acknowledge and participate in His earthly Kingdom activities. If you had a child that you had given life to, raised with every good opportunity, and they cast it off, lived a life of rebellion, never darkening the doorstep of your home or having a conversation with you, would you give them a mansion? The problem is, people don’t see their non fruit bearing life as rebellion against God, but it is. He died for you. Can you not see the need to live for Him?
Two Builders
Again Jesus offers a parable to help the reader understand. There are two people building houses… one on the sand, one on the rock. The constant shifting of the sand beneath your feet when you walk along the shore gives a good indication of what’s going to happen when a storm comes in. But the house on the Rock is safe! That Rock is Jesus Christ. He has built us a home, and is waiting to hand us the keys in a place that there will never again be any shifting sand or storms of life. All we have to do is accept the fact that He paid the full price of our eternal life on the cross. That’s all that is required for salvation. But the belief and understanding in the cost He paid should cause narrow mindedness in a good sense, in that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no man will come to the Father, except through Him. One gate, One decision.
When that decision is made, there should be fruit in your life by your service to God. Are you serving Him today? If not, why?
Are you the foolish or wise builder? Are you pouring yourself into this temporary life, when the eternal one is the only one that offers hope? When you’re gone will your family have the proof of your new address?
Please God, if you are not certain. Message me today. Let’s get your keys in hand!!
That’s the question that every American and especially every American Child of God should ask themselves. When we relinquished full control to the Government of the United States, why are we surprised when life’s not ending well?
But, most will say, that was far, far before my time. I didn’t relinquish my rights to the government, my ancestors did. Touché! But what about now? How much privilege do we allow the hierarchy in our lives to have?
Those are tough questions that requires answers on an individual level. So today, in frustration with the current state of affairs on both the local, state and national fronts, I went to the Word of God for advice, for you and me!
1 Samuel 8:1-19 KJV
And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. [2] Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beer–sheba. [3] And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment. [4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, [5] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. [6] But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. [7] And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. [8] According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. [9] Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. [10] And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king. [11] And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. [12] And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. [13] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. [14] And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. [15] And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. [16] And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. [17] He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. [18] And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. [19] Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
So here was Samuel with one foot on a banana peel and the other in the grave where he had been Israel’s go to as Priest. But now Israel comes to him and informs him that they’d like an earthly leader, not God. Well, that worked out well didn’t it? In case you didn’t know, it didn’t. The leader they chose was a Saul. Not because of skill, but but because he looked like a leader. When God chose His first earthly leader (even though that was still not His intended plan) He chose a man who looked like anything but a leader. A young, ruddy (red faced) man who took care of the sheep. The lowest job in the land. The man we now know as the mighty king David. A man after God’s own heart.
But let’s first go back to Samuel. While Samuel was a man of godly principals and wisdom, he raised two heathens of the Hunter Biden sect. This was the reasoning of the people to want a new leader outside the church. And so they were given Saul, a very flawed man.
So life for God’s people changed at that point and they were no longer just under God’s law, but mans as well. And so the stupidity began when ungodly leaders made decisions and the people of God determined there was nothing they could do about it. Even though Samuel was told by God to tell the people this is a terrible idea, they didn’t listen.
The end result was just as Samuel said, the government had control of their money, their property and worst of all – their children.
Now let’s take a look at what the New Testament leaders tell us.
Romans 13:1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
The leadership of today is ordained by God. It is our job as Christians to obey the laws of man, unless they’re in violation of the laws of God.
Acts 4:18-20 KJV
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. [20] For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
So where does that put us as Christians in the turmoil of everyday life when it comes to living godly in a wicked world. When the school insists that your child be taught against the very laws of God, what are we to do? When our jobs tell us that we have to “approve” of unbiblical lifestyles?
The reason that America has gotten to the point that it has is because good people said nothing when God’s laws were violated. Why have public schools been permitted to teach absolute sexual immorality to children in kindergarten and middle school children can receive birth control or encouragement to lie to their parents about their “chosen identity?” Because parents have been lied to and deceived about their rights and because we’re electing spineless legislators. But it’s also parents don’t think church is important. Parents are naive to believe children will just “be good,” without understanding that Hell is a very real place. I know that statement is harsh and will not be well received by many, but we have to speak truth to one another. Else we’ll never make a difference.
When Samuel was stepping into the grave, God didn’t cut him any slack regarding his sons. This serves as a warning that even the best of people can have children in trouble. Why they turned out the way they did, it doesn’t say. But I can use modern times to reason it out. Even people in the ministry can get too busy for their own good.
Don’t let anything come between you and your family knowing God. Your first priority should be that you and your family are prepared to face eternity, and through that you’ll learn how to become a productive family. Don’t step away from your responsibilities to impact the world for Christ. Which means speaking up when evil comes against our families in the form of wicked leadership.
There’s a quote that people say when something bad happens in life, ~ “It left a bad taste in my mouth.” The polar opposite of that is found in Psalm 34, when David said in verse 8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” At the time this was written, David had just fled from Saul. A man called to be King, chosen by God, a servant of servants and yet he finds himself under attack and on the run for no other reason than King Saul’s fear of losing power; which David, though he was entitled to it, had no desire to take. David fled into the enemy territory of Gath, the home of Goliath whom he slew. Saul’s fury was so great that David felt safer in the land of the enemy than at home… but he was far from safe.
As a child of God in America, allegedly the “Home of the Free,” there are days I feel somewhat like David. I love my country and the foundation for which we stand, I have respect for authority and no desire to overthrow the government, and yet with the economy in such a state, the attack on the Word of God and the embracing of the vulgarity in society I too want to run into the house of God for refuge. David wasn’t afforded a house of any kind for refuge but rather in the cave Adullam.
I Samuel 22:1-2 ~ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
And in the cave of Adullam, David is joined by four hundred misfits just like him and he is on a strange new training ground preparing him for leadership of Israel, “And it tastes good.”
It tasted good because he “spoke good”
David said in verse one “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Praise encourages the soul and blesses God, Who, by the way, won’t be out-blessed. Proverbs 28:20a says “A faithful man shall abound with blessings…” I fully believe that those men who were in distress, debt and discontent were drawn to David because he encouraged their souls too. If you’re in trouble spiritually or emotionally the last thing you need to do is hook up with a negative Nellie. Find yourself a faithful servant of God who speaks good of “all” circumstances and you’ll find yourself encouraged in the journey.
It tasted good because he “shared good”
Verse 3 ~ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. David and that ragtag bunch of men were in that cave under attack and they were having a Worship Service. If it were not for the fellowship of like believers I’d be in trouble; and by like I mean they too have a desire to serve God and are focused on the purpose of God. We encourage one another, we share the goodness of God, not the corruptness of the world. We have negative people within the congregation, but I love on’em and move on. Scripture says magnify the Lord, not Lucifer.
It tasted good because he “sought good”
Verse 10 ~ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.
David sought good in his circumstances. He knew God allowed him to be in that place, at the time for a purpose and the same is true with the condition we’re in. (or the Country we’re in). As frustrated as I get with Washington, there is no other place I’d rather be than here. I still have the freedom to worship. God is King and Ruler in my world.
I have a desire to be a greater leader in 2024. I want to encourage the believers and I can think of no better way than to study those who God used. David’s words to his men are words I’m taking to heart today and sharing with you:
Verse 11-14 ~ Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of theLord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Speak good (guard your mouth), see good (guard your eyes), do good (Let God guide your work)…. Wise words.
My heart breaks for a world around me that does not understand the love of Jesus Christ. The Need for Jesus Christ and the Fact of Jesus Christ. When I say the world around me, I refer to family, friends, and neighbors. The people that I need to do a better job of relaying the message of the Salvation of Jesus Christ.
The Love of Jesus Christ
Galatians 1:1-12
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
To understand the depth of the love of God, it helps to understand the life of Paul. A staunch religious leader, educated to the highest degree. In the eyes of man – Paul had it all. So God took his eyes, at least for a short while. (Acts 9:1-8) God had to shut down Paul’s vision of all else, so that he could get his attention on the one and only God, Jesus Christ. It’s not so amazing as how God got Paul’s attention as the fact that God wanted to get Paul’s attention to begin with. Paul had been killing every Christian he could to stop the spread of the Christian faith. Paul didn’t believe Jesus was God. He was so angry at the people of Christian faith that he had them stoned to death. I cannot, nor do I want to, imagine the horrific degree of pain that would involve. And every time God would have looked on it as another reminder of what these same people did to His Son, and yet God loved and wanted Paul as a servant. Would you? If someone was killing your children with rocks and justifying it in your name, would you go to the extreme that God did to call a man like Paul to preach? No. I doubt any of us would.
It is that depth of love that allows us to see how God loves pedophiles, mass murderers, and child abusers. We can’t imagine loving them, but God does. It also removes the excuse that anyone has of being saved because they’re too evil and our excuse not to witness to them. It certainly removes our excuse for not witnessing to people we say we care about.
The Need for Jesus Christ
Paul said in verse 4 “that he might deliver us from this present evil world.”
Is the world any less evil now? Satan’s ability to expose even the youngest of minds to evil through technology would have been unimaginable to Paul. While in biblical times they understood the heartache of sin and disease, they couldn’t see it worldwide, 24 hours a day. If I ask you to write down how many sad or scary things you’ve seen in the course of the last 24 hours, the list would likely be long. I sat with my 87 year old mother last night who is struggling with dementia and we watched the evening news. There were Hamas children being pulled from the war rubble where a Father lost his wife and all of his children. It tore at Mother’s heart and of course mine. But there is a greater need for Christians to understand the evil behind that war with innocent victims. It’s not that God hates the Hamas Palestinian terrorists. God would save them just as He did Paul. But those people refuse to confess He is Lord, and would sooner kill the entire nation of Israel just because they dare say they serve God and not allah. But the radical leftist news will only show you the Hamas side so that the heart God put in you will feel that they are the victims.
Jesus, through His Spirit that comes into the heart of a believer when they confess He is Lord, gives us the power to discern what’s happening in this world and the hope of eternal life where we will live in a perfect world and war will never be known. That is only one of the billions of reasons we need Jesus.
The Facts of Jesus Christ
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 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. 9 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.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ
Paul was shocked that these people who had experienced the love and power of Jesus Christ were so easily persuaded to think otherwise.
Knowing Christ is a personal knowledge and just as somebody else cannot nourish you by eating your food, you cannot be nourished through another man’s wisdom unless it aligns with the Word of God. It’s like eating poison if it doesn’t line up with what the scriptures say. And you’ll never know the truth without reading it for yourself.
I recently hit one of the lowest points in my spiritual life since salvation. I will take the blame because I am personally responsible for myself, but I was sitting beneath preaching in error. How did I figure that out? I left the church.
I was so miserable, so lacking of the truth in the word of God and the worship of God that I was in a pit of depression I could not claw my way out of. Until the very first Sunday in my new church, when the Spirit of God came down up me and I wept through the service in the knowledge that I had allowed myself to be deceived. Not by evil people. But by well intentioned people who believed another gospel. They preached Jesus was Lord and only one way to Heaven. They had that right!!! But I was told that the Spirit of God did not stir emotions. I’ll bet the Pharisees said that too. Did that sound bitter. It was. I am angry at myself for believing that God didn’t want me to worship in freedom. He died so that I could have that freedom!
I would not have known that if I hadn’t got in the right church, and back in the Bible for myself instead of believing what a man said.
One thing I’ve learned about holidays is, heartache doesn’t take those days off. As a news publisher I watched as multiple obituaries came in, domestic violence ravaged homes, a house fire, and more. Good reports as well, I don’t want to fail and recognize that even in the midst of heartache there were many joyous moments too. But life is hard, and holidays are harder. And we need to be aware of those around us.
Last night we had a sparse night for our Wednesday night service. Many had been out due to Covid that’s making it’s way around once again. Some had family obligations, I would say that others simply decided to stay home. But the lesson wasn’t wasted on those of us who attended as the Associate Pastor taught the final lesson in our series on the “Sermon on the Mount,” from Matthew Chapter 7.
As Jesus closed out His sermon on the mount,
In Matthew 7:21-23, He did what most preacher’s do, he questioned the audience about their relationship with Himself. Saying, “Not everyone 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 they 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.”
The thing about trials, heartache and tribulations; they can call into question our eternal state. So as Jesus brings their time together to an end, he has a final warning to the
Make Believers
Getting in the middle of a hard time is not the best time to determine you’re not saved, but an even worse time is when you’re face to face with Jesus in eternity. By then its too late. The question I have to ask is, if being saved is so easy, why are there so may who won’t be? Jesus tells the crowd, salvation is more than mere words. Saying I believe in Jesus isn’t enough. Satan too knows that Jesus is God. But there has to be a difference in the heart.
Romans 10:10 KJV
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Salvation has got to bring a change in who you are and a desire to be more Christ like.
Self Deceivers
Can you believe that there will be preachers stand before God unsaved? Jesus says as much when he says that people who have “prophesied” in His name, meaning to preach! I guess its not hard to believe in this day and age. But many of them will be shocked, thinking they were doing what was right. A preacher who changes the word of God to create works of religion or profits for themselves, causing someone else to believe a lie and making the word of God void will stand accountable before God. And be lost.
Over Achievers
Probably the greatest insult to the Lord is the filthy rags that people will drop at His feet and say “Look what I did for You, Lord.” Good things on the surface, like feeding the poor, helping their neighbor, giving to to the church. But no relationship with Christ Himself.
Can you imagine never speaking with your parent until the end of life and then trying to convince them you cared? Telling them that you thought of them often but never read their letters to you, or thanked them sincerely for giving you life. But then at the end threw your achievements down at their feet and said “I did this for you.”
Did ya?
This week I started staying the night with my Mother and preparing a meal or two every day because she needs the help. Not according to her. But the issue has been convincing her that she needed my help. Because she is, and always will be the caretaker. Well, Jesus really is the Caretaker. He doesn’t need my help. But He does need me to visit with Him and carry on conversations as I would with any real person in my life.
You cannot be a child of God and have no relationship with Him. No matter how much you achieve it will have all been for nothing and an absolute insult to God. He took care of Heaven, all you have to do is show up.
My life has been on hyperdrive lately. It’s been a great asset in keeping me distracted and my thoughts away from worries or concerns. But the greatest issue with that is, it falls right into line with my ways of procrastination and avoidance of all things troublesome. I’ve had a lot of ministry work lately, which I love. I have had a lot of Ridgeview News work lately, which I love. Throw into that a mix of responsibilities with a busy life with my family, fulfilling obligations to their busyness (because that’s how I raised them) and chaos doesn’t even come close to describing it. I really do feel like I have my head down that rabbit hole, digging and digging to find where I’m going but it’s just an deep empty space that never seems to lead anywhere.
Does anyone else feel this way?
It’s always nice when Jesus throws in some stories about life with the disciples that prove to us, they were certainly relatable to our lives.
I’m going to tell you right up front, that I’m not sure I have the context of this scripture correct. I only know how it spoke to me, in light of my current busy status. Let’s see if you can relate as a child of God?
So Jesus comes down the hill and he’s accosted by people. Including a frustrated man who had taken his son to Jesus’ disciples for healing, but it didn’t happen, so he brings his son to the One. The One he knows has the power.
In case you were wondering…I’m not God.
The disciples during this time could have healed the boy through the power of Christ that had been given to them. But for some reason they were not able. There is nothing more frustrating than knowing you have the power of God on you but you can’t summons the answers from within. I know Jesus is within me. When someone comes to be with a problem, while I don’t have the power to physically heal anyone, I should be able to find the words that can give people spiritual direction. But often times, i don’t even come close.
Luke 9:37-62 KJV
[37] And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. [38] And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. [39] And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. [40] And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. [41] And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. [42] And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
Christ is frustrated. But not at the disciples. He’s frustrated with the Scribes and Pharisees who had been insulting the disciples, and triumphing over them, because of their inability to cast out the evil spirit: he is directing his frustration to the unbelieving Jews.
This reminded me this morning that Christ understands my limitations. He knows that I am pulled dozens of directions and everyone of them are worthy directions. I’m either ministering to people, providing information or helping family. On the back burner I am trying to survive financially and keep my home at least moderately clean so I do not fall over something and kill myself. But to the person I’m ministering to, they see none of the background noise in my life, only that they need answers and I cannot provide them.
That was not the direction I thought this was going to go this morning. I thought Christ was going to tell me that he forgives me for my sins of being overwhelmed, off task, and unfocused. But rather He tells me, Shari… this isn’t about you. The world does not want you to succeed. Even those who desire the words of encouragement or the solutions a Christian might have to offer, know that if Christ does answer their dilemma, they’ll have to confess He’s real. Hello? They want Christ to fix their problems, (me too for that matter) but they don’t want any part of serving Him. That is brutal honesty that hurts people.
But this morning as I’m getting ready for church, the vast majority of the world is laying in the bed without any concern for Jesus this morning. Of that I am frustrated. I don’t want them in church so they can hear they’re a sinner. (Although we all are). I want them in church so they can experience the same love of Christ this morning that I felt when Jesus reminded me… I’m not God.
There are things I Still Don’t Understand
[43] And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples, [44] Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. [45] But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
The disciples had been with Jesus. Me too! But when Jesus told them that He was going to be delivered into the hands of men, they could not fathom what that meant or why it would occur. They knew He was God. They’d seen the evidence of it. But now He’s telling them that man is going to “deliver Him up.” How could this be that man would over power God?
This is the same frustration my mind gets in when I cannot do all I want to do. How can this be? Do I not have the power of God dwelling in me? Of course I do. Then why can’t I accomplish all I set out to do? Because I’m not God.
None of us are God
Then what cracks me up, is the disciples go from trying to help people, to trying to figure out who’s going to be the boss in Heaven. They’re frustrated with a guy from another church who’s preaching in Jesus name and then when the people of the city won’t listen, they want to bring down fire from Heaven and strike them dead.
[46] Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. [47] And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, [48] And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. [49] And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. [50] And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. [51] And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, [52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. [53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. [54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? [55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Jesus reminded the disciples and me that as frustrating as the world is, we need to remember that we were no different pre-salvation.
We are not God, but we are God’s plan
[56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. [57] And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. [58] And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. [59] And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [60] Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. [61] And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. [62] And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
While life get’s us off task and off focus. We’ve got to keep on going. Jesus’s return is eminent. We don’t know the hour, but it could be the one we’re living in. This morning I’m headed to church to tell some children in the Sunday School hour about the love of God and how even though we make mistakes, even though we let Him down. He’s not bringing down fire on our heads. He’s putting His arm around our shoulder and saying “Stop worrying about it… get out of that rabbit hole, put your hand to the plow and get back to work.”
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
This has been the first of a new chapter in the life of my husband and I. His retirement. Not mine… I need the work for sanity, but for him, he was to the point of physical and mental exhaustion to the degree I have never witnessed in someone that I love. I would watch as he came home from work and collapsed onto the couch and fall asleep within seconds. In his latter days as the Chief of the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department (from which he retired as well) I would watch him leave with the adrenaline flowing, but come back from a scene with the life flowing out of him from exhaustion, frustration and mental fatigue that was so disheartening. He had lived and breathed rescue for thirty years. But no more. It was someone else’s turn.
I’ve seen that same result in ministry workers. But, I’ve also seen the power of God in the lives of others who went home to be with Jesus with as much passion for the fight as they had in the beginning. Please Jesus, let that be the case with me. It’s why it’s so important to stay in the word of God, at every opportunity, be it in reading, worshipping, listening and spending time with God’s people and in His service.
This came to my mind this morning when I read Ephesians 6:16 and seen a bible journaling image of a fire extinguisher. Fire is a scary element if you’ve ever witnessed it on a fire scene. This past week I had two house fires that I covered for the news. The one came in the middle of the night without warning and almost took the lives of two people. The second fire was deliberate, set by a man not in his right mind, who had likely just killed his wife and then set the house on fire and killed himself. The illustration of those fires can be viewed in a spiritual sense so very easily.
Ephesians 6:16 KJV Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
I’m not sure where this fire started, but if I were guessing I would say it began in the attic of the house. The couple retired for the evening without a thought toward what was happening outside of their scope of vision. All seemed well. Until it wasn’t. Isn’t that the case with life? Everything just seems to be going along swimmingly, and then without warning the bottom drops out of our world. Whether it’s a physical, financial or emotional crisis, the fire is set, out of control, and we’re either chasing it to put it out, or it’s chasing us. How can extinguish something so powerful?
What’s not visible in this photo is a small but powerful fan that the Volunteer Fire Department put at the front door of the house. It was a positive pressure fan that is specially designed to use positive airflow to remove heat, smoke and products of combustion from a structure on a fire scene, allowing firefighters to get a better chance at putting out the fire and advancing into a building for victim rescue. Praise God the victims were not in the house.
When a life crisis occurs, I don’t understand how the unsaved cope. But I know how I can cope, it’s by knowing that the Holy Spirit is going before me attacking anything that has the potential to do me harm. It’s not that I won’t feel the heat of the battle, or that the smoke may not allow me to physically see what’s coming at me. But I know that God has it under control, and I’ll be okay. I may lose “stuff” but I will never lose what matters. My soul is in tact. My future is in tact. God’s got me covered. Those fiery darts that Satan has thrown my direction are being quenched by my shield of faith. He didn’t promise me I’d never be afraid, but He did promise that He would calm my fears. Just like the air from that fan, the breath of the Holy Spirit breaths on the smoke and flames around me and I’m ready to be rescued. Glory to God I just wrote myself happy!
That fire scene was not a happy scene. It was heartbreaking. But the most important thing on the scene were the two lives that were spared.
The second scene fire was eerily insignificant as I arrived on scene. I didn’t know what had taken place. I could see the smoke, but little evidence of fire. I didn’t know that around the corner of the house laid a suicide victim. Or inside the house was woman possibly murdered. The fire was set by the homeowner. He knew it was coming. I realize this seems somewhat morbid of a discussion. But it’s gut wrenching to know that something was totally preventable, if only God had been allowed to be in control. I don’t know why this domestic situation happened. My heart breaks for the family. But the illustration still reminds me that we all control our destiny to a certain degree. We decide whether or not we are going to fight the elements of the fire, or embrace it.
If the Holy Spirit is within you, you know when it’s time to get yourself as far from that situation as you can and allow God to intervene. To get behind the shield of faith so that when the enemy attacks, he can’t hit you.
My husband David knew he was at the point in his career that the fires of life were going to consume him if he did not leave the situation. He had fought the battle long enough.
But what about the ministry battles? Is there ever a time to walk away? I think there is for certain a time to regroup. But not to walk out on God. Retirement for the child of God is God’s call. When He calls us home, we’re done. Until then, we’re to stay in the battle and allow the Spirit of God to bring us through every battle.
I’m so thankful and proud of my husband’s contributions to the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department and his decades of work for the Town of Grantsville. But I’m so grateful that life doesn’t end with our retirement of worldly endeavors… God’s got plans. Amen!
Just Jesus. That’s too short to be a headline. But I used it anyway as an illustration for myself that, no matter how many bells and whistles, I, or someone else have, nothing matters except Jesus.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5
1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
A recent series of events in my life had just about turned me against Paul. Not really, but there was certainly a hesitation to turn to the books written by him because of emphasis put on his teaching by someone else. Although there intention was not draw attention to Paul, by there over emphasizing his writing, that’s exactly what happened. Paul was placed up on a pedestal he’d have puked on if he was here in this time.
But it also caused me to think this morning about the emphasis that I put on matters of the gospel. I want my blog to aesthetically pleasing, I want my handouts to be eye catching, I want all the bells and whistles when I’m up before people and this morning as I began to write and to study the word of God, my thought was drawn to “Just Jesus.”
By comparison, Paul did have excellency of speech. He studied under the masters of the day who strengthened him as a leader. His ability to read and write with rhetorical sophistication indicates that Paul received some type of formal education. Luke claims that Saul studied under the great legal teacher Gamaliel, where he was “educated strictly according ancestral law” in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3). I’ve studied under people I believe to be masters of their trade and of the word of God, but I have yet to master anything as far as I can tell. I’m an “okay” orator. An “okay” singer, a less than adequate guitar player. But as I thought on those less than thrilling attributes of my life, I jolted myself into reality with the thought, “Just Jesus.”
Whether I am speaking, singing, teaching… just Jesus. When I go to the Nursing Home today. They just need to see Jesus. Not Shari. I pray He alone is visible in my feeble attempt at entertaining the troops that have just gotten off the battle field. That’s how I view them. They’ve been warriors that battled the spiritual and secular battles of this life for decades before me. It’s their time to rest and before they enter into their eternal rest, they need Jesus. Just Jesus.
Paul could have spoken and wowed the audience. But it says he was trembling. I know the feeling. I got up to sing for the first time at First Baptist Church this Sunday and I second guessed my song, my ability, everything, my stomach was nauseous, my knees were knocking but I continued on, praying that what they heard was my love for Jesus. Just Jesus.
There was a Deacon ordination this Sunday as well, such an exciting time. My prayer for this newly ordained servant of the church was just serve as Jesus would have you to. Just Jesus.
When Paul said, 5“That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God,” he was saying, Just Jesus. Everything a child of God does should in some way or form point to Jesus. If you’re serving in a secular job, Jesus should be evident. If people come into you home, Jesus should be evident. If you’re speaking to people, Jesus should be evident.
Today I’m heavy hearted about some people in my life who aren’t well. And so I ask, what would Jesus do to encourage them? He would make His presence known in their struggle. Help me God to do the same.
How about you, are you in the midst of a struggle? I have the answer, “Just Jesus.” That’s all we can do is turn these struggles over to Him and allow Him to do what’s best. And He’s going to.
