Another church, another thought, as I continue through Revelation. I have to go back and post about two previous churches because those posts got tangled up in web design and technical difficulties. But today I’m doing my best to stay on track like the church of Philadelphia. A faithful lot, without rebuke. I’m sure that it wasn’t that they were perfect, they were faithful. There is a vast difference.
People outside the church look at children of God and expect us to be unscathed in this sinful world. It’s not going to happen. We mess up, we fall down and we get dirty with sin just like the rest of the world; the difference is, I have a spiritual wash cloth that cleans me up. Glory!
I was rebuked by my husband last night in a “joking” manner when I said I didn’t want to answer a message that I’d been sent. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to fix the person’s problems. It was the fact that I couldn’t. It’s a spiritual issue not a physical one. The spirit realm is this abyss of Satan and his minions that continually strive to create confusion, strife and opportunities to sin. And Christians willingly walk into it even knowing that it can destroy. And on the outside of Christianity is the unsaved only seeing the physical realm not the spiritual. And a testimony is destroyed. The unsaved seldom see the acts of repentance and restoration of the child of God.
Life is about doors. Doors that open and doors that close on opportunity.
A person who has accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and His finished work on the cross has walked through a door that will never close. And that is the one to eternal life. But the unsaved who has yet to make that decision is now running the risk of having that door shut for all eternity on the wrong side.
That literally makes my stomach turn.
It’s why I can’t fix the spiritual issues of another. I’m not holding the key 🔑 .
The church of Philadelphia was a loving, faithful church that used their spiritual gifts for the Kingdom of God. They just kept going in the face of what ever came their way, bad or good. And that’s all any of us can do.
It is my prayer that you know which side of the door you’re on when eternity calls.
If not, follow the link to the plan of salvation. Please don’t wait.
Revelation 2:12-17 [12] And to the angel l of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [13] I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is : and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. [14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. [15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. [16] Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. [17] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. …
In this day and age there are plenty of issues in the church. But one of the most nauseating is the “compromising” church. Those who ride the fence on any major political issue and those who look the other way when folks in the church are boldly living in sin without regard for the Lord and how it reflects on Him.
I guess it’s not new!
The church of Pergamos was one such church. Built high on a hill, 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside and right in the center of Greek culture and education. A very sophisticated city, but with it a very worldly and wiceked culture. It was the center of four cults and highly influenced with people traveling from all over the world to experience the god of healing. It sounds so familiar to those of today selling everything imaginable and knowing that none of it will heal. The world continues to buy the lie to the tune of a billion dollar industry,
The church of Pergamos wasn’t entirely bad; John had some great things to say about them. Including the fact that one of their members, Antipas, was killed for his faith. Obviously some of them were living right. But the trouble was, in their midst was this group of heathens that they simply ignored. Nobody calling them to task for leading people into idol worship or living in sexual immorality. And so, I would imagine that the churches name as a whole, in the surrounding areas, wasn’t of the standard God, or anywhere close.
We are running that risk today when we allow the worlds ways to go unmentioned for fear of hurting the feelings of a world going to Hell in a hand basket. A world who could care less that they not only offend us, but they tear at the very fabric of our being. That’s not being dramatic that’s being honest. Every time we compromise our faith it becomes less and less believable in the eyes of the unsaved.
Try convincing the unsaved that you have anything different when a church member that they know is living like the Devil. You’ll be hard pressed to make any headway,
But at the end of the letter to this church is that wonderful news, that even though there are those that fail around us, if we stay faithful we have so much to gain! The hidden mana that God provides His children in the form of spiritual food that fills the body with contentment and great peace, and a new name written on a white stone in Glory that will be known only to us and God.
I’ve always liked my name because it was a little weird in the way it was spelled, but imagine receiving a name from God. How unique and wonderful will that be!
I’m starting my day with the song in my head, “A New Name Written Down In Glory.” That’ll put a shout in your soul! Stick to the old ways, it will lead to a new day.
8And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was de-ad, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
The
church of Smyrna was just 25 miles north of the church of Ephesus. To me it’s
symbolic as well. There’s not a whole lot of distance between being on fire for
the Lord Jesus, and having your world turned upside down by the troubles and
trials of life. Some of which can be brought on by the fact that you’re just trying
to do what the Lord called you to do.
The
persecuted church of Smyrna was facing tribulations that most of us have never
experienced, nor can we imagine. Facing death for our faith isn’t something
that Americans understand. Most won’t even live for Jesus, dying for Him would
be unimaginable. But it was a very real possibility in the days for which John
wrote. And it will be again.
According
to the website www.Opendoorsusa.org. An
in-depth investigative report focusing on global church persecution showed “a
staggering 11 Christians are killed for their faith in the top 50 countries
ranked on the World Watch List.” If you’d like to read the article, here’s the
link:
While
most of us cannot comprehend persecution, we can certainly understand troubles
and trials. I’ve had my own and I continue to watch as friends and family
suffer. But what I also see is the glory of the Lord.
Last
Monday I went to the Long Term Care unit of our local hospital to sing. But before
I could get my guitar out of the case, a dear lady pulled me to the side and
whispered in my ear, “Shari, I’ve been diagnosed with cancer again, but I’m not
seeking treatment. Please just pray for my comfort.” My heart sunk. But what
joy there will be in Heaven when this dear friend meets Jesus face to face, for
Whom she trusts her life to. I’ll be very sad. She will be very happy!
I’ve
watched friends lose children, I’ve seen marriages fall apart and watched them
restored, I’ve seen others disintegrate, I’ve seen people lose their jobs and I’ve
been victim of that too. But the common thread that always made my heart smile,
was the fact that we all held onto hope even on the darkest days because we
knew there was a better day coming.
This
was John’s message to the church of Smyrna and it’s God’s message to us today.
Hold on! It ain’t over until God says it’s over! We may, or we may not have the
victory we desire on this earth. But either way, Satan’s going to lose.
This brief and not so in-depth study of the book of Revelation is stirring my soul for Heaven. I’m tired. And not just because of the physical stress. But because of the spiritual stress on my soul. I’m back in the workforce on a part time basis which allows me to continue my ministry work and pay my bills. Win! But what it also does is put me back into the world where I see firsthand the brokenness of society. It’s not that I didn’t know it was there. But being home every day allowed me to retreat into my world more often. Now, one day on the job and I realize I’m among it; and we are not winning that battle.
This
world is under the curse of sin and the power of Satan. So what’s a girl to do?
Keep reading… the war ain’t over.
There used to be a quote that said, “My momma
warned me they’d be days like this.” And while that’s evokes humor, it’s true
none the less! Today is a day of feeling overwhelmed. It often happens when I
come back from a ministry opportunity because, not only am I facing the undone
things of the home, I’m facing the undone things of the spiritual realm too.
Things like, promising myself that my prayer life would be richer and deeper,
that my ministry would be better focused and scheduled, and my music rehearsal
time would become a priority. Hmmmm. Did I really say I’d do all that? Add that
to the physical things of the world that has to get done: Chickens to feed and
water, 3 critters under my feet today and an extra one, because Maggie Mae the
grandpuppy is visiting, in amidst the posters I need to do for our high school cheerleading
squad, which my daughter now coaches, 6 children I’ll be picking up from school
this evening and yes… my plate is full.
Some days I wonder if this is considered sanity
or insanity.
And, I overslept. Not cool Shari.
The Three W’s of life take their toll. So what
are we to do as children of God when it all seems too much?
Weary
= Rest
Galatians
6:9 says And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We must schedule rest; it’s not an option if we want to avoid
fainting. And while I will agree with what you’re most likely thinking “There’s
no room for rest!” As I said it’s not an option. As Pastor Mike so often said, “You
do what you want to do.” And so, I think of my day and the many, many wasted
moments that I piddle with this, that or the other that actually serve no
purpose and I realize there is time for rest. I just need to schedule it like a
doctor’s appointment and during that time allow the Healer to heal this weary
soul.
You schedule yours now too!
During that time we need to
Tell the Healer where we hurt – Even the
places we don’t like to go.
We need to close our eyes and listen to
His advice. – Shssh.
And then we need to just breath. Quietly
and peacefully. Imagining the sounds of heaven….
My 3-year-old nephew Jensen, who lives in Maine, is one of the
wisest boys I know. He told his Momma last week that “His socks make noises
like this… and then he sat very still and quiet for a few seconds.”
I have laughed at that for a week. Thinking of how wise this little
fella was to understand that silence is a sound that we need to hear. There is
a depth of wisdom in that boys statement that goes beyond what we allow ourselves
to understand. Shsssh.
Worry
= Trust
Proverbs 16:20 ~ He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
A lesson that I have to
learn again and again, is to do the best I can, and then leave the rest to God.
Because I’m a fixer, and I want to fix it… quickly. Trusting even in the Lord
Jesus is a struggle. No… let me rephrase that, “Waiting on the Lord Jesus is
struggle. I know that I know His way is best. But I so often think my way is
faster. And while that is true sometimes, it messes up the plan and causes my
happiness to be less than it should be. I’m wondering if you too can identify?
His way leads to
happiness, our way leads to happy less. Oh dear… that one smarted!
Finally but not the
least of the three that I struggle with is
Wantoness = Conent
It could speak to “stuff,” or “position or
place.” Wantonness is a fleshly struggle for me. I love bling baby!!! And I
love it so much so that I get lost in it sometimes. Wanting things for my
house, my kids, myself, my husband. It’s hard to be content in a world of media!
And so I’ve been trying to focus myself on using
media to promote the Lord rather than allowing it to promote the world to me.
If I spend time in my artistic endeavors of Christian banner and art creation,
it will hopefully fill my days with causing the world to desire what the Lord
provides. Contentment.
Does it always work? Nope. But as always I’m a
work in progress.
I hope that my attempts at making my own self
better, helps you with your life. I love ya, and I hope you have a Christ
focused day!!!
I’ve been on foreign mission fields, and
I’ve been on American mission fields, and the only difference is the cultures
of the people. And that is not only a foreign country issue, but a state to state
issue.
I realized that when I tried to explain
to a hunter in New Mexico that I was in his state singin’ and speakin’. To which
he replied, “What?”
And then I realized that my redneck dialect
had gotten me in trouble again and I had to slow down and annunciate my words. So
I replied in kind to his question. “Singing and Speaking.” And that he understood.
Sometimes I think we forget when we talk
Jesus that that too is another language all together. I realized this when I
spoke to a woman in New Mexico who said to me, “I had to call a friend the
other day and ask her what sin was. I really didn’t know.
That shocked me. Because sin is, well,
sin. But to the lost who are totally unchurched, it’s another one of those
Christian words that goes unexplained and assumed that the world understands.
I understood when I had to explain words
like that in a foreign land. They didn’t understand my language, but in
America. Seriously? A word as simple as sin. It was as crazy to me as the hunter,
(who technically should have spoke redneck) but didn’t understand the word “speakin.”
It caused me to wonder this morning how many times not only my redneck dialect
gets me into trouble, but my Christian dialect.
Churchy words.
Three phrases I throw around too easily
without explanation.
Are you saved?
Saved from what? Am I in danger?
Well, as a matter of fact you are. But
the unsaved truly doesn’t what there is to be afraid of. We speak of things in
the spiritual realm they speak of things in the physical realm. And to talk about the spiritual realm is like speaking
to them of Ghost Busters, Green monsters and perhaps a small concept of Angels.
I’m not so sure that many Christians
understand the spiritual realm and what goes on there.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they
are spiritually discerned.
So, it’s clearly saying that the unsaved
cannot understand spiritual things because they’ve yet to receive the Holy
Spirit. And many saved people cannot explain the Holy Spirit because they’re
not in touch with Him themselves. We have Christians who don’t find in
necessary to go to church on Sunday morning, read their bible, or witness to
the lost. Those are three non-negotiable expectations of God.
The best way to explain the word
Salvation is almost always through your testimony. And usually any other
spiritual question. Because it makes it personal.
I knew what I was saved from the second I
got saved. Fear.
My entire life, from the time I was old enough
to be lost, I had a fear of Hell. It was placed inside of me by God and I fully
believe that everyone of us from a child know that there is a God. Because the
Bible says that in Romans 1:20
For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God:
It’s why it’s important to pray before
we speak to the lost. The Spirit has been dealing with them, but we just need
to pray so that we too are in tune with what the Spirit would have us say. So to
answer them Saved from what is an easy answer for me if I just rely on what God
instilled in me as a child. And what I came to know when I did get saved is the
truth about Hell. It is a total darkness, fire and separation from everyone and
everything. Especially the Creator. And though they do not know Him, they will
when they hit Hell and they’ll understand too little too late how wonderful He
is.
Another question that we take under
assumption is:
Do you know Jesus?
I give it very little thought. I assume
everyone has at least heard the name. But yesterday a friend of mine blew that
theory out of the water when he said he ask a person in the prison that he
ministers in and their response was “Who?”
They’d not heard the name. That’s
unbelievable in our day and age. But yet it happens. And although most people
have at least heard the Name, they still do not understand the concept of Who
He is. And if you’re ask that question, how do you answer?
He is God. God in the flesh who wanted
to experience life as we did, so He came to earth as a man and walked in the
body of a man so that He could understand what it felt like to be a man.
He understood temptation, fear, pain,
heartache, betrayal and every other aspect of humanity and yet stayed perfect and
Holy. We cannot. I can’t stay perfect 10 minutes. The fact that God understands
that connects us to Him in a greater way. A way that the lost wants someone to
understand.
It’s why when a Christian stands in
judgment of the lost, the lost cannot experience Christ. Because Christ forgave
and understood the sin of man, His judgement comes in eternity.
If we can help the lost to understand that
first, we’ll be ready to explain Jesus! The lost have to experience Him through
us. And we’re going to answer for how and whether or not they have.
Final Quote
Christ Died for You.
What? Why would He do that and why did
He think it was necessary.
It’s a notion that I have a hard time
comprehending myself on a regular basis and I know it’s truth. Why would He do
that? And if it’s hard for me to comprehend. Imagine what goes through the mind
of a person who’s lost and how do we explain the justification of Old Testament
rituals to them, especially in this critter loving world?
For me the only way that I can explain
that is through the eyes of a parent – child relationship. One that most
everyone understands, even if sometimes it’s from a warped perspective.
I think about Adam’s love of creation.
Imagine the time he spent with all of the critters as he named them and loved
on them. Imagine the horror of having to kill the first lamb when God had them
clothe themselves after the fall in the garden.
I believe God wanted them to understand
the separation of death in the same way He experiences it with a child who
never accepted His sacrifice. It’s a pain beyond description.
If we can understand that, and the fact
that He went from the sacrifice of animals to the experiencing the sacrifice of
His Son and watching Him suffer as no animal ever did, then we’ll have a better
grasp of why He died for us.
It’s not uncommon for my redneck dialect
to get me into trouble. But what I don’t want is for my witnessing to get me
into trouble. I want to know that when I tell people about my life changing
relationship with Jesus Christ, it’s apparent through my life and my words and
it’s done in a way that makes them want what I have.
Who wants what a cranky, judgmental, poor
example of Christ has? No one.
But if we can not only show them the love
of God, but the explain that love of God, we’ll be on the road to sharing in
the salvation of Jesus Christ with them.
My next blog is going to be about my New
Mexico experience. I wanted to wrap my mind around it myself before I tried to
explain it to everyone. I’ll share some of the amazing things that God did and
allow you to come along on the journey, especially those who prayed for this
trip.
“I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea.” Romans 16:1
The
final Chapter/Letter to the Romans by Apostle Paul. What joy it brought to my
soul this morning to read the names of the servants of God that had served with
Paul throughout the churches and the roles they played. I imagined my own name
being written down in the books of Heaven as to the service that’s being
provided in New Mexico in fellowship and service with Gloria Jones and Dewey
Moede.
To
say that my time here is a blessing isn’t enough. From the first step inside
the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Magdalena to the final dinner
prepared by Pastor Paul Holt, the Spirit was moving. I wept as my heart was
overwhelmed with the music by their worship leaders. I sang and spoke and
listened to the sermon being delivered by a man of God who was filled with the Spirit
and wisdom of God and thought to myself, “Shari, you are blessed, don’t forget
it.”
To
be in service to the King of the World isn’t something to be taken lightly. And
yet, we do. Or at least I do. Gloria and
I traveled to Silver City, NM for more site seeing of this beautiful State. We
witnessed to the people in the shops and left broken hearted as realized that our
message wasn’t received as we’d hoped.
When
I asked an artist at one local shop about being a Christian, she quickly said, “I’m Lutheran, that means I’m fine, right?”
To
which my reply was “No, being a Lutheran won’t save you, only Christ can do
that. She replied “that’s a personal decision.”
“Very personal I responded.” And went on to explain about my salvation experience. She was kind and took my business card. Perhaps some seeds were sown.
Another young woman in another shop questioned why we were in town. Upon explaining about my speaking and singing, she told us she was of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I questioned her about her belief in Christ alone. She said she believed, but that Joseph Smith was a prophet, not to be worshiped but to be believed. She misunderstood that that statement also meant that she was saying the bible was not the only word of God and that it was incorrect according to their belief. She said that “We were all the same.”
We are not. Apostle Paul was commending people who had laid their lives on the line for what they believed. Not for assumptions or for catering to misguided beliefs. The body of Christ must stand strong in our convictions. Having hard conversations like those and others I’ve had this week may seem like I’m losing the battle, but Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”
We
do not know who may come after us and share the news in a way that turns their
stories into testimonies of salvation. All I can do is be faithful to what I
know as truth.
I
feel the Lord commending my soul today just as Paul commended Phebe and the
other men and women listed in Paul’s letters. And I want to encourage you to
speak Jesus wherever you are. For me, oh
my stars! It’s New Mexico! What a joy and a privilege to be in this place. The
mission field isn’t a foreign land (necessarily). It’s the street you live on,
your home, wherever you are. God has a work for us to do. It’s a very real assignment.
Paul
listed one after another who had ministered with him in various capacities.
Will you be listed? And what will it say? God bless you! We are co laborers in
Christ and I want to hear what’s going on in your world. Write me and let me
know!
That I may come unto you with joy by the will of
God, and may with you be refreshed. ~ Romans 15:32
Not
happenstance that this verse was on my reading plan today, September 28, 2019.
And not happenstance that tonight I’ll fly out to New Mexico to make some new
friends and enjoy the fellowship of the Spirit. I certainly covet your prayers
for our safety and for the will of God to be done. There is much traveling and not
just by plane but by car as well. It will be an adventure and an opportunity to
see a part of the country I’ve never seen. But more important than that, it
will be an opportunity to share the love of Jesus in a place I’ve never been in
hopes of making a difference by encouraging God’s children.
A
thought that I’ve had for weeks tumbling through my mind like a constant tumble
weed is the notion of how many we touch for the Kingdom of God. The teens and I
discussed the number of how many people we think that Apostle Paul may have
touched for the cause of Christ.
I
used the illustration (showing my age) of the shampoo commercial of days gone
by when it talked about “if they tell two friends, and they tell two friends
and so on and so forth, how many people will hear about the product. Well. If we
used that theory believing that Paul preached to 5,000 as a round figure totally
guessing number. And each of those would have told two friends about Jesus,
some more, some less, and there being 30 generations in 1,000 years, and there
being 2,000 years between us and Paul. Now… how many people have been effected?
The answer… I don’t know. Ask a math person… I am not that person. One of my
kids immediately knew the equation. They were not shocked that I did not.
But
all of this is said to make the point, that the reason we do what we do is to get
the word out! Jesus saves. That first. But then once people are saved, the
blessing doesn’t stop! We have the blessing that comes from the fellowship of
God’s people. It’s a little taste of Heaven here on earth.
I’m
excited to share in that this week in Magdalena, Reserve and Glenwood. My
friend Gloria is excited to share in that too!
Please
pray.
And
for those we’ll be joining, get ready! Your West Virginia sisters in Christ are
on the way!
Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:5b
What
a word from Apostle Paul. The great persuader and crusader of Jesus Christ.
In
this wishy-washy world it’s good to know that I know. A very wise statement
from a friend of mine, Shirley Fitzwater, was one his daughter Teresa shared
with me and I’ve yet to forget it. It may not be an original, but I’m giving him
credit. Shirley said, “The only thing worse than the guy who doesn’t know, is
the guy who doesn’t know he doesn’t know.”
Confused
yet?
When
you break that statement down, it speaks so much to society. There’s nothing
wrong with not knowing something. We’re all learning as we walk this earth, and
I have so much to learn! But those who don’t know that they don’t know, are
unaware that they’re missing any knowledge. It breaks my heart. The sirens of
Hell are screaming loudly and yet they ignore them.
As
the wife of a fire fighter I’ve had to listen to the sirens (tones) drop on
David’s multiple radios for years. Some days when emergency services are very active,
I want to take the radio out into the driveway and smash it in to a million
pieces. I think I might find great joy in that. Noises bother me. But over the
30 years he’s served, most days I tune it out. I try to let it be a reminder to
pray for the people who are involved, but some days I just don’t. I’m not a
super saint, I’m Shari. Fully a failure much of the time. But isn’t that
illustration a world view. They’re tuning out the sirens of Hell and pretending
that their day will never come. They don’t know that they don’t know.
As I
said, I’m glad I know.
In
the context of Paul’s scripture in Romans 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to
doubtful disputations.For one believeth
that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not
him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who
art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or
falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One
man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
I must confess that there is a part of my less than lean body that
made me smile when Paul said that “another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
That’s the evil side of Shari. But the jest of this conversation speaks of
judging the manner of life someone is living who does indeed know, although they’re
not living as we believe they should. Another’s life is truly not ours to judge.
And the world loves using that statement against Christians saying that we are
judging them when we speak to their salvation. They don’t know that they don’t
know. And arguing that point with them may or may not drive them into a deeper
relationship with Christ. But Paul said that those who are weak in the faith,
just accept them. Don’t argue.
It’s a fact that I am ever so grateful that God always impressed
upon my heart that I didn’t know. I knew there was something missing in my
life. So, when I received the salvation of Christ, I knew I didn’t know, and I set
out to know it. But not every child of God is like that. It’s like children,
they grow at different rates.
My grandson Luke is almost as tall as I am. Well over five feet.
His cousin Noah, who is just a few month’s younger is so much shorter! But we
do not look at his stature and say, “Noah, you need to do better.” No, we
encourage him to work with the stature he has. Should we not do the same for
the child of God?
I am grateful that I know and I am indeed persuaded in my own mind
about the word of God, my standing with Christ and the doctrine for which I
believe. But I believe what Paul is saying and reminding us of, is that we need
to take care of our relationship with God, and not to judge the relationship
that others may have and the way in which they worship God. If a person is
saved, he or she is the property of God, and He is their Master. It’s not up to
us to judge the Lord’s servants and argue.
But Paul said Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. We, as mature saints of
God, need to know what we believe and why we believe it. That requires more
than an occasional Sunday in church, and reading the word of God. I’m not
judging, I’m just saying what the Lord has impressed upon my heart as the only
path to fully being persuaded of who He is.
Do you know that you know? If so you need to glory in it! And you need
to share that wealth with someone today.
My heart is full this morning as I prepare to head your way with a message that has me shouting the Glory of God in my office this morning. It’s a message that I’ve heard 1,000 times, (well maybe or maybe not so many) but it is a familiar word. But the thing about the God we serve is, though it is familiar text, it is unique to the circumstances of the day, and to this trip.
The picture in this message is one that I drew in my bible this morning as I gloried in what God was speaking to my heart. That’s how He works in my life, through images and outlines of His word. He spoke to me about purpose and plans and I listened… And now it’s time for us to pray.
Pray for my journey (and specifically my guitar) Airports are not musician friendly. I need favor!
Pray for Gloria and I, that we’ll be obedient to everything the Spirit tells us to sing or say.
Pray for your congregation that the Lord will prepare the hearts before the service even starts.
Pray for your church that they’ll be blessed, and that our trip will be an opportunity to exhort our brothers and sisters in New Mexico in such a way that a fire is stirred in their hearts and ours and forever unite us as friends in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Can you tell I’m excited? I don’t take this opportunity lightly. I love you and cannot wait for our fellowship time.
This is how He works: through His people. That’s us!
Brethren, my hearts desire is that Israel might be
saved.
Continuing on in my journaling of Romans, I made
it no further than the 1st verse of Romans 10 today. My heart broke
for the Lord. It broke for Him, not because of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah,
although that was certainly a part of it; but it broke for my own failures as
His child that He so willingly included into His family. Shari Johnson,
gentile, who He willingly allowed the crucifixion of His Son, Jesus Christ for.
So that I could be a part of His amazing family. And what a privilege!
And so now I turn back to Paul’s burden, that is
my burden too, that Israel might be saved.
Dying and end times can be scary . The world would
love it if we’d just ignore it. It’s way easier than facing the reality that eternity
will come to all. The world would have you believe that you should never ever
read the book of Revelation! It’s far too confusing. That’s a lie. It’s not
confusing if you’re in a good bible believing preaching church that teaches the
Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Will you understand every jot and tittle? If
you do, you’re a better bible scholar than I am. But you’ll understand what the
Lord needs you to understand. And while it won’t take all the uncertainty of
our end days away, it will give you peace. And help you to understand that God
has a plan.
It’s a plan that will restore his precious Israel
back to a right relationship with God. God’s desire. It will happen the same
way it happens to a Gentile. Through belief on Jesus Christ. It will not
however come as easy for those who believe after the church has been raptured
(caught up) to be with Jesus. Which could be any day now. There’s going to be a
terrible time of tribulation. Seven years, that those who believe on Jesus
Christ now will be privileged not to have to go through. Something else I’m
grateful and humbled for.
When those who have not read scripture, or been in
church, hear this teaching it sounds insane. That’s what Satan want them to
believe. But get in the book and read the prophecies of the Word of God and
understand what has come to pass already, that was predicted thousands of years
ago and suddenly it doesn’t sound so insane, but rather reality sits in, that
there is a God. And He has a plan, and it’s playing out just like He said it
would.
The end times will play out like no Hollywood
production ever could. There will be a Hero that swoops in from the sky and saves
Israel. There will be heroes on earth that will take a part of the Master’s
plan and set things into motion that eventually put the Devil into the pits of
Hell where he’ll stay. But not until he does some serious damage on earth by
deception (which he already has). And during that time there will be trials and
tribulations that have people crying for the rocks to fall on them.
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on
us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the
wrath of the Lamb:
But it’s not something that anyone has to fear who knows Christ
Jesus as Savior. Jew or Gentile. It’s why I want and desire, as does the Lord,
for Israel to accept what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Have you accepted that? Do you know where you’d be if God decided
today to call His church home? Would you be with Him and your saved family? Or
would you be left here to face those 7 years of tribulation. That you likely
will not survive. That’s not said to cast fear. That’s said to help you
understand it’s not a fairy tale. It’s real.
