Let Us Come

 The one thing I feared the most during grade school was being called into the Principal's office. I was never "called in" but I could only imagine what it would be like. Suppose you were the new guy in your office and you got word the CEO wanted to see you in his office. How would you feel? Nervous to say the least.

But the writer of Hebrews posed this scenario, how would you feel if you were to stand before God? In the future (closer than we think) we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. Romans 14:12 But Hebrews 4:16 says So let us come boldly to the very throne of God... When people think about approaching God they often go to one of two extremes. 1] Fear. How could they approach a holy God? 2] Lack of reverence. They think they can just "waltz" right into His presence without a proper.

The answer lies between the two extremes. To come boldly means to come with confidence with the assurance that God will accept us. Not because of any righteousness we think we might possess but because of who we are in Christ. Remember God is our Father 1 John 3:1 and children do not fear to climb into their Father's lap.

A great illustration is a picture of President John K. Kennedy in the oval office. Most people would feel nervous to enter the office of the President of the United States but not his son, John Jr.

We come with reverence, yes. But we come knowing He will receive us. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The Real Enemy

 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

For many years, medical researchers thought stomach ulcers were caused by stress and spicy foods. Then, in 1979, researchers discovered rediscovered a bacteria that proved to be the real source of stomach ulcers. The National Institute of Health agreed and recommended treating ulcers with antibiotics instead of milk.

In medicine, the enemy has to be identified before proper treatment can be used. The same is true in spiritual life. Many Christians, while believing in the devil generally, have not identified him as being the enemy of their personal life. The Apostle Paul wrote that the Christian's struggle in life is against the spiritual powers under the control of Satan. Satan wants to destroy you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Our society has tried to use human reasoning, with little success, to battle drug addiction. But when Christian values and principles are used, there is a greater success rate. “At Adult & Teen Challenge, we recognize that addiction can be overcome by the power of God. Secular programs often neglect this element of the disease and the results speak for themselves. By emphasizing a Christian recovery for addiction, Teen Challenge has achieved a 60-70% success rate, compared with a 3-10% success rate at comparable, but secular, programs. In a medical survey of Teen Challenge graduates from the Brooklyn program, 67% of graduates were still sober seven years later! These numbers are absolutely unheard of in any other program.” https://americanrehabcenters.com/adult-teen-challenge/

It takes spiritual defense to defeat a spiritual enemy. 

Whose In Control?

 But the fruit of the Spirit is... self-control Galatians 5:22-23

Self-control is not a popular virtue in our culture. We are an instant-gratification, act-on-impulse, if it feels good do it society. If you shop at Walmart you will observe that parents have failed to teach their children self-control. Self-control is a base value. Other virtues cannot exist without it. God values self-control of extreme importance, for it is listed in His Word as a fruit of the Spirit.

A child cannot, by himself, understand the need to be self-controlled unless parents teach the virtue. Children refuse to bring their desires under control because it is part of their fallen nature. Children are not self-controlled but self-centered. They cannot help it. When you hear a child in the store screaming for a certain toy, or candy, they are demanding that self be satisfied. It is the parent's responsibility to bring their children under submission so that when they come of age, it will be easier to yield to the Holy Spirit's control.

A person has only two choices: Be controlled by his flesh or be controlled by the Holy Spirit. If you refuse to accept Christ as your Savior, you will by default be controlled by your lower nature (the flesh). Once the spirit of a person has been raised to life by the Spirit of God, the old desires of the flesh do not immediately disappear.

There is a battle that rages on. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want." Galatians 5:16-17 (Emphasis added)

You will find that every day you will have to choose: The flesh? The Holy Spirit? Remember you are not helpless against the desires of the flesh. walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

  

No Earls In Heaven

 

Are you as confused as I am concerning the levels of English nobility? Dukes, Duchesses, Earls, Lords, barons. Who outranks the other? The English are famous for their idea of nobility as a birthright. That might work in the kingdom of Britain bit it doesn't work in the Kingdom of God. Spiritual standing is a personal decision, not a birthright. No one is saved because his parents or grandparents were saved.

Jesus told a parable of five foolish virgins who failed to provide oil for their lamps. Matthew 25. When they sought to borrow oil from others, they were refused. Oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit, which is given to individuals only by God. Are you resting on your spiritual ancestry or own your own relationship with Jesus?

Regardless of who your parents are or were, you are not a Christ-follower until you personally accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

“The tragedy of my life is that though I've led thousands of people to Jesus Christ, my own sons are not saved.” Billy Sunday – 20th-century American evangelist

The Walking Dead

 

I am not sure why some people are fascinated with "zombies" (walking dead). You are probably not aware that the "walking dead" are all around us. You work with many of them. That fellow student may be among them. You even go to church with them. Now, I am not speaking of the horrible, fleshing-eating creature of the silver screen. 

The walking dead has been with us for thousands of years. The Apostle wrote of them in Ephesians 2:1,4 As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world...vs 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses."

Paul was writing about people's past before they accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. Physically, they were walking around, breathing, and conversing with other 'walking dead.' But spiritually, they were totally unaware they were dead in their sins. 

The 'walking dead' of the big screen are totally unable to do anything to change their condition but those who realize they are spiritually dead, can turn to Jesus, repent of their sin and receive forgiveness AND a new life. The promise is Jesus "made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses..."

Are You Lost?

 

The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost. Luke 19:10

People often joke about how men refuse to admit they are lost. Men just say they are "directionally challenged." And just as men refuse to admit they are lost on the physical level, many refuse to admit they are lost on a spiritual level. They will say they are a good person or they attend church or they have been baptized. They claim they live by the "golden rule."

But the Bible clearly states that "ALL have sinned"(emphasis added) We all were born as sinners. Even as you look at a newborn baby, it's hard to admit they are sinners in need of a Savior. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we ARE sinners. We inherited sin from our first parents Adam and Eve. Romans 5:12 Verse 19a " For just as through disobedience of one man [Adam] the many were made sinners...."

All have sinned is the bad news but God provides good news. Romans 5:12b "...through the obedience of the one man [Jesus Christ] many will be made righteous." Probably is the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Believing in Jesus is more than acknowledging Him to be the Son of God. Even demons 'believe' that Jesus is the Son of God but that doesn't save them. James 2:19

Believing in Jesus Christ means that you must first confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Secondly, you ask for forgiveness for the acts of sins you have committed and totally trust Christ to save you. There is no other way to heaven. Eternal life is made possible only through Christ. Jesus prayed, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."

John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He is not a way, He is the way, as in the one and only. There is no need for anyone to be lost, for Jesus has died for all.

Entertained By Sin?

 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. Ephesians 5:11-12

In 2015, the movie 50 Shades of Gray was a box office hit. The movie was described as an erotic romance but it was a film filled with depraved sexual acts. (No I haven't seen it) While it is understandable that people who have not come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ would attend such a movie, I do not understand how people who profess a relationship with Jesus Christ would see such a movie!

I personally overheard two women in church talking excitingly about going to see the movie. Allow me to pose a question. If the Bible clearly states certain acts are sinful, is it wrong to watch others perform the same acts as entertainment? If the Bible says sex outside the marriage covenant is sinful, should I watch those who commit the acts as entertainment?

Recently, I have been convicted about watching "action" movies that depict violent scenes. Paul's simple instruction to do everything to the glory of God -is to reverently and honestly ask the question - is my behavior honoring to Him? Do my actions and attitude bring glory to God or am I tarnishing His holy name?

It is my belief as a Christ-follower that all we do; books we read, movies we watch, the music we listen to, etc. should help us in our walk with Christ and conversely things that do not help; hinder.

John Piper said, "You are what you enjoy...whatever the sins, the issue is, What does it say about our souls that we enjoy being entertained by them?"

Back To The Future

 

I recently spoke with a pastor who was experiencing was difficulties with several "senior saints" in his congregation. They were very upset with the music and the style of worship in their church. While the church was growing and new people were visiting each week, they wanted to return back to the '70s when they felt God was "moving" on their services. I am not belittling the past for I too have fond memories of the past but it is impossible to resurrect those times.

In Isaiah 43:19 God says "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Thank God for what He has done in the past but God calls us to live in the present. God calls us to reach this present generation, which means we need to incorporate music and worship style that appeals to those we are trying to reach.

The church must change its thinking that the church is not about them but those outside the church. Luke 19:10 I am not saying the church should not attempt to meet the needs of its congregation but the church will die if it is not reaching new people for the Kingdom.

Save Your "Self"

 God created man with the attribute of self-preservation. When in a life-threatening situation; it is automatic that you attempt to save yourself. That is in the physical realm but man is primarily a spirit being. The physical being will die but the spirit will live eternally. Matthew 25:46

I have spent 30+ years as a minister of the Gospel and my focus has been 1) To bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ 2) to see them become mature Christ-followers. Unfortunately, some who have begun the journey have fallen by the wayside, which has caused me to wonder what happened.

I believe the answer is found in Mark 15:30 Jesus is hanging on the cross when mockers came to taunt Him to "come down from the cross and save Himself." He could have done that but in doing so, He would be disobeying God and we would not have the means to be saved from our sins.

Jesus told us if we want to be a true Christ-follower we must daily take up our cross and follow Him. Luke 9:23 Remember the cross was an instrument of death and Jesus was saying we must put to death the desires of our lower nature. The Apostle Paul said, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20

When we yield to temptation...we have come down from our cross. When we express anger toward others...we have come down from our cross. When we put ourselves ahead of others...we have come down from our cross. When we promote our self...we have come down from our cross.

The only place we can find victory over Satan's schemes; is on the cross. We find safety only by remaining on our cross. When we come down from our cross, we are open to Satan's attack and that is why many to fallen from grace.

The songwriter correctly penned the words, "...in my hand no price I bring simply to the cross I cling" [emphasis added] Rock of Ages

Fear or Faith?

 

Faith is often a puzzling thing. Many people struggle with faith when facing strong challenges in life. But faith is base on the character and promises of God. While fear focuses on the visible and natural. Faith is the evidence of things not seen and the substance of things hoped for. Hebrews 11:1

Fear is based on the visible and the natural. It needs to see results. Fear is based on human understanding and the opinion of experts and specialists. But many times when doctors announce there is little (or no) hope, God steps in and shows Himself faithful.

Faith is based on the character of God. He makes a way where there is no way. He has conjured death. He is the One who specializes in making the impossible possible. There are times when faith causes you to take action, while at other times you are called to wait. Fear causes you to act in haste but faith is based on a quiet trust in God.

The greatest test of faith in times when it seems God has pressed the pause button. It is difficult to sit beside the bed of a critically ill loved one. But remember Him who is faithful. Cling to Him while you are in the waiting room of life.

Live Long and Prosper

 

If you are familiar with Stak Trek, you know the character, Mr. Spock. Spock, a Vulcan, was the Science Officer of the starship Enterprise. Often when Spock was saying goodbye to someone he would often say, "Live long and prosper.'

I recently thought of that phrase and realized how it paralleled the philosophy of today's culture. Everyone wants to live a long life but in during so they want to prosper. Nothing wrong with being successful but when our goal in life is getting rich, we miss the purpose which God intended for us. In fact, the Bible warns us not to focus on seeking riches:

• "...anyone in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment" Proverbs 28:20
• " If riches increase, do not set your heart on them." Psalm 62:10
• "...the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things..." Mark 4:19

There is nothing sinful in being wealthy. Many rich people are mentioned in the Bible and they were termed as being righteous. It is not wrong to have riches. It become wrong when riches have you. Matthew 6:24 

 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and He will give you everything you need.