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Friday, February 20, 2009

How Do We Know "We Have Passed From Death to Life?"

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.  He who does not love his brother abides in death."  (1 John 3:14) 
 
Over the years I have heard much talk of "assurance."  Here is a good "assurance" indicator.  Check your love for "the brethren."  According to our text, if I "love the brethren" I can be assured that I "have passed from death to life."  Assurance does not come from me or anyone else.  People can try to convince you that you are "saved" and going to Heaven.  But that won't last.  What lasts is the "God-Breathed" Word.  "By this we know."
 
How do you know if you love someone?  Love is no a gushy feeling.  Here's a love test.  "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  Our "feelings" toward others will come and go; we know that.  But what must not come and go is, "serve one another."
 
The Bible tells us that Jesus "loved us and gave Himself for us."  That is my call in Jesus Christ, love you and give myself for you.  Practice this at home, at work, everywhere.  That illusive "revival" for which everyone says they long and so many books are written about, just may, "suddenly appear."
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, you know that there are people I don't feel good about.  May there be no one I don't serve "about."  Amen.  
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

"Winning the War" Or "Bettering His Own Future?"

"I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us."  (3 John 9)
 
General Patton once said of General Mark Clark, "He seems to me more preoccupied with bettering his own future than in winning the war."
 
The person "who loves to have the preeminence" is a person "preoccupied with bettering his own future."  Such people will never receive a true servant of Jesus Christ, because he who exalts Jesus Christ, His Word, His Church, His Kingdom, casts a huge shadow over them, their goals, their ego.  Lovers and servants of Jesus Christ shine as their antithesis.  It is "winning the war," that is more important to the Follower of Jesus than "bettering his own future."  Beside, if it is a better future you want, try this--- "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,' plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.'"
 
General George Armstrong Custer was a good calvary officer in the Civil War.  He was a key figure in the Union victory at Gettysburg---------------but he loved "to have the preeminence."  He came to a calamitous end at the Little Big Horn, when his, "bettering his own future," trumped, "winning the war."  I wonder if it ever occurred to him that "winning the war" just might have been key to "bettering his own future."   
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that Your Preeminence will better my future.  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

"The Holy Spirit...Given to Those Who Obey Him"

"And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."  (Acts 5:32)
 
I once asked some people who were seeking the Baptism in the Holy Spirit if they were obeying Jesus Christ.  They, and those who were working with me, I might add, looked at me as though I had just come from another planet.  I admit that I had never before asked that question of a "seeker."  Our text reveals, however, its appropriateness.  Here is a fundamental Biblical principle: Obedience determines defeat or victory, rejection or acceptance in Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
 
I read a report the other day that "25% to 30% of people who identify as pro-life voted for Obama."  It said that "this is particularly true of younger evangelical voters, who voted in larger numbers for Obama than they did for Al Gore or John Kerry."  Another report says that "Barach Obama...won a majority of the Catholic vote despite differences...on abortion," aka, murder of the unborn.  The question all should continually ask is:  "How much disobedience to Jesus Christ and His "God-Breathed" Word, His revealed will, how much outright rejection of Biblical teaching can you have and still have a Christian?  This is an eternal life or death question. 
 
If the "God-Breathed" Word is my life, then I will conform to Him, obey Him, live and do everything, vote, love and treat my wife, my neighbor, do my work, absolutely everything in obedience to Jesus.  Jesus said, "If you love me, keep (literally, "guard") my commandments."  Life in Jesus Christ is the guarding of His Word in my life.  
 
Father, in Jesus Name, may obedience be my desire.  Whatever blessings you are pleased to bestow, I thank You.  Amen.   
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I HAVE WRESTLED ALL DAY WITH THIS!

"And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: 'Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?'"
 
The Bible speaks of God as, "The LORD, a man of war...."  Today people love to refer to David as, "The sweet psalmist of Israel."  Right---- but this "sweet psalmist," who "had God's heart," was also known as "a mighty man of valor, a man of war...," some times, not so "sweet."  And to those who give me the tired old phrase, "O, that's Old Testament," I just refer them to the last Book of the New Testament--- "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."   
 
I have mentioned before that my maternal great grandfather, Thomas Sherwood, was a Quaker, who realized that a person cannot stand by and let others fight his battles.  He joined the Ohio 79th, a volunteer outfit, and fought with General William Tecumseh Sherman in the American Civil War.  Sherman was one of the first generals to introduce the concept of "Total War."  His goal was to destroy "the resources required for the South to make war....General U. S. Grant and President Lincoln initially opposed the plan (for his "march to the sea") until Sherman convinced them of its necessity." 
 
Today, America has no such political leaders or generals.  What we do have are spineless generals and admirals who stand with Obama to close Gitmo and "bring the troops home."  They are willingly ignorant of the fact that it was total war which brought victory in the last American war which we actually "finished"----- and won!  Now some say, "Christians should not talk like this." Others debate the concept of Christianity and war altogether.  But just remember; if you eliminate war, you have just eliminated the United States of America, you remember the one, "And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air"?  It may offend a person's delicate sensibilities, but take away war, and you take away America.  By the way, those detainees in Gitmo and Al Qaeda should thank their moon god that William Tecumseh Sherman is not in charge!
 
We know from the Scriptures that the Jews had been given The Land.  But our text reveals that they had to fight for it.  What seeming contradiction, but, there it is.  Yet it is very similar for You and me.  You and I were given salvation, Heaven, eternal life, etc., but we must fight for it.  Only the spiritually blind would deny that this life is a fight for survival against an Enemy out to "steal, kill, and destroy."  In using these words, Jesus reveals that we are up against a "total war" Enemy.  Now some love to make this fight sound less militaristic and call it a "battle," or, "spiritual warfare," but come on, now.  From the moment you and I were born, we have been in a fight for our life, our very existence.  Yes, there is "Victory in Jesus," of course there is.  But "victory" implies a fight, and we must join the fight for this victory.  Paul said, "Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection...."  This is our heritage.  This is our call.  This is our "glory." 
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray that I will never allow others to "go to war while [I] sit here."  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Monday, February 16, 2009

What Keeps Us From Each Other?

"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1 Corinthians 12:27)

This is the American church--- "members individually."  Think for a moment of what really takes you to those Church gatherings, prayer meetings, Bible Studies, etc.  Is it the realization that we "are the body of Christ," or, mostly that we are "members individually," just going to get our "tanks filled."  Our text is a reminder of who we are in Jesus Christ, one Body, many members, bound together in the Blood of Jesus, the Body of Jesus.

We do not live close to our "church family."  Our fellowship mainly consists in a once a week gathering with Believers in the main service.  Occasionally I meet with some of the Brothers during the week.  But, "continuing daily," just doesn't happen.  Only a very few in the modern church even come close to this.  Is it that, "members individually," has overtaken, "Now you are the Body of Christ?"  While in a modern society the "cure" may seem illusive, the "cause" for it are my main concern. 

Have many of us become as the man interviewed by Chuck Colson many years ago when asked of his definition of the Church?---- "I'm my own church."  I completely reject this American "rugged individualism," especially when it separates me from the rest of Christ's Body.  I say today to every Brother and Sister in Jesus Christ, in America and around the world, "I need you; I am a part of you as you are a part of me------- 'in Christ.'"

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me, and any of my Brethren who are isolated, in all of this.  Amen.
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I will be preaching in the CCE meetings this weekend.
News, Commentary:          www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com


"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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