God's Faith

Why is faith so important in God's plan of salvation?  Could it be that faith is an essential ingredient in success in all walks of life?  Could it be just one more example of a practical everyday benefit it is to be a Christian?  I love how God models faith.

I have written in the past about how God exhibited great faith in Jesus by sending Him to the cross.  Remember that Jesus as a human had free will just like the rest of us.  He could have chosen to save Himself and I don't think there is anything God could have done to change that.  God simply had great faith in Jesus and knew that wouldn't be a problem.

Let's look at another story of God's faith.

Job!

Satan comes to God and wants to take Job out.  He thinks the only reason Job believes in God is because Job has had such a good life.  God agrees to allow Satan to put Job to the test.  The only thing is that Satan can't kill Job.

Think about that.  God has such great faith that Job won't renounce God that God tells Satan, "Go ahead, have at him!"

Does God have that same kind of faith in us?  I believe He does, if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  If not, I doubt it.  Why would accepting Jesus make the difference?  Because God tells us quite clearly that once we accept Jesus we are family and we begin to live a favored life.

What kind of favor?  The favor of Jesus and God's word, through the Holy Spirit, guiding our lives.  Does that mean our lives will be perfect?  Nope.  But it does mean the God will have faith in us striving to serve Him more and more each day.  And isn't it a comforting feeling know that God has faith in us?   

Could You Be This Obedient?

Acts 8:26-30(NKJV)

26Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 

27So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 

28was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 

29Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

30So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

Think about that.  If you heard God whispering in you ear, "get up and go", could you and would you?  If you felt God nudging you to approach a total stranger, again, could you and would you?

That's just what Philip did.  God told him to go and he went.  God told him to approach the Ethiopian and Philip did.  Think about the courage that took.  The Ethiopian was a "great man".  He had his own chariot and everything.  Many would be intimidated by approaching someone like that.  But did Philip even hesitate?  Not one bit.

Folks, I think that is the key.  When God prompts you and you are sure that it is from God, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you here, then act immediately.  Don't hesitate.  Don't stop to think what you will say or anything.  When you do that, you give Satan time to get in your head and give you a million reasons why you shouldn't do what God just asked you to do.

God has promised that He will give you the words.  Trust God and act!

Good Career Advice From Proverbs

 

Proverbs 18:16(NKJV)

16    A man’s gift makes room for him,      And brings him before great men.

How is this good career advice?  Well let's start with a premise.  Many people create their own luck. 

We all have different skills and abilities, sometimes referred to as gifts.  The more we develop and use the gifts that God gave us, the happier God is I believe because He sees us using the gifts He gave us. 

Now when we take our gifts and use them we get better and better at whatever it is.  Unfortunately there are many that never really use the gifts that God gave them.  Their skills deteriorate and stagnate. 

Now let me bring it all together.  "A man's gift makes room for him" means that when you have skills to offer that other people value, they will want you around.   In other words they will want to employ you or hire you.  "And brings him before great men" simply means that when you are good at what you do, you work hard, you develop a reputation as someone that can get things done and make things happen; you come to the attention of others.

So what appears to be luck is really lots of hard work in disguise!

A Lesson In "You Never Know"

There are a couple of lessons here.  Let me set the backstory.  Haman has a thing against the Jews and has spread a plan far and wide to kill them.  Unbeknownst to the King, Queen Esther is Jewish.  Mordecai is also Jewish.  Haman hates Mordecai and has built a gallows to hang Mordecai on.  Queen Esther has given a feast at which time she plans on trying to save all the Jews.

Esther 7:1-2(NKJV)

1So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. 

2And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!”

So here the King asks Queen Esther what he can do for her. 

Esther 7:3-4(NKJV)

3Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. 

4For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.”

She tells him what she wants.  Here is the first lesson.  Be kind to everyone because you may be surprised at who has the power to influence your life for both good and bad. 

Esther 7:6(NKJV)

6And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!” So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

Haman was sur surprised!

Esther 7:8-10(NKJV)

8When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, “Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?” As the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 

9Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, “Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king’s behalf, is standing at the house of Haman.” Then the king said, “Hang him on it!”

10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.

The second lesson is that I think this is a good illustration of the saying, "Give a man enough rope and he can hang himself"  Haman had built the gallows but had never imagined that he would be the one swinging on it.

Any Questions?

Acts 5:33-39(NKJV)

33When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 

34Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 

35And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 

36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 

37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 

38And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 

39but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Any questions on whether it was God's plan or not?

"For Such A Time As This"

 

Esther 4:10-16(NKJV)

10Then Esther spoke to Hathach, and gave him a command for Mordecai: 

11“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. Yet I myself have not been called to go in to the king these thirty days.” 

12So they told Mordecai Esther’s words.

13And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 

14For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

15Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: 

16“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

For such a time as this.  Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you just get the feeling that God put you right there at that time for a reason?  Did you rise to the challenge when you found yourself in that position?  For me personally, sometimes I have, and sometimes I haven't . 

The frustrating thing for me when I fail is that it would have been so simple to succeed.  All I had to do is trust God.  But unfortunately, like Peter, my courage failed me with at that critical time.  The disappointing thing about it is that unlike Esther, my life wasn't at stake.  Heck the worst thing I was facing was maybe a little ridicule or rejection.

Here is my most recent failure.  I was flying home from Utah on Tuesday night.  When I got on the tram to go from one terminal to the next there was a woman sitting there who was crying.  I asked if she was OK and she said she was and thanked me for asking as she sat there and continued to cry.  I felt God telling me to ask her if it would be OK if I prayed for her.  But because I was afraid of looking or seeming weird I neglected to do it. 

We got off at the same stop and were headed the same way.  As I started up the escalator she turned and headed in a different direction.  I asked her again is she was sure she was OK and she said that she was but she sure didn't seem like it.  We are supposed to be the eyes and ears of Jesus.  I can't help but think that I could have been way more help an comfort to this woman. 

I think the answer for me personally is to remember to instantly act when God puts something on my heart like that.  Don't think about what I am going to say, etc.  Just act!  God has promised us that He will take care of what to say if we are just willing to be His helper!

You Will Make Me Full Of Joy In Your Presence

How do you feel when you are in the presence of Jesus?   When you are worshiping?  When you are praying?  When you are studying God's word?

Acts 2:28(NKJV)

28    You have made known to me the ways of life;      You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ £

Do you feel joyful?  According to King David, that is what we should expect to feel.  I know that is how I feel most of the time.  It's hard to explain but even when I go to God in prayer about something serious, it isn't too long into that prayer that I am lapsing into a joyful consciousness where my prayer just turns into one long "Man God, you are just so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

If you've never experienced that then my prayer for you is that you will soon.  Of course being able to experience that starts with accepting Jesus.  Have you done that yet?  

Would you like to experience the kind of unbound joy described above?  Then just ask Jesus to come into your life.  Don't wait til it all makes sense.  Take a leap of faith.  You can feel him tugging at your heart right now, can't you?  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  Ask Him to come into your life and guide you.  "Dear Jesus…."

Explanations and Justifications

Human beings have a tendency to find ways to explain and justify what they are doing when it is against the accepted rules.  Humans seem to have an inborn tendency to to always want to push the envelope.  There are many example of it in the Bible.  I ran across one today.

Acts 1:12(NKJV)

12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 

What the heck is a Sabbath Day's journey I wondered to myself.  I decided to look it up.  Here is an excerpt from an article I ran across.

"According to the Mosaic law every Israelite was forbidden to travel on the Sabbath day.

Exodus 16:29 "See, for the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."

But there is also evidence that the Israelites were permitted to go a certain distance on that special day. For example they could visit the tabernacle and temple from any distance within the encampment or city.

Over the centuries the authorities within the rabbinical circles of Judaism found ways, from examining the miniscule details of the law, to increase the distance that an Israelite may travel on the Sabbath day. In ancient times they determined that one may travel on the Sabbath from within the city boundaries and this distance was fixed at 2,000 cubits. They based this on Joshua 3:4-5:"

 http://www.bible-history.com/backd2/sabbath.html

 What I found interesting is that over time people found more and more ways to justify being able to go further and further on the Sabbath.  And it was all according to the rules, at least in their minds.  As I read the article I thought some of their justifications were really a stretch. 

So where am I going with this?  I'll tell you.  Isn't it nice that we don't have to play these games with Jesus.  We aren't bound by the law.  Jesus has set us free.  It's pretty simple.  Either you believe in Jesus or you don't.  You're either saved, or your not.

Which is it for you?

Don't Compare Your Walk With Jesus to Others!

 

John 21:17-22(NKJV)

17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of £Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 

18Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 

19This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

20Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 

21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

22Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Imagine how Peter felt.  He is one of Jesus' most loyal followers.  Jesus has just told Peter what he expects Peter to do after Jesus ascends into heaven and Jesus has also just told Peter how Peter is going to die and it ain't going to be pleasant.

Peter looks around and sees one of the other disciples.  Peter's going "Hey what about him?  How come he gets off so easy?  How come he doesn't have to go through what I have to go through."  I'm sure you can understand why Peter might feel this way.  What was Jesus' response? 
 

22Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Let that be a lesson to all of us.  We shouldn't compare out walk with Jesus to others.  It's easy to look around and go "man I do way more for God than that person does.  How come their life is going so much better.  It isn't fair!"

As my kids heard when they grew up, "So what, nobody said life was fair!"

There is nothing in the Bible that says all Christians will be treated fairly and equally.  We all get salvation for the same reason.  That is where the equality stops.  Based on many many factors, God has a different plan for each one of us.  Some of us will be required to suffer more than others.  Why?  I don't know.  Maybe we have the faith to do it where others faith may not be that strong yet. 

In that case, who would provide a greater testimony to God?  Someone who suffers yet displays a solid faith through the whole thing or someone who suffers a little and then abandons God?

Remember that God likes a cheerful giver.  That isn't just about money.  It is about how cheerfully you surrender your whole life to Jesus, even in the tough times!

The Priests Had An Army?

This seems odd.  I never noticed the wording before.

John 18:3(NKJV)

3Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 

The priests and Pharisees had a standing army?  An army under their command?  I would understand if they had gotten the troops from the Romans, that would make sense.  But from the priests? 

Hmm.  I'll have to keep an eye out for other references to the priests commanding troops. 

That's one of the things I love about studying the Bible.  There are always little surprises to ponder as the Holy Spirit reveals things to you.  Some of them have deep life meanings and some of them are just little curiosities.  Part of our job is to diligently seek out which is which!  

A Fond Memory of a Great Book

 

John 19:38(NKJV)

38After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 

Joseph of Arimathea.  That name is a blast from the past.  What great memories. 

I'm talking about a book called the Christ Commission by Og Mandino.  If you have never read it I would highly recommend it.  It's a fiction book and a fun read.  Here is the description from Amazon.com.

"In front of eight million TV viewers, "The Greatest Mystery Writer in the World" bragged he could prove Christ was actually stolen from the tomb and never really rose from the dead . . . if he were given just one week back in ancient Jerusalem.  That night author Matt Lawrence got his wish.  A knock-out punch took him right out of this world and landed him in Biblical Judea in 26 A.D., just six years after the execution of Jesus at Golgotha.  In relentless pursuit of his investigation, Lawrence walked the same streets Jesus walked, visited the same places . . . and found himself facing the same dangers.  Eyewitness reports might lead him to a discovery that would shake the world--but will he live long enough to tell the 30th century that he just solved the greatest mystery of all time?"

Pasted from <http://www.amazon.com/dp/0553277421/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=3524418665&ref=pd_sl_68uh7m7u2x_e>

If you want to treat yourself to a nice story that is faith affirming at the same time, give this book a read.  I believe you will be blessed by it.

An Hour You Do Not Expect

This past week at church Pastor Beth did a sermon on signs.  Jesus tells  to watch for the signs and to be ready.

OK, that makes sense.  We should be aware of what is going on in the world and we need to keep our focus on God and Jesus.  Fair enough.  My problem with this is that many of the signs that we are told to watch for are so vague that you can see them all the time.

Now let's look at what else the Bible tells us about Jesus' return.

The first one that comes to mind, and I don't have the verse right in front of me but it is something to the effect that even Jesus doesn't know the exact time of His return.

Now couple that with this next verse and that leads me to a question. 

Luke 12:40(NKJV)

40Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

What did this just tell us?  That Jesus will come at an hour we don't expect.  Really?  Then what is the point of watching for the signs?  Apparently all that watching isn't going to mean jack because Jesus is still going to come when we don't expect Him.  Is this contradictory?

I don't think so.  I just think it is another one of those the Bible is a book of balance things.   I think it is good to look for the signs in a general sense because it helps keep us focused on God.  However I think all of the people out there that spend their lives trying to pinpoint exactly when it is going to happen haven't been reading their Bible very well because they have dedicated their lives to something that God has already told them isn't going to happen.   They will be as surprised as everyone else when it happens!

"I do not pray for the world"

 

John 17:9(NKJV)

9“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 

I've always found this quote of Jesus interesting.  This goes along with the Kumbaya Jesus that I've written about before.
 

Many people think that it is OK to blow off Jesus and not believe.  No big deal.    Let bygones be bygones they say. 

I just don't think it works that way.  I have offered other Scriptures to back up that belief.  Here is another verse where Jesus plainly says He doesn't pray for the world.  He only prays for those whom God has given Him.  In other words Jesus only prays for those who have accepted Him.

Is Jesus praying for you?  Would you like Him to?  Then just ask Him to come into your life and lead you.  It's that simple.  Have a conversation with Jesus and let him know what you are looking for.  You'll be glad you did.  "Dear Jesus…."

Even Jesus Used A Little Showmanship

Excerpt from a Newsboys song.

--------------------------------

I dunno what goes down the moment we die

Do we get halos & harps? Do we sleep? Do we fly? I dunno

How, when and why this world will finally end,

Speculation’s gonna grow, who knows best, I dunno

I dunno if I should push ahead or stop and grieve,

I lie awake and wonder how to make a city believe,

I dunno when it's a ministry and when it's a show

Maybe neither, maybe both, I dunno, but this one thing I know

Pasted from <http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/newsboys/your_love_is_better_than_life.html>

--------------------------------

I attend a very dynamic church, Valley Family Church.  It's what many would consider a mega church.  I think we have over 3500 members. 

As many of the big churches do, we have a very talented music and worship team.  Our church is set up like an auditorium more than a church, with a big stage.  We have all the lighting, video, and audio capabilities of a small television station.

Our church services are quite a production.  I am blessed to serve on the video team running one of the cameras.  There are some that criticize a worship service like ours as being to flashy and not real church.  I even used to wonder a little bit about it myself.  I think the Newsboys lyrics above express the question very well.

And then I ran across this Scripture

John 11:40-44(NKJV)

40Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 

41Then they took away the stone £from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 

42And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 

43Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 

44And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Seems that even Jesus knew the value of a little showmanship and used that technique Himself from time to time. 

Guess I don't need to worry about that anymore!  :)