10.11.11
Posted in Bible, Q & A at 11:04 pm by Administrator
In the previous write up entitled “Choose Your Path”, “Anonymous” asked a very important question. The question was:
“What if you lose your path and spend the rest of your life trying to get back on it? But just too many temptations, obstacles, and stuff keep one from getting back on. What else can be done in attempt to find one’s way again?”
I prayed about the answer and when the Lord revealed it to me it was simply too long and too important a message to not share with everyone.
“Anonymous”, the answer came to me in one word, “Perseverance”.
Perseverance is simply another term for determination or unrelenting. When we fall off the path, we just have to be determined to get back on it.
Most of us are aware either when we are straying or after we have been off from the path for some time. If we were really walking in the Spirit of the Lord, when we become entangled with actions/practices/things/ways that we know are not pleasing to God, we should feel a separation in our own spirit. Whether we care is a different matter. But for those who yield to the Spirit of God that dwells within them, and are convicted by that Spirit, Hebrews 12:1-3 says:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
One interesting thing about the walk of Salvation is that it has to remain a forward movement. The “sins that entangle” as stated in the passage that was quoted are things that we do that the Spirit of God living within us has clearly revealed to us that we should make every effort to separate ourselves from. These actions/habits/indulgences are the distractions that intend to slow us down, make us stumble as we go along, make us lose our way and if the devil were to have his ultimate fulfillment, make us turn back and go in the opposite direction. The Word of God is telling us that as Jesus endured the Cross by focusing on the joy that was set before Him, then we, His followers, too have to focus on Jesus, and the joy set before us, and realize that the pleasure of these sinful ways are only temporary.
The Word of God tells us that if we are determined not to lose our salvation, then we have to make perseverance and forsight the order of the day. Every day. Knowing that trials, tribulations and temptations will be ever present.
James 1: 2-4, 12 says:
” Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
In order to keep from losing our way to begin with, Christians have to remain cemented in the Word of God. That means reading our bibles and listening to sound, biblical doctrine. We must also fellowship with other Christians for worship, bible study, for support and encouragement. Finally, we must pray. Pray on your own. Pray as a congregation. Pray in small groups. Pray for your brethren. Prayer is such an important element of the Christian walk. It is a vital weapon in spiritual warfare and many Christians, even Churches, do not utilize it.
James 5:11 says:
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
The accounts in the Bible enable us to learn from those who have gone before us. Based on these accounts, we know that Lord has always protected those who love and obey Him, and His Word assures us that it will be no different for us.
As Jude 24-25 prays:
” Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless. Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,Both now and forever. Amen.
Share your thoughts that you might encourage your brethren.
In Christ,
The handmaid at His feet.
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09.20.11
Posted in Bible, Q & A at 11:59 pm by Administrator
I was speaking to a co-worker once in an attempt to witness to him. When I had said my piece, he went into a tirade of how Christians are hypocrites because they get caught up in scandals, they are dishonest, and some pastors treat their ministries like a business and not like a calling etc. “Why would I want to be a part of that?” he asked. My response to him was “All Christians are called to the path of righteousness, but not all Christians stay on the path of righteousness and if you are using the lives of those who have gotten off the right path as a reason not to embark on the journey, then you are already starting out in the wrong direction”.
Ephesian 2:10 reads: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
When we accept the call to Christianity, it is the beginning of a transformation process. God is telling us in this passage that heeding the voice of Jesus Christ gives Him the go ahead to start working in us, slowly or rapidly, helping us to take on the nature of our Savior. The purpose of this call is for us to do good works, that He has specifically set aside for us based on the nature of our calling. Therefore, if accepting Christ is calling us to do good works and we are engaged in activities and behaviors that are contrary to Christʼs example, then surely, we have strayed from the way.
Jeremiah 6:16 says: Thus says the LORD: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.”
Anyone that is contemplating, analyzing, criticizing or engaged in the walk of Christianity, that person has to consider a very relevant truth. From the moment one answers the call, and through every facet of the walk, one will constantly be faced with the element of CHOICE. Every choice has itʼs rewards, itʼs consequences, and yes, itʼs sufferings attached to it.
Look at the life of our Savior Jesus Christ for example, if choice were not a factor, why would Satan even bother tempting Him in the wilderness? Satan knew that if Jesus chose to take him up on his offer, then salvation in Christ would not exist, Instead, Jesus chose to stick with that plan that He and His Father had agreed upon, hence, salvation in Christ Jesus does exist today.
So, the Lord is telling us in that passage from Jeremiah that when we get to the crossroads of temptation that we are to choose the right path; specifically, the “old paths”; the one that has already been tread on by Christ and all the saints that have walked righteously before us. That path may not be repaved and new like the new paths; it may not be wide like the new paths; but the old path is certainly well lit, and the foot prints on it are distinguishable and visible. Most importantly, if we stay on that old path, it is there that we ultimately find rest.
There will be many distractions on this journey. Satan has made it his primary objective to get every Cristian to stray from the good way and to never get back on. He also desires to prevent anyone who is not a Christian from ever finding this good way. But the Lord has assured us that He will never leave us nor forsake us as long as we seek Him. He has also assured us that if we seek Him, we will find Him. Brethren, if we truly desire to find the good way and stay on it, the Lord will help us to do just that.
For those of us that have lost our way, as long as we have breath in us, it is never too late to get back on the right path. Godʼs Word is telling us that when we accept the calling of Christ, God, by His Holy Spirit, not only creates us anew, in the likeness of His Son, with all of the capabilities that Christ himself promised us that we would have (John 14:12 ) God now brings us into the knowledge of this special way that He has specifically designed for us. He then assures us that this way, if we remain steadfast on it, bracing every obstacle by obeying, trusting and relying of Him, then that way will indeed bring us to a glorious end that we cannot even imagine.
Usually, when one goes in search of valuable treasure, one must use complex maps, solve complicated clues and only the smartest and/or the most resourceful end up finding the treasure. Now, when it comes to finding the treasure that is salvation, a treasure more valuable than any precious metal, precious stones or money, the process is unusually more simple. The way to salvation is not hidden. Jesus tells us openly and clearly in John 14:6 that He alone is the way to that salvation.
The Lord has also given us a guide book to help us along the way. His Word as is written in the Bible. It gives us all the written instruction that weʼll ever need to find that treasure of salvation. Then, if that wasnʼt enough, we are also given a personal escort in the form of the Holy Spirit. To comfort us when we are hurting; to convict us when we need to reflect; and to empower us when we need hope and strength.
But even after He has graciously done all of this, it is still up to us to choose to follow that way that He is directing us towards.
The calling is loud brethren, but the time is short.
The path is open, and it is clear Which path will you choose?
Share your thoughts that you might encourage your brethren.
In Christ,
The handmaid at His feet.
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10.13.10
Posted in Bible, Q & A at 12:20 am by Administrator
This past Sunday, the choir at my church sang that popular worship song that goes:
“Do something new in my life, something new in my life, something new in my life, O Lord. Do something new in my life, something new in my life, something new in my life, O Lord.”
It then occurred to me that as Christians, we always want God to do something new in our lives concerning our marriages, our jobs, our financial situation, our quest for a spouse, or a child, or even our spiritual growth, and yet, we, the ones that are asking, continue to do things the same old way.
If we want God to do something new in our lives, then we have to be willing to make some significant changes ourselves, and these changes start by acknowledging that there are certain things that we are simply doing wrong.
I use the story of King Josiah from 2 Kings 22 and 23 and 2 Chronicles 34 and 35 to illustrate.
The Bible tells us that King Josiah began his reign when he was only 8 years old. Then, in the eighth year of his reign, he began to seek the God of David his father (2 Chron. 34:3), then in the 12th year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of all the graven images, and all the altars of Baal and other things used in idol worship. (2 Chron. 24:3-4).
King Josiah first sought Lord. Then he went further to get rid of all the things around him that were not pleasing to the Lord. Then after the book of the Law was found and read to him and King Josiah tore his clothes because his heart was overcome with sorrow to discover the extent to which the people of Israel had been grieving the Lord. He then said in 2 Chronicles 34:21: “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all that is written in this book.”
The realization of how his actions and those of his people had grieved the Lord drove King Josiah to a place of complete remorse, and it was because of this remorse that the Lord said through the Prophetess Huldah in 2 Chronicles 34:23-27
“ Then she answered them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched.’”’ But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, in this manner you shall speak to him
‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD.”
When King Josiah heard this, he gathered all of the people, read The Book of Law to their hearing and as 2 Chronicles 31 says
“Then the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book.”
We, who are in Christ Jesus have to acknowledge our sins before the Lord, commit our hearts to obeying His commandments, and yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit to do the transforming work in us.
We cannot hear from the Lord if we are not paying attention. Sometimes the Lord moves with a mighty shout. Sometimes He moves with a soft whisper. But the way He will move, and what He does say to us might not always be what we want to hear. The Lord cannot move for us without first of all moving in us. We have to be receptive to the Spirit of God. We have to be receptive to the changes that the Spirit of God wants to work in us. We have to be willing to let go of the things that the Spirit of God wants us to let go of and be willing to embrace the things that the Spirit of God wants us to embrace. The Lord cannot furnish us with new blessings when our old sins are still cluttering up our lives.
Ephesians 4:20-24 says “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
When the burden of sin creates a separation and discontent that manifests itself as unexplainable sadness, and unfulfillment in my life, I embrace the Words of my Savior as He spoke them in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
It is my prayer that we find comfort in the arms of He who says “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelations 21:5), and allow Him to do something new in our lives.
Share your thoughts that you might encourage your brethren.
In Christ,
The handmaid at His feet.
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09.29.09
Posted in Q & A at 8:36 am by Administrator
Just like failed New Year’s resolutions, many of us have failed bible reading plans that we can tell about. I, personally-on more than one occasion- have set upon the task of reading the whole bible in a year. I’ll do well for about two months. Then I’ll hear this awesome sermon taken from the book of Genesis and scratch my head saying” I’ve read the book of Genesis, I don’t recall seeing that passage”. The problem with reading plans like that is that there is not much gained from speed-reading the bible other than the fact that you can brag that you’ve read the whole bible. I’m sure many of us have heard that we are not to read the bible like a novel. That is advice worth adhering to. The bible is the word of God. It is alive! { Hebrews 4:12 ” For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” } Its purpose is to provide knowledge and wisdom and to effect change in the reader. {2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”}
As food and water are vital to the sustenance of the body, the Word of God and prayer are vital to the sustenance of the spirit. We should also go into the word of God as a hungry person goes into his first meal of the day…with a hunger that we are determined to satisfy.
So how do we set up a good personal bible study habits?
* Designating some time in your day to pray, read the word and fellowship with God, helps toward establishing effective personal bible study habits.
* Getting a translation of the bible that you can use alongside the King James version, to help comprehend certain passages better.
* Get a “study buddy”. Someone who has a desire for the Word also that you can discuss with and help each other grow.
Let’s get some feedback on this. Please write in with suggestions on how you have set up your personal bible study habits so that you can uplift your brethren in the Lord.
In Christ,
Handmaid at His Feet
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