Joy

I haven't written in my blog in a while but I've had some things on my heart, so I'm just going to jump in here.

I started this book called "In Our Joy" and it's based on one of Jesus' parables. In Matthew 13:44 it reads, "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." In the introduction it talks about how, minutes earlier he would have thought it crazy to sell everything he had. That was his stuff that he had worked hard for. Now, here he was running around like a mad man IN HIS JOY selling it all. As many times as I've read that, I've never really noticed those 3 little words before. Imagine what his neighbors were thinking. If you were one of his neighbors, do you think you'd try to talk some sense into him? They had no idea what he had found. They only see a man happily selling away everything he'd worked for his whole life. But that man knew what he had found. He knew that once he possessed that field, he would prosper so much more then he currently was. He knew his life's work was nothing compared to that treasure he had buried in that field. 

Jesus compared that treasure to the kingdom of heaven. Once we discover the value of the kingdom of heaven, we should joyously give up everything of our past to obtain it. But do we? Do we truly understand the value of the kingdom of heaven? How many of us wants to hold on to some things? How many make excuses, "That's just the way I am"? When we do that, we aren't really doing all we can to obtain that great treasure. And we are definitely not doing it in our joy. 

Following Jesus requires us to die to self, daily. I'm 43 years old and I still question if I've gotten rid of all of the old me. I do have a deep desire to be all that God wants me to be. To do that, all of the old me has to go so the new creation can live through Him. Have I shed all of the old me? It's hard. I've been this way for 40+ years. Change isn't easy for anyone. But when I recognize part of the old me coming out, I should shed it joyously. Because I know that my reward is great. 

As I'm reading this book and examining myself, I'll probably share more here. But, just before I started reading this book, I saw a question somewhere asking, "Is not having joy a sin?" Think about it. Romans 14:17 says, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." James tells us in chapter 1, verse 2, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." And he also tells us in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice." These are just a few example of scripture on joy. We sing songs about it, but do we practice it? Do we truly have joy in our life? Or are we still pouting about things we have had to give up? Are we still struggling to do everything our way? These are some of the questions I keep asking myself. Do I truly have joy in my life?

The Chosen

Genesis 1:26-27: And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He Him; male and female created He them.

In the beginning, God created man. There was one man, one woman, and one God. The first part of Malachi 2:10 says, “Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us?” In fact, the Talmud (which is the central text of Judiasm) states that Adam was created from the dust of all four corners of the earth (so to speak) so that no one nation could claim the distinction of being better.
 

Historically, however, the world slipped away from its relationship with God and eventually the entire world was idolaters. Abraham re-discovered the idea of one God, and chose to accept the challenge to change the world through an understanding of monotheism and morality. Through his dedication and willingness to give up everything for God, he was chosen – and his descendents after him – to become the teachers of morality.

In other words, Abraham chose God, and thus God chose Abraham.

The descendents of Abraham were not chosen to be a superior people over other races in the world. They were chosen to share God with the nations. However, over time, they became self-righteous. They wanted to keep God to themselves. They failed to fulfill their purpose as the chosen people of God. They began living their lives by the law of Moses and added so much to the law that their lives were just mindless tradition. So much so, that when the Messiah did live among them, they refused to acknowledge who He was. They rejected Jesus and thus were rejected as God's chosen people.
 

After Christ's resurrection, He sent Paul out to all the nations of the world. Paul began converting Gentiles to Christianity. Spreading the message of one God, one Creator, was now the work of the church. It is now our job today. But how are we doing? Are we fulfilling our calling as God's chosen today? Or have we become like the religious leaders of Jesus' day?
 

Let's look at Matthew 22, starting with verse 1.

(1) And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, (2) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, (3) And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. (4) Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
 

This was the invitation to the Jews. They were originally the chosen ones and He was saying, “Now's the time, come.” However, look at verse 5:
 

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.
 

They were more concerned with making money then they were about God. Do we not see this problem in the church today? How many people insist that they cannot come to church because they have to work?
 

Verse 6, And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
 

This is referring to the prophets that were sent to the Jews, but could refer to the Christians that try to speak for God today. Many nations around the world kill Christians every day for proclaiming the name Jesus. Even in America, much persecution is beginning to take place, though not to the extent of other countries. At least not yet. I think of how many people in other countries will go through torture and refuse to deny Jesus and yet, here, we don't even face the physical repercussions but we are so silent.
 

Let's go on to verse 7, But when the king heard therreof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers and burned up their city.

Their time is coming.
 

(8) Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. (9) Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (10) So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
 

Since the Jews rejected Jesus, He was presented to the gentiles. He has opened the doors to the world. Whosoever will shall now come freely. It is now our job, as the chosen of God, to share Him with the world, to invite them all to the marriage. No matter what they've done in life, both bad and good, are invited to share in the marriage supper.
 

Verse 11: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment. (12) And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
 

Now, this wedding garment was a white robe, supplied by the groom's father for every man to wear. This man, however, felt like his own clothes were good enough and didn't feel the need to put on the wedding garment. This is a picture of self-righteousness. Yes, we are told to come just as we are, but we are not meant to stay that way. We can never be “good enough” in ourselves. We are meant to clothe ourselves with His righteousness. If we do not, we are fooling ourselves. And what will be the outcome?
 

(13) Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (14) For many are called, but few are chosen.
 

There is only room in heaven for those that are willing to do things God's way. We cannot make our own way to heaven. We cannot get there in our own self-righteousness.
 

Let's also take a quick look at Matthew 21: 28-30:
 

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
 

The first son represents people that, at first, made no pretense of Salvation, but later repented. The second son represents the Pharisees that He was speaking to, who claimed much but actually had nothing. Are we a repentant people and going forth doing our Father's business or are we saying “Yes, God” with our mouths only?

The Remnant

For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
(Ezekiel 14:21-23 KJV)

Did you catch that? You know, when a natural disaster happens and a lot of people lose their lives, mans response is to feel bad for all those that lost their lives, for those few left behind that lost loved ones. Our natural tendency is to believe that those that survived are blessed because they were not killed. But, sometimes, God spares a few so that others can see just how evil those people were. He doesn't spare them because they are good, or He has a purpose for them. He spares them for us, to comfort us so that we won't feel bad that so many lost their lives. So we won't waste time mourning the evil people.

Now, I'm not making any reference to any disaster anywhere from any time past. I'm just saying, sometimes people survive so that we won't feel bad about what happened. Sometimes people are divinely blessed and have a calling on their lives. But some people are just left behind to show us why God allowed that to happen.

Personal Evangelism Tips

You can turn ordinary conversations into opportunities to share the Gospel. Here are some suggestions:

* * *

When someone asks: "Could you tell me what time it is?"

Answer: "According to my watch or according to the Bible?"

Continue the conversation: Give them the actual time, but share that the Bible also speaks of time. It says it is time for all who do not know the Lord to repent and come to Him.

* * *

When someone asks: "What's new?"

Answer: "What kind of news do you want to hear? Good news or bad news?"

Continue the conversation: Their response will probably be "Good news"--so share the good news of the Gospel.

* * *

When someone bumps you accidentally and says: "Excuse me. I am sorry."

Answer: "That's okay. Accidents will happen. Or maybe it wasn't an accident. . ."

Continue the conversation: "Perhaps this was meant to happen so I could share something very special with you."

* * *

When a clerk gives you too much change, return the money and say: "You gave me back too much money."

Continue the conversation: "There was a time in my life when I would have kept it, but since I became a Christian things have changed." Then share how the Gospel has impacted your life.

* * *

 

When a store clerk asks: "May I help you?"

Answer: "Yes, if you will permit me to help you in return."

Continue the conversation: The clerk will probably ask, "How can you help me?" Tell her!

* * *

When someone asks for a light for a cigarette, say: "I do not use them since the explosion."

Continue the conversation: It is almost guaranteed that the person will ask, "What explosion?" Answer, "The one that took place in my life when I became a Christian."

* * *

When you answer a telephone and the person says, "Sorry. I have the wrong number."

Answer: "No, you really dialed the right number."

Continue the conversation: They will probably say, "What do you mean.?" Tell them that perhaps this happened to provide them an opportunity to hear about something that can change their life and eternal destiny.

* * *

Can you think of other unique opportunities that every day contacts might provide in terms of sharing the Gospel? Think about this, prepare some responses of your own, and be ready to use them.

Always remember, however, no one approach is right in every situation. Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. His approach is always the right one!

Backslidden?

Today I'm studying about revival and the fact that revival is most needed when a backslidden condition is apparent.  There was a list of ways you could tell if there is a backslidden condition in your own life.  I wanted to copy it here so that I can refer to it frequently in order to check my heart and see if there is any backslidden way in my own life.  As I was studying this today there were a couple of things that stabbed at me in the present.  I hope to keep these things in mind so that I can catch myself more quickly if I start to slide again.

EVIDENCES OF A BACKSLIDDEN CONDITION

Here are some evidences of a backslidden condition. Examine your own heart and life as you study this list. You are entering into a backslidden condition...

1. When prayer ceases to be a vital part of your life. It has been said that "revival delays because prayer decays.” In New Testament times, we found men in the upper room agonizing. We now find believers in the supper room organizing.

2. When the quest for Biblical truth ceases and you become content with the knowledge you have already acquired. This is not to say backsliders do not read the Bible. Many of them have habits of dutiful devotions, but while they read the words they do not receive fresh revelation and application of the truth. The knowledge they acquire is treated as facts and not applied to their lives.

3. When thoughts about eternal things cease to be regular and/or important.

4. When you pardon your own sin with self-righteousness and by saying "the Lord knows I am just dust" or "that is the way I am.”

5. When pointed spiritual discussions are an embarrassment. For examples, discussions about things that are convicting and/or witnessing to the lost make you uncomfortable.

6. When other things like recreation, sports, and entertainment become first in your life.

7. When sin can be indulged in without protest by your conscience.

8. When aspirations of Christ-like holiness are no longer dominant in your life.

9. When the acquisition of money and goods becomes dominant in your thinking.

10. When you can hear the Lord's name taken in vain, spiritual concerns mocked, and eternal issues flippantly treated and not be moved to indignation and action.

11. When "worship" becomes a weariness. Church services lose their excitement, you can mouth religious songs and words without heart, there is no song in your heart, no praise with the ring of joy.

12. When breaches of unity in the fellowship are of no concern to you.

13. When the slightest excuse seems sufficient to keep you from Christian service.

14. When your fleshly senses are out of control: You watch degrading movies and television, listen to ungodly music, and read morally debilitating literature.

15. When you adjust happily to the world's lifestyle: For examples, unpaid debts, bankruptcy, lying, dishonesty, unkept appointments and promises, immodest styles of dress, cheating your employer of a full day's work, etc.

16. When your lack of spiritual power no longer concerns you; there is no restless yearning for more of God and His power in your life.

17. When your church has fallen into spiritual decline. Such spiritual decline is indicated by carnality. A carnal church may have...
-Equipment, but not evangelism.
-Commotion, but not creation.
-Action, but not unction.
-Rattle, but not revival.
-A dogmatic attitude, but not be dynamic for God.
Such spiritual decline is also indicated when the Word of God is no longer preached with power in your church and yet you are content.

18. When the moral, political spiritual, and economic condition of the world and your nation is of no concern to you.

19. When your heart is hard: Your tears do not flow easily, you are uncaring, abrupt, etc. You do not weep over the things which Jesus wept like a lost city, the spiritual condition of man, the sorrows of others.

20. When you have lost your spiritual strength, and do not even realize it. Revival is never more needed than when a church or individual suppose themselves victorious on the front lines of battle, but in reality all around are the scarred corpses of the victims of its backslidings.

Vampires

I haven't been around on my blog for a while.  It's not that I haven't had any "God moments", I just haven't taken the time to record them.  Today, I've been thinking about vampires.  Vampires are all the rage right now and I think a lot of it has to do with the romantic ideal of immortality.  We fear death, so we romanticize immortality.  Truth of the matter is, we are all immortal, we just won't live forever on this planet.  The big question is, will our eternity be in heaven or hell?

When someone asks Jesus into their lives, they are choosing heaven.  Some people insist that they are not choosing at all, but, in actuality, they are choosing hell.  Jesus is the only way to get to heaven.  Some will just come right out and tell you they choose hell.  Those that don't want to choose at all confuse me.  I mean, if you were going on a vacation, when you purchase your plane ticket, you know exactly where you are going.  Of course, when you purchase that ticket, you are given a date and time for your departure, but, things don't always work out that way.  Flights get delayed and even cancelled at times.  But you wouldn't put off buying the ticket because of uncertainty of travel time.  Why put off choosing your eternal destination until you think it's closer to time for your "trip"?  If you choose the things of this world over Jesus because you think you still need time to have some "fun", you are, in essence, purchasing your ticket to hell. 

As someone who once held a ticket to hell, but has now chose to walk towards heaven, I can tell you with complete assurance, it is not more fun.  When I was "having my fun", I was absolutely miserable.  Yes, there were times I thought I was on cloud nine.  There were times I thought I was having the time of my life.  But, in between, there were depressing, miserable moments that I just hated living and I was without hope.  Now, however, I have a joy that is unexplainable.  Life is so much more fun when you're not weighed down with the chains of alcohol or drug abuse.  Life is so much more fun when you're not weighed down with the chains of sin that had me bound.  There are still moments of hardship and pain.  I still have "down" days.  But, they are no longer without hope.  God has planted this peace within me, that, no matter how hard times get, I still have this peace.  I know He's in control, I know He's with me, I know everything will be ok.  I don't want to give up and die (as I did before).  I want to live, and I want to live for God.  Thank God that He spared me when I was lost in my sin and gave me a chance at a new life with Him at the center of it.  I pray for anyone that reads this, if you don't already know Christ as your savior, don't wait until it's too late.  Or, if you believe in Christ, yet you don't fully understand what I mean about His peace thru times of trials, maybe you could take a moment to see if you are fully living for Him.  Have you given Him your all?  Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect.  As much as I long to give Him my all, I fail at doing so regularly.  I'm just saying that if you don't know the peace I'm talking about, won't you please make sure you are holding the right ticket?  There are some forgeries out there that people get tangled up in.  It may look like a ticket to heaven, but it's a one way trip to hell.  Make sure you have the real thing.

Jesus is the head

Colossians 1:18 tells us "he is the head of the body, the church".  Today, I see this scripture in a new light.  Jesus is the head of the body of Christ.  The church makes up the body of Christ.  And we, the believers, are the church, so we are the body of Christ.  Now, when you think about your own body, what is the purpose of your head?  Your head cannot go anywhere by itself, it has to be carried around on top of your body.  Your body provides the feet to your head, and carries out all actions for your head.  In the same way, we have to be the feet for Jesus.  He needs our bodies to carry out His actions. 

The head is also our central communication center.  Our body only moves because our heads tell it to.  Our body is tuned into whatever our heads tell it to do.  If our head tells our body to walk to the kitchen and grab an apple, our body carries out this action perfectly.  In the same way, we need to be tuned into Jesus.  We must practice hearing Him, so that when He gives us a task to carry out, we will carry it out without giving it another thought, knowing that it's our Shepherd guiding us. 

Let us not grow weary listening to the voice of our Lord so that we can take advantage of the opportunity to put feet to our faith.  If we truly believe that He is the head and we are the body, I don't believe we would ever be content to just parking ourselves on a church pew once or twice (or maybe even three times) a week!  Let's listen to what work the Lord has for us to do each day. 

I love you, Lord.  Here I am, use me!