RSS

Tag Archives: Paul

Rejoice if you believe!

27 Dec

Rejoice if you believe!

Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

It’s “funny” sometimes how you see God working studying scripture. I have been studying Paul’s first missionary journey; how he preached with power from the Old Testament; fulfilled prophecies with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I ended up studying the first two Psalms, and in the middle of that study was how God laughed at our plans. The rulers were plotting against those of the faith; how they were going to overpower them; in the text they were even plotting against God, for they understood the union that they had. Psalm 2:3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. I cannot help but think of that timeless expression, “If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.”
Our little minds cannot understand the infinite complexities intertwined with Free Will and God’s sovereign design and control of the universe. We cannot understand how we can have the ability to float along through life wandering around his design for our life. We cannot clearly explain the most complicated doctrines in the Bible such as predestination and election. How big would our God be if we did understand these things? How big would our God be if he allowed us to understand them? Would we not puff our chest out in pride and slip into the root of all sin in that conceit? He is guarding our minds through his sovereign control. You must only have the faith to accept that.

When Paul was preaching to the Gentiles and the Jews at Antioch, only some believed. Many of the Jews spread dissension and plotted against Paul and Barnabas. Later in their journey they even stoned Paul and left him for dead outside the city; but he rose by the power of God and continued to preach the power of God and salvation found through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gentiles had begged for Paul to preach this good news to them; they were hungry to hear the word of God. Acts 13:48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. If you claim to believe in Jesus, in salvation only found in Jesus, then simply rejoice that saving faith has come to you by the grace of God. If you have an inquiring heart, but don’t yet know him, repent and believe and rejoice! That is God pursuing YOU!

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 27, 2014 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: ,

Poor vision

29 Mar

Poor vision

Philippians 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

In our study of Philippians, this week we came to the verses above that speak volumes to me. Scriptures that are near to my heart, scriptures that Paul writes with words that cannot be penned any better; nothing else matters any more. Paul had a life and a pedigree that would have elevated him in any society, and in the Jewish society he was at the top of his game. The family he was born into, right down to the top-notch education that he received; he was born for greatness. All that he pursued in the name of the church was given to him; the silver spoon as a Pharisee fed all his heart’s desires for worldly pursuits. Paul was successful by all worldly standards; it is hard to imagine the elevated position that Paul would hold today in the world and the church.

When Jesus came to Paul in a blinding light on a dirt road, Paul literally never saw the world the same again. Days later when scales fell from his eyes, he never saw his life or this life the same. In these passages above, Paul considered every single thing in his life before that encounter with Christ rubbish, trash, garbage, to be thrown away in a heap. That statement carries a weight with it that only Christ can place on your heart. That statement carries a love with it that only Christ can give. That statement carries with it a passion that nothing earthly can stir your heart to that level of desire. What matters to you most…………

We live in a society that breeds selfishness and worldly pursuits at a level that I do not know has ever been in history. We are consumed with the latest and greatest; we are driven to impress people that we do no even know; we are constantly driven to work ourselves to the bone to pay for what we cannot afford; we as a society are truly missing what Paul is preaching in this passage. I could go deep into my testimony, but it is not about me; it is about where your heart lies with Christ. We may not get the incredible transformation that Paul did, but if you reflect on what has been happening in your life, Christ has been trying to get your attention without blinding you on a dirt road.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on March 29, 2014 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: ,

Just a spot in time

20 Jan

Just a spot in time

Philippians 1:12-14    But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul was in prison, for sharing his faith. Paul was in prison, sharing his faith. Paul was in prison, and the faith of others was growing, because Paul was in prison. Most people end up with prison with the understanding they got caught doing something they were not supposed to. Many times they will throw up a false front, and begin to plea innocence and falsely accused. They seek pity parties, and cry wolf with the “why me” coming into view. They all along are playing the system to try to get their convictions reduced, or a crafty lawyer to get them aquatinted completely, so they can likely return to their lifestyles before.

Paul knew that his preaching the Gospel could end him in prison, just as the criminal should. Paul knew that he answered to only God’s call on his life, the criminal avoid God. Paul knew that the highest calling he had in his life was to spread the news of Jesus Christ that had came to rescue all mankind from sin. Christ came to provide eternal life, and prison was just as temporary as life itself. Paul summarizes his life’s focus in one short sentence in this chapter; 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Paul did not care where his feet took him for each day, each day’s journey was designed by God for a place to spread that hope that lied within Paul. Paul did not care where the Holy Spirit led him, he knew he only had to follow God’s call on his life to spread the Good News until the day he was called home.

I have a friend who’s wife is battling cancer. Many of you personally know this battle and all the struggles of life and death realities that come with it. They both are battling these realities in the strength of their relationship with the Lord. They are scared, but they are secure. They know they cannot understand God’s plans for their lives, but they know that God has a plan for their lives, and this is part of it. They are a testimony to so many that God has put in their circle of influence; just as Paul’s circle in prison to the guards, and to those in the faith that saw him endure. The closer you come to God, the clearer your understanding of life; the life that he has designed and provided you that is truly temporal, but as his child, truly eternal paradise with him awaits…..

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 20, 2014 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: ,

Tell them the truth

29 Nov

1 Corinthians 3:4-6   For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Yesterday I had a talk with someone about the some of the pastors that are so popular in our culture today. Many of them are preaching false gospels, many of them are smiling preachers that pick out what they want people to hear that will grow their wallets. We have one such preacher in our midst in Charlotte. I told him that my only prayer was that for those that come to know Christ under these ministers, that they cultivate time with God in prayer and his Word. In that time God may grant them discernment, and open the eyes and heart to the false teachings of them. Keep your eyes on the message, and not the messenger in all circumstances. I was surprised to see this as my post from one year ago today; I felt I must share it again.

Tell them the truth
2 Timothy 4:3-4   For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
“Yea, I know but the truth hurts; I don’t want to embarrass them; I don’t want to hurt their feelings.” You need to tell them. Are you a true friend? True friends tell you the hard truths about yourselves; the painful things that are ignored otherwise. I sure wish at many times looking back on my life I had true friends to rescue me from painful circumstances. We so many times think we may be protecting someone by ignoring something, when in reality we are furthering the damage. These people in your life become the only ones in your life that matter, when truth is revealed.
Paul was trying to encourage Timothy to remain true to God’s Word and His Gospel. To preach the Truth at all times. Paul was so concerned that Timothy stay grounded, he emphasized this by using the word truth 11 times in his two short letters to Timothy. There were so many false teachers of that day that could lead others astray by filling their ears with what they wanted to hear. A feel good gospel; no pain all gain. Their is power in the conviction of the Holy Spirit; a power of  conviction and repentance of sin and change. The Apostle John speaks of this power; John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
Our society, even our churches have become soft; lacking the spine to take a stand and tell the truth. . Their is pain and consequences in this world; there is a need of the power of the Holy Spirit to tell us these truths that hurt as when a true friend does. Everything is not as it seems; everything must be revealed; everything may hurt. When we come to know the truth through sound doctrine and the power of the Spirit; there is spiritual growth within us. Paul commanded Timothy to remain grounded; to preach the whole truth, not just selected pieces that make the listeners feel good about themselves and life. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. “You cannot grow in Christ without pain”, Dr. Michael Youssef said yesterday in his radio broadcast. Do you only tell others what you think they want to hear? If so are you their friend?

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 29, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: ,

Pray for your pastor(No retirement plan)

14 Nov

Pray for your pastor(No retirement plan)

2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.

What ministry was Paul talking about? He was talking about the New Testament ministry. God’s New Covenant through the work of Jesus Christ’s shedding of his sinless blood to atone for our sins. The Old Covenant was the Law, or the Ten Commandments, which pointed to our need for a Savior. Jesus came and fulfilled what the the law could not accomplish. Paul was bound by his love for Christ in preaching the Gospel to those that he had once persecuted unto death. Paul knew he was going to suffer for Christ; Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” The Lord had appeared to Ananias in a dream, and sent him to fulfill a vision that He had given Saul (Paul), of healing his eyes, restoring his sight. Paul’s ministry had began with suffering for Christ; he had been struck blind by Christ on that Damascus road.

Intensely personal, I have never been where I find myself today. I am in a place of honor and the greatest humbleness I have ever experienced. The complexity of these two emotions is hard to articulate. My testimony was one of pride, yet now I feel withdrawn from the honor; I do not want to be elevated. Yet the burden on my heart for preaching the Gospel tugs me to climb on the mountaintops and preach. Matthew 10:27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. The intensely spiritual warfare in my mind and those that are close to me is very real; elevated to a place that is painful at times for me and those that endure. Physical pains have increased, this is tangible evidence of this warfare. In all of these Satan seeks to draw my attention away from Christ; in all of these my attention seeks to draw closer to Him; all of these point to the evidence of my NEED for Him.

I humbly write this to any of you that read this: Pray for your pastors. It has taken on an entire new light in my life the pleas I have heard from them through the years. What they battle for your sake, and primarily for the spreading of the Gospel for which they have been entrusted, is a very tough ministry. They share with Christ his sufferings in many ways; yet they hopefully as Paul do not loose heart and preach the only Gospel that saves eternally until their end of days. There should be no retirement plan in ministry.

 
1 Comment

Posted by on November 14, 2013 in Daily Devotions

 

Tags: , ,