Better and Better Forever!

A friend of mine suggested that Christians should be the most joyful people on earth.  He is right, of course.  Jesus pictured His life in us (John 15) like a vine and its fruitful branches pointing out "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." 

My joy and pleasure as a young student pilot just learning to fly was to watch planes take off and land graciously.  One day in a dream I was laying by the runway of a busy airport and these huge planes were lifting off and coming in right next to me.  In my heart and mind, this was close to the greatest feeling in the whole world.  Then a small voice that I recognized spoke, "You know what is so great about your life in the Lord, it is going to get better and better forever!"

Knowing Jesus and His eternal love and peace is "my exceeding joy" (Psalm 43:4).   Nothing compares to being right with God.  Even though we may not always physically "see or feel" it, Peter describes our faith as "joy unspeakable and full of glory" leading to salvation. (1 Peter 1:8).  There is no greater joy than knowing the forgiveness and salvation of Jesus Christ.  David, after sinning with Bathsheba and then repenting, calls on God to "restore to him the joy of Your salvation."  

Jesus told us in the master and steward parable of Matthew 25 that the reward for being faithful in little was to be given much and to "enter into the joy of your Lord."  Doing the will of God or being faithful is key to be like David who stated his secret for a victorious life, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."  Psalm 16 continues by giving this truth, in Your presence is fullness of joy.  

Nehemiah 6:8 further reveals that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Jesus was able to endure the unimaginable suffering of being rejected, beaten, mocked, and crucified on the cross because of, as Hebrews 12:2 states, the joy that was set before Him.  That joy was seeing you receive forgiveness and be with Him forever.  We are called to walk in the joy of the Lord.  Abiding in Him and having the fruit of the Spirit, including joy and peace, we are able to likewise always be led in triumph through all adversities.

 It follows then, that Satan who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, wants to steal our joy.  If the enemy can get us to focus on our problems and become complainers instead of grateful servants, we become like the Israelites in the wilderness.  We become weak rather than strong overcomers.  In the Matthew 24 comments about the challenges of the end times, Jesus warns that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.  Please give your problems to the Lord with thanksgiving, as Philippians 4:6 instructs, and let Him keep your mind and heart with peace.

Watch and be wise!  Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.  You know the enemy's plans.  He wants to steal your joy so he can get you when you are weak in your own strength. However, you overcome by standing on God's faithful promises even in times of trial.  Romans 5 encourages us to even be joyful in our tribulations, which produces perseverance, character, and hope because of the love of God that the Spirit has poured into our hearts.  Likewise, Romans 8 points out that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  The Lord delights in the welfare of His servants and has made provision for us to overcome in His overcoming victory.  Be strong in the Lord.

What a glorious life.  We overcome by faith (1 John 1:5) in this life on earth and will enjoy His glorious presence and fullness of joy forever and ever in the next age.  What more could God do to give us abundant life?  It is great now by faith in His Word, and will get better and better forever because, as Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, how great God is and how excellent His power is toward us. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.  

How to Partner with God: Our Part and His Part

One of the most amazing characteristics about God and His love is that He desires to be partners with us.  In 1 John 1:3, John declares what he has seen and heard, "that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son."  A simple definition of fellowship is two fellows in one ship.  Can you imagine that the Father and Jesus are in the same boat as you? You are never alone but are partners with God in whatever you do or wherever you go.  

Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are "joint heirs" with Christ and everything He deserves for willingly laying down His life is also ours.  Hebrews 2:11 likewise points out that "He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one."  Since we have this awesome partnership, what is our part or responsibility and what does He do.

Perhaps Jesus answers this question in a simple way when He taught us how to pray. " Our Father, hallowed be Thy Name..." It is our part to hallow His name.  Webster defines to hallow as "to regard as holy, to venerate, to declare as sacred.  When we do our part which is to hallow or declare who He is in the names He has revealed, God who always was and always will be "I Am," will naturally do His part.  Amos asks "How can two walk together unless they agree?"

Notice these examples of our part by agreeing with His revealed nature in His names, and His part by replying and being that to us.  

We say Jehovah Tsidkenu, You are my righteousness        He replies, I Am

We say Jehovah M'kiddish, You are my sanctifier               He replies, I Am

We say Jehovah Shalom, You are my peace and well-being     He replies, I Am

We declare, You are my strength        He replies I Am

We say Jehovah Rapha, You are my healer      He replies, I Am

In troubles, we declare You are my deliverer     He replies I Am

We say Jehovah Rohi, the Lord is my shepherd     He replies I Am

We see patterns all through Scripture that when man does his part, we allow the I Am God to be that for us. When Israel was challenged in the wilderness by Amalek, Joshua led the army as Moses lifted his hands to God in praise.  When Moses' arms were up, Joshua and Israel prevailed, when Moses lowered his arms, Amalek prevailed.  At the Red Sea when Moses lifted up the rod of God, the great I Am parted the waters for Israel to cross on dry land.  

We have the same principle of our part and His part in overcoming the enemy.  God tells us to put on the armor of God and stand in the authority of Jesus, then the I Am God will fight for us, keeping His promises (given in 1 Peter 5:10) that He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.  Jesus gives us "all power and authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us."  Finally, this is confirmed in Revelation 12:11, we overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb (His part) and the word of our testimony (our part).   

Why does Isaiah 30:18 say God waits to be gracious to us and show us mercy?  Many are called but few are chosen.  He waits for us to respond to His invitation, to open the door.  God rewards those who diligently seek Him by being a doer of the Word.  Seek Him.  Pray, fast, give in secret. What you sow you will reap.  He waits for you to humble yourself so He can and will lift you up.                       

Choose this day to do your part to partner with God, because, as 2 Chronicles 16:9 declares, God is searching for the one whose heart is right so He can do His part which is to show His strength and might in our behalf.  The greatness of our partnership with the I Am God is shown in Ephesians which declares that His goal is to be all in all.  

    

Drop in a Bucket

How can you compare your life on earth to the time you will spend in eternity?  Have you heard the expression "a drop in a bucket?'  Better yet, compare life here as a drop of water to an everlasting life as the water in an ocean? 

If you have been to the beach or on a cruise ship it doesn't take much imagination to realize the vast amount of water that the ocean contains.  Comparing that to a drop of water from an eyedropper seems utterly ridiculous.  How does our life on earth compare to being alive forever and ever?  The truth is that the comparison is not fair; not that the drop representing our earthly life is not big enough, but rather that eternity is far greater than all the water in all the oceans of the world.

Yet many people choose to ignore or deliberately not consider what their life will be for the infinite amount of time after their years on earth.  Jesus talked about a man who prospered much and only thought about building bigger barns to store up his wealth but ignored the life of his soul.  Jesus called him foolish. 

In the business world there is a saying that failure to plan is to plan to fail.  Jesus told a parable about the wisdom of the unjust steward who, although he was not honest, at least was wise enough to plan for his future.  Jesus' comment was that the unjust steward was wiser that the sons of men.  In short, be wise enough to plan for your eternal existence. 

In my work there are people from many different cultures and religious persuasions.  Often these religious backgrounds are so ingrained that arguments to the contrary are futile.  Therefore, it is not profitable to argue religions.  The only thing that works and changes everything is Jesus showing Himself.  Therefore, my heart plea to every person is this, Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  Jesus loves each person enough to die for them, and God delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18) and forgiving sin through what His Son accomplished for you on the cross.  He paid the ultimate price for your and my sin, so it is clear He desires each one of us to enjoy the benefit.

Today there are great numbers of people who have experienced dreams and visions of Jesus which has made all the difference in their lives forever.  This is consistent with His promise that those who seek Him will find Him and that the Holy Spirit would bear witness to Jesus, as God Himself who willingly shed His own blood to wash every heart clean.  Jesus promised in Luke 12:32 that it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  The kingdom that Jesus died to give you is defined as "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17) 

There is no substitute for knowing God.  Jesus, praying to His Father in John 17:3, said that "this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."  Furthermore, He promises that "he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:21)\.  Jesus will show Himself to you, who He really is, if you honestly ask.

Eternity is a long, long time, actually forever.  Nothing compares to knowing God and Jesus whom He sent so you will forever enjoy His goodness and love in the coming age.  Life here is a drop in a bucket, well actually less than a drop of water compared to the whole ocean of eternity.  Knowing Jesus and His awesome love for you is His gift that lasts forever.  So as the commercial expression goes, "Don't leave home without it."  

What do you have to lose?  If Jesus is not real, then nothing will happen.  However, if Jesus is real, by asking you open the door for Him to show you who He really is and how much you are loved forever and ever.  Let me repeat my deepest request that will make all the difference, not only in the drop of water that this earthly life is, but forever in the vast ocean of life that goes on forever.  Ask Jesus to show Himself to you.  

He is Faithful

 A young worship leader Matthew (named changed) and his wife Alice (also changed name) were excited with the expectancy of their first baby.  Perhaps Dad was a little overzealous as a "proud papa" with plans to videotape and stream the coming birth to family and friends.  However, the week that the baby was due, she miscarried and the baby was stillborn. 

The next morning Matthew was scheduled to lead worship.  Understandably, as students gathered for worship the rumor mill spread the news quickly that they had lost the baby.  There was a holy hush of emotion and compassion that settled over the student body as Matthew came out to lead.  Matthew took a moment to catch his breath, looked out at the students who sensed his hurt, and simply said, "As you may know, we lost our baby last night."  He paused for a second, then said, "God is faithful, let's worship Him."

Clearly the time we need to realize God's faithfulness is in the hard times.  1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful even in challenging trials, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it." His faithfulness will provide the grace to go through the trial and also show us how to overcome it.

One of God's eternal qualities is His faithfulness.  Faithfulness is defined by Webster as "loyal, steadfast, not changing, unswerving adherence to an oath or promise.  Numbers 23:19 declares how and why we can know He is faithful, "God is not a man that He should lie." This truth is further defined in Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He"  

The testimony of Moses, repeated by Joshua and Solomon, is that not one word has failed of all the good things God had promised.  (Joshua 23:14, 1 Kings 8:56)   Jesus, who is the exact image of the Father. also continues to show the faithful nature of God, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)  God is faithful to keep His promises.  

In His faithfulness, He has promised awesome benefits to us.  First, in 1 Corinthians 1:9, it states that God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Fellowship may be simply defined as two fellows being in the same ship.  We are joined to Jesus, He in us and we are in Him.  Eternal life is described by Jesus as "knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent."

He is a faithful God who promises that blessed are those who wait for His help, according to Isaiah 30:18. His faithfulness reaches to the skies, according to Psalm 36:5.  Because Jesus has paid the punishment for all our sins shedding His blood on the cross, 1 John 1:9 points out that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  Jesus is the Lamb who was slain for the sins of the world, so He can transfer His righteousness and overcoming power to those who come to Him.  Even if we have times of being unfaithful, He remains faithful, because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).  

1 Corinthians 4:2 calls us servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be faithful.  He who is faithful in little will be given much, and he who is not faithful in little will also not be entrusted with much.  He clearly is looking for the faithful and wise servant that He can reward.  We are called to "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer" in Romans 12:12.  Finally in Revelation a more severe test is applied that confirms His faithfulness, "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."  Enter into the joy of your Father, good and faithful servant.  Jesus is always faithful to keep His promises and reward those who are faithful and diligently seek Him.

Fills My Mouth with Good Things

Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits...who fills my mouth with good things so that my youth is restored like the eagles. 

Psalm 103:1-5  God also declares He has forgiven all our iniquities, healed all our diseases, redeemed our lives from hell, and crowned us with His steadfast love and mercy.  However, the next "benefit" is different in that it requires our participation.  He may "fill our mouths" but it is up to us to speak these good things. This is much like the expression, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

2 Corinthians 4:13 states that since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke" we also believe and therefore speak.  We believe Jesus has overcome sin, sickness, the devil, and death.  Then we bring this overcoming power into our lives by saying it with our mouths.  It is one thing to hear the Word of God, but another to make it ours by declaring this truth

Consider what words you usually declare.  If there was a recording of all your words from the past 24 hours, would it sound positive like hope and joy or would it be doubt and fear and defeat?  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, according to Jesus in Luke 6:45, so our words reveal what is in our hearts.  Have you ever noticed what comes out of your mouth in emergency situations?  It is often something we didn’t even realize was in our heart.  Yet God has given us a new heart and now renews our mind with His truth and ways so we can become His mouthpiece on the earth. 

As we declare His truth, we allow the Holy Spirit to confirm our words with His power.  Our youth or life is renewed like the eagles.  Just as an eagle soars and is lifted up effortlessly by the wind, so our bodies are renewed by the breath of God.  

Beyond our personal benefit, God's plan is also for "His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven," which is how Jesus told us to pray.  Peter goes so far (1 Peter 4:11) as to say that we who speak are the oracle or mouthpiece of God.  Just as God spoke creation into existence with words, "Let there be light" and so forth, this same principle of power is declared in our spoken words, according to Proverbs 18:21, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue."  Amos 3:8 exhorts all those who hear God to speak what we hear, "The Lord has spoken, who can but prophesy?"  Prophecy is hearing from God and then speaking the message our loud to establish it on the earth. 

The bottom line is "It is finished."  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, has finished or completed the work of restoring all that mankind has lost through sin and now reigns as King.  We agree with God's Word and use His kingly authority to overcome anything and everything that does not submit to His rule.  Therefore, Romans 5:17 can boldly say "all those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and speak the good things from God's Word to renew your youth like the eagles!   

Do You Fit In?

"I was so embarrassed and ashamed when you prayed out loud at the restaurant, everybody was watching." said my guest.  

My response was simply, "I was so embarrassed and ashamed that you would receive what God has given and not even take a moment to give thanks." 

These contrary viewpoints demonstrate whether we are more concerned about "fitting in" to what people may think or more aware of doing all to please God.  When we accept who Jesus is and what He has done (John 1:12) we became children of God.  We become new creatures who are born of God and now share divine nature; the old fleshly person of the earth is crucified with Christ and has passed away. 

In a discussion with the Jews, Jesus pointed out that He was from above and not of this world.  Jesus said they were from below and of this world.  (John 8:23) Notice the complete difference.  As children of God, we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into His glorious light of Jesus Himself.  Ephesians 2:6 declares we have been raised with Jesus Christ and are seated with Him at the right hand of the Father.  Verse 19 further points out that we are now fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God.  In short, we are not of this world anymore, but just His ambassadors that happen to still live in it.  

Obviously, the Holy Spirit did this in us and for us when we were born again.  However, Paul reminds us in Romans 12:1-2 that it is up to us to choose to live in this Spirit-given heavenly position rather than continue in our fleshly body and mind like the world. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Choosing to receive and obey God's Word changes our thinking and our ability to please God.

In the Gospels, Jesus calls us the light of the world and the salt of the earth.  However, He points out that if salt loses its flavor, it is worthless and only good for being trampled on the ground.   Jesus, according to Hebrews 13:12, suffered "outside" the gate.  Then verse 13 follows, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach."  Because of His willingness to bear our sin and shame, we cheerfully respond by not being ashamed to represent Him in a darkened and sinful world.  

Finally, 1 Peter 2:9 calls us "a peculiar people."  Part of the privilege of being a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" is that we are willing to be different from the world.  The purpose given is that we may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Paul in Ephesians 1:12 re-enforces this truth stating that we should live "for the praise of His glory."

Today the tendency or temptation is to be acceptable to society and worldly standards rather than being a light in the darkness.  Even many Spirit-filled churches talk only about Jesus' love but tone down the message of Jesus about eternal judgment, repentance, immorality, hell, casting out demons, or praying in tongues in order to be "user friendly" to the world rather than being true to God and His word. Yet many of these doctrines, according to Hebrews 6 are foundational to Christian maturity and obedience to God. Jesus warned "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."  The critical truth is that our choice has eternal consequences. 

So fit in or please God.  You choose.  

 

Life from Death

 The greatest event in the history of mankind is the resurrected life of Jesus given to man from the death of Jesus.  The question is do we believe this and do we understand that this amazing power is still active today.  

The perfect plan and awesome power of God is manifested in His transforming death in the flesh to give His eternal life to us.  In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus proclaimed this principle, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily (to die on), and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake with save it."  We are called on to believe in His death and resurrection, not just as a Jesus spectator, but as one who follows Jesus through believing faith that this principle also works in us.  God does not change and His Word is everlasting.

 "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain," according to Jesus. (John 12:24)   Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:9-11, likewise states that we are "always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Most of us desire with all our hearts (at least I do!) that Jesus' life and power would be openly shown in and through me, but how do we allow this to happen?  Jackie Pullinger, missionary to drug addicts, prostitutes, and gang members in the walled city of Hong Kong, captures the answer with this phrase: "The Gospel always gives life to the receiver and death to the giver."  There is a cost.

  Jesus says to count the cost. Paul adds depth to this statement by sharing the horrendous cost that he paid through beatings, shipwreck, persecutions, and even death, as "light sufferings" not worthy to be compared to the "eternal weight of glory that is to be revealed in us."  However, more important and more compelling than the reward is the truth that Jesus, the Lamb of God, who gave His life for us is worthy of all we have to give.  If He willingly paid the ultimate price for all our sins, doesn't He deserve our willingness to give what and who we are?  God loves a cheerful giver.

 We must look in the mirror of God's Word to compare our life here on earth to eternity. "For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)  How does a drop of water compare to a vast Pacific Ocean of water?  In short, no amount of time compares to being alive forever and ever.  Live your life from an eternal perspective.  

Therefore, in the words of Jim Elliot, missionary speared to death trying to give the Gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us "to will and to work for His good pleasure," by believing and applying this truth, life from death, by laying down our lives and making whatever sacrifice is necessary to share the message of Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb to receive the reward for which He died. Jesus is worthy of it all.