Blog

For July 17, 2022
Jesus Christ is our perfect role model for expressing the gifts and graces the world considers “abnormal.” As the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), we are at various stages of His exquisite model, because we don’t have His moral and spiritual perfection. (If we did, we’d have no need for Him as our Savior.)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

The book begins with Jesus instructing His Followers to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then, it tells how the Holy Spirit descended on those who were in the upper room, praying in one accord, and waiting intently for God’s manifestation. Then on the Day of Pentecost, they boldly proclaimed the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life Under the Holy Spirit’s power. This Gospel or the “Good News” of Jesus Christ spread from Jerusalem to every corner of the world.

Miraculous signs and wonders followed these Spirit-powered men and women as they shared how they encountered the living Christ personally. He was no longer dead, but alive and victoriously seated at the right hand of God. As their message “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6), they became a threat to established religions and the Roman government and encountered severe backlash. Although the world ridiculed, criticized, persecuted, beat, imprisoned, condemned, and martyred them, the Christian movement or The Way (cf. Acts 9:2; 22:4) continued to grow and flourish exponentially.

As they emulated their Perfect Role Model, the world around them quickly noticed that Jesus Christ was truly with them, and He gave them an “abnormal” response to their opposition (my emphasis),

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

Further,

So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41 (NKJV)

The First Century Followers of Christ did not retaliate by fighting back or by starting a protest campaign, as many do today. They did not evade the pressure their adversaries applied upon them, but they welcomed it wholeheartedly; rejoicing through it instead.

They did not retreat into isolation to hide from, ignore, or escape their persecutors. Nor did they conform to the demands of their adversaries by embracing unrighteous, worldly living standards. They accepted being in the world but not of it, knowing that as their Master suffered, they too would suffer, just as He forewarned them,

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:18-20 (NKJV)

They resolved to endure all things for their Savior. Standing firm in their convictions, they continued their normal, day-to-day activities, preaching, teaching, and living out their faith in Christ. Each day they grew ever more resolute about the cause of Christ, rejoicing in tribulations, being fully persuaded that whatever the outcome—good or bad—He was with them in their situation.

They were confident, and always rejoicing, because Jesus Christ is preparing a glorious eternity for all His Children in Heaven. His shed blood, bodily resurrection, and Holy Spirit seal our eternal destiny.

These truths were the core of their message that we can boast with confidence—even during times of extreme hardship—and live a victorious life on earth because Jesus Christ gives us victory,

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 (NKJV)

As if they were soldiers in the Lord’s army, they joyously faced life’s challenges. Standing tall and marching forward, they triumphed as this cherished hymn attests,

       Onward, Christian Soldiers¹
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924)

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before: Christ, the royal Master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See, His banners go.

Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod; We are not divided; All one body we, One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.

Crowns and thrones may perish, King-doms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus, Constant will remain; Gates of hell can never ‘Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ’s own promise, And that can-not fail.

Onward, then, ye people, Join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song; Glory, laud, and honor, Unto Christ the King; This thro’ countless ages Men and angels sing.

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus  Going on before.

Just like our First Century counterparts, we too have the unique opportunity  and privilege of living for Jesus Christ in ways that transforms our sin plagued world. With His Spirit living inside us, we have the power to be morally and spiritually distinct from anything the world can offer. Won’t you give your heart to the Lord, so that He can be glorified in us and through us?

What a Wonderful Savior!

For July 10, 2022
In the Book of Acts, we witness the formation of the Christian Church and the evangelistic activities of the Apostles and First Century Christians unfolding before us. It begins with the Lord telling His Followers to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5)

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on those who were in the upper room, in one accord, praying and waiting intently for God’s manifestation. Under the Holy Spirit’s power, they boldly proclaimed the Gospel, the message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. As a result, the “Good News of Jesus Christ” spread from Jerusalem to every corner of the world.

Miraculous signs and wonders followed as these Spirit-powered men and women as they shared their testimonies of having encountered the living Christ personally; He was no longer dead, but alive and victoriously seated at the right hand of God.

As their message “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6), they became a threat and encountered severe backlash from established religions and the government. Although criticized, persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, martyred, the Christian movement or The Way (cf. Acts 9:2; 22:4) continued to grow exponentially numerically while also spiritually flourishing as well.

In the face of opposition, they found that eternal peace that the Lord had promised them a few days earlier,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)

This new paradigm is forged from an extraordinary inner transformation, through the Born Again experience that finds its power and scope in our eternal connection with God where we can fully practice our faith, hope, and love to His glory and our collective benefit.

The vicarious work the Lord performed at Calvary’s Cross on our behalf inspires our humility and gratitude. He loved us and died for us when we were sinners with no desire for Him or the things of God.

We now can have the presence of His Holy Spirit within us to impart a deep abiding faith in the Lord, a hope for His promise of eternal life, and an unselfish love for God and others.

Because we are sin-tarnished, we must place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and His perfect righteousness at all times. There is no place for our self-righteousness, which will always be “filthy rags” even on our best day. (Isaiah 64:6)

When we encounter problems, God supplies us  with a peace that defies logic, as we pray and trust in Christ to resolve the issue perfectly, as the Bible teaches us (my emphasis),

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Jesus wants to give us His peace as we await His glorious return. Won’t you give Him your heart today and receive His deep, lasting, incomparable peace? Got peace today?

What a Wonderful Savior!

For July 3, 2022
In the beginning, God created Heaven and earth. Before resting, He created man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. God created the human species to be His crowning achievement by making us in His image and entrusting us to have dominion over His earthly creations,

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Genesis 1:26-28 (NIV)

Genesis 1:31 tells us God considers all His creation to be “very good!” Through His Creation, we clearly see His majesty and design in the most intricate detail to invoke our feelings of happiness, purpose, and well-being.

The Psalmist declares the Lord made us lower than the angels, crowned us with glory and honor, and He placed all things under our feet (Psalm 8:5). Truly, God has given us an amazing pedigree that is up to us to accept.

He made you and me in His image for eternal fellowship, bound by His unselfish love and complete acceptance. He wants us to experience His “very best” for us in every way—spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

We should never consider ourselves to be mistakes or afterthoughts. We are His special, unique individuals whom He has created to fulfill His perfect, eternal design for the universe. God created you and me, with all our complexity, to function according to His perfect design.

It saddens me people chose not to see themselves as God’s beloved creation; greater than Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon, Aurora Borealis, and the sun, moon, and stars combined—in His loving eyes.

Satan’s job is to confuse and distort God’s perfect plan by telling us we are flawed and worthless. He has convinced many of us we are “ugly” and/or we “won’t amount to anything.” As a result, many of us believe we will be “nothing but failures” in this life.

But these are lies, for no two of us are exactly alike by design. God created us differently, much as if the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that when assembled create a beautiful portrait of His love, redemption, and glory.

Unlike any other created being, He has given us the ability to choose a life that reflects His dignity and affect positive changes in ourselves and others. God has also given us the freedom to choose where we will spend our eternity; in Heaven with Him or in Hell separated from Him. Jesus describes Hell as a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth; where the worms never die and the fire is not quenched (Matthew 13:42, Mark 9:48).

The “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is the self-inflicted consequence of those who chose to reject Christ when they should have accepted Him in this life. For in death, atheism and agnosticism no longer exist when we stand before our Creator and Maker; instant “believers” in God’s existence, and His perfect, final judgement.

Unfortunately, there are many who have chosen to spend an eternity separated from God. They will regret not accepting the grace and mercy Jesus freely gives us through His vicarious death for our sin and resurrection for our justification. (Romans 4:25)

Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and sin and death were their punishment ,,,and ours. But Jesus Christ, the Son of God, freely chose to give up His perfect, sinless life for our sinful and imperfect ones, so that God could forgive our sins and give us His eternal, abundant life. (cf. John 3:16-17, Romans 3:23, 5:19, Ephesians 2:1-10)

Joshua in the Old Testament also made a choice. The Lord tasked him with the responsibility of providing spiritual, moral and civic leadership to a group of seventy folk who had now swelled into a massive throng of well over two million.

For 110 years, he showed an unwavering commitment to serve the Lord under Moses’ tutelage. He was with Moses at Mount Sinai when the Lord gave Moses the Law. He also helped Moses lead God’s people through the wilderness. The only families the Lord allowed from Egypt into the Promised Land were his family and Caleb’s.

Joshua chose to remain faithful to the Lord, and he and his family received their portion of the Promised Land. So committed was Joshua, that just before he dies, he offers a challenge that still inspires God’s people,

Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:14-15 (NIV)

We can choose to be living examples of God’s love and grace in the world instead of weapons for death and destruction. Won’t you choose to be God’s crowning achievements of creation and salvation by living out living out His redemptive plan? We all have a choice—choose to serve the Lord!

What a Wonderful Savior!