Do you ever come across people who are hurting but give the impression that everything is alright? I’m sure you have, we all have. Maybe you are one of those who give the impression that everything is alright. But the fact of the matter is everyone has some need in their life that needs to be filled, needs that need to be taken care of. We all need to look at people and try to look beyond that outward appearance to what is lying behind their eyes. We need to look and ask ourselves what we think their needs are.
It seems as if though there are more stressors today than ever before. Stress is an emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition of mind which occurs in response to adverse external influences. People react to stress in many different ways. It is not the intent of this paper to explore all aspects of stress and how to handle it. Rather my intent is to touch on a few issues and try to give you a couple of resources that may be helpful. For more information on stress, please visit the American Psychological Associations web page on stress.
With the economy in the state that it is in, people are struggling just to make ends meet. This provides a tremendous amount of stress on a person. There’s a multitude of resources available to help people manage their money better, to help them get out of debt, and to help them with their overall financial resources. Crown Financial Ministries is an excellent starting point. You can also visit Emmaus Road Christian Store for other resources.
Many people today are dabbling in sin. They are playing around with alcohol, pornography, drugs. These are addictions that yes, even Christians can be involved it. The Holy Spirit convicts us when we do this but Satan is right there telling us that it is alright because everyone else is doing it, one time will not hurt us, and who will know, no one will find out. If you are a person with such an addiction, take heart, there is help available. You many want to obtain a copy of the Life Recovery Bible. It is based on the 12 step recovery model. Where some programs tell you to get in touch with a Higher Power and let you decide what that Higher Power should be, the Life Recovery Bible will tell you that the Higher Power and the true source of healing is God himself.
Perhaps the greatest stressor of all is the death of a loved one whether it is a parent, spouse or child. A person just doesn’t know what it is like until you actually go through the loss of a loved one. Many great books and resources are available for those who are going through the grieving process.
So what do you see when you look at someone? Do you look deep, beyond the exterior into what is on the inside? You shouldn’t do this to meddle, to be nosey or to look down on someone. You should ask God to place someone in front of you and give you the grace to look inside of them with the questions, “What is their need” and “How can I help them?”
For those who are Christians and believe what is written in the Bible, Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29 "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." This is a promise of God. It is impossible for him to lie, therefore, since he said what he said then he will deliver. Many times our job is to simply let others know of Gods promises and his guarantees.
When we are around people we need to ask God to open our eyes to what their needs are and what we must do to fill those needs. God may just use you to answer another person’s prayer. We must be the “Good Samaritan” that Jesus tells about in the gospels. We must store up treasures in heaven and not be so concerned about what we have here on this earth. God may be calling you to fill a need of someone. By helping you are storing up in heaven your treasures. In Matthews gospel, the people said to Jesus, when did we see you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you something to drink naked and clothed you or in prison and came to visit you? Jesus’ response was “what you’ve done to the least of these, you’ve done it to me.
Open your eyes. Have the eyes of Jesus!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Virgin Conception
According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, a prophet is one who speaks forth or openly, a proclaimer of a divine message. In the Septuagint a prophet is referred to a seer. In general, the prophet was one upon whom the spirit of God rested, one to whom and through whom God speaks. In the Old Testament if it is determined that a person is a false prophet, one that tried to sway the people away from God, the penalty for such is death (Deuteronomy 13). Therefore it was of great importance to the prophet to be real.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah lived during the time of several kings. One such godless king was Ahaz. Ahaz did not trust in the God of his fathers, the great God Jehovah. Rather, Ahaz trusted in himself and his power. King Ahaz placed his trust in his army and the alliance he made with the Assyrians. Isaiah told the people not to place their trust in man but in God. Why do we test the patience of God? King Ahaz did, the people of Judah did. Isaiah told them that God would give them a sign.
The sign that God would give will come in three parts. Isaiah records in Isaiah 7:14 that a virgin would be with child, pregnant. This women, will be a virgin, young yes, unmarried yes, a virgin, yes. God does this to show his mighty power. This woman would not be any woman but rather a virgin. Matthew 1:23 records her in the Greek as being a virgin. Next God tells us that this child will be a son and his name will call him Immanuel. Immanuel, God with us. The birth of a son, to a virgin, only God can do that.
Neither Isaiah not Matthew really understood the significance of the virgin birth. Isaiah prophesied it; Matthew records the fulfillment of it. Today we know of the reason for the virgin birth, to escape the curse of the original sin of Adam and Eve. Why did Isaiah tell King Ahaz about this virgin birth, the son and his name being Immanuel? King Ahaz had to be reminded by God to trust him, to let him know that God has not abandoned his people, and that he is still with them.
About 750 years after Isaiah gives this particular prophecy it is fulfilled. In Luke 1:30 it is recorded that an angel appeared to a virgin named Mary. The angel told Mary not to be afraid and that she has found favor with God. Wow! To know that you have been visited by an angel and to be told that you have been found with favor or grace with God is nothing less that wow! An angel is a messenger from God. This angle tells Mary that she will be with child, she will give birth to a son and she will give him the name Jesus. Sound familiar? Isaiah prophesied it, Mary is living it. Mary is young, unmarried (though engaged), still living at home. What will the family say? What will the neighbors say? What will Joseph say, what will he do? Mary then understands, his name will be Jesus. Jesus is the New Testament name for Joshua, “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh will save.” What can be said but “WOW!”
In Mary’s confusion, the angel explains that her son will be called the “Son of the Most High.” This “Most High” is none other than the “Most High,” God himself. Her son will fulfill all prophecy concerning the deliverer, he will be of the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. How long is forever? That‘s how long he will reign. Mary, being still confused, knowing of her virginity asked the angel how this will happen. The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the “Most High” will overshadow her. The baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God! This event will be miraculous. There will be no sexual contact between Mary and God or any other being, but rather the impregnation will be supernatural, an impregnation only God could perform, outside the normal laws of nature.
Mary doesn’t ask for any further proof, no other evidence is needed on the part of Mary but the angel gives her one other sign. Her cousin Elizabeth, who never had a child, who is now old, is now pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God. What is impossible with man is possible with God! God is a God of possibilities. When all seems lost, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, when the whole world is against you, God will take you through because nothing is impossible with God. Old age and becoming pregnant, a virgin and becoming pregnant, it doesn’t matter because nothing is impossible with God. Mary believed the angels and confirms it by saying that she is a servant of the Lord.
God spoke through Isaiah telling King Ahaz and all the people that God has never left them and that he never will. Sometimes in life we may wonder where God is but we must always remember his promise. Just as he promised King Ahaz,, just as he promised Mary he also promises us. The angel told Mary that nothing was impossible with God. God said that he would never leave us nor would he forsake us. In other words, God is always with us and he will never turn his back on us.
For more resources giving evidence to what is written above, please visit and support Emmaus Road Christian Store.
The Old Testament prophet Isaiah lived during the time of several kings. One such godless king was Ahaz. Ahaz did not trust in the God of his fathers, the great God Jehovah. Rather, Ahaz trusted in himself and his power. King Ahaz placed his trust in his army and the alliance he made with the Assyrians. Isaiah told the people not to place their trust in man but in God. Why do we test the patience of God? King Ahaz did, the people of Judah did. Isaiah told them that God would give them a sign.
The sign that God would give will come in three parts. Isaiah records in Isaiah 7:14 that a virgin would be with child, pregnant. This women, will be a virgin, young yes, unmarried yes, a virgin, yes. God does this to show his mighty power. This woman would not be any woman but rather a virgin. Matthew 1:23 records her in the Greek as being a virgin. Next God tells us that this child will be a son and his name will call him Immanuel. Immanuel, God with us. The birth of a son, to a virgin, only God can do that.
Neither Isaiah not Matthew really understood the significance of the virgin birth. Isaiah prophesied it; Matthew records the fulfillment of it. Today we know of the reason for the virgin birth, to escape the curse of the original sin of Adam and Eve. Why did Isaiah tell King Ahaz about this virgin birth, the son and his name being Immanuel? King Ahaz had to be reminded by God to trust him, to let him know that God has not abandoned his people, and that he is still with them.
About 750 years after Isaiah gives this particular prophecy it is fulfilled. In Luke 1:30 it is recorded that an angel appeared to a virgin named Mary. The angel told Mary not to be afraid and that she has found favor with God. Wow! To know that you have been visited by an angel and to be told that you have been found with favor or grace with God is nothing less that wow! An angel is a messenger from God. This angle tells Mary that she will be with child, she will give birth to a son and she will give him the name Jesus. Sound familiar? Isaiah prophesied it, Mary is living it. Mary is young, unmarried (though engaged), still living at home. What will the family say? What will the neighbors say? What will Joseph say, what will he do? Mary then understands, his name will be Jesus. Jesus is the New Testament name for Joshua, “Yahweh is salvation” or “Yahweh will save.” What can be said but “WOW!”
In Mary’s confusion, the angel explains that her son will be called the “Son of the Most High.” This “Most High” is none other than the “Most High,” God himself. Her son will fulfill all prophecy concerning the deliverer, he will be of the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. How long is forever? That‘s how long he will reign. Mary, being still confused, knowing of her virginity asked the angel how this will happen. The angel explains that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of the “Most High” will overshadow her. The baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God! This event will be miraculous. There will be no sexual contact between Mary and God or any other being, but rather the impregnation will be supernatural, an impregnation only God could perform, outside the normal laws of nature.
Mary doesn’t ask for any further proof, no other evidence is needed on the part of Mary but the angel gives her one other sign. Her cousin Elizabeth, who never had a child, who is now old, is now pregnant. Nothing is impossible with God. What is impossible with man is possible with God! God is a God of possibilities. When all seems lost, there is no light at the end of the tunnel, when the whole world is against you, God will take you through because nothing is impossible with God. Old age and becoming pregnant, a virgin and becoming pregnant, it doesn’t matter because nothing is impossible with God. Mary believed the angels and confirms it by saying that she is a servant of the Lord.
God spoke through Isaiah telling King Ahaz and all the people that God has never left them and that he never will. Sometimes in life we may wonder where God is but we must always remember his promise. Just as he promised King Ahaz,, just as he promised Mary he also promises us. The angel told Mary that nothing was impossible with God. God said that he would never leave us nor would he forsake us. In other words, God is always with us and he will never turn his back on us.
For more resources giving evidence to what is written above, please visit and support Emmaus Road Christian Store.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Making a Marriage Last
I was reminiscing with myself today about my life and the many years of marriage to the love of my life. I related my life with my wife to that of a car. Whenever you buy a new car, and it doesn’t matter if it is a luxury automobile, a sports car or an economy car it seems as if though the car was made for speed. It had a lot of pep and could accelerate quickly when you need to pass those slower cars. When you buy a new car you make special effort to take care of the car. Perhaps you wash it every week, wax it once a month, park away from other cars in the parking lot and take special care of it. Isn’t that how we treat our spouses when we first get married?
One thing for sure, new cars don’t stay new. As time goes by you are sure to encounter a few speed bumps along the way. It seems as if though every time you go across one of those bumps nothing good happens to your car. The next thing you know is you have a noise or a squeak or perhaps a rattle in the front end. If you don’t take the time to fix whatever the noise, squeak or rattle is, one thing is for certain, they won’t fix themselves. In marriage we will often encounter speed bumps and like our automobile, if we don’t take the time to fix it, it will not fix itself. There are many things that get broke in a marriage. Things that cause marital problems; money, trust, lying, working to much, not working enough, not trying to keep yourself attractive to your spouse, to name a few. Sometimes the fix may be the two of you sitting down together and talking things through, sometimes it may be receiving professional counseling. For sure, if you are to get back on the road you need to fix what is broken.
Have you ever traveled down a country road and found your car driving in a rut in the road? Maybe the rut is in the winter and you are in the tracks of other cars. Have you ever tried to steer your car out of the ruts in the road? It can be done, you can do it but it is not easy. Sometimes when we get out of the rut we slip and find ourselves right back in the rut trying to fight our way out again. Yes, couples have a tendency of getting in the ruts. We take our spouses for granite expecting them to do everything for us and never doing for them. It may be that as a couple you do the same thing everyday, week month and year. You are very predictable. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that but you must be cautious, especially is one and not the other feels as it though they are in a rut. When one is in the rut and the other is not, eyes start to wonder, thoughts start to form. Like the speed bump that creates noises, squeaks and rattles and not being tended to, so too if you don’t make any efforts to get out of the ruts problems are sure to develop. The tires wear on the car, the muffler gets pulled off, the excitement is taken out of the marriage.
How long after you purchased your new car was it before you had a scratch or dent put on it? No matter how far away you park from other cars you always end up with a dent or two, a scratch or two. A lot of the scratches and dents can be covered up of fixed by simply buffing it out. Other times you have to take your car to a body shop for repair. You can drive the car with dents and scratches but the car just doesn’t have the look that is use to. Eventually, if you don’t have the dents and scratches taken care of, the car will rust. Sometimes marriages get a few dents and scratches. Sometimes it takes only a little bit of buffing, other times it takes going to the body shop. You can be certain, if you don’t take care of the dents and scratches, your marriage will rust.
We don’t always buy a car right off the showroom floor. Sometimes we buy cars that are used. Sometimes we buy cars that have been wrecked or have been damaged. We still take pride in them and do our very best to make them the best car possible. People who marry may also be used. The person may have been wrecked or damaged. Are you going to treat your spouse as if they are wrecked or damaged or are you going to treat them with special honor?
Getting married is easy. Maintaining your marriage is not. Marriages will go through many trials, tribulations and yes, even temptations. Making your marriage work takes a lot of work and a setting of your priorities, making your marriage priority one. When I say priority one I say this in light of your faith in God. I read a book written by Gayle Sayers many years ago entitled “I am Third.” In it he said that God is number 1, family and friends are number 2. That is how it should be, is it that way for you?
Gary Chapman wrote in his book The Five Love Languages the five languages of love. There is no one love language that works for everyone, we are all different. In his book he listed the following love languages; words of affirmation, gifts, act of service, quality time and physical touch. Do you know what your spouses love language is? If not, may I encourage you to find out what it is and then use it. The book can be purchased at Emmaus Road Christian Store for only $13.49
One thing for sure, new cars don’t stay new. As time goes by you are sure to encounter a few speed bumps along the way. It seems as if though every time you go across one of those bumps nothing good happens to your car. The next thing you know is you have a noise or a squeak or perhaps a rattle in the front end. If you don’t take the time to fix whatever the noise, squeak or rattle is, one thing is for certain, they won’t fix themselves. In marriage we will often encounter speed bumps and like our automobile, if we don’t take the time to fix it, it will not fix itself. There are many things that get broke in a marriage. Things that cause marital problems; money, trust, lying, working to much, not working enough, not trying to keep yourself attractive to your spouse, to name a few. Sometimes the fix may be the two of you sitting down together and talking things through, sometimes it may be receiving professional counseling. For sure, if you are to get back on the road you need to fix what is broken.
Have you ever traveled down a country road and found your car driving in a rut in the road? Maybe the rut is in the winter and you are in the tracks of other cars. Have you ever tried to steer your car out of the ruts in the road? It can be done, you can do it but it is not easy. Sometimes when we get out of the rut we slip and find ourselves right back in the rut trying to fight our way out again. Yes, couples have a tendency of getting in the ruts. We take our spouses for granite expecting them to do everything for us and never doing for them. It may be that as a couple you do the same thing everyday, week month and year. You are very predictable. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that but you must be cautious, especially is one and not the other feels as it though they are in a rut. When one is in the rut and the other is not, eyes start to wonder, thoughts start to form. Like the speed bump that creates noises, squeaks and rattles and not being tended to, so too if you don’t make any efforts to get out of the ruts problems are sure to develop. The tires wear on the car, the muffler gets pulled off, the excitement is taken out of the marriage.
How long after you purchased your new car was it before you had a scratch or dent put on it? No matter how far away you park from other cars you always end up with a dent or two, a scratch or two. A lot of the scratches and dents can be covered up of fixed by simply buffing it out. Other times you have to take your car to a body shop for repair. You can drive the car with dents and scratches but the car just doesn’t have the look that is use to. Eventually, if you don’t have the dents and scratches taken care of, the car will rust. Sometimes marriages get a few dents and scratches. Sometimes it takes only a little bit of buffing, other times it takes going to the body shop. You can be certain, if you don’t take care of the dents and scratches, your marriage will rust.
We don’t always buy a car right off the showroom floor. Sometimes we buy cars that are used. Sometimes we buy cars that have been wrecked or have been damaged. We still take pride in them and do our very best to make them the best car possible. People who marry may also be used. The person may have been wrecked or damaged. Are you going to treat your spouse as if they are wrecked or damaged or are you going to treat them with special honor?
Getting married is easy. Maintaining your marriage is not. Marriages will go through many trials, tribulations and yes, even temptations. Making your marriage work takes a lot of work and a setting of your priorities, making your marriage priority one. When I say priority one I say this in light of your faith in God. I read a book written by Gayle Sayers many years ago entitled “I am Third.” In it he said that God is number 1, family and friends are number 2. That is how it should be, is it that way for you?
Gary Chapman wrote in his book The Five Love Languages the five languages of love. There is no one love language that works for everyone, we are all different. In his book he listed the following love languages; words of affirmation, gifts, act of service, quality time and physical touch. Do you know what your spouses love language is? If not, may I encourage you to find out what it is and then use it. The book can be purchased at Emmaus Road Christian Store for only $13.49
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Excited About My Faith!
If you sit in the middle of any football stadium, basketball arena, baseball ballpark, stock car track or ice hockey arena you will quickly observe the excitement (and possibly get caught up in it) of everyone in attendance. And that’s ok, it’s ok to get excited when you attend these type of events. You can get excited and nobody will think of you as a quack. Try the same thing in your local church and you may very well be thrown out. People will look at you and wonder where in the world did you come from? Do you agree?
As Christians we must get excited about our faith. Have you ever watched “Winnie the Pooh?” Do you remember Eeyore and how negative both Winnie and Eeyore were? Many, if not most of those sitting in church pews today are just like that. They say, “oh yes, here we are today. Things are nice.” Picture Eeyore saying this in his pessimistic, negative voice. Yes, this is how way too many Christians worship God. Sad indeed, football ok, baseball ok, basketball ok, hockey ok, but not in church.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58 it says that the work we do for the Lord is not done in vain. What this is saying is that we must get enthusiastic in our faith, enthusiastic in our worship. Why do athletes celebrate so much after someone does something “great?” They have a great amount of enthusiasm for what happened. They believe in themselves, they believe in what they are doing. Do you believe in what you are doing?
If you really believe in what you are doing, if you are really sold out in what you believe, then you need to conduct yourself accordingly. This means telling others about what you believe in. This means being a witness for the One who saved you. 1 Peter 1:3 says that we are to have a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We need to act like we have a lively hope. Before you became a believer in Jesus Christ you had absolutely no hope. Now, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we do have hope, and not just hope but a lively hope. Can you get excited about your lively hope?
When you let the world know you are a believer and you have this lively hope, I promise you that you will also have persecution. Persecution comes to those who tell the world about the hope that they have. 1 Peter 1:6 tells us that we are to greatly rejoice in times of trouble. Troubles will come. No one who claims hope in Jesus is exempt from troubles. Jesus also tells us that we will have troubles, but He has overcome the world. Where’s your hope? Peter tells us that we are to not only rejoice but to greatly rejoice. What are we to greatly rejoice in? God is our salvation.
Have you tasted the goodness of God? Have you come to the realization that God is good, all the time? Do something about it. Today, tomorrow, let someone know of God’s goodness.
God has chosen you. You are a child of not just a king but the King of all kings. Do you act as such? When was the last time you told someone who has not been adopted into the family of God that they too can be the King’s kid. When someone asks you about the hope you have within you, are you ready to give an answer? We are told to do so. We are not to speak arrogantly or act with haughtiness but rather speak with meekness and fear, gentleness and respect.
Have the same excitement about your salvation as you have in cheering on your favorite sports team. Try showing your excitement in church. A cold in contagious, the flu is contagious, poison ivy is contagious, your excitement in church can also be contagious. Try it, you’ll like it!
For more resources please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store
As Christians we must get excited about our faith. Have you ever watched “Winnie the Pooh?” Do you remember Eeyore and how negative both Winnie and Eeyore were? Many, if not most of those sitting in church pews today are just like that. They say, “oh yes, here we are today. Things are nice.” Picture Eeyore saying this in his pessimistic, negative voice. Yes, this is how way too many Christians worship God. Sad indeed, football ok, baseball ok, basketball ok, hockey ok, but not in church.
In 1 Corinthians 15:58 it says that the work we do for the Lord is not done in vain. What this is saying is that we must get enthusiastic in our faith, enthusiastic in our worship. Why do athletes celebrate so much after someone does something “great?” They have a great amount of enthusiasm for what happened. They believe in themselves, they believe in what they are doing. Do you believe in what you are doing?
If you really believe in what you are doing, if you are really sold out in what you believe, then you need to conduct yourself accordingly. This means telling others about what you believe in. This means being a witness for the One who saved you. 1 Peter 1:3 says that we are to have a lively hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We need to act like we have a lively hope. Before you became a believer in Jesus Christ you had absolutely no hope. Now, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ we do have hope, and not just hope but a lively hope. Can you get excited about your lively hope?
When you let the world know you are a believer and you have this lively hope, I promise you that you will also have persecution. Persecution comes to those who tell the world about the hope that they have. 1 Peter 1:6 tells us that we are to greatly rejoice in times of trouble. Troubles will come. No one who claims hope in Jesus is exempt from troubles. Jesus also tells us that we will have troubles, but He has overcome the world. Where’s your hope? Peter tells us that we are to not only rejoice but to greatly rejoice. What are we to greatly rejoice in? God is our salvation.
Have you tasted the goodness of God? Have you come to the realization that God is good, all the time? Do something about it. Today, tomorrow, let someone know of God’s goodness.
God has chosen you. You are a child of not just a king but the King of all kings. Do you act as such? When was the last time you told someone who has not been adopted into the family of God that they too can be the King’s kid. When someone asks you about the hope you have within you, are you ready to give an answer? We are told to do so. We are not to speak arrogantly or act with haughtiness but rather speak with meekness and fear, gentleness and respect.
Have the same excitement about your salvation as you have in cheering on your favorite sports team. Try showing your excitement in church. A cold in contagious, the flu is contagious, poison ivy is contagious, your excitement in church can also be contagious. Try it, you’ll like it!
For more resources please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Fasting God's Way
In scripture, the only time the Jews were required to fast was on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:31). This was a day the man is reconciled back to God. Fasting is more than abstaining from eating food. A fast could be giving up something that the body craves but for simplicity sake, let’s keep with abstaining from food. During the time of fast you should spend a great deal of time in the scriptures and in prayer. I have found in my own personal situation that I am unable to fast when I have a busy schedule ahead of me. For me, I must dedicate the day(s) to God for the fast.
There were other times that people in the scriptures fasted. I have listed four (4) times when people would fast.
They would fast during a Time of Mourning. In 2 Samuel 1:12 David and his men fasted upon hearing of the death of King Saul. Nehemiah records in 1:4 that upon hearing of the conditions in his home country of Jerusalem, he fasted prayed. 2 Samuel 12:16 David fasted for several days because his son became critically ill.
The people would fast during a Time of Sorrow for Turning Away from God and Following Pagan gods. We read in 1 Samuel 7:6 where Israel repented for following after other gods, they fasted and repented. Jonah 3:5 records that the people of Nineveh upon hearing Jonah’s prophecy put on sackcloth covered themselves with ashes and fasted. During the Nehemiah’s governorship Nehemiah (9:1), the Israelites came together fasting, and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads, confessing their sins.
The people would fast during a Time for Salvation from God. 2 Chronicles 20: records how King Jehoshaphat called for national time of fasting for all of Judah because they were being invaded by foreign nations. God saw their fast, heard their prayers and delivered them. Likewise God spoke to the prophet Joel (Joel 2:12-13) calling for a fast to restore then from destruction. "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Queen Esther called for all the Jews to fast in preparations of her going before the king and Jesus told how his disciples would fast when he is gone.
Most people when they feel a tugging by the Holy Spirit to enter into a ministry they pray about it, have others pray about it and then heed God’s calling. May I suggest that you fast when you feel a Time of Calling from God? Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights when he was on the mountain with God receiving the commandments of God. Prior to Jesus beginning his earthly ministry, he fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Upon Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus he fasted and prayed for three days before Ananias came and placed his hands on him. At Antioch (Acts 13:1) the followers were worshipping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work in which they were called to. In Acts 14 tells about the setting aside of elders and when they did so they prayed and fasted.
These are just a few examples that there even though fast was only required once per year, people fasted at other times giving us scriptural backing of the need for fasting.
There are times when a fast is wrong.
The first is To Be Seen of Men. Matthew 6:16-18 “Don’t be like the hypocrites who look somber or gloomy to be noticed by men, but Jesus said to put oil on your head and wash your face and not to be noticed of man but rather of the Father. What the Father sees you do in secret he will reward you openly for.” In the Parable of the Pharisee recorded in Luke 18, The Pharisee brags to God about who he isn’t (a robber, a person who does evil or and adulterer, not even like the tax collector) what he does, i.e. I fast twice a week and I tithe. He who exalts himself, God will humble. Jesus tells them that they have their reward.
Fasting is wrong when you do it Because of Tradition. In Jeremiah 14 the land was devastated and the people confessed their sins to God but didn’t repent of them. God told them that there fasting was of no avail. He would destroy them. You would have thought they would have learned form history that God is not a good luck charm, i.e. placing the ark in front of the battle only to lose it to the Philistines. Isaiah 58 tells of the people fasting but God not honoring their fast. They were being religious towards God and not relational with Him.
Fasting does not make you right with God. Fasting does not impress God. To be effective in you fast, you must be of the right frame of mind, heart and soul. Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. Deuteronomy 4:29 says that “we are to seek the Lord and if we look for him with all of our heart and soul we will find him.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jesus was at the well with the Samaritan women. When the disciples returned and brought him food, Jesus’ comment to them was, “My will was to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Jesus was hungry, but the need of the Samaritan women was far more important that his physical need. How about you?
God wants us to fast. He wants us to seek him. He wants us to draw closer to him. He also wants us to take care of the needs of his people. This is evidenced in Isaiah 58 (may I suggest you take the time right now and read all of Isaiah 58), and also in Zechariah 7:3-10. God told them not to do what they have been doing year after year, but rather “administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In you hearts do not think evil of each other.” James 1:27 tells us that we are to look after the widows and orphans in their distress.
Our very being should be taken up by doing service to others. Get wrapped up in God’s work. People need the Lord. You may be the only Jesus that some will ever see.
There were other times that people in the scriptures fasted. I have listed four (4) times when people would fast.
They would fast during a Time of Mourning. In 2 Samuel 1:12 David and his men fasted upon hearing of the death of King Saul. Nehemiah records in 1:4 that upon hearing of the conditions in his home country of Jerusalem, he fasted prayed. 2 Samuel 12:16 David fasted for several days because his son became critically ill.
The people would fast during a Time of Sorrow for Turning Away from God and Following Pagan gods. We read in 1 Samuel 7:6 where Israel repented for following after other gods, they fasted and repented. Jonah 3:5 records that the people of Nineveh upon hearing Jonah’s prophecy put on sackcloth covered themselves with ashes and fasted. During the Nehemiah’s governorship Nehemiah (9:1), the Israelites came together fasting, and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads, confessing their sins.
The people would fast during a Time for Salvation from God. 2 Chronicles 20: records how King Jehoshaphat called for national time of fasting for all of Judah because they were being invaded by foreign nations. God saw their fast, heard their prayers and delivered them. Likewise God spoke to the prophet Joel (Joel 2:12-13) calling for a fast to restore then from destruction. "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning." Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Queen Esther called for all the Jews to fast in preparations of her going before the king and Jesus told how his disciples would fast when he is gone.
Most people when they feel a tugging by the Holy Spirit to enter into a ministry they pray about it, have others pray about it and then heed God’s calling. May I suggest that you fast when you feel a Time of Calling from God? Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights when he was on the mountain with God receiving the commandments of God. Prior to Jesus beginning his earthly ministry, he fasted 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. Upon Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus he fasted and prayed for three days before Ananias came and placed his hands on him. At Antioch (Acts 13:1) the followers were worshipping the Lord and fasting when the Holy Spirit spoke to them telling them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work in which they were called to. In Acts 14 tells about the setting aside of elders and when they did so they prayed and fasted.
These are just a few examples that there even though fast was only required once per year, people fasted at other times giving us scriptural backing of the need for fasting.
There are times when a fast is wrong.
The first is To Be Seen of Men. Matthew 6:16-18 “Don’t be like the hypocrites who look somber or gloomy to be noticed by men, but Jesus said to put oil on your head and wash your face and not to be noticed of man but rather of the Father. What the Father sees you do in secret he will reward you openly for.” In the Parable of the Pharisee recorded in Luke 18, The Pharisee brags to God about who he isn’t (a robber, a person who does evil or and adulterer, not even like the tax collector) what he does, i.e. I fast twice a week and I tithe. He who exalts himself, God will humble. Jesus tells them that they have their reward.
Fasting is wrong when you do it Because of Tradition. In Jeremiah 14 the land was devastated and the people confessed their sins to God but didn’t repent of them. God told them that there fasting was of no avail. He would destroy them. You would have thought they would have learned form history that God is not a good luck charm, i.e. placing the ark in front of the battle only to lose it to the Philistines. Isaiah 58 tells of the people fasting but God not honoring their fast. They were being religious towards God and not relational with Him.
Fasting does not make you right with God. Fasting does not impress God. To be effective in you fast, you must be of the right frame of mind, heart and soul. Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. Deuteronomy 4:29 says that “we are to seek the Lord and if we look for him with all of our heart and soul we will find him.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jesus was at the well with the Samaritan women. When the disciples returned and brought him food, Jesus’ comment to them was, “My will was to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Jesus was hungry, but the need of the Samaritan women was far more important that his physical need. How about you?
God wants us to fast. He wants us to seek him. He wants us to draw closer to him. He also wants us to take care of the needs of his people. This is evidenced in Isaiah 58 (may I suggest you take the time right now and read all of Isaiah 58), and also in Zechariah 7:3-10. God told them not to do what they have been doing year after year, but rather “administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In you hearts do not think evil of each other.” James 1:27 tells us that we are to look after the widows and orphans in their distress.
Our very being should be taken up by doing service to others. Get wrapped up in God’s work. People need the Lord. You may be the only Jesus that some will ever see.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
God Hates Pride
Don’t look at others and say that they are prideful. Don’t look at others and compare yourself with “their pride.” Look rather to yourself, look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I prideful, am I haughty, am I arrogant?” Don’t look at the person sitting next to you or across the other side of the church and say that those people want to give the appearance of humility and don’t look to the front of the church and say that those people are prideful. Look at yourself and ask yourself, “Am I prideful?” God has given us the scriptures to look at to help us along the way.
Perhaps they can give us the information we need.
In the book of Daniel (5:18-30) The is the story of Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar who was very prideful of “his” accomplishments. He gave no honor to God who is the true God and thus God took the throne away from him.
We can read of another similar account in 2 Chronicles 26 where King Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. King Uzziah took care of the people, built cities, created a great army, but then he became prideful. His pride, the scripture says, led to his downfall. He did that which was unlawful. He entered the temple and burned incense which only the priests could do. As a result of his pride, leprosy broke out on his forehead that remained for the rest of his life. He no longer lived in the palace but in a separate house, isolated until the day he died.
We read in Proverbs 6:16-19 that there are seven things the Lord detests and the first one listed is “Pride.” Why does God detest “Pride?” Because it says to others that, “I am better than you are.” (My baseball team is better, my company is better; my home is nicer, etc. You look down on people because they have not accomplished what you’ve accomplished, or so you think.) Pride occurs when we want to glorify ourselves and our accomplishments. Pride says to God, “I don’t need you; I can do it on my own.” Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the same status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependency on Him. Pride says to God, “I am going to contend with you for supremacy.” Contend with God for supremacy? You are probably saying that you would never do that. Won’t you? What makes you so sure? Are you prideful of the fact that you are not prideful?
We read in Ezekiel 28 where God calls Lucifer the model of perfection and in Isaiah 14 he is called the “Morning star, son of the dawn.” Lucifer wanted to contend for supremacy with God and we know that God was quick to respond. Because no sin is permitted in heaven, Lucifer was cast out, he and all the angels who also became prideful. On your own, are you more powerful than Lucifer?
After Lucifer fell he was given a new name, Satan (Adversary of God). He is opposed to God. He is trying to deceive you and bring you down to his level. You’ve heard the saying, “misery loves company?” That’s Satan. He wants you with him. He will do whatever he can to bring you down. He started at the very beginning with Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3 we read where the Serpent deceived Eve. He honed in on the one thing that brought him down… Pride. “You can be just like God, you can be as smart as him, as wise as him, and you can live forever.” He of course lied to Eve but it was her Pride, her desire to be “just like God” that brought her down.
What about Job? Surely not Job! Didn’t God say that Job was blameless and upright? We read in Job 32:2 that Elihu became very angry with Job because he was justifying himself rather than God. Job’s sin was Pride.
Proverbs 16:18 says that Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall. This can be on an individual basis or a corporate basis. It can happen in a local community or on a national scale. It can happen in a small church or a mega church. When pride enters in, be sure of this, destruction is coming, the fall is just around the corner. I read in Isaiah 3 how the women of Zion were haughty, thinking themselves to be better than others, always looking down at people. It said that their necks were stretched out (kind of like having your nose in the air, they were flirting with their eyes, taking dainty steps, and covered with jewelry. They were snobbish. God doesn’t want his people to be prideful. He loves us to much to leave us there. He will do whatever it takes to bring us back to humility. For the women of Zion, this meant that God would give the women baldness with scabs on their heads. This meant God would cause them to loose all of their fine jewelry and beautiful clothing. This meant that God would actually make them stink. It says that God would replace their beauty with shame.
Both the Apostle Peter and James the brother of Jesus said that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Brothers and sisters, we must examine ourselves and ask God to reveal to us the areas of our life whereby we are prideful. We must repent of our sin of pride and ask to for humility. We must have the humility of Jesus himself. Philippians 2:5 says your “attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus showed His humility in many ways. Jesus, a king, rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus exemplified humility by washing the feet of his disciples; Jesus left his throne in heaven to save us.
Repent of your pride, pray to God asking him to make you humble.
For more resources on pride and humility, visit Emmaus Road Christian Store.
Perhaps they can give us the information we need.
In the book of Daniel (5:18-30) The is the story of Belshazzar, the son of Nebuchadnezzar who was very prideful of “his” accomplishments. He gave no honor to God who is the true God and thus God took the throne away from him.
We can read of another similar account in 2 Chronicles 26 where King Uzziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord. King Uzziah took care of the people, built cities, created a great army, but then he became prideful. His pride, the scripture says, led to his downfall. He did that which was unlawful. He entered the temple and burned incense which only the priests could do. As a result of his pride, leprosy broke out on his forehead that remained for the rest of his life. He no longer lived in the palace but in a separate house, isolated until the day he died.
We read in Proverbs 6:16-19 that there are seven things the Lord detests and the first one listed is “Pride.” Why does God detest “Pride?” Because it says to others that, “I am better than you are.” (My baseball team is better, my company is better; my home is nicer, etc. You look down on people because they have not accomplished what you’ve accomplished, or so you think.) Pride occurs when we want to glorify ourselves and our accomplishments. Pride says to God, “I don’t need you; I can do it on my own.” Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the same status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependency on Him. Pride says to God, “I am going to contend with you for supremacy.” Contend with God for supremacy? You are probably saying that you would never do that. Won’t you? What makes you so sure? Are you prideful of the fact that you are not prideful?
We read in Ezekiel 28 where God calls Lucifer the model of perfection and in Isaiah 14 he is called the “Morning star, son of the dawn.” Lucifer wanted to contend for supremacy with God and we know that God was quick to respond. Because no sin is permitted in heaven, Lucifer was cast out, he and all the angels who also became prideful. On your own, are you more powerful than Lucifer?
After Lucifer fell he was given a new name, Satan (Adversary of God). He is opposed to God. He is trying to deceive you and bring you down to his level. You’ve heard the saying, “misery loves company?” That’s Satan. He wants you with him. He will do whatever he can to bring you down. He started at the very beginning with Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3 we read where the Serpent deceived Eve. He honed in on the one thing that brought him down… Pride. “You can be just like God, you can be as smart as him, as wise as him, and you can live forever.” He of course lied to Eve but it was her Pride, her desire to be “just like God” that brought her down.
What about Job? Surely not Job! Didn’t God say that Job was blameless and upright? We read in Job 32:2 that Elihu became very angry with Job because he was justifying himself rather than God. Job’s sin was Pride.
Proverbs 16:18 says that Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall. This can be on an individual basis or a corporate basis. It can happen in a local community or on a national scale. It can happen in a small church or a mega church. When pride enters in, be sure of this, destruction is coming, the fall is just around the corner. I read in Isaiah 3 how the women of Zion were haughty, thinking themselves to be better than others, always looking down at people. It said that their necks were stretched out (kind of like having your nose in the air, they were flirting with their eyes, taking dainty steps, and covered with jewelry. They were snobbish. God doesn’t want his people to be prideful. He loves us to much to leave us there. He will do whatever it takes to bring us back to humility. For the women of Zion, this meant that God would give the women baldness with scabs on their heads. This meant God would cause them to loose all of their fine jewelry and beautiful clothing. This meant that God would actually make them stink. It says that God would replace their beauty with shame.
Both the Apostle Peter and James the brother of Jesus said that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Brothers and sisters, we must examine ourselves and ask God to reveal to us the areas of our life whereby we are prideful. We must repent of our sin of pride and ask to for humility. We must have the humility of Jesus himself. Philippians 2:5 says your “attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus: who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Jesus showed His humility in many ways. Jesus, a king, rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus exemplified humility by washing the feet of his disciples; Jesus left his throne in heaven to save us.
Repent of your pride, pray to God asking him to make you humble.
For more resources on pride and humility, visit Emmaus Road Christian Store.
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Love of Southern Gospel
What is your favorite music genre? You can’t say that you don’t have a favorite and that you love all equally, that’s just not true. Some love the sound of Bluegrass Gospel, others love Praise and Worship, others Contemporary Christian, many Christian Hip Hop and still others, Southern Gospel. It doesn’t really matter which is your favorite as long as the lyrics are pleasing to God! Amen?
May I suggest a noncombative position on “Christian Music?” Saying that a particular Christian music style is not Christian is like saying that only those preachers who preach the “hell fire and brimstone” messages are the only true preachers. I know that there are some people who would agree with that statement. In 1 Corinthians 12 says that there are many different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, many different kinds of service but the same Lord, many different kind of workings but the same God works in all of them in all men. One part of the body to say that they just don’t belong to the body doesn’t mean it’s true, or to say that a particular part of the body doesn’t belong doesn’t make that true either. All work together for the glory of God.
How can you listen to Southern Gospel music and not appreciate and love the unique sound. Sometimes is difficult to distinguish Southern Gospel from Bluegrass Gospel and even Contemporary Christian. Back in the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s to listen to a group such as the Imperials was to listen to Contemporary Christian. Today most people would consider their sound Southern Gospel.
Southern Gospel music began back in the 1800’s. It began because people of the south wanted to express their personal faith in God. The southern states were going through difficult times (Civil War) and were looking for ways to rebuilt and reconcile. The people of the south had to come together and the ideal place to do this was at the local church houses. They would gather and in a short amount of time, songs were sung, many in the form of quartets; thus Southern Gospel was born.
As Southern Gospel entered the 20th Century, those involved in the industry were turning professional and traveling mostly through the south but expanding to other regions of the country as well. From the beginning, Southern Gospel performers considered themselves to be ministers of the gospel. Music was a means to share the Good News with others. The musicians could entertain and preach, considering what they do to be the greatest way to spread the gospel as well as to earn a living.
As the 20th Century rolled along, the Great Depression set in. The Southern Gospel professionals struggled, yet persevered. Out of the depression era came the Speer Family, the LaVerne Family, the Blackwood Brothers and the Chuck Wagon Gang (a cross between Bluegrass and Southern Gospel). The Chuck Wagon Gang is still performing today.
The 1940’s saw the emergence of individuals such as Jake Hess (John Daniel Quartet, Hess Brother Quartet, Sunny South Quartet, Melody Masters Quartet, Statesmen Quartet and the Imperials Quartet) and J.D. Sumner (Blackwood Brothers, Stamps Quartet, Masters V). Both men instrumental in leading Southern Gospel music to the level it is today.
If tough times brings out the best in us, Southern Gospel music is about to explode. The 21st Century is going through some turbulent times. God will use Southern Gospel music to help us mend and heal. Groups such as The Gaither’s, The Isaacs, Legacy Five, Karen Peck and New River as well as others and those who have not even started will be used by God to help bring us out of this tough situation. Praise be to God!
The very best in Southern Gospel Music, please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store. To learn even more about Southern Gospel, please visit Southern Gospel History.
May I suggest a noncombative position on “Christian Music?” Saying that a particular Christian music style is not Christian is like saying that only those preachers who preach the “hell fire and brimstone” messages are the only true preachers. I know that there are some people who would agree with that statement. In 1 Corinthians 12 says that there are many different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit, many different kinds of service but the same Lord, many different kind of workings but the same God works in all of them in all men. One part of the body to say that they just don’t belong to the body doesn’t mean it’s true, or to say that a particular part of the body doesn’t belong doesn’t make that true either. All work together for the glory of God.
How can you listen to Southern Gospel music and not appreciate and love the unique sound. Sometimes is difficult to distinguish Southern Gospel from Bluegrass Gospel and even Contemporary Christian. Back in the late 1970’s and the early 1980’s to listen to a group such as the Imperials was to listen to Contemporary Christian. Today most people would consider their sound Southern Gospel.
Southern Gospel music began back in the 1800’s. It began because people of the south wanted to express their personal faith in God. The southern states were going through difficult times (Civil War) and were looking for ways to rebuilt and reconcile. The people of the south had to come together and the ideal place to do this was at the local church houses. They would gather and in a short amount of time, songs were sung, many in the form of quartets; thus Southern Gospel was born.
As Southern Gospel entered the 20th Century, those involved in the industry were turning professional and traveling mostly through the south but expanding to other regions of the country as well. From the beginning, Southern Gospel performers considered themselves to be ministers of the gospel. Music was a means to share the Good News with others. The musicians could entertain and preach, considering what they do to be the greatest way to spread the gospel as well as to earn a living.
As the 20th Century rolled along, the Great Depression set in. The Southern Gospel professionals struggled, yet persevered. Out of the depression era came the Speer Family, the LaVerne Family, the Blackwood Brothers and the Chuck Wagon Gang (a cross between Bluegrass and Southern Gospel). The Chuck Wagon Gang is still performing today.
The 1940’s saw the emergence of individuals such as Jake Hess (John Daniel Quartet, Hess Brother Quartet, Sunny South Quartet, Melody Masters Quartet, Statesmen Quartet and the Imperials Quartet) and J.D. Sumner (Blackwood Brothers, Stamps Quartet, Masters V). Both men instrumental in leading Southern Gospel music to the level it is today.
If tough times brings out the best in us, Southern Gospel music is about to explode. The 21st Century is going through some turbulent times. God will use Southern Gospel music to help us mend and heal. Groups such as The Gaither’s, The Isaacs, Legacy Five, Karen Peck and New River as well as others and those who have not even started will be used by God to help bring us out of this tough situation. Praise be to God!
The very best in Southern Gospel Music, please visit Emmaus Road Christian Store. To learn even more about Southern Gospel, please visit Southern Gospel History.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
What's Your Genealogy?
I have often thought about tracing my genealogy just to see exactly where my family came from and to see where they might be today but I’ve never been quite motivated enough to do so. I only know that my grandmother on the Saturday side came form Poland and my grandfather on the Saturday side came from Russia. I often say that they met at Ellis Island but I don’t really think that they did; I just like to believe that sometimes. My family genealogy has been kept somewhat secret. Neither of my grandparents ever wanted to talk about the “Old Country.” I guess it’s not that important to me.
When I read the Bible I find that genealogy is important because it verifies the ancestry of Jesus Christ. Abraham was told to look up at the sky and to county the stars. God told him that his offspring would be a numerous as the stars in the sky. Of course we know that Abraham wasn’t able to count the stars. I can envision the conversation God had with Abraham and how God made sure the skies were full His creation.
God was true to his word. Abraham’s descendants were as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham’s lineage (at least in the Bible and for our sakes) is recorded to the time of Jesus. Within this lineage mentioned in the Bible is found a prostitute named Rahab. She was also a woman of a different culture, and Tamar who was an adulteress (had an affair with Judah – her father in law – but unbeknownst to Judah), also a woman of a different culture. God in the midst of that still used them for his kingdom and glory. We also find another woman mentioned by the name of Ruth. Ruth was also a woman from a different culture (from the country of Moab) and yet we find that she was the great grandmother of King David and subsequently mentioned by Matthew in the lineage of Jesus.
If you’ve never read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament may I encourage you to do so. In chapter 4 you will read where a wealthy man of Jerusalem name Boaz takes Ruth who was a Moabite (different culture) as his wife and has a son by her. Within chapter 4 we read where the women of the area praise God for leaving Naomi without a kinsman. Naomi was the mother in law of Ruth. Naomi and her husband went to Moab because of the difficult times in Judah. While in Moab Naomi’s husband and her two sons die before the sons have any children. While in Moab both sons of Naomi married women of that region. One of the women, when Naomi decided to return to Jerusalem, went with her (Ruth). Ruth declared “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). At this point Naomi no longer considered Ruth her daughter in law but rather her daughter. This is why the women of the area declare that God did not leave Naomi without a kinsman.
In a male dominated culture, the women of the area declared to Naomi that her daughter in law is better than seven sons. In addition, she now has a grandson who will take care of her for the rest of her life. With that, Naomi takes an active role in the upbringing of her grandson, treating him as a son, to the delight of both Boaz and Ruth. Raising children is a challenge, and the help of grandparents can make it much easier.
The name given to Boaz and Ruth’s son is Obed. In the Old Testament there are five different men by this name. Obed means “servant” and “worshipper.” Obed is the grandfather of King David who considered himself to be a servant and is known as a writer of many of the Psalms and considered a worshipper of the Most High God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew writes of the “book of the generation of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s Jewish readers immediately recognized the expression “the book of the generation,” taken from Genesis 2:4 where God introduced the “generations of the heavens and of the earth,” the creation of the world. The phrases 2nd occurrence is at Genesis 5:1 to introduce the genealogy of Adam. In Matthew 1:1 he gives us the three keys to understanding the genealogy of Jesus Christ. First, Jesus is Christ. He is the promised anointed one of the Jewish nation. The Greek word Christ means the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. Second, he is the son of David. It was promised to David that his throne would be eternal. The designation “son of David” is distinctly messianic. Third, Jesus is the “son of Abraham.” In this, He fulfills the promise given to the father of Hebrews (Abraham) that his descendant would be a blessing to all the families of the earth (including us Gentiles). Matthew continues on with the genealogy of Abraham having a son Isaac who had a son Jacob who had a son Judah. This continues to King David, who Matthew designates as a king (no other royal designation given until Jesus, who is declared the Christ.
In going back to my genealogy, my pedigree does not matter. My decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ was not dependent upon my lineage. Yes it is helpful if our parents bring us up in a Christian home but each of us must make the personal decision as to whether or not we are going to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I don’t know who my great grandparents were but I do know who I am; I am the King of king’s kid! How about you?
When I read the Bible I find that genealogy is important because it verifies the ancestry of Jesus Christ. Abraham was told to look up at the sky and to county the stars. God told him that his offspring would be a numerous as the stars in the sky. Of course we know that Abraham wasn’t able to count the stars. I can envision the conversation God had with Abraham and how God made sure the skies were full His creation.
God was true to his word. Abraham’s descendants were as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham’s lineage (at least in the Bible and for our sakes) is recorded to the time of Jesus. Within this lineage mentioned in the Bible is found a prostitute named Rahab. She was also a woman of a different culture, and Tamar who was an adulteress (had an affair with Judah – her father in law – but unbeknownst to Judah), also a woman of a different culture. God in the midst of that still used them for his kingdom and glory. We also find another woman mentioned by the name of Ruth. Ruth was also a woman from a different culture (from the country of Moab) and yet we find that she was the great grandmother of King David and subsequently mentioned by Matthew in the lineage of Jesus.
If you’ve never read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament may I encourage you to do so. In chapter 4 you will read where a wealthy man of Jerusalem name Boaz takes Ruth who was a Moabite (different culture) as his wife and has a son by her. Within chapter 4 we read where the women of the area praise God for leaving Naomi without a kinsman. Naomi was the mother in law of Ruth. Naomi and her husband went to Moab because of the difficult times in Judah. While in Moab Naomi’s husband and her two sons die before the sons have any children. While in Moab both sons of Naomi married women of that region. One of the women, when Naomi decided to return to Jerusalem, went with her (Ruth). Ruth declared “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16). At this point Naomi no longer considered Ruth her daughter in law but rather her daughter. This is why the women of the area declare that God did not leave Naomi without a kinsman.
In a male dominated culture, the women of the area declared to Naomi that her daughter in law is better than seven sons. In addition, she now has a grandson who will take care of her for the rest of her life. With that, Naomi takes an active role in the upbringing of her grandson, treating him as a son, to the delight of both Boaz and Ruth. Raising children is a challenge, and the help of grandparents can make it much easier.
The name given to Boaz and Ruth’s son is Obed. In the Old Testament there are five different men by this name. Obed means “servant” and “worshipper.” Obed is the grandfather of King David who considered himself to be a servant and is known as a writer of many of the Psalms and considered a worshipper of the Most High God.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew writes of the “book of the generation of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s Jewish readers immediately recognized the expression “the book of the generation,” taken from Genesis 2:4 where God introduced the “generations of the heavens and of the earth,” the creation of the world. The phrases 2nd occurrence is at Genesis 5:1 to introduce the genealogy of Adam. In Matthew 1:1 he gives us the three keys to understanding the genealogy of Jesus Christ. First, Jesus is Christ. He is the promised anointed one of the Jewish nation. The Greek word Christ means the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. Second, he is the son of David. It was promised to David that his throne would be eternal. The designation “son of David” is distinctly messianic. Third, Jesus is the “son of Abraham.” In this, He fulfills the promise given to the father of Hebrews (Abraham) that his descendant would be a blessing to all the families of the earth (including us Gentiles). Matthew continues on with the genealogy of Abraham having a son Isaac who had a son Jacob who had a son Judah. This continues to King David, who Matthew designates as a king (no other royal designation given until Jesus, who is declared the Christ.
In going back to my genealogy, my pedigree does not matter. My decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ was not dependent upon my lineage. Yes it is helpful if our parents bring us up in a Christian home but each of us must make the personal decision as to whether or not we are going to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. I don’t know who my great grandparents were but I do know who I am; I am the King of king’s kid! How about you?
Friday, December 4, 2009
Being Set Free
If Abraham Lincoln were living today, he would say, “11 score and 13 years ago our fathers brought forth to this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” The liberties we have in this country were not and are not free. There was a price to be paid and a price that continues to be paid today. Thousands upon thousands of men, women, boys and girls have paid the price so that you and I can assemble without fear.
In 1776, the first assembly gathered in Philadelphia to approve the final draft of what is called the Declaration of Independence. Within this document, the citizens of America were telling the king of England that they would no more pay unfair taxes, that they would no more be ruled by the iron fist of England. This was a bold stand that our forefathers were willing to take. Because of them, freedom and liberty exists in our country today. The freedom and liberty we have today must continually be fought for. When our fathers wrote the Constitution, there was no separation of church and state. Our founding fathers believed that church and state should work together. The history books, though they have changed over the years in an attempt to desensitize us to the truth, reflects and reveals this idea. Our fathers were willing to fight for our freedom. It wasn’t until the 1930’s when a Supreme Court justice came up with the idea of “separation of church and state.” Ever since that time, we have be gradually taking God out of our countries equation. Yes, we must continue to fight for our liberties and freedoms, even today. The price continues to be paid.
Eight thousand years ago we lost our spiritual freedom when sin was introduced into the world. Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempted Eve and we man have been under the bonds of slavery ever since. Sin is the transgression from the Law of God. God told Adam and Eve that they were not to eat of the one tree in the garden, but they transgressed from the command of God and sinned. With this sin came a separation of man from the sinless God.
Jesus said in John 8:34 that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. You can draw a picture in your mind of different forms of slavery. You may be thinking of the slavery of the blacks in our country some 200 years ago. Perhaps you are thinking of the slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt, or maybe of the Jews when they were taken captive to Babylon. Whatever the picture that you see is, I’m sure we would all agree that slavery is evil. When I see slavery, I envision masters and taskmasters using a whip on the backs of men and women. I see God’s creation shackled in leg irons. I see the women being sexually abused by their “owners.” I see men having a foot cut off because they tried to escape from slavery to freedom. Paul said in his letter to the Romans that if you offer yourself to someone as a slave, you are indeed a slave to that person (Romans 6:16). The Hebrews did not volunteer to be slaves in Egypt. The Jews did not volunteer to be slaves in Babylon, and the blacks from Africa did not volunteer to be slaves in America. Slavery was forced upon them. Yet, every one in the world has volunteered to be a slave to sin. Peter said in his second epistle that a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him (2Peter 2:19) Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we were all born into sin but yet, those of us who are Christians know that we are not accountable for our sins until we reach the age of accountability. The age of accountability is different for everyone, but for simplicity sake, let’s says that the age of accountability is the age when you know right from wrong. So if you are sitting here this morning and you know that it is wrong to commit adultery, if you know it is wrong to lie, if you know it is wrong to steal, if you know it is wrong to want what someone else owns, if you know that it is wrong to love things more than people or God, then I would say you are at the age of accountability. If you are therefore accountable, then the question is, why are you remaining a slave to sin? Why are you deliberately, voluntarily serving Satan and choosing to spend eternity with him? Hell is a forever separation from God, it is a forever separation from love (God is love). It is a forever burning and torturess existence. There is never, not even one second, relief from pain and anguish that one will suffer in hell.
You may be sitting there say, “I’m a good person, I don’t hurt anyone, I’m a this and I’m a that, and I don’t do this and I don’t do that.” Isaiah said that all of this and all of that is “as filthy rags.” No matter how good you are, you are still a slave to sin. You can even sit there and try to live a Christian life and do good for others, but that too, is as filthy rags. You can give all of your wealth away and hold the highest position in church, but this too is as filthy rags.
In the Book of Acts, we read where Simon the Sorcerer attempts to purchase the spiritual gift of the laying on of hands. Peter tells him that he was full of bitterness and a captive to sin. This was another way of saying that he was a slave to sin. That Simon was in bondage to sin.
We can go on every day living in slavery. We can go on every day not being a part of the family of God because, as Jesus said, a slave has no permanent place in the family. We can be so arrogant and we can be so proud and boastful like many of Jesus’ followers when they said to him that they were of Abraham’s seed that they were never in bondage to any man, so how could Jesus say they would be made free. Then Jesus answered them and said, “Whoever commits sin is a servant (slave) of sin.” (John 8:34)
The Bible says that every man has an appointment to keep and that appointment is with death. Once we die, we then go before the righteous One for judgment. If you have been a slave to sin, if sin has been your master, if your father is the devil, then the judgment God will render to you is eternal punishment in hell.
Paul wrote to the Romans that there is no condemnation (judgment) for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free and set you free from the law of sin and death. It was through Jesus that sin was condemned in sinful man. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians and reminded them that when Moses is read, a veil not only covers their face, but also their heart. Paul tells them that those who turn to the Lord have the veil covering their heart lifted and that we are given freedom. And as Jesus said, “if the son has set you free, you are free indeed.”
When you have been set free from your sins, you are then dead to your sins. Your sins are no longer. They are separated from you as far as the east is from the west. When you surrender it all, when you turn it all over to God, when you confess your sins and repent of them, when you accept the God-given gift of His son Jesus Christ, who was spotless, blameless, sinless, then you are no longer a slave to sin. Satan is no longer your master.
You have been set free. This freedom came at a big price…the sacrifice on Calvary of the Lamb of God. He paid the price of death that we are deserving of, so that we are not slaves, but are free, a part of the family of God. And being a part of the family of God makes us joint heirs with Jesus Christ, if you will accept it. The invitation is yours. It is not God’s desire that you spend eternity in hell. It is His desire that you spend it with him but the only way to do that is by believing in his only begotten son, Jesus.
Joshua told his kinsmen just prior to his death, he said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” You must choose this day, likewise.
In 1776, the first assembly gathered in Philadelphia to approve the final draft of what is called the Declaration of Independence. Within this document, the citizens of America were telling the king of England that they would no more pay unfair taxes, that they would no more be ruled by the iron fist of England. This was a bold stand that our forefathers were willing to take. Because of them, freedom and liberty exists in our country today. The freedom and liberty we have today must continually be fought for. When our fathers wrote the Constitution, there was no separation of church and state. Our founding fathers believed that church and state should work together. The history books, though they have changed over the years in an attempt to desensitize us to the truth, reflects and reveals this idea. Our fathers were willing to fight for our freedom. It wasn’t until the 1930’s when a Supreme Court justice came up with the idea of “separation of church and state.” Ever since that time, we have be gradually taking God out of our countries equation. Yes, we must continue to fight for our liberties and freedoms, even today. The price continues to be paid.
Eight thousand years ago we lost our spiritual freedom when sin was introduced into the world. Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempted Eve and we man have been under the bonds of slavery ever since. Sin is the transgression from the Law of God. God told Adam and Eve that they were not to eat of the one tree in the garden, but they transgressed from the command of God and sinned. With this sin came a separation of man from the sinless God.
Jesus said in John 8:34 that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. You can draw a picture in your mind of different forms of slavery. You may be thinking of the slavery of the blacks in our country some 200 years ago. Perhaps you are thinking of the slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt, or maybe of the Jews when they were taken captive to Babylon. Whatever the picture that you see is, I’m sure we would all agree that slavery is evil. When I see slavery, I envision masters and taskmasters using a whip on the backs of men and women. I see God’s creation shackled in leg irons. I see the women being sexually abused by their “owners.” I see men having a foot cut off because they tried to escape from slavery to freedom. Paul said in his letter to the Romans that if you offer yourself to someone as a slave, you are indeed a slave to that person (Romans 6:16). The Hebrews did not volunteer to be slaves in Egypt. The Jews did not volunteer to be slaves in Babylon, and the blacks from Africa did not volunteer to be slaves in America. Slavery was forced upon them. Yet, every one in the world has volunteered to be a slave to sin. Peter said in his second epistle that a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him (2Peter 2:19) Because of the sin of Adam and Eve, we were all born into sin but yet, those of us who are Christians know that we are not accountable for our sins until we reach the age of accountability. The age of accountability is different for everyone, but for simplicity sake, let’s says that the age of accountability is the age when you know right from wrong. So if you are sitting here this morning and you know that it is wrong to commit adultery, if you know it is wrong to lie, if you know it is wrong to steal, if you know it is wrong to want what someone else owns, if you know that it is wrong to love things more than people or God, then I would say you are at the age of accountability. If you are therefore accountable, then the question is, why are you remaining a slave to sin? Why are you deliberately, voluntarily serving Satan and choosing to spend eternity with him? Hell is a forever separation from God, it is a forever separation from love (God is love). It is a forever burning and torturess existence. There is never, not even one second, relief from pain and anguish that one will suffer in hell.
You may be sitting there say, “I’m a good person, I don’t hurt anyone, I’m a this and I’m a that, and I don’t do this and I don’t do that.” Isaiah said that all of this and all of that is “as filthy rags.” No matter how good you are, you are still a slave to sin. You can even sit there and try to live a Christian life and do good for others, but that too, is as filthy rags. You can give all of your wealth away and hold the highest position in church, but this too is as filthy rags.
In the Book of Acts, we read where Simon the Sorcerer attempts to purchase the spiritual gift of the laying on of hands. Peter tells him that he was full of bitterness and a captive to sin. This was another way of saying that he was a slave to sin. That Simon was in bondage to sin.
We can go on every day living in slavery. We can go on every day not being a part of the family of God because, as Jesus said, a slave has no permanent place in the family. We can be so arrogant and we can be so proud and boastful like many of Jesus’ followers when they said to him that they were of Abraham’s seed that they were never in bondage to any man, so how could Jesus say they would be made free. Then Jesus answered them and said, “Whoever commits sin is a servant (slave) of sin.” (John 8:34)
The Bible says that every man has an appointment to keep and that appointment is with death. Once we die, we then go before the righteous One for judgment. If you have been a slave to sin, if sin has been your master, if your father is the devil, then the judgment God will render to you is eternal punishment in hell.
Paul wrote to the Romans that there is no condemnation (judgment) for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free and set you free from the law of sin and death. It was through Jesus that sin was condemned in sinful man. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians and reminded them that when Moses is read, a veil not only covers their face, but also their heart. Paul tells them that those who turn to the Lord have the veil covering their heart lifted and that we are given freedom. And as Jesus said, “if the son has set you free, you are free indeed.”
When you have been set free from your sins, you are then dead to your sins. Your sins are no longer. They are separated from you as far as the east is from the west. When you surrender it all, when you turn it all over to God, when you confess your sins and repent of them, when you accept the God-given gift of His son Jesus Christ, who was spotless, blameless, sinless, then you are no longer a slave to sin. Satan is no longer your master.
You have been set free. This freedom came at a big price…the sacrifice on Calvary of the Lamb of God. He paid the price of death that we are deserving of, so that we are not slaves, but are free, a part of the family of God. And being a part of the family of God makes us joint heirs with Jesus Christ, if you will accept it. The invitation is yours. It is not God’s desire that you spend eternity in hell. It is His desire that you spend it with him but the only way to do that is by believing in his only begotten son, Jesus.
Joshua told his kinsmen just prior to his death, he said, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” You must choose this day, likewise.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Out of Our Comfort Zone
Acts 13:36 "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep: he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.
Throughout David's life he served God's purpose. Though there were times when David swayed from God, sinned, he never made excuses nor did he blame others. He took personal responsibility for his own sin. Because David did not blame or make excuses, God did not do to David what David deserved. God did not give up on him, God did not leave him nor did He forsake him. The Holy Spirit worked on David and David repented. The scripture said that David was a man after God’s own heart. He did however pay the penalty for his sins.
Jeremiah 29:11 God said, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Just as David served God's purpose in his lifetime, you have been called to serve God's purpose in your lifetime. By doing so you may entail persecution of the most severe kind, but Jesus said that great is your reward, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:12). What reward? In this lifetime knowing that you were persecuted for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ but even greater is the reward of eternal life.
One of the plans that God has for all of His children is the spreading of the gospel. There's opportunity everyday to share the gospel with someone. You should never use the excuse that you don't want to be too pushy because you might push them away. Your pushiness may be the last time that they will ever have to hear the gospel and the last opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There are other times when you are in a crowd and the people present start to defame the name of Christ. Perhaps they are talking about "those Christians." You should never allow that to happen. Not that you want to get into an argument but you are called to defend the name of the one who gave you eternal life. David did so when he went up against Goliath. Goliath spent forty days cursing the one true God and David said enough is enough.
Ministry is a huge word. Every person who walks behind the banner of Christian has been called to be a minister. I believe that when someone is baptized, instead of giving them a certificate of baptism, you should be giving them a certificate of ministry. It is important to pray to God before you go into any type of ministry. You must pray and then listen. When you are asking God for direction or when you are telling God that you are volunteering for service, be patient and God will give you the answer, and He will not wait long to do so. Once He answers your prayer, take action. There are so many ministries available that the list is in exhaustive. Never be guilty of prioritizing ministry. Never be guilty of saying that one ministry is more important than another. God places each and every one of you where he wants you.
We are all of equal importance when it comes to ministry. The foot can not say to the hand, “because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.” We are all a part of the body serving the
body as called on by God to serve.
The question, "are you putting your talents and abilities to use for the sake of the gospel? Are you up and out of your recliner, your hammock, your church pew and working for the one who loves you, the one who paid the price for your sins? The easy thing to do is be a spectator. Being a spectator takes little or no effort. God wants you to be a participant.
All ministries must begin with our family. You have a responsibility to share our faith with those closest to you. Tell them who Jesus is, write them a letter, and invite them to church. Again, don't use the excuse of not wanting to be too pushy. When you stand before God Almighty, are you going to tell him the reason you didn't persist in sharing the gospel with your family is because you didn't want to be too pushy. I wonder what God will say to that? Jesus said that father will betray son to death, daughter will betray mother to death, but it won't happen if you are not a witness to them. Sure your family may tell you to not talk about it or they may even tell you to leave and not come back until you've reached your senses. If that happens, rejoice in the fact that you have been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41).
Once you are out of your hammock, take a look out of your backyard. What do you see? Do you see just your yard or do you also see your neighbor's yard? Do you see neighbors who are struggling, hurting? Does your neighbor need help with their lawn, cleaning the house, bailing the hay? If you are physically able, you have that responsibility. Go and do a good work either for or with them and look for the opportunity to share Jesus. Does your neighbor have an emotional need? Do they have a rebellious child, a spouse that said they were leaving, or are they perhaps dealing with a terminal illness? They just need someone to talk to them, to listen to them. Maybe it’s the elderly or the shut in who needs a visit.
You may live where you can't see your neighbors, so you can legitimately ask, "Who is my neighbor?" (Story of the Good Samaritan, the priest, the Levite) When Jesus asked, “Which of the three was a neighbor to the one in need? This expert of the law answered and said, “The one who had mercy on him.” This legalist despised the Samaritans so much that he couldn’t or wouldn’t even bring himself around to acknowledging that it was the Samaritan. How about you? If a person of another culture, religion or race was in need, would you be there to serve or help? If you were in need would you accept help from someone of a different culture or race? Would you discriminate against any of the above? Is there an ounce of prejudice in you?
Billy Graham said: "The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and the helpless."
There are two parts to Billy Graham's statement.
The first is unselfish Christian service. How are you doing at serving others? That's all ministry is; serving others, putting others needs before your own, sacrificing self for the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says that nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. When you look beyond your backyard and see the needs of others, do you turn your back on them, do you say to yourself, "someone else will take care of that need," or, "I'll get to it just as soon as I can." And then what happens is; out of site-out of mind.
The second part of Rev. Graham's statement is the seeking out of the lost and the helpless. This is the Great Commission. Jesus said that he came to seek and to save those that were lost. In 1 Peter 2:12 we are called to live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Too many churches are busy trying to fill up their church pews by "evangelizing" people from other churches. They say things like, "you should come to our church, we have a great youth ministry, the best around." "You should come to our church, our pastor preaches the Word, he/she is dynamic and you will never be bored." “You should come to our church; we have a great praise and worship team.” Brothers and sisters, there are enough unsaved people in the local communities that you don't need to go and steal from other churches. Go to the lost, wherever they are. The lost may resist coming to a church building but they would still like to meet Jesus.
Sometimes in order to get out of our backyard it is not as easy as opening the fence door and walking out. Sometimes even Christians have challenges. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of your comfort zone. There may be times where you will need to climb a tree and go out on a limb to get out of the backyard and into your community. You may have to cut down or uproot the hedges that separate you from your neighbor. It may not be an easy task but no one said it would be easy.
Many times people are unlovable and you are called to love them. Paul told Timothy that the servant of Jesus must be kind to everyone. Everyone means everyone, there are no exceptions. When you part company with the unlovable what do they say about you? Are you a good or bad representative of Jesus? You may be the only Jesus some may ever see.
One problem that churches have is that they are more inwardly focused and not outwardly focused. We as a church still have a passion for the truth, we still want to exalt Jesus Christ, and we still look forward to the day of his return. But in some ways we have lost the urgency to "go." We can not be like the movie "Field of Dreams" where the voice says, "If you build it they will come." That only works in the movies. The unsaved of today and the church of tomorrow will not be drawn to a building with four walls, one that is of beautiful architecture, but rather a church that is reaching out to the community, one that is feeding the poor, giving clothes to the naked, being involved in prison ministry, showing hospitality by giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick. By doing so unto others, you are doing so unto Jesus himself. We do these works not for self-glorification but rather for the glorification of Christ, to lift Him up. The only person we need to please is God. God’s opinion is the only one of importance. We are called to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise the one true God. We must make a personal connection with people. We must earn the right to share the gospel with them. Everyone has needs; the challenge is taking the time to find out what their need is, we need to connect with them. If we focus on filling their needs then we will earn that right of sharing the gospel. Before we can invite them to our house, we must go to theirs. We must meet them where they are.
Right before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave to His disciples what we have called the Great Commission. The Great Commission calls for us to go into the entire world and to make disciples of all nations and of all people. The world for some may be traveling down the road to Cumberland, Morgantown, or Uniontown. For others it may be going into the inner cities such as Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles or New York. And yet for others, it may be leaving the security of the United Stated and going to places such as China, Bolivia, Mongolia, Mexico or Guatemala. Again, remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. Who is my neighbor and who am I a neighbor to? If God calls us to such a ministry as this, be obedient to the call. It may mean persecution or it may mean death, but great will be your reward for so persecuted they the prophet's that were before you.
God may be calling you to get out of your comfort zone. He may be telling you to be a witness to your family, in your community or to your neighbors around the world. When He calls, you have a decision to make. Are you going to be like Isaiah and say, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Or, are you going to reach into the bag of patented excuses such as, “I’m too old, I’m too young, I’m to ill, I’m too small, I’m too shy, I’m not worthy, I’m not equipped, I’m to dumb, I’m too smart” or any other excuse that might be in the bag. If you’ve been called and you’ve used any of these excuses in the past, it is not too late. It is never too late. All you need to do is to repent asking God to forgive you. He will then be faithful and cleanse you. He will then prepare you for service and when you enter heaven, He will say, “Well gone good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Throughout David's life he served God's purpose. Though there were times when David swayed from God, sinned, he never made excuses nor did he blame others. He took personal responsibility for his own sin. Because David did not blame or make excuses, God did not do to David what David deserved. God did not give up on him, God did not leave him nor did He forsake him. The Holy Spirit worked on David and David repented. The scripture said that David was a man after God’s own heart. He did however pay the penalty for his sins.
Jeremiah 29:11 God said, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Just as David served God's purpose in his lifetime, you have been called to serve God's purpose in your lifetime. By doing so you may entail persecution of the most severe kind, but Jesus said that great is your reward, for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:12). What reward? In this lifetime knowing that you were persecuted for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ but even greater is the reward of eternal life.
One of the plans that God has for all of His children is the spreading of the gospel. There's opportunity everyday to share the gospel with someone. You should never use the excuse that you don't want to be too pushy because you might push them away. Your pushiness may be the last time that they will ever have to hear the gospel and the last opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There are other times when you are in a crowd and the people present start to defame the name of Christ. Perhaps they are talking about "those Christians." You should never allow that to happen. Not that you want to get into an argument but you are called to defend the name of the one who gave you eternal life. David did so when he went up against Goliath. Goliath spent forty days cursing the one true God and David said enough is enough.
Ministry is a huge word. Every person who walks behind the banner of Christian has been called to be a minister. I believe that when someone is baptized, instead of giving them a certificate of baptism, you should be giving them a certificate of ministry. It is important to pray to God before you go into any type of ministry. You must pray and then listen. When you are asking God for direction or when you are telling God that you are volunteering for service, be patient and God will give you the answer, and He will not wait long to do so. Once He answers your prayer, take action. There are so many ministries available that the list is in exhaustive. Never be guilty of prioritizing ministry. Never be guilty of saying that one ministry is more important than another. God places each and every one of you where he wants you.
We are all of equal importance when it comes to ministry. The foot can not say to the hand, “because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.” We are all a part of the body serving the
body as called on by God to serve.
The question, "are you putting your talents and abilities to use for the sake of the gospel? Are you up and out of your recliner, your hammock, your church pew and working for the one who loves you, the one who paid the price for your sins? The easy thing to do is be a spectator. Being a spectator takes little or no effort. God wants you to be a participant.
All ministries must begin with our family. You have a responsibility to share our faith with those closest to you. Tell them who Jesus is, write them a letter, and invite them to church. Again, don't use the excuse of not wanting to be too pushy. When you stand before God Almighty, are you going to tell him the reason you didn't persist in sharing the gospel with your family is because you didn't want to be too pushy. I wonder what God will say to that? Jesus said that father will betray son to death, daughter will betray mother to death, but it won't happen if you are not a witness to them. Sure your family may tell you to not talk about it or they may even tell you to leave and not come back until you've reached your senses. If that happens, rejoice in the fact that you have been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41).
Once you are out of your hammock, take a look out of your backyard. What do you see? Do you see just your yard or do you also see your neighbor's yard? Do you see neighbors who are struggling, hurting? Does your neighbor need help with their lawn, cleaning the house, bailing the hay? If you are physically able, you have that responsibility. Go and do a good work either for or with them and look for the opportunity to share Jesus. Does your neighbor have an emotional need? Do they have a rebellious child, a spouse that said they were leaving, or are they perhaps dealing with a terminal illness? They just need someone to talk to them, to listen to them. Maybe it’s the elderly or the shut in who needs a visit.
You may live where you can't see your neighbors, so you can legitimately ask, "Who is my neighbor?" (Story of the Good Samaritan, the priest, the Levite) When Jesus asked, “Which of the three was a neighbor to the one in need? This expert of the law answered and said, “The one who had mercy on him.” This legalist despised the Samaritans so much that he couldn’t or wouldn’t even bring himself around to acknowledging that it was the Samaritan. How about you? If a person of another culture, religion or race was in need, would you be there to serve or help? If you were in need would you accept help from someone of a different culture or race? Would you discriminate against any of the above? Is there an ounce of prejudice in you?
Billy Graham said: "The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and the helpless."
There are two parts to Billy Graham's statement.
The first is unselfish Christian service. How are you doing at serving others? That's all ministry is; serving others, putting others needs before your own, sacrificing self for the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says that nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. When you look beyond your backyard and see the needs of others, do you turn your back on them, do you say to yourself, "someone else will take care of that need," or, "I'll get to it just as soon as I can." And then what happens is; out of site-out of mind.
The second part of Rev. Graham's statement is the seeking out of the lost and the helpless. This is the Great Commission. Jesus said that he came to seek and to save those that were lost. In 1 Peter 2:12 we are called to live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Too many churches are busy trying to fill up their church pews by "evangelizing" people from other churches. They say things like, "you should come to our church, we have a great youth ministry, the best around." "You should come to our church, our pastor preaches the Word, he/she is dynamic and you will never be bored." “You should come to our church; we have a great praise and worship team.” Brothers and sisters, there are enough unsaved people in the local communities that you don't need to go and steal from other churches. Go to the lost, wherever they are. The lost may resist coming to a church building but they would still like to meet Jesus.
Sometimes in order to get out of our backyard it is not as easy as opening the fence door and walking out. Sometimes even Christians have challenges. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of your comfort zone. There may be times where you will need to climb a tree and go out on a limb to get out of the backyard and into your community. You may have to cut down or uproot the hedges that separate you from your neighbor. It may not be an easy task but no one said it would be easy.
Many times people are unlovable and you are called to love them. Paul told Timothy that the servant of Jesus must be kind to everyone. Everyone means everyone, there are no exceptions. When you part company with the unlovable what do they say about you? Are you a good or bad representative of Jesus? You may be the only Jesus some may ever see.
One problem that churches have is that they are more inwardly focused and not outwardly focused. We as a church still have a passion for the truth, we still want to exalt Jesus Christ, and we still look forward to the day of his return. But in some ways we have lost the urgency to "go." We can not be like the movie "Field of Dreams" where the voice says, "If you build it they will come." That only works in the movies. The unsaved of today and the church of tomorrow will not be drawn to a building with four walls, one that is of beautiful architecture, but rather a church that is reaching out to the community, one that is feeding the poor, giving clothes to the naked, being involved in prison ministry, showing hospitality by giving shelter to the homeless, visiting the sick. By doing so unto others, you are doing so unto Jesus himself. We do these works not for self-glorification but rather for the glorification of Christ, to lift Him up. The only person we need to please is God. God’s opinion is the only one of importance. We are called to let our light shine before men, that they may see our good deeds and praise the one true God. We must make a personal connection with people. We must earn the right to share the gospel with them. Everyone has needs; the challenge is taking the time to find out what their need is, we need to connect with them. If we focus on filling their needs then we will earn that right of sharing the gospel. Before we can invite them to our house, we must go to theirs. We must meet them where they are.
Right before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave to His disciples what we have called the Great Commission. The Great Commission calls for us to go into the entire world and to make disciples of all nations and of all people. The world for some may be traveling down the road to Cumberland, Morgantown, or Uniontown. For others it may be going into the inner cities such as Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles or New York. And yet for others, it may be leaving the security of the United Stated and going to places such as China, Bolivia, Mongolia, Mexico or Guatemala. Again, remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. Who is my neighbor and who am I a neighbor to? If God calls us to such a ministry as this, be obedient to the call. It may mean persecution or it may mean death, but great will be your reward for so persecuted they the prophet's that were before you.
God may be calling you to get out of your comfort zone. He may be telling you to be a witness to your family, in your community or to your neighbors around the world. When He calls, you have a decision to make. Are you going to be like Isaiah and say, “Here I am Lord, send me.” Or, are you going to reach into the bag of patented excuses such as, “I’m too old, I’m too young, I’m to ill, I’m too small, I’m too shy, I’m not worthy, I’m not equipped, I’m to dumb, I’m too smart” or any other excuse that might be in the bag. If you’ve been called and you’ve used any of these excuses in the past, it is not too late. It is never too late. All you need to do is to repent asking God to forgive you. He will then be faithful and cleanse you. He will then prepare you for service and when you enter heaven, He will say, “Well gone good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Lost Sheep
In Ezekiel 24: 11-16 it says that God Himself will search for His sheep and take care of them and that he would be the one looking after them. It says that He will rescue them from where they are scattered to. It says that He will be the one. It says that He will take came of them. God will be the one. God knows his sheep.
In the Old Testament shepherds weren’t looked down upon like they were in the New Testament era. Ezekiel refers to God as a shepherd, Isaiah mentions God as a shepherd, we know that King David was a shepherd in his youth and Psalm 23 refers to God as a shepherd. God is referred to as the “Good Shepherd.” Somewhere between the Old and the New Testament a transaction occurred whereby shepherds were viewed in the same light as the tax collectors. People considered the shepherd to be the “lowlife” of society. They considered the shepherd to be anything but honorable.
In Luke 15 Jesus tells a parable about three things; 1. a shepherd and his sheep, 2. a woman and her lost coin, 3. a son who went astray and was lost. When you look at Luke 15 you will notice the people were gathering around Jesus to listen to what he had to say. They weren’t the “high and mighty,” they weren’t the elite of society, nor were they the “holier than thou” people. They were present but they were standing at a distant watching. They were standing at a distant because they didn’t want to rub shoulders with those who were gathered close to Jesus. Those who were close to Jesus were the tax collectors, the prostitutes and the “sinners.” They were considered to be the lowlifes of the world. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the priest were there, just not very close. They just didn’t want to associate with those who were there. The religious elite really believed that the Messiah would come from their ranks. They thought he would be educated at the University of Pharisee and learned under the great Gamaliel. So when the Messiah can onto the scene, he was different than what they expected. He was associating with “sinners.” Those people the religious elite despised.
Jesus knowing all things knew what the religious elite were thinking. And knowing what they were thinking Jesus took the opportunity to teach not only those who were hungry for the Word, but to also teach the religious elite. Jesus had a way of bringing people into his stories. He starts the parable saying that suppose you have a hundred sheep. Not someone else, but you. Right away, the religious were in the story, they had 100 sheep and now he only has 99. One of them was lost. It was in the sheepfold this morning. The shepherd takes an inventory of his sheep and notices he only has 99. He does a recount and comes up with the same number. He knows which one is lost because he knows his sheep. They belong to him. He is not a hired herdsman; he is the owner of the sheep. The hired herdsman may know that a sheep is missing, but so what. A hired herdsman will go in the evening after work and tell the owner that one wondered off. This is the owner. He knows that it is the one with the black mark under its left eye, the one that was caught in the briars just a week before. It is no different than any of his other sheep except for now it is lost.
The shepherd realizing that one of his is missing becomes very concerned. The shepherd is thinking, “I must go and search for my lost sheep, if I don’t then my lost sheep will be taken by a bear, a lion or other wild predator. My sheep may end up starving to death, may fall over a cliff.” The shepherd is very concerned. The owner-shepherd must go and find his lost sheep. He is not going to send the hired hands to go and find his sheep, he is going. The hired herdsmen aren’t quite as motivated as the owner. When the going get tough, when the road is rough, the hired herdsmen may just give up. Rather the owner is going to leave the 99 sheep that did not wonder off in the hands of the hired herdsman. The 99 did not wonder off, he personally will go and find the lost one.
As the shepherd searches, he must go through the valleys, climb the rough terrain, and crawl through the thicket. It doesn’t matter where he must go, the only thing on his mind is his lost sheep and that he must rescue it. The shepherd knows that he will find his sheep. Jesus in his parable doesn’t say “if he finds it” but rather “when he finds it.” Make no mistake about it, the shepherd will find it. The shepherd will not give up until he does. After many hours of searching the shepherd sees his sheep, perhaps in a distance, perhaps ready to be pounced on by a bear. The shepherd to the rescue! The shepherd rescues his sheep and saves the day. When he finds the sheep, the shepherd is full of joy. He doesn’t scold the sheep for wondering off. He knows that his sheep needs him. He knows his sheep is dependent upon him. He knows his sheep aren’t the smartest of the animals but are none the less precious. Being full of joy he puts the sheep on his shoulders. He doesn’t make the sheep walk the long path home. The trail was rough, the sheep needs the shepherd. The shepherd would not even think about making his sheep walk the hard path home. The shepherd places the sheep on his shoulders and carries the sheep back across the rough terrain, through the thicket, back into the valley until he arrives home.
When the shepherd arrives home, he doesn’t release the sheep back into the sheepfold but rather calls all of his friends to come to the celebration saying, “rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:7 says that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Many families today have family members who have wondered off from the family. Perhaps someone in the family said something to “hurt their feelings.” Perhaps someone in the family did something to them and this one member of the family left. Maybe the one who wondered off did something that the rest of the family “couldn’t forgive.” What are you going to do about it? As a Christian you are called to forgive as Jesus forgives. As a Christian you are called to love as Jesus loves.
Within the church there have been members of the sheepfold who have wondered off. It’s not until sometime later that we ask, “Whatever happened to so and so?” Maybe they were offended by something someone said. Maybe they misunderstood something. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to simply say that they choose to leave or are you going to love as Jesus loved and find out what happened to them? In Isaiah 58 God said that if we do what we should do, we will be called, “Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” It’s your choice! We, as Christians have been called to rebuild the walls. It is God’s will; we must be restorers because we have been restored! Amen?
In the Old Testament shepherds weren’t looked down upon like they were in the New Testament era. Ezekiel refers to God as a shepherd, Isaiah mentions God as a shepherd, we know that King David was a shepherd in his youth and Psalm 23 refers to God as a shepherd. God is referred to as the “Good Shepherd.” Somewhere between the Old and the New Testament a transaction occurred whereby shepherds were viewed in the same light as the tax collectors. People considered the shepherd to be the “lowlife” of society. They considered the shepherd to be anything but honorable.
In Luke 15 Jesus tells a parable about three things; 1. a shepherd and his sheep, 2. a woman and her lost coin, 3. a son who went astray and was lost. When you look at Luke 15 you will notice the people were gathering around Jesus to listen to what he had to say. They weren’t the “high and mighty,” they weren’t the elite of society, nor were they the “holier than thou” people. They were present but they were standing at a distant watching. They were standing at a distant because they didn’t want to rub shoulders with those who were gathered close to Jesus. Those who were close to Jesus were the tax collectors, the prostitutes and the “sinners.” They were considered to be the lowlifes of the world. The Pharisees, the Sadducees, the scribes and the priest were there, just not very close. They just didn’t want to associate with those who were there. The religious elite really believed that the Messiah would come from their ranks. They thought he would be educated at the University of Pharisee and learned under the great Gamaliel. So when the Messiah can onto the scene, he was different than what they expected. He was associating with “sinners.” Those people the religious elite despised.
Jesus knowing all things knew what the religious elite were thinking. And knowing what they were thinking Jesus took the opportunity to teach not only those who were hungry for the Word, but to also teach the religious elite. Jesus had a way of bringing people into his stories. He starts the parable saying that suppose you have a hundred sheep. Not someone else, but you. Right away, the religious were in the story, they had 100 sheep and now he only has 99. One of them was lost. It was in the sheepfold this morning. The shepherd takes an inventory of his sheep and notices he only has 99. He does a recount and comes up with the same number. He knows which one is lost because he knows his sheep. They belong to him. He is not a hired herdsman; he is the owner of the sheep. The hired herdsman may know that a sheep is missing, but so what. A hired herdsman will go in the evening after work and tell the owner that one wondered off. This is the owner. He knows that it is the one with the black mark under its left eye, the one that was caught in the briars just a week before. It is no different than any of his other sheep except for now it is lost.
The shepherd realizing that one of his is missing becomes very concerned. The shepherd is thinking, “I must go and search for my lost sheep, if I don’t then my lost sheep will be taken by a bear, a lion or other wild predator. My sheep may end up starving to death, may fall over a cliff.” The shepherd is very concerned. The owner-shepherd must go and find his lost sheep. He is not going to send the hired hands to go and find his sheep, he is going. The hired herdsmen aren’t quite as motivated as the owner. When the going get tough, when the road is rough, the hired herdsmen may just give up. Rather the owner is going to leave the 99 sheep that did not wonder off in the hands of the hired herdsman. The 99 did not wonder off, he personally will go and find the lost one.
As the shepherd searches, he must go through the valleys, climb the rough terrain, and crawl through the thicket. It doesn’t matter where he must go, the only thing on his mind is his lost sheep and that he must rescue it. The shepherd knows that he will find his sheep. Jesus in his parable doesn’t say “if he finds it” but rather “when he finds it.” Make no mistake about it, the shepherd will find it. The shepherd will not give up until he does. After many hours of searching the shepherd sees his sheep, perhaps in a distance, perhaps ready to be pounced on by a bear. The shepherd to the rescue! The shepherd rescues his sheep and saves the day. When he finds the sheep, the shepherd is full of joy. He doesn’t scold the sheep for wondering off. He knows that his sheep needs him. He knows his sheep is dependent upon him. He knows his sheep aren’t the smartest of the animals but are none the less precious. Being full of joy he puts the sheep on his shoulders. He doesn’t make the sheep walk the long path home. The trail was rough, the sheep needs the shepherd. The shepherd would not even think about making his sheep walk the hard path home. The shepherd places the sheep on his shoulders and carries the sheep back across the rough terrain, through the thicket, back into the valley until he arrives home.
When the shepherd arrives home, he doesn’t release the sheep back into the sheepfold but rather calls all of his friends to come to the celebration saying, “rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:7 says that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Many families today have family members who have wondered off from the family. Perhaps someone in the family said something to “hurt their feelings.” Perhaps someone in the family did something to them and this one member of the family left. Maybe the one who wondered off did something that the rest of the family “couldn’t forgive.” What are you going to do about it? As a Christian you are called to forgive as Jesus forgives. As a Christian you are called to love as Jesus loves.
Within the church there have been members of the sheepfold who have wondered off. It’s not until sometime later that we ask, “Whatever happened to so and so?” Maybe they were offended by something someone said. Maybe they misunderstood something. What are you going to do about it? Are you going to simply say that they choose to leave or are you going to love as Jesus loved and find out what happened to them? In Isaiah 58 God said that if we do what we should do, we will be called, “Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” It’s your choice! We, as Christians have been called to rebuild the walls. It is God’s will; we must be restorers because we have been restored! Amen?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Let's Reclaim our True History!
I will be up front and tell you that I am not a historian but I also want you to know that I don’t live in a box. In my short half century plus of life I have seen a deliberate, yet suttle distortion of history of the United States. For over three hundred years historians presented a broad perspective of our countries history. The 1960’s ushered in a morepp liberal thinking group covering each of the branches of government; a price we are still paying today. Prior to the 1960’s the rules, regulations and laws were rooted in Biblical values. During the 60’s our political leaders decided to take the Bible principles out of decision making and focus on what they considered to be more important. The focus of the 60’s and into today is not Biblical values but rather on monetary values. For example, the new historical writers don’t look at the Declaration of Independence with the civic, governmental and moral values attached to it but rather from an economic view point; taxation without representation. While you may not think this is a big issue may I tell you that it most certainly is! This is a distortion away from the truth.
We as citizens of the United States of America must preserve our historical heritage. We as citizens must teach our young about the true history and not history strictly from an economic view. It is time for Americans to once again take a stand. We must reclaim our history. So how do we do this? We must reeducate ourselves. We must change our own mindset and look at the true history from a civic, governmental and moral position. If we don’t do it now, if we simply let things continue along on the same path it is currently on, then our real history will soon be forgotten. It’s time we fight for what is right!
A great place to start is with the writings and beliefs of our founding fathers. Take for example Dr. Benjamin Rush. He was a great American hero and role model. At the time of his death in 1813, he was heralded as one of America's three most notable men, along with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. And no wonder! He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, served under three Presidents, helped found five universities and colleges, is titled "The Father of American Medicine," led both the abolition and prison reform movements, and founded American Sunday Schools and the nation's first Bible Society. Amazingly, two hundred years ago, Dr. Benjamin Rush offered insights still applicable today.
Another great study is the writings of the United States first Chief Justice, John Jay. Jay's keen observations on government and society supply excellent material for the scholastic endeavors and also offer an engaging read. You may also want to check out an organization called Wallbuilders. Wallbuilders has a mission of preservation. Wallbuilders materials can be purchased at a discount at Emmaus Road Christian Store.
So it’s up to you. You can either join the fight and educate yourself on our true heritage or just simply accept what the new historians are telling you and accept it as the truth. We must all make a decision. What’s yours?
We as citizens of the United States of America must preserve our historical heritage. We as citizens must teach our young about the true history and not history strictly from an economic view. It is time for Americans to once again take a stand. We must reclaim our history. So how do we do this? We must reeducate ourselves. We must change our own mindset and look at the true history from a civic, governmental and moral position. If we don’t do it now, if we simply let things continue along on the same path it is currently on, then our real history will soon be forgotten. It’s time we fight for what is right!
A great place to start is with the writings and beliefs of our founding fathers. Take for example Dr. Benjamin Rush. He was a great American hero and role model. At the time of his death in 1813, he was heralded as one of America's three most notable men, along with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. And no wonder! He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, served under three Presidents, helped found five universities and colleges, is titled "The Father of American Medicine," led both the abolition and prison reform movements, and founded American Sunday Schools and the nation's first Bible Society. Amazingly, two hundred years ago, Dr. Benjamin Rush offered insights still applicable today.
Another great study is the writings of the United States first Chief Justice, John Jay. Jay's keen observations on government and society supply excellent material for the scholastic endeavors and also offer an engaging read. You may also want to check out an organization called Wallbuilders. Wallbuilders has a mission of preservation. Wallbuilders materials can be purchased at a discount at Emmaus Road Christian Store.
So it’s up to you. You can either join the fight and educate yourself on our true heritage or just simply accept what the new historians are telling you and accept it as the truth. We must all make a decision. What’s yours?
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