Category Archives: THE WORD

On Him They Laid The Cross

18 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by in Devotional, GENERAL, Luke, New Testament, THE WORD

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“Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.” (Luke 23:26 NKJV)

Can we choose our own martyrdom?

I remember that question being posed to me as a young believer, and it has been rolling around in my heart and mind ever since. Do we have the freedom to choose where we die to ourselves as Christians? Do we have the freedom to choose how we serve? How we lay our lives down for Christ? What does the answer mean for my life? My future? The way I make decisions?

The simple answer is no, we do not have the freedom to choose our martyrdom. Maybe a radical jihadi feels the freedom to give his life for a cause in the way he or she chooses, but in God’s kingdom that is not the case. Believers are called to share the truth of the gospel in love, and trust God when obedience to that call leads them to diverse circumstances, no matter what result of the obedience means for that said believer.

The answer touches on the Lordship of Jesus Christ in the life of a believer. The word Lord is probably understood best in the sense of a 5 star general, but it involves even more that. When a general commands a lesser ranking soldier to do something, there is no debate or discussion. There is obedience or consequences. What makes Jesus different from a general is the motivation He gives to submit to that Lordship. People join the military for a variety of reasons and then are forced to submit. I handed my life to Jesus because he loved me and gave His life for me first. He never forced me, He just showed me the way of life.

We do not like to think along those lines as Christians. Obey or consequences? We deeply value our freedom in Christ, and we should. The price was very great, and we are now free from sin and death.  We just often misunderstand Christian freedom in today’s Christianity. True freedom in Christ is expressed in our newfound ability to no longer live a life of sin, and freely follow Jesus and His commands. Jesus said, “if you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). Our freedom allows us to obey Him, to love Him, and to love others in the way love was meant to be expressed.

Getting back to Simon. It says he was a Cyrenian, which means he came from Africa, and being in Jerusalem he was surely a Jew. 3 times a year Jewish people were required to come to the temple in Jerusalem: For the Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles. Many Jews did not have the resource to obey this command, especially those who lived as far as Africa. Cyrene is modern-day Libya on the north coast of Africa, and Simon had made a long journey to come to the feast of the passover in Jerusalem. Maybe this was the first time he had ever been to Jerusalem. Either way, he had made a long journey for a very distinct purpose: celebrate the Passover in the Holy City. It is also safe to say that carrying the cross of a man named Jesus was not in the plans.

This is where the application for the believer is found. How often we say; God I want to worship you, I want to live for you. I want to serve you… but, not like this or like that. We have misconstrued freedom to justify disobedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as show our lack of faith in the sovereignty of almighty God, and the spheres of sacrifice and service He desires to place us in.

With that, here is the question: Have you allowed Jesus to lay His cross upon your life? The cross means sacrifice, and the loss of life so that you might find it. Have you allowed Jesus to be the Lord of your life and surrendered fully to Him? Or have you complained and kicked against the situations He has placed you in? Have you decided that you will only serve Jesus as it fits into your convenience, your comfort zone, your pre-determined notions for what is acceptable and what is just too much?

A true disciple lays their life down and picks up their cross freely. Their surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ has allowed them the freedom to follow and serve Him. There is no thought of where I want to serve, or how I want to serve. I am a slave to Jesus Christ, and I trust that as I follow and serve Him I will find the best life this side of heaven.

Meditate and Apply:

  1. Who is the Lord of my life?
  2. What areas of my life have I not surrendered to Jesus?
  3. Have I been unwilling to serve unless on my terms?
  4. Have I been comparing myself to others? Is that what God wants from my life?
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We Do Not Lose Heart

01 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in 2 Corinthians, GENERAL, THE WORD

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A good friend shared a philosophy about church with me that he had heard: Church should be enjoyed, not endured.

I have been thinking about this a lot ever since I heard it because while it sounded good, there was something that didn’t sit quite right with me. I believe 2 Corinthians revealed the truth to me.

2 Corinthians 4:11 “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

This is why church will not always be an enjoyable experience. If a church is being faithful to Word of God, faithful to Jesus, and faithful to proclaim the way of the cross there will be times when church feels like death. We are worldly, carnal people as a whole, even in the church, and as a church and a pastor are faithful to teach and preach what God has said about life and godliness there will be conviction of sin and worldliness, and a confrontation with our flesh. That confrontation that comes from faithful preaching will cause us to be uncomfortable as the Word of God works as a mirror to show us who we are, how carnal we have been acting, how full self we are. The confrontation of the Word of God and the claims of Christ will put us to a decision: Will we die to ourself as we submit to the Word and follow Him? Or will we choose to ignore the tough words as we indulge the flesh?

“For the time will come when THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, but ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN DESIRES, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, and be turned aside to fables. But YOU be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, FULFILL YOUR MINISTRY.” -2 Timothy 4:3-5

The time will come when they will not ENDURE. In the end times people will look for teachers, for churches, and for a message that appease their own desires. Churches will be built on the foundation of never saying anything that causes discomfort, confrontation, or Godly sorrow. They will supremely look to make an enjoyable experience and entertain the flock. God says that is turning away from the truth. Turning away from the reality that when we choose the cross, we will have to die. The flesh does not want to die, and it cries out, and tries to convince us not to endure.

There is no resurrection without the crucifixion. There is no pentecost without calvary. There is no life without death.

The secret is that when we choose die is when we truly find life. We can never find an abundant life if we are constantly looking to appease the flesh.

Death to self will not be enjoyable in the moment, but we can rejoice all the same knowing what God is going to produce within us through that death: Resurrection life and a character transformed into the image of Christ. Create a person who truly is the fragrance of Christ, and someone who has a depth of character that will truly be able to minister to people.

As Paul said, therefore WE DO NOT LOSE HEART.

The author of Hebrews said, YOU HAVE NEED OF ENDURANCE.

Jesus said, I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU… I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF; THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO.

Be faithful, don’t change the message, fulfill your ministry, look to eternity, hope in God. Amen.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Free Will and Sovereignty

03 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Apologetics, Job, John, New Testament, Old Testament, Romans, THE WORD

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“Can you search out the deep things of God?
Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?
They are higher than heaven— what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol— what can you know?
Their measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.”
-Job 11:7-9

The western mind is one of analysis and trying to figure things out. Sir Isaac Newton had an apple fall on his head, and his thoughts were why and how. He then went on to discover the laws of gravity. The curious western mind has done much good in the world, but has also caused us to err at times.
One of the places it has caused us to err frequently is in our understanding of God. God says something to us, and we say why and how? I don’t believe God is angry at those questions, and in fact, invites them, but those questions should always come in light of the verses above. Yes, search out the things of God, but remember we are finite creature made of dust. The problem often arises when we elevate ourselves in the sight of God, and say if I cannot make sense of it, than it cannot be true. When we proudly and presumptuously, and often without knowing what we are doing, assume our intellect is capable of grasping all the facets of God we are prone to great err… and to our own hurt.
As we see here in the book of Job, very possibly the oldest book in the Bible, the eastern Hebrew mind had accepted one very important reality. God’s thoughts are higher above our own than the heavens are above the earth (Isaiah 55:9). We cannot even come close to completely understanding God. We are finite and can only understand a very little, while God is eternal and without limits in His understanding. To try and figure out the unrevealed ways of God is futile, and even blasphemous. As soon as we start figuring out God apart from His revelation we are guaranteed to err.
Why do I write all this? I think this is very important in the realm of predestination and the sovereignty of God. God says both a)that anyone can come, and b)that all were predestined and chosen. In fact, He often says them in close proximity to one another (John 3:16, 6:44, 15:16; Romans 8:29-30, 9:16, 10:13).
What does this mean for us? It means that both things are wonderful truths of God to be accepted and enjoyed for eternity. It also means to try and understand how God harmonizes the two seemingly incompatible concepts that are beyond our understanding is impossible, and that we do much better to humbly accept them. God distinctly says that man both has universal opportunity to come to Him and receive salvation, and that only those who are drawn and chosen will come.
Why?? How?? The western mind wonders, and that is good… but only if we have the correct view of God and man. Paul, a genius and former Hebrew rabbi who had excelled above all, ended his Romans discourse with this: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (Rom 11:33)”
Our problem comes from a prideful heart that says I can systematize the unsearchable riches of God’s ways. Man says, if this statement is true, than this, this, and this must be true as well because that is what makes sense to my rational mind.
Have you noticed the general countenance of those who proclaim to have systemized God’s unrevealed ways?? There is undoubtedly an aloofness and pride that goes along with their theology. They have figured out what many cannot, or so they think. This is how God thinks when he makes this or that statement, and I have figured it out.
Beware, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
May we instead, rejoice in the goodness of God when He says WHOEVER calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Praise the Lord! God is long-suffering, not desiring anyone to perish. Praise the Lord! He loves all and deeply desires to save all, I serve a wonderful God!
Then, let us whole-heartedly thank God for His wisdom and strength. He chose me and predestined me before the foundation of the earth…?? WOW… Praise Him!! He will never leave me nor forsake me, I am completely secure in the strongest hands the universe could ever know! Wow… praise Him, my God is amazing!
In our infinite and limited minds we cannot reconcile every part of God, and we are not called to do so. We are called to know Him, His character, and His heart as He has revealed Himself to us. Then in humility follow the One who loved us and gave us life for us, loving others the way He loves us.
That is the commandment He gave us as He left this earth (John 13:34, 15:17), so let us not get distracted trying to figure out things we were never meant to fully understand, let us not get puffed up with pride in our minds as we elevate our understanding far above where it should rightly be, and may we not bite and devour one another as knowledge becomes more important than love. That would be very unfortunate, disobedient to the commands of Christ, destructive to the body of Christ, and definitely not glorifying to God.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

11 Monday Apr 2016

Posted by in Devotional, GENERAL, John, THE WORD

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A question about the work of the Holy Spirit

Spurgeon and the Holy Spirit

How can we know something is of the Holy Spirit, or if something is just an emotional high that makes us feel good?

I ask this question because the emotional high is often so attractive, especially to the young Christian, but is not always the work of the Holy Spirit at all. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person of the trinity, and He has a very distinct job description. If we look to John 14-16 we are told much about the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus says, He will be sent to us as someone who will guide us into truth, bring the words of Jesus into remembrance, convict the world of sin and righteousness, and most importantly TESTIFY OR POINT TO JESUS AND GLORIFY HIM. If you read John 14 this is all said in connection with true love being measured by our obedience to the words of Christ. The Work of the Holy Spirit is to show us what the truth is, convict us of sin, and bring us to Jesus. That is the work of the Holy Spirit.


Nothing is said of tears, weeping, music, healing or anything else. Those things may accompany the move of the Spirit, but they are not the point nor the proof. The entire work of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin and point to Jesus. That is worshipping in spirit and truth.


So, if anything is happening in a church, regardless of how emotional or unemotional it is, we can only know a true move of the Spirit by the amount that thing is convicting of sin and pointing to Jesus. Jesus says the Holy Spirit will only speak what He has received from the Father… that means anything outside of God’s revealed Word is not the truth, and therefore not a move of the Holy Spirit. What is the sum of God’s word? Repent and come to the Savior. The Holy Spirit is working as One with the Father and Son to bring as many to Him as possible, and then make them real disciples, or like Christ.


Therefore, let us not measure the presence of the Holy Spirit by how emotionally charged something is, but by how much conviction of sin is happening, and how many people are truly coming to know Jesus Christ. If man, experience, emotion, healing, prosperity, the good life, or anything other thing besides Jesus is being focused on, than the Holy Spirit is not behind it… no matter how good it feels or emotional people get.


I am reminded of the stories of John Edwards during the age of revival. He would plainly read a sermon like “sinners in the hands of an angry God” and people would come begging God to forgive their sins and restore them in Christ. That is the Holy Spirit at work. I am also reminded of my friend, Terry Clark, a long time worship leader, exhorting people in a worship conference to know that the Holy Spirit will always testify of Christ, not man, and that is how we know a work of the Holy Spirit.

Let us not be deceived, let us be filled with the Spirit, and let us follow hard after Christ and His word, trusting the Spirit to help us be more like Him everyday. AMEN!

As a pastor and director of a Bible College I have a huge heart to see the next generation guided into all truth. My hope is that this article will help people not go down a path that leads them away from God’s truth in the name of emotionalism, but towards Christ in the name of true worship. To God be the Glory!

His Salvation

17 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by in Devotional, New Testament, Romans, THE WORD

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“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
-Romans 4:7-8

This is the center of Christianity. Not that I am good or moral, but that I am forgiven and righteous because of what Jesus did at the cross. I love God’s salvation, and I am so thankful for it. It’s perfect.

My relationship with God is based on love. His love. He loved me so much He came and did what I could never do: pay the price for my sins and make me righteous before God. I know people don’t like the word sin, but it simply means to miss God’s standard. The standard our conscious speaks of when we lie, or do something we inherently know to be wrong. We have all sinned and fall short of the standard of God, and King David knew that no man could be blessed by his own efforts. Those efforts are always stained by gross sin. No, David knew the only way to blessing was receiving God’s mercy and grace, which God is so ready and willing to give to any who come to Him in humility and faith. We are to humble ourselves before God, admit the obvious, and receive His grace, kindness, mercy, and love. God wants to give, but we accept reality, and trust in God.

I also love God’s salvation because it is sure and secure. Because my relationship with God is not based on my works, but on God’s love and work. My salvation never moves. I don’t have to wonder day-by-day if I have done enough, or if I am good enough. I just accept that I have sinned, and receive God’s gift of forgiveness and life through faith. I can trust His salvation, lean my entire self on it, and build my entire life on it. There is nothing else like it in this crazy, ever-changing world we live in. I can know the truly safe place to invest my entire being, and not have to worry what will come of me. That is peace and joy. I used to look around this world and think what option will work out for me best? What is the meaning of life? I don’t have to worry about that anymore because I have found the meaning of life, the only truth, and I can trust in it.

Christianity is also so different than other religions in that respect. Whether it be Islam, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, Buddhism, Hinduism etc. all of those religions are based on what man can do, how good can he be. Then after life is over, people are left wondering if they have done enough. The confidence of these religions is then subject to change day-by-day. One day you were relatively moral and kind, and feel confident that you will make it to heaven, or whatever goal that has been set in that religion. Then next day you yell at you wife, tear down a friend, get road rage, or simply get depressed because of your inadequacies and are now sure you won’t make it. There is no peace there.

That is where Christianity is different. God says, I know who you are, and I now you can’t attain to a truly “good” standing, but I love you and I have come to redeem you. God says I will do the work you cannot, and if you will only accept me and trust my salvation, then I will forgive you and you will become my son or daughter.

There is nothing better than the Father/Child love relationship with God through Jesus. There is nothing this world can offer that even compares to Jesus Christ, and His salvation. For that, I am truly thankful.

Giving It All

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in Acts, Devotional, GENERAL, New Testament, THE WORD

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“Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” -Acts 14:19-20
I read Acts 14 this morning, and I am just amazed by Paul’s actions here. He was drug out of Lystra, and had rocks thrown at him until he was presumed dead. We’re talking about his body being battered and broken until he was a bloody heap. So what did Paul do when he supernaturally rose up after the disciples came? He marched right back into the city where the people had just stoned him were at, and spent the night before continuing on about His Father’s business. He was undeterred.
Can you imagine looking into Paul’s eyes when he later exhorted the Ephesian elders and said, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24) His actions proved these words so true, and made them so impactful. He was on his way to Jerusalem where he knew certain persecution was waiting, but He was going to finish His work, and do it with joy.
That is what being a Christian is all about, and with the new year approaching I want my life to be a little more like Paul’s. All about Jesus regardless of the hardships this world throws at me.

What Do We Seek After?

25 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in Devotional, Luke

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“And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” -Luke 16:15

Even for the Christian, the pull to go after wealth and the things that our world and culture count as important is very strong. I can find myself looking around at the world, and wanting the successful American life that so many I know are enjoying. But, what God says here is a very strong statement: What men consider the best, God considers the worst.

I think it is interesting that later in this chapter two men are shown (the rich man and Lazarus) from a temporal and then an eternal standpoint. Lazarus was a disease-riddled beggar for his time on earth, while the rich man enjoyed wealth and the best things this world had to offer. Yet, after they both died (as everyone does) Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom preparing for heaven for all eternity, while the rich man was to be tormented in flames for all-time.

The physical eye-test of these two men while they were on earth would tell us we would much rather be the rich man and enjoy the ease and comfort of wealth, but without a doubt the truly blessed man was the one who will spend eternity with God in heaven.

Don’t let the pull of our culture, our greed, and our eyes cause us to strive to be the rich man, but let us seek after Jesus and enjoy best life on this earth (one of peace, joy, and true fulfillment) and the best life to come.

“whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” -James 4:14

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:19-21

Love And The Lost

21 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in GENERAL, John, New Testament, Reaching the Lost, THE WORD

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“All my forefathers have passed away into darkness without knowing anything of what was to befall them; how is it that your forefathers knowing all these things, did not send word to my forefathers sooner?” ~ African chief to missionary David Livingstone

I love reading the quotes of past missionaries and people who gave their lives to be about the Lord’s business. I was deeply touched when I studied through church history, and especially inspired by those from the missionary era such as William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Hudson Taylor. I think that all Christians should be a bit (maybe alot) more radical ( in modern terms that means crazy) just like those who spread the Gospel in the book of Acts. The apostle Paul said he desired to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. These were’nt just words from Paul, but the reality of a crazy person committed to Jesus.

When I read this quote from an African Chief the early missionary David Livingstone came into contact with, it stopped me in my tracks. Usually, the quotes and stories I read are from the perspective of those bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard, but this was a different perspective. This was a man who come to the truth, realized that Jesus was the only way to be saved, knew that in order to believe someone had to hear the gospel, and he wanted to know why no one came sooner. He wanted to know why when Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) it took the body of Christ close to 2,000 years to come to his village. I think that is very good question. I think it is a question that we as the body of Christ have a responsibility to answer, and hopefully it causes us to hear the words of Jesus and amend our ways.

Here are a few quotations from Jesus:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” -John 4:34-35

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” -John 3:17

(To His disciples) “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” -John 20:21

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” -John 17:20

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 22:37-40

These are just a few of the words of Christ regarding what He came to do ( The name Jesus means God is salvation, and His name implied His mission), and the work He left for His followers, not to mention anything of what Paul and the rest of the epistles say regarding our responsibility (See Romans 10:14-17)

The section of scripture I want to direct us to is the last one I listed from Matthew 22. I think two good questions for those who belong to Christ, and have received His love, forgiveness, grace, and salvation are how do we love God with everything we have and how do we love our neighbor as our self?

First, how do we love God with everything we have? As I am writing this my wife is snuggled up with her little sister. They aren’t doing much, they’re eating popcorn, watching a movie, talking with each other. They are spending time together. They love each other, and it is a blessing to see it. The same thing is done with those who love God. We spend time with Him. We get to know Him. We first know He has saved us, and then because of that knowledge we want to get to know this heavenly Father who will love us forever absolutely perfectly. In short, we abide with Him (John 15).

When we abide in Him, and spend time with Him something funny happens. We become more like Him. We take on His character and His nature, the things that are important to Him become important to us, and things He loves and hates we begin to love and hate as well.

Have you ever noticed a couple that has been happily married for 50 years? They have grown from being two individuals into being one beautiful married couple. They eat dinner at the same time, they go to bed at the same time, they enjoy the same vacations, and they watch the same movies. They have rubbed off on each other. Jesus prayed that believers would be one with Him as He was one with the Father (John 17). Becoming one with Jesus and the Father is loving God.

Another way we love God, is obeying what He said to do (John 14:15) Let me ask you this (and parents may understand this better than others) would you be happy with your child when he brings you a daisy after he had just ignored every chore you had given them to do, thrown paint all over the living room, wrecked the project in the garage you had been working on for 6 months, and to top it off misrepresented your most precious family values to everyone they came into contact with? We don’t need to go into the type of reaction that would create, but needless to say the daisy wouldn’t be received too well. The same principle can be applied to our relatioship with God. He is not looking for the big sacrificial gift, but a life that adheres to His nature and commands(1 Samuel 15:22). In short, if we are to love God we need to hear what He says, and then do what He instructs.

Secondly, How do we love our neighbors? Well, first we need to define neighbor in order to get the right eye-level to carry out this command. The word neighbor here means Biblically A) A freind B) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth C) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion (See John 3:16, He so loved the World) with whom we live or whom we chance to meet (BLB.org, Strong’s concordance, Outline for Biblical Usage)

So, now that we have neighbor defined, how do we love them as ourself? Let me ask you this Christian, what is the best thing that has ever happened to you or been given to you? It must be the salvation of God, forgiveness of sin, and a relationship with Jesus Christ our creator. To be born-again and know God is the single most importnant and wonderful thing that can happen in a human life. If everything else in my life is a failure, and I am homeless and starving without a penny to my name, but I belong to Christ than I am eternally rich beyond every sense of the word. So, there are many ways we can love one another as we walk in the spirit, but there can be no better demonstration of love than for us to lay down our selfish desires in order to bring someone else to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Why do bring all this up? As we string together what it means to love God and love people I think it should motivate us to spread the gospel of Christ to those immediately around us, and also to those all over the world. Jesus loved people. He loved them so much He humbled himself by coming out of heaven and subjecting Himself to all the weakness of His creation, and relegated Himself to being killed by that creation all so he could end world hunger… wait that’s not it. He came to this earth to pay the price man’s sin deserved, so that any who would come to Him and believe in Him would be saved from the punishment due those sins. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

Go back to the African Chief who said why didn’t you come sooner. The Bible says God loved his forefathers deeply, and the Bible says Jesus sent us to finish His work of salvation just as the Father sent Jesus. I can’t go back and redo Christian History. In fact I can’t do anything of myself period. I can’t even keep myself from catching a cold, but what I can do is hear the words of Jesus and lift up eyes and see that the fields are ripe for harvest NOW. I can begin to lift my eyes up and take them off myself, my wants, my career, my entertainment, my things, and my comfort; and begin to love others enough to bring them the only thing that can change a life and save a soul. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wasn’t ashamed of it because he understood these things and so much more. Because he understood the weight of the gospel and the world’s need for it, he spent His life getting this message and this Savior out to the world. When Paul was done he received a crown and a hearty well done good and faithful servant from God his Father. What about us?

Getting Honest

12 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by in 1 Kings, Devotional, Old Testament

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“And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.” -1 Chronicles 3:3

Thought: I have often read through the records of the kings and thought, “what’s a matter with these guys?”

But, today I had a different thought. I recognized myself when I read, He loved the Lord, but burned incense at the high places. I have a deep love for the Lord, but I find myself worshipping entertainment and pleasure far too often, and that was the sin of Solomon and many others like him.

Instead of thinking I’m better than Solomon, I realized I am a Solomon. I want to get honest in my self-assessment, confess my failures, and allow the Lord to do a work in my heart; and help me put away all the high places that I have hidden there, and know Him more intimately than ever.