20150921 HOW QUICK DO YOU RESPOND?

HOW QUICK DO YOU RESPOND?

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow Me and be My disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed Him.

In the Greek language this statement Jesus makes to Matthew is wrapped up in a single word, ἀκολουθέω… akoloutheō. So, Jesus spoke a single word to Matthew and he dropped what he was doing, got up and followed Jesus.

When I started this blog I pointed out John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.  (32) And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

The question I’d like you to ask today is this, “How quickly do I respond when the Holy Spirit leads me?” Do you drop what you’re doing and follow Him immediately?

Father in heaven, thank You for Your Holy Spirit who guides us. Give us hearts that are quick to follow. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

LIGHT

LIGHT

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  (15)  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  (16)  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

We are the light of the world. Jesus came as the original light (John 1:9), but here He passes onto us the task of being the light of the world. With that task is the instruction not to hide that light. Many mistake this light for the spoken gospel, but Jesus clarifies what He is talking about in verse 16 where He says, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out…” It is good deeds that shine the light. The word translated “deeds” in the NLT would better be translated “works” which carries the idea of an extended on going undertaking. In other words, let all your deeds, works be good in such a way as to show you are a child of God.

Elsewhere, Jesus tells us that the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. I have met many people who I could tell were believers by the way they did business and by how they treated other people. 

“For all to see-“ Don’t hide the fact that you are His child. Live righteously in front of others. Now this may seem to be a contradiction to Matthew 6:1 which tells us not to do our “good works publicly, to be admired of others…” It is not a contradiction but a command to know our motives. A pure motive is that “everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” An impure motive is that everyone will praise you.

This is not an impossibility because Christ tells us to do what we do openly for God’s glory, so it can be done. I believe the answer is found in prayer.

Father in heaven, as Jesus taught us to pray, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Cleanse our motives and cause us to live in such a way as to glorify You. May we live holy, pure lives and have motives and thoughts that please You. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

SALT

SALT

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Salt was used for preserving food and flavoring it. Without salt meat would quickly go bad in the heat. Also, the table salt we use does not easily lose its flavor but the salt of Jesus time came from sources that weren’t always as pure as they needed to be for good flavor. Therefore, purity plays a part in this passage. If there is a lack of purity in us we may lose the ability to be of use in preserving others for eternity.

Think about the story of Sodom and Gomorrah from Genesis 18. The sin of these two cities and the surrounding area had become so great God decided to destroy them. Before carrying out His plan He told Abraham what He was about to do. Abraham carries on a conversation with God asking Him to show mercy for the sake of those who are righteous. He starts off asking God to spare the cities if He finds 50 righteous people, then 45, 40, 30, 20 and finally 10. Each time God agrees to spare the cities if He can find that many righteous people.

The Lord sends His angels to Sodom to check on the situation and while there they tell Lot to leave with his family. (I’m shortening this quite a bit. Please read Genesis 18:16-19:29 for the whole story.) Lot goes to talk to his daughters and their husbands. The wording of verse 14 leaves some question to how many daughters Lot had. Some translations suggest he spoke to the fianc’es of the two daughters he took with him. Others seem to suggest that he had other daughters who were already married. If the latter were true then in the city of Sodom was Lot, his wife, two daughters at home, at least two daughters married with their spouses. That is only 8, but the sons-in-law were not righteous either. The young men thought him a fool. So four people fled the city. Later in scripture Lot is described as a man who vexed his righteous soul. Nothing is said of the spiritual status of his daughters and wife.

Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah.

For a lack of 9 righteous people that area was destroyed completely. When you think your sinful actions don’t hurt anyone remember this story. Remember that your purity does make a difference because it preserves.

Father in heaven, remind us of the importance of being salt in this earth, good salt, flavorful, preserving, pure salt. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

MERCY

MERCY

Matthew 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

This is pretty straight forward. If you are merciful you will receive mercy. So what does it mean to be merciful? It is refusing to give a person the punishment they deserve. It is showing kindness and forgiveness to one who has mistreated you. It is to overlook insults and slights to find a way to bless the offender.

Years ago I heard a pastor relate this story. He was on his home from a preaching engagement far away from his home town. He was driving through the night and decided to stop at a road side truck stop and restaurant. When he walked in he was the only patron. He seated himself and waited several minutes for a waitress. When she approached his table she asked him abruptly, “What do you want?”

He replied that he’d like a Danish and a cup of coffee. She returned several minutes later and practically threw the plate with the Danish and the cup and saucer on the table. The Danish slid off the plate onto the table and some of the coffee sloshed out of the cup into the saucer and onto the table.

He had every right to demand to speak to the manager, but instead he calmly ate his Danish, drank his coffee and left a $50 tip on the table. As he was exiting the door the waitress ran up to him and said, “Mister, you’ve made a mistake. I don’t think you meant to leave this on the table.”

He said, “Oh, but I did.”

She said, “You couldn’t have. I treated you awful.”

He said, “I just figured you were having a bad day and I wanted to bless you.”

She began to sob and shared that she was a single mom who had just gone through a terrible divorce. This was the only job she could find and working nights wasn’t bringing in much money.

He stood there and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her and she became a child of God that night.

That is “Mercy.” God showed His love to us while we were still sinners by sending His Son to the cross for us. That is “Mercy.”

Micah 6:8 No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Emphasis added)

Do you love mercy? Oh I know you love it when others don’t get even for something wrong you’ve done, but do you love mercy? Do you love to show mercy to others? As a disciple of Jesus Christ we are called to be merciful. That means that we are not to be looking for ways to get even with others who’ve hurt us. Do you love mercy?

Father in heaven, thank You for the amazing mercy You’ve shown to us. May we be filled with mercy for others. When we are wronged, quickly remind us to be merciful, kind and forgiving as You have been and are daily to us. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

JUSTIFIED

JUSTIFIED

Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

The word, “justice” would better be translated “justification.” The original word used gives the idea of being in a state that is acceptable to God. So this hungering and thirsting is a desire that can only be satisfied by being made right or righteous in God’s sight. One definition of the word, “justified” is; made just as if I never sinned.

Unfortunately, many give little or no thought to standing before God. Hebrews 9:27 “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…” None of us will escape the death of our flesh and after that is a judgment. The next verse in Hebrews 9 says, “so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.” Those who have found the satisfaction for their justification in Christ long for His return and they will not be disappointed.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

It is important to understand that our justification before God is complete in Christ Jesus. Knowing this frees us to serve Him out of love, not out of fear. His return will not be to judge those who are eagerly waiting for Him, rather it will be to bring our salvation to full fruition.

See here what awaits both the believers and the unbelievers; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with His mighty angels, (8)  in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don't know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.  (9)  They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.

If you are reading this and have never given much thought to eternity and your need of Christ Jesus I urge you to begin now. The Word of God teaches us that we are all sinners who fall short of God’s perfection and therefore deserve His wrath. But God is not willing that any should perish. He desires your salvation so much so that He made a way by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to come to this earth, live a sinless life and die on a cross in our place. Jesus being totally righteous took our sins upon Himself and paid the penalty when He died on the cross. Because He is totally righteous God did not leave Him in the grave but raised Him from the dead. And Romans 10:9-11 tells us, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  (10)  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (11) As the Scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.’"

And so I urge you to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Become a child of God today. If you have more questions about this please feel free to call Fairview Baptist Church at 765-452-9237.

As believers we do not need to fear Christ’s return but can look forward to it with great expectation that He will indeed and has indeed satisfied our hungering and thirsting by giving His life on Calvary’s cross.

Father in heaven, thank You for the promise that You have fulfilled in Christ Jesus by making us righteous through His sacrifice. Grant that we, Your children would have full assurance of Your love for us and live in love for You, instead of in fear of punishment. Through Christ our Lord, AMEN!!!

FISH FOR PEOPLE

Matthew 4:19  Jesus called out to them, "Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!"

There is more to following Jesus than just caring for our own souls. The Father desires that all men would repent (2Peter3:9). He also desires that His house would be full (Luke 14:23).

2 Kings 6:24-7:19 tells about a time when Samaria (Capital of the ten tribes of Israel during the reign of King Joram) was surrounded and under siege by the Arameans. The siege had become so intense the people of Israel had turned to cannibalism. I urge you to read the entire passage, but for our purposes today I’m going to paraphrase a part of the story.

There were four lepers who stayed at the gate of the city. They were outcasts because of the disease that ate away their flesh. In conversation they decided to go to the Arameans and surrender hoping they would either be fed or put out of their misery. When they arrived in the camp of the enemy they found horses still tied up, tents full of food and other items, but no Arameans. The night before the Lord had caused a sound like an approaching army to be heard among the Arameans who fled leaving everything behind. The four lepers started feasting and then thought better of what they were doing. Their country men were back in the city still starving and so, (2 Kings 7:9) “Finally, they said to each other, ‘This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren't sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let's go back and tell the people at the palace.’”

They knew they dare not keep the good news to themselves. As a follower of Jesus Christ you will learn to share with others what He has done for you. You will fish for people. If you make Jesus Lord of your life, you will not be able to be silent about Him. His message will burn in your bones like a fire. He said, "Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!" What He says happens. So follow Him and fish for people.

Father in heaven, Fill us this day with Your Holy Spirit power to witness for You that others may join the banquet of Your love, forgiveness and peace that we experience. May many lost souls come to know You today through our fishing, our lives, our words for Your glory.

In the Name of Jesus, AMEN!!!

Testing God

Testing God

Matthew 4:7  Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'You must not test the LORD your God.'"

Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy 6:16 in answer to Satan’s temptation for Christ to prove that God is with Him. The command wasn’t really given with Bubba in mind hollering out, “Hey ya’ll watch this!” right before performing some insane, life threatening act of carelessness. Although that could fall under this command the children of Israel tested the Lord in many ways that mirror our own lives today.

The scriptures record the children of Israel testing God in the following ways:

1. By complaining- Exodus 17:2  So once more the people complained against Moses. "Give us water to drink!" they demanded. "Quiet!" Moses replied. "Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the LORD?"

2. By doubting his presence with them- Exodus 17:7  Moses named the place Massah (which means "test") and Meribah (which means "arguing") because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD here with us or not?"

3. By refusing to listen to God's voice- Numbers 14:21-22  But as surely as I live, and as surely as the earth is filled with the LORD's glory,  (22)  not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen My glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested Me by refusing to listen to My voice.

4. By demanding their desires be fulfilled- Psalms 78:18  They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved.

5. By not obeying His laws- Psalms 78:56  But they kept testing and rebelling against God Most High. They did not obey His laws.

6. By ignoring all He had done for them Psalms 95:9  For there your ancestors tested and tried My patience, even though they saw everything I did.

7. By not practicing self-control- Psalms 106:14  In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God's patience in that dry wasteland.

8. By doubting God's just timing- Malachi 3:15  From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.'"

As a disciple of Jesus Christ who applies His words to our lives we must ask the questions, “Do I complain? Do I doubt His promise to always be with me? Do I refuse to listen to Him? Do I demand that God fulfill my desires? Do I disobey His laws? Do I ignore all the miracles around me or forget all the blessings I’ve already seen? Do I give into whatever desire I have? Do I doubt God’s justice and timing?”

As I study for this blog, I am greatly convicted by how much I complain, doubt and whine when my desires are not fulfilled.

Oh Lord God, You have been amazingly patient with me and I am grateful. Your word tells me that confessing my sin brings your abundant forgiveness. Thank you. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable, even joyful in Your sight. You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Help us to walk in gratefulness, faith, obedience and hope at Your faithfulness.

FOLLOWING THROUGH

John 8:31-32  Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.

32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Mathew 7:24-27  "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.

26 But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

This blog is being written based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. My goal here is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to help others be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

DISCLAIMER: I know that all scripture is given by inspiration of God… and I am in no way discounting any of it. So, please do not write me about that. This is not intended to be a thorough study of all of the Word of God. It is intended to help myself and those interested in being disciples of Jesus Christ by reading, meditating on, and applying to our lives, the words of Jesus Christ. That is not to say that we won’t be using other passages to bolster what is taught. It is to say, that for this endeavor that our main focus will be on the Words of Jesus often printed in red letters. Thus, we begin where Father began with me a couple months ago.

One of my Elders challenged me to begin writing a daily devotional for our congregation. In a time of prayer I kept hearing the words, “Red Letter Discipleship.” After discussing this with my dear friend, confidant and wife (all the same person) we prayed further and felt impressed this was direction from our Lord. In prayer and study Father took me to the two passages above and so here are some thoughts on these passages.

Jesus made it clear that to be His disciple one must “remain faithful to” His “teachings.” (John 8:31) And according to verse 32, if we remain faithful to His teachings we will “know the truth” which will set us “free.” We are told in John 14:6 that Jesus is indeed the “Truth.” So, in following, abiding in and remaining in His teachings you get to know Him better and better and that sets you free. Free from sin, free to be part of the family of God, free to live a truly abundant life.

According to Matthew 7:24-27 it is the wise, those deemed wise by God, who listen to the teaching of Christ and follow it. The foolish, again deemed so by God, do not follow Jesus’ teaching. Note: both the wise and foolish heard the teaching, but only the wise follow through, apply to their lives what is being taught.

So, I lay before you questions. Will you choose to follow through? Will you apply His words to your life? Will you get to really know Jesus and experience the freedom He speaks of?