Sunday, January 31, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 31 (SPREADING JOY)

BIBLE VERSE: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

TRUTH: As Christians, we above all else, should have the joy and peace that passes every form of understanding in this world. That is because we comprehend, by having apprehended, through the design, plans and purposes of the Lord, the message of Salvation, through the Ministry of Reconciliation. By bringing us into the Kingdom of Heaven, through our election as sons and daughters of Christ, our Faith and complete dependence on and in Him, blaze a path for us to show as many as possible the direct path to similar peace, joy and contentment.

There was an old television commercial years ago where an adult was asking a younger person "how come you're so glum?" Gloominess does NOT become the Christian. We, who have the Joy of the Lord, because of the Jesus Who saves, owe it to Jehovah to share it. Here is where the verse above confirms that there is Fullness of Joy for those who are in the Lord.
Fullness of joy reflects the abundance and completeness which not only fills us daily, but multiplies on itself daily. 
Fullness of joy reinforces the spirit of the Westminster Confession- i.e. "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever". 
Fullness of joy reminds us of the just, merciful, good, compassionate and loving God of Heaven - the ONLY true God - in Whom there is the true pleasant and delightful things which matter in this life, and the next.

The one qualifier is this, to lead someone else into His Presence, we ourselves, must have found ourselves there in the first place, through the Cross of Christ, and repentance of our sins...thereby, accepting Jesus Christ is Lord. With this in place, there is absolutely nothing, in this dark and dying world, which prevents us from not just walking in the Light, but bringing this Light to others in needs of illumination.




Saturday, January 30, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 30 (COURAGEOUS WAITING)

BIBLE VERSE: "Wait for the LORD ; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD" (Psalm 27:14).

TRUTH: It takes courage sometimes to do nothing. But that is exactly what Father wants us to do, if we really trust and believe in His Will for our lives. Courageous living begins and ends with depending fully on God's timing for our lives. This goes against the thinking of a world full of "instant" - instant mashed potatoes, instant coffee, instant this, instant that and even instant cameras! We want it all now, and we want it all, period. But Jesus calls for a different mindset from us, His disciples. He says in Mark 5:36 "But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."

There we have it. Courage and living courageously requires both Faith and Wait. It takes strong Faith in the Lord for the man and woman of God. It takes strong Faith to be full of Divine Courage, which is the opposite of Fear and Anxiety. Look at exhortation from today's verse - Psalm 27:14:
- Wait for the Lord: you and I can give countless examples of striking out on our own, even if we said we prayed, only to fail in our own strength.
- Be strong: have the Faith which Christ calls for. It is opposite of Fear and perfect Love conquers Fear. If you love God, you will have that Faith.
- Let your heart take courage: This is not just a call to courage, but the LORD is calling for allowing YOUR spiritual heart to listen to Holy Spirit.
- Wait for the Lord: in case you missed it the first time. He is calling for us to "just hold on, My Timing is a lot better than yours and the result will be out of this world"!

Friday, January 29, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 29 (ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY)

BIBLE VERSE: "Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads" (Joshua 7:6)

TRUTH: In Old Testament days, a sign of true repentance, shame and sorrow over sin was the "rending" (or ripping) of your upper body clothing and sitting in a pile of ashes, while pouring some over your head. It was a public sign of humility and complete openness of the individual before God that public or private sin needed to be confessed. When Jonah preached to the 100,000 people of Nineveh, they all put on sackcloth (uncomfortable clothing made from black goat's hair), poured ashes over their heads and repented of all their sins corporately and individually. God saved each and everyone of them, from the King of Nineveh (now Mosul, Iraq) to the lowliest person.

This outward sign, in the sight of God, is the ultimate act of owning and accepting personal responsibility for one's actions. We don't go the sackcloth and ashes - or the rending and dust over heads - route these days, but we are still responsible for our own actions. God will hold ALL mankind responsible for any unconfessed sin and unlike the latest psychobabble in modern society, each person who ever lived will give an account, saved or unsaved. There will be none of this before the Judgment Seats of Christ: "my parents did not love me"; "I grew up poor"; "I was hurt by some ungodly pastor" or some such excuse. The best thing we can do to help ourselves from now, is to accept responsibility for every corner of our lives from the seen, to the unseen and be like Joshua in this verse above (Joshua 7:6)
- Joshua tore his clothes: so approach God in with an spirit of surrender and openness to His correction and direction.
- Joshua fell on his face: he approached God in complete reverence and awe as to Whom he was appearing before. We should do likewise.
- Joshua was before the ark: we should go immediately and directly to the Foot of the Cross and camp there until Holy Spirit releases us in complete forgiveness.
- Joshua poured dust on his head: he, and thus we, accepted responsibility, which is the first step to redemption and restoration.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 28 (REJECT PASSIVITY)

BIBLE VERSE: “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30.

TRUTH: There is a shortage of real men these days...in fact - real anything. Authenticity is at a premium. Everywhere you look, from the corner house to the state house, from the people's house to the church house, fake is in, good is out. Folks are just going through the motions, trying to make it from one day to the next. Some just mail it in and allow themselves, their children and their communities to be run over. We see it right now in Europe which is being overrun by a Stone Age religion while the few people of God there remain silent. We see it in the rest of western civilization where passivity - laying low and hoping all this evil will go away - is the norm, and righteousness is scoffed at. 
God is still looking for a few good men and women. He is desirous of those fixed on Him and will never waver. What the times demand, what the future of our families and the next generation requires is for the true people of Yahweh to take a stand for the Truth, be bold and courageous for our God is with us. Greater is He Who is in us is not a cliché but Bible Truth. The same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead lives in every born-again Christian. He/she who has the Spirit has life, he/she who does NOT have the Spirit does not have (eternal) life. NOW, this same indwelling Holy Spirit does NOT live in cowards. He abides, empowers, directs and affirms those who belong to Christ (John 1:12). Knowing all of this, why would an authentic Christian not pray, not dig into the Scriptures, not praise our God, not seek the assembly of the saints but just run out the clock and sit on the most minuscule of leads? God is looking for a person in all levels of society to “stand in the gap”, to renounce laziness, to rebuke sloth, to reject passivity. Would we step up now or would we rather answer to Him one day, for not doing a thing about anything?

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 27 (REJECT IDOLATRY)

BIBLE VERSE: "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?"(Ezekiel 14:3).

TRUTH: Idolatry is worse to day than even when the Lord Himself was speaking to the great prophet Ezekiel here about 2600 years ago. What God said to Him then, or to Moses 3500 years ago applies even more so to humans alive at this present time. Everything written in God's Word is for all people of all time. There are people today whose lives are lived entirely in the now, with a line of sight no further than the nose they have buried in their smartphones and electronics. Their spiritual eyes, minds and hearts are so distracted by the lure of their possessions that their natural eyes sometimes forgets to inform them they've stepped off the curb into on-coming traffic. But Idolatry is not just the love of the gods of material things or the corruption of this modern world. Many equate the false gods of the pagan religions, even in Christian colleges and churches, to the God of the Bible and Creation. Many including religious leaders say demonic cults and religions worship the same God Whose Son gave His Life on the Cross so the world may be saved. Many even talk strange oaths to secret societies, with strange looking hats and toys, while claiming to do good works that they claim will get them into Heaven. This is ALL Idolatry.

All of this aforementioned Idolatry will lead untold billions to destruction unless there is a change of heart and they look through their hardened sin, to the One Who forgives - Jesus. There is a line of thought that a person should only "trust" their sins are forgiven but the word "repent" is one which requires action on behalf of the person who has never met the Savior Face to face. The idols of the heart are the worse to get rid of in this paradigm, since the natural man or woman loves being deluded by sin, or it would not be committed. In fact, anyone whose hearts are set on ANYTHING else on God, even if it is another person to love, is committing Idolatry. And that replacement love is called Iniquity, which is a much stronger word that it's first grade cousin "sin"! Iniquity guarantees guilty judgment and punishment unless there is repentance. There are those who walk in this condition, call themselves Christians, go to church on Sunday or four times a year or never, who never have the Ear of God. They never will until their final breath until they too reject idolatry, renounce any ungodly oaths they've taken and cry out to Jesus for His Forgiveness. If this describes the condition of someone we know, let's reach out to them, as soon as possible.



Tuesday, January 26, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 26 (GOLDEN FAITH)

BIBLE VERSE: "So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 1:7

TRUTH: True gold is tested by fire. The gold is cooked and cooked and cooked until ALL impurities are removed, in the form of the sludge and dross which rises to the top. What is left behind is a solid 24 karat precious metal, shiny and beautiful. This is how it was back in the bazaars and shops when Peter and Jesus' other disciples walked the earth, spreading the good news of the gospel. To be sure, only the very wealthy could have afforded this precious metal at the time. But in Jesus' economy, the poorest widow is richer than all the billionaires of the world combined, if she has Faith that is just pure golden!

The possessor of  "Golden Faith" is one who has been through the ringer of life, yet comes out shining because the Spirit of God reflects the deep praise and commitment to the Father, that lives in such a one. Golden Faith is not something which is attained overnight, but one which refined in the fires of tribulation, tears, fears and even cares. Golden Faith is also one which has been refine of all impurities, just like gold metal, to bring it to as close to 100% pure as is possible in this life. Golden Faith never wavers, wanders away or waffles in the face of adversity. Golden Faith stands up for Jesus when everyone else is diluting His Name on earth, with the systems of this dying age. Golden Faith is authentic, undefiled and uncompromising. Is our faith like 24 Carat Gold which reflects the Image and Power of the Savior? Let us so hope.

Monday, January 25, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 25 (#CLEANLIVESMATTER)

Fuller's Earth Would be used in water 
as soap to cleanse fabric in Bible Days
BIBLE VERSE: "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap". Malachi 3:2

TRUTH: If you really look into a study of what a "Fuller" does, it would stun a person and make quite obvious, why clothing, fine cloths are fabric were so expensive in days of old. Fuller's soap is mentioned twice in the Old Testament and both point to the great Great Purifier, Who's precious blood cleanseth as white as snow. The process is thus, in brief: a fuller lived outside the city and needed space to lay out picked cotton which has been beaten flat on a surface by paddles and/or a large stone. He then has the flattened out product trod upon by all kinds of feet running up and down it. Then once that is beaten and all the natural oily and other sticky subtances found in natural fibers are taken out, the fuller washes in water to get more impurities out. At this point the fuller then washes the fabric in alkali (soapy) substances in large tubs of water to whiten the fabric. This produces some fantastic white linen and cloth once the cleansing with this "fuller's soap" is complete and the fabric has gone through the beating and cleaning process.

It is precisely this type of process which God puts His elect through in order to makes us fit for the Kingdom. The sanitized word is sanctification. But when the Christian goes through the beatings down of life, and all the pressures, stress and curves balls thrown at us, we are supposed to view this as making us stronger in perseverance. Perseverance is a biblical concept, as we, as saints, are called to persevere until the end. Tomorrow we will look at the Refiner's Fire, but for now, as a comparison, Tide or Era Laundry detergent have nothing on the Fuller's soap of antiquity and they all pale in comparison to the cleansing which the Discipline of the Lord means to His people. The Christian who works through these things in life, under the Power of the Holy Spirit will live a fruitful life here on earth, growing in Holiness and sanctification. These things are meant to cleanse us, if we stay close to Him in fellowship, praise, prayer and the Word. Because in the end, for the purposes of Heaven, only #CleanLivesMatter.


Sunday, January 24, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 24 (SPIRITUAL HYSSOP)

BIBLE VERSE: "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean" Psalm 51:7a.

TRUTH: Hyssop is mentioned throughout the Old Testament as an instrument designed by God for religious purification, according to the Law of Moses. This can be found in Exodus 12:22 and Numbers 19:6. We see it turn up again when Jesus was hanging in pain on the Cross and mentioned that He was thirsty..."so they put a sponge full of the sour wine (vinegar) upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth (John 12:29b).  Hyssop is a plant or herb with amazing qualities, just like everything the Father designed. Apart from the potential to cleans and regulate normal hygiene and daily functions of the intestines etc, Hyssop contains qualities which can treat asthma, bronchitis, sore throats and more. A paste from it can treat bruises and small burns.

So it is with the Word of God - it soothes, heals, cleanses, corrects and purifies. It is our conscience and our guide which the Holy Spirit, Who lives alongside the spirit of each truly converted Christian, uses to guide us into the path of God's Truth. In this prayer of Repentance (Psalm 51), King David knew the depth of his sin, but he also knew the Holy Spirit would deliver him if He would apply the spiritual attributes of the Hyssop plant to his dark depressed spiritual condition. Many Christians live with hidden sins in their lives and need not salvation, but purification. The first thing required is a willingness to "halt" the bleeding and bind up that wound. Then next up is a cry out to God to apply the bitter dose of the hyssop plant of Discipline. Depending on the sin, this discipline may not go over well, but it will correct the ship of the person's state. Then, third, once that discipline has been applied to the affliction and application is made, restoration can return with sweet release, as the burdens are lifted up by Grace! So now, if a dose of spiritual hyssop is needed, why not confess to God now, and accept His Grace?

Saturday, January 23, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 23 (RESISTANCE)

BIBLE VERSE: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" James 4:7

TRUTH: During World War II there were Resistance movements all over Europe against the ruling Nazi invaders who held almost every country there, for a long period of time. These Resistance fighters moved "underground" or under the radar, conducted guerrilla warfare against the brutal Nazis and basically softened up the perimeters so the Allies (led by the U.S.A.) could ping in and eventually win the War in 1945. The French and Polish Resistance were the most well known, but Italy, Yugoslavia and others had their own and they coordinated.

They had one thing in common - resisting the evil of Nazi Germany. We have one thing in common with the God Who saved us. We too hate evil. We have our own battles to fight but unlike the Resistances guys and gals of World War II, we do not have to rely on our own power. We can never win these awful skirmishes on our own, as we are fighting an enemy we cannot see, comprehend or fully grasp the evil therein. Therefore, we must rely fully on God to fight our battles for us. That is not a cliche. It can, will and has been done throughout the History of God's people. The equation is right in this verse: "SUBMIT TO GOD"! If we are fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, understand what resting fully in the Savior's Grace means and then fully function in Ephesians 6, we are thus, equipped. Unlike the Resistance, the weapons of our warfare are invisible. Like the Resistance we can win. We win with one simple thing - saying NO...and not just saying NO, but saying NO in the Mighty Name of Jesus and the devil does not have a prayer. So surrender to God, say no to evil and temptation and rely fully in the Power and Lordship of Christ. These are the Keys to Victory in this unseen war against our souls.

Friday, January 22, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 22 (RESTORED)

BIBLE VERSE: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:12) 

TRUTH:  The next step for a person who has been reconciled with God is Restoration.  Reconciling is the action, Restoration is the state of being in that reconciliation. We have all been to classic car shows
and seen vintage autos from as far back as 1903 brought back to life. What an amazing thing to see a living piece of history running down the street with the authentic sights and sounds associated with such an item! We have also seen rusted out old Model A Fords and ’56 Chevys in barns which, after multiple thousands of dollars, hard work and skill are restored to better than new beauty and functionality. This is what happens to the sinner, of which we are foremost, when God takes us out of the tar pit. He then proceeds to cleanse us from our sin and by the Blood of Jesus we are made as white as snow. 

For the unsaved who is being converted, He creates in us a new man whereby we are made anew, i.e. born-again. If it is a saint being restored like King David in Psalm 51, he restores our footing in the Kingdom, from whence one had slipped. The latter is what this Truth in Psalm 51:12 is all about. We already know there is unspeakable joy when we are saved and have become joint-heirs with Christ, inheriting eternal life from eternity past into infinity. But there is a powerful and unspeakable joy which a saint who sometimes sinned has when, like David here, he has been forgiven, accepted that forgiveness and resumes living in the Victory which God, through Christ has given us. It is sort of like the happy feeling of seeing a 100 year old Model T Ford chugging down the road, knowing the work it took to get it from an abandoned rust bucket to the historic masterpiece we now see. 


Thursday, January 21, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 21 (RECONCILED)

BIBLE VERSE: Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).

TRUTH: We all believe in reconciliation on a horizontal level. We love to see warring members of families come together, break bread, hug and patch up differences. We have "peace-makers" reaching out across color, class and community lines to bring people of different walks of life together for the common good. For Christians bringing people together to resolve differences is a good thing, whether it be strained relationships in marriages, churches or even the work place. But what about reconciliation with God?

The same people who would fuss and fume if their steak is under-cooked at a restaurant are the same ones who treat their eternity with absolute disregard! But this does NOT change the fact that God has made a way, when there seemed to be no way back from the precipice. The Fall of Man in the Garden (Genesis 3) where sin came into the world, created this one huge chasm between the Creator God and His creation. But Philippians 2 explains that the Almighty had already purposed in His Mind, to send the Ancient of Days - one like the Son of Man - to get off His Throne with a plan to bring wayward mankind back into the fold. Thus began the Most Important Intervention in History - God proactively offering His own Life to bring lowly humans back to Himself. There IS a qualifier - repentance, faith and complete commitment. Once that is accomplished, we hit the road with the "ministry of reconciliation" which is the call of each born-again believer to tell of what God has done for us, through His Life, His offer of Forgiveness and His Salvation. 
Be ye reconciled today!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 20 (DRIVEN)

BIBLE VERSE: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13)

TRUTH: Christians who are tuned in to the work of God and the persecution facing His saints worldwide have been aware for years now about a young American pastor named Saeed Abedini. Pastor Saeed was captured by Iranian authorities when he was visiting his Iranian relatives just for being a Christian. Put in one of the worse prisons in that islamic dictatorship, Saeed was brutalized constantly for many years by the Persians to get him to deny Christ. Reports came out that they denied him medical treatment; beat on his vital organs and put him in sub-human conditions. Still he would not deny Christ and quite the opposite, his wife (who lives in Wyoming) reports that he was actually leading other prisoners to a saving knowledge of Christ! 

As of last fall, Saeed had already led 30 men to Christ in the midst of torture by the islamic authorities. Saeed was released in January 2016. However, he was driven by the Gospel of Jesus, just as the Apostle Paul was he and Silas were jailed in Philippi for preaching Christ. Paul and Silas were so full of the Holy Spirit that they sang psalms and hymns while in chains. The Philippian jailor eventually responded to them after it all came down, "sirs, what must I do to be saved"? Most Christians will never experience these extreme forms of persecution, but we should ask ourselves: "Are we as driven to live the Joy of Jesus so we can share the Truth of Jesus to a lost and perishing world, regardless the circumstance?"

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 19 (ON POINT)

BIBLE VERSE: He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defense; I shall not be moved (Psalm 62:6).

TRUTH:  The words "point man" became popular during the Vietnam war to describe the leader of a patrol who would act as both the "captain" to coordinate the defense of his men or attack if/when necessary. It is kind of like the defense man in hockey who skates around the blue line but can take off at the first real opportunity for a slapshot. In Christianity, two things are happening, Jesus is BOTH our Defense man on point AND He is calling us to be His point men and women here on earth, for such a time as this.

Just as a true metaphorical rock does not move, we are to stand firm in the Faith because the Bright North Star of Christ never moves.
When the hounds of heresy nip and bark at our heels- keep the faith.
When the doctrines of demons threaten to distract our mission - keep the faith.
When the pointless practices of a perishing world prolong our anxiety - keep the faith.
It is not small thing to dismiss. We called to be the point men for our families, friends, neighbors, communities, states, provinces, regions and beyond - even for those who do not keep the Faith. We do so by being their intercessor, teacher, warrior and friend in Christ. Are you ready to be "on point"?

Monday, January 18, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 18 (ON MISSION)

BIBLE VERSE: (But) sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15)

TRUTH:  While waiting for a flight recently from Chicago's O'Hare airport, I ran into a group of teenagers and their pastoral leader who were returning from a missions trip to the Far East. Knowing where this group was from and who certain members were, I knew, absolutely, that it was love for their fellow man which carried this missions trip. By the work and outward care this group showed at the various orphanages they spent time at, where babies were held and loved in a pagan society with various class systems which are set by birth, one major thing was accomplished. That thing was the opening of THE door to spread the good news of the Gospel.  It is one thing to stand on a corner preaching that people are going to hell if they do not repent and trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is quite another to SHOW that Love Who gave His life as a ransom for many. 

When we go on mission like this, and purpose to love the unlovable and touch the untouchable - hearts will be open almost everywhere to hearing what compels these young girls or boys, who gave up a lot to come to the recipients of this mission trip benefit. Christianity is the only belief system ever in existence whereby we are explicitly commanded to give all of ourselves, expect nothing in return and make it about nobody else but Jesus. If this equation is followed to a "t", it is only then we will have a receptive audience whereby we can give "an account for the hope (Christ and Eternal Life).....and that hope is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His promise of Eternal Rest. Therefore, do you wish to be on mission? Well, let's put actions to our feet and be the "church on the go"! Amen.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 17 (J.J.S.E)

BIBLE VERSE: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ( Jesus speaks in Acts 1:8)

TRUTH: J.J.S.E. - JERUSALEM, JUDEA, SAMARIA, END OF THE EARTH.
This is not an exercise in geography from the Lord and Master Himself, Jesus Christ. This is the final command from the Savior as He gets ready to ascend into Heaven, not just to the assembled disciples and followers left gaping up at the amazing sight of the Ascension, but to us for all generations, until He returns. Most Christians in recent decades in the west would rather write a check to some missionary cause or the church than "step out of the boat" and even tell their most trusted neighbor, co-worker or friend about Jesus or how to find true peace, hope and joy that last. We hide our Faith.  

Jesus is calling us to something really simple here. Check this:
"JERUSALEM" - anywhere immediately outside your door: neighbors; the store; office; down the street; the homeless mission; your unsaved family member.

"JUDEA" - your own community (through working with like-minded witnessing Christians); village; town; city or state.
"SAMARIA" - your own country- construction missions to less fortunate states (due to natural disaster or poverty) or your own province or island in Caribbean or Central America where local churches do not have the resources to even fix a leaky roof. But tell the Truth about Jesus and forgiveness with the good works.
"END OF THE EARTH" - overseas missions. This is becoming more and more critical; dangerous and even expensive. Persecution is up, support is down. But the Fruit of Evangelism under that persecution is amazing. Recent stats reveal that almost 84% of the entire world has heard the gospel and/or has a bible in their language! This is bringing us closer to the Return of Christ! Be one of those J.J.S.E Christians!


Sunday, January 10, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 10 (SELF-EXAMINATION)

BIBLE VERSE: Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-- unless indeed you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)


TRUTH: Looking in the mirror of Faith and coming up blank (from Day 9) is serious business. The Word of God does implore us to do this for real….because both Heaven and Hell ARE real. There is no in-between, no purgatory and no “I-hope-so”. There is only I know what I know that I know or “that may work for you, but not for me”. The latter is the world’s response. Examining yourself to see if “you are in the Faith” is relatively easy. There is only one way to know. An authentic born-again believer knows he/she is  converted because the Very Same Spirit Who raised Christ from the Grave on Resurrection Morning lives in us.  He is not only sealed in us, He is Alive and waiting for us to obey. No Holy Spirit=No Conversion= No Testimony of that Glorious Day of Your Salvation…and that equals immediate Disqualification from Entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.  There is still time to examine and retest. God is waiting for such a one. 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 9 (CHOICE)

BIBLE VERSE: For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death (2 Corinthians 7:10)

TRUTH: We have been talking about Light, standing firm and resting on the promises of God. But what if someone grows up their entire life in church; or walked some aisle; or raised their hand when some preacher gave an invitation etc. Then one day, this same person looks in a spiritual mirror and notices that everything we have spoken about these past several days comes up “not applicable”. What then?! What is obvious at that point is there was never a conversion. That is, the person was never saved from darkness to light. This verse gives us the only two options from God Himself. Either there is sorrow over the realization that such a person is lost, lost, lost and faces eternity AWAY from God at it leads to a “change of mind and direction” (definition of Repentance) or the person becomes a complete rebel at that point. There is absolutely no middle road. There are only those who are with God and those who ain’t. Which choice will it be?


Friday, January 8, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 14 (VICTORY IN PRAISE)

BIBLE VERSE: But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3 kjv)

TRUTH:  It is not difficult to understand why our Heavenly Father would want to inhabit/dwell/live in and operate in the praises of His chosen.  It is the way we acknowledge His power, majesty, sovereignty and authority over our lives.  The word “praise” means to commend, applaud, lift up high and magnify. It is the ultimate expression of worship. It is the ultimate acknowledgement of our relationship, fellowship and friendship with our Creator. It is no better example of our worship to the Only One Who is worthy.  That’s our God.  It is easy to be aware of His goodness when things are perfect and “every day is Christmas” and “it’s all good in the ‘hood”. What about when the diagnosis is bad and you’re alone in the room with your doubts, cares and fears?  

Sometimes it is harder for someone who is closer to God than most other Christians to handle extreme adversity from  cancer to a tragedy.  We are not alone like this. Look at John the Baptist. He goes from “Behold, the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world” to “Are you really the One Who is to come”?  When the horrible trying times come, and they will, respond like Paul and Silas. These two men were in a dirty rotten stinking prison for preaching Christ and what happened? They started singing hymns and psalms! They probably would not make it in most modern megachurch worship teams, but you know what? God was there. He inhabited their praise and worship and then a miracle – the Philippian Jailor got saved!  So now, what then shall we do? Praise Him! 

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 15 (ONE THING)

BIBLE VERSE:  One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27:4 )

TRUTH:  Have you ever wondered why Jesus prayed “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”? There are a host of reasons but one of the main ones is Worship. We humans were created to worship. We are compelled to worship and commanded to worship by the God Who wrote His Law on each human heart. In his rebellion, the majority of mankind has always worship anything but the One True God of the Bible. But David,  under inspiration from the Holy Spirit, exemplifies what a man or woman of God should think, walk, talk, and be like. ONE THING – he prayed in this verse, one thing he asked from the Lord. By standing on those two words, we too can exhibit to our Heavenly Father that He alone is EVERYTHING. 

This one thing remains – just as our God inhabits and abides in the praise and worship of His people, we too much see to dwell in His House for every more and worship in His Temple.  Isaiah Chapter 6 tells us of the sheer power, awe and majesty of the Temple of the Lord with the Cherubim and Seraphim flying back and forth before God’s Throne saying “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty”. This is the real Temple of God and there are no designer coffee and expensive HD projectors with super star preachers. There is only God and Him Alone. This is where David wants to behold and look on the sheer awe of God forever more! This is an incredible reality and WOW! Is this your “ONE THING”? IT SHOULD BE!

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 16 (TRUE WORSHIPERS)

BIBLE VERSE:  Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created (Revelation 4: 9-11 )

TRUTH: We know from Scripture that the Tabernacle which God instructed Moses to build was a copy of the real one in heaven. This is absolutely true. However a copy is just that – a copy.  Still, God is serious about what goes on in His Temple, His Church, His Tabernacle, His Home. He is deadly serious. Ask Nadab and Abihu who took strange fire into the Tabernacle at the very first service. Then ask Ananias and Sapphira how serious God is about His church. He is that way because He is from eternity and Holy.  The picture of True and Continuous worship in Heaven is mind-boggling and nothing close to the sometimes charade we put on down here. 

Twice in two verses, the worshipers in heaven honor God who “lives forever and ever”. Jesus said in John 4:23  “the Father is looking for true worshipers…” This is an example of the TYPE of worship He means. There is nothing but awe, power, reverence, majesty and surrender to the King in the Throne Room of Heaven in the Heavenly Tabernacle!  One day in the next 50 years or less, we will be in the Presence of this same Throne Room, where we too will called to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  Let us prepare our spiritual hearts from now for this reality.


THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 13 (SHOCK AND AWE)

BIBLE VERSE: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37)

TRUTH: When we think of conquerors, the first image that comes to mind are the great warriors and figures in history like Genghis Khan; Alexander the Great or  even Napoleon – all men who have nothing in common with Holy God of the Universe. We can think of Columbus who conquered the oceans (and was a Christian believe it or not) or some of our astronauts who conquered space. Yet none compares to the One Who conquered sin – not be because He was a sinner but because He wanted to take our burden and then impute that Victory unto us, that we may have victorious living. This is the Love of which Romans 8:37 speaks. If we really comprehend what the word “conqueror” really means,  we would fall down on our faces right now and thank Jesus for His sacrifice! In the original language, the praise “more than conquerors”  literally means we have dominant and overwhelming victory! Victory over what, you ask?  We have victory over sin, death and hell. #CELEBRATE!


THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 12 (VICTORIOUS)

BIBLE VERSE:  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace (Romans 6:14)

TRUTH:  Can a Christian live in victory in these times of evil and destruction? Of course we can. So why are so many Christians cowering and hoping Jesus would come tomorrow and take them away? This is so because of little understanding of the meaning of this verse and the authority the Believer now has over sin.  This also argues for true conversion from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His Marvelous Light! Because most of us have difficulty memorizing or remembering endless chapters of the Bible, let us then resolve to remember this Truth: the Grace of God which saved us when we trusted in the finished work of the Cross and repented/renounced/rebuked our sin and our past, has activated the NEW nature within us  which has the Power of God embedded, via His Holy Spirit. This Power is what  has now enabled us, through daily vigilance and diligence,  to say NO to the sin that destroyed us in the past and threaten to do so until we are called home. The use of this sin-busting Power is what gives us confidence to win the victory daily. This is a Truth that leads to True Peace and one worth celebrating - YOU CAN OUTRUN SIN!



THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 11 (LOST "CHRISTIANS"?)

BIBLE VERSE: And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! (Matthew 7:23)

TRUTH: This is not a good topic because Judgment never is. It is not even a good topic to start the year off right with either – but it is the Truth. One of the most Christian things we can ever do for our fellow man is to warn them of the Wrath that is to come.  Most will not believe but some will. What is even scarier than the mind-boggling sheer number who will be cast off for rejecting Son  of God, is the condition of too many inside the church.  Jesus is talking about a horrifying scene on Judgment Day when people from pastor to priest to pew sitter; usher and deacon will be told to leave His Presence forever. Why? Why is this so when they “did so much church work etc.”. He gives us His answer in advance so we can make things right! How so? Jesus promised this on That Day “…You who practice lawlessness”. That is an active verb. That explicitly implies those who were working in the field as “Christians” never repented, had their sins forgiven and thus, were not saved, period.  Therefore, they continued in their sins to the end of their lives. But the Present Tense of that statement gives the unredeemed hope. There is still time to repent and come to Faith, will you- will they?!

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 8 (REST)

BIBLE VERSE: Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God's people (Hebrews 4:9)

TRUTH: Nine times in 11 verses from Hebrews chapter 4, verses 1-11, God uses the word “REST”! He goes on to say, through the author of the Book of Hebrews, who will and will not enter into His Rest.  The original word used is not rest per se, but "katapausis" ….which means abode or divine dwelling or in essense, heavenly home. God basically speaks more here about who gets into heaven and His eternal rest. Those of whom He spoke – the Israelite rebels in the desert – perished twice: both in the desert and in eternity.  But because of Jesus and the Cross, we have the opportunity for Salvation and not rank disobedience like the majority of mankind – alive and dead.  

The Christian who is walking closely in all things, with Abba Father, actually has that rest right now! We can feel it – it’s called “the peace that passes ALL understanding”. The world cannot comprehend and Christians in Name Only are baffled by it and ridicule true believers.  The result of all of this? We must do as Verse 11 says “be diligent to enter that rest”. That is – the immediate eternal Sabbath rest of God which actually begins at the point of one’s conversion to a True Christian.


Thursday, January 7, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 7 (IMMOVABLE)

BIBLE VERSE: "He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken" (Psalm 62:2)

TRUTH: There is a running theme to the first six of these 31 days of Biblical Truths.  We are the light of the world to reflect Christ and we must stand for the Faith through Godly discipline and love. But what are we standing on? This verse guarantees that the Promises of God are not just “yes and amen” but set in unbreakable concrete.  Look at the words used by the psalmist, under inspiration from God – “Rock”, “Salvation”, “Defense”. These are powerful Truths straight from the Heart and Mouth of God. 

He is not a pebble which can be kicked around. God is a Rock Who will not move. He is as fixed as the North Star. We know He is our Salvation. His Spirit living in real Christians  is living Proof. But He is also our defense. It may not appear so when we see our brethren persecuted, but it IS so! Every day you wake up in good health. He is your Defense. Every day you arrive at your destination, He is your Defense. When we do something stupid and don’t get in any kind of trouble at school, or on the highway or at work – He is your Defense. When you walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and you fear no evil, He is your Defense.

All of these facts should fortify our souls and cause us to boldly proclaim “I SHALL NOT BE GREATLY MOVED”!

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 6 (SOUND JUDGMENT)

BIBLE VERSE: The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer (1 Peter 4:7).

TRUTH: At the turn of each new year, among the new resolutions made by some Christians, is the promise to pray more. Some actually uphold this promise and their lives reflect it. In order to pray effectively, however, the Word of God is calling for a clean heart.  In this particular paradigm, the call is for Sound Judgment. How do we have sound judgment as maturing Christians? We have it through self-control. Twice in 1 Peter, God mentions the words “sober spirit” (1 Peter 1:13) and in this verse. Both times it means to be “clear-headed” and “well-disciplined”. This just not just mean to obey the letter of the law of God and man, but the spirit of the law – total self-control.  So why are we called to be intentionally so level-headed and completely alert? 
Well – look at the verse again: “the end of all things is near”!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 5 (FEARLESS)

BIBLE VERSE: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7)

TRUTH: You know it’s easy to talk about being “fearless” or not afraid to promote the Cause of Christ and the Gospel.  Even the most battle-hardened Christian who can speak to both a drunk on skid row and a banker downtown about the need to “get right with God”,  gets nervous or doubtful at times. However there is a reason we see the following throughout the Bible “fear not”; “do not be afraid”; “have no fear” and many variations thereof.  These exhortations come either directly from The Father, the Lord Jesus or His selected Angels. Ultimately, we really have nothing to fear. As we lay on our deathbeds, knowing our eternal destiny is secure, we are the ONLY ones who have no fear. 

But the spirit of fearlessness is not given for that reason alone. God gave us the courage to be bold at the point of conversion.  It is so that we may bear fruit for the Kingdom. Not only are we to stand firm in the Faith and contend for it, but we must share the Gospel and its saving Power. Timidity implies cowardice. Jesus was/is not a coward. He is God. We are in His Image. He gave us Love. When we see others going to hell and can’t stand the thought of it, we love them to Jesus. In addition, He gave us self-control to control our hearts, minds, tongues, hands, eyes to align them ALL with His will to  put that Love into action.  
Bottom line – let’s all take a deep breath, dive in and Be Bold For Jesus.

Monday, January 4, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 4 (KEEP ON TRUCKIN')

BIBLE VERSE: Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14)

TRUTH: If your Ford (Chevy, Dodge) pickup were chased by a tornado on a wide open Mid-Western interstate, it would be natural to look back to see how far and fast your nearest safe spot is. This is not what the Bible is taking about. Too many Christians let their past define both their present and future, completely ignoring the new nature Christ embedded in them. This is human nature as culture around us tries to impose their secular worldview. But because of this new divine nature, two things are important here to succeed from here on out, from the above Bible truth: "straining" and "press on". 

Defying Satan and the past, we MUST leave the past IN THE PAST...and it takes work, effort, bible study, fellowship, prayer. This is what God means by "straining". But the straining is a partial defensive tactic.  Next, we MUST PRESS ON. That is - go on offense to win the battle for our maturity in Spiritual things - the Ways of the Lord. Put on the Armor of God- and suit up for battle (All of Ephesians 6).
Strain to break free - press on to BE Free. Once free - Keep on Truckin'!


Sunday, January 3, 2016

THIRTY ONE DAYS OF BIBLE TRUTHS - DAY 3 (CONTEND)

VERSE: Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3).

TRUTH: When the half-brother of the Lord Jesus (Mary had six children after Jesus was born to her) Jude wrote the Epistle of Jude, the fledgling Church of Christ was already been infiltrated by those who would seek to corrupt it away from the Message of the True Gospel. Nothing has changed in 2000 years. Now, more than ever, we are called to stand for what we believe. The word "CONTEND" is not a pro-active and pro-defense (or apologetic) word. Now more than ever, the Christian - you and I - must not only oppose what is an obvious lie about God but we must do so with the following:
- Total commitment to Christ
- Knowledge of the Bible 
- The proper application of that Knowledge
- Love