New Life For The Nations

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5

  We are in a time today with the Coronavirus running wild throughout the world, our nation, our state, and even in our local community when it is important that we make the right choices and do the right things. We are being told every scary thing happening around us and even some people with positive ideas are not too positive.  All of us want to feel safe and protected from danger.

  One thing that is trying to take over our thought processes is fear.  For the believer, there is much admonishment to “fear not” when conditions and situations are not to our liking.  The Bible tells us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

  In this present time it is important that we follow social rules and defensive policies set forth by leaders but at the same time not live in fear constantly.  We know it is the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Our present problems did not take God by surprise. He knows what His plans and purposes are for each of us, and by trusting Him, we can come through a winner in any situation.

  The verse at the top of the page is our guidance on what to do.  Do not do any more or any less than what Mary told the servants to do.  His way never fails us and He will watch over us as a good Father. Satan is a liar and the father of lies.  And, as we sing, remember, “fear is a liar.” Be blessed and trust God everyday for the things we need that day.  Tomorrow will take care of itself. See you soon.

“Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so whom He has delivered us from the hand of the adversary”.                        Psalm 107:2

Through  “redemption” we have been redeemed.  Redemption means atonement, ransom, or to purchase our freedom. God has redeemed us by the blood of His Son Jesus.  

“Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds”.  Titus 2:14

Within the plan of redemption we have been given victory in every area of our lives.  Victory is the result of pushing through, by faith, all that would keep us from walking in the truth.  

Our adversary is anything that would come to hinder us in living an abundant life that has been promised for the Sons and Daughters of God. We already have is Word on the situation –  He has delivered us from the hand of the adversary on 

So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.           1 John 5:5

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” I John 4:9-10

     In Christian teaching today a great amount of teaching leaves us with a doctrine that tells us that God will bless us if we do enough “things” for Him.  But, what did we do that made God love us enough to send His Son to die for us that we could be saved? We become sin conscious and then focus on what we do and don’t do as the basis for God’s love for us; when we should focus on what He has done for us.

     Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.  Every time Peter said yes. We will look at the situation in the sermon this morning for what the meaning is.  Love is an English word that carries a lot of different meanings as it is used in our vocabulary today.. Truthfully, we have cheapened the meaning of the word in our over use of it.  Let us open our eyes and perceive how we can restore the higher meaning of the word love.

     The Greek language used to write the New Testament has four or more words for love thus distinguishing the exact meaning when love is being used in a sentence.  We need to be able to use the word love in its proper setting. Remember, the greatest of these is love.

Pursued by Love – Saved by Grace – Followed by Mercy   

      Pursued by Love-God is on a relentless pursuit of you?  For those who have not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior yet, for those who have strayed from the path of following God, even for those who have trusted Him as Savior.  He is forever drawing us to fellowship with Him. Because of His very nature – which is love – He seeks to have a relationship with us. He created us for His glory. See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are. 1 John 3:1

      Saved by Grace-We could not be saved if it was not for the pursuit of God. If you have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation, you have been saved by grace!  Salvation is not earned by our own effort or merit.  It is a free gift by God’s grace (undeserved favour) in response to our faith God pursued you out of love that you might accept Him as Savior.  For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ. Ephesians 2:8

      Followed by Mercy-Mercy in the Bible is God’s withholding of a just punishment. Mercy reminds me of the goodness of God in my life every day.  Because of our nature, we deserved God’s anger just like everyone else.  But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us.  We were dead because of our failures, but he made us alive together with Christ. (It is God’s kindness that saved you.)  Epheisans 2:4-5  God is rich in mercy because of his great love he has for us.    

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Col. 3:17

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23-24

     A few years ago there was a popular song that said, “Don’t worry, be happy,” and it was very much played on radio stations around the world.  I say to you today it is the time to be happy and don’t worry. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow for that will take care of itself.

     As a child of God and joint heir with Jesus our faith tells us to trust God and remember that tomorrow belongs to Him.  We need to understand that we are not waiting for our inheritance to begin when we go to heaven. We are living in our inheritance now because the author of the will and testament has already died making the will in effect.  Jesus is alive to administer the will and has put the inheritance in our hands as of today.

     We need to live like we believe and understand what the Word of God means when it says, “who is able to do exceedingly beyond what we could ask or think.”  It means He has everything under control day by day.  

     The world is in a mess caused by the people that live in it.  Human nature is not a very nice thing if it is out of control and measured by the wrong standards.  I hope your standard for behavior is what would Jesus do.? Read the above Scriptures and judge yourself by them.  How are you doing? 

Now there was a prominent religious leader among the Jews named Nicodemus, “He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. John 3:3

When Jesus was answering Nicodemus’ question I believe that he was referring to access to eternal salvation but also experiencing Kingdom living now.  Nicodemus said, “We know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus answered, “If you want to experience these things you are seeing  you must be born again.

When a person becomes saved spiritual vision is birthed within them. As born again children of God we have been given spiritual sight through the means of Holy Spirit.  The spirit has eyes if you would just see. Should our prayer be in the song we sing, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You I want to see You To see You high and lifted up Shinin’ in the light of Your glory Pour out Your power and love As we sing holy, holy, holy”.

Paul prayed for the Church at Ephesus that the eyes of their heart would be enlightened – Ephesians 1:18-19 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe”. 

May our eyes be of single vision to see who we are and what we have been given because of Jesus our Savior!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” Romans 8:25.

      NOT YET!  Two three letter words that carry a powerful punch.  Not yet describing that something is expected to happen but has not at this moment.  Would using the words, “not yet” in a sentence make much of a difference. I think so.  What if someone were to ask me if a particular person is saved? Would by answer be “He is not saved.”  Or “He is not saved yet.” My answer would definitely be “He is not saved yet.” What would my answer be based on?  1 Timothy 1:4  God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  Faith works through hope.  To say “He is not saved” is a statement of current fact. To say “He is not saved yet” brings God into the picture. You are speaking of things you have not yet seen but know to be the truth.

      I heard someone say, “Hope is that settled confidence that looks to the future, knowing that God will someday keep all his promises.  Patience is the ability to endure present hardship because you have hope in the future”.

     What is it that you are waiting for from the Lord? What are you hoping for that you do not yet have?  While you are waiting, don’t let go of those two little words “not yet.”

MOVING FORWARD in 2020

The righteous keep moving forward and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

       As we are in the final days of 2019 we begin to look forward to this New Year 2020.  As we approach this time what is God saying to us as individuals and as Church. One thing Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about is moving forward. 

      As we know we cannot drive life’s road without sometimes hitting bumps.  Bumps come in many different ways:regret, disappointments, loss. When those things come along in life it is easy to sit down and get stuck. 

      God wants us to continue to move forward in the midst of whatever bump we have encounter in 2019.  Don’t allow what has been to keep you from what God is wanting to do in this new season of your life.   

      The front windshield of a vehicle is bigger than the rearview mirror.  That is because you can’t drive forward safely looking back. That is not where you are going.  Your destination is ahead and you get there by going forward. The front mirror of your life is bigger than the rearview mirror.  Going forward is looking ahead with great expectations of what God is desiring to.

 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. Phillians. 3:13-14 Message Bible

     Walk it out-you are not alone!

      As we read through the Scriptures we find a list of unforgettable walks.  All the way back to the beginning were God walked in communion with Adam and Eve in the Garden.  Abraham took a hard walk with his son Isaac to Moriah. Moses and the Israelites took liberating walk out of Egypt to the Red Sea and then walked right through it!  What about Joshua’s triumphant walk around the city of Jericho. Then there was the walk on the way to Emmaus. Paul had an interrupted walk to Damascus that changed his life.

      In order to walk one must first get up. I have found out as I get older getting up is not as easy as it was when I was much younger.  It takes a little more effort. At times I would rather just stay seated. There are times when I have to put a little more effort in getting up.  

      The same can be said of a relationship (our walk) with God. There are times when you feel great joy, passion, and excitement about being a Christian.  And there are times when you don’t feel it and it is easier to stay seated. At those times you cannot say, “Well, that’s it. I’m not going to follow Christ anymore.”  It is more comfortable just to stay seated. It is more comfortable in my safe zone. I get relaxed and not challenge to move forward when God says get up. 

      We are called to live a life of faith.  Faith has always been something that was meant to be a daily experience with God.  Walking out our faith means living by faith every single day. It means living by faith in every circumstance.  It means trusting the Lord in everything, for everything and with everything. So, walk it out—live by faith in the Lord who has already worked it out and walked it out!  

                2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not 

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.” Psalm 100:2(NKJV)

     We have just finished the Thanksgiving Holiday season so we are going to think a little about thanksgiving.  It is awesome how much the Word of God has to say about the subject. There are hundreds of Scriptures that admonish us to be thankful.  The thing I want to examine is the extent of thanksgiving.

     Sadly enough, the Word doesn’t tell us to be thankful only when things are going to suit us.  There is no time given for us to be unthankful even when things are going bad. The problem is our limited view of what we are to be thankful for.

     I have heard people say, “What do I have to be thankful for?”  With this attitude a person perceives everything around them as negative.  When this happens we have a choice to do something about. We all have the ability to change if we decide to do so.  Children are limited to change because they are at the mercy of their parents but with outside influences like church or school they can be presented with positive choices.

     The key to being thankful is to expand your view of things that we should be thankful for.  The greatest of these lay in our view of the goodness of God and His everlasting love for all of us.  To realize this makes it possible to be thankful.