The Gospel

Okay, first of all, please excuse the infrequent and sporadic posts.  My schedule remains …hectic.  But here I am.  Thanks to those who are sticking it out with me through this trying time.  Now, on with the good stuff!

My pastor’s reminded us recently of our purpose specifically -from generally loving the Lord with all of our hearts, revering him, and keeping his commandments, and loving others:  Spreading the gospel (Ecc 12:13; Lk 10:27; Mt 28:19-20). 

With my pastor’s help, I’ve identified eight important aspects of the gospel:

1)     Virgin Birth 

The first chapter of Matthew explains that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph (v. 18).  Jewish custom dictated that there were no sexual relations during the betrothal period (NIV note v. 18).  In verse 19 Joseph is called righteous, and to be called so by Jews meant that he was zealous in keeping the law (NIV note).  So, one can assume that Joseph, in his righteousness, has chosen a righteous spouse.  But all speculation aside, the Lord himself confirms that Mary was still a virgin in verse 20, saying ‘What is conceived of her is from the Holy Spirit’ (Mt 13:55; Lk 8:19).    

2)     Life

Jesus’ life can be summed up as perfect.  Jesus lived a sinless life (Mt 4:1-11; Lk 3:22; 23:39-41; 1Pe 2:22; 1 Jn 3:5). He performed countless miracles during his time on earth (Jn 21:25; Mt 4:23; 8:14-17, 23-27, 28-34; 9:1-8, 18-26, 27-34).  He taught (Mt 5, 6, 7; 13:1-52).  He comforted (Lk 6:20-23; Jn 14:16).

3)     Death

It wasn’t the crucifixion that killed Jesus, but he willingly gave up his life three hours after they were finished (Mt 27:45-50).

4)     Burial

Jesus’ body was buried in a borrowed, guarded, secured, and sealed tomb (Mt 27:57-66).

5)     Resurrection 6)  Appearance

There was an earthquake, an angle rolled back the stone, Jesus sat up shining like lightening, and Pilate’s guards (nor anyone else) could do nothing about it (Mt 28:1-6).  And it was then that Jesus charged Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as the first preachers of the gospel (v. 5-10).  (My co-pastor, who is a woman, uses this as the biblical basis of God’s approval of female preachers.) He then appeared to his disciples, Thomas, and many others (Jn 20:10-21:25)

I love how the haters (Pilate’s guards) are the first to see that Jesus has risen though. Ha! (This is the same God, after all, that the Psalter testified would prepare a table before him in the presence of his enemies; Ps 23:5.) 

7)     Ascension

He was taken up into heaven (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-53).

8)     Promised Return

Jesus said he was coming back, and not even he knows when.  But we are to be ready (Mt 24:36-42; Mk 13:32-33).

*(See similar post from April 20^th, titled ‘From Sunday to Sunday’ detailing Jesus’ week before his crucifixion.)

 

...Because of Me

Okay, I really need someone to feel me on this one.  And I know it to be true, because I’ve experienced it quite a few times and often recently, but people will often hate the Jesus in you (even if you have not expressly stated that you are Christian) (Mt 10:22). 

In America, the insults, persecution, and lies that Christians often face are relatively harmless, and are only dangerous on a social level, so for those of us who have survived adolescence, dealing with it should be a piece of cake (1 Pe 3:17).  But knowing scripture lets us know how to respond when we are tested in this: 

• First of all, we shouldn’t be surprised by it.  Jesus said very plainly that men will hate us because of him (Mt 10:22).  We are just visiting after all (1 Pe 4:12).   We’re a peculiar people (1 Pe 2:9 KJV). People of the world don’t understand why we bless when we’re cursed, why we are hopeful, why we don’t lie to make life ‘easier’ for ourselves, etc.  
• Secondly, we’re never fear the world (Mt 10:28).
• Thirdly, not that we should deny everyone else, but Christians are to encourage one another (Mt 28:19-20; 1 Pe 3:8; Heb 10:25; 1 Th 3:2’ 4:18; 5:11)      
• And fourth, and best of all, we’re blessed (Mt 5:11-12)!

So, just pray for the haters y’all (Mt 5:44).

Manna

The state of life I’m in now is a situation I’ve likened to the children of Israel being provided bread from heaven in Exodus 16:4.  My needs aren’t being provided in a way I’d like them to be –which admittedly is out of pride.  But I’m also thankful that God is blessing me with my daily bread (Php 4:19).  I understand the importance of worshipping God joyfully, regardless of how I’m being blessed.  So, the test for me (and many of us, I’m sure) is will I continue to trust God at his word and bless his name, no matter how things look (v.4)?  (I’m reminded of my own words in a previous blog post after typing that statement.)  God despises the proud, so in his love for us, he puts us in humbling situations –not to ever harm us, but in order to keep us under his loving protection and so that we may recognize and glorify him, and I’m thankful for it (Pr 3:12; 16:5). 

Also, like Israel, I’ve stepped out on faith trusting in God according to his word, and I’ve looked at my past situation compared to the one I’m currently in, and I’ve sometimes thought that things were better.  But of course, like Israel, I also groaned when I was in ‘Egypt’ (Ex 16:3). 

Not to justify it, but I can honestly say that my grumbling is not in doubt of God and his plan for me, nor is it motivated by ungratefulness, but it’s out of sheer impatience (Jer 29:11).  I’m constantly needing lessons in patience, which is just God perfecting me, and shaping me to look more like him, because love is patient and God is love (1 Co 13:4; 1 Jn 4:8). 

So, I ask that you all pray that we all learn to be content (-although never settling.  I’m convinced that the Lord has not called us to accept mediocrity.), and stand on God’s promise that he will provide for us as over comers through Jesus Christ (Php 4:11, 19; Rev 2:17).  And also pray that we be more patient as God works it all out.

Just Doing My Best

I’m not perfect. I’ve never claimed to be.  And contrary top popular belief, I’ve never acted like I am.  Now, that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I will say that no matter how often I miss the mark, I will never lower my standards.  I set the bar high for myself (and often the people I care about) because I know that God is worthy of such. 

I don’t know if anyone else can relate to this, but it’s not unusual for people to tell me I’m self-righteous (because of my refusal to accept less than what God is worthy of, and refusal to accept less than what I know I’m capable of).  And if I didn’t know better, I’d believe them.  After lengthy examination of self, the  situations, and people who spew such accusations, as well as measuring it all against the Word, I’ve often come to the conclusion that the accusation is not justified, but it’s just a deflection off of the accuser’s insecurities (Rev 12:10).  Those accusations are most likely based on the belief in the lies that striving for perfection is pointless and impossible.  But underachieving doesn’t -or shouldn’t- play a part in a believer’s life. 

Paul likens the Christian journey to an athlete who goes into strict training to race and win (1 Co 9:24-25).  He goes on explaining that the athlete works hard to obtain an earthly crown that doesn’t last, but he (and we) shouldn’t run aimlessly or shadowbox, but we should discipline ourselves, for God’s sake, so that we may share in his glory (25-27). 

We are not to fear a life lived in futility, if we have faith that we are pleasing our God who is more than worthy of our best, and that we’ll be richly rewarded for giving him such.  If we shrink back God will not be pleased with us (Heb 10:38). 

We’re to be holy in all we do; for it is written: Be holy, because God is holy. (1 Pe 1:16).   

In the call to preserve, we’re encouraged to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Heb 10:23).

Sure, I often fall short, but I don’t wallow (Ro 3:23). God deserves better than that.  I wasn’t saved to make excuses for my laziness in disciplining myself spiritually.  I see myself in Psalms 63:8 being upheld by God’s right hand.  And I can also testify to Proverbs 24:16.  Thank you Lord for allowing me rise, so that I may serve you!  Another day God allows us to see if another opportunity to get it right.

      

Desperation

So, Satan tempted me through someone else today by suggesting I ‘be desperate’ about what is a very serious situation, no doubt, but the hardest learned lessons tend to be well earned lessons. And I’ve learned not to give in to desperation, and surely not to act in desperation.  In this particular trial I’m speaking of, it was hard to recognize it for what it was (I was being deceived after all), while I was in such a desperate state, but after I cried out for help, and God delivered me from the situation, I was able to see how I got there, so that I could manage future situations that would force me to act rashly and dangerously. 

Desperate- adj. 1a:  having lost hope b:  giving no ground for hope 2a:  moved by despair b:  involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration 3:  suffering extreme need or anxiety 4:  involving extreme danger or possible disaster; despondent (m-w.com)

In my experience, definition 1a lead me to definition 1b.  The root of desperation is hopelessness, which has no place in the life of a believer anyway, because we know that we have hope in God (Ps 25:3; 33:18-19; 62:5; 130:5; 146:5; 147:11; Isa 40:31; Jer 29:11; Ro 5:1-5; 8:24-25; 1Th 5:8; 1Ti 4:10; 6:17; Heb 10:23; 11:1). 

Jesus instructs us to be on guard of anxiety as an enemy (Lk 21:34; Pr 12:25).  It’s a trap!  We’re commanded not to be anxious and to cast our anxiety on God -in prayer- because he cares for us (Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7).  Prayer is how we combat anxiety. I can testify to the importance of being on the watch and praying because the single most factor that shaped my negative thinking and allowed me to so easily give in during my test was:  a lack of vigilance (Lk 21:36).

(See post titled ‘Be Anxious for Nothing’) 

Make no mistake about it believers.  Unbelievers (and some Pharisaic ‘believers’) are watching how you react to situations that may seem desperate to them.  And thankfully God is watching even closer (Heb 4:13).  Stand strong under tests, trusting in the Lord and his holy word, so that you may have a testimony of victory, and so that God may get the glory.  Keep your hope in Him.

My Apologies

My apologies readers for not posting in a couple of weeks, but there have been big changes in my schedule, which requires so much more of my time. So, to be fair to you all, and to make my posting goal more reachable, I’ll be posting at least every two weeks now.

I thank you for your readership and your patience with me as I try to manage some pretty major changes in my life (a new day job, and everything that comes with it), and try my best to continue to glorify God with the talents that he’s entrusted me with.

Shalom!

Peace, first of all, is granted by God, and secondly, as a reward for obedience (Lev 26:3, 6).

There’s no peace -only fear of punishment- for the disobedient because of the lack of the intimate presence of God, who is love (Hab 1:13; 1 Jn 4:18). But for those who have either obeyed or truly repented for their disobedience, we’ve been freed from the yoke of slavery to sin (which results in death) and we’re ‘enabled to walk with heads held high’ to serve our Lord unhindered (Lev 26:13; Ro 6:23; Gal 5:1, 13).  

Throughout the Old Testament there’s an ebb and flow of the people of Israel enjoying peace and prosperity because of their obedience to God (and often His leaders), and suffering from death, lack, and destruction because of their disobedience (from Judges to 2 Chronicles; Jn 10:10). (Remember:  Although the Lord is merciful and long-suffering, there’ll be a Day of Judgment for all of us where we’re given the wages of all that we’ve done on earth, whether good or bad [2 Pe 3:9; 2 Co 5:10; Ac 3:19].)  

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Ro 15:13).  

(See:  Nu 6:26; 25:12; Dt 20:10; Jdg 3:11, 30; 5:31; 6:24; 8:28; 1Sa 7:14; 2Sa 10:19; 1Ki 2:33; 1Ch 22:9; Job 22:21; Ps 29:11; 119:165; Pr 16:7; Isa 9:6; 26:3; 54:10; Jer 30:10; Mt 5:9; Jn 14:27; Ro 1:7; 2:10; 5:1; 8:6; 1Co 14:33; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:14; 6:15; Php 4:7; Col 1:20; 3:15; 1Th 5:33; 2Th 3:16; Heb 13:20; Jas 3:17; 1Pe 3:11)