"Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus." Acts 4:13
Historically, it was the Gnostics, those that espoused the supremacy of knowledge, that were the biggest opponents of the gospel. As is typical with our God, He gets more done with less and builds the great with the humble. He sent His son, not high born into a palace, but of commoners in the dwelling place of livestock. Christ's forerunner, John, was not some well known speaker but one who cried out in the wilderness, ate bugs and wore animal skins.
Likewise, those who were closest to Christ were mere fishermen, revolutionaries and tax collectors. None of them were educated in the post secondary system of the day. All of them were, however, given the best education possible in that they learned directly from the source.
Beloved, more critical than this, however, is that his disciples were recognized as having been with him! What an incredible badge of honor. What an incredible privilege. What speaks loudest is that it clearly had to be their actions that earned them this recognition. As we go through our daily lives, can the same be said of us? Let us endeavor to make it so if it is not already.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Not Forsaking the Assembly-2/16/2012
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Heb 10:23-25
While it is true that none can get to heaven simply by virtue of knowing or associating with people who are on their way, doing so can help us along our way. Each of us is responsible for our own relationship with Christ, however, Christ would have us relate to (love) one another as well as himself. The Christian life is designed to be lived in fellowship with fellow believers. The benefits for doing so are countless.
One important benefit is the availability of help in times of need. This need can be just about anything, but perhaps the most important need is when faith begins to waiver. We have all been there. We have all wondered what life is all about, what it means when bad things happen to good people and if all of this is really real. The help available from stronger members of the body in times like these is surely represented in the proverb, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity" Prov 17:17.
The fact is, at one time or another, in one way or another, we need each other. This is why the Hebrew writer encourages us to avoid missing the appointed times of assembly, be it worship, bible study, prayer meetings or what have you. When the saints gather, it is most surely for a purpose designed to encourage, edify and educate all who are present. What effect do you suppose that the activities a person is doing instead of assembling with the saints has on their eternity?
Beloved, it is wonderful that we show up for Sunday morning worship services. Unfortunately, that is often the only time we see some of the family. Of course it is understood that not everyone is going to be able to make it to every event held at the building, or every single small group meeting, but the difference between the attendance on Sunday and the other times of gathering is astounding. Absences during non worship times are a way of life for most, rather than an occasional incident and even absences from worship are a way of life for some. Failure to establish the relationships and receive the teaching available during the assembly can be a dangerous thing. It is often these that complain that no one comes to "check on them" when in many cases, not enough presence was established to realize that 1 was missing from 100.
We are not just the "called out" but the called together. When one misses, not only do they deny themselves others but they deny others themselves. Let us endeavor to be together on earth as we will one day be together in heaven.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
While it is true that none can get to heaven simply by virtue of knowing or associating with people who are on their way, doing so can help us along our way. Each of us is responsible for our own relationship with Christ, however, Christ would have us relate to (love) one another as well as himself. The Christian life is designed to be lived in fellowship with fellow believers. The benefits for doing so are countless.
One important benefit is the availability of help in times of need. This need can be just about anything, but perhaps the most important need is when faith begins to waiver. We have all been there. We have all wondered what life is all about, what it means when bad things happen to good people and if all of this is really real. The help available from stronger members of the body in times like these is surely represented in the proverb, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity" Prov 17:17.
The fact is, at one time or another, in one way or another, we need each other. This is why the Hebrew writer encourages us to avoid missing the appointed times of assembly, be it worship, bible study, prayer meetings or what have you. When the saints gather, it is most surely for a purpose designed to encourage, edify and educate all who are present. What effect do you suppose that the activities a person is doing instead of assembling with the saints has on their eternity?
Beloved, it is wonderful that we show up for Sunday morning worship services. Unfortunately, that is often the only time we see some of the family. Of course it is understood that not everyone is going to be able to make it to every event held at the building, or every single small group meeting, but the difference between the attendance on Sunday and the other times of gathering is astounding. Absences during non worship times are a way of life for most, rather than an occasional incident and even absences from worship are a way of life for some. Failure to establish the relationships and receive the teaching available during the assembly can be a dangerous thing. It is often these that complain that no one comes to "check on them" when in many cases, not enough presence was established to realize that 1 was missing from 100.
We are not just the "called out" but the called together. When one misses, not only do they deny themselves others but they deny others themselves. Let us endeavor to be together on earth as we will one day be together in heaven.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No Salvation by Association-2/15/2012
"For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness." 1 Cor 10:1-5
It seems that more and more these people are concerned with appearances. Perhaps it is human nature to wear a mask and protect that which is behind it with all of one's might. Sadly, we are not nearly as consumed with having the inner man and woman and the outer man and woman be reflections of one another or better, of Jesus. Sometimes the masks we wear are made up of the religion in which we clothe ourselves. Far too often however, it is just that, clothing.
Beloved, there is no such thing as salvation by association. Each of us must develop our own relationship with the Lord and cultivate it as no other. Showing up at worship on Sunday, dropping large sums of money in the collection, quoting scripture and the like, are all useless and fruitless displays without the inner love, obedience and truth of Christ. Jesus himself said, "Not everyone that says unto me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" Matt 7:21.
This may appear to be a judgment of others. In fact it is a call for each to judge self. The word surely does. The Lord surely shall. Let us all endeavor to be what we have been called to be: true children of God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
It seems that more and more these people are concerned with appearances. Perhaps it is human nature to wear a mask and protect that which is behind it with all of one's might. Sadly, we are not nearly as consumed with having the inner man and woman and the outer man and woman be reflections of one another or better, of Jesus. Sometimes the masks we wear are made up of the religion in which we clothe ourselves. Far too often however, it is just that, clothing.
Beloved, there is no such thing as salvation by association. Each of us must develop our own relationship with the Lord and cultivate it as no other. Showing up at worship on Sunday, dropping large sums of money in the collection, quoting scripture and the like, are all useless and fruitless displays without the inner love, obedience and truth of Christ. Jesus himself said, "Not everyone that says unto me 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" Matt 7:21.
This may appear to be a judgment of others. In fact it is a call for each to judge self. The word surely does. The Lord surely shall. Let us all endeavor to be what we have been called to be: true children of God.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hard Work, Easy Rest-2/14/2011 (rp)
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going." Eccl 9:10
Our lives are gifts from God. During the brief time we have on the earth, there is much to learn, know and then do. It is during this wisp of time that our eternity is decided. Will we be obedient to the God that made us or will we reject His salvation?
To be sure, we are very busy constructing our eternity, whatever it may be. Either we are leading lives that our pleasing to God or leading lives that are pleasing to the Adversary. As much as we might try, we cannot please both (Matt 6:24).
Beloved, we must, as Noah did, work as hard as we can for as long as God allows in order that we might be prepared for the coming conflagration. As it was with Noah, it will not be our hard work that will save us, but God who equips us. Our salvation is His gift and cannot be derived by our own works. But it is our works that honor God and make salvation known to others through Him. And this we must do today, for there surely will come night when no one can work. It is then that the workers will enter His rest.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Our lives are gifts from God. During the brief time we have on the earth, there is much to learn, know and then do. It is during this wisp of time that our eternity is decided. Will we be obedient to the God that made us or will we reject His salvation?
To be sure, we are very busy constructing our eternity, whatever it may be. Either we are leading lives that our pleasing to God or leading lives that are pleasing to the Adversary. As much as we might try, we cannot please both (Matt 6:24).
Beloved, we must, as Noah did, work as hard as we can for as long as God allows in order that we might be prepared for the coming conflagration. As it was with Noah, it will not be our hard work that will save us, but God who equips us. Our salvation is His gift and cannot be derived by our own works. But it is our works that honor God and make salvation known to others through Him. And this we must do today, for there surely will come night when no one can work. It is then that the workers will enter His rest.
Loving Like Jesus,
Lee
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Loving Response-1/13/2012
"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
"Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2
Beloved, I would like to personally thank you for your outpouring of love resulting from last Friday's devotional. Whether you offered good thoughts, prayers, or financial assistance to a Christian brother whose identity you did not at that time know, it was surely a Christian response. You are to be commended for your expression.
And to my revealed brother, thank you for your heart of selflessness. Even in the midst of your valley, your thoughts are of others. In the face of their outpouring, you exemplified Gal 6:5, "For each man shall bear his own burden."
God never meant for us to get through this life alone. To be certain, it is only He that has truthfully said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." That said, He has called us together into one body, in which we all contribute to and benefit from the gifts and efforts of others. We are a family and family takes care of family. Let us remember the latter of the two greatest commandments: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt 22:39
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, February 10, 2012
When it Feels Like Satan is Targeting You-2/10/2012
"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:6-10
Beloved, there are times in all of our lives that it seems Satan is hard upon us. No one needs to tell us what that is like. I offer (with permission as you will see) the testimony of a brother who is struggling. In it, I hope that you will see not on the struggle that afflicts all who are attempting to lead lives pleasing to God, but the firmness of the fight he is wageing to stay close to the Father. Your prayers are requested for him. Your prayers are requested for us all.
"Lee it is like satan knows I am saved but thinks he has a fighting chance at getting me to turn my back at the LORD but he doesn't because GOD is the only father I have ever known.
I have a conscience given to me by my father. When I'm off track he sends my brothers in Christ to help me and sometimes he even blesses me with new brothers. But Satan tries and tries like he did Wednesday night to prevent us from coming to you and sometimes he even wins the little battles with me and then I have to repent.
But Lee as messed up as my past is and as troubled as I am at times I love my GOD and FATHER and he is precious to me. I ask him in prayer often to help me be the man he made me to be and to help me to lead a life that brings him honor and praise.
As for counselling, I will go but I have to wait until I can afford it. I know thirty dollars doesn't seem like much but some times it may as well be a million. Still I expect that Satan won't want me there either because he does not want me to live a life that brings honor and glory to my heavenly Father. So please take no offense in us not making it wednesday But pray the Father will put a hedge around us at least till a certain amount of healing takes place.
Much Love,
XX
P.S. If sharing this e-mail with another person will benefit them go ahead.
Rejoicing in the Lord (no matter what),
Lee
Beloved, there are times in all of our lives that it seems Satan is hard upon us. No one needs to tell us what that is like. I offer (with permission as you will see) the testimony of a brother who is struggling. In it, I hope that you will see not on the struggle that afflicts all who are attempting to lead lives pleasing to God, but the firmness of the fight he is wageing to stay close to the Father. Your prayers are requested for him. Your prayers are requested for us all.
"Lee it is like satan knows I am saved but thinks he has a fighting chance at getting me to turn my back at the LORD but he doesn't because GOD is the only father I have ever known.
I have a conscience given to me by my father. When I'm off track he sends my brothers in Christ to help me and sometimes he even blesses me with new brothers. But Satan tries and tries like he did Wednesday night to prevent us from coming to you and sometimes he even wins the little battles with me and then I have to repent.
But Lee as messed up as my past is and as troubled as I am at times I love my GOD and FATHER and he is precious to me. I ask him in prayer often to help me be the man he made me to be and to help me to lead a life that brings him honor and praise.
As for counselling, I will go but I have to wait until I can afford it. I know thirty dollars doesn't seem like much but some times it may as well be a million. Still I expect that Satan won't want me there either because he does not want me to live a life that brings honor and glory to my heavenly Father. So please take no offense in us not making it wednesday But pray the Father will put a hedge around us at least till a certain amount of healing takes place.
Much Love,
XX
P.S. If sharing this e-mail with another person will benefit them go ahead.
Rejoicing in the Lord (no matter what),
Lee
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Deserving Nothing But Receiving Everything-2/9/2012 (rp)
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7
God has always had a plan for you and I and it has little to do with anything we have done to "deserve" it. He loved us enough to create us. He loved us enough to provide all things pertaining to life. He loved us enough to continue caring for us even when we sinned against him. He loved us enough to send His son to pay a debt on our behalf that he did not owe.
There is nothing that we could do or have done to deserve this type of love. It is the very nature of God to love us and He does so passionately, even as we love and provide for our children despite their occasional indiscretions and mistakes. Even at their worst, we love them most.
Beloved, God has provided everything that is needed for us to spend an eternity with Him. He provided the blood of His son to cleans us. He willingly takes up residence inside of all who ask Him in the form of the great gift of the Holy Spirit. In so doing, He makes us part of His family. What could any of us do, provide or even claim that would be deserving of such love?
Nothing.
Nevertheless let us make every effort to live lives worthy of such a gift.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
God has always had a plan for you and I and it has little to do with anything we have done to "deserve" it. He loved us enough to create us. He loved us enough to provide all things pertaining to life. He loved us enough to continue caring for us even when we sinned against him. He loved us enough to send His son to pay a debt on our behalf that he did not owe.
There is nothing that we could do or have done to deserve this type of love. It is the very nature of God to love us and He does so passionately, even as we love and provide for our children despite their occasional indiscretions and mistakes. Even at their worst, we love them most.
Beloved, God has provided everything that is needed for us to spend an eternity with Him. He provided the blood of His son to cleans us. He willingly takes up residence inside of all who ask Him in the form of the great gift of the Holy Spirit. In so doing, He makes us part of His family. What could any of us do, provide or even claim that would be deserving of such love?
Nothing.
Nevertheless let us make every effort to live lives worthy of such a gift.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
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