"Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.'" Acts 2:38-39
If someone were to ask, "Are you saved?", what would you say? If someone were to ask, "How do you become saved?", how would you respond? If someone were to ask, "How can I be saved?", what would you do?
Unfortunately, questions like this are far too rare. Most Christians do not experience having people just walk up to them and ask these questions. Perhaps the world does not see the things in us that would draw them to the God that we serve. Nevertheless, it was Jesus who instructed us to go to all nations and make disciples of them. He reiterated this in his last recorded statement to his followers when he said, "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be my witness both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even the remotest part of the earth" Acts 1:8. It was subsequent to the fulfillment of this promise that the Holy Spirit did indeed come upon Jesus' disciples and they immediately began to serve as his witness. During the very first gospel sermon, the people asked, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
Beloved we must not only maintain readiness to answer such a question, but to initiate the conversation. Events such as the movie theatre massacre in Aurora, Colorado on July 20th prove that we live in a sin sick world and that there are people in serious need of God's love. Would this event be part of our history if someone had shared with the man who committed this heinous act? There is no sure way to say, but it might have. What about the victims? Could they have used the opportunity to hear the gospel of the Lord? The survivors surely can.
We are here for a purpose, just as those are who shared with us. Let us do what we were created to do.
Committed,
Lee
Friday, July 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
How to Handle a Bad Day 7/23/13 (rp)
The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;" Acts 16:22-25
Beloved, have you ever had a bad day? Think a moment about your worst day ever. Was it a situation that was completely outside of your control? Did it involve something you did? Was it public or private? Though it is important to understand the who, what, when and whys of negative things that happen in our lives, it is by far more important how we respond to such events.
Paul and Silas had what some would interpret as a very bad day as a result of doing the will of God. Their work was very unpopular with some people who reported them to the local authorities who in turn had them publicly beaten and thrown into jail without the benefit of any due process whatsoever. Anything remotely similar to this would be an extremely challenging situation for just about all of us. There is, however, more than one way to both look at and respond to "bad days," particularly as a child of God.
After having a similar day Peter in Acts 5:41 rejoiced that he was "counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Jesus'] name." To him, and his associates, it was not a bad day at all, but a good day of both obedience to the will of the Lord and the opportunity to share the gospel with all who heard it. This brings us back to Paul and Silas. Despite being in pain, prison and shackles, they did not bemoan their circumstance, but sang praises to the Father.
It may be counter intuitive to do such a thing, but not for the person of faith. As Christians we must grow into Job's faith who said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" Job 13:15. We must believe that according to Rom 8:28, "all things work together for good for them that love God and are the called according to His purpose." And we must remember that, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" Rom 8:18.
As an epilogue to this passage, note that the other prisoners were listening to the singing. What a tremendous testimony! If they could continue to praise God under even the worst conditions, that could cause even the most avowed unbeliever to develop questions. Further, we know that the jailer and his family came to Christ as a result.
No, we may not look forward to or enjoy "bad days" but we trust God through them and praise Him for every one in which we draw breath.
Let us comfort one another with these thoughts.
Committed,
Lee
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;" Acts 16:22-25
Beloved, have you ever had a bad day? Think a moment about your worst day ever. Was it a situation that was completely outside of your control? Did it involve something you did? Was it public or private? Though it is important to understand the who, what, when and whys of negative things that happen in our lives, it is by far more important how we respond to such events.
Paul and Silas had what some would interpret as a very bad day as a result of doing the will of God. Their work was very unpopular with some people who reported them to the local authorities who in turn had them publicly beaten and thrown into jail without the benefit of any due process whatsoever. Anything remotely similar to this would be an extremely challenging situation for just about all of us. There is, however, more than one way to both look at and respond to "bad days," particularly as a child of God.
After having a similar day Peter in Acts 5:41 rejoiced that he was "counted worthy to suffer shame for his [Jesus'] name." To him, and his associates, it was not a bad day at all, but a good day of both obedience to the will of the Lord and the opportunity to share the gospel with all who heard it. This brings us back to Paul and Silas. Despite being in pain, prison and shackles, they did not bemoan their circumstance, but sang praises to the Father.
It may be counter intuitive to do such a thing, but not for the person of faith. As Christians we must grow into Job's faith who said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" Job 13:15. We must believe that according to Rom 8:28, "all things work together for good for them that love God and are the called according to His purpose." And we must remember that, "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" Rom 8:18.
As an epilogue to this passage, note that the other prisoners were listening to the singing. What a tremendous testimony! If they could continue to praise God under even the worst conditions, that could cause even the most avowed unbeliever to develop questions. Further, we know that the jailer and his family came to Christ as a result.
No, we may not look forward to or enjoy "bad days" but we trust God through them and praise Him for every one in which we draw breath.
Let us comfort one another with these thoughts.
Committed,
Lee
Monday, July 22, 2013
Such a Time as This 7/22/2013
"Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, 'Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?'” Esther 4:13-14
There are times when we wonder why we are in a particular situation or place. To be sure, we work hard to attain certain positions or circumstances but it is not unusal to occasionally look around and wonder if there is something more regarding the reason for being there. This can be especially true if we happen to have our spiritual glasses on that day.
Esther was a young Jewish orphaned woman who, through a chain of evidently God led events, became queen to the king of a vast empire. Unfortunately, one of the king's trusted noblemen developed an intense dislike for a Jewish man named Mordacai in particular and the Jewish people in general. This dislike was so intense that he plotted to kill each and every one of them. Upon hearing this, Mordecai urged his adopted daughter (Esther was actually his uncle's daughter) to get involved and make an appeal to the king. Due to a law that promised death to anyone who sought the king that was not summoned or to which he did not extend his golden scepter as permission to approach, Esther was reluctant to say the leat.
Beloved, there may be times when we find ourselved in uncomfortable situations were we may even be in some type of jeopardy. We should always be on the lookout for how we can make a positive difference. We must examine whether there is a way we can use the position or stature we have been granted by God to do the work of God. Though there may be benefits to us that result from the positions we hold or the situations we have attained, which was surely the case for Esther, it is more than possible that it is a platform for the Almighty and that we have been placed there for His glory.
Esther did indeed respond and as a result, all the Jews were spared and the enemy was destroyed. We can find ourselves enjoying our situations for many years, but let us always be ready to act on God's behalf when the opportunity presents itself. Understand that we are all placed "for such a time as this."
Committed,
Lee
There are times when we wonder why we are in a particular situation or place. To be sure, we work hard to attain certain positions or circumstances but it is not unusal to occasionally look around and wonder if there is something more regarding the reason for being there. This can be especially true if we happen to have our spiritual glasses on that day.
Esther was a young Jewish orphaned woman who, through a chain of evidently God led events, became queen to the king of a vast empire. Unfortunately, one of the king's trusted noblemen developed an intense dislike for a Jewish man named Mordacai in particular and the Jewish people in general. This dislike was so intense that he plotted to kill each and every one of them. Upon hearing this, Mordecai urged his adopted daughter (Esther was actually his uncle's daughter) to get involved and make an appeal to the king. Due to a law that promised death to anyone who sought the king that was not summoned or to which he did not extend his golden scepter as permission to approach, Esther was reluctant to say the leat.
Beloved, there may be times when we find ourselved in uncomfortable situations were we may even be in some type of jeopardy. We should always be on the lookout for how we can make a positive difference. We must examine whether there is a way we can use the position or stature we have been granted by God to do the work of God. Though there may be benefits to us that result from the positions we hold or the situations we have attained, which was surely the case for Esther, it is more than possible that it is a platform for the Almighty and that we have been placed there for His glory.
Esther did indeed respond and as a result, all the Jews were spared and the enemy was destroyed. We can find ourselves enjoying our situations for many years, but let us always be ready to act on God's behalf when the opportunity presents itself. Understand that we are all placed "for such a time as this."
Committed,
Lee
Friday, July 19, 2013
Perspectives on Lot Pt. 2: God's Salvation 7/19/2013
"...and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment," 2 Peter 2:6-9
It is said that there are some times that we do not seem to be able to get out of our way. In times like these (and at all times), it is good that we have God. Lot made the choice to live among the unrighteous heathen populating the city of Sodom. This was an interesting choice in that he could have lived elsewhere and not had the challenges he endured there. Nevertheless, he is credited in the word of God as a righteous man who was in fact grieved by the behavior of those around him. We never read where Lot committed an unrighteous act, though we can see that he made a number of questionable decisions such as offering his virgin daughters to quell the passions of a mob.
Beloved, Lot represents many of us today as we pursue Christian lives. Like Lot, we live in a world in which we are surrounded by unrighteousness, debauchery, lawless behaviors, loose morals and sin. Like Lot, we are foreigners (Genesis 19:9, John 15:19) and are unpopular with the world. Like Lot we struggle to maintain our righteousness. Like Lot we are exasperated by the things we see going on around us. And like Lot, we make questionable decisions every day about what we believe, where we go, what we do, what we say and what we think. Not infrequently, our choices put us in situations that expose us to great spiritual jeopardy.
It is good to know that the same God that sent his angels to rescue Lot from the destruction the Sodomites had brought upon themselves is the same God that will rescue His own from this present world. We must, like Lot, be willing to maintain our righteousness, remain open to the word and will of God and obediently accept and follow His direction in order to avail ourselves of the salvation He offers. Wherever it is that we wisely or unwisely choose to be, let us be sure that we remain close to the Father, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?" 1 Peter 4:17-18.
Committed,
Lee
It is said that there are some times that we do not seem to be able to get out of our way. In times like these (and at all times), it is good that we have God. Lot made the choice to live among the unrighteous heathen populating the city of Sodom. This was an interesting choice in that he could have lived elsewhere and not had the challenges he endured there. Nevertheless, he is credited in the word of God as a righteous man who was in fact grieved by the behavior of those around him. We never read where Lot committed an unrighteous act, though we can see that he made a number of questionable decisions such as offering his virgin daughters to quell the passions of a mob.
Beloved, Lot represents many of us today as we pursue Christian lives. Like Lot, we live in a world in which we are surrounded by unrighteousness, debauchery, lawless behaviors, loose morals and sin. Like Lot, we are foreigners (Genesis 19:9, John 15:19) and are unpopular with the world. Like Lot we struggle to maintain our righteousness. Like Lot we are exasperated by the things we see going on around us. And like Lot, we make questionable decisions every day about what we believe, where we go, what we do, what we say and what we think. Not infrequently, our choices put us in situations that expose us to great spiritual jeopardy.
It is good to know that the same God that sent his angels to rescue Lot from the destruction the Sodomites had brought upon themselves is the same God that will rescue His own from this present world. We must, like Lot, be willing to maintain our righteousness, remain open to the word and will of God and obediently accept and follow His direction in order to avail ourselves of the salvation He offers. Wherever it is that we wisely or unwisely choose to be, let us be sure that we remain close to the Father, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?" 1 Peter 4:17-18.
Committed,
Lee
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Perspectives on Lot Pt. 1: Proximity Warning 7/18/31
"Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord." Genesis 13:12-13
Abram, later known as Abraham, having been separated by God from his homeland and the rest of his family, prospered along with his nephew Lot in the land of Canaan. In fact, the two of them were so prosperous that their herdsmen began to fight about water and grazing for each of their growing amounts of livestock. Abram suggested an amicable parting of company to preserve the relationship. In so doing, he gave Lot the choice. Lot chose a very fertile and well watered land that happened to be near the wicked city of Sodom. Further, Scripture reveals that Lot would make his home in the city.
It was not long before Lot, his family and his possessions were taken captive as victims of war. This would turn out to be the least of the problems he would experience in association with that city. Lot was ultimately rescued by Abram, yet he chose to remain a resident of the city and was there when the day of God's reckoning against Sodom and its twin city, Gomorrah, arrived.
Beloved, the choices we make are important. The places we go, live and habituate can impact both our physical and spiritual well being. The people with whom we choose to associate most surely do. It is easy to look at a situation and see the potential advantages of being there but we must consider the lenses through which we are looking. Having been saved from darkness, many of us are reluctant to stray too far from its border. We make choices that keep us in its near proximity allowing us to smell the scents, see the sights and hear the sounds without participating in the activities. This, as it turned out for Lot and many who make similar decisions, can be disastrous. We must rather adhere to the bold admonition, "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret" Ephesians 5:12.
All that glitters is not gold. The wide and easy path is not the best path, just the most traveled. We must make choices that place us well within the borders of God's will for our lives rather than attending to the periphery where it is easier to slip. Despite its compelling views, there is more danger near the cliff than there is in the peaceful valley.
Committed,
Lee
Abram, later known as Abraham, having been separated by God from his homeland and the rest of his family, prospered along with his nephew Lot in the land of Canaan. In fact, the two of them were so prosperous that their herdsmen began to fight about water and grazing for each of their growing amounts of livestock. Abram suggested an amicable parting of company to preserve the relationship. In so doing, he gave Lot the choice. Lot chose a very fertile and well watered land that happened to be near the wicked city of Sodom. Further, Scripture reveals that Lot would make his home in the city.
It was not long before Lot, his family and his possessions were taken captive as victims of war. This would turn out to be the least of the problems he would experience in association with that city. Lot was ultimately rescued by Abram, yet he chose to remain a resident of the city and was there when the day of God's reckoning against Sodom and its twin city, Gomorrah, arrived.
Beloved, the choices we make are important. The places we go, live and habituate can impact both our physical and spiritual well being. The people with whom we choose to associate most surely do. It is easy to look at a situation and see the potential advantages of being there but we must consider the lenses through which we are looking. Having been saved from darkness, many of us are reluctant to stray too far from its border. We make choices that keep us in its near proximity allowing us to smell the scents, see the sights and hear the sounds without participating in the activities. This, as it turned out for Lot and many who make similar decisions, can be disastrous. We must rather adhere to the bold admonition, "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret" Ephesians 5:12.
All that glitters is not gold. The wide and easy path is not the best path, just the most traveled. We must make choices that place us well within the borders of God's will for our lives rather than attending to the periphery where it is easier to slip. Despite its compelling views, there is more danger near the cliff than there is in the peaceful valley.
Committed,
Lee
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
The Protector 7/17/2013
"The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies." Psalm 118:2-3
There are many things in which we place our faith and trust. Some of us rely upon our own strenghth and human wisdom. Others rely on their insurance policies and doctors. Others still, their weapons and household alarm systems. While these and other things can have their limited effectiveness, consider the literal forcefield of God.
David compared Him to a rock. More accurately it is a cleft rock in which there is space to hide. The strong reliability and protection are unmistakeable. Fortress and deliverer are also metaphors of protection. As long as we are within the walls, not only are we shielded from the enemy, but our Deliverer fights for us. Lastly, the horn of salvation brings to mind the weapons of a great beast well equipped to defend itself and its young.
Beloved, we are encouraged to "Trust in the Lord with all our hearts" Proverbs 3:5. It is only in Him that we can find the ultimate protection from whomever and whatever our enemy is. For this among all of His other attributes, He surely is to be praised.
Committed,
Lee
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies." Psalm 118:2-3
There are many things in which we place our faith and trust. Some of us rely upon our own strenghth and human wisdom. Others rely on their insurance policies and doctors. Others still, their weapons and household alarm systems. While these and other things can have their limited effectiveness, consider the literal forcefield of God.
David compared Him to a rock. More accurately it is a cleft rock in which there is space to hide. The strong reliability and protection are unmistakeable. Fortress and deliverer are also metaphors of protection. As long as we are within the walls, not only are we shielded from the enemy, but our Deliverer fights for us. Lastly, the horn of salvation brings to mind the weapons of a great beast well equipped to defend itself and its young.
Beloved, we are encouraged to "Trust in the Lord with all our hearts" Proverbs 3:5. It is only in Him that we can find the ultimate protection from whomever and whatever our enemy is. For this among all of His other attributes, He surely is to be praised.
Committed,
Lee
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Choosing Your Attitude 7/16/2013
"Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified.'” Psa 70:4
Sometimes it seems that the whole world and every circumstance and situation conspire to get us down, beat us down and keep us down. Be it health, finances, relationships, politics, the judicial system or any number of other things, it can all have a very depressing effect and lead to both helplessness and hopelessness. But did you know that your state of mind is that which you choose?
Beloved, we are children of the Most High! Our Father is the Creator of the universe! There is nothing that is beyond Him and He has seen to it that we not only have all we need, but more than we deserve. He has equipped us to deal with all the negatives in life. Consider just a few things He has told us about navigating the course of our earthly existence:
Committed,
Lee
Sometimes it seems that the whole world and every circumstance and situation conspire to get us down, beat us down and keep us down. Be it health, finances, relationships, politics, the judicial system or any number of other things, it can all have a very depressing effect and lead to both helplessness and hopelessness. But did you know that your state of mind is that which you choose?
Beloved, we are children of the Most High! Our Father is the Creator of the universe! There is nothing that is beyond Him and He has seen to it that we not only have all we need, but more than we deserve. He has equipped us to deal with all the negatives in life. Consider just a few things He has told us about navigating the course of our earthly existence:
- Nothing can separate us from His love, Romans 8:39
- We are more than conquerors through Him, Romans 8:37
- We can do all things through Christ, Philippians 4:13
- He will never leave nor forsake us, Hebrews 13:5
- He is with us always, Matthew 28:20
- There is a place prepared for us to be with Him throughout eternity, John 14:2
- We can and should have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5
- We are to let our light shine so that others can see, Matthew 5:16
Committed,
Lee
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