"...after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Mark 5:27-28
There are many reasons people make their way to Jesus. Some come because they are called. Some come out of intellectual curiosity followed by what they feel is a logical decision. Others come out of need. In order to maximize our evangelistic efforts, it is important that we as Christians understand the motivations people have for coming to the Lord. The best place to research this (other than the Bible) is to consider first our own reason for coming to the Lord and then, through fellowship, understanding the testimony of those with whom we worship.
The story is told of the woman with the issue of blood. She had suffered for more than a decade, spent all that she had on doctors and was only made worse by their treatments. Having exhausted all that was within her means, she turned to the one about whom she had heard. She knew the stories of Jesus' miraculous deeds and thought within herself that if she could just touch him, all of her physical woes would be cured. To be sure, some may call this desperation. Jesus would later call it faith.
Beloved, this woman came to Jesus out of need and that is alright. We all have needs. Despite whatever reason with which we may label our own conversion, need is at the root of it. Recognizing this will allow us to help conduct those who are seeking (whether they realize it or not) to the great physician and lover of our souls. And if they should approach us, whether individually or as a visitor to a bible study or worship service, we can respond with compassion based on this knowledge.
Let us remember that the harvest is plenteous as we go about as workers in the kingdom.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
P.S. Some of you may know that I am pursuing a Masters of Arts in Religion with an emphasis in Biblical Studies. For this I humbly request your prayers. As part of an assignment, I was required to study, develop, write, preach and record a sermon on a specific text for a grade. I chose Mark 5:25-34. Realizing that some of you have never seen or heard me speak, I am making the link available to you. If you so choose, you may view the sermon at http://youtu.be/_tVkbgmJCms. I pray that you will be edified and encouraged.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
What Would You Do With More Time?-1/28/2012
"Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’”” 2 Kings 20:4-6
God sent Isaiah to inform King Hezekiah to set his house in order because his life was being required of him. In response, he turned his face to the wall, wept bitterly and asked the Lord to remember his faithfulness to Him. In short, he begged for more time.
Beloved, if we found ourselves in a similar situation and God found favor with our request, what would we do with the additional time? As it is, much can be known about a person by how they spend their resources and their time. It is time for us to examine ourselves. Is Christianity just lip service? Is it something that we just do on Sunday mornings and perhaps Wednesday nights? Is it just a label we wear or a heavenly expectation that we have?
If we were in Hezekiah's position and we were granted more time, would we do things differently than we are doing them now? Or shall we be like the man who rested in the comfort of his possessions, planning to tear down barns to build greater ones to store more stuff? "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’" Luke 12:20.
If we would do things differently, why are we not doing things differently now? None of us knows when our souls will be required of us. Should we not all live every day like it is our last? Should we not all be busying ourselves in the harvest of the Lord where the workers are but few? Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day: the night comes when no man can work" John 9:4.
The only time that we can take for granted is the moment we are in. The very next one is un-promised and unsure. If you had more time, what would you do?
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
God sent Isaiah to inform King Hezekiah to set his house in order because his life was being required of him. In response, he turned his face to the wall, wept bitterly and asked the Lord to remember his faithfulness to Him. In short, he begged for more time.
Beloved, if we found ourselves in a similar situation and God found favor with our request, what would we do with the additional time? As it is, much can be known about a person by how they spend their resources and their time. It is time for us to examine ourselves. Is Christianity just lip service? Is it something that we just do on Sunday mornings and perhaps Wednesday nights? Is it just a label we wear or a heavenly expectation that we have?
If we were in Hezekiah's position and we were granted more time, would we do things differently than we are doing them now? Or shall we be like the man who rested in the comfort of his possessions, planning to tear down barns to build greater ones to store more stuff? "But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’" Luke 12:20.
If we would do things differently, why are we not doing things differently now? None of us knows when our souls will be required of us. Should we not all live every day like it is our last? Should we not all be busying ourselves in the harvest of the Lord where the workers are but few? Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day: the night comes when no man can work" John 9:4.
The only time that we can take for granted is the moment we are in. The very next one is un-promised and unsure. If you had more time, what would you do?
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Monday, February 27, 2012
Is Anything Too Hard For the Lord?-2/27/2012
"Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14
The Lord had just appeared to Abraham on His way to Sodom and Gomorrah. As He enjoyed Abraham's hospitality, He informed him that despite his age of nearly 100 years that He would indeed give him a son by his nearly 90 year old wife. Sarah overhead this exchange and was clearly amused. The Lord inquired about Sarah's laughter.
Many of us fail to understand the might and power of our God. Sarah thought she was far beyond her child bearing years. Her amusement quickly gave way to another emotion when God called her on it. The point here is that the greatness of God is certainly seen in creation, but the significance is seen in our daily lives. God made a promise to (a) man and fully intended to keep it. The expression of His power is most seen when ordinary things happen under the most extraordinary circumstances. It was common for a woman to have a baby, but at nearly a century old? It was common to have wine at a wedding but made from water? It was common for storms to rise up, but to be able to walk on them?
Beloved, we often despair in our various situations and circumstances despite our status as children of the Almighty. When told that God will deliver us, we may even, like Sarah, laugh and simply point out the impossibility of our situation. It may very well be that the response, whether spoken or not, will be the same that Sarah received: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
The Lord had just appeared to Abraham on His way to Sodom and Gomorrah. As He enjoyed Abraham's hospitality, He informed him that despite his age of nearly 100 years that He would indeed give him a son by his nearly 90 year old wife. Sarah overhead this exchange and was clearly amused. The Lord inquired about Sarah's laughter.
Many of us fail to understand the might and power of our God. Sarah thought she was far beyond her child bearing years. Her amusement quickly gave way to another emotion when God called her on it. The point here is that the greatness of God is certainly seen in creation, but the significance is seen in our daily lives. God made a promise to (a) man and fully intended to keep it. The expression of His power is most seen when ordinary things happen under the most extraordinary circumstances. It was common for a woman to have a baby, but at nearly a century old? It was common to have wine at a wedding but made from water? It was common for storms to rise up, but to be able to walk on them?
Beloved, we often despair in our various situations and circumstances despite our status as children of the Almighty. When told that God will deliver us, we may even, like Sarah, laugh and simply point out the impossibility of our situation. It may very well be that the response, whether spoken or not, will be the same that Sarah received: "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Friday, February 24, 2012
A Matter of Time-2/24/2012 (rp)
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Time is an amazing concept. It is not tangible and is wholly theoretical. Though it exist as an indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another, we rely upon it to regulate our very lives. It exists to relate sequences to each other in order to consider them past, present or future. We measure our lives in relation to both our birth and anticipated death; our beginning and our end. Eternity is a difficult concept to grasp because it represents either the absence of time or infinite time.
In this passage, time is highlighted for two reasons. First, Peter is addressing the mockery of non-believers who, question the faith due to the as yet unseen second coming of the Lord. We are reminded that God is not constrained by time and that He operates on a different scale than we do. You will recall that, "with the Lord, a thousand years is like one day and one day like a thousand years." Second and more important, God is not negligent in His promises. He said that the Lord will return and he will. Any delay, real or perceived, is designed to give us time to come to full repentance thereby developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with our Creator.
Beloved, be assured that God will do what He said He would do. It is just a matter of time. The sad tragedy is that when that moment comes, it will be as a thief in the night, which is to say, by the time we realize what has happened, it will have been too late. And if we find ourselves on the outside looking in after this great moment has occurred, the one thing we will wish we had is just a little more time.
We have time now. We have this very moment. Nothing else is promised. Nothing else is assured.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Time is an amazing concept. It is not tangible and is wholly theoretical. Though it exist as an indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another, we rely upon it to regulate our very lives. It exists to relate sequences to each other in order to consider them past, present or future. We measure our lives in relation to both our birth and anticipated death; our beginning and our end. Eternity is a difficult concept to grasp because it represents either the absence of time or infinite time.
In this passage, time is highlighted for two reasons. First, Peter is addressing the mockery of non-believers who, question the faith due to the as yet unseen second coming of the Lord. We are reminded that God is not constrained by time and that He operates on a different scale than we do. You will recall that, "with the Lord, a thousand years is like one day and one day like a thousand years." Second and more important, God is not negligent in His promises. He said that the Lord will return and he will. Any delay, real or perceived, is designed to give us time to come to full repentance thereby developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with our Creator.
Beloved, be assured that God will do what He said He would do. It is just a matter of time. The sad tragedy is that when that moment comes, it will be as a thief in the night, which is to say, by the time we realize what has happened, it will have been too late. And if we find ourselves on the outside looking in after this great moment has occurred, the one thing we will wish we had is just a little more time.
We have time now. We have this very moment. Nothing else is promised. Nothing else is assured.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The Blessedness in Things We Do Not Do-2/23/2012
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night." Ps 1:1-2
In Christ, we are to be known both internally and externally as much for the things we do not do as the things we do. Observe the progression of things that lead us away from God.
Walking is our manner of life. It is the combination of things that make us who we are. For example, in Col 1:10, we are encourage to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." The wicked, also called the ungodly, are those who have failed to embrace the Almighty and live according to his word. They are dedicated to walking their own path without seeking the face of He who made us.
Once this path has been taken, ones feet become planted in a sinful life. Since God is not a factor in the lives of the godless, the barometer of morality becomes irrelevant and seeking after the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life become a pattern and thus, its own way of life.
Once an individual becomes rooted in a way of life, a home is made there. All things are brought in to support the decision and the likelihood of change, though not impossible, is unlikely. Not only do the scornful not embrace God, but actively reject Him. These are the atheists (in word and deed) among us. Not only do they not accept the Great Lover of our souls, they actively oppose (scorn) him.
But all praises to our Father, beloved, who has made a way for us to avoid this reprehensible progression of soul destruction. He has, through the Holy Spirit, given us His word. The more we read, study, concentrate on and live by the words of life, the less likely it is that we would ever need concern ourselves with the slippery slope that leads away from him. This is why the language used regarding the blessedness of those who avoid that walking, standing and sitting is emphatic. What a TREMENDOUS blessing it is to not do such things! Further, it is to be read, "How very blessed is THAT person..." indicating that not everyone avoids the pitfall, but the very fortunate and few who pursue the right path.
Let us always be aware of both the right way and the wrong way. With the grace of God and the constant pursuit of His word, let us be careful to choose the right and enjoy the very blessedness thereof.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
In Christ, we are to be known both internally and externally as much for the things we do not do as the things we do. Observe the progression of things that lead us away from God.
Walking is our manner of life. It is the combination of things that make us who we are. For example, in Col 1:10, we are encourage to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." The wicked, also called the ungodly, are those who have failed to embrace the Almighty and live according to his word. They are dedicated to walking their own path without seeking the face of He who made us.
Once this path has been taken, ones feet become planted in a sinful life. Since God is not a factor in the lives of the godless, the barometer of morality becomes irrelevant and seeking after the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life become a pattern and thus, its own way of life.
Once an individual becomes rooted in a way of life, a home is made there. All things are brought in to support the decision and the likelihood of change, though not impossible, is unlikely. Not only do the scornful not embrace God, but actively reject Him. These are the atheists (in word and deed) among us. Not only do they not accept the Great Lover of our souls, they actively oppose (scorn) him.
But all praises to our Father, beloved, who has made a way for us to avoid this reprehensible progression of soul destruction. He has, through the Holy Spirit, given us His word. The more we read, study, concentrate on and live by the words of life, the less likely it is that we would ever need concern ourselves with the slippery slope that leads away from him. This is why the language used regarding the blessedness of those who avoid that walking, standing and sitting is emphatic. What a TREMENDOUS blessing it is to not do such things! Further, it is to be read, "How very blessed is THAT person..." indicating that not everyone avoids the pitfall, but the very fortunate and few who pursue the right path.
Let us always be aware of both the right way and the wrong way. With the grace of God and the constant pursuit of His word, let us be careful to choose the right and enjoy the very blessedness thereof.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Whose Are You?-2/22/2012
"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory." Eph 1:13-14
Beloved, as parents, we know that there is a difference between those that are our children and those who are not. One of the first identifiable characteristics is the family resemblance. When a child is brought into our family, comparisons immediately ensue regarding who the baby looks like more, the father or the mother. Even in the case of children who may be adopted, the family name is given and the difference between them and those who have not been brought into the family becomes an identification by association.
As children of God, we have been likewise marked (sealed, identified). This is accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Though it is not based on visual cues, as is similarly the case with those who have been brought in, it is nevertheless the truest indicator of our son-ship and daughter-ship. We have been set apart and a difference has been made between us and those who are not His.
As with our own children, there are both privileges accorded and expectations imparted. We must therefore walk worthy of our calling, exemplifying our Father and His family values in all that we do. He has already promised us an inheritance. The Holy Spirit is His guarantee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Beloved, as parents, we know that there is a difference between those that are our children and those who are not. One of the first identifiable characteristics is the family resemblance. When a child is brought into our family, comparisons immediately ensue regarding who the baby looks like more, the father or the mother. Even in the case of children who may be adopted, the family name is given and the difference between them and those who have not been brought into the family becomes an identification by association.
As children of God, we have been likewise marked (sealed, identified). This is accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Though it is not based on visual cues, as is similarly the case with those who have been brought in, it is nevertheless the truest indicator of our son-ship and daughter-ship. We have been set apart and a difference has been made between us and those who are not His.
As with our own children, there are both privileges accorded and expectations imparted. We must therefore walk worthy of our calling, exemplifying our Father and His family values in all that we do. He has already promised us an inheritance. The Holy Spirit is His guarantee.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Preparation-1/21/2012
"And David put his hand into his bag and took from it a stone and slung it, and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground." 1 Sam 17:49
There are few who are not well familiar with the story of David's triumph against Goliath. He was a child with 5 smooth stones and a leather sling shot prevailing against a 9 foot armored giant who had put immobilizing fear into an entire army of soldiers and their king. How could this boy have the temerity to even think such a thing let alone attempt it and accomplish it? Observe what the word says about what took place before this famous event:
Beloved, David was confident and able for two reasons: God had prepared him and God was with him. Often when troubles come our way, we bemoan our situation and ask, "Why me Lord?" To be sure there may be a variety of answers, however, we must consider that the Lord may be preparing us to prevail at a bigger challenge down the road. Teams do not win championships without painful and exhausting preparation. Individuals do not succeed without testing themselves against lesser obstacles for extended amounts of time. There is no strengthening without effort against resistance. This is why James encourages us to "Count it all joy when we enter in to diverse trials; knowing that the proving of your faith produces perseverance," Jas 1:2-3. Life is filled with struggles. Each is an opportunity to grow and learn in order to be able to prevail against the next. When you again see obstacles, issues, circumstances and situations that fill you with fear and dread, think of little David fighting lions and bears and Goliath. His God is your God and is likewise with you.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
There are few who are not well familiar with the story of David's triumph against Goliath. He was a child with 5 smooth stones and a leather sling shot prevailing against a 9 foot armored giant who had put immobilizing fear into an entire army of soldiers and their king. How could this boy have the temerity to even think such a thing let alone attempt it and accomplish it? Observe what the word says about what took place before this famous event:
- Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.”
Beloved, David was confident and able for two reasons: God had prepared him and God was with him. Often when troubles come our way, we bemoan our situation and ask, "Why me Lord?" To be sure there may be a variety of answers, however, we must consider that the Lord may be preparing us to prevail at a bigger challenge down the road. Teams do not win championships without painful and exhausting preparation. Individuals do not succeed without testing themselves against lesser obstacles for extended amounts of time. There is no strengthening without effort against resistance. This is why James encourages us to "Count it all joy when we enter in to diverse trials; knowing that the proving of your faith produces perseverance," Jas 1:2-3. Life is filled with struggles. Each is an opportunity to grow and learn in order to be able to prevail against the next. When you again see obstacles, issues, circumstances and situations that fill you with fear and dread, think of little David fighting lions and bears and Goliath. His God is your God and is likewise with you.
Rejoicing in the Lord,
Lee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)