Month: August 2013

Matthew 6: 7&8   “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their many words. Be ye not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Before starting a new series, I want to thank those of you that sent encouraging comments regarding the “Be Attitude” series – comments are always appreciated. For me personally, I know I gained from the writing of them. With this next series on prayer, taking The Lord’s prayer as our model, I am confident that we will find it to be a blessing as well.

 As air and water are to our physical being, so prayer and study are to our souls. To not make time for prayer, is like trying to sustain your physical life with the breath you just breathed. You won’t make it, and the same with going through the day without first connecting to the ” Breath of Life.” We can function, but not in the spirit, we can make decisions, but not based on eternal values and truth. Everything we do may be good, but it will be short sighted. We will miss opportunities to share eternal truth with someone and/ or be an ” unprepared vessel” if the opportunity comes.  Remember, we can “act Christian”  or we can live it – and if we live it, it can move mountains. Mountains of bitterness, or desperation/ hopelessness, or break down walls of insecurity or fear by experiencing for ourselves or granting to others the hope and forgiveness that is in the Lord. To walk in communion with Him is to know hope, joy, love, peace, all by starting a habit of prayer, which is awesome. To be able to encourage someone and know that a seed of eternal truth was received, makes all the obstacles worth it. As mentioned in an earlier prayer, we are all in this race called “Life”  together. How will we end? Will we find that we ran from “Life,” through all our business, or did we run towards Him, howbeit a little crooked. And to be able to affect and or influence people to run towards the Light is an awesome privilege, and  it starts with consistent prayer in us.

So prayer is that daily connection that “plugs us in” to our source of Life. It keeps us running in the right direction. Without it, that sense of direction is just not there and in time, it feels as though He is not there.  However in reality, we are the ones that left Him. Imagine a college class that starts at 8 every morning. The classroom door is open, the room is set up and the teacher’s present –  but you’re (we’re)  not. The benefit of the teacher will not be experienced unless we’re present. I have a saying that speaks of this,  ”  show up for class with a readied heart and Bible in hand, and the teacher will teach wonderful things from His Word (The Bible) and fill your heart and mind with heavenly treasures.”

So based on our text, how do we pray? One, avoid repetition, ” use not vain repetition, as the Gentiles do: ”  Often repetition speaks of doubt. We repeat hoping to convince God, to get Him on “our side” and if we say it enough, it might just work. We are like a child pleading with their parent for just one more trinket. He who made the ears, cannot hear? If He does not grant our petition, then there’s a good reason for it. Remember, ” for your Father knows what things ye have need of before you ask.”  Some people ask, “why pray if He already knows?” The text does not say that. It says that He is so intimately connected to us, that He already knows what is in our best interest – even before we make our petition. It does not say not to pray. So let’s keep this in mind as answers to prayer come, as well as prayers that go unanswered. In ending I want to share one of my all time favorite verses, ” Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5&6

Father,

Thank you for reminding us of the importance of prayer. Though we may struggle in the doing, it is needful for us, because You are our need provider. Prayer gives us hope as we connect with You in communion and it gives us strength and peace. Enable us to make it a priority in our life.  Thank you and Amen

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 5 : 11&12 ” Blessed are ye, when men revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven:  for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Lisa and I give to a couple ministries that operate in countries were Christianity is band, or where the government looks the other way when Christians are beaten or tortured. The stories are pretty horrific, anywhere from severe beatings to throwing acid on people’s faces to disfigure them. Often in cases such as these, the acid also causes blindness. If this is the first time you have heard of this, I can imagine your reaction. Quite a contrast. Here we get bent out of shape if someone doesn’t like us, or if they look at us cross. We have no idea of what other believers in Muslim, Hindu or Communist countries undergo. But what is even more convicting are our brother and sisters reaction. Asked what they want the most, it’s not their freedom, but they request Bibles and Bible literature, ” Give us Bibles and Bible tools to grow our faith and to be able to share the Gospel more effectively. And if necessary, we shall pay for them with our lives.” This is quite a statement and a reality check for us. Do we have this type of conviction, is Christ “All and All to us” or is He one of many “loves” we have. For these brothers and sisters, there is nothing else but Christ. When we grow to a point that we realize that Christ is all we really have, that everything else is on loan, then truly we begin to understand that He is all we really need. In Him alone we are secure, and our family and friends are gifts to be thankful for. Everything else materially loses its importance, as everything we come to value is found in Him. Paul the apostle said it best, ” In Christ we live, move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) This is a very mature statement and I don’t expect all of us to receive it – and that’s ok for now.

I know stories of persecution are off the charts for most of us. We can’t function without our Starbucks, or our Egg McMuffin. Materialism, wealth, and our careers or routines have become traps for our soul. Instead of defining ourselves as a child of God, we define ourselves by what we do, by the title we have, or the paycheck we receive – or a million other things. Until this changes, it is doubtful whether we will ever have the courage to stand for Christ. The disciples also struggled. When the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, and bare in mind the day prior they all swore their lives to Christ – they fled. Only John and Peter followed, and Peter ended up denying Christ, not once, not twice, but three times! However after the Resurrection and the time Jesus spent with them prior to his ascension, these men changed. Each man gladly gave their life for their Savior, and Peter who denied him three times requested at his crucifixion to be crucified upside down, for he did not feel worthy to be crucified as his Lord. And apart from their stories, there are countless stories of believers being stoned to death, burnt at the stake etc. The Foxe’s Book of Martyrs recounts the lives of many influential Christians paying the cost of discipleship with their life. It is said that “the blood of the martyrs is what waters the church.”

So how did these men change from fearing for their lives, to being willing to give their lives to honor  their Savior?  Just like our brothers and sisters who are willing to risk their lives for the gospel today, they understood the truth behind these verses, ” Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” No man dies for a stranger, only for someone he dearly loves. The biggest issue that faces us here is we have many loves, and until Christ becomes “Thee Love,” our faith will flounder. These men and woman are today’s silent martyrs – their suffering and deaths go untold.

In Luke 7:36 there is a very intimate exchange between Jesus and a repentant woman recorded for us in Luke 7:36-50 ( I would encourage you to read it). All the Pharisees saw was a “sinner” touching Jesus feet. Jesus saw a broken heart and rebuked the Pharisee’s in vs. 47 ” Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much (in the sense of reaching out to Jesus through her repentance). But  to whom little is forgiven ( the Pharisees were proud of their rules, believing they were more righteous) the same loves little.” We are all forgiven a huge debt of sin, for we all have sinned and missed the mark. Those of us who are blessed to know that, adhere close to Christ for He has become our hope and strenght. Those of us who have yet to grow in that knowledge appreciate Christ, but lack the inner conviction to be desperate for Him. He has yet to become the “Bread of Life.”

Father God,

How we struggle with our faith, always going down tangents of this thing or that, instead of just quietly sitting before you in prayer and Bible study. Give us a desire to search for you, as though we are searching for hidden treasure, for truly you are priceless. Let us make it a priority in our schedules to met with you daily, just as we keep other appointments. Let us do the same with our relationship with you. Thank you Father

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 5: 9 & 10 ” Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Another definition of “Blessed” is to be at peace because of the work of God within. The work of God is like a treatise between two parties. There is an exchange that occurs and it is recorded for us in Isaiah  1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, saith The Lord: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow; though they be red as crimson they shall be (white) as wool.” This is what God brings to the table – forgiveness. What we bring is our confession, agreeing to His statement. Some of us struggle admitting this to ourselves. Instead we want to bring “our good deeds” to the table and have God validate us. Yet if we are truly honest with ourselves, though there be good intent in us, goodness is a far cry from righteousness and that is what God is offering. If we accept His offer, by accepting Christ as our Redeemer, our sins are forgiven and the exchange is ” complete or sealed”  by the giving of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Peace. ” But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (the Holy Spirit) to become the sons/ daughters of God…” John 1: 12 – its a promise.

Another definition of peace is “to make one again.” It comes from the medical field with the concept of something being broken, e.g., a broken arm. In the arm being “set,” healing and “oneness” can be restored. When sin entered into man we became ” broken” from “The Life” that sustained us. This continued until Christ. The Law (10 Commandments, though there were many more) was given as a type of “custodian” or “school teacher” that pointed us forward to Christ’s Advent. It was never meant to be used as a means for salvation or as a means to compare ourselves, or justify ourselves. For the Law itself says that ” he who lives by the law shall be judged by it” and further says ” the soul that sins (under the law) shall surely die.” We do not want to live under the law, but under God’s Grace that will exchange our scarlet sins for the purity of His Holiness (white as snow). We need to be “set” back into fellowship with The Lord.

” Blessed are the peacemakers,” starts then with those who have received His peace. Therefore by definition “The one who, having received the peace of God in his own heart, brings peace to others. He/ She simply is not one who makes peace between two parties, but one who spreads the good news of the peace of God which he/she has experienced.” This now is when all the other “Be Attitudes” prior, having been accepted and fruitful in us, begin to go outside of us.  Reaching out to others. At this point we start manifesting the “Life of Christ.” It has to go profoundly inward before it can go effectively outward. As one person put it, “A mature Christian should always be witnessing of the life of Christ, and  at times – use words.” In other words, more is “caught,” or lived out, than taught. A truth all parents know. The greatest honor given as believers is when someone outside the faith asks if we believe in God, or if we go to church. Our actions have spoken before ever a word was shared. It’s a moment to quietly thank The Lord for His patience and gracious work in us.

” Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake…” Here’s the part where you can hear a pin drop; when all of a sudden we realize that being a Christian could cost me. It could cost us our job, our reputation, maybe even our marriage, or maybe the guy or girl you’re hoping to date etc. In many other countries persecution –  physical harm, jail, beatings, even your life can be taken from you for confessing Christ. This is what potentially awaits new believers in these countries. Therefore we must  “count (consider)the cost.” Is it better to live free from persecution, be dominated by worldly priorities, absence of the Life of Christ,  or “be being” set free from sin, but potentially endure hardship for my faith? This is a personal question that only you can answer. For me to live life without the “Life Giver,” is to have a life lived with many wrong turns and deep regrets. Not to mention the absence of true, abiding peace and His Divine Love.  I would rather live well, live joyously, live under the guidance and companionship of the Lord and accept what consequences may arise, than to live without Him. His Life, defines my life. Life without Him is like taking a black and white picture of your favorite scene. All the objects you love are there but everything is subdued, and so much of the color that speaks of life is missing. As a believer our emphasis is not in being “comfortable” in this life. It is not necessary that all “our perceived needs” be met. Jesus is the Vine and we are His branches (John 15:5). We just need to abide (dwell, belong, communion) with Him to make the most of this life, for overwhelming joy is coming – ” for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Father God,

Thank you that you will never leave or forsake us. This does not mean that hard times do not await us, but it means that through the hard times, not only will you use it to grow our faith but your faithfulness will be seen. You only ask us to be in prayer often (Philip. 4:6) and to store up your Word in us that we might not sin against You (Ps.119: 7 -9), feeding our soul with the food of the Spirit (The Bible) thereby growing our faith, ” For faith cometh, and that by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur ;)

Matthew 5:7&8  ” Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

The last two series have not been without their challenges, both in the writing and in the receiving. Truth always has its opposition. However truth also has its testimony, an “Amen”  in the hearts of those who receive it. So the effort in the writing, as well as the “effort” in the receiving surely has its rewards. As we continue to study, like miners going deeper into the earth, so we too are going deeper into the human soul. We started with a genuine repentance which  acknowledges our poverty in spirit with respect to any righteousness (holiness) that we posses. Followed by a sincere mourning/repentance for our sins. These two ‘Be Attitudes’ frame the “spiritual gate” that we must all go through. Without this heart change, we simply continue to live outside the aide and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. A life lived with good intentions, but good intentions can never redeem (save) a soul, or be a suitable substitute for the blood of Christ. I know for some of you this is super religious, so thank you for your continued reading.

Last week we understood that once “through the gate,” we are to change our “diet.” We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness and not for the “trinkets” and “bling” of this world. However this then begs a question – is it wrong to own nice things? No, not at all, provided that the nice things don’t own you. By definition, to hunger and thirst for righteousness means that we understand that “things” could never satisfy or replace kindness, truth, uprightness, and especially a relationship with the Lord. A good test question to ask ourselves is do the things we have make us grateful, thereby bringing us closer to The Lord, or do I start drifting because my “nice things” slowly replace The Lord?  If my “earthly treasures” do that they will eventually not satisfy. However, if we continue to hunger and thirst for righteousness our promise is that we shall be satisfied.

We also learned that meekness is not weakness, but it is strength. It takes inner strength and a deeper knowing of the Lord to remain calm in the storm when everyone else may be panicking. There is a lyric that says “my anchor is in the veil.” Referring to the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place in the Jewish Temple where “God’s Shekinah Glory” dwelt. There is my anchor, and from there shall I be secure. That’s meekness, and everyone of us has an anchor be it themselves, their spouses, their jobs, family etc. True meekness speaks to an indwelling, abiding Holiness that is outside of any human realm, or human achievement. It’s God only.

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy,” is one of our “Be Attitudes” this week. This goes beyond acts of charity, acts of selflessness, that gratefully most of us “rise” to in times of disaster or calamity. In context this verse refers to a permanently changing heart that in everyday life exhibits mercy because of the mercy it was given. It’s a changed heart because of God’s love, as His love washed away my sins. We give mercy because it was first given to us. “Deeds or acts” of mercy in times of difficulty or suffering only gives testimony to the life that God has created for us to live – to live outside ourselves.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” This is about as great a promise anyone could have! “Katharos” is the Greek word indicating clean, pure, clear, unmixed or unsoiled. With respect to metals, it means unalloyed. There is not a heart in the world that is pure. Our motives are hopelessly mixed with self serving intents. Even in acts of charity, often unbeknown to ourselves, we do them because it makes us feel good about ourselves. We can look in the mirror and smile, having gained a few points. In the New Testament there is a story of a man who was very rich, but also was extremely ethical, having followed all the Biblical commandments since his youth. Having lived as such, you would think he would be content, but in Matthew 19:20 he asks Jesus this question ( paraphrased) “I have followed the commandments since my youth, what more do I lack? Jesus responded by saying, “….go sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. But upon hearing this the young man went away grieving for he had much possessions.” His heart was mixed with his love of his possessions, yet having all, he still lacked and was not willing to give away his possessions so he could truly “have it all.” Pure in heart implies one thing and one thing only, God is first, Jesus is my Redeemer, and I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is just the starting point, for the whole of one’s life the work of the Spirit is to exchange selfish motives for Godly motives, but because of Christ in me, God see’s me as pure. It’s a “great deal.”

Father God,

There is much to living this life, and to run the race to only learn in the end we ran in the wrong direction is painful. Give us ears to hear and a heart to know, that to put You first is to run in the right direction. No effort, however difficult, is a waste of effort when we run towards you. Give us hearts of faith Father, let us run so we ” win the prize of the upward high calling of God.” Thank you and Amen.

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur

Matthew 5: 1- 3  “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.

vs. 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

vs. 3 Blessed are the poor in Spirit: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

vs. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

I am grateful for the positive comments on the ” Wisdom for Marriage” series. The topic was very specific and admittedly a good marriage has many qualities to it. To enjoy them we need to have a good defense against temptation. In football terms, a good defense is a good offense. In other words we make the “play” before the “play” is made on us. That was the main point of our last series. By heightening our awareness, and learning God’s truth and perspective on what a good marriage is makes us readied and sure. As we move forward into passages that are rich in truth, we need to take them and apply them to our relationships with our spouses, and then from there with others.

In Matthew 5: 3-12 there are a series of verses that have been referred to as the ” Be Attitudes” or said in reverse, “Attitudes to Be” (or become ). In this discourse, which is part of a larger message called the “Sermon on the Mount,” we learn a completely different set of values. Values contrary to our normal thinking and comforts. As we go through these verses we will see a progression of truth. In the same way we build homes, starting with the foundation before we build the walls, so is the progression here. We start with the foundation – one’s core view of themselves. There are 10 versus total and we will discuss two verses per devotion.

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit: For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” The first word to study is “Blessed,” or in the Greek “Makarios.” Its meaning is far reaching and for a single word, it is packed with interpretation. Some definitions include,” possessing the favor of God, or that state of being where one becomes partaker of God’s nature through faith in Christ and/ or to be fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. All of these definitions are Makarios. Makarios differs from happy (“hap” in the Greek) in that happiness is based on favorable circumstances, as in “good luck.” Good luck makes us happy, bad luck makes us sad. To be blessed is not circumstantial. Aristotle defined  Makarios as the one who is in the world, yet independent of it. His or her satisfaction comes directly from God, not favorable circumstances or “good luck.” It’s a great word – problem is, not too many of us live it. So I want to start by asking why and how do I become blessed?  I would like for us to view the next ten verses as a progression to that state of being blessed, if we apply the truth of these verses to our life.

“Blessed are the poor in Spirit: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” That is quite a promise. What it is not saying is that you have to be poor to be blessed or “to inherit the Kingdom.” This clarification is important, because lacking finances does not always equate to being “poor in spirit” which is the emphasis of this verse.  So what is it to be “poor” in spirit? “Ptochos” the Greek word has three distinct usages 1) poor, helpless, relying on others for your daily needs 2) a humble state of being but working and able to provide for your daily needs 3) those who see themselves in the light of God’s Holiness and find themselves lacking, wanting or without – unable to bridge the gap from personal sin to holiness.

Often we think we can “cross over” to God’s side by our own efforts, by doing good etc. We are not understanding the righteousness/holiness of God. It is unattainable by our own means. We require the intervention of God the Father, which comes when we realize our poverty of spirit. Impoverished in any way to bring righteousness from ourselves. We fully  need and require the work of the Holy Spirit in us which is born by faith, as we trust in the work of Christ on the Cross. Much like a child that looks at a wall he can’t climb, but with trust in his eyes looks to his father who can easily lift the child up and over. It is the same with us. We can’t climb the wall of righteousness, but our Father can enable us through His Spirit. This then is to be poor in spirit and is the starting point of being blessed. Do not confuse acts of kindness or sacrifice for righteousness/holiness. Though very noble, these deeds do not make us righteous. They are a reflection though of who we are meant to be.

” Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  ” Pentheo” is the word to mourn and it means just that. To mourn, to grieve, or to lament. However in context we are talking about a deep inner grieving, that in view of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf, we are deeply repentant. This is the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, and the response of the heart as it says yes to His call. To be aware of one’s guilt, but to be flooded by the love and grace of God is nothing short of a miracle, causing one to feel blessed. Not based on circumstances, luck or worldly fortune, but solely based because God loves me (us). So my core view of me has nothing to do with my talents, intelligence or circumstances, but of God’s love for my life. This elevates and validates my worth, and brings comfort to my soul. To not have this understanding then is why we are not living out the life God would have for us.

Father God,

Thank you for this study. Cause me to understand that being “blessed” is not a material thing or based on circumstances. It is a heart condition that requires me to be rightly connected to You. This ” to be blessed” is available to all people from the child to the aged.  Cause us to value being in a relationship with You Father and to see that so many of our insecurities, frustrations and fears are because inwardly we are not connected to You.

Move forward in His Grace – Arthur