WHERE IS GOD? 3/12/17

Where is God when we need Him?  Is He in the whirlwind of our lives?  Is He in the turmoil of our hearts?  Is He in the love we have for our children, our spouse, our closest friend?  Will we find Him in our jobs, the pub, our Church, our best form of entertainment and distraction, etc? etc?

King David, the beloved of God Who called him, ‘a man after My own heart’, is an example of one who wondered, “Where are You, Elohim?” Psalm 41, depicts his strong yearning for God:  (vs. 1 & 2): “ As the hind longs for the running water, so my soul longs for you, O God.  Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.  When shall I go and behold the face of God.”  Psalm 63, written in the wilderness of Judah, shows David’s yearning for his God:  “O God, You are my God Whom I seek; for You, my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.”  Don’t we feel like that at times?  Where are You, God?

Does it seem that the wicked of the world get ahead, and that we wonder why we, the faithful ones, have to work so hard to  make ends meet?  Isn’t it easier to go the ‘way of the wicked’?

Is it?  “For His sun rises on the bad and the good, He rains on the just and the unjust.” ( Matthew 7, 44-45) 

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”

“This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:1-3,12,22-23

Jeremiah 12;1B says,  “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?Why do all the faithless live at ease?”

Many of us feel alone, that God is not answering, He is so far away-Are we doing our part? Are we listening to the Lord? Are we obedient, are we trusting? Do we reflect on God’s love for us, that He will never leave us or forsake us, that He is our faithful God, loving us unconditionally?  Are we like the disciples in the boat when a storm arose and Jesus was fast asleep?  They awakened Jesus Who had to reprimand them for their lack of faith!  (Luke 8:24-25 )   Are we like Martha and Mary who hoped Jesus had come earlier so that Lazarus, their brother, would not have died?  Little did they know the best was yet to come!  “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet, I know that whatever You ask of God, He will give You.”  (John 11)

There are several examples in Scripture about people in need, waiting on the Lord.  Joseph, who had been thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into Egypt, was imprisoned unjustly,  served the Pharaoh faithfully,  did he cry out to the Lord?  If anyone could have said,  “Where are You, God?”, it was Joseph!   (Genesis 37)  What about Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s  mother?  She cried out to the Lord, imploring to have a baby, and God answered her prayer after much travail.  Did she say,

“Where are You, God?”  ( 1 Samuel 1)

Our greatest example is the Lord Jesus Himself.  When Jesus hung on the cross for our salvation, He cried out to His Father, “My God!  My God!  Why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46  This is the most desolate prayer ever spoken !  Jesus’ broken heart was deserted even by His Heavenly Father!  And all this, for US!  There was no one to comfort Him!  And, all for us!  Yet, the greatest miracle of all came!  Jesus rose from the dead!  He lives forever!  We have eternal life!  Yes! The best happened!  Praise God!

When we reflect on these heroes and heroines of Scripture, and particularly, the truth of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, we can also reflect that our question, “”Where is God when I need Him?” is answered!  He is always with us, beside us, inside us, guiding His children, strengthening us, pleased that we have learned what He wanted to teach us and fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. He is a loving, faithful God, Father of Our Lord Jesus, the Christ!  Alleluia!

Forgive and Bless those who persecute you.

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." Matthew 18:21-22 

Are we hurting?  Are we angry with those who hurt us?

Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse."

The Lord has been speaking to me about forgiveness and blessing those who hurt me. I remember what my pastor said to me after I shared with him my situation. Pastor said, “Forgive, bless and release.” It is not easy but it is a choice as well as a command from the Lord Jesus. Thank God I was able to forgive, bless, and release, rather than stay bitter and angry. Praise God!

Matthew 5:23-24 says, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the alter, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”

Jesus tells us to forgive anyone who may be hurting us now or has hurt us in the past.  Walking in true forgiveness is vital for our own spiritual walk, a physical health, and restoration/reconciliation. The enemy will try to destroy our walk with our Lord Jesus Christ by our building a wall of unforgiveness in our hearts. Unforgiveness produces in us a root of bitterness that poisons our entire system.

Jesus recognized this problem and often taught this lesson. In Matthew Jesus preached the absolute necessity of our taking responsibility of forgiving others. When we think about it, we come to realize that forgiveness is for our good. Sometimes our own selfishness creates many unnecessary struggles over the years. Even now, selfish resentment creeps in and we have to deal with it. Let us recognized and deal with it before it gets worse! Unforgiveness is based on pride and selfishness. We say, “I have a right to be happy…..”   Jeremiah 17:5 says, “A man is cursed when he takes his trust from the Lord and puts it in flesh.”

"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Romans 12:17-19

Let us remember all things are under the control of our God, who is the God of the universe. Romans 8:31 say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

What is the meaning of forgiveness? It is like canceling a debt. It is  releasing the offender from your hook and putting them on God's hook for Him to deal with justly.

We have no greater example of love and forgiveness than our Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus went through pain and suffering, more than anyone can endure. He was rejected by Pharisees, Sadducees, chief priests and leaders of the people. Even Jesus disciple/ fled when He was arrested! (Matt 26:56b). Later on, after Jesus was crucified, His blood poured out in love, Jesus said, “Father forgives them, for they do not know what they do.”(Luke23:34)

Stephen, the first martyr. Followed our Lord example. Acts 7:60 says, “Lord do not holed charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Matthew 6:12, 14-15 says, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

For if we forgive men when they sin against us, our heavenly Father will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive men their sins, our Father will not forgive our sins."  Our Heavenly Father created us and loves us very much; He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. Today, let us seek our Lord for His love and compassion as only He can give.  If someone should hurt, ridicule, reject or abandon us, we know Our Heavenly Father will never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Let us forgive, bless. Release in Jesus Name! Amen!                                                                                      

ARE WE OVERCOMERS? 2/1/17

Can we live the overcoming life? YES!

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” Rev. 12:11

Our authority to be children of God always comes from the blood of Jesus. Our testimony always is created in us by the Holy Spirit.

We overcome by loving our Lord Jesus to the point of death. What death?  Our own!  Jesus said, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me.”    Each day of our discipleship, do we choose to do God's will?  Each time we choose to do God’s Will, do we die to ourselves? Am I ready to give up my self-love and my self- will?   Am I ready to go to the point of death, if necessary? 

Let us put aside our hopes and dreams as we seek God’s will for our lives.  Have I dreamt about a new home, new car, the best for my family?  This is a legitimate desire for our loved ones, but have I sought God’s Will in the matter?  Am I putting the heart of God above all else in my life?  God , our Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob said it so beautifully  in Jeremiah 29, 11, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope.” 

When we go through hardships in life, no matter what is required of us, no matter how it hurts us, are we determined to do the will of God? Many times we are directed to let go of some relationship, circumstance or thing exceedingly dear to us. The overcomer chooses death to his own will when he is obedient to the will of God in his life.

Until we learn to die to self, we will live our Christian life in defeat. Until we learn to die to sin, we will live in bondage. Until we learn to die to pride, we will live in slavery and servitude.  As a child of God, we do not need to be in bondage, slavery and servitude. James 4:7 commands, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” When we are one with Jesus, He gives us authority to break out of bondage. We can give up a sinful habit, we can be freed from an addiction by the power of Jesus the Christ. 

The overcoming life is a life that conquers sin and unbelief as we defeat the enemy. It is a life lived in the joy of salvation. It is a life of victory in God. It is a life of assurance, a life of certainty that it is ‘well with our souls’. It is a life that fulfills the purpose for which God created us, a life saved as we walk with God.  It is not a life free of temptation.  Temptations come to all God's people, especially to the saved. Heb. 4:15 says, “ For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but One Who was tempted in every way that we are, yet, never sinned.” Yes, there is victory over sin, victory in Jesus!  Romans 8:37 says, "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”

The Christian life is a life of victory, not a life of defeat.  Some people call it the deeper life, some call it the victorious life, some call it the exchanged life, some call it the overcoming life. Call it whatever you will!  The truth is, “Thanks be unto God Who causes us always to triumph in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Victory should be the normal Christian life. If we are not living in victory, we are living beneath our privileges. God wants us to be normal.

The overcomer bears witness that God is worthy of our complete trust and confidence. The overcomer studies the Scriptures and speaks and acts according to what is written.  He brings his life into line with the Word of God.  His testimony, which he gives in speech and action, is that God is true, good, and reliable. When all his security and hopes have crumbled before his eyes, he maintains consistently that God will provide for him. God will give him the desires of his heart.  He trusts God to temper those desires until that which finally is given to him is the best of all. The overcomer, through prayer and obedience, conquers the accuser. The overcomer testifies in the sight of Heaven and earth that God is true; God is to be trusted. “Those who wait on the Lord will not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:9)

As we overcome, we soar like the eagle!  Isaiah 40, 31 says so beautifully, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will SOAR as with wings of eagles.  They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not faint.”

"Peter, Do You Love Me?”

How can I know if I truly love God, or if I only give verbal assent to loving God? Jesus quoted Isaiah saying it applied to the Jews of His day... "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me."

Have we ever answered the question Jesus asked Peter?  It was directed to Peter that morning two thousand years ago. The question was pointed, focused, and simple: "Peter do you love Me?"  Jesus’ final lesson focused on just one area of Peter's life—LOVE.

"DO YOU LOVE ME?" Jesus is asking all of us the same question each day. He watches us toiling through life and reaches down and whispers in our ears, "Do you love Me?"
In John 14:21, Jesus says, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Jesus is saying that, if we keep His words (commands), we do love Him and we will have full access to all that God wants for our lives.

Peter learned this lesson well.  Despite his constant stumbling and failing, he was open to the love of Jesus in a way which ended in death for his Master.  He assumed the role Jesus had given him, dutifully leading the apostles and the infant church after Jesus’ Ascension to the Father.  Peter knew the weakness of his own flesh, a weakness which could not evade the Master.  In the Garden, Jesus had said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14, 38b)  All of Jesus’ corrections were a sign of Jesus’ love for Peter.  “Whom the Lord loves, He chastises.” (Hebrews 12, 6)

Finally, came the test!  Luke 22, 31-34 says, “Simon, Simon! Remember that Satan has asked for you, to sift you all like wheat.  But I have prayed for you that your faith may never fail.  You in turn must strengthen your brothers.”  “Lord,” he said to Him, “at Your side I am prepared to face imprisonment and death itself.”  Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow today until you have three times denied Me.”

 Peter is a type of many of us who, in spite of all Jesus has done for us, in spite of the fact that we love Him, are born-again and are seeking to serve Him, we fail Him again and again. Many times we think that we are stronger than we are, but we stumble and fall or become discouraged. God allowed Simon Peter to fall so we would be encouraged.  Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we can get up again and live a victorious life.

Let us talk about love. Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. Such as My love has been for you, so must your love be for each other.  This is how all will know you for My disciples, your love for one another.” (John 13, 34-35)  Unlike emotional, physical, or friendship love, God's love (God is Love!)is the love of self-sacrificing service. It's the love granted to someone who needs to be loved, not necessarily to someone who is attractive or lovable. That is the love the Father first showed toward us when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us, to be His Lamb of God!  That is the love Jesus demonstrated when He died obediently for us!  Scripture says, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  And all because of LOVE!

What if the Lord should meet you today and ask, "Do you love Me?" Imagine ... He has found

you quiet and alone. He is standing before you. Think of Him reaching out to touch you with that gentle touch. Then -- oh, so directly -- He asks, "Do you love Me?"
That question is being addressed to you and me today. Let it come to us as from Jesus. For these moments let the words come to us from Jesus. Jesus asks us, "Do you love Me?"

Do we love God? Do we love God as much as we did when we first got saved?
Have we ever asked ourselves that question? Have we ever wondered in our own mind, "Do I really love God?"

Whenever I pause from my fast-paced life long enough to ponder that question, it almost always stimulates more questions before any answers, questions like: What does it mean to love God? How can I know if I truly love God, or if I only give verbal assent to loving God? Jesus quoted Isaiah saying it applied to the Jews of His day... "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." (Matt. 15:8).  Do I really love God or am I just giving Him lip-service?  And if I do love God, do I love Him fully? Jesus made it clear for us when He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matt. 22, 37-38)

Going back to Peter:  Peter was a professional. He had been called to be an apostle. He announced that he would forsake all to follow Jesus. He was known as the chief of the apostles. Yet, to this first among the Christian professionals, Jesus asked, not once, not twice, but three times, "Do you love Me?" The final lesson for Peter which came from his darkest night and lasted for the rest of his life was the fact and truth of Jesus’ promise:  a new beginning and complete forgiveness.  The same for us!  Alleluia!

How can I know if I truly love God, or if I only give verbal assent to loving God? Jesus quoted Isaiah saying it applied to the Jews of His day... "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me."