Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Thess. 3:10; “We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.”

Several times in his letters, the apostle Paul prayed for his fellow Christians to grow, to mature, to be filled up with Christ and life in Him. Here, in 1 Thess 3:11-13, he expresses his desire that what was lacking, what they needed for their faith, could be provided. There were three things they needed: (1) a straighter path, (2) a greater love, and (3) a deeper dedication. Let’s briefly consider these in light of what Scripture offers for our faith today.

First, there is no doubt we need God’s help in fulfilling His purpose in our lives, to stay on the right path and not get distracted by sin. The Psalmist said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (119:105). We need God’s word so we can be where God wants and needs us. Next, we need an overflowing love which makes life abundant, as it “spills over” from us to bless the lives of others. Paul wanted God’s children to have a love “that may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” (Phil. 1:9), to do what’s right for each other. Lastly, we need a deeper dedication, to be firmly set in our commitment for living out God’s purpose for us. Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 7:1, “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

May we seek to use these avenues Scripture offers us so we won’t be lacking in our faith, but overflowing in all that is good. Make today a great day, because God is at work in you to accomplish His goal of salvation for you. God bless.

Our message from Scripture today comes from Matt. 6:10, where Jesus, in leading His disciples to better understand how to pray, said, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

When Jesus offered this prayer to the Father, was giving us the way to build a significant life of real achievement. He was teaching his disciples to cooperate with the will of God in a way that would bring peace to their hearts and lives. He was encouraging them to cooperate joyfully with his good and perfect will.

How can we do this? Well, understand those in heaven are committed to living by God’s will. The angelic host of heaven obey his will perfectly. “Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!” (Psa. 103:20). Jesus lived completely by the will of God. “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Even creation itself fulfills the will of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psa. 19:1).

We understand, when we seek to commit our lives to God’s will, we are promised an abundant life (John 10:10). We find a greater help for the trials and adversities we face, because God cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). We have the promises by God’s grace of heaven, eternal life (1 John 3:2).

Just as heaven is committed to doing the will of God, when we place ourselves in the center of God’s will, we will find our highest happiness and our greatest usefulness. Make this your goal today, every day. Have a great day in Christ. God bless.

Message From Scripture: 4/20/2020

Our message from Scripture today comes from Isa. 40:30-31; “Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

The Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, speaks of those times when even those who are in the prime of life, with the strength and stamina that comes with youth, can grow weary and tired. There is a greater source of strength, though, than physical endurance; it comes from the Lord Himself. The idea of waiting for the Lord means to hope in, to look for. The thought expressed is, even in those situations where we are fatigued, where we are tired and at the point exhaustion, God sustains, directs us, renews us. We must look beyond ourselves spiritually to find the help and hope God offers to keep us going.

Paul knew what it was to feel the challenges of life were greater than life itself. In 2 Cor. 1:8 he wrote, “We were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.” He goes on to say God delivered them, and will continue to do so, because they had set their hope in Him. Later in this letter, in speaking of his thorn in the flesh, he reminds us, when we are weak, but place our trust in God, we are strong (12:10).

We can never know all God knows. We will never have all the strength in ourselves God offers us. We should discern those times when we need to let go of ourselves and allow God the time to work in us His good will. We will find we are more than adequate for life’s challenges when God is in control. As James said, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (4:10). Have a great day. God bless.

ONE WAY

Growing up years ago, and even into the early years of my preaching the gospel, it was understood if you were discussing matters of faith with others, Scripture would be the basis on which decisions would be made. People came prepared to open up their Bibles and examine verses in their context. While not every person was willing to acknowledge what Scripture taught, others would, and souls who came determined to understand what it taught often obeyed the gospel, and rejoiced in learning the truth and having a new life in Christ.

That was then, but things have changed. Gradually, over time, the search for the truth of God was replaced by how one feels. Despite consideration of Scripture that warns how one’s feelings can be led astray, feelings have become the de facto source for what one believes and how one lives. I remember speaking with an individual regarding a spiritual matter, and we both agreed that the Bible would be the arbiter in our search for truth. It didn’t take long, however, during the course of discussion, when a Scripture that contradicted her desires was read, the response was, “But I feel it in my heart!” This has become the mantra for those seeking spirituality today.

It is unfortunate this is true in the Lord’s church as well. Certainly, we are not denying the importance of feelings, as God gave them to us. It isn’t wrong to have feelings, but we must be sure about what shapes those feelings. Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). Jesus added, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person” (Matt. 15:18). Apart from the word of God, our feelings tend to be governed by sin instead. With the word, we can live pleasing lives to God. “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected” (1 John 2:3-5). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

It is so very difficult to convince people today, that how they feel may not be how God thinks. God has defined his will for us in a clear and understandable way. The problem isn’t that God can’t be known, but in bypassing Scripture, we put ourselves over God, and in doing so, we invalidate Scripture. We must recapture the concept that our role is to be in submission to God, if he is to bless us. “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’” (Rom. 9:20).

I am well aware, in this day and age, there are those who, if they hear, or are told, their desires, their emotions, are out of alignment with the will of God, they become upset. They close their minds and hearts, rejecting Scripture to cling to their concept of reality. In the face of such a philosophy, we must continue to preach the word of God in truth (1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:15). Our goal in preaching the truth isn’t to upset people, but to save souls. If someone is distressed over what Scripture teaches, I am sorry, but I would rather them be challenged to examine themselves in light of Scripture, than to coddle them in their misplaced feelings all the way to hell. Jesus is the source of eternal salvation, to those who obey him (Heb. 5:9). God’s way in Christ is still the right way, the only way, if one is to find the abundant life today (John 10:10), eternal life following judgment (John 5:28-29). “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Cor. 13:5).

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.”

Robert Johnson

Who is Responsible for the Crucifixion?

It would seem something that started shortly after the proclamation of the gospel continues even today. After the apostles were arrested for preaching the gospel, which included His death and resurrection, the Sanhedrin council confronted them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us" (Acts 5:28). Interesting that the group responsible for taking Jesus to Pilate, asking him to have Christ put to death (John 18:28-31), wanted no reminder of it afterwards.

Peter and the apostles, however, clearly state how it was Christ was crucified. “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:22-23). Yes, the Jewish authorities, out of envy (Mark 15:10), handed Jesus to Pilate, who heard the Jewish crowds cry out for Him to be crucified (Mark 15:13). Pilate acquiesced to their wishes, turning Him over to Roman soldiers, that Jesus’ crucifixion could be carried out (Mark 15:15-37).

Historically, these are the ones who brought Jesus to the cross. But if we understand the purpose of the cross, we know the necessity of the cross is for everyone’s sins. Everyone shares in the burden of the cross, because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and all need the cleansing that the death of Christ provides. The sins of the world led Jesus to the cross, and it was His love for us that kept Him there. God’s eternal plan for our sins made the cross necessary, and only in the cross is there hope for eternal life (Col. 1:20).

Scripture has no conflicts about the death of Jesus. God reveals truth, not in the eye of the beholder, but in His word, the Bible. We must put aside our sinful pride and prejudices against His will, and humble ourselves in faithful obedience, if we are to find the cleansing Christ’s blood provides. As Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). It’s time we all listened.

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

Robert Johnson

Of First Importance

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Easter is upon us. The date on which this event is celebrated is reckoned by the calendar calculations determined in the 7th century. the official formula used to determine Jesus final week of ministry before being crucified, buried, and raised the following first day of the week. This year, based on that formula, April 1 is the day determined to be celebrated as resurrection Sunday.

Two days are typically deemed more important than others in connection with Christ. December 25th was first celebrated as the birth of Christ in AD 336, during the reign of Emperor Constantine. Easter, of course, followed later in becoming the time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. It is encouraging that, in such a secular society as ours has become, there is still some thought given to Christ, some kind of expression regarding his worth, although it may be more of a custom to many, rather than genuine devotion. Christ should mean more to us, in truth to everyone, than a random thought twice a year.

Paul says the fulfillment of Jesus’ earthly ministry, in his death, burial, and resurrection, is to have priority in our lives. Of course, we are mindful of and thankful for his unique entrance in the world, his virgin birth, but the point of his birth was his death and resurrection. If we truly know the Biblical account of Christ, we also know he is worthy of more than just two days of consideration each year. He is foundational to our lives, his coming the “fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4), the focal point of all history. The Son of God becoming the Son of Man is beyond our capacity to fully comprehend. That he lived a sinless life that our sins could be atoned is truly amazing. His death should touch our hearts, and his resurrection should give us hope. How can anyone deem this to be worthy of significance only twice a year?

Paul reminded the Corinthians they were meeting every first day of the week for a reason (1 Cor. 16:2). They came together to remember the Lord’s death through the Lord’s Supper (11:23-26), and to partake of it without discerning his body, in an unworthy manner, would be guilty of his body and blood (11:27). Each Lord’s Day is special, something to look forward to, to take seriously, to remember his death, and resurrection, and the forgiveness these truths offer. May each Lord’s Day, may every day, be a celebration of God’s love in Christ, of life lived in and for him, and a reminder of our anticipation to be with him for all eternity. “For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God” (1 Pet. 1:18-21).

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice.”

Robert

BY YOUR WORDS

Words are such simple little things, aren’t they? For most people, the ability to speak comes early in life, and is part of our everyday routine. It’s a part of functioning in life that we too often take for granted, until something happens to limit us in our ability to communicate. But rather than just being sound waves sent from one person to another, words are emissaries of the heart, of that which comes from within us, and have tremendous power, not only over our lives, but the lives of those who hear us. As James reminds us, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5).

Sometimes words are spoken to deceive, calculated to get a specific, selfish response from others. For example, people often use the word “love” when “lust” is the true motive, and once the desired end is reached, the words change and can become harsh and cruel instead. Compliments can often be served up to get someone else to do another’s desires, to do what the one offering the compliments should do, and to keep one distanced from the situation, in case trouble arises. I have seen preachers take a stand for what was right, only to have those who encouraged him initially turn against him when the going got tough. The writer of Proverbs reminds us, “Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you” (4:24).

Sometimes words can be spoken harshly, in ways calculated to hurt and penetrate to the inmost part of another. I am amazed at how more and more people just say whatever they want anymore, without any consideration to the feelings of others, people they may not even personally know! It’s easy to criticize and condemn, and can make one feel big by verbally making others feel small. I am also amazed at how people who do this sort of thing are always taken aback and have their feelings hurt when someone speaks to them in like manner. Perhaps that should be thought about before any words are spoken by anyone to anyone. Paul tells us, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Col. 4:6).

To speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) means we not only are to be truthful in the proclamation of the gospel, but also in how we speak with others as people of truth, representatives of the gospel of Christ. If you listen to people long enough, you can discern by their speech what are the matters of their heart, because the mouth speaks from that which fills the heart (Luke 6:45). What is it others hear when we speak? By listening long enough, what do they learn about the “real” us on the inside, not the façade we’ve erected for others to see? Maybe we should look inside first, and make sure our words reflect Christ in us. “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:35-37).

Robert