Greetings family,
I pray that your week has been a blessed one and that you have had time to spend with God this week.
This week has not been hectic or traumatic in anyway, but I have noticed that during the quiet times I find myself thinking of my mother and my brother in their absence. People often ask how I am doing or do I know that my mom is in a better place and that I will see her again soon. I personally have no doubt that I will see both she and my brother again soon. Granted where they spend eternity is not up to me. That decision belongs to the Lord. Now, do I wish that they experience eternity with Christ, of course I do, and that is all I can do. However, I can ensure that while I still remain here, I can do my part to share God's Word with others and do my best to address my own salvation through Christ our Lord.
I bring this up, because daily as I go through my studies and I am immediately in battle with the world, whether it's with my boys (who are also part of the current culture), my vocation, the news and the everyday people I interact with. Please let's not forget the state of our nation.
This is not one of those doom and gloom messages, this is just meant to get you to think. Earlier this week brother Brandon Payne mentioned his disappointment with the current postings on Facebook and how users have failed to take advantage of this great resource for the advancement of our people and nation.
Scripture teaches that we have a responsibility not only to our government ("Whether the Bible uses the terms “master,” “ruler,” “government,” or any other name for an established authority, the instruction is always the same – obey. We must remember that God created the authorities ruling over us just as He created us. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Both Peter and Paul also remind slaves repeatedly to be obedient to their masters for the same reasons (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18-20; Titus 2:9-11)") excerpt from - http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-government.html
Also, we have a responsibility to govern ourselves in a manner that gives honor to God in all that we do. - (1 Cor. 10:31; So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.- English Standard Version) (Matthew Henry Commentary : According to this advice of the apostle, Christians should take care not to use their liberty to the hurt of others, or to their own reproach. In eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honoring him. This is the great end of all religion, and directs us where express rules are wanting. A holy, peaceable, and benevolent spirit, will disarm the greatest enemies.)
I believe that this is our greatest problem, if we first understand what the Word is trying to say in this manner, it would be easier to put to practice.
1. The Rich Man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31
Time to accept Christ may be short. Jesus Christ himself, explained to His disciples that many will not believe until it is to late.
2. Christ's Example of Humility - Phillipians 2:1-11
Christ gave His life for you! What more do you need, to believe?
3. Accepting Christ, makes you a new creature (change your life and actions) -2 Corinthians 5:17 New King James Version (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
4. The Bible teaches we must separate ourselves from this world and have Faith in Christ - Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (This is difficult for us and our children, the world of sin is much more intriguing, full of freedom, no boundaries. It is this world that fools us into thinking we have time.)
5. Job - explained how God brought him in the world and can take him out. - Job 1:21 King James Version21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. - The blessing of family and the tragic loss of family, can still end in giving glory to God. - According to GotQuestions.Org "The Book of Job teaches us to trust God under all circumstances. We must trust God, not only WHEN we do not understand, but BECAUSE we do not understand. The psalmist tells us, “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30)." http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html
6. With love and faith in Christ, our lives are restored and Jesus went to prepare a place for us.- John 14:1-14;
- I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life - Verse 14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." - Excerpt from Insight for Living http://daily.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13299
As you can see the scriptures in this message were not as long as usual. This particular message is surrounding a series of areas, from loss of a loved one, dealing with today's culture and changing your life once accepting Christ.
I know that many of you have experienced Job-like issues in your own lives, and it is/are these events which either bring you closer to God or further away. You are definitely not alone. Just because someone may be farther along in their walk with the Lord, it does not negate the fact that they may also be struggling with the relationship with Him.
At the end of the day, and you walk past a mirror; whether in your home, at a store or anywhere in a public place take a moment to look at yourself, are you happy with your current status? Is there someone or something really holding you back from success or are you the obstacle to reaching your goals. Christ is waiting on you.
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