Christ

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Liberty in Christ

To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18

Liberty is freedom!

The Founding Father’s were all about liberty and freedom. Reading the Declaration and the Constitution will give you a real sense of the liberty they meant for all that live in these United States.

But liberty and freedom doesn’t not give people the right to loot, pillage, and destroy property.

There are laws pertaining to these crimes. There are thousands of laws pertaining to all kinds of crimes. Still people continue to freely disobey the law.

How can the death of a young black man by a policeman justify the burning of police cars and the stealing of television sets?

What people need is Jesus – not more protesting and rioting.

If you feel oppressed, it is Jesus that can give you liberty.

I am free to do anything – ANYTHING in Christ Jesus. But the Holy Spirit keeps my spirit in submission on what that anything is! I am not free to sin but am set free not to sin.

This country (and the world) needs the liberty of Jesus against oppression.

Abba, I pray for those that are oppressed by sin and seeking liberty through crimes, drugs, hurting themselves, suicidal tendencies, or excuses. I pray that I may deliver the message of deliverance to those I meet, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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The Funeral

I’ve done many funerals in my time as a pastor. Each varies in length with how much the family tells me about someone, how much I know about the deceased, and what God lays on my heart.

I like to honor the one that has died, which is easier and much more joyful when the person knew Jesus as Savior.

It’s really not much different from a sermon – taking anywhere from twenty to forty-five minutes.

So I was a bit surprised by the amount of time the Bible spent on the death of a great man of God – a Patriarch of the Hebrews, Abraham.

Just forty-three words.

This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. Gen 25:7-8

But when you think of the words of Jesus, who said,

“Have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Matt 22:31-32

Abraham did not have a funeral – but a homecoming!

And so it is with all that die in this life to wake up in NEW LIFE!
Death is not the closing of one’s eyes and seeing the darkness – it is closing your eyes and seeing the Light!

And Abraham’s life speaks for itself in the descendants he left behind, including a Child born into his family under the family of Judah – Jesus!

Abba, when I die, may the words at my funeral be “He lived for Christ!” YES&AMEN

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Seeing Clearly

Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. Mark 8:22-23

All of us know someone that needs healing. Despite some of my infirmities, there are others that need healing more than me. That’s not to say that I would turn down a healing.

But the healing of this blind man is a lesson for all to learn.

And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. Mark 8:23

Don’t get caught up in the spit. I’ve read and heard a lot of things about this – things like spittle was considered medicinal or that it was used to moisten the eyelids, which may have been stuck together because of natural eye secretions that hardened over time.

To set your mind at ease, Jesus could have had the man use his own spit on his own eyes.

Nevertheless, he was asked what he saw.

And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Mark 8:24

It’s true the man was no longer blind!
Neither can he really see.

It’s a reality that exist today – people not blind but not clearly seeing.

Far too often Christian’s close their eyes to many things – the poor in need of food or shelter, the prostitute or addict in need of a loving friend, a child in need of authority, and even God!

God’s own people can have their eyes wide open and not see clearly the gifts of the Spirit, the miracles of God, or the outpouring of grace available to everyone.

Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Mark 8:25

Only a touch of Jesus can open your eyes and give you real sight.
Only a touch from Jesus can allow you to see what was always right in front of you.

I do not see all that is of God but I see more than I use to!

I can repeat the same words of the old hymn Amazing Grace, which reiterate the words of another blind man,

One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. John 9:25

Abba, open my eyes that I may see You more clearly in all things. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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What do you want Me to do for you?

So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Matt 20:32

This question was asked to two blind men. Can you guess their response?

That’s an easy answer. They’re blind and want their eyes opened so they can see.

They didn’t ask for impractical things. They didn’t ask for a new car or a large home.
Their request wasn’t for great riches or three meals a day.
They didn’t ask out of excess – they asked out of honest need.

What do you want from Jesus?

Some want healing, while others may want a job or better marriage. Someone might want a blessing for some homeless person or salvation for a family member.

Still there are those that want God to help them win the lottery, promising to give a portion back to Him.

Jesus granted the blind men their request and it says,

they followed Him. Matt 20:34

They had already declared that Jesus was the “Son of David”, that is, the Messiah!

They believed in Christ, the Savior.

Though after this story nothing more is said of these two men, I am willing to believe they spent their days declaring what Jesus had done for them.

You can do the same thing today – declare what Jesus has done for you!
It’s not so much what the Savior can do for you, but what He has already done!

Abba, I too often forget the many, many blessings I have. I will speak of Your great goodness toward me. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Nothing New!

Christians are unpopular; viewed as haters, hypocritical, intolerant, bigoted, smug, and self-righteous.

Teaching about sin is unpopular and is viewed as judgmental.

What I find ironic is the amount of hatred that is directed toward Christians by the same one’s that call them haters.

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. Matt 10:22

And the hatred is far surpassed by anything a Christian might be guilty of doing. After all, if I preach what the word of God says about fornication and perhaps there is a couple living together outside the bounds of marriage, then I am told that I am passing judgment and out of touch with the way the world is now.

The way the world is now is not new. Sin is sin and has existed since that day in the Garden of Eden when the first couple decided to go against God’s word and will.

God gave commandments concerning adultery because it existed and was a problem.
Paul talked about fornication because it existed and was a problem.

God reveals:

there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, “See, this is new”? It has already been in ancient times before us. Eccl 1:9-10

Hypocrisy is not new. Gossip is not new. Murder is not new. Cursing is not new. Child molesters are not new. Homosexuality is not new. Alcoholism is not new. Bestiality is not new. Drug abuse is not new. Nothing is new – it has already been done.

But sin will kill those that commit it.

The soul who sins shall die. Ezek 18:4

The wages of sin is death Rom 6:23

But praise God for His gift to us – eternal life through Jesus!

Abba, give me wisdom to always say the right thing to share the Gospel message of salvation in a loving way. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Good news – you’re not condemned! (Almost)

I have some good news from God’s word – Jesus did not come to condemn you!

Isn’t that great!!!

His exact words were –

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

He is not here to condemn you!
He has come to save you!

I have discovered that many Christians want to condemn others. I have been guilty of that too.

But we are not here to condemn, anymore than Jesus came to condemn.

So why are Christians so prone to point out sin? I think it’s an attempt to salvation – the compelling nature to point out sin and to tell others they are condemned without Jesus.

That is also true!

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

What Jesus is saying is preach Jesus! That may sound a little self-fulfilling but He is the Messiah and Savior.

Paul said it best when he said,

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Cor 2:1-2

Preach and teach God’s word and let the Holy Spirit use it to convict the hearer!
It works!

Abba, Your word is more powerful than my own. I debate whereas You end all debates. Your word is perfect and condemns and gives life through Jesus. YES&AMEN

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I can see!

I finally made an appointment with the optometrist! My eyes have changed slightly so I am getting new frames and lenses.

When the doc was checking my eyes he wanted to see what my vision was without glasses. So he projected the big, big letters on the wall and asked me if I could read them.

I asked him, “What wall?”

Yes, I am nearsighted and would not dare do anything, like driving, without my glasses.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Rom 3:18

But my physical eyesight is not in proportion with my spiritual sight. Even if I were blind I would still believe in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Even with perfect vision, I would still trust Him to supply my needs.

Nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatism has no effect in changing how I see God.

With Him,

we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor 5:7-8

Abba, I am thankful for optometrists that can help me see better. I ask that You bless me more to be a spiritual optometrist so I may help others see You better. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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The Election

Yesterday was Election Day.

My polling place happens to be my church. Linda and I always go vote right before the polls close so I can lock up the church.

Yesterday I was the last person to vote – #104. There are around 350 voters in this precinct and I was number 104.

Evidently voters did not see this as an important election. Let it be a presidential year and many more will turn out to vote.

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Peter 1:10

The church I was raised in was a small country church. One thing I remember is there were 168 on the church roll but only about 40 or 50 ever came to church, that is, unless it was Mother’s Day or Homecoming.

It seems the elect of God are like the electorate of the country – only show up at self-determined important times.

I also remember that if there was some dissension over the pastor and it was time for a business meeting, that people I had not seen in church for years would show up for the vote.

I do not believe any of this is pleasing to the Lord.

He gave us the fellowship of His church so we could grow in faith and knowledge.
He gave us His word so we could read and learn more about Him.
He gave us each other to encourage and be encouraged; to pray with and pray for, and for accountability.

The American voter should show more concern about the election of government officials in the country.
Likewise, God’s people should be more diligent to show their calling and election by being more involved in church, Bible study, and fellowship.

Abba, I vote for church. I choose fellowship and Bible study. I elect to follow Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Persevere

Yesterday morning three women answered phone call after phone call to sign up thirty-one children to sing Christmas carols on the radio.

It took a couple of minutes with each caller to get the needed information. It took over an hour to sign up all thirty-one.

After it was over I checked the call logs and there were over 1,500 phone calls during that time. That’s not 1,500 individuals – it’s 1,500 calls with many parents calling over and over trying to get through.

In checking the logs one individual called 146 times!

I could tell from the time line that he called, got a busy signal, hung up, and tried again.
His persistence paid off. He did get through and signed up his children.

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

Likewise, God blesses perseverance! It shows commitment as a strong characteristic.

In fact the Bible says,

tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; Rom 5:3-4

These days there are not many people that can persevere, endure, and commit – whether it’s going to church, holding down a job, or being married.

You will be rewarded in any situation for your moral and ethical perseverance. Do not give up. Keep pushing, reaching, and moving forward!

Paul gives his own example for you to keep going.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Phil 3:12

Abba, I press on in Jesus name. I put one foot in front of the other and keep going! I know You will bless me as I keep going. YES&AMEN

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The spirit confesses

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. 1 John 4:2-3

I believe Jesus came in the flesh!

It doesn’t stop there.

I believe He came, died, was buried, and rose the third day.

I believe that many saw Him after the resurrection.

I believe He ascended to Father and is now at His right hand.

I believe He intercedes for you and me.

There are those that would say Jesus was just a good man or a prophet. By that they do not confess He came in the flesh.

Some others would say He never existed and the Bible was written by a man (or several men) and is a made up book of stories. By this they do not confess that Jesus has some in the flesh.

Both are the spirit of Antichrist.

And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 1 John 4:3

If you are a Christian, your confession of Jesus should be first and foremost in your life. That confession should be evident in your speech and actions.

A drunk is a drunk because he drinks.
An adulterer is an adulterer because she cheats.
A liar is a liar because he lies.
A murderer is a murderer because he kills.

A Christian is a Christian because…

You get the point?

Abba, I confess my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. YES&AMEN