Meeting Christ

     "Man, when I get to heaven I can't wait to walk up to Jesus and talk to him, high five him, I have so many questions."

     I hear that a lot, but I don't think that is going to be our first reaction when meeting Christ face to face. We will have all of eternity to get to know Christ more, and to ask him questions. That first meeting, even for many more, I think we will see more of the ground at his feet as we fall on our faces to worship him and thank him. I can't wait to see the face of my savior, Jesus Christ. I also almost fear it, because when you have seen him, you have seen the father. John 14:9 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?" 

     The glory of God is a fearful thing to behold. In the Bible when God reveals a mere portion of his glory to man they are overwhelmed and often fall prostrate on the ground as a dead man!
Matthew 17: 5-6

"5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid."

Deuteronomy 4:24 "For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."

Hebrews 12:28-29

"28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

29 For our God is a consuming fire."

     Even those closest to Christ were overwhelmed just by hearing the voice of God out of a bright cloud. When we meet with Christ in heaven, it will not be with crass nor boldness, but with fear and trembling. With worship, praise and thanksgiving. He will no doubt comfort us with the words "Arise and fear not" which will be followed by great joy. Heaven will be a wonderful place. A place with splendor, beauty and magnificence beyond our ability to even imagine. We will have our perfected, glorified bodies, (amen!) the corrupt frailty of our mortal bodies will forever be no more. I believe though there will be weeping as we wish we would have done more for Christ in our time here on Earth. Not only for that, but when we witness the great white throne judgement . . . it will be a heartbreaking, terrible thing to witness. I am thankful that Christ himself will wipe the tears from my eyes as we enter into the new Heaven and Earth for all eternity.

      Have you done all for Christ? Have I? This is challenging to me! Oh how I would dread disappointing Christ. We will not face an account of our sins as a Christian and some take that as a license to sin. Oh Christian, how sorrowful will it be to live for yourself to face Christ in the end and to have to give an account for it? I pray daily for the Grace of God and his power so that I may continue to walk the right path to please him. Let us pray for one another, encourage one another, lift each other up in support to run the race Christ has set before us and to finish well.



   

   

The Harm of Unbelief

     The verse I want to talk about is in Matthew chapter 13. Verse 58 "And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief." To shed some light as far as context goes, we will have to read a few verses prior as well.

Matthew 13: 54-57
"54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."

     Of all places, you would think the hometown of Christ would be the most receptive of his teaching. How revealing this is of the state of affairs in America today. To those of us with much light, and easy access to the word of God, Americans in general are some of the hardest people to witness to. Their eyes have been blinded by the prince of this world.

     On to verse 58, Christ was unable to work many miracles in his home town due to unbelief, which can also be said a lack of faith. How much this must have broken his heart! Not only in his home town, but for all that lack faith and reject him, I believe the heartbreak it causes God is a burden beyond our ability to comprehend. True faith is such a rare thing in the world that Christ tells his disciples later in Matthew that even with just a small amount of faith God can do great things.

Matthew 17: 17-20
"17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."

     How much have we fruitlessly petitioned God for in prayer that we didn't have the faith in his ability or willingness to answer? How much are the works and blessings of God hindered in our lives due to unbelief? How much more could God work mightily in our lives if we just cast aside the unbelief and had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed? Great and mighty things could be wrought through Gods power. Even just a little unbelief shows a lack of complete faith and trust in him. God tells us in Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Oh Christians may we pray for one another that our faith would be complete, and that we would strive each and every day to cast down our unbelief and to trust God completely in everything.

Trusting the LORD

     Those of us that are saved in the Lord Jesus Christ have all trusted him with our eternal souls. That is a big thing to trust someone with, I would say that is by a wide margin the greatest thing we could ever entrust to anyone. Indeed God's word tells us in Mark 8:36 "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Our souls are worth infinitely more than the world. We entrust the Lord with the keeping of our souls, which are more valuable than all the world, may I say, the entirety of creation. Why then can we not seem to trust him with our finances? With taking steps in faith in other areas of our lives? To provide for us in a time of need?

     As Christians we would all agree that the Bible is the inerrant word of God. The very spoken words written with human pen-men. Yet, when we get the verses that tell us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and the wealth in every mine we put on the brakes and go, wait a second, but maybe _______. If there is anything Satan has a powerful grip on in every persons life it is their money. Money is important in the world in which we live. We need it for everything, unless you go "surviorman" it off the grid in the middle of the wilderness, but then with whom would we share the gospel? So, to live day to day life, we need money. I am not downplaying the importance of it, nor the need to work hard to provide for your family. Ultimately though, to whom does it all belong? Who gives you your ability, physically and mentally to go out and earn that paycheck? God does. The creator of our universe. The great and mighty God of all. He can provide our every need, and any increase we need to meet it. If we honor him, serve him and trust him he promises he will not leave his own begging bread. He wants us to be the head and not the tail: Deut 28:13 "13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:" In that context he was speaking to the Jewish people, but the Bible also tells us in 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." We can apply that to our lives now. The Lord does not desire for his children to languish in despair, but to have our every need met. Some may need to redefine what they call needs/wants, but God will not leave his child begging bread, he even tells us so in his word. Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." 

Trust God with all things as you have trusted him with your eternal soul, and he will provide. Even in the midst of a storm of life, you can trust God knowing that through it all he seeks to make you stronger. To grow your faith and to bring your walk closer with his. The Lord has encouraged me with these verses, and thoughts. I pray that they may help to bless and encourage you in wherever you are today.

Prayerfully for my brothers and sisters in Christ,

Joshua

Troubling Times

     Pray for me and my family. Right now we are going through a deep, dark valley. I can't give any details, but it is something that we have been dealing with now for a month, and will be for quite a while longer. Pray that the LORD would have his way, and that he would give us all the grace to accept his will in this with whatever the result is.

     It is important not to lose hope, nor to get angry at God during times like this, because this is when we need him the most. Philippians 4:4 "4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." As much as we need prayer, please pray for our father as he needs it the most. Pray for comfort and grace for him.

     God is good, he is always good. I have no comments to make on my studies this evening, but I can share all the verses of the goodness of God and rejoicing in him that have helped comfort me during this time.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Psalms 31:19 - [Oh] how great [is] thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; [which] thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalms 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalms 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

2 Corinthians 1:2 - 1:5

2 - Grace [be] to you and peace from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 - Blessed [be] God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 - Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 - For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Walk in the LORD always, and he will give you a peace that passeth all understanding. Philippians 4 is a comforting and encouraging chapter in the Bible.

Philippians 4 

4-Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

2-I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3-And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4-Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5-Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6-Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7-And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8-Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9-Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10-But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11-Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12-I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13-I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

14-Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15-Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16-For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17-Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18-But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

19-But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20-Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21-Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

22-All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.

23-The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Do not delay

Matthew 8: 14-15

"14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them."

     Verse 15 spoke to me and I would like to share what the Lord put on my heart while reading this. In Matthew chapter 8 we find Christ working many miracles throughout Capernaum. The application for verse 15, or one of the many I should say, is not to wait to serve the Lord. Immediately after Christ healed Peter's mother in law, she began to serve the Lord. She did not delay, or make excuses, she got busy. She was physically healed, and in the same night was perhaps spiritually healed as well. 

     When we come to know Christ as our savior, many of us, including myself once, sit around and wait to begin serving God. We come up with excuses like I haven't grown enough or I just don't know enough about the Bible, as to why we are waiting to serve the Lord. There are plenty of things to do in service of God. After being spiritually healed, revived, and quickened we should not sit and wait to serve. We should by the grace of God do as Peter's mother in law had done, find some way to serve the Lord and begin to do so immediately. Ask your Pastor what you can do to help, there is plenty of work to be done.

     I was one that was guilty of throwing every excuse I could as to why I was "waiting on the Lord" as if I was expecting some divine sign from God as to what he wanted me to do. His will for every Christian is plainly written for us to know and will not be found in some miraculous sign from God. We simply need to get into his word daily, pray, seek the face of God and strive to know him more closely every day. By the grace of God we will walk with the Lord and continue to grow each day. If I go through a day and have not walked with God or grown in some way in my spiritual life I count that day as wasted. We should walk closer with God each and every day. Pray for your fellow christian that the Lord would pour out his grace and strength on us every day to help us to walk with him so that we may do his will.

Some Wisdom in Proverbs

     Proverbs 1: 17
"17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird."

     In this chapter, God through Solomon is telling us about the ways of the lost world and the foolishness that abounds in it. He warns the believer and advises them to stay clear of the path and wisdom of the lost world. While reading this chapter, verse 17 really popped out to me. So many times we read through scripture, I include myself in this, and we just read it. When we truly seek after God, and meditate on his word, God opens our understanding to a verse we've read a dozen times. We then see some new truth or application about it that we hadn't before, and might I say that is such a blessing when that happens.

     Birds tend to flock around areas where schools of fish are under the water. One of the methods fishermen used to determine where to cast their net back in that time was to watch for where the birds would circle. They would fish in that area due to the likelihood that the birds were circling their next meal - the fishermen took advantage of this. Sometimes that would work, other times it was the birds circling around the ship waiting for easy pickings. 

     That being said, the lost world has a different worldview. They have no hope, no faith and no comfort in God. They look everywhere and at anything for a chance to gain prosperity or even to just meet basic needs. They see a bird, that bird is a chance or sign at gaining something, and go after it without thought. They pursue it in vain, thinking that they will find what they need, or that they can earn merit with God through that pursuit. They do not rely in or trust God for direction in life, they act on their own strength, on their own knowledge and come up short. When they see the next bird, they cast out their net in vain only again to return void. They will continue that process over and over again, only to always come back empty handed. They need Christ, as no pursuit of him will ever be in vain, or return void.

Adding Patience: A Commandment to Follow, Not a Suggestion to Ponder.

II Peter 1: 4-6

"4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

     We have all heard more than a few sermons or Sunday School lessons on the fruits of the spirit. They elaborate on what the fruits are, and how we are to work diligently to add them to our lives. When patience would come up, we always hear the same thing "don't pray for patience, because tribulation worketh patience." For a while, I listened to that and didn't really think anything of it other than "the logic makes sense."

     Do not pray for patience because trials and struggles in life is what teaches it. We can't stop there. I would like to suggest that we should not pray for patience only if we have not first added virtue, knowledge and temperance. The fruits of the spirit were given in a specific order, and that order is extremely important. Without the first 3 fruits, praying for patience is indeed a mistake. If we do not have virtue, knowledge and temperance then the trials that the Lord would send our way to teach patience will only bring bitterness. 

     Having virtue, good moral character, combined with knowledge of the word of God and the self control that temperance brings will give us the strength of character and the resolve we need to gain patience from trials. Without them, without virtue a christian would not have the moral character to remain positive, treating others with respect, kindness and staying strong in doing right even when in the midst of suffering. They would not have knowledge of the word of God to recall verses to help strengthen and encourage them when times are the darkest and the need the greatest. Without temperance they would lack the self control to keep their minds in check, from dwelling on thoughts of blame, anger, bitterness and despair. The trials would be used by Satan as he takes advantage of the vulnerabilities a christian would have without the first 3 fruits of the spirit, to foster bitterness in your heart.

     God does not suggest to us to add the fruits of the spirit to our lives. He tells us to. ". . .give all diligence, add to your faith. . ." there is not a suggestion there. As you grow in the Lord and grace, when you have come to a point in your walk with Christ in which you have added (and will always be strengthening) the first 3 fruits it is time to add patience. We cannot just refuse to pray for the Lord to teach us patience because we do not like what he uses to teach it. That is telling the Lord "Sorry God, but I don't like how you teach us patience, so can we just skip to the next one?" By choosing to neglect adding patience, you are choosing to stop your growth as a Christian. It may be a hard thing to do, but we must add patience.

     If we can trust the Lord with our souls, with our eternal fate, we can trust him to give us the strength and grace necessary to face the trials he would bring our way to teach us patience. Christian, if you find you are lacking patience in your life, and you have been working diligently to add the first 3 fruits, trust the Lord. Pray that he would teach you patience, but that he would also give you the peace, strength, wisdom and grace to help you through the trials that he will bring your way in order to teach patience. A year after coming to know the Lord as my savior, I found that I was lacking patience. I prayed for patience, and I can say that over 2 years the Lord definitely answered that prayer. I have not arrived, Lord knows I have not! I will continue to do my best to walk with God. By his grace and power alone I will continue to seek after adding the fruits of the spirit to my life. Pray for me christian, that I would continue to walk the path God has for me, and for his strength to face the trials of life ahead of me.