Category Archives: Before your head hits the pillow

Before your head hits the pillow

Pray Until You Pray

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Pray Until You Pray

Tonight I am going to admit a weakness. I don’t pray like I should. Yes, I do pray. I pray on my way to work when someone comes to my mind. I pray in the middle of the night when I wake up and it becomes evident that I need to pray for someone. But I don’t have a steady prayer life like I should. I don’t always keep my appointment with God. I am confident that some of you will be able to say the same thing about yourselves.

This issue has been laying heavy on my soul. My mom was what I would call a prayer warrior. I remember as a child coming downstairs for that second drink of water to see her kneeling at her bedside. I am confident that it was her fervent and consistent prayer life that brought members of her family through many difficult times. Now that she is gone, I feel more compelled to pick up that mantle. I want to pray like my mom prayed. I want to pray like Jesus prayed. I want to REALLY pray!

I teach theology on Thursday evenings and part of this week’s lesson is on prayer. As I have been listening to the podcasts I have become increasingly convicted about my own prayer life. In one of the podcasts the teacher said something I found very interesting. He said that we were to pray until we prayed.

At first I found that rather strange but as it was explained it began to really motivate me. Garneybridge.wordpress.com says this about praying until you pray. “It does not simply mean that persistence should mark much or our praying – though admittedly that is a point the Scriptures repeatedly make. What they meant [the puritans] is that Christians should pray long enough and honestly enough, at a single session, to get past the feeling of formalism and unreality that attends not a little praying. We are especially prone to such feelings when we pray for only a few minutes, rushing to be done with a mere duty. If we ‘pray until we pray,’ eventually we come to delight in God’s presence, to rest in His love, to cherish His will. Such advice is not to become an excuse for new legalism: there are startling examples of short rapid prayers in the Bible (e.g., Nehemiah 2:4). But in the Western world we urgently need this advice, for many of us our praying are like nasty little boys who ring front door bells and run away before anyone answers.”

God wants us to pray because it expresses our trust in Him, it brings us into deeper fellowship with Him, and it involves us in activities that have eternal importance. And we all know what the Bible says about prayer, “You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:2.

But we need to make sure that we are not like those nasty boys who just ring the door bell and run away. God accepts our quick prayers from our cars and he hears our petitions in the middle of the night, but what He wants is GREAT fellowship with us. He wants to talk to us and He wants not only for us to talk to Him but He wants us to listen to Him. We cannot do that if we utter just a few words and then disappear into our busy lives.

Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” In the time of Christ, dining with someone was intimate. When you sat and ate with someone, it was an experience. God wants an experience with us. He want us to take the time to really know him. That can’t be done in the amount of time many of us spend with Him.

So this is my November 2015 resolution. I resolve to spend more time with God. I resolve to do more listening. I resolve to bring Him more praise and worship. I resolve to bring more of my needs to Him rather than trying to do things on my own. I resolve to pray until I pray and I hope that many of you will join me on this journey!

Before your head hits the pillow

Is There Really Power in the Name of Jesus?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Is There Really Power in the Name of Jesus?

More than once today I heard a song by 7eventh Time Down called, “Just Say Jesus.” I heard it on my way to work and then again on my way home. As I listened to that song I began thinking about the importance of the name of Jesus.

Philippians 2:9-11 tells us, Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and game Him the name that is above every name, and that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When this Jesus, our Savior, returns EVERY knee will bow. Those who have known Him and loved Him will bow a bow of awe and respect. We will be excited and joyful. But those who have mocked Him on this earth, those who have taken His name in vain or have laughed at the devotion of His followers will also bow. They will bow in fear. They will now know that all they have thought and believed about this Jesus has been wrong. They will finally acknowledge that He truly is the Son of God, a redeemer. But it will be too late. Their fear and their dread will be unfathomable!

But in that name of Jesus we are told there is power. There was power when He walked this earth and that same power now resides within us. John 14:13-14 says, “And whatever you ask in My [Jesus’] name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” We should not look at the name of Jesus like a genie in a bottle, say the word and poof things come true. No we must ask in the name of Jesus as if we are representing Him. We must ask in His name according to the will of the Father.

That name possesses the ability to do great signs and wonders. Acts 4:29-30 states, “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching. Send you healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” The power that is given to us through the name of Jesus is a power meant to glorify God. If anything we are asking is not done to glorify God then we are calling on the power in the name of Jesus in a wrong headed way.

Healing can be found in the name of Jesus. In Acts 3:6 Peter says, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter did not have wealth or money to give this poor lame man but He had something much greater. He had the power of Jesus residing in His very being, a power great enough to make a lame man walk! This man didn’t just walk, he started leaping and he praised God. Once again the name of Jesus was used to glorify God the Father!

Some people think that demonic possession and oppression no longer exists. I am not one of those people. I am buoyed by the knowledge that the name of Jesus can cast out evil spirits. In Acts 16:18 Paul cast a demon out of a young girl who had been annoying him, by saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” The girl’s masters were so angry that Jesus had cast out her fortune-telling demon that Paul and his preaching partner Silas were severely beaten and thrown into the innermost part of the dungeon so they could not escape. But as Paul and Silas were singing songs in praise to God their chains fell off and the dungeon doors flung open. But Paul and Silas didn’t leave and soon after the jailer and all his household came to know Jesus as their personal Savior. Once again, God was glorified!

But more important than answers to prayer, or the ability to do signs and wonders, or even to heal the sick or cast out demons, the name of Jesus has the ability to save! Acts 4:12 say, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Only by believing in Jesus, in professing His name as the name above all names, as our everlasting Savior can we be saved! And with that salvation we are united with God our Father. We are now adopted into the family of the Creator of the universe. We can call God our Father. We can call out to Him at any time. We can rest safely in His arms. We can speak with Him at any time, and in any circumstance. All because of the name of Jesus!

So yes, there is AMAZING power in the name of Jesus. Jesus’ power is amazingly potent, more powerful than we will ever fully understand. He still answers requests prayed in His name, He still heals, and He still shows His majesty in amazing signs and wonders. And yes, He still saves. There is power in the name of Jesus; There is hope, there is strength, and victory to claim. There is healing in His holy presence;
There is power in His name.

Before your head hits the pillow

Why is it important that God is unchangeable?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Why is it important that God is unchangeable?

Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Numbers 23:19 – God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Yes, our God never changes. This is one of His attributes. He is immutable, that means He never changes. He is not better at one time and worse at another. But for us, as people of God, why should this matter?

The fact that God does not change is central to every other attribute we know of God. God is all knowing. He never knew less than He does today and He never knew more. His knowledge has ALWAYS been the same. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” God didn’t only know Jeremiah before he was in the womb, He knew each of us. God’s knowledge of us and His plan for us has NEVER changed.

God is merciful and just. God’s mercy is the same today as it was thousands of years ago and His judgment is the same. As I read through the books of Chronicles and Kings I became amazed at the Kings who were evil. Each one of them must have seen God’s judgment on previous evil Kings but they still did evil. God’s justice is supreme justice. God will always deal with evil in His perfect unchanging way. Many of the kings of the Old Testament failed to learn about God’s unchanging justice but we have the Bible to read. We see what turmoil can befall us if we choose to turn our backs on a perfectly just God. But we can also see God’s mercy, His perfect and never changing mercy, on those who fall on their face, profess their sins, and work to fulfill God’s plan in our lives.

God is unchangeably holy. Nothing we can do can make him more or less holy. He is unchangeably righteous and unchangeably faithful.

God has promised His blessings and his faithfulness to those who follow Him. That doesn’t mean that our lives will always be easy, but they will always be blessed because that is God’s promise. His vows, promises and commitments will NEVER change.

The fact that God is unchangeable gives us the great assurance of our salvation. God tells us in Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

The fact that God does not change gives us the assurance that once we have truly accepted Jesus as our Savior nothing can undo the grace and mercy that God has given. This promise, this mercy, this grace is unchangeable. God’s commitment to you as one of His children is an eternal commitment. Because God is unchangeable, this CANNOT change!

Things in your life may change. You may go through struggles and trials. You may be tossed about by the waves of this world, but God’s love for you, His promise of your salvation, will NEVER change. That is why is why it is so important that we understand that God cannot change. God is our anchor in the wind tossed seas of our life. He will hold us fast. He will tether Himself to us. He will NEVER leave! Praise God! Praise Him for His unchanging love, His unchanging mercy, and yes, even His unchanging justice!

Before your head hits the pillow

Can we be completely assured of our salvation?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Can we be completely assured of our salvation?

I have spoken with people, Christian friends, who walk day to day with no assurance of their salvation. To be honest this saddens me. And recently I had someone ask me if a person could lose their salvation. I think this post might help give you my thoughts on this issue.

God wants us to be assured of our salvation. He wants us to live in His peace. To not know, day by day, whether we are truly saved, to worry about whether we will fall in and out of grace, brings no peace at all, and lays the responsibility of our salvation on our own actions and feelings.

Romans 10:9-10 tells us how to be saved: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” That is it. When Jesus died on the cross, His final words before committing Himself to His father were, “It is finished.” What was finished? His atonement for our sins. If we Jesus said it is finished and we believe that it is finished, then finished it is!

John 10:28 tells us about the assurance of our salvation. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” No one can take you away from the Lord, once you are His. He will not walk away from you. He will not forsake you!

We are not saved by what we do, but by God’s grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. Do you really think that God would take his grace away? No, He is faithful.

If you have truly accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior you CAN and MUST be assured of your salvation. This does not mean that we will not sin, because we will. I John 1: 8,10 states, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us..if we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” But God says in Hebrews 10:7 this about the saved, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

So as a Christian, if you are worried about your salvation, remember the blessed words of Romans 8:38-39 – I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It is finished. Jesus paid the price. If you believe and accept Him as your Savior, then NO ONE or NO THING can separate you from His love. His grace is irrevocable, His love is immeasurable, and your salvation is assured!

Before your head hits the pillow

How important is planning? or Should a Christian Plan for the Future?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

How important is planning? or Should a Christian Plan for the Future?

Many of you may remember the Doris Day song, Que Sera, Sera, whatever will be will be. The future’s not ours to see, Que Sera, Sera. I know of Christians who live this way. They believe that investing in their future shows a lack of faith. They say that God will supply all of their needs so there is no reason to make plans, no reason to invest in the future.

Does planning for the future show a lack of faith. Does working hard, making a good living, saving and investing for the future of your family show that you don’t believe that God will take care of you?

Matthew 6:19-20 say, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;…

Matthew 6:28 says, “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.”

And Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

People often use these verses to say that planning for the future does show a lack of faith. That Que, Sera, Sera should be our motto. Trust in God, whatever will be will be. I believe this is wrong thinking.

Proverbs 21:5 tells us just the opposite. “The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.”

Vic Williams in the September 12th writing of InHisFootsteps.com in an article entitled: Should Christians Plan or Simply Trust God? says this “The phrase ‘the plans of the diligent’ is an interesting phrase as the word translated here as ‘plans’ comes from the Hebrew words ‘machashabah machashebeth’ which can be translated as thoughts, intentions, advice, imaginations or purpose. The word diligent could also be translated as incisive, determined or eager. We could therefore read this verse of scripture as, ‘The thoughts, advice, intentions, purposes and plans of the incisive, determined, eager and diligent lead to plenty.”

We shouldn’t JUST plan for the future, we should be deliberate and intentional in our plans. We need to look at what God has for us to do and make plans to fulfill that purpose.

I was struck while reading I Chronicles 22 how David planned for the building of the temple. God had told David that he was not to build the temple, he had killed too many in battle. David’s son Solomon was to build the temple. But David didn’t just say, “Oh, okay, I will leave that up to my son, if that is what God wants.” No he made PLANS to help his son’s efforts. Although David was not to build the temple he could still plan for its building so he gathered iron for the nails and more bronze than could be weighed. He gathered nearly 4,000 tons of gold and 40,000 tons of silver. He also gathered timber and stones for the walls. Before he died he ordered all of the leaders of Israel to help Solomon build the temple. David planned.

Paul made plans in Acts 15:36 and in Romans 1:13. The apostles made plans in Acts 6:1-3

Proverbs 6:6-8 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has not commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

Yes, not only should we plan for the future, we MUST plan for the future. Planning is wise. But we must make sure that all of our plans are covered with prayer and a petition for God’s will to be done in our lives. If we are storing up things on this earth as a replacement for honoring God, these plans will lead to nothing but destruction.

Vic Williams ended his writing with these words and I think they are a good way to end this writing of mine, “Planning for the future, with prayerful consideration is good for you and your family. It is Biblical. It shows faith and trust and it establishes your commitment to do what God has directed you to do. Plan diligently, act purposefully, and live abundantly.”

Before your head hits the pillow

Are You Heaven Bound?

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Early this morning I posted a meme that made comments about what would NOT get you into heaven and what WOULD get you into heaven.  The comments that ensued were interesting.  Very rarely have I posted anything that caused this much conversation.

First let me say that no meme or no single post that I place on this page will contain in it all of Biblical doctrine.  I post memes and writings that I hope will challenge you, encourage you, teach you, bring your joy, or make you think.  This one certainly did many of those things.

But since this little meme caused such a stir, I thought that I should write about this topic tonight.  So here goes.

Good works will NOT get you into heaven.  You can be the best philanthropist who ever lived and it will not help you walk through the gates of heaven.  Only trust in Jesus as your Savior will do that.  But we must know that good works are a requirement in the life of a Christian. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” And James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Faith and trust in Jesus DEMANDS good works, for to this we were created.

Merely being baptized will not get you into heaven.  Many are baptized as children.  Just because your parents baptized you does not mean you gain automatic entrance into heaven.  Others were baptized as adults and I would say it is fair to assume that even some who are baptized as adults do not really know Jesus as their Savior.  So baptism in and of itself will NOT get you into heaven.  But that does not mean that baptism is unimportant. Mark 16:16 says,”Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”  Baptism or profession of one’s faith is an outward expression of an inward commitment to the Lord.  This passage however, should not be construed to say that if a person is not physically baptized that they cannot be saved.  The second part of Mark 16:16 says that whoever does not BELIEVE will be condemned.  If you are a true believe then you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and it is this baptism that is necessary for salvation.  No one can believe without the Holy Spirit working in their lives.

Attending church, mass, or Sunday school will not get us into heaven.  For many people sit in church pews or at mass every week who have not met and believed in their hearts in the risen Savior.  But does that mean that worshiping together is not important?  Quite the contrary.  Hebrew 10:24-25 speaks of this when it tells us this, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  So, although going to church will not save us, we are instructed to assemble together to stimulate one another to love each other and to reach out to those in need.

Giving money and doing charity work will not get us into heaven.  No matter how much you do or how much you give you will never be able to give enough to gain entrance into heaven.   Only trust in Jesus as your Savior will do that.  But does that mean tithing and charity work are unimportant.  No, not at all!  2 Corinthians 9:7 instructs us, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” That is giving of our time, our treasure, and our talents.

Will taking communion get you to heaven? NO!  Only believing in Jesus as your Savior can do that!  But I Corinthians 11:26 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” So although taking communion will not save us it does play a vital part in reminding us of the immense sacrifice that was given to pay the debt for our sins.

Will belonging to a particular denomination or political party get you into heaven?  Absolutely NOT!!  No denomination, political party, or friendship is without stain, without sin.  Each party has its flaws and each denomination has its flaws.  Let’s not get so high and mighty about our affiliations that we start feeling better of ourselves just because of who we associate with.  Only faith and trust in Jesus Christ can bring about salvation which gives us the reward of eternity in heaven.

And positive thinking will not get us into heaven.  Many of today’s modern churches will teach and preach the power of positive thinking.  This positive thinking can NEVER get us into heaven.  But God loves us and God created us in His image so we should not fail to see ourselves in that way.  If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we are not only created in the image of the Almighty God, but we are also now called children of God!  What a blessing that is.

So nothing listed in the grouping of what will get you into heaven is bad, but rather most are good, and even commanded.  But none of them alone with get you into heaven.

There is ONLY ONE WAY to heaven.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31.  John 14:6 further states, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

And Acts 4:12 says this about Jesus, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

So what will get you into heaven?  Only faith and trust that Jesus Christ, God Himself, came to earth, lived among men, never sinned, was tortured and sent to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, for the sins of all who believe in Him.  And that three days later, He rose from the grave and smashed death to smithereens.  He now reigns at the right hand of God the Father and will one day return to earth to bring about a new heaven and a new earth where we will live eternally with Him in Glory!  WOW!! What a Savior!!

Before your head hits the pillow

The Parable of the Sower

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

The Parable of the Sower

So what is a parable and who uses them? When I was a child, I was told that a parable was an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Now that I am older I think I would view them as extended metaphors. The story (parable) is a doorway to a greater truth, a larger reality. These parables were also understood by those with discernment, those who had ears to hear and eyes to see. (Matthew 13:10-17).

Parables or allegories were told in both the Old and New Testament. You will find parables in the Psalms, in Proverbs, and even in Ezekiel. Jesus told more than 30 parables during His lifetime. He told parables about the Kingdom of God, about service and obedience, about prayer, about neighbors, about humility, about wealth, about God’s love, about thankfulness, about Christ’s return, and about God’s values.

Tonight let’s talk about the Parable of the Sower. You can read this parable in Matthew 13:1-8 and in Luke 8:4-8. The Luke passage says, “While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, He told this parable, ‘A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.’”

The seed in this parable represents the word of God. You and I might consider ourselves the sowers. As Christians we are called to go into the world and make disciples. We don’t know where we will find these disciples, and whether the seeds we plant grow into productive crop is not up to us, that is in the Lord’s hands. It is our duty to plant seeds wherever we can. We may plant some seeds on the by-ways and some in the rocks and some may be sown where they can be choked out. But if we plant enough seeds some will be planted in fertile soil. C.H. Spurgeon once stated, “Our duty is not measured by the character of our hearers, but by the command of our God. We are bound to preach the gospel, whether men will hear, or whether they will forbear. It is ours to sow beside all waters.”

The seed that was sown by the way-side is like the Word that is spread to men with hardened hearts. God’s Word sits on the outside of this person’s heart but never penetrates it. It never sinks in so cannot grow.

The next seeds fall among rocks. The seed sprouts but because of lack of moisture it soon dies. The people who are like these seeds hear the Word, they may even become emotional about what they hear, but their professions are not true. It is based on emotion not on deep-seeded faith. These individuals never really accept the truth or act on its commands so they also die.

Then there were the seeds that were sown among thorns. These seeds are those individuals who hear the Word, they listen, they take the words home with them and may even make a profession of religion. They worship with believers; they may attend your services, and appear to be growing. But they have allowed the things of this world to grow side by side with the Word of God. They have chosen not to die to self. They don’t want to put aside the things of the world, and eventually those very things choke out the Words that they heard so that it never takes root. They never make a complete profession of their faith.

The last is the seed that falls on fertile soil. This seed represents the true Christian. This seed represents the Christian who gives his/her life totally to the Lord, grows in truth and knowledge, and then becomes capable of planting seeds themselves!

It is our responsibility to plant seeds. We must sow them everywhere! Some will fall on non-fertile land but some will fall on fertile soil. Others may come and water your seeds. Another believer may bring in the fertilizer. But that fertile soil plant would not have spouted had you not planted the seed. What a blessing it will be when one day the seeds that you sowed begin sowing seeds of their own!

Before your head hits the pillow

Tricking Jesus

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Tricking Jesus

The Pharisees and Sadducees were constantly trying to trick and trap Jesus. The Pharisees were primarily business class individuals and were viewed in high esteem by the Jewish people. They believed that the Old Testament was the inspired word of God but they also ascribed to many other more traditional laws which were written in the Mishnah as passed on orally from one generation to the next.

The Sadducees were wealthy and more distant from the people. They believed that the Old Testament was inspired and did not believe that oral tradition had equal authority to scripture. The Sadducees didn’t believe in the spiritual realm of angels and demons or an afterlife but the Pharisees did.

But both groups saw Jesus as a threat to their authority and spent much time trying to determine a way to get rid of Him.

In Mark 12 the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus when they asked Him if it was all right to pay taxes to Rome. They believed that if He said no, the Roman government would arrest Him. If He merely said yes it would appear that He was a Roman sympathizer and the people would turn against Him. But Jesus was and is wise. What He told them was to look at the coin. The coin had on it the image of Caesar. He told them to pay to Caesar that which was Caesars and to God that which was Gods.

Later in the same chapter the Sadducees took their turn at trying to trick Jesus. They asked him a really ridiculous question considering they did not believe in the afterlife. They asked Him about a woman who was widowed 7 times. When she got to heaven, whose wife would she be? Jesus was again just too wise for them. He told them that she would be no man’s wife for there is no marriage in heaven. But He didn’t stop there. He then quoted Exodus 3:6 the scripture referencing the burning bush. It states, “I am the God of your ancestors – the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Jesus told them that He wasn’t the God of the dead but the God of the living so Abraham, Isaac and Jacob MUST be alive for God to be their God AFTER they had died.

In John 10 the Pharisees were up to their trickery as well. Divorce was a tricky subject and Moses had given the people of Israel an out. They wanted to see if Jesus too would readily condone divorce. But Jesus in His wisdom schooled them once again. He let them know that Moses had written his instructions about divorce only to please the hard hearted wickedness of the people, but God ordained that marriage should be forever.

We have a very wise and powerful God. Jesus knows all and understands all. He knew when the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to trick Him and he knows when we are trying to evade Him or control our own lives.

When we try to trick Jesus by bargaining with Him, he knows our hearts. When we bargain with Jesus saying, “If you will do this, then I will do this,” Jesus sees into our hearts and knows that with that bargain our hearts are not completely surrendered to Him.

Just as the Pharisees could not trick Jesus, we will never be able to trick God either. If we are living a life of faulty service and worship, He knows. If we attend church and go through all of the ritualistic motions of being a Christian but have never really accepted Him as our Savior and Lord, He knows.

If we have deep hidden sins, we must know they are not hidden from Him for He knows our hearts. There is nowhere that we can go to hide from God. There is nothing we can do to trick Him into believing that we are something that we are not.

Jeremiah 23:24 says, “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.” And Psalm 139:7 tells us, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” And again in Hebrews 4:13 we read, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

God is all knowing and all powerful. The Sadducees and Pharisees couldn’t put one over on Jesus and neither can we. So if today we have unconfessed sins, let’s go before the Lord and confess them. If we have been living a spiritual life riddled with ritual but not filled with the Spirit of God, Let’s fall on our knees and confess Him as Lord. Let’s ask Him to mold us and make us into a new creature, one created to worship and glorify Him! No more hiding, no more bargaining, no more trickery, just sincere worship. That’s what God wants. Let’s give it to Him!

Before your head hits the pillow

What does it mean to judge, or what does the Bible say about judging?

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

What does it mean to judge, or what does the Bible say about judging?

The Bible speaks often about judging and in many cases the word judge has a different meaning.

Below are many passages that warn us against judging. I believe that Jesus warned so frequently against judging, for when we judge others we don’t take an introspective look at ourselves and our own spiritual deficiencies.

We can talk about Sue at the office and how often she gossips, or we can discuss how Larry has such terrible language, or how frustrated that Mr. and Mrs. Lewis never seem to volunteer for anything at church. When we do this, we don’t take the time to look at the plank in our own eye. When Jesus was speaking about this type of judgment he was telling us not to judge hypocritically.

Judging others seems to give us a reprieve, and that is not what the Lord would want. Here are the passages on this type of judging:

Matt. 7:1-3″Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.…

Luke 6:37″Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:41″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

John 8:7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

So if we think it is okay to judge others’ sins or deficiencies we had better make sure that we have taken a good look at our own lives before we do. There may be time when spiritual discipline is in order, but we must be sure that we are the correct person to administer that discipline and we are doing so in love.

Now this doesn’t mean that we ignore sin, but it does mean that we must be careful before we judge someone else’s sin. We do however have a responsibility to assist another Christian who is sinning, to lovingly and respectfully let them understand their error. James 5:20 states: — let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 2 Timothy 4:2 says – preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

I think we often confuse discernment for judging. I do believe that it is valid to be discerning. It is appropriate for a parent to look at their teenage children’s friends and make a determination whether they believe those friends are appropriate for their child.

It is appropriate for us to discern that certain people are not good for us so we should not associate with them. That is discernment.

Understanding that something is not Godly, is not judging.

Many have cited the passage that indicates we will know them by the fruit on their tree. This passage, Matt. 7:15-20 is specifically speaking about false prophets and how important it is for us to be able to identify them.

Matthew 7:15-21″Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “So then, you will know them by their fruits. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.…

Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

Luke 6:44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.

As Christians we must be ever vigilant about from whom we are taking spiritual leadership. I think the most dangerous are those who speak some truth, but not all of the truth. They can sound good, they reference God and His power but they may also espouse Buddha or Confucius. If you find a spiritual leader like this RUN!!!

And lastly there is the judging of one’s eternal destination. I think we will all agree on this one. That is left entirely up to the Lord! We must NEVER judge someone’s salvation, for only God knows this!

So I guess the long and the short of it is: Look at yourself before you pass judgment on anyone else. If a fellow believer is sinning, approach them with love and respect and NEVER judge anyone’s salvation. That is entirely up to God!

Before your head hits the pillow

Bondage – Jeremiah 35

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…Before your head hits the pillow…

Jeremiah 34 – Bondage

In Jeremiah 34 we see many of the prophesies of Jeremiah coming to fruition. The Babylonians were now invading Jerusalem. Jeremiah had warned King Zedekiah many times to submit to the Babylonians but he refused to do so. He made an alliance with Egypt which angered King Nebuchadnezzar. This disobedience incurred the wrath of the Almighty God.

Many years earlier, God had proclaimed to the Israelites that every Hebrew slave needed to be released after the sixth year of their servitude. This was a solemn command of the Lord. In fear for his life and as a hollow token of obedience, Zedekiah ordered all of the people still remaining in Jerusalem to free their Hebrew slaves, both men and women.

When the siege was temporarily lifted, the people once again became bold in their own strength and the wicked people changed their minds and took back the people they had freed and placed them back into bondage.

King Zedekiah and the people of Judah had enslaved other Hebrews who God demanded they set free, but the true men and women in bondage were the wicked people of Judah. They were in bondage to their own sins. The bondage to their sins led them to bondage to the enemy. They destroyed themselves through their bondage to sin.

We too have a decision to make. We can be like the people of Judah. We can repent when times are tough and turn from our wicked ways and then when things get better, when God has lifted the siege, go back to our ungodly ways. Or we can truly repent and seek the face of God in all that we do.

If we do not break the shackles, the bondage of sin, we too will destroy ourselves. God will still be our God, He will still love us, just as he constantly loved His Hebrew children, but He will allow our bondage to sin to destroy us. If we are truly His sons and daughters we can be assured of redemption, just as God returned the Hebrews to their homeland, but not until they had endured many years of hardship.

We can either turn from our wicked ways and live in peace or we can be enslaved to sin and allow it to destroy us. God will still love us, but bondage to sin has serious consequences.

Soon we will enter into the Christmas season, when we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. So let’s show our gratitude for His sacrifice by throwing off the shackles of sin that enslave us and rely on our Lord for guidance and strength.

Never forget the promise in John 8:31-32 – So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”