Only Two Passwords

Trying to keep track of passwords is overwhelming. But without the passwords you are locked out of your computer, cell phone, email, banking, social media, medical records, travel reservations, etc.

Thank the Lord in the Christian life we only need two passwords! 

REPENT AND BELIEVE

These two concepts unlock everydoor in the Christian life. Jesus came preaching, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15).

• Repent - there is always a sin or bad attitude we need to turn away from
• Believe - there is always some area of life where we need to trust and obey God more fully.

Whatever predicamnet you find yourself in, try one or both of these passwords. You'll be amazed how spiritual doors open when you have the correct password! 

The Tragedy of a Man-Made King

The people of Israel made a huge mistake when they wanted to be like the other nations and have their own king. Notice the striking differences between Saul, their man-made king and Jesus Christ, our God-given King.

1. Saul was tall and handsome (1 Samuel 9:2). Jesus lacked external beauty (Isaiah 53:2).
2. Saul unsuccessfully tried to defeat the Philistines. Jesus successfully defeated Satan, sin, death, and hell. 
3. Saul was self-absorbed, Jesus was a servant of all.
4. Saul was disobedient (1 Samuel 13:13-14), Jesus was fully obedient, even to the point of death on the cross.
5. Saul practiced necromancy (consulting with the dead), Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. 
6. Saul took his own life (1 Samuel 31:4) , Jesus gave His life.
7. Saul's kingdom only lasted for a few years. Christ's kingdom is everlasting.

Are you looking for someone to follow? Don't make the same mistake the Israelites made, instead humbly yield to King Jesus. He is gentle, loving, and undefeated. You will never be disappointed by following Jesus (Romans 10:11).

Hold Your Peace

The Practice of Joseph

The sons of Jacob put Joseph in a pit before selling him into slavery. Then they tore his coat and soaked it in blood. They tricked their father into thinking Joseph was dead.

Many years later, after Joseph become second-in-command in Egypt, he revealed himself to his brothers. Joseph graciously offered to feed the extended family during the famine and sent his brothers to bring their father down to Egypt. When the family arrived is Egypt there is no biblical reference of Joseph telling his aged father how his brothers mistreated him years earlier. Perhaps Joseph had learned from his previous mistake, that it is never wise to bring "a bad report" (Genesis 37:2).

The Practice of Jesus

As second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph is a type of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity. The Lord also forgives our former sins and never mentions them again. Consider these verses:

• "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" Jeremiah 31:34
• "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" Psalm 103:12
• "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool" Isaiah 1:18
• '[God] will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" Micah 7:19

The Practice of Christians

When we are wronged there is a temptation to tell others. "You won't believe what that other person did to me!" Study the following verses to learn how to respond the next time you are offended.

• "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sin" Proverbs 10:12
• "He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction" Proverbs 13.3
• "An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire" Proverbs 16.27
• "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression” 
• "Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret" Proverbs 25:9.

The Gift of Persecution

Every Christian knows there is great reward in following the Lord. Jesus told His disciples they could expect to "receive a hundredfold now in this lifetime, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the age to come eternal life" (Mark 10:30).

What an interesting list of divine blessings: eternal life and hundredfold blessings in this life, including houses, land, family, and persecution. Persecution? Yes!

Instead of seeing persecution as something to be avoided, we need to see persecution as a gift from God (Acts 5:41). Tribulation and persecution are opportunities for us to experience God's deliverance. God always delivers His people in one of three ways.

1. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians out. Early in Paul's ministry he got in trouble with the Jews in Damascus. His friends helped him get out of town by lowering him in a basket over the city wall. Probably more times than we realize God has removed us from trouble, and we thank Him for it.
2. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians through. When Paul and Silas were unfairly beaten and imprisoned in Philippi they prayed and sang hymns to God. At midnight in the dungeon God gave them grace to courageously face their trial. Our testimonies are similar, as we have walked through dark valleys God has given us strength to endure. 
3. When persecution arises, sometimes God takes Christians up. According to church tradition, Paul was beheaded outside of Rome along the Ostian Way. In that moment, angels came and carried Paul heavenward where he met the Lord face to face and entered the city not made with hands. This is the ultimate deliverance, leaving this troubled world and moving into heavenly mansions. 

I am convinced Paul was grateful for each of these experiences, because in each instance of persecution Paul received deliverance from God. And since we know God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34), we know that we too can expect the Lord to deliver us when we are persecuted. He may take us out, he may take us through, or He may take us up; but, one way or another, the Lord will deliver. Indeed, persecution is a gift from God whereby we get to experience God's deliverance. 

"Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home."

The Mistake Paul Made: Perceiving not Believing

It was late in the fall when Paul sailed to Rome. As the Apostle studied the wind and waves he made this prediction: "Men I pereive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives" (Acts 27:10). 

Paul made a mistake here, what was it? Was he being too pessimestic? Was he a poor weather forecaster? The mistake Paul made was perceiving, not believing.

Several years earlier, God promised Paul: "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testisfied for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11). God told Paul he would make it to Rome, but evidently Paul forgot or stopped believing the Lord's promise and instead started relying on his senses. 

When God gives us a promise, like he did to Paul about going to Rome, we are to proceed with confidence. Unfortunately, like Paul in this instance, sometimes we are misled by our perceptions. Too often we are governed, not by the word of God, but by what we see, hear, and feel. And thus, we make the same mistake Paul did: we become perceivers not believers. 

The scripture says we are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

2 Corinthians 4:18 says, "We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

What promise or command has God given you? Will you trust your senses or will you believe God?

220 Power

The most important verse for the pre-christian is John 3:16, but the most important verse for the existing Christian is Galatians 2:20.

Galatians 2:20 explains the power for Christian living. An easy way to remember this verse is to recall the difference between 110 and 220 electricity. 110 is for small appliances like toasters, but major appliances like dryers require 220 volts. And so it is, Galatians 2:20 contains major spiritual power to help us in life's big challenges.

How does one acquire this supernatural power?

1. You must die to self. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live." Likewise, I must affirm that because of my union with Christ (Romans 6:3-6) I am crucified and everyday make the decision to die to self. 
2. Allow Jesus to live through you. Paul said, "Christ lives in me." Like a hand in a puppet, invite Jesus to takeover your mind, mouth, actions, emotions, etc. Give him complete control of all of you. Seek the filling of the Spirit. 
3. Live by faith. Paul explained, "and the life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." The Christian life is lived by faith. Stop trying and start trusting. Believe that Jesus wants to live through you and trust Him to do so. Feelings have nothing to do with victorious Christian living, but faith is vital. 

What is Church Revitalization?

This is a hot topic right now, people are talking and writing about church revitalization. Let me add this thought. As we know, churches are not buildings or organizations. Churches are comprised of people. So if you want a revitalized church you must have a revitalized people.

And what (or who) revitalizes people? Surely, by now, you understand that programs, campaigns, and sermons to do not revitalize people. Jesus is the only One who changes and improves people.

So the way to have a revitalized church is to have Jesus revitalize its people.

To aid you in your faith let me highlight a few thoughts from Matthew 9 on how Jesus revitalizes people. Perhaps you've got some people like this in your church who Jesus can revive.

• Members who won't serve. Jesus is able to get them out of bed (Matthew 9:1-8).
• Members who don't give. Jesus is able to change their heart (Matthew 9:9).
• Members with family problems. Jesus can resolve even the worst home environment (Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26).
• Members who are tired. The woman with a hemorrage was certainly anemic and exhausted. Jesus can make fatigued people full of energy again. (Matthew 9:20-22).
• Members who don't see the possibilities. Jesus can open people's eyes (Matthew 9:27-31).
• Members who never witness for Christ. Jesus can open their mouths and help them pour forth the praises of God (Matthew 9:32-33).

According to Revelation 3, Jesus is knocking at the door of the church. He wants to come into your church and revive the people.

Suggested Prayer: "Lord please come into our church powerfully and do what only You can do. Put new life into these old bones and put a song back in our hearts."

Collateral Damage

Collateral damage is the unintended death, injuries, and damage to property of people who are not the intended target. Just as errant military operations may cause civilian casualties, sin wounds others.

Achan committed a secret sin, but his disobedience affected others. Joshua 7 tells how innocent soldiers died, the nation of Israel was defeated, and Achan's own family perished!

There is a gross myth today that says, "I am free to do whatever I want to do. I am not hurting anybody." The biblical record says otherwise.

Here's the challenge: the next time you are tempted to sin, remember your iniquity will hurt both you and the ones you love. Count the cost. Think again.

Professor Horner

Recently I learned about Professor Horner's Bible reading system. I've been trying it these past few days and really like it. Professor Grant Horner (see photo) suggests reading ten chapters a day. It really doesn't take as much time as you might think. The ten chapters are taken from various portions of scripture (see above). The variety keeps it exciting.

Check with me at the end of the month and I'll let you know if this reading plan is still working for me. You may have another Bible reading plan which works better for you, and that's great. The main thing for Christ-followers is that we have some sort of regular disciplined approach to scripture. 

Who Jesus Reached

Today at the Mid-South Baptist Association Ministers Conference, retired pastor D.C. Cobb brought a great message on who Jesus reached. He pointed out that Jesus personally ministered to the following:

• women
• tax-collectors
• Samaritans
• strangers
• lepers
• dead
• demon-possessed
• criminals
• children
• rich
• widows
• hypocrites
• poor
• prostitutes
• handicapped
• sick

Truly the fields are white for harvest (John 4:35). We just need to follow the Lord's example and get out there and engage people!