Sharing our Hope

In the stress filled moments of our lives, having no visible means for encouraging strength, our desperate hands often clutch for that intangible called, “hope.” Hope tells us to press on when everything else tells us to give up. Where would we be, what would we do, without hope?

There are literally billions of people living today who have no hope in the most significant of all considerations, eternal life. These are like unto those, “which have no hope”, that Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13. No hope for salvation. Once in their grave, their doom is “sealed” – hell awaits.

How fortunate and blessed we Christians are in having the “Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1). We have hope in this life (Titus 2:12-13), and we have hope beyond the grave (Psalm 23:4). Because Christ conquered death for us (Hebrews 2:14; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Colossians 2:15) – eternal life in heaven awaits us (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Our hope must be shared with the lost. Peter told us, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, we should be giving hope to the hopeless by giving life to the spiritually dead by means of the gospel (Mark 16:15-16).

We need not go into the jungles of foreign lands, nor cross the oceans of the world, to find those without that most glorious hope. Over two hundred million people are presently without hope in the United States.

Lost, hopeless, and dying people are living in the shadows of our homes and church buildings. Can we say along with Paul, “Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26 – ASV)?

Man’s Greatest Purpose In Life

Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong is an inspiration to millions. After a life-threatening bout with testicular cancer that had metastasized to his lungs and brain, Armstrong recovered to win the exhausting Tour de France bicycle race ? not once, but seven times. Doctors familiar with the severity of Armstrong’s medical condition, have thought this feat virtually impossible. In an interview with Armstrong, Time Magazine reporter Bill Saporito (himself a cancer survivor) mentioned to the legendary rider, “For a miracle man, you’re not very religious.” Armstrong replied, “I don’t have anything against organized religion per se. We all need something in our lives. I personally just have not accepted that belief” “Then what do you need?” Saporito asked. Armstrong replied, “The illness gave me a purpose. My bike gives me a purpose; the bike will soon become a hobby and not a job. My illness and my children will be purposes and causes forever, and I need that.”

Man’s Need For Purpose In Life

Lance Armstrong is like most of the people you and I know. He feels a need for some purpose in his life. Unfortunately, he has found that purpose in the physical “things” of the world rather than spiritual “things” (Colossians 3:2). Armstrong is quoted as saying, “The illness gave me a purpose.” While we give thanks to God that Mr. Armstrong was cured of cancer, we wonder about the source of his belief when he says, “I personally have just not accepted that belief.” When Armstrong says, “My illness will be my purpose and cause forever”, we ask, how long is this “forever”? Until the next illness comes along that might inevitably end his mortal life? We wonder what Mr. Armstrong’s “cause” will be then. Armstrong says, “My bike gives me a purpose”, but even Armstrong admits that the day will come when his body will no longer allow him to make his living by his prowess on a bicycle. The greatest and healthiest of athletes will eventually grow old and will arrive at the day when muscles can no longer duplicate the feats of youth. If Mr. Armstrong’s purpose is his bicycle, what will he do in the day when he can ride that bicycle no more? Armstrong states, “My children will be purposes and causes forever.” The apparent lesson for his children is that when you succeed in life, you don’t need God. When you face illness, aging, and death, you don’t need God. Some people need God, but you personally don’t have to accept that belief. Let your accomplishments be your god. Let your triumphs over competition and illness be your god. Let a two-wheeled bicycle be your god. Let anything but God be god in your life.

Conclusion

A man named Naaman once thought he didn’t need the God of heaven to free him from an incurable illness – he was wrong (2 Kings 5:1-19). A king named Nebuchadnezzar thought he didn’t need to give God the credit for his successes – he was wrong as well (Daniel 4:28-37. Every good and perfect gift is from God (James 1:17). Let’s give God due honor and glory for our lives, successes, and for our greatest purpose in life, which is to “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

What Does The New Year Hold For Us?

It's been awhile since I wrote my last blog. This couple weeks have been my resting time to prepare for the year to come. This Blog is for all those that are asking this question right now. "What does the new year hold for me"? I hope this will help with that question. 

The year 2010 is almost gone forever. Some may be wondering, “What will the new year hold for us?” Will there be weddings? (I know of one being planned.) Will there be funerals? Will there be births (I know of one of these too!) Will there be good times? Will there be bad? Will there be changes that we don’t like? Will there be changes that are good? For man, the future is completely unpredictable and while we can expect some things to happen, we really don’t know what is going to happen, and we should not spend our time worrying about what MIGHT happen (Matthew 6:34) but we should always say, “If the Lord will, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:15). So what will the New Year hold, if the Lord will?

The New Year holds time! Not counting yesterday and today, we have before us 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8496 hours, 509760 minutes, and 30,585,600 seconds. Anyway you look at it, we have time given to us. We can only live that time one moment at a time. Each moment is precious, priceless, and pregnant with potential for us to do that which is good and right, pure and holy. There is also the potential for us to use our time to do that which is evil and wrong, rotten and defiled. Potential, however, never accomplished anything! It’s not until the potential becomes the kinetic that things happen! How will we use our time in 2011? Let us not give place to Satan, but redeem each moment doing the Lord’s will (Ephesians 5:16)!

The New Year holds opportunity! We should pray for opportunity, but we should also pray for the resources to be able to take advantage of the opportunities we have! Health, family, friends, fellow Christians, financial means, talents, and many other things are all resources that we all need to make the most of our opportunities. We can take appropriate advantage of those resources for good or we can neglect them. We also need to pray for the ability to recognize the presence of an opportunity. Many times opportunity knocks, but no one is home to hear the rap. Let’s be on the alert for ways in which we can do that which is good toward all men (Galatians 6:10).

The New Year holds optimism! A new year is not a time to be pessimistic and think of all of the terrible things that COULD happen to us. Rather, it is a time for us to think optimistically! Out of all of the people on the earth, the Christian has the knowledge to think optimistically. We know that Jesus was raised from the dead. We know that the life of the Christian is the best life one could live. We know that one day Jesus will come again! The faithful child of God has every reason to rejoice and nothing over which to brood (Philippians 4:4).

The New Year holds work! Since God created man, God has expected man to work to some degree. Man’s first job was to dress and keep the garden (Genesis 2:15). Today we have a God given work as well. Jesus’ has exemplified this work for us in his mission to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10). The church has the same work today. We must use the year 2011 fulfilling the mission that Jesus has for His body. We can fulfill this mission through our works of benevolence for the needy, edification of the saved, and evangelism for the lost. If we water and plant, then God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6)! Each day that passes in this New Year, let us consider how we can be involved in this great work!

The New Year holds so much more than what we have set forth here, but these four things are definite starting points for us to make this New Year a great one. The New Year holds time, opportunity, optimism, and work. Let us put our hands to the work, with an optimistic attitude, using our time to serve the Lord and looking for those opportunities which are ever before us! Happy New Year Everyone and God Bless. 

Christian Renewal

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To be in Christ is to be different from what we were before we were in Christ. What one was before being in Christ is “old” and what one is after being in Christ is “new.” There is a change that must take place. What is this change and how does it happen? What is this renewal?

First, the Bible teaches that the sinner becomes new through the process of the new birth. Jesus said in John 3:3 “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He explains in John 3:5: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” In order to become new, one must be born of both the water and the Spirit. The apostle Peter expounds upon the idea of the new birth in 1 Peter 1:22-23. He says, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Peter gives us the following insight on the new birth.

1. The soul is purified by obeying the truth.
2. We are born again through the living word of God.

What is the Spirit’s role in the new birth? The Spirit is the source of the living word of God, the truth. Hence when one obeys the truth one has been born of the Spirit. The individual who is baptized (born of water) and does so out of his desire to obey the word of God is a new creation. How so? Because he has dedicated himself to following the Lord’s will for his life.

Renewal, however, doesn’t end there. The Christian is urged to continue renewing himself on a daily basis. Paul writes to the church at Rome, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2) Our minds are renewed by transforming or changing our lives to the will of God.

Paul speaks of the Christian’s involvement in renewal in Ephesians 4:17 where he exhorts Christians not to walk as the Gentiles. Why? Because “you have not so learned Christ” (vs. 20). He instructs that if “you have heard him and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus” (vs. 21) that you put off the old man with his old lifestyle and “be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that you put on the new man” (vs. 22-24). Notice Paul’s emphasis upon 1) learning Christ 2) hearing Christ, 3) being taught by Christ, and 4) the truth in Christ. Renewal occurs as a result of being taught, hearing, learning, and understanding the truth. Based upon these things, one must “put off the old man,” “be renewed,” and “put on the new man.” How? Paul explains in Ephesians 4:25-32: don’t lie, speak truth, control anger, don’t give place to the devil, don’t steal, hold down a good job, keep your speech pure, put away malice, be kind, and forgive. This is the renewed life. It is based upon “learning Christ” and being “taught by him as the truth is in Jesus.” It is a command that we “be renewed.” It is something the Christian does by following the teaching of Christ and the apostles.

We learn more about renewal in Colossians 3 where Paul explains to Christians in Colossae what it means to live the resurrected life. It means putting to death sin in our life (Colossians 3:5-9) because the Christian has put off the old man of sin (Colossians 3:9) and has put on the new man (Colossians 3:10). This new man is the man who has been “renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” The renewal of the new man is a renewal in knowledge based upon the model of Christ. Why is the knowledge important? Because that is what affects behavior and it is one’s behavior that demonstrates his new life. This new life puts off fornication, sexual immoralities, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, impure speech, lying and puts on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing, forgiveness, and love (Colossians 3:5-14). This is the resurrected life; this is the renewed life. Renewal is not something that God does to us, rather it is something that man is commanded by God to do with his life.

Titus 3:5 summarizes this new life where Paul states that God saved us, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” At first glance, this appears to be just the opposite of what Paul taught in Ephesians and Colossians. However, when we consider that the instructions for living the renewed life came from God, we understand them to be part of His plan for our righteousness. Moreover, since these instructions were also revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets, we can understand that it is the renewal of the Holy Spirit; i.e. that renewal that comes from the Holy Spirit as its source. Moreover, this renewal isn’t a one time event but an ongoing process. We are spiritually renewed every day, Paul tells us, in 2 Corinthians 4:16. There’s nothing in the context of Titus 3:5 that indicates to us that this renewal is merely a one time event only that the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for it.

In this brief study we’ve looked at the New Testament’s teaching regarding renewal. We’ve learned that 1) renewal is dependent upon our learning about Christ, 2) begins when we are baptized, 3) continues as we are obedient to the Lord’s will in living the Christian life, and 4) the Holy Spirit is its ultimate source. Let’s strive to live each day renewed in the knowledge of the image of Christ.

Our Attitude Towards Correction

In our lifetime we are going to sin (1 John 1:7-10). Undoubtedly, some of those sins are going to be committed in the presence of others. There are going to be times when we either do not recognize that what we did was a sin, or that we understand it to be a sin but do not want to take the appropriate action to correct it. In either of these situations, the opportunity for another person to come to us and point out our personal sin exists. What should our attitude be toward someone who approaches us with our sin and suggests correction? Let’s look at some attitudes that we might have toward personal correction in our lives.

“I haven’t done anything wrong.” Often when confronted with personal sin this will be the first response. This attitude, however, is a mistake. Even when we are reasonably sure that we have not done anything wrong, our attitude should not be that of Bart Simpson, “I didn’t do it; nobody saw me do it; you can’t prove anything.” Even popular culture recognizes the error of this fatalistic response. When confronted we should be open to the possibility that we have sinned. When it is demonstrated that we have sinned, many times the difficulty comes in swallowing the hard conclusion that I did something wrong. It takes humility and meekness to even admit the possibility and much more to admit the actuality. At this point a correct response should be, “Let’s sit down and see what the Bible has to say about the subject and if I am wrong, then I will try to make things right.”

“You don’t have a loving attitude.” This is a popular response when we confront someone who needs to be corrected. That is because it is a legitimate concern. The Bible speaks clearly that those who are going to attempt to offer correction to others must have the right attitude when so doing (Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:15). We must both look to ourselves and speak the truth in love when engaging in personal correction. However, to use this expression as a statement of defense falls short because it does not deal with the issue at hand. It is a diversion away from the original problem and those who say this generally are trying to avoid the real issue. Some even go to the point of saying that suggesting any form of correction is not loving. The scriptures, however, simply do not teach this and we recognize this to be true in our lives as well specifically in relationship to our children. The parent who wields no discipline upon their child is really the parent who does not love his child (Proverbs 13:24; Hebrews 12:5-11). In loving adult relationships also, reproof is required when sin is involved and this is not an indication that someone does not love another, but that they do (Galatians 4:16). When confronted with correction, we should assume that the person coming to us has the best of intentions in mind.

“The preacher is wrong.” Well, that may be the case. Sometimes preacher’s make mistakes and say things that are not correct. However, the Bible is not wrong. When the preacher sets forth scripture regarding the truthfulness of his statements and one disagrees, the proper course of action is to go discuss things with the preacher. This, however, is the last thing that the one with the incorrect attitude toward correction wants to do because if one sits down and engages in a study of the Bible, one is usually going to find things that one does not want to admit. Part of the requirements the Bible places upon preachers is to rebuke and reprove (2 Timothy 4:2). When this illuminates our personal sin, self-reflection is the appropriate course of action (1 Corinthians 13:5), not castigation of the preacher. Remember that the preacher (if he is a good one) is not setting forth his own personal opinions, but the word of God (2 Timothy 4:1).

“No one cares about me and my problems.” Many times, individuals will state these particular words out of an attitude of selfishness. “Woe is me; no one loves me; aren’t I a wreck!” We used to sing a song in grade school about eating worms. The chorus went like this, “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I’m gonna eat some worms.” The point of the song was that self pity usually results in actions that are self destructive. The truth is that someone does care. When we hear teaching on subjects that are uncomfortable to us it is because someone cares enough for us to present what the Bible says on the subject. Since the Bible is the ultimate standard by which we will be judged (John 12:48), it is the ultimate loving and caring thing to do. What is really meant by this statement is that no one is trying to comfort me in my sinfulness. In contrast our attitude should be, “I have problems; help me to resolve my problems.”

“Look at all the other hypocrites who need to repent too.” Similar to the “you are not being loving” line, this is a diversion. When we are confronted with the issue of our own personal sin, we have the responsibility to examine ourselves and make correction (James 1:22-25). Whether or not another person in the church is a hypocrite has nothing to do with our own personal attitude toward correction. The assertion may be true that there are others acting hypocritically, but this does nothing to correct the problems in our own lives. Pointing to others in the church who are acting hypocritically as a defense against our own personal correction simply increases bitterness in our lives toward those around us as well as toward our own personal sin. No doubt if a hypocrite is involved in the correction process, he should recuse himself until he gets his own personal sin resolved (Matthew 7:1-5). However, this does not mean that one is “off the hook” from being confronted with sin. One still must deal with the problem of one’s own personal sin.

“You just are refusing to forgive.” When the result of personal correction ends in the right way there should be forgiveness. This does not imply, however, that there will be further teaching on the subject. To the contrary, usually when a person sins this means that there needs to be additional teaching on the subject. This is the correct and appropriate response. When a child comes home with an “F” on a test paper and asks Mom and Dad for forgiveness, and forgiveness is granted, this does not mean that all study on that particular subject should cease. To the contrary, the parents will probably spend MORE time in the pursuit of that particular subject with the child. Does this mean that they have refused to forgive the child? Of course not, in fact we recognize just the opposite. True forgiveness implies that the one in need of forgiveness needs help and that the one’s who are doing the forgiving have an obligation to help. Additional studies on the subject are the natural result of forgiveness whether it is in regard to a child’s test results or an individual’s personal sin. Unintentional sin many times is due to ignorance. This implies the need for further education on the subject. So when the general subject comes up, it is not because we are refusing to forgive, but because we have actually forgiven in the way that God wants us to forgive (2 Corinthians 2:5-11).

Our attitude toward personal correction will determine our ultimate estate in heaven. It is part of God’s plan that we accept the corrective efforts of our fellow Christian when it comes to personal sin (Matthew 18: 15-17). While it is not comfortable for us to do this and while sometimes it is a painful experience, we can be assured that God will bless those who appropriate display the right attitude toward personal correction. Ultimately, we will stand before God in judgment as to how we received these efforts. On the day of judgment, do we really want to stand before God and say that we were not receptive to other’s efforts to provide personal correction? Do we really want to face God with that attitude? How much more better is God’s plan to face our own peers now and make correction than to face Him when no more opportunity for correction is available.

The Mercy of God

The Bible tells us that God’s mercy is “great” (Psalm 108:4). David said, “the earth is full of His mercy” (Psalm 119:64). The apostle Paul tells us that “He is rich in mercy” (Ephesians 2:4) and that He is “The Father of mercies” (2 Corinthians 1:3).

God’s Mercy Manifested

God manifests His mercy in many ways: (1) In bringing redemption to all (Psalm 86:5; Psalm 130:7; Psalm 145:9; Isaiah 55:7); (2) In giving us “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25); (3) In being mindful and caring for us (Psalm 144:3; Matthew 6:25-34;1 Peter 5:7) (4) In preserving and blessing us (Proverbs 20:28; Ephesians 1:3); (5) In forgiving and saving us (Romans 5:8-10; 1 John 1:7-9).

In God’s Word we find several examples of those upon whom God showed mercy: (1) the penitent publican (Luke 18:9-14); (2) the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43); (3) the son who “repented, and went” (Matthew 21:28-31); (4) the apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:15-16).

The Meaning Of Being Merciful

To be merciful is not simply to possess the facility for weeping, for meaningless tears do not avail. It is not merely to give and serve, for it is possible for one to give with a spirit of loathing, or insult while he serves.

Mercy is a disposition of the soul. It is a feeling for the suffering of others, and having the disposition to relieve this suffering. When one is merciful, he weeps, gives, or serves from a heart filled with pity and compassion. If we make hasty judgments which are not based on facts; if our criticisms are sharp and unkind; if we are guilty of being callous in the presence of disappointments, heartaches and suffering, we are not merciful! If we consider how little we often know about those whom we condemn, it would help us to become more merciful!

A Story Of Mercy

The story is told of an impatient preacher who was having his shoes shined by a young boy. When the preacher thought his shoes should be about finished, he looked down to find his shoes appearing worse than at the beginning. His sharp rebuke to the young boy caused the lad to look up from his shoe shining showing a face wet with tears. The little teary-eyed boy said, “I’m sorry sir, but my mother died this morning, and I’m trying to make enough money to buy some flowers to put on her coffin.” The preacher saw that it was the tears that were making his shoes impossible to shine, and condemnation left his heart.

I end with this, let us learn to be merciful as our loving Savior teaches us (Matthew 5:7). Showing mercy to others proves that we have a state (or condition) of heart which allows God to extend mercy to us (Psalm 41; cf. James 2:13).

Why Me Lord?

This Blog is one that I have been working on this week. I found myself in a situation and needed to learn and grow in this experience. This is my findings and my understandings on trials.

Sometimes trials seem to come one right after another. You wake up in the morning and your car won’t start. This unfortunate event makes you late for work, your boss chews you out, and your whole day is ruined. You later find out that your car won’t be repaired for another week and the bill makes you think you’re buying a new one. On top of this you learn that a member of your family has been diagnosed with cancer. During times like these, we are prone to ask, “Why me, Lord?” “Haven’t I been living faithfully?” Why do good people have to suffer bad things in their lives? Many people throughout the ages have pondered this very question. It seems that the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper. Job saw this clearly during his time of affliction (cf. Job 21:7-15). In this article, let’s look at three biblical reasons why God allows good people to suffer.

To Establish Faith

Suffering can cause one who is not a Christian to recognize his great need for God. If one is to be saved, he must first know that he needs salvation. One who believes he is standing on dry land will not take hold of a life preserver even though he is truly drowning in the sea. Trials help to establish faith by causing us to see our condition before God (Luke 15:11-17). The Psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now have I kept thy word …. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I may learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:67,71). God allows some to suffer in order to establish faith in Him.

To Restore Faith

Sometimes a child of God goes astray and needs to be corrected and restored to the right path. God doesn’t want to see any of His children fall away, so He chastens those who do (Hebrews 12:6-11). He did so with Israel as the Psalmist wrote, “When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God” (Psalm 78:34 – NKJV), and He does so with His church today. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). When suffering, we should examine our own lives to determine if we are the recipient of divine chastisement (Psalm 119:75). Trials are designed to make us look inward at ourselves and upward to God (1 Peter 1:3-9).

To Perfect Faith

For the faithful Christian, trials serve to mature and perfect the faith that is already present. With each trial we face successfully, there is growth. As Paul wrote, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character hope” (Romans 5:3-4 – NKJV). With spiritual growth, comes the ability to better handle problems in the future. This is why James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3 – NKJV). We should view our trials as God’s vehicle to perfect our faith.

I end with this, God works out all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We do not know everything that God does, but we can be certain that He is working to save as many souls as possible (2 Peter 3:9). If we have to suffer along the way, we ought not lose heart, for God is preparing us for eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Everyone will occupy eternity in one place or the other (Matthew 25:41,46). How we respond to God will determine our destination. Brethren, we must not let the cares of this world and the troubles that we have deter us from our goal. Paul encourages us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).