Don't let it quench! Week 18,2011

“I don’t know; how do I keep the fire burning? I still read my Bible daily and pray, but the kind of zeal to serve you talk about goes up and down. It’s inconsistent.” You and I have the responsibility to keep the fire on: Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out Lev 6:13(ESV). Did something happen? Were you going through a difficult time? “Actually at a point it looked as though God turned His back on me. I wasn’t getting answers to some prayers. Even getting meaning from the Bible was not easy.” Dark days huh, like you were in the night? “Yes, why do you ask?” A burnt offering is to be left on the altar all night long, and the fire is to be kept burning Lev 6:9(GNB).
At such times of night when you cannot see your way through, and you ask “God why?” do like Jesus. He also experienced darkness at noon; He also asked God why and apparently got no answer. “Is that true?” At noon the whole country was covered with darkness… Jesus cried out with a loud shout, "My God, my God, why did you abandon me?" Mat 27:45-46(GNB). “Yes, so what do I do? How did He handle it?” He drew nearer, called God father. Then Jesus cried out with a loud voice and said, "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit."Lk 23:46(ISV). Get closer, move with the same shout from “My God” to “My Father”. Refuse to stop loving Him, refuse to reduce giving to God and serving Him.
“But it hurts a lot.” Though it hurts don’t allow the burnt offering (that is presenting yourself as a living sacrifice) to be removed because you don’t understand. "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. Besides, we have believed and remain convinced that you are the Holy One of God." Jn 6:68, 69 (ISV).
“But sometimes after a spiritual “high”, when I am not going through a dark patch it still happens.” Times of victory can be a challenge too. David’s fall from grace followed victories; see that you remove the ashes of yesterday’s victories and put fresh wood, fresh commitment on the fire. The next morning … clean away the ashes left by the sacrifices and pile them beside the altar. The fire must never go out, so put wood on it each morning. After this, you are to lay an animal on the altar Lev 6:10, 12(CEV). “As well as ashes of yesterday’s failures?” Exactly, exactly: one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead Philp 3:13(ESV).

The Christian's hope Week 17, 2011

“Dad, why is it called hope? I was taught hope is something you are not sure of, and we are expected to walk by faith. Saying hope seems to imply it might not happen!” Is that what you understand about hope? The reference to hope in Christ isn’t with uncertainty of the event but with time element. “What do you mean?” Do you hope you were in church yesterday? “Of course not; you don’t hope about the past!” Exactly: nor can you hope for what you see in the present: For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Rom 8:24, 25(ESV), hope has to do with a future event.
“Hope to me has some kind of uncertainty built around it. Is the Christian hope an uncertain event? Is there a chance it might not happen?” Not at all my child, not at all: We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. It is safe and sure, and goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary Heb 6:19(GNB). Our hope is safe and sure, however for our own good No one knows when that day or hour will come-not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father Mt 24:36(ISV).
“So what is the hope of believers?” Tit 2:13(ESV) says: waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. “Well what about us, what happens to us?” But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure 1Jn 3:2, 3(GNB). “Wow that’s neat you mean we’ll be like he is, with glory and able to pass through walls and all that?” Definitely He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body Php 3:21(GNB)
“Alright , so our hope is an event that will certainly come up in the future but whose timing we don’t yet know, but the Father does?” We-ell, we won’t ever know the time, God will never release that: The times and occasions are set by my Father's own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be Act 1:7(GNB) so never accept any date predictions of this.
Christ has been raised from death, as the guarantee that those who sleep in death will also be raised 1Co 15:20(GNB). Now this is the one hope Christians have Eph 4:4. If this hope is not in you...

It doesn't happen suddenly Week16, 2011

“It’s amazing how people change.” How do you mean? “See how people that were shouting hosanna on Sunday were either silenced or cried “Crucify Him” on Friday.” You think people fall like that suddenly? “Yes, it’s strange.” Well I have a different idea, it may not be apparent to people but decline often starts unnoticed, with uncorrected “errors” in the private life leading to eventual so called “sudden” collapse. Consider apostle Judas Iscariot. He was part of this crowd that cried hosanna, had performed miracles in the name of Jesus but Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it. Jn 12:6(CEV). Whilst Peter’s faults were glaring and openly rebuked he never was reported as bringing this to Jesus, no wonder Satan was able to put it into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray him Jn 13:2(ISV).
Did you notice it was right after he attacked Mary Magdalene that he went to the high priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I betray him to you?" They placed before him thirty pieces of silver, and from then on he began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus Mt 26:14-16(ISV). “Why did no one warn him?” Jesus did, but he parried it (Mat 26:24-25) instead of confessing, even privately. So as soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him Jn 13:27(GNB). “Game over.”
Do you think David’s Bathsheba incident was out of the blues, without warning? David knew that the LORD had made him king of Israel and that he had made him a powerful ruler ... After David left Hebron and moved to Jerusalem, he married many women from Jerusalem 2Sa 5:12-13(CEV). “What was dangerous about that?” God had clearly warned the king must not have a lot of wives--they might tempt him to be unfaithful to the LORD Dt 17:17(CEV). I think this act was a flaw in David which went uncorrected. In the wilderness you could argue (wrongly) his wife Michal had been taken from him, but she had been restored by now. Multiple women and marriage do not eliminate the danger of adultery. “Lust for women got Solomon too:1Kg 11:3.” Often when a man is still connecting with heaven, being used of God for exploits, and people are being blessed we ignore imminent danger. Are you ignoring any?
“You like warnings a lot.” I like to think I enjoy freedom. Ever heard the saying “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”? Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong.1Co 16:13(GNB). Do you take money entrusted to you saying “After I will return it”? Beware. “You too!”

How far can we go? Week 15, 2011

With what? “You know; hugging, touching...” Are you out of your mind? Are you two married? “Well we really love each other and...” And what? “Well I think it’s nice.” Listen scripture says ... “I know; I know I am the LORD your God, and you must keep yourselves holy, because I am holy Lev 11:44(GNB) just a little touch, a hug.” And perhaps a kiss of love, eh? “It’s you that is saying that... But didn’t bible say Greet one another with a holy kiss 2Co 13:12(MKJV)? Aren’t we to be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love? We love each other and maybe ...” Listen and listen well: what is happening between you two is not; repeat not brotherly love but erotic desire. That “holy kiss” is like a handshake today o.
“Well isn’t it natural to want someone? I mean we are all human. The desires are God-given for control not so? You told me that once. Feelings like that happen when someone loves you. I know we can control ourselves.” He-ehn? Allowing yourselves even to touch with both of you feeling this way is lumping fire unto your bosom. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent Prov 6:27-29(MKJV). If it starts the 2 of you will burn. Sex is reserved; reserved for married people. Period.
“Who says I’m burning? No one has asked for sex. I just want to be loved, to feel someone really cares and wants me. That’s all.” Well I love you and care for you and that’s why I am talking this way. I think this nonsense must end, now.
“Oh, no one understands me; no one makes me feel the way I do when we are together, these others don’t even know how to greet someone. Just want to showcase how much Bible they know.”
Listen my dear: pulling out a stick from under your nail may be painful, but infection is setting in now; you’re already feverish. You may cry in the night, groan for unfulfilled attention but there’s only one remedy: run, and keep running. Keep on running away from sexual immorality. Any other sin that a person commits is outside his body, but the person who sins sexually sins against his own body 1Co 6:18(ISV). Victory over sexual temptation has never and can never be won by seeing how far you can go; but by fleeing. He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away Prov 6:32-33(ESV). He who has ears to hear…

Mary Magdalene Week 14, 2011

Quite a character isn’t she? “Yes, very lavish in her demonstration of love for Jesus: Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair Jn 12:3(ESV). It is amazing how Jesus completely transforms a woman.” Or how a woman completely embraces her Lord. “How do you mean?”
Looking at the dinner setting it seems everything was under control and she really wasn’t needed. “How do you mean?” So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table Jn 12:2(ESV). Serving had been taken care of by Martha, and Lazarus was keeping Jesus company, it seemed there was really nothing left, nothing for her to do. “I think housekeeping was not one of her strengths because the last time serving was abandoned by her.” Who knows; but have you ever been in that situation where it looks like there’s nothing for you to do, that some who are more experienced than you are already taking care of the obvious, but you just want to express your love to Jesus? “You’re right. Several times; at home and fellowship, as though I have two left hands.” Well in that situation unfettered expression of love for Jesus may be what God really needs you to do, a deed that the house became filled with the fragrance of the perfume Jn 12:2(ISV).
“You mean God wanted her to do that?” Well meaning people may regard such actions on your part as a waste but you know, her “waste” was actually preparing Jesus for His burial. When she poured this perfume on my body, she was preparing me for burial Mat 26:12(ISV). “Yes, o. She ministered directly to Jesus, truly Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with all your might, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you're going Ecc 9:10(GW). ”
That’s not all; remember she had a terrible past? Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out Lk 8:2(ESV). Those with terrible pasts often run faster than people who think they never sinned. “Yes, in one offering she gave close to a year’s salary. Stayed with Jesus on the way and on Calvary, was the first to see Him on resurrection morning…” What of you? “How?” Are you running faster like her or were you always righteous? Do you think you were forgiven little? So I'm telling you that her sins, as many as they are, have been forgiven, and that's why she has shown such great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little. Lk 7:47(ISV).
What memorial will there be of your love for Jesus?

I don’t know what to say Week 13, 2011

“My mind is a bit blank thinking of what to use to tell others about my faith.” It happens to so many of us when trying to tell others about Jesus. Even Paul, big and experienced as we see him, used to ask people to pray for him to know what to say also: And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret Eph 6:19(GNB). “Really?” Yes, it’s not how eloquent you are. I mean not how well you speak but the presence of God with you: When I talked with you or preached, I didn't try to prove anything by sounding wise. I simply let God's Spirit show his power 1Cor 2:4(CEV).
“I’m still scared.”Look, the woman at the well just said "Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! Could he be the Messiah?"Jn 4:29(CEV) nothing is as powerful as a testimony of a known sinner. “I am shy to give my testimony.” Why? It is an invitation you are giving; a discovery worth sharing. Andrew and Phillip both used the same thing: their testimony and the Holy Spirit brought men to salvation.
“Supposing I am asked a question I can’t answer; many of the people can ask serious questions and I am afraid I may not know the answer to any.” Have you not noticed Phillip was in that situation also? And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see Jn 1:46(KJV). Simply invite them to “Come and see”. Our part is to do the inviting the convincing is done by the Holy Spirit.
“I might get things wrong...” How do you mean? “Suppose I say something not totally correct in my message?” Do you really want to witness or are you just giving excuses? “No please don’t say that: I really want to witness.” Ok; I will ask you this: was Phillip totally correct in what he said to Nathanael? Philip found Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the man about whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote-Jesus, the son of Joseph, from Nazareth." Jn 1:45(ISV). “I don’t get it. What was wrong?” Is Jesus the son of Joseph really? “Well no.” God used Phillip despite his being less than accurate.
“Wow. I feel better now; so it doesn’t matter if I say wrong inaccurate things, eh?” Of course it matters, but God is able to use us despite our short comings and mistakes for His glory.
Now, go! I will help you to speak, and I will tell you what to say Ex 4:12 (GNB)

Where is the fire? Week 12, 2011

“Seriously I have little desire to talk to people about Jesus. It’s not like I do not believe in Him, but I have kind of cooled down from that initial time when I would tell those I had opportunity to.” What do you mean? “Well initially I used to pray that God gives me an opening and people would ask me something like, “There’s something different about you; what is it?” and then I would tell them about Jesus but that has kind of waned.” Don’t you hear the cry of the unbelievers’ punishment? And you feel normal, no unease, and no unrest inside you? “What cry?” "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.” Lam 1:12(ESV).
“Yes, in fact I sometimes I see those rushing off to witness as perhaps being overeager, you know, maybe they should slow down a bit?”Are you not moved when you see unbelievers wallowing in sin and reaping the consequences? “Am I supposed to?” Ah, while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there Act 17:16-17(ESV). “It used to be but now…”
If your spirit is no longer provoked by sin around you unto evangelism then I have to ask, where is the fire? “What fire?” If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot Jer 20:9(ESV). This fire was in Jeremiah, in Paul, and in those who are filled with the Spirit.
“Well maybe I am not. I am no apostle nor do I regard myself a prophet. I’m just a layperson; not ordained.” What of Elihu who is not introduced as a priest or prophet? For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer Job 32:18-20(ESV). I think we need to pray. It is the word of God inside that created the fire. If men like Jeremiah couldn’t hold it in when they tried is the word still in you? Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29