Moses, man of faith Week 34, 2010

“Very powerful faith, see how he dealt with Egypt and called down those miracles.” Miracles? Is that the faith Moses was known for? Hebrews records Moses as a man of faith for other things. “What?” Choices: Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh's grandson. He chose to be mistreated with God's people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while Heb 11:24, 25(CEV). Some who profess faith enjoy sinful pleasures not he. He chose suffering: Moses knew that the treasures of Egypt were not as wonderful as what he would receive from suffering for the Messiah, and he looked forward to his reward Heb 11:26 (CEV). You have looked at faith as something to bring you treasures in this world and avoid suffering not so?
“Is my name Moses? I am not here to suffer. The God of miracles is my Daddy. If God did not account the working of miracles as his faith why is it said By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned Heb 11:29(ESV).” The focus is on the choice; the choice to leave Egypt. Remember people at that time were already saying "why did we leave?" By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible Heb 11:27(ESV).
Faith sends the fear of men packing. Like his parents (Heb 11:23) and Hebrew midwives by faith he chose God’s way rather than pleasing kings. But the two women were faithful to God and did not kill the boys, even though the king had told them to Ex 1:17 (CEV). What choices does your faith lead you to? Is it only not to take drugs? Stop mocking me; that’s unchristian. That passage also says: Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, received promises, shut the mouths of lions, Heb 11:33(ISV)
Men may see miracles, God sees other things also. In striking the rock twice, Moses chose to disobey God, and God accounted that as lack of faith. And the LORD said … "Because you did not believe in me … therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." Num 20:12(ESV) If faith were merely pulling down miracles how is it God rebuked him for lack of faith even though the miracle took place and enough water came for over a million people and their livestock from flinty rock? Faith is seen more in the choices you make than in the miracles around you and in your life.

What is faith? week 33

“It is that which connects you to heaven’s resources so that you get all you want and be all you should.” All you want? Was that the faith of Abraham the father of faith? “Of course! What more did Abraham want than a son? It was faith that enabled him have one when he was past age and Sarah past child bearing Heb 11:11.” I agree with that passage of scripture, it is repeated a number of times, but Abrahamic faith did not start or end simply with getting what you want from heaven. It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going Heb 11:8(GNB). Genuine faith is obedience...
“Look God told him He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who curse him. He wanted that. Faith gets you what you want.” Hmm, I say faith is what made Abraham differ from the crowd. “Now you are talking.” Am I? Faith led Abraham to live as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, Heb 11:9(GW). Imagine a rich man living in tents rather than houses. I hope you know there were houses then (Gen19:2-3)? Faith makes you live differently, not following fashion or being trendy. Sadly many of us who have a claim to faith struggle to be like the rest in dressing, housing and appearance. “Should we then be poorly clothed?”
Don’t deviate from our point; we haven’t reached the ultimate manifestation of Abrahamic faith. “The sacrifice of Isaac, not so?” Yes. By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; Heb 11:17(ASV).
You said he obeyed and left his father’s house because he wanted the promise God gave him. What promise did God give him if he offered up Isaac, what new blessing was he supposed to inherit? “That was tough; God had said to him, "Through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name." Heb 11:18(GNB) Ishmael had been sent away by now.” Yes, He was certain that God could raise people from the dead, and figuratively speaking he did get him back in this way Heb 11:19(ISV). Such faith made him obey fully. That’s why I say faith is prompt obedience not knowing the place you are going, but knowing the One you have believed. For the which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day 2Ti 1:12(RV). Do you have faith?

Your name is Andrew, right? Week 32, 2010

“No you are mistaking me for someone else; that’s not my name.” Is that so? Did you not after repentance go to tell your sister about Jesus? “Yes I did.” How is she doing now? “Ah, she has a ministry that touches youths in several nations. Her books are a blessing. She has certainly gone far beyond my expectations and eclipsed me.” Just like Andrew. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. Andrew first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah". He led Simon to Jesus Jn 1:40-42(ISV).
“I get it, an Andrew brings the relations to Jesus.” Not just relations. Andrew is recorded in the gospel of John as connecting someone to Jesus each time he speaks. One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to Jesus, There is a boy here with five barley cakes and two fishes: but what is that among such a number? Jn 6:8, 9(BBE). The boy was used of God greatly. When Greeks told Phillip they wanted to see Jesus it was Andrew he went to first. They went to Philip (who was from Bethsaida in Galilee) and told him, "Sir, we would like to see Jesus." Philip went and told Andrew, and Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jn 12:21, 22(ISV).
“So it is not limited to relations but includes children and strangers." Exactly. Greeks are from a different tribe. First contact: Jesus talk. “But he talked to Jesus not the Greeks.” What is telling Jesus about men but intercession for lost souls? Anyone that must successfully talk to men about Jesus ought to first talk to Jesus about men. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 1Tm 2:1(ESV).
“Was it only in the gospel record of John Andrew is recorded as speaking?” Excellent student! I say it is in you. No, in Mk 13:3-4(ISV) he seeks the signs of Jesus’ return. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives facing the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew were asking him privately, "Tell us, when will these things take place, and what will be the sign when these things will be put into effect?" To be an Andrew talk to Jesus about men, talk of Jesus before men, bring people including the young to Jesus, and talk of His second coming. “Yes, yes, and study the Word in private and in groups. Can that not be learned from that scripture too?” Yes of course. Surely, you are an Andrew. “I don’t actually think I am worthy to be called one; I haven’t quite been measuring up.” Oh, it’s in you. I see it, and just want to encourage you. “Thank you very much sir.” You’re welcome.

Convicted; but not fully converted Week 31, 2010

Week 31, 2010
“Thank God Naaman listened to his servants; see how he would have missed his healing.” Yes, thank God he did not miss the healing. Too bad he missed being converted. “Missed being converted? He returned to Elisha with all his men and said, "Now I know that there is no god but the God of Israel; so please, sir, accept a gift from me." 2Ki 5:15(GNB). He was not only converted, he also offered the man of God a generous gift.” Why do you suppose his gift was unacceptable? “Maybe Elisha was working on “freely have you received; freely give”. This man said, "If you won't accept my gift, then let me have two mule-loads of earth to take home with me, because from now on I will not offer sacrifices or burnt offerings to any god except the LORD 2Ki 5:17(GNB). He was converted.”
I see. Converted but not willing to loose his job, converted but not willing to acknowledge his new found faith before a heathen king, converted but not willing to die for the God who performed the miracle of his life free for him. So I hope that the LORD will forgive me when I accompany my king to the temple of Rimmon, the god of Syria, and worship him. Surely the LORD will forgive me!" 2Ki 5:18(GNB). If he was converted as you claim why does this “brave soldier” ever accept to worship another god as a policy? God deliver us from willingness to give of our treasure but withhold our necks for Jesus! Was that gift supposed to take the place of genuine conversion?
“Are you not too hard on him?” I don’t think so: Felix was similarly convicted but not converted. As Paul talked …Felix became afraid and said, "For the present you may go. When I get a chance, I will send for you again." At the same time he was hoping to get money from Paul, and so he would send for him frequently to talk with him. After two years had passed, Felix … left Paul in prison Act 24:25-27 (ISV).
“Don’t you think he became a secret disciple? There are such people you know?” Yes, I do; but consider what Jesus himself says: "Therefore whoever who will confess Me before men, I also will confess Him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in heaven Mat 10:32-33(EMTV). If we won’t confess him before men, Jesus will also not confess us before the Father and the holy angels. Now if Jesus won’t introduce you who will? No matter how much under conviction you are, lay your life down to become genuinely converted.

An unusual answer Week 30, 2010

I was alarmed to get the information. My son had been rounded up by the police and the charge? Involvement in kidnapping. Now I know he was not yet born again, but surely he could never have gone that far. His bank job definitely gave him enough and he wouldn’t do that type of thing. No not my son! I thank God the police kept him in custody and did not execute him. Many suspected robbers and kidnappers are said to be given extra-judicial execution by the police. I never witnessed one, but those in the gang who kidnapped that man I am told were all killed. He however named my son specifically as being one of those involved. Do kidnappers have so much arrogance they use their names around their victims or is this a terrible mistake? My God where are you? Do not let my son die, come to our aid. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD Isa 55:8(ESV).
It had naturally disturbed me that my son was not yet born again; his mother and I have been for years now, and are active in church work and evangelism. We have long held to the scripture which says: And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." Act 16:31(ESV). I became so concerned he was not yet born again I prayed God to do whatever it takes to bring him into the kingdom, even if it would cause him some pain. Little did I know how God intended to answer.
There in detention he was placed in a facility meant for 20 yet had 100 inmates. Even then there was this policeman that regularly brought him out to the counter to sleep. It was while in detention that he met this pastor who like my son was brought in for a crime he did not commit. Thank God he chose to use the incarceration in jail as an opportunity to spread the gospel. Oh how many are in prison today for what they did not do! My son heard him, and that is how he came to repent and receive Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and saviour. O Lord my God, great are the wonders which you have done in your thought for us; it is not possible to put them out in order before you; when I would give an account of them, their number is greater than I may say Ps 40:5(BBE). How we rejoiced in this development. But his name had to be cleared.
The police actually felt my son was innocent and suggested his accuser wanted money. I don’t bribe people but accepted to meet and discuss with the man for an out of court settlement. He was not forthcoming so we had to go to court for the hearing. I am grateful that in a country where often justice is miscarried he was discharged and acquitted! How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more than the sand; Psa 139:17, 18(MKJV)

Right place, wrong person week 29,2010

Naaman realised he needed cleansing as a leper. The little maid in his home had spoken of the prophet in Israel but his king sends him to Israel, not to Elisha but to the king. "If your husband Naaman would go to the prophet in Samaria, he would be cured of his leprosy." When Naaman told the king what the girl had said, the king replied, "Go ahead! I will give you a letter to take to the king of Israel."2Ki 5:3-5(CEV). God deliver us from those who send us to the right place, but to the wrong person!
What’s the difference after all? Both are anointed by God; both are in Israel. The king was anointed of God, but not to cleanse leprosy: When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and exclaimed, "How can the king of Syria expect me to cure this man? Does he think that I am God, with the power of life and death?" 2Ki 5:7(GNB)
So what’s the point of the story? It is just as the law is anointed of God, but not to cleanse sin. We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. We, too, have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law, for no human being will be justified by the works of the law Gal 2:16(ISV).
I think this faith thing is too easy. Ah, just like Naaman. But Naaman…said, "I thought he would at least come out of his house, stand somewhere, call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the infected place, and heal the skin disease..." So he turned around and left in anger 2Ki 5:11-13(GW). “Why was the law given then?” A torch light can show you a snake but you need something else to kill it. The law is like that torchlight. Gal 3:19, 20 (CEV) What is the use of the Law? It was given later to show that we sin. But it was only supposed to last until the coming of that descendant who was given the promise. In fact, angels gave the Law to Moses, and he gave it to the people. There is only one God, and the Law did not come directly from him.
So you come to church, but are you presenting yourself to Jesus for cleansing or to the law?
I refuse to reject the grace of God. But if a person is put right with God through the Law, it means that Christ died for nothing! Gal 2:21

What is your claim? Week 28, 2010

Something that may be puzzling is that God can use you for great things even though you do not know Him. Take Cyrus for example (Isa 45:1, 4), or Naaman (2Ki 5:1). Is God using you to achieve great victories? Can we depend on you for projects? Are you always there so that shame is wiped off the face of ministers during launchings? “Yes,” I hear you say: “at home and in the town my presence is felt, and a good number of congregations have had their building work done with my help. Mark you I have not limited my help to one denomination”. Well done, wealth that enters your hands comes to good use. You are highly placed and respected. But there was once a certain centurion, a man like you, full of good works but not saved. And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say." Act 10:22(ESV). “And what was Peter to say?” Then Peter would tell him how he and everyone in his house could be saved Act 11:14(CEV). He had to hear the message of Jesus and believe. Are you like this?
Your track record is impressive. The poor are touched by your generosity. In fact in church matters you are a titled man; a knight in shining armour! “Yes that is me. No man of God comes my way without smiling home with his pocket lined.” Brilliant! Cornelius was such. Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius…He was a devout man who feared God, as did everyone in his home. He gave many gifts to the poor among the people and always prayed to God Act 10:1, 2(ISV).
I hope you do not try to establish your own righteousness; it makes it impossible for you to get God’s own; being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God Rom 10:3(ASV). When you think of acceptance before God what do you put forward: your track record or God’s gift? They that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ Rom 5:17(ASV). Beware do-gooder that you don’t present your deeds as reason for God to accept you: We are unfit to worship you; each of our good deeds is merely a filthy rag. We dry up like leaves; our sins are storm winds sweeping us away Isa 64:6(CEV). What is your claim to acceptance by God? Ask to receive the gift of righteousness.