Follower of the Way

Reading for Today - John 14:1-6 - Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me

John 14:1-6 (NKJV)
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know."  Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

If we have faith in God and Christ our heart will not be troubled.  We can have peace when we know we are right with God.  Jesus is the way and in him is truth and life.

Reading for Today - Acts 11:19-30 - in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians

Acts 11:19-30 (ESV)

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.  But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.  The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.  When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.  So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.  Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).  So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.  And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

 

Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem to teach and exhort in Antioch.  Many were added to the Lord.  Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him back to help in Antioch.  Saul and Barnabas met for a whole year with the church in Antioch and taught many people.  We reach in this chapter in Acts that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

 

May we be like those in Antioch.  May we follow the exhortation of Barnabas to remain faithful and with steadfast purpose.  May our purpose be centered on that which is pleasing to God.  After Saul and Barnabas had been in Antioch teaching a year Agabus foretold by the Spirit that there was to be a great famine.  The Christians in Antioch sent relief by Barnabas and Saul, according their ability, to help those living in Judea.  What a great example.

 

Barnabas truly was a brother of encouragement.  He encouraged the church in Antioch and think of his influence on Saul by seeking him out to help in teaching in Antioch.  We never know how we might aid another by asking for their help and how God can use us in encouraging others in his service.

Reading for Today - Romans 1:1-15

Romans 1:1-15 (ESV)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul looked forward to being with the Christians in Rome.  Paul wanted to encourage them, but he too wanted to encouraged by being with them.  Can you imagine the great challenges that face those who choose to be Christians in Rome.  Many in the Roman government and in Rome thought of Christians as trouble makers because they did not know the truth about Christianity.  When something bad would happen the Roman citizens would blame the Christians because they would not worship the local gods and this made the Romans feel that the gods were punishing them because the Christians would not appease them.  Yet in the capital of Rome, under persecution, the church grew.  Paul prayed for the brethren at Rome and was thankful for the example of their faith.  Paul noted that their faith was "proclaimed in all the world".

Our example can be a great encouragement to others.  We don't suffer the persecution that Christians suffered, but we are looked down upon by many because we will voice moral wrongs and stand up for truth.  The book of Romans addresses how we can be in the world, but not of the World.  There are many things for us to think about our example and Christian life in this world as we study Romans.  We should be thankful that we know Christ.  We should be thankful we can be counted as Christians.  We should be thankful for the examples of others and the encourage they provide in our life and we should seek to be an encourage to others as they seek to follow after Christ.

Let us Pray that we may encourage others and they we will have strong Christians in our life that will encourage us.

Let us Pray that are faith will be seen and that it will lead others to Christ.

Let us Pray that we will let God use us in the harvest.  May we seek lost souls.  May we preach and teach the word by our example and action.

Reading for Today - Matthew 11:1-30

Have you ever stopped to think about Christ’s words, when he said that the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John the Baptist.  How wonderful it is to be a child of God, and to be a part of his Kingdom. 

In Matthew the 11^th chapter we see John sending his disciples to Jesus to ask if he is the one to come or if they should look for another.  John, now in prison, may have been discouraged or may have had some doubts — if he was looking for an earthly Kingdom.  Jesus reply to John’s disciples was for them to tell John that the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear and the dead are raised.  Truly Jesus’ works showed that he was the one to come.  John did a great work and was a great man, but in Christ we have a better life.  Christ’s words to those following him were, “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”  Many may have been looking for their kind of Christ and not the one God sent.  Many of the Jews were looking for an earthly king for a Messiah, but this is not what God had in mind.  We too must be careful that we are not looking for “our own Christ”, so that we will “not be offended” by Christ.

It is important that we seek to follow Christ.  Christ upbraided the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida because they had not repent after all the works that Christ had done in them.  Those who have seen the love of God should accepted it.  The more God gives us, the more he expects from us.  Each us of should seek to grow in God’s word and should then act upon that word that we might live as God would have us to.  Because Chorazin and Bethsaida did not repent Christ said that it would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, two evil gentile cities, than for Chorazin and Bethsaida in the Judgment.

Christ next reveals that only through him can we come to a better knowledge of the Father.  In Christ we see God in the flesh and from his example we can learn much about God and his nature.

            The chapter closes with Christ telling all that if they would come unto him, they would find rest. Truly in Christ we can find rest for our souls. Life may be difficult, we may have many struggles and challenges, but with the peace of knowing that we have Christ we can endure the worst circumstances. Christ said that if we would take his yoke and learn of him, we would find rest for our souls. This suggests that we must both do and learn. As Christians we should daily bear our yoke for Christ and seek to learn more of him so that we can live more like him. If we do and learn, Christ has said that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. This does not mean that life will always be easy, but it does mean that we will be able to find the strength to endure and will endure better with Christ.

Lights in the World - Reading for Today - Matthew 5:17-7:28

           We are to be a light to the world and the salt of the earth and Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount some very practical ways in which we should be different.  Christ did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it and in Him we have a new law of the heart.  Today the why of what we do is just as important as the what.  It is not good enough to just do right; we must also do what we do for the right reasons.  Christ illustrates this in several examples in the Sermon on the Mount.

            We should be those who share our faith and live daily as Christ would want us to.  Our faith should manifest itself in action.  The Pharisees were criticized because they appeared very religious on the outside, but inwardly were very cold — lacking mercy, justice and faith.  We need to be those who are different.  We should not have hate or have anger toward a brother, and if we do we should seek immediately to take care of getting rid of that hate.  God does not want us to come before him with hatred in our hearts.  Christ said that hating our brother is the same as murder and we know that no murderers will be in heaven.

            Our life in Christ should also cause us to think differently.   One example of this that Christ noted was that a man should not lust after a woman because if he did he had already committed adultery in his heart.  Additionally, our desires to do right, as well as our love for God, should cause us to do everything within our power to put those things which hinder us from living as God would want us to out of our life.  Christ emphasized this when he said, “if your right eye offend thee, pluck it out”.  This doesn’t mean we won’t be tempted.  An evil thought could come to our mind, but our trained conscience should confront it immediately and dismiss the thought as wrong.

            Our word should be true, our yes should mean yes and our no should mean no.  Christians should be the most honest people there are.  As Christians we should be those who are willing to go the extra mile, we should be those who pray for our enemies and who do good to those who wrong us.  You can see how very different our lives should be compared to the world.   As we do good, we do not do it to be seen by men, but we do it to please our heavenly Father. We do good because we love God, we do not do good to others because they have already done so for us.  We do not love men because they love us.  Today, the world does good to those who do good to them and loves those who love them, our lives in Christ should show how great our love is, by our compassion for the needs of all men. 

    God loves us and we should seek his will and remember that he has promised to see us through.  Christ reminds us that God takes care of the birds of the field and that he will care for us.  If our fathers on earth cares for our needs how much more will our heavenly Father?  We should not be those who build our storehouses on earth.  Our storehouse of treasure should be in Heaven; because, if we have laid up our treasure in Heaven no man can take that treasure from us.

            If we seek God’s desires for our life we will be blessed and can stand temptation and trial.  This doesn’t mean life will be easy as the world sees it.  It is promised that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  Seeking God in all we do we allow us to have the greatest inner peace, inner joy, and inner love on this earth and the reward of being in the presence of God for eternity in Heaven.  Our love for God should manifest itself in action.  Christ closes this sermon illustrating that if we hear and do God’s word we have a foundation that will stand the tests of time and weather, but if we do not the will of the Father we have no hope in time of trouble.  Let each of us build on the rock. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Are you rejoicing? Christians should have great joy and hope. To be in Christ. To have the hope of Heaven. To know the love of God. All of these things should give us great joy. We should be ever thankful that God sent His son to die for us. We should be grateful and in awe that God has called us to be his children.

Are you reasonable? We need to be thoughtful in how we deal with others. We shouldn't try others or be unreasonable in how we deal with others. Christians should be known for being even tempered and fair in their dealings with others. We need to reasonable about our expectations in life. We need to be reasonable in what we expect of ourselves and what we expect of others.

Are you anxious? We need to turn our concerns over to God. That doesn't mean we don't plan and that doesn't mean we do not take action. Christians are prepared people who are thoughtful. What it does mean is that when we are beset with things we cannot control and things that we do not understand the outcome we can trust that everything will be ok from a Heavenly perspective. God has promised us that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. God cares about us. God has told us that all things work together for good to them that love him and are called according to his purpose. In all this we should take comfort in challenging times. We should always be praying and when we are facing challenges we should be talking to our Heavenly Father about these. We should be able to be at peace even as we go through these challenges because of the many promises we have from God and our hope of Heaven.

Paul encouraged the Philippian brethren to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. We are what we think. If we focus on bad things they will overtake our life. If we focus on that which is good it will fill our life. Many times how we think about a situation significantly impacts the outcome. How we view another individual influences our interaction with them. It is important for us to think about how we can influence others for good. How we can live a life that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If we both think on these things and practice these things in our lives we will bring honor to God and we can be at peace knowing we are doing what we can to live a life pleasing to God and living a life shining the light of God to others.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world - I John 5

1 John 5:1-4

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

Do you believe God's word? Do you believe that God loves you? Do you love God?

If you answered yes to all three of these questions you should see results in your life that show you believe. If we love God we should love those who love him. We should love his word. We should seek to do his will. What God asks of us is not too heavy. God asks for our obedience. God asks that we love our fellow man. God asks that we are just, merciful, kind, and humble. God asks that we have faith, hope and love. God asks that we show forgiveness. God asks that we care for the souls of others.

Life provides us many challenges as we seek to live the life that is pleasing to God. We need to seek help through studying the Bible and seek help through prayer. Our faith in God can give supply the victory over doubt. Faith in God gives us the ability to look past the ways of the world and to take the higher ground. When we realize the love of God for us it enables us to show that love to others.

We must never lose sight of how great God's love is for us.

For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world - I John Chapter 4

1 John 4:1-6 (ESV)   Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

By this we know love - I John chapter 3

1 John 3:11-18 (ESV)

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

John wrote much about love - God's love for us, Christ's example for us, and how we should love others. We may not like everything that people do. Sometimes our friends will disappoint us. Sometimes people close to us will hurt us by their actions. Love doesn't mean that we accept or approve of those actions. Love is how we react to all situations. Love is a choice. It is important for the Christian to make the choice to show love. John emphasizes that our love shouldn't just be words, but should manifest itself in action and be true. Christian love starts with the realization first that God loves us.  We should also realize that all men are created in the image of God. God loves everyone, and I should love everyone as well. My love for God and my fellow man causes me to be concerned for the wellbeing all men. This love will manifest itself in many different ways.

When I am wronged. I will forgive.

When I see a need. I will help to the extent I able.

When I see someone doing something that will endanger their soul. I will correct.

When I see someone in sorrow. I will comfort.

When someone receives a blessing. I will rejoice.

When I know something I could do would cause another to stumble. I will refrain.

Like Christ I will put others needs ahead of my own. My goal is Heaven and my desire is that all men can share the joy of Heaven with our Heavenly Father.

Philippians 2:4 (ESV)   Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (ESV)   So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.   Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV)   For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

John 13:35 (ESV) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

See what kind of love the Father has given to us

1 John 3:1-3 (ESV)   See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.   And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Every time I read verse one of I John chapter 3 I just stand in awe and amazement. To think that God has called us to be his children. How blessed we are that we can be called his children. We have many great promises in the Bible, but I cannot think of anything more special than being called a child of God. This should cause us to want to live a life that is pleasing to our heavenly father. This should cause us to live a life that brings honor to his name.

Whatever circumstance we may find ourselves in, may we never forget his great love, may we never forget his great promises for us, and may we always look for things for which to be grateful.

When we face tough times we must remember that God loves us and cares for us.

He has promised that in every temptation there is a way of escape. (I Cor. 10:13)

He has promised that all things work together for our good. (Rom 10:28)

He has promised us an imperishable, pure, and unfading inheritance. (I Peter 1:3)

When we enjoy goodness in this life, may we give all praise to God and thank him for those great blessings.

Paul mentioned in the book of Timothy that godliness with contentment is great gain.(I Tim 6:6) When we realize the magnitude of the blessings we have in Christ. When we think on how great God's love is for us. We cannot help but be grateful and thankful.

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV)   Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.   I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

As we think on the abundant love that our God has for us may this strengthen our faith for each, every, and all situations that we face in our daily walk seeking God.

If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him - I John

1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.  

We are in the world, but we are not to be of the world.  Our strongest desires should be for the word of God, to Worship God, to have fellowship with those that Love God, and long to be in the Heaven.

Think about what your strongest desires and wishes are -- do they show your priorities are for that which is spiritual?  If not, I urge you to get into the word of God. 

We know from Romans 10:17 that faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.  It is God's word that will nourish us and help us to become more like his Son.  We should also take our concern to God in prayer and ask his help as we seek to follow His word and way for our life.  We should also seek the encouragement of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to help us keep our focus on the right things.

Additionally, we should be focusing on helping others to follow Christ and subordinate our needs and desires to help others.  It is important to keep in mind that we do not live for the here and now but for the there and then.

John further wrote in I John 2:17 - "the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

God's word and will are eternal.  This world is passing away.  All that is in the world is decaying and one day God will destroy the entire world.  We must keep this in perspective.  Having this understanding will help us keep our priorities straight.  We need to make sure we truly desire God's word that will grow deeper in our faith and understanding.  We need to make sure our first desires are spiritual.  We need to make sure we aren't in love with the world.

We can't even begin to imagine or comprehend how great the blessings are that our God has prepared for us.  We need to make sure we are not fooled by the world into focusing on "having everything the world has to offer".  Our treasure is in Heaven and as such we can see past the glitter of what this world has to offer.  We know that what the world has to offer is worthless and foolishness in comparison to what God has promised us.  We know that worldly desires - "the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life" are desires that we should flee from.  Only by filling our life with Christ and filling our life full of Godly desires can we overcome the world.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV)

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.   Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.   Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.   Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

James 1:14-22 (ESV)

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.   Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.   Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 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. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.   Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.   But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

The Love of a Christian - I John Chapter 2 and 3

1 John 2:7-11 (ESV)

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard.  At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:15-18 (ESV)

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

In John 15:12 We reach that Jesus told his disciples to love another,  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John in I John wrote that we should have love and not hate.    The Greek word for hate translated in I John 2 would mean any degree of hate.  We need to follow after the example of Christ in showing love to all men.  Christ gave himself for us when we were unworthy and lost in sin.  We were separated from God and yet Christ was willing to die for us to reconcile us back to God.  When we consider the grace and love that God has shown us we should be compelled to show grace and love to those around us.

My favorite passage when thinking about the attributes of the love of a Christian is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love is patient. Our love should endure all things and time does not change our love. Our love should allow us to show kindness to others. Our love should cause us to want the best for others and even want them to have the best. When we love someone we want to do everything we can for them, we want them to have our best. When we love someone we rejoice in their success. The success of the ones we love does not make us feel of ourselves or less for them, but rather joy and appreciation for them. Love doesn’t get irritated or resentful. Love doesn’t rejoice in wrong, but rejoices in truth. Love allows us to bear all challenges. Love allows us to look for the best in those we love. Love for another allows us to give everything we have, expecting nothing in return, seeking the best for those whom we love. Developing this kind of love, the love Paul wrote about in I Corinthians 13 should be the goal for each of us in our life for everyone. When we show this type of love in our marriage, in our families, in the church, and to all those around us there will be “no cause for stumbling” in us as John wrote about. Christ was the ultimate example of a life of love in action. If we seek to have our love to imitate the love God and Christ have shown us we will be well pleasing to our Heavenly Father. When we are having difficulty showing love to others we should remember our Savior’s example. We should also turn to prayer when we feel our love challenged. At those times we should pray for strength and pray for those whom we are having difficulty showing the love of Christ too.

John 13:35 (ESV)  

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

"Walk in the Same Way in which He Walked" - I John Chapter 2

1 John 2:1-6 (ESV)
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.   He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.   And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.   Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

Walking in the Light – I John Chapter 1

1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Our God is light.  Truly God is awesome and wonderful.  Our God desires that we stay away from evil.  We cannot serve both God and man.  This does not mean we do not make mistakes.  In fact, John teaches us that is we walk in the light “the blood of Jesus . . . cleanses us from all sin.”  We need to seek each day to practice righteous living.  When we do make mistakes our conscience should bother us and cause us to repent.  We should be seeking each day to grow in Christ.

We should be grateful that we have such a loving God that will forgive us if we are willing to repent and following after his will.  We have a loving God that desires what is best for us and desires to see us living righteously.  We should take comfort in these words of John and may they spur us on to seek to live a life that bring glory to our Father in Heaven.

"Where is the Promise of His Coming?” – II Peter 3

2 Peter 3:1-18 (ESV)

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

God has set a day that he will judge all men.  Long ago Peter wrote that men would say, “Where is the promise of His coming?”  Peter mentions that, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” God desires that all men would repent. He has appointed a day. It could be today. That day could be a hundred years from now and it could be in the next hour. God is eternal and Peter mentions that with “the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Every day we come closer to the return of our Lord. We should be those who look forward to His coming.

This passage in II Peter should cause us to remember several things

1)      Our God is powerful – By His word he formed the world

2)      God has appointed a day to destroy the world and judge man

3)      This world is temporary

4)      We should seek to live our lives to bring honor to God growing in grace and knowledge

 

1 Thessalonians 5:2-11 (ESV)

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.   While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.  But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.  For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.   So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.   For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.   But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.   For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.   Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV)

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.   Therefore encourage one another with these words.

I Peter 4:1-11

1 Peter 4:1-11 (ESV)  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.   Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:  whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Be Careful Not To Take Your Eyes Off Of Christ

The blog this week has been from I Peter. There are many events of Peter's life with our Lord recorded in the New Testament. One of those is when Jesus came to his disciples walking on the water.

Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV) Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”   He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.   But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”   Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.   And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

We tend to think about what we focus on. Have you ever woken up in the night and heard a noise in your house that is always there, but you normally don't pay attention to it? If you focus on it you may not be able to go back to sleep, because that may then be all your mind is hearing. When Peter asked the Lord to command him to come to Him on the water -- Jesus said, "Come". Peter then got out of the boat and walking to Jesus "saw the wind" and he became afraid. In our Christian life it is important to keep our focus on our Lord and Savior -- Jesus Christ and God's love for us. When we lose that focus we open the door for doubt.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Be a Blessing and Pursue Peace - More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 3

1 Peter 3:8-11 (ESV) Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it."

Peter mentions some very important traits we want to have in our life in I Peter chapter 3 -- "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind."

How do we create unity in mind? Unity in Christ can only be found when those that love him seek to know his word and live by it. The unity of the Bible is unity that is built upon the word of God. The unity that Peter writes of is a unity that is both united in mind and purpose. To build that unity of mind we need to be those who study God's word and study it with each other that we may grow into the Unity of mind based on what God has provided in his word.

How do we show sympathy? Sympathy is truly caring about others. It causes us to feel the pain and joy for others. It causes us to want to take action.

How do we show brotherly love? In Christ we are family. We are God's children. We should treat each other with the love we would show to a brother or sister.

How do we have a tender heart? Are we concerned when we see needs? Are we disturbed by wrong? Do we rejoice when good things happen?

How do we show a humble mind? When we realize every blessing we have is from God how can we not but be humbled. Christ gave his life for us. All that we have is from God. With that perspective we realize we are insignificant and unworthy -- yet God has shown us mercy, provided us blessings, and provided a promise that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his promise. When I think about all God has done for me and how much he loves me it should help me to have a humble mind. When I think about my Savior's sacrifice it should cause me to have a humble mind. With a humble mind I will put others first.

As part of showing a humble mind we should be those who bless. We bless even we have been shown evil. Peter writes, "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling". The way of the world is to get even and to get someone back. That is not the way we should live. Instead of getting even Peter encourages us to BLESS.

When we are working to have "Unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart and a humble mind" we will be better able to bless others and to pursue peace.

More Thoughts from I Peter chapter 2 - We are to be Different from the World.

We are to be different from the world.  Peter mentions in chapter two of I Peter that we are a "chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession".  We have been called out of this world to proclaim the good news. Because we are to be different Peter urges his readers to abstain from the "passions of the flesh". We need to be careful how we live in this world. Peter sums up how we should deal with others by saying, "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."

Christians should be the best citizens, best neighbors, best friends, best spouse, best parents. Our example could impact others. How we react to others could either be a help or a hindrance to them. Peter mentions that we should "live as people who are free, not using . . . freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." Why is our example so important? Peter wrote, "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation." Some commentators have suggested that the reference to them glorifying God on the day of visitation could be a reference to those in the world coming to know the truth. Many a preacher has commented that we are the only Bible some people will ever read. Our example may cause someone to come to a knowledge of God and his will. We should never underestimate how God can use us in someone's life.

Because of the importance of our example Peter tells servants to be subject to their masters and even went as far to say to be subject to both the just and the unjust. The ultimate example of suffering unjustly is our savior -- Jesus Christ. Peter reminds how we should follow after the example of Christ and "follow in his steps."

Paul also encouraged his readers to have the mind of Christ and to be concerned with others. Below are three passages from the epistles that emphasize the importance of looking out for others.

Philippians 2:1-16 (ESV) So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.   Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

Romans 15:1-7 (ESV) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.   May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.   Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)   Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Dedication and preparation required:

Fix your hope completely on the grace (vs. 13)

Do not be conformed (vs. 14)

Be Holy (vs. 15)

Faith and Hope in God (Vs. 21)

Purify your soul (Vs. 22)

Fervently Love one another (Vs. 22)

I Peter 1:13-25 (ESV)

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.   Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Peter calls on us to prepare our minds for action. We are to be those who are "sober-minded" -- restrained, controlled and calm. We are to be those who have fixed our hope on the grace that we will be awarded at Christ's coming. Peters warns us not to follow after the world, but to "be holy in all . . . conduct". Our faith and hope should be in God. Our hope should not be in ourselves, not be in position, not be in power, not be in things of this world. We should also be those who show love from a pure heart to all those around us.

In the post yesterday we looked the many promises we have been given. Today we looked at several areas of our life that Peter encourages us to take action to follow after the life God would have us to live.

Christ told two parables to point out that something of great value is worth giving up everything for.

Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV) The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

It is important for us to examine our lives and ask ourselves are we willing to give up all to follow Christ? Are we willing to deny ourselves of things that would lead us a way from God and His will. Nothing we have in this world is worth the loss of our soul. Nothing in this world is worth sacrificing our relationship with God for. Blessings in Christ are worth everything. We face many challenges and distractions in life. Sometimes life provides us challenges and tough times. Sometimes life provides us abundance. In both of these situations we must be careful to trust God and to seek to follow after the example of Christ in all that we do. To grow in Christ we must be in the Word. The Word has the power to save us and to change us. We learn these similar lessons in the parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:20-23 (ESV) As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Some hearts choose not to hear the word. Other hearts are rocky ground that cannot endure tribulation and persecution. Other hearts are thorny soil which are distracted by the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Notice how the hearts with rocky soil fell away because of the tribulation and how that the hearts with thorny soil were unfruitful because they were allured by the cares of this world. The good heart is the heart that "hears the word and understands it". The good heart bears and yields fruit.

The challenge for us today is to clear away the rocks and thorns from our life and to feed on the word of God that we might understand the great promises of God and understand how God wants us to live of our life.   We need to be as the one whom the Psalmist writes "delights in the law of the Lord" and "meditates day and night". When we realize how much God loves us we cannot help but delight in his word and desire to learn as much as we can so that we can be pleasing to him. Life can be challenging at times and in those times we have to focus on God's promise that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). When we are blessed abundantly in this life we need to make sure we are not distracted by this world. We need to ensure we are focused on the promises of God. When we are too focused on this life we miss the blessings of enjoying the peace and joy that can be only found in living a life trusting in the promises revealed in God’s Word and following the pattern found in his Word.

Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Great Promises call for great preparation

The book of I Peter starts with mentioning several great promises that are found for us in God's word:

Grace and Peace in the Fullest (vs 2)

Great Mercy (vs 3)

Living Hope (vs 3)

Inheritance (vs 4)

Protected by Power of God through Faith (vs 5)

Rejoice with joy (vs 8)

1 Peter 1:1-12 (ESV)  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

God has truly shown us great mercy. We read in Romans chapter five how that God sent he Son for even when we were unworthy.

Romans 5:6-11 (ESV) For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.   For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

We see through the sacrifice of the Son of God the great love of God for us.

John 3:16-17 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

In addition to God's great love for us by allowing Christ to die on the cross we have a great promise that provide us a living hope and an imperishable inheritance. God has called us to be his children -1 John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." We have a promise of eternal life and an inheritance in Heaven. The inheritance is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading".   Imperishable - our inheritance will Last Forever, undefiled - our inheritance in Heaven is unstained and pure, and unfading -- our inheritance will not become less desirable than when we first receive it in Heaven.

We are protected by God through faith. That does not mean we will not suffer physical harm in this life. What this does mean is that God provides through faith what is needed to save and protect our soul. We know that Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God - Romans 10:17. We know that in all things for the Christian all things work together for good. Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Because of these great promises that God has given us we can have great joy in this life. We can have joy in trials and challenges. We can be filled with joy because we know the love of God and we have faith in the promises he has made us. Truly are God is awesome.  Tomorrow as we look at the remainder of the 1st chapter of I Peter we will look at some of the preparation Peter calls on those who follow Christ to do.

Is our focus on God and His Word?

The epistles of Peter and John both help us think about what is really important and where we should have our focus.

In I Peter Chapter 1 verses 13 through 19 Peter urges his readers the following:

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

And John in I John Chapter 2 verses 15 through 17 wrote

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

We are called to be holy. We are called to be different in this world. Our focus needs to be on things above and on living in a way that is pleasing to our Heavenly Father. We have been bought with a price and the great love of God and the example of His Son should cause us to live as he would have us to live.

The August blogs will be focused around key thoughts in I & II Peter and I, II, an III John that will help keep our focus.

The God of all comfort!

Paul begins his second letter to the  Corinthians reminding them of the comfort that God provides.  In 2 Corinthians 1:3 Paul states that God is the "God of all comfort".

    Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort!  He comforts us in all our trouble, so that we can comfort those in any trouble by the comfort through which we ourselves have been comforted by God.  As the suffering of Christ increase in us, so our comfort increases through Christ.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

As we are challenged in this life and persecuted by those who do not love God and his people we will find comfort.  Our God will provide comfort.  The word of God comforts us as well because His promises provide a great hope that we rest in full assurance of faith.  Moreover, as we see our fellow brethern challenge there are times that we should provide comfort to them as well.  Some challenges may be individual and we provide comfort to those face an individual challenge.  Some challenges may be more collective and we may be participating in the same challenge and at that time providing comfort that are in this same journey with us.  The comfort that God has provided and continues to provide will allow us to "comfort those in any trouble by the comfort through which we ourselves have been comforted by God".

As we will our lives we should seek to have the same confidence that Paul noted in 2 Corinthians 2:12 -- "The testimony of our conscience, that in single-hearted devotion and in godly sincerity, not in human wisdom but in God's grace, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and more especially toward you."  We should each seek to be as Paul and make sure that live in a way that shows that God's word is alive in us.  We should each seek to live in such a way that the world sees Christ living is us.  If we put Christ first in everything and seek to live a life that displays a Christian example, a life that is concerned about how what we say and what we do will impact the lives around us our example will be one that will challenge others to consider if they are living as God would have them live.

If you are feeling challenged today.  If you have suffered persecution for Christ.  Take comfort from God!  If you see a brother or sister in Christ suffering comfort them with the same comfort God has provided to you!  Choose today to be courageous and live in confidence seeking to be a light in this world by being a shining example in word in your actions. 

These words and thoughts cause me to think of the words in a song - "May my whole life sing to you".  Our thoughts and actions should bring glory to God and in bringing glory to God we should be drawing the world to Christ.  As Christians our example will either bring others to Christ and build others up or it will turn them away and tear them down.  Keep this thought ever present and as you are in the world think about how others may be influenced by you.  Keep this thought ever present as you are with your brothers and sisters in Christ and think about how you can be an encouragement to them and to each other as we all seek to bring glory to God and seek to serve Him.

Do you love like Christ?

In the sermon on the mount Jesus said,

    You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say, love your enemies and pray for the ones who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, who makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust.  If you love the ones who love you, what reward do you have?  The tax collectors do as much.  If you only greet your brothers, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even Gentiles do the same?  You therefore be mature, as your heavenly Father is mature.  Mathew 5:43-48

When those of the world misuse you or others take advantage of you -- how do you react?  In considering your reaction it is good to consider Psalms 37.

The Psalmist wrote(Vs 1, 7-8):

    Do not be upset because of evil-doers.  Do not be envious of wicked workers. . . . Be still before Yahweh.  Wait patiently for him.  Do not be upset because of someone's success, nor because an evil-doer prospers.  Refrain from anger and leave off wrath.  No good comes from being upset.

What can help us in taking this course of action is following the Psalmists advice (vs3-5):

    Trust in Yahweh, and do good.  Dwell in the land, and seek truth.  Delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desire of your heart.  Commit your way to Yahweh.  Put your trust in him, and he will take care of you.

However, this doesn't always mean the path is easy.  It only means the Lord will take care of us.  The Psalmist further writes (vs 23-24):

    The steps of a righteous man are established by Yahweh, and he delights in his way.  Though he falls, he will not be cast off, for Yahweh supports him with his hand.

As we live our lives in this world we need to remember we are in the world, but we are not of the world.  We should be different.  Our lives should be different and they should shine as a light to the world.  As we face challenges we remember that "For those who Love God All things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."(Romans 8:28)

We are different -- as children of God we should shine in this world and the world should see we are not of this world.  They should see the light shining in all we do.  Our actions will cause those in the world to question themselves.  For some they will be like Pharoh and harden their heart and to others this will cause them to question why we are different and seek a new path for their life.

All we can do is sow the seed of God's word.  It will fall upon the hearts of man and God will give the increase.

Each of us should prayerfully seek to live the life that demonstrates we are God's children.

    Behold what manner of love the Father has showered upon us that we should be called the sons of God -- and we are!  I John 3:1.