Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Matthew 5:11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This text I do believe is familiar as it comes out of the beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. This of course being Jesus first sermon in His ministry. As we know the word beatitude means blessed. As I've shared before with another verse(Psalm 94:12 ) I don't think you will see this one in any shape, form or fashion in Christian bookstores or on any Christian websites. Strange isn't it? The reason I say this is that as much as we know about persecution and it is talked about and is guaranteed for ALL who live godly in Christ Jesus( 2 Timothy 3:12 ).Then why does seem to be let us talk about it,but scared to really extend it past that approach. This isn't me being "over spiritual" or going fundamental, I'm just being biblical. The problem is today people want to hear we are blessed to get sleep, we are blessed to see another day, or this and that and yes those are true. What we must also see is the blessing in this is not that they are persecuting us. No the blessing is in being called His. Notice for whose sake it says, my sake and the my by the way is Jesus.
I truly believe in American Christianity we want to soak up on the good and don't want to have to endure the bad or let me put it this way, we don't want trials. Take a look at television evangelicals and I think you will see what I'm saying. Not to mention I see it on the Christian book websites and bookstores. We want to receive this and that. Friends,brethren I get sick of seeing so much prosperity and health gospel. What we need to get back to is being nourished by the Word of God, good sound biblical doctrine . What we need is more of those who live truly in such a way as the Apostle Peter declared in his epistle, rejoice as we are partaking in the suffering of Christ( 1 Peter 4:13 ). The Christian life is not meant nor did He(Christ) hint it to be easy.In fact He said quite the opposite, " Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ( Matthew 7:14 ).
Now I'm not in anyway saying hey go out and look for trouble, but do not gripe when going through trials, but instead rejoice. You may say how can one rejoice in this. May we find it most encouraging that the Apostle Paul wrote his very upbeat and encouraging letter to the Christians at Philippi from prison. In fact its in that very letter the apostle writes rejoice in the Lord always( Philippians 4:4 ). So my brethren may we take a lesson and encouragement from the apostle and instead consider ourselves blessed. May we stop looking at why Lord am I going through this and instead say Lord use me for your glory and for your praise. May the focus come off us and may we affix our eyes to Him.
Consider this also my brethren that yes while we are persecuted think of what the Lord has so graciously spared us from. While we must endure much in this life we are spared from the second death. One thought I now have of persecution is I no longer take it personal. Let me expound upon that to some measure with a passage from the gospel of John, " If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. ( John 15:18-21 ) " Like Jesus was explaining so clearly here the world hates them referring to his disciples and us today as well cause it hated Him first. This He follows up with persecution saying since they persecuted me so they will persecute you. Cause notice in between there in verse 20 it says that servant is not greater than his lord. Simply put we can not get a mind set thinking we are not going endure trials just because we are modern day Christians. Even worse when face trials we need not think we are cursed. This reminds me that just because I live in 2009 things really haven't changed much because there are those who still need to hear the gospel and just as the disciples suffered so shall I, so shall I and I will go wherever the Lord sends me and suffer whatever may be for the gospel.
Brethren I pray you find encouragement in this that when you are persecuted for His name sake you consider yourself blessed. Blessed not because of the persecution, but because He calls You His. Know that the World hates and persecutes you cause it did both to Him first. Take neither of these things personally,but instead rejoice in the partaking of the suffering of Christ.May we be as the early believers and meet persecutions with boldness. Why today have we strayed from this and instead squeeze under pressure? Do we count it a blessing to be persecuted? Instead of seeing it with such gloom consider what scripture does clearly indicate to us that He will never leave us nor forsake us ( Hebrews 13:5 ). May I leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul and I pray it encourages you:
" We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. "
( 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Being Singe Isn't Bad.....Really ( 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 )
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight's passage may or may not be familiar. I would suppose it should be, but not one that is commonly preached or say hey this is the memory verse or verses for the week, but mind this my brethren it does shed to us encouragement as does always His Word. As we who have read this chapter we know the Apostle goes in with great depth to explain the context of marriage. This is not the only area that discusses marriage,but one place I think of when I think of the topic. Now I'm going to dive into the text and I pray this encourages you my brethren. May we not take lightly the Word of God,but instead be good stewards of His Word and be nourished by it daily.
Starting in verse 7 the Apostle Paul states he wishes all men or all people were as he were. Another words for those who are single, this includes me don't see it as a bad thing. I think way too often we use our status to determine how happy we are or what direction our life is going in. Let me tell you all that despite the fact I do deal with the issue of being single sometimes I am actually quite the happy guy. Let me expound on why. The reason being is this I've found the longer I have walked with the Lord that He has me exactly where He wants me. So if I'm single He has a point and with that He is keeping me focused and fine tuning me. See if I was in a relationship I would be busy focusing on another person and my attention would be divided. Now I'm not saying that married Christian couples are divided in their attention to God, I'm just saying young men and women need to spend more time getting to know God before considering courting. In addition what is more important getting to know that other person on a relationship basis or becoming the man or woman God desires for you.Everything has its appropriate order and too often in our culture things seem to lose order and priority.
We can also gather from verse 7 that the Apostle Paul was an unmarried man. With that in mind think about the life you read about through the scriptures. Do you read a life of misery and disappointment by never getting married? I beg to differ. I see a man with a passion and a desire for God alone. No matter the cost he fought the good fight of faith all the way to the end. Friends that is counting the cost, realizing in that, that may mean a life of being single.
You know to some measure I still struggle with being single and I believe a lot single Christians do.For me the best part is I don't pace back and forth saying Lord what is going on. I just say Lord in Your time, Your way, I will continue serving You while I wait, and if it be Your will I continue so in the context of marriage if not then I will serve you just as I am now as a man seeking to please you in all I do. In fact as I told someone once God is writing my love story. Once again even in this arena a Christian can find comfort from the Lord. Truly Proverbs 3:5 I take to heart.
Now in verse 9, the Apostle does conclude that if they can't contain themselves that they should marry. Another words if they burn with passion they should get married. For better to marry than to let this passion turn to lust and as we know lust is a sin and well, we know what the wages of sin are( Romans 6:23 ).
As I've shared before I'm quite transparent and I wish to be tonight as well. The Lord has given me such peace in this area, even though to some measure I struggle mainly cause I will be honest I have a desire to be a father and a husband. I can't begin to tell you how much I'd love to have a family, one I could share my love for God and His Word. Even in the context of marriage one can see how it conforms a person to the image of Christ. In it I would continue to learn about unconditional love(agape) and long suffering. Two such qualities the Lord has and continues to shows me. Lord willing if I get married may I be the husband/father who instead of being like the tv dad, I will measure myself daily to the "Standard", Jesus Christ my Lord, my King, and my Saviour.
Brethren I pray this encourages you that if you are single know that it is not punishment, but instead a time of opportunity. Instead of looking at with such thoughts of why me, instead say Lord teach me,guide me, and conform me daily to be more and more like Your Son. Let us see being single as a time of personal growth and not wasted time. I now leave you with these encouraging words from the Apostle Paul.
" Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: "
( Philippians 1:6 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
1 Corinthians 7:7-9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight's passage may or may not be familiar. I would suppose it should be, but not one that is commonly preached or say hey this is the memory verse or verses for the week, but mind this my brethren it does shed to us encouragement as does always His Word. As we who have read this chapter we know the Apostle goes in with great depth to explain the context of marriage. This is not the only area that discusses marriage,but one place I think of when I think of the topic. Now I'm going to dive into the text and I pray this encourages you my brethren. May we not take lightly the Word of God,but instead be good stewards of His Word and be nourished by it daily.
Starting in verse 7 the Apostle Paul states he wishes all men or all people were as he were. Another words for those who are single, this includes me don't see it as a bad thing. I think way too often we use our status to determine how happy we are or what direction our life is going in. Let me tell you all that despite the fact I do deal with the issue of being single sometimes I am actually quite the happy guy. Let me expound on why. The reason being is this I've found the longer I have walked with the Lord that He has me exactly where He wants me. So if I'm single He has a point and with that He is keeping me focused and fine tuning me. See if I was in a relationship I would be busy focusing on another person and my attention would be divided. Now I'm not saying that married Christian couples are divided in their attention to God, I'm just saying young men and women need to spend more time getting to know God before considering courting. In addition what is more important getting to know that other person on a relationship basis or becoming the man or woman God desires for you.Everything has its appropriate order and too often in our culture things seem to lose order and priority.
We can also gather from verse 7 that the Apostle Paul was an unmarried man. With that in mind think about the life you read about through the scriptures. Do you read a life of misery and disappointment by never getting married? I beg to differ. I see a man with a passion and a desire for God alone. No matter the cost he fought the good fight of faith all the way to the end. Friends that is counting the cost, realizing in that, that may mean a life of being single.
You know to some measure I still struggle with being single and I believe a lot single Christians do.For me the best part is I don't pace back and forth saying Lord what is going on. I just say Lord in Your time, Your way, I will continue serving You while I wait, and if it be Your will I continue so in the context of marriage if not then I will serve you just as I am now as a man seeking to please you in all I do. In fact as I told someone once God is writing my love story. Once again even in this arena a Christian can find comfort from the Lord. Truly Proverbs 3:5 I take to heart.
Now in verse 9, the Apostle does conclude that if they can't contain themselves that they should marry. Another words if they burn with passion they should get married. For better to marry than to let this passion turn to lust and as we know lust is a sin and well, we know what the wages of sin are( Romans 6:23 ).
As I've shared before I'm quite transparent and I wish to be tonight as well. The Lord has given me such peace in this area, even though to some measure I struggle mainly cause I will be honest I have a desire to be a father and a husband. I can't begin to tell you how much I'd love to have a family, one I could share my love for God and His Word. Even in the context of marriage one can see how it conforms a person to the image of Christ. In it I would continue to learn about unconditional love(agape) and long suffering. Two such qualities the Lord has and continues to shows me. Lord willing if I get married may I be the husband/father who instead of being like the tv dad, I will measure myself daily to the "Standard", Jesus Christ my Lord, my King, and my Saviour.
Brethren I pray this encourages you that if you are single know that it is not punishment, but instead a time of opportunity. Instead of looking at with such thoughts of why me, instead say Lord teach me,guide me, and conform me daily to be more and more like Your Son. Let us see being single as a time of personal growth and not wasted time. I now leave you with these encouraging words from the Apostle Paul.
" Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: "
( Philippians 1:6 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Pressing Forward! ( Philippians 3:12-14 )
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It occurred to me when I thought about my recent devotionals I mentioned I had not reached perfection. What a concept a person recognizing their short comings,but on the second hand as I'll go into further I do not let it hold me back in my pursuit of conforming myself daily to the image of Christ. The thing is this I truly believe, the genuine believer recognizes their lacking,but neither condones nor says oh well guess this is all I can be. No instead they seek daily to be more and more like Christ. This means daily looking less and less like who they were before Christ. Now what I find amazing is this,there are people that actually in some sense will claim they have reached that "spiritual" high point in their life where they got it going on. I've never really met anyone who actually practices this,but heard of people who claim this and sadly a few who call themselves Christians. That I truly believe is disgusting because I believe the true believer can attest to just as the Apostle Paul did here that perfection does not come this side of heaven. This lack of perfection also does not equivalent to saying a person can lose their salvation. Before I continue may I add eternal life truly holds no value in all honesty if its not eternal. Think if we, can lose it when in fact we never had any part in earning it nor deserve it than what value are we putting on eternal life? Now to the text and I pray this encourages you my brethren.
As it is very clear from this text in verses 12 and 13 the Apostle Paul is very clearly indicating he has hasn't reached the ultimate spiritual high and can say I've made it. No even Paul is declaring he hasn't obtained perfection. What this should today to us Christians instead of putting men on pedal-stools is instead see what he was like us and he wasn't perfect. Now I by no means am saying he wasn't a very special man of God, used in a special way,but I'm just saying we need to watch how we view even the apostles. We need not get a "Catholic view". Think about what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the 11 chapter of his first letter, " Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 ) " While yes he did great evangelistic work for God and the building of the early church, see also in this passage he ultimately was pointing people to Christ. May we not seek so hard after perfection to try to win people, but in stead rely on God. Another passage to consider, " And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.( 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ) " Do you see that the Apostle Paul did not come with fancy speech or enticing words,but instead relied completely on God to establish their faith. He didn't use psychology,no he recognizes his short comings and placed his absolute trust in the power of the Lord.
Another thing we have to see in our lack of perfection is that despite what we lack the Lord will finish the work in which He began( Philippians 1:6 ). So granted this may take a week in some areas of our lives or could be the rest of our lives as in the case of our sanctification. The obvious is most certain the Lord will complete for when the Lord begins a work He finishes it and He is faithful. Let us not forget that. Might I also state as the Hebrews writer clearly notes that He is both the author and and finisher of our faith( Hebrews 12:2 ). This to me, should be of great comfort to us.
Moving on to verse 14, in it the apostle declares despite knowing he hasn't reached perfection he still presses on. Brethren this should be our attitude. No matter how short you feel some days, just dust yourself off and run this race with patience. May you declare boldly as the apostle did that you press towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. May you see the imperfections in your life as motivations to move forward. May your prayers be that you see less of you when you get up each morning and that His Son instead shines forth. Friends may we take on an attitude of starving the flesh and instead feeding our soul. Die to self and live for Him.
In case you didn't know I'm not perfect by any means. I do not say well I'll never will be and give up. No I affix my eyes to heaven and say Lord just give me the strength to run. Remember my brethren it is not by our strength in which we make it day by day,but by Him( Philippians 4:13 ). I heard a man by the name of Ray Vander Laan say this and I agree may we get to the end of life race and say to God that is all I had to give. Don't just give some, a little or a portion, but give it your all.
Brethren I encourage you tonight. Realize that yes we are not perfect and perfection does not come this side of heaven. Now also realize this as well, do not let this give way to allow you to sin just because of your lack of perfection. Instead may it encourage you to press on daily to conform yourself daily to the image of His Son. Don't say I'm just me, instead say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me( Philippians 4:13 ). Be encouraged to know if truly it was Him who began the good work I guarantee not because I'm saying it,but because the Word declares it, He will finish it( Philippians 1:6 ). May I leave you with this word of encouragement from the Apostle Paul,
" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "
( Romans 12:1-2 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Philippians 3:12-14
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It occurred to me when I thought about my recent devotionals I mentioned I had not reached perfection. What a concept a person recognizing their short comings,but on the second hand as I'll go into further I do not let it hold me back in my pursuit of conforming myself daily to the image of Christ. The thing is this I truly believe, the genuine believer recognizes their lacking,but neither condones nor says oh well guess this is all I can be. No instead they seek daily to be more and more like Christ. This means daily looking less and less like who they were before Christ. Now what I find amazing is this,there are people that actually in some sense will claim they have reached that "spiritual" high point in their life where they got it going on. I've never really met anyone who actually practices this,but heard of people who claim this and sadly a few who call themselves Christians. That I truly believe is disgusting because I believe the true believer can attest to just as the Apostle Paul did here that perfection does not come this side of heaven. This lack of perfection also does not equivalent to saying a person can lose their salvation. Before I continue may I add eternal life truly holds no value in all honesty if its not eternal. Think if we, can lose it when in fact we never had any part in earning it nor deserve it than what value are we putting on eternal life? Now to the text and I pray this encourages you my brethren.
As it is very clear from this text in verses 12 and 13 the Apostle Paul is very clearly indicating he has hasn't reached the ultimate spiritual high and can say I've made it. No even Paul is declaring he hasn't obtained perfection. What this should today to us Christians instead of putting men on pedal-stools is instead see what he was like us and he wasn't perfect. Now I by no means am saying he wasn't a very special man of God, used in a special way,but I'm just saying we need to watch how we view even the apostles. We need not get a "Catholic view". Think about what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the 11 chapter of his first letter, " Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. ( 1 Corinthians 11:1 ) " While yes he did great evangelistic work for God and the building of the early church, see also in this passage he ultimately was pointing people to Christ. May we not seek so hard after perfection to try to win people, but in stead rely on God. Another passage to consider, " And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.( 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ) " Do you see that the Apostle Paul did not come with fancy speech or enticing words,but instead relied completely on God to establish their faith. He didn't use psychology,no he recognizes his short comings and placed his absolute trust in the power of the Lord.
Another thing we have to see in our lack of perfection is that despite what we lack the Lord will finish the work in which He began( Philippians 1:6 ). So granted this may take a week in some areas of our lives or could be the rest of our lives as in the case of our sanctification. The obvious is most certain the Lord will complete for when the Lord begins a work He finishes it and He is faithful. Let us not forget that. Might I also state as the Hebrews writer clearly notes that He is both the author and and finisher of our faith( Hebrews 12:2 ). This to me, should be of great comfort to us.
Moving on to verse 14, in it the apostle declares despite knowing he hasn't reached perfection he still presses on. Brethren this should be our attitude. No matter how short you feel some days, just dust yourself off and run this race with patience. May you declare boldly as the apostle did that you press towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. May you see the imperfections in your life as motivations to move forward. May your prayers be that you see less of you when you get up each morning and that His Son instead shines forth. Friends may we take on an attitude of starving the flesh and instead feeding our soul. Die to self and live for Him.
In case you didn't know I'm not perfect by any means. I do not say well I'll never will be and give up. No I affix my eyes to heaven and say Lord just give me the strength to run. Remember my brethren it is not by our strength in which we make it day by day,but by Him( Philippians 4:13 ). I heard a man by the name of Ray Vander Laan say this and I agree may we get to the end of life race and say to God that is all I had to give. Don't just give some, a little or a portion, but give it your all.
Brethren I encourage you tonight. Realize that yes we are not perfect and perfection does not come this side of heaven. Now also realize this as well, do not let this give way to allow you to sin just because of your lack of perfection. Instead may it encourage you to press on daily to conform yourself daily to the image of His Son. Don't say I'm just me, instead say I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me( Philippians 4:13 ). Be encouraged to know if truly it was Him who began the good work I guarantee not because I'm saying it,but because the Word declares it, He will finish it( Philippians 1:6 ). May I leave you with this word of encouragement from the Apostle Paul,
" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "
( Romans 12:1-2 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Friday, September 4, 2009
Are You Slothful Or Fervent For Him ? ( Romans 12:11 )
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Romans 12:11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today as I was driving home I got to thinking about how much zeal people in my major have for biology. Truly it is amazing how much they love their field and I agree if your going into a career you do need to have a passion for it to some degree and not go in for the money. What really prompted my heart so to speak is how much of a zeal they have for their field and they are not the only ones, I've seen others who major in education, math, physics,etc and something really got to me. What I mean by this is and I pray I'm using the correct usage of this word,but I became a bit righteously angry. Let me explain as a biologist you would expect them to be all about biology or a mathematician all about math, so naturally shouldn't a Christian be all about Christ. Well, brethren too often I am discouraged that there are those claiming the label but not showing the passion. This thought was on my mind and as I looked over some scripture it was this one that stuck out. Granted there was others,but this I do believe puts it in plain english and no one can avoid what it says without twisting the text.
Now I'd like to move into the text and I pray it encourages you. Please brothers and sisters know I doing this for your good and for God's glory. Consider this as encouragement and a reminder of how we should be living for Him. Do not think I am in anyway claiming perfection,but instead see a brother whose desire is that himself along with his brethren would grow in their zeal for serving God daily and conforming more and more to the image of Christ.
First off in this verse the Apostle Paul writes not slothful in business. Friends, slothful is one who is lazy,sluggish or idle. From those very characteristics does that sound like what Christ has called us to be. Think about the great commission. Where in that does it say, just wait around and they will come to you. No friends, the great commission is an active call to go out and share the gospel. Granted friends evangelism is but one part of it, it in no way involves one to be lazy for the Word nowhere says that He saves us just to let us sit around. Now granted we are all not preachers or teachers this does not give us cause to become idle,but instead is a call to serve Him in which He has gifted us.
The apostle continues with being fervent in spirit. Is your spirit burning for Him? Is the very reason you wake up for Him? Brethren a fervent spirit burns for Him in such a way in that they are consumed by Him. Let me give an example to expound on what is going through my mind. The other day while at school I walked through a narrow fence gate and immediately Matthew 7:14 came to mind. I thank God for this cause honestly I love how instead of picturing the world through my experiences I examine and view things through His Word. I must ask brothers and sisters is your zeal as the psalmists writes in the 119 psalm, " My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. ( Psalm 119:139,158 ) " Believe me a fervent spirit full of zeal will feel this way and today I can say I experienced it at work.
Last in this verse it says serving the Lord. So as I stated above already that one we are not to be slothful( lazy or idle) when serving the Lord. Two I mentioned we should be fervent in spirit. When you think about the Apostle Paul in a sense contrast two types: active and inactive. Sadly I see and this is the cause of what I pray is me using this term rightly, "righteous anger" the idle Christian. The one who clings to the identity by name and nothing more. They want nothing more than to show up on Sunday, read their bible and that's it. They seemingly don't want to grow or participate. In essence they take Christianity as a spectator sport and I'm here to declare that faith without works is dead. Christ did not save us to become a front row sitting attendant, He called us to be witnesses. Now your serving the Lord does not have to be huge or monumental, but serve Him. Whatever He has gifted you to do,do so with all your heart. Serve Him! Let me ask you this when it says to love the Lord your God with all you are( Deuteronomy 6:5 ) do you believe a lack of obedience is loving Him with all that you are?
Let me give examples of zeal and I do believe we have some examples in scripture of what zeal is. Here are just a few, " For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
( Isaiah 62:1 ). " Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.(Daniel 3:16-18) " I ask do we have this zeal today? Now I am by no means saying I have achieved perfection as I've stated before,but I do believe we should desire this zeal. A zeal to serve God one in which Isaiah, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego clearly display in these passages.
A passage I came across today earlier before writing and one I've read before, not to mention its part of the study I'm doing in Titus speaks on this. Let me include and show you the relevance to tonight's devotional, " Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ( Titus 2:14 ). Notice first this text is the Apostle Paul writing to Titus and here it states that Jesus gave Himself for us( the church, Matthew 1:21 , Ephesians 5:25 ), but notice also what it says at the end of the verse zealous of good works. Friends in no way is Paul teaching of a works based salvation, but instead that the Lord desires zealous people. Think about it brothers and sisters did the Apostles sit around hoping people would come to them to hear about the Lord or were they fervent in spirit, zealous for Him, busy about His business. I'd venture to say a reading of the book of Acts will give a clear indication they were very zealous and granted it did cost them their life,but it didn't matter for as the Lord said, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. ( Matthew 16:25 )"
So brethren I ask this now are you zealous for Him? Do you contend for the gospel or compromise it? ( Proverbs 28:4, Proverbs 23:23 ) Friends zeal doesn't mean you go around quoting scripture and think look at me, but does your life show an outpouring of your love and adoration for Him. Think about the first Christian martyr Stephen. Could you if people were stoning you, ask the Lord to forgive them and lay not their iniquity upon them? Does His Word burn so much in your heart that even if you said I don't want to speak it, you can not help ,but say as did the prophet Jeremiah( Jeremiah 20:9 ).
Brethren I pray this has been an encouragement for you. May you grow in zeal to serve in Him all that you do for Him. As I stated the other night our passion and desire should be for Him alone. I've come to find that while yes I do have other desires as do we all my first and foremost passion and desire is Him. If someone were to ask me what means the most to you above all I would say God. Not because that sounds cliche or cause one could look at my profile and see that. The truth is nothing matters without Him. I know everything I have is because of Him and I've come to understand daily just as Job said, "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. ( Job 1:21 ) " I brought nothing in this world and I know I will bring nothing out,but praise God for everything He has given me. I thank Him everyday for sustaining and upholding me for without Him I would surely fall. So brethren I pray for both you and I that our zeal for Him and to serve Him would only grow daily. May I leave you with some words from the Word for encouragement.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. "
( 1 Corinthians 15:58 )
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. "
Isaiah 6:8
" And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? "
( Luke 2:49 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Romans 12:11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today as I was driving home I got to thinking about how much zeal people in my major have for biology. Truly it is amazing how much they love their field and I agree if your going into a career you do need to have a passion for it to some degree and not go in for the money. What really prompted my heart so to speak is how much of a zeal they have for their field and they are not the only ones, I've seen others who major in education, math, physics,etc and something really got to me. What I mean by this is and I pray I'm using the correct usage of this word,but I became a bit righteously angry. Let me explain as a biologist you would expect them to be all about biology or a mathematician all about math, so naturally shouldn't a Christian be all about Christ. Well, brethren too often I am discouraged that there are those claiming the label but not showing the passion. This thought was on my mind and as I looked over some scripture it was this one that stuck out. Granted there was others,but this I do believe puts it in plain english and no one can avoid what it says without twisting the text.
Now I'd like to move into the text and I pray it encourages you. Please brothers and sisters know I doing this for your good and for God's glory. Consider this as encouragement and a reminder of how we should be living for Him. Do not think I am in anyway claiming perfection,but instead see a brother whose desire is that himself along with his brethren would grow in their zeal for serving God daily and conforming more and more to the image of Christ.
First off in this verse the Apostle Paul writes not slothful in business. Friends, slothful is one who is lazy,sluggish or idle. From those very characteristics does that sound like what Christ has called us to be. Think about the great commission. Where in that does it say, just wait around and they will come to you. No friends, the great commission is an active call to go out and share the gospel. Granted friends evangelism is but one part of it, it in no way involves one to be lazy for the Word nowhere says that He saves us just to let us sit around. Now granted we are all not preachers or teachers this does not give us cause to become idle,but instead is a call to serve Him in which He has gifted us.
The apostle continues with being fervent in spirit. Is your spirit burning for Him? Is the very reason you wake up for Him? Brethren a fervent spirit burns for Him in such a way in that they are consumed by Him. Let me give an example to expound on what is going through my mind. The other day while at school I walked through a narrow fence gate and immediately Matthew 7:14 came to mind. I thank God for this cause honestly I love how instead of picturing the world through my experiences I examine and view things through His Word. I must ask brothers and sisters is your zeal as the psalmists writes in the 119 psalm, " My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. ( Psalm 119:139,158 ) " Believe me a fervent spirit full of zeal will feel this way and today I can say I experienced it at work.
Last in this verse it says serving the Lord. So as I stated above already that one we are not to be slothful( lazy or idle) when serving the Lord. Two I mentioned we should be fervent in spirit. When you think about the Apostle Paul in a sense contrast two types: active and inactive. Sadly I see and this is the cause of what I pray is me using this term rightly, "righteous anger" the idle Christian. The one who clings to the identity by name and nothing more. They want nothing more than to show up on Sunday, read their bible and that's it. They seemingly don't want to grow or participate. In essence they take Christianity as a spectator sport and I'm here to declare that faith without works is dead. Christ did not save us to become a front row sitting attendant, He called us to be witnesses. Now your serving the Lord does not have to be huge or monumental, but serve Him. Whatever He has gifted you to do,do so with all your heart. Serve Him! Let me ask you this when it says to love the Lord your God with all you are( Deuteronomy 6:5 ) do you believe a lack of obedience is loving Him with all that you are?
Let me give examples of zeal and I do believe we have some examples in scripture of what zeal is. Here are just a few, " For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
( Isaiah 62:1 ). " Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.(Daniel 3:16-18) " I ask do we have this zeal today? Now I am by no means saying I have achieved perfection as I've stated before,but I do believe we should desire this zeal. A zeal to serve God one in which Isaiah, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego clearly display in these passages.
A passage I came across today earlier before writing and one I've read before, not to mention its part of the study I'm doing in Titus speaks on this. Let me include and show you the relevance to tonight's devotional, " Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ( Titus 2:14 ). Notice first this text is the Apostle Paul writing to Titus and here it states that Jesus gave Himself for us( the church, Matthew 1:21 , Ephesians 5:25 ), but notice also what it says at the end of the verse zealous of good works. Friends in no way is Paul teaching of a works based salvation, but instead that the Lord desires zealous people. Think about it brothers and sisters did the Apostles sit around hoping people would come to them to hear about the Lord or were they fervent in spirit, zealous for Him, busy about His business. I'd venture to say a reading of the book of Acts will give a clear indication they were very zealous and granted it did cost them their life,but it didn't matter for as the Lord said, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. ( Matthew 16:25 )"
So brethren I ask this now are you zealous for Him? Do you contend for the gospel or compromise it? ( Proverbs 28:4, Proverbs 23:23 ) Friends zeal doesn't mean you go around quoting scripture and think look at me, but does your life show an outpouring of your love and adoration for Him. Think about the first Christian martyr Stephen. Could you if people were stoning you, ask the Lord to forgive them and lay not their iniquity upon them? Does His Word burn so much in your heart that even if you said I don't want to speak it, you can not help ,but say as did the prophet Jeremiah( Jeremiah 20:9 ).
Brethren I pray this has been an encouragement for you. May you grow in zeal to serve in Him all that you do for Him. As I stated the other night our passion and desire should be for Him alone. I've come to find that while yes I do have other desires as do we all my first and foremost passion and desire is Him. If someone were to ask me what means the most to you above all I would say God. Not because that sounds cliche or cause one could look at my profile and see that. The truth is nothing matters without Him. I know everything I have is because of Him and I've come to understand daily just as Job said, "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. ( Job 1:21 ) " I brought nothing in this world and I know I will bring nothing out,but praise God for everything He has given me. I thank Him everyday for sustaining and upholding me for without Him I would surely fall. So brethren I pray for both you and I that our zeal for Him and to serve Him would only grow daily. May I leave you with some words from the Word for encouragement.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. "
( 1 Corinthians 15:58 )
"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. "
Isaiah 6:8
" And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? "
( Luke 2:49 )
Good night and God bless,
John W. Whybrew III <><
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
