“Hear Him!”

Where do you spend most of your time in reading, studying and listening?

If our time is not found in Christ and getting back to reading and studying what He taught, then we are in trouble. It doesn’t make any difference how long we have been saved, we should still be looking at His commands and teachings and following them foremost above all. Studying His life to gain understanding about how to live.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;”

(Heb.1:1-2)

Many today are following man. Man has lots of good things to say and teach, but he is not Christ.

Do you spend more time in reading books that are written by some men than you do in the Gospels? Do you spend more time in listening to some man’s sermons than letting the Spirit minister to you through the very words of Christ? Christ said himself, “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” (Jn.6:63)

Sure there are lot’s of popular Christian book authors out there, and we can gain some wisdom and understanding  by reading an occasional book now and then, but we must not “camp” there. We should take inventory of our time and devotion.

Do you spend more time reading the writings of Mark Driscoll, John Piper or Paul Washer? What about John MacArthur? These men are certainly good teachers, but not The Christ. Yes, called of God and used by God, but not The Christ. Mere Men.

Jesus was more than a man like us. He spoke the very words of God. (Jn.14:10, 24). If this be the case, shouldn’t we be found there? If His words are “spirit and life”, shouldn’t we be partaking in this “spirit and life”?

More importantly, if God said we should “hear him” don’t you think we should?

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!” (Matt.17:5).

Not only are many putting man’s writings and teachings before Christ, but it would appear that they are building “tabernacles” for them just as Peter wanted to do for Elijah and Moses. Christ turned to them and said, “Hear Him!” Basically, don’t worship Elijah and Moses, hear my Son and worship Him.

Even Moses said 1451 years before Christ, “Him you shall hear.” (Deut.18″15)

Also what did God say to Moses? “I will raise up from  them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” (vs.18)

So, the very words of Christ are what God has spoken to us in these last days. There is no need to take up with anything else. By the words of Christ and God’s Spirit, we have all we need. The problem is that many have become too sophisticated.

I will end with a quote by Don Everts (I think he hits it on the head).

“It’s hard to remain focused on Jesus because we have become too sophisticated. The Gospels are so simple and straightforward that we sort of graduate on to Paul (or I might add, Paul Washer, Driscoll or Piper) where the meaty theology lies.”

So it is.

Great is the mystery of godliness

God was manifested in the flesh (1 Tim.3:16).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn.1:1)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14)

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – (1Jn.1:1)

“For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” (1Jn.5:7)

“He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.” (Rev.19:13)

“who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself (through his person) purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Heb.1:3)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.” (Col.1:15)

God has come enfleshed in Jesus. For truly, Great is the mystery of godliness!

Remember Jesus!

“The call to focus on Jesus is a call to life” (a quote from the book “God in the flesh” by Don Everts, InterVarsity Press).

For the past few month’s God is calling me to a deeper, more clearer and more simplified relationship with His Son, Jesus. I am also falling in love with Him like never before.

I am not one that goes around recommending all kinds of books out there to read. I believe that the Bible should be our main book to read and study. If we are not careful, we can spend all our time reading everything but His word and thus be deceived by man and His teachings. So we need to be very careful. I have only read a few books over the years outside of the Bible.

I felt a stirring in my spirit a few weeks ago when I began to search, read and study the life of Jesus in the four Gospels. I sensed that He was going to also lead me to some other books on the subject. Last week during a lunch break, I went over to the book section, and found a book titled, “The greatest words ever spoken” by Steven K. Scott. It is an awesome book that deals only with the words of Jesus. I spent my lunch hour checking it out.

Today, I went by a local book store where I minister out front from time to time. I tried to find this book, but they were all out. However, I found this book, “God in the flesh” and sat down with it for a while. What a fantastic book. If your interested in more about Jesus’ life, I highly recommend it.

Here are just a few quotes from it:

“It’s hard to remain focused on Jesus because we have become too sophisticated. The Gospels are so simple and straightforward that we sort of graduate on to Paul. Where the meaty theology lies.”

“It’s difficult to remain focused on Jesus because we too often give in to a culture that gags on Jesus. Over time we let his name slip from our vernacular. Jesus has always been a stumbling block.” (I might add, so get over it)

“So we become all about Jesus and the end times.” (or I might add, Jesus and the sabbath). “And our curriculum shifts, ever so slightly, away from the person of Jesus. Or maybe it’s Jesus and gifts of the Spirit, or Jesus and the church growth theory, or Jesus and worship styles. It doesn’t matter what specifically we are tempted to focus on, it’s the trying to focus on two things at once that enters us into dangerous ground.”

The Apostle Paul’s writing to the church at Corinth. “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor.2:2) “Paul knew that next to knowing Jesus Christ and him crucified, all else paled in comparison.” “Paul was a simpleton, when it comes right down to it. He wanted to know Jesus. And to know Jesus crucified. In the end nothing else mattered to him.”

Yea Jesus! He’s the best who ever lived! Let’s all get to know him more! We won’t be disappointed!

It’s a mess out there!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that many are on their way to heaven. Jesus said that “few there be that find it” and I can see what he meant.

Based on the percentage of what I see and hear out there, few are on their way. What can I base this on?

Well, I can base it on Jesus and their receptivity to him. He is the one that I share out on the streets. Many snub their nose up at the mention of His name. Many laugh and make fun at Him. Most don’t take it serious. Occasionally, one will smile and make some kind of positive jester.

And of course, the demons rise up every so often. The very mention of the name Jesus brings out the demons. The mention of God usually doesn’t stir up much. But Jesus, that’s a different story.

One brother that I met this week was not convinced that we could know for sure what was God’s plan and purpose for us personally while here on the earth. He believed that we could only go on “I think I know”, but not with certainly. This kind of mentality is why we don’t see things happening as we should out there. The Kingdom of God would be happening on the earth if each believer would seek Him and find out what they were created to do on the earth. But, most are doing their will on the earth, not The Fathers.

And there is something that has never ceased to amaze me. And that is when Jesus is being preached, along comes sister or brother so and so, and they want to stop the preaching and add their two bits to it or correct you. Whatever happened to common courtesy? Or how about letting the message go forth and standing back and praying? You think? (praise God there are those who do, behind the scenes).

Of late, I am running across more and more people that have once walked with Christ, and now have taken up with some far out teaching or religion. His Spirit helps me to remind them that they have knowledge of Christ and will be held responsible for that knowledge.

However, we press on and count it a great privilege to be able to share Jesus out in the open. The good thing is that there will be no excuse on the day when they stand before God alone. They will have had lots of opportunities to hear about Christ. This is His mercy, giving them opportunity time and time again to turn.

If Jesus is truly Lord of your life, then you will be taking every opportunity to share him. If you are obeying His commandment to “love your neighbor as you love yourself” than you will not be stuck on having your own salvation, but will reach out in love to help your neighbor obtain salvation through Jesus. Neighbor means anyone close to you.

One thing I know for sure, and that is that time is short. The harvest is ripe. The labourers are few based on the amount of unsaved people out there. Staying in the church building won’t get the job done. In fact, I don’t see where trying to get them to come to church is the answer. What did Jesus do? He went out.

Understanding the Homeless and Christ also

Lest we forget, remember that Christ was homeless also.

Over the past few years, I have come to a better understanding of the homeless. A good number of my friends are homeless. Like anything else in life, we can’t understand one who is homeless, unless we spend some quality time with them. We have no right to judge them. Why? Because we do not know them and have not listened to their story.

Each one is different and unique. Not all have fallen into addictions that have put them where they are. In all fairness, addictions have led most down the road to homelessness. However, if we are not careful we judge and stop there. I have spent time with some that have not fallen into addictions.

Even if most of the homeless are bound in addictions, what makes them worse off than those who are bound also, but are not homeless? Society and most of the church going, tell us that if we don’t have a job, a car, a home, something is desperately wrong with us. Who set those standards?

How about the person who works 50 to 60 hours a week and cheats on his or her spouse? Or the guy on the 14th floor who is severely addicted to crack? What makes him or her any different than one who is homeless?

Most tend to classify people. God’s word says that, “man looks on the outside appearance, but God looks on the heart”.
After listening to many homeless people over the years, I have found that some have, some of the deepest spiritual insight that one could find.

Part of this, I believe, is that they have walked a road that allows understanding into things that most of us have no clue. Living on the streets gives one a different understanding into life. They rub shoulders with people of all backgrounds, all problems, all kinds of suffering, all kinds of sickness etc. They are far from living life in a “glass bubble”. They experiance real life where the rubber meets the road.

I think there was one who also lived that way? Was his name Jesus?

In closing, I have a suggestion for those who may be reading this and wondering what it must be like to be homeless. You may be trying to understand them, but don’t know where to start.
Suggestion:
Grab a brother or sister, and make up some sandwiches and throw in some homemade cookies (they hardly ever get the real homemade stuff). Head off to the city and pray as to where to go. As you hit the sidewalk,(the open air) ask The Holy Spirit to lead you to someone who is truly homeless and would be willing to share with you. When you find them, sit down (literally) next to them. Give them a sandwich, smile and let God go from there.

Now this is “HUGE”. LISTEN TO THEM!

If it is silent for a period of time. Ask the Spirit as to what to say. Don’t be in a hurry! Ask the Spirit to open your ears and calm your mind. God will bless him or her, and you both. You will walk away with a new understanding on life. Spiritually, you will be enriched.

God bless you as you began to understand the homeless. And not only the “homeless”, but Christ also.

The process of “giving up”

True followers (disciples) of Christ will “take up their cross” and follow Him.

I have noticed and learned in my time here on earth walking with the Lord, that He has and will lead us in a personal “giving up” process. This process, like many processes that He leads us in, will be a life long process.

This giving up process is certainly not for everyone. Many will embark upon this road and will soon find themselves looking back at what they gave up. They will turn back and try and regain what they have lost, only to find out that they will never be able to reclaim all of what they gave up. Their struggle to regain will become one of the fiercest battles they will face. Why is that? Because they fighting against the Lord and his will for their lives.

A very familiar story in the Bible is the one about the “Rich young ruler”
(Mk.10:17-27). This is of course about one who had “great possessions”. However, the story is much deeper than that if one continues on reading to the end of that chapter. If we continue on we will see the true meaning of what Christ was trying to teach here.

In verse 28, after Christ told about the rich young ruler, Peter (one of his disciples) says, “But Lord, we have left all and followed you.” In other words, we are not like this rich guy, but we have given up all for you. Then Christ hits at the real example of “giving up” all to follow him and the gospel.

Verse 29 lists the examples of giving up.
Christ talks about those who have given up “houses”. WHAT! Give up my house?
Then He goes on and lists “family”, such as “brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers.” WAIT! Just a moment! He is certainly not talking literally here!
If that is not enough to swallow. How about a “wife” or “children”? No this can’t be!
He also says, “lands” (or fields as it was in those days). Today this would mean a “business” or if your a farmer, your farm.

And why would one be led to “give up” those that are stated above? Christ has the answer. He says, “for My sake and the gospels”. This would be the only reason that one would be required personally to “give up”.

We should not read this text and say, “Ah, there it is, He is requiring me to give up my “house”, my “sister” etc. No. Christ is listing these as examples of some of the “giving up” that might be required by you personally in this “giving up process”.

Remember, that He started this story with the rich young ruler. He ends it up with his disciples. These are the ones who were called to follow him. A personal calling to follow him will require giving up that which He shows us personally to give up. And it will indeed be a process. A life long process.

So one must ask himself, “do I want to be a follower of Christ?” Why can’t I have all I want in this life and still follow him?
Would this not contradict what Christ taught in the Gospels?

And now a word of encouragement to all those who maybe have found this post a little discouraging.

In verse 30, Christ says that if we do give up that which he is requiring for us to give up, we will receive “a hundred fold more”. When? “in this life!” WOW! That’s good investment! That’s good dividends!

However, I must be honest. Mark’s account of this story says that Christ says, “with persecutions”. Oh, so it’s not going to be easy is it? NOPE!
But, He will give us all that we need to endure the personal road that he has paved for us to walk in. All of what we need is found in Him! We can endure this “process”.

And now for the best news yet!
And in the end, the final reward will be “eternal life” In the end it will be worth it all! Eternal life to all those who have been obedient to the process of giving up all of that which has been required of them. All for following Christ in this life and spreading His Gospel.

Many who think they are going to be first, will be last. But Christ says the “last shall be first”. Those who have given up all shall be first. Sorry, but this flies in the face of today’s teachings about following Christ. It’s best to stay with what Christ taught about following himself. Not what Doctor so in so says. Or this book and that. Stay with what Christ taught and you will not be deceived.

Bless you!

“looking unto Jesus”

What is the “cross” that you bear? It may take time to come to your own personal realization of what your cross to bear is, but in following Christ you will have a cross to bear. And not only to “bear”, but to take it up and follow Him. To follow His example of bearing the cross.

By a “cross”, I do not mean something in our life that comes and goes such as little aches and pains. Little difficulties that we all have in life is not our cross in which we are called to bear. A cross that was given to us, was not something that we sought out to find one day.

It was given to us by God, by no choice of our own. It was personally designed for us to bear. Why? So that through it we would become all that God has and wants for us while on this earth. This would be a pain, a burden, something tangible for us to continually take to His cross and there die to it daily, or in some cases, moment by moment.

It is easy for us to look at someone else and see their cross in life. Some are very obvious for all to see. Others are mainly unseen to outsiders. Does one persons cross carry more weight than others? Good question isn’t it?

However, we only get to walk in our shoes in this life. We can only truly relate to what we have experienced. What we have gone through. This is why it is such a blessing when we come across someone that has gone through similar circumstances as we have. And I say here, “similar”. That is because, each cross may be very similar, but it is still very different. Why? Because each person is different. Each circumstance is different. Each cross is different.

God knows us way better than we know ourselves. He alone knows what we can handle in life. He also knows, that in what stage of life could we handle this cross. We may have gone years and years in our life with no real cross to bear. Life up to this point has been relatively easy and good. Oh, there has been some real difficulties, some real challenges to face and overcome, but when “the cross” comes, it out weigh all previous crosses that we thought were tough.

This morning when I was thinking about my cross, I was blessed to have God encourage me with his word. In time of need, there is nothing like His Word and Spirit to uplift us and give us the strenght to carry on.

God gave us his Son for many reasons. I would think that they would be countless if we tried number them. But one good reason is that He alone was our example to us who are in this flesh. He also lived on this earth and lived in this flesh. He knows better than anyone else, what “cross bearing” is like. Why? Because he is “the cross bearer”.

He yells out at this moment, “come unto me all ye” that have crosses to bear! “place them upon me!”

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” (Heb.12:1). If we are temped to take out the violin and start a “pity party”, we must go to the scriptures and check out those who have gone on before us. Hebrews the 11th chapter is a good place to start.

“let us lay aside every weight,”. Every care, every concern, every burden and every cross.

“and the sin which so easily ensnares us,”. Any and every sin must go, if we are to go forward in this life. Why? Because it “ensnares” us. It traps us. It ties us up and we are soon in bondage again. We are to “lay” them all aside at the feet of “The cross of Jesus”.

“and let us run”. Wow! Now that we have done all of the above, we can “run”. The weight has been taken off. No longer a back pack full of bricks.

“with endurance the race that is set before us”. Christ alone gives us the endurance. We all have a personal “race” set before us. A personal course that includes a cross. A cross that we are called to “take up” and follow Him. (12:1)

And now for the key!
“looking unto Jesus, the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured (where have we seen that word before?) the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (12:2)

Here is our example! Jesus The Christ! Author and finisher of our faith!

How did He “endure” the cross? How are we to “endure” the cross?
Through “the Joy” that is set before us!
Father increase the Joy! We must have this “Joy” to be able to “endure” this cross!
The true joy that we will someday sit at Jesus’ feet at God’s throne. That’s joy unspeakable and full of glory!
Amen!

The Sin Offering

I can’t escape the subject of “Sin”. Ever since I received Christ many years ago, I have always been led of the Lord to read, study and teach on the subject of sin. It is like something that you can’t run from nor escape from. It is always there. Over the years some have made the comment to me, “you are always talking about sin”. All I can reply is, “sorry, it is part of what God has called me to”. Others may have similar subjects that they are always talking or studying about. We must follow that which God has placed upon our hearts.

A few weeks ago, I was impressed with the thoughts of “sacrifices”, “blood”, “sin” etc. So I once again looked at these subjects in scripture. After studying for a few days, I remembered that I had a book on these subjects. About two years ago, a brother had sent us two copies of a book that he had written. They were pre-production/evaluation copies. I will soon contact him to see if it is in print now. An excellent book on the “Shadows” of the Old Testament which leads to Christ.

In this book the author writes about “The Sin Offering”.
THE SIN OFFERING (Leviticus Chapter Four)
“The Psalmist wrote, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psa.51:5) He was referring to the fact that when Adam fell in the beginning the human race fell because Adam was the human race. Since then all of his seed, and that includes us, are sons of Adam, born in sin. We have a sin nature. This is what Sin Offering was about.”
“The Sin Offering was not primarily dealing with specific offenses against one’s neighbor. That was handled with the fifth offering, the Guilt Offering. The Sin Offering was how the sinner agreed with God that he had a root problem, he was born in sin and his relationship with God was damaged.”
“In contrast the Guilt Offering was more focused on the specific damages done by sin to one’s neighbor. The Sin Offering dealt with sin’s root and the Guilt with sin’s fruit. The Sin Offering said, “I am wrong.” The Guilt Offering said, “I did wrong.”
“Even the high priest of Israel had to offer Sin Offerings for himself before he could offer the Sin Offering for the nation on the annual Day of Atonement. The only person ever born without the contamination of sin was the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why he was virgin born. The sinful seed of Adam was not in his DNA.”

“The Sin Offering was how man agreed with God about his sinful condition and by faith found forgiveness and pardon. One clear distinction of the Sin Offering from all other offerings was that after the inner parts were offered on the altar, the rest of the animal was taken outside of the courtyard to a place that was made ceremonially clean. There it was consumed on a simple wood fire. The Sin Offering dealt with the nature of sin. As an abomination to the holiness of God, it was taken out of his presence and consumed outside the camp.”

“Jesus was our Sin Offering. He paid for our sin, our sin nature. He fixed what was broken. He didn’t die in the Temple on the great altar which was on the temple grounds but was taken outside the temple and died in a desolate place.”

“The New Testament makes a very clear statement about our sin nature and the Sin Offering. The Old Testament sin offering was a clear shadow of Christ, God’s lamb, who came to die in our place as the final and only acceptable Sin Offering to God the Father.”
Amen

Jesus Christ was not his name

Jesus was his name. He didn’t have a last name like we do. Christ was his title.

I came across this as I was once again studying about Jesus the Christ.

I have known God through Christ for quite a few years now. However, I cannot get enough of studying about Christ. I don’t think any of us can. Once you think you have learned most of what there is to learn about Him, bam you discover more. He is The Word, and just like it, it is ever new and alive. It doesn’t matter how many years we have looked into it. He is new every day!

Back to Jesus Christ. “Jesus” in the Hebrew means, “Salvation”. The literal meaning means “Savior”. This goes along with Matthew 1:21. “And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Sounds like salvation to me! Salvation from sin!

The Greek word “Christ” is “Christos”. It means, “Messiah” which means, “The Anointed One”.

This helps us when sharing Jesus as The Christ. The Messiah, The Anointed One.

What about, “Christ Jesus?”

The Anointed One who brought Salvation? The Anointed One who is The Savior from sin?

I am using these meanings/names out there on the streets. I believe they are powerful.

God bless you!

Warning! Take inventory with Christ!

This morning my heart was stirred with the need to warn the Body of Christ, that they need to take inventory of their own relationship with Christ.

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip”(or drift away from them).
“For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Heb.2:1:3)

The words, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;”. This rings in my spirit because, hardly a day goes by when I am out and about when I hear people all around saying that there is many ways to God. This “great salvation” is Jesus Christ! None other! “No other name that we can be saved by”

It is high time that we wake up ourselves and take inventory of Christ in us. Do we believe 100% that Christ is “The Truth?” Do we believe in what He said in John 14:6? that “no man comes to the Father, except through me?”

Do you know that the Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion in the world? Do you believe that it is false?
I believe that the greatest persecution to the true church in the near future is going to come from the Muslims.

Don’t think for one minute that it is not working on those around you. Those at work, your neighbors, your family etc. because it is. It’s high time to wake up and get out of your “church box”, and take a look around.

I have a lady at work who once walked with Christ, now she is a Muslim. She wares the head scarf the whole time. She is a white women.

Last week the Lord led me to a young girl, about 16 or 17. She was talking about the “Quran” and trying to convince me as to what it said.
The young generations are buying into it as “truth”.

A few weeks ago, I was sharing Christ as The Only Way, and a man started shouting “Allah is the way”. This went on for about five minutes intil I move on.

False ways to God are growing everyday. Our “tolerant” motto here in America is even effecting believers in Christ. It is causing them to keep quiet everywhere they go. “Oh we don’t want to offend other’s” “We need to accept all religions” “Be tolerant of everything”

Well guess what. The devil is working overtime on believers. He is getting them to consider the worlds ways and teachings. It is having a bigger influence on us than we care to consider.

It’s WAKE UP TIME!

Those of us who believe in Christ and teach that He is The Only Way to The Father, need to stand up and be counted for. Start speaking “The Truth in love”.

Guess what? The Truth will offend. There is no way to escape it. Take a look at Christ’s life here on earth. Did he offend people with his teaching of The Truth? Sure he did.

It’s not that we set out in a given day to offend people. No. But if we share Christ and share that He is the only way to The Father, believe me the devils will rise up in people if you do.

I see it all the time when I am on a street corner preaching Christ. Just last week, I was sharing Christ and The Spirit was really moving, people were listening, there was a holy hush in the air, even though it was busy and people were at lunch rushing here and there. All of a sudden, this man stops across the street on his bicycle and starts yelling at me. Of course, I didn’t stop. Soon off he went, in the name of Jesus.

So let us take inventory of our own lives. Is Christ number one? Do I believe that he is the “Messiah?” Do I believe all that the scriptures say about Him? Or do I have doubt? Do I doubt His Word? Is it the Word of God? Or are other books just as good, just as inspired?

Because of what’s coming upon the earth in the near future, we best get closer to Christ and his teachings. If not, we too will “slip away” into some other teaching and begin to believe that there are other ways. You can count on it, if you do.

May God help us all