Month: April 2022

Support Missionaries & Evangelists

Support Missionaries & Evangelists

We should always be hospitable to and support fellow Christians, especially those who have served as missionaries and traveling evangelists.  The Bible tells us that we should aspire to become fellow workers for the Kingdom of God.

. . . because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.  (3 Joh 1:7-8 NKJV)  We should receive fellow Christians and missionaries into our homes as a way of supporting them.  The Word says that by doing this, we may become fellow workers.

Here is the same verse in the New International Version:

It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.  (3 Joh 1:7-8 NIV)

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.  (Phil 4:3 NIV)  This verse is appealing to a Philippian friend to help and support the women who labored in furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Hospitality is one way of doing this.  Another way was to befriend these women and stay in relationship with them. 

As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.  (2 Cor 8:23 NIV) 

All of these Scriptures remind us to be hospitable and supportive of all those who preach the Word and share the Good News of Jesus with the unsaved.  When we obey these verses, we reap blessings upon ourselves and our families.  Pray for, encourage, and help those who are missionaries and evangelists.  God will reward you and credit you as co-laborers with them.  Now that is good to hear!

Established by God

Established by God

Did you know that the Bible tells us that God is the One who establishes us?  What does establish mean?  It means to make firm or stable; to cause to grow and multiply; to confirm, make fast, strengthen.  Wow!  That’s a great promise!

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  (2 Thes 3:3 NKJV, underscoring added)  This verse promises that not only will God establish us, but He guards us from the evil one.  Thank the Lord!

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  (Ps 121:7 NIV)  This verse says that the Lord will keep us safe.

God is the one who establishes us with you in Christ and who anointed us.  (2 Cor 1:21 CEB)  This verse is again speaking about establishing God’s people. 

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  (Rom 14:4 ESV)  This Scripture says that the Lord is able to make His servant stand, or to establish that servant.  God is so praiseworthy!

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.  (2 Thes 2:16-17 NKJV, emphasis added)  This passage again mentions that God shall not only establish us, but He will comfort our hearts.

We serve a loving and faithful God who fulfills His promises.  Remember, whenever you are feeling vulnerable or ineffectual, that God is working for you, through you, and with you to establish you.  Glory to God!

Stay in the Love of God

Stay in the Love of God

There are practical ways to stay spiritually strong despite the enemy’s efforts to destroy our faith.  We will stay strong if we remain focused on God’s love for us and continue to do His will.  John 15:10 reminds us that we will abide in His love if we keep His commandments.

Let’s read God’s Word on this topic:

. . . keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  (Jude 1:21 NKJV)

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”  (Joh 14:21 NKJV)

. . . and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.  (Rom 5:5 NIV)

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?  (1 Joh 3:16-17 NIV)

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  (1 Joh 4:16 NIV)

Our God is love.  His love is perfect, endless, and unfailing.  When we’re secure in the knowledge of God’s love, we then can trust in His goodness and mercy.  God manifests Himself in various ways to people who trust Him and are sure of His love for them.  He hears and answers their prayers; he surrounds them with favor and protection; and He fights for them.

God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  Because of the reality of this truth, we are enabled to reach out in love and mercy to help others.  This also motivates us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who are lost and hurting. In whatever way that we are able, we are called and given the gift of grace to show God’s love to all whom we encounter.  In so doing, we share the love of God and shine forth the light of God’s goodness into the world and remain in the love of God.  God bless you.

We’ve Been Warned by the Word

We’ve Been Warned by the Word

We’ve been warned by God’s Word that there are evil times coming upon the earth.  These Scripture verses are all related to what is commonly referred to as “the end times.”  But what should we, the followers of Jesus Christ, be doing in this season?

First, let’s read some of these end times verses:

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.  5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?  (2 Thes 2:3-5 NKJV) 
There will come a time when Christian churches and the people in them may fall away from their faith in Christ.  The person known as the Antichrist will be revealed.  This will usher in the Day of the Lord which will begin a 7-year tribulation period, when God’s righteous wrath shall fall upon the world.  At the same time, the function of the Holy Spirit as the One who holds back evil shall come to an end. 

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.  (Dan 7:25 NIV) 
In a world where almost every semblance of righteousness has been removed, the man of sin will be revealed—that man of lawlessness who is the son of destruction, also known as the Antichrist.  This evil being will blaspheme the Lord and will also continuously persecute and vex any human beings who identify themselves as followers of Jesus.

The important point for us to remember is that the wrath of God is not intended for Christians who love the Lord and obey His Word.  Presently, the world’s evil is being restrained by the prayers of the righteous and the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

We have the serious task of engaging in the work of the Lord until the Lord Jesus comes to take us to be with Him.  We need to spend time in studying the Word in order to deepen our faith.  Let’s continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.  We are called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who are lost in their sins so that we may rescue them from an eternity of torment and pain.  And more importantly, as we lead others to Christ, we will be opening for them the path to eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ wherein is unity, harmony, and everlasting love.  Hallelujah!

Mercy, Peace & Love be Multiplied

Mercy, Peace & Love be Multiplied

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.  (Jud 1:2 NKJV)

Take another look at that verse!  The Holy Spirit chose to intensify the blessings of mercy, peace and grace by using the word multiplied.

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.  (Rom 1:7 NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.  (2 Pet 1:2 NIV)

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.  (Gal 6:15-16 NKJV)

MERCY means:  1) compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm; 2) compassion, kindness or goodwill towards the miserable and afflicted.  Mercy is when God decides not to punish us for our sins and wrongdoings.

PEACE means:  1) freedom from disturbance; tranquility; 2) to experience tranquility, harmony, and agreement.  Psalm 7:11 (NKJV) says, God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.  But the Lord is not angry with believers.  Jesus has purchased reconciliation and peace between believers and God.  This is the peace that Jesus promised in John 14:27 (NKJV):  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  This is the peace that Jesus experienced in the core of His own pain and suffering that He shares with us.

LOVE:  agape, Greek agapē, in the New Testament; the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God. In Scripture, the transcendent agape love is the highest form of love.  This kind of love is not based on performance or precision; it flows from the pure heart of God.  This is a miracle-working type of love that has been given to us through faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.  It’s the most selfless and generous form of love we can imagine. 

Jude begins his letter by praying this triad of blessings on all believers:  Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.  (Jud 1:2 NKJV)  And he prayed for these blessings to be multiplied to us.  He desires these blessings to come upon each believer in waves of blessings.  He wants these blessings to flourish, proliferate, and be magnified in our lives—that they exceedingly abound!   The blessings of God are found in His mercy, His peace, and His love— which are all revealed through His Son and extravagantly imparted to us by the Spirit.  Glory to God!

Blessed through Abraham

Blessed through Abraham

The followers and servants of Jesus Christ are blessed through Abraham.  This includes all of us who are Christians.

Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.  (Heb 11:12 NKJV)  This verse is referring to Abraham, known as the “father of faith” and honored for his obedience to God.

I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed . . . (Gen 26:4 NIV)  The Lord is speaking to Abraham in this verse.

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”  (Hos 1:10 NIV)  All who believe in Jesus Christ are considered to be spiritual children (offspring) of Abraham.

You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven and brought them into the land
which You had told their fathers to go in and possess.  (Neh 9:23 NKJV)  God has fulfilled His many promises to multiply the descendants of Abraham exponentially.

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  (Gal 3:13-14 NKJV)  Every promise of blessing that was given to Abraham belongs to every follower of Jesus Christ.  Christians are redeemed from every curse through Jesus.

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.  (Gal 3:7 NIV)  Those of us who have active faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord are called by the Lord “children of Abraham.”  Yes, we are blessed!

Pray for the Increase of Evangelism

Pray for the Increase of Evangelism

As believers and followers of Jesus, we’re called to pray for the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spread over all of the earth. 

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you . . .  (2 Thes 3:1 NIV)  Pray for your Pastor and the missionaries that your church supports that God will bless and prosper their work.  Pray also for the family of your Pastor and the families of the missionaries that you support.

. . . for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.  (1 Cor 16:9 NIV)  Remember that there are spiritual opponents and challengers who stand against the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But the Bible reminds us that God has given us the victory.  It is part of our calling to pray for that victory to be manifested in every evangelistic outreach.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Cor 15:57 NKJV)

But the word of God increased and multiplied.  (Ac 12:24 NIV)  By the grace and mercy of God, our prayers can turn a situation around by faith in Jesus.

. . . therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  (Mt 9:38 NIV)  Ask the Lord in your prayers to send out more evangelists so that His good news of salvation may bring about the end-time harvest.

Of course, we should pray for our unsaved relatives and friends to be saved.  It’s a measure of our love for them that we desire to pray for their salvation.  Remember what the Bible tells us: If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (Joh 15:7 NIV)  Rejoice!

Do We Have Ears that Hear?

Do We Have Ears that Hear?

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. (Mk 4:23 NKJV)

He who has ears to hear, let him hear!  (Mt 11:15 NKJV)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  (Rev 2:29 NKJV)

The Scriptures talk about people having “ears to hear” quite a bit.  What can that mean to us as believers?

Do you know that God is always speaking to His people?  And our relationship with our Savior is based, as any true relationship is, upon communication! 

To quote Kris Vallotton (Bethel Church, Redding, CA), “Communication is probably the single greatest vehicle of any relationship.”  Prayer is part of our communication with God and listening for His voice is the other part of that two-way communication.  It is our responsibility to do the listening!  Pay attention because the Lord’s voice will often be quiet and unobtrusive. And He may speak to you in ways that you don’t recognize.

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.  (1 Kgs 19:11-12 NKJV, emphasis added) 

The wonderful thing about God is that He may use various ways to communicate with us.  He uses the Scriptures to communicate clearly with us, but he may also use any of these other methods as well. 

  • Visions:  The Lord may give us visions which are simply images and concepts that play upon the screen of our imagination within our minds.  Visions frequently require interpretation.  So, when the Holy Spirit uses this method to communicate, we need to ask Him to clarify the meaning of the vision.  (See Acts 2:17-18)
  • The still, small voice of the Lord:  This can be perceived as a transient thought, an abrupt but strong impression, or an inner perception of a message from the Lord.  (See 1 Kgs 19:11-13)
  • Creation:  The very creation that God made speaks to us of His power, strength, creativity, provision, and beauty.  Pay attention to any message that the Lord may give you through His creation.  For me, when I was a brand-new believer, I was asking the Lord to show me His love.  I was out with my fiancé driving on a country road.  I kept looking at the beautiful sky above me that was just full of large, puffy, billowy clouds as far as the eye could see in EVERY direction.  As I was observing those clouds, a church song came into my heart in which the chorus includes the phrase:  Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love!  (Song Wonderful Peace, lyrics by Warren D. Cornell, music by W. George Cooper – 1889) 
    The Lord used nature to communicate His great love for me with the image of fathomless billows of love that were demonstrated to me by the huge, billowing clouds before my own eyes—as far as the eye could see in every direction.  To this day, 50 years later, I have never forgotten that message from the Lord that was just for me.  I cherish it.
  • Circumstances:  God is able to speak to us and to direct us through the circumstances of our lives.  He can open doors of opportunity, or close them, as a way of directing us.  However, we can easily misread a blockage that has been erected by the enemy and think that it is God directing us.  But we would be wrong.  Consequently, we should always seek wise counsel from our Pastor and from other mature believers whom we know very well, and who know us.  Also, we must ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us about every step we need to take in our lives.

So, look back upon your life and recall the times when God used any of these various methods to speak to you or to direct you.  Or, you may have a new example of how God communicated something to you.  But the important thing to recognize is that there is communication flowing in your relationship with the Lord.  Thank and praise the Lord for it! When you can receive such communication from God and ACT UPON IT, then you can be assured that you DO have ‘hearing ears’!  God bless you.