Fanning the Flame

In the midst of tribulation, The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…. (Romans 12:10-12)
In other words, stoke The fire of the holy spirit. Despite the persecution, the fellowship of the church the body of Christ binds us together in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

The world stands against the truth of the Word of God. Men of God are called to lead their families in the love of God. According to 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to see that my children walk in truth.

The world and the popular culture, influenced by the god of this world, has marginalized men in our society. The most-used adjective to describe men today is the word “toxic.” They say the term “toxic masculinity” is redundant…. What other type of masculinity is there? However, the word of God says, God has called men of God to stand for the truth of His world…. Our righteousness is not in our own ability, but in the power of the holy spirit.

Salvation is both a one time event and also an ongoing practice…. This is why Philippians 2:12 says, work out your own salvation, your wholeness, your ongoing redemption, with fear and reverence…. With awe, respect, and love of God. Maintaining our vertical relationship in fellowship with God is ongoing… it is taking action intentionally, and purposefully moment by moment to deliberately and lovingly walk with the Lord.

As Men of God, our responsibility is our response to God’s ability. Following after Christ, growing in the love of God, and fanning the flame of the Holy Spirit is based on Influencers’ five foundational truths. The first is Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. Second, the word of God truth. Therefore, the Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice. The third is, We are men of prayer. Fourth, we link together with likeminded believers. Fifth, we give it away.

Paul said, quench not the spirit. Sin will quench the spirit of God. Sin separates our heart from God’s heart…. Sin focuses on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Sin puts the desires of the flesh over the desires of the spirit of God in Christ. To turn from sin is to return to our Lord Jesus Christ.

If our concept of God is that he is a hard taskmaster whose purpose is to condemn us when we sin, then we will fall away from the grace, mercy, and love of God. The parable of the talents is an illustration of the steward who was motivated by fear instead of love.

God will make a way to return to fellowship… to realign our hearts with His heart. Psalm 51 is the record of David’s repentance and restoration after he had fallen into sin. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake.

Matthew 12 says, a battered reed he will not break off until in his name the gentiles will put their hope. The battered reed and a dimly burning wick he will not extinguish. Even though the flame of the Holy Spirit may flicker and smolder, God will not allow his Holy Spirit to be extinguished…. Until he sends forth his judgement to victory and until the Gentiles put their trust in him.

It’s easy to be discouraged by the world and the trials and tribulations that surround us. However, God makes a way of deliverance where the world seems bleak and hopeless…. For there has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to all men. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it.

For even when we sin and break fellowship with God, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Life is a series of choices. God himself is pro-choice…. Given the choice between life and death, choose life. As Joshua said after he had led the children of Israel into the promised land, Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve, as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.

Serving the Lord from a heart of love, fans the flame of the Holy Spirit. As we work out our salvation with awe, reverence, respect, and love of God… as we quench not the Holy Spirit of promise, then the next verse, Philippians 2:13 says… it is God who worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.

God will respond when we cry out to him. Jesus said, ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.

Psalm 133 says, how good and pleasant it is that my people walk in unity…
It’s important to assemble together as the called of God, his church… like minded men standing together to fan one another’s flame in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Lord Give us men…. Men who are living epistles of salt and light to all they meet… men who are known to have spent time with you…. Men of faith and action who have you as their passion and reason for living.. even though these men are few, these men choose to decrease that you may increase.
Lord Give us Men…. Men who give their lives to you in total abandonment and absolute trust..
Lord, make me a man like this among men like this that together we may ever live to glorify you.

Fanning the flame, quenching not the Holy Spirit of God in Christ in us that we may together shine as lights in a world of darkness, to the praise of the glory of thy grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Why Did Jesus Suffer?

There is a lot of suffering in this fallen world. Much of the suffering is a result of pride. When our prideful nature is offended, the world indoctrinates us to think that the suffering that results, violates our human right not to be offended.

However, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Why is God opposed to pride? Pride keeps men from accepting Jesus as Lord. Pride says, I don’t need God…. I can do it on my own. I am the master of my own destiny and the captain of my own soul.

Pride goeth before a fall.. 2 Timothy 3 says that in the last days, men shall be lovers of their own selves… covetous, boastful, and proud. The devil will trick us to think that others are selfish but we are not…. That I’m good but those areound me think evil continually.

In contrast to the world’s prideful, egotistical, self seeking, and self serving power grab, Jesus said in the first Beatitudes, blessed are the poor in spirt, the mournful, meek, lowly and humble of spirit. To come to Jesus on his terms, we must forsake our pride…. We must empty ourselves of our selfish selves.

Proverbs 21:17-19 says sin is revealed by things that God hates: These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

What great commandment excludes selfishness? Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. Love is the solution to selfishness because it honors God by serving others with the same love wherewith God has loved us.

The world celebrates individual achievement. In sports, the receiver who catches the touchdown celebrates himself… he puts one one the scoreboard to call attention to himself and raise the value of his own “Image, name, and likeness.” However, like a winning sports team, discipleship is a team effort… we have been called to the body of Christ to serve one another in love.

Jesus Christ himself is The example of giving our lives in service to others. Philippians 2 says….. he emptied himself and became obedient to his Father even unto the death of the cross…. God opposes the proud and gives grace to those who are humble, broken and contrite.

King David repented of committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband Uriah. He prayed, purge me with hyssop. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Philippians 2:5-11 continues the theme of humility: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Humility does not mean to wallow in self pity, victimhood, and the “woe-is-me” syndrome. Humility is not guilt, shame, or doubt. Humility does not proceed from a heart that spews forth by criticizing, condemning,and complaining.

Humility means to submit myself under the mighty hand of God in meekness so that God can lift me up.

A man of God sins less but is not sinless. God gives us a way when we fall to return to the narrow way… for when we sin, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and forgive us from all unrighteousness.

Salvation is not of ourselves…. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It’s not about you…. It’s all about him…. Truth humbles our sinful flesh so that we can empty ourselves of our selves. Then we can come to God empty handed to be filled with his Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Christ, God has given us the full measure of faith… for ye are complete in him. His gift of Holy Spirit is the new nature he gave us when we were born again of his spirit. Being born again not of corruptible seed (biological seed inherited from Adam) but by incorruptible (seed) by the word of God with liveth and abideth forever.

Then once we have been born again of God’s seed, the spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God. Prayer is believing by aligning our hearts with God’s heart and his will with our will, and his desire with our desire. Prayer in meekness and humility unleashes God’s power in our lives. When we work out our own salvation with awe, respect, reverence and love, then God will work in and through us to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane…. God if there be any other way, take away this cup away from me… this cup of wrath, separation, and the sin of the world. Then Jesus concluded his prayer, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.

The Garden of Gethsemane is the garden of the olive press…. Jesus was in such anguish and pain that the sweat of his brow poured down as if it were mingled with great drops of blood…. He was being crushed by the weight of the sin of the world…. The weight of separation from his Heavenly Father in death…
How could any man bear up under such pressure? The answer to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden is in Hebrews 12: Jesus Christ for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God.

Tribulation and pressure reveals the essence of God’s character…. When you squeeze the fruit, the essence of the fruit pours out…. On the cross, Jesus Christ shed his precious innocent blood and took upon himself God’s righteous judgement for our sins.

According to Isaiah 53:4-6, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Through Jesus Christ’s suffering on our behalf, we who are born again, were made the righteousness of God in him…

That we may live to the praise of the glory of God’s grace,
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Why Suffering?

Americans think that suffering is meant to be avoided at all cost. We have been taught that our right as Americans is the pursuit of happiness, and that suffering is contrary to our right to be happy. However, according to Romans 5, tribulation, (trials, pressure and suffering) produces patience, and then patience experience (God’s tried and proven character.) The trials of life reveal God’s character within us. The patience to bear up under pressure is in the Lord. God will deliver us by the fire, through the fire or in the fire. For the crucible, the melting pot is for silver, and the furnace for Gold, but God tries and proves the heart by his refining fire. Then when he teaches us through trials and reveals his character within us, experience makes us not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Jesus said, in this world you will have tribulation, pressure, trials and trouble… but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world. In the book of Acts the leaders of the city arrested Peter and John and said, “we command you not to speak in the name of Jesus.” Then Peter said, “if we don’t speak, then even the rocks will cry out…. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Paul said to his son in the faith Timothy, “the world will persecute you to silence you… to stop you from preaching the gospel of truth.” Jesus said in the last beatitude, “blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.”

Americans who read this verse have not experienced this type of persecution in the last three hundred years. In years past, Christianity in America was considered honorable and exemplary. However, lately, to be identified as a conservative evangelical Christian is considered an insult…. The popular culture has denigrated and ridiculed Christians, characterizing them as “puritanical,” close minded, intolerant, and hateful.

However, the Apostle Paul said, “abhor, (hate, despise, and detest) that which is evil…. Instead, cling to that which is good.” The context of this verse is to let the love of God be genuine…. Without false pretenses. Then Paul said, recompense to no man evil for evil. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

According to Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest, there are some loads we must learn to bear. Those who do us the most good are not those who sympathize with us… they are the ones who challenge us to rely on God as our power, our refuge and strength. We think that God calls us to be useful to gain glory and honor for ourselves because of his power… however, let tribulation have her perfect work, for when we have endured the pressure we will glory in tribulation also… For when ye endure trials, tribulation yields patience and ultimately patience will reveal her perfect work… that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

The apostle Paul learned this lesson the hard way. He had been beaten, scourged with a cat-o-nine tails…. Whipped with a scourge that had metal and bone imbedded in the cords that tore the flesh away from his body. He had been shipwrecked and thrown overboard. He had been stoned and left for dead. He had been thrown into prison for preaching the word of God. Paul prayed, Lord, Please take this thorn from my flesh… I can do a much better job for you Lord if you remove this pain and suffering. Paul earnestly prayed this prayer three times. Two times God did not answer this prayer. The third time, God answered, but it was not the answer that Paul expected. God said to Paul, My strength is made perfect in thy weakness, my grace is sufficient for thee.

This is the example of Jesus Christ himself. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed in agony, Lord If there be any other way, please take this cup of wrath, judgement and the sin of the world away from me. Jesus prayed this prayer three times. Then he concluded his prayer, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.

Prayer is not aligning God’s will with my will. Instead, prayer is aligning my will with God’s will. How did Jesus conform his will with his Father’s will? The context of Jesus’ prayer in the garden does not answer this question. However, the Bible is its own best commentary. Hebrews 12 gives us the answer to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus Christ who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is set down upon the right hand of the throne of God. God revealed to his son, the joy of your salvation and mine. His Joy was in 2 Corinthians 5:20…. He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him. Jesus’ joy was the mission for which his Father called him…. the redemption of those who would accept him as Lord and Savior.

Through the pain and suffering of this world, God will bring us to our knees…. He will break our hearts for what breaks his. He will teach us through his refining fire the true meaning of hope and love and reveal what really matters… his character within us, Christ in us the hope of glory….

…that we may love God above all, to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Which Jesus?

Christians in Every nation for the last three hundred years have suffered persecution. The only exception is the United States. It’s easy to lose heart and become disheartened about the recent state of affairs in America. In days gone by, it was an advantage in American society to be considered a Christian. However, today, the popular culture has relegated Christians to despised, intolerant, unenlightened second-class citizens. Christians used to be praised and revered. Today Christians are humiliated, ridiculed and dismissed.

If America finds herself far from God, who moved? There are paradoxes in the word of God… from God’s perspective the world is upside down. Men call good evil and evil good. When God reveals the light of truth, then those who have eyes to see can flee from the darkness of this world to pursue the light of Christ. When we are born again of God’s spirit, he will open the eyes of our spiritual understanding so that we can perceive the from God’s heavenly perspective.

What men meant for evil, God meant for good. When a nation does not kneel voluntarily in reverence to the Lord, God allows the troubles, trials, and tribulation of this world to bring a nation to its knees. In God’s time, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.

Following after the Lord Jesus Christ is a choice…. It is an deliberate, intentional, and purposeful act of will. You choose what you love. What is it that you love the most? We love what pleases us. When we love God above all, our greatest desire is to please the Lord and do that which is acceptable… well pleasing unto Him.

James said, whoever doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed… for a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. However, he that doeth the will of the Lord, happy is he. When we deliberately delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.

It’s easy to fall away from the path that God has prepared for us to walk according to his divine design. When we are distracted and stray from the straight path… when we deviate into “Bypass Meadow”, how do we get back into the way of the Lord? As Paul said in Romans 7, That which I would, I do not do, and that which I would not do, that I do. Who shall deliver me from this dead body? The answer to this question at the end Romans chapter 7 is in Romans chapter 8…. There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.

Jesus said, in order to find your life you must lose it. Missionary Jim Elliot said, He’s no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to keep that which he cannot lose. Jesus said, for what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?

Jesus said, take heed and beware of covetousness, (avarice, greed and the desire for material possessions.). For he has said, I shall never leave you nor forsake you. Our blessing, our portion in this world, our allotment is not in the things of this world…. It is not in money, wealth, possessions, popularity, or praise of men. These things are fleeting. They are here today and gone tomorrow. What is it thatwe really need? All I need is thee.

Jesus completed the sermon on the mount with an illustration. He said, he that hears the truth of the word of God but does not do it is like a man who built his house on the sand. It may look good on the outside. But it is built on shifting sand and does not have a firm foundation. Then when the storms raged and the wind and waves surged, the house fell and great was the fall of It. The storms of life undermine the shifting sands of good intentions without action.

Jesus said, there is none good. No one is inherently good, for as Paul said, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. Only God is good. If there is any good, this goodness comes from God himself. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) “Good” bibliblically speaking, means “fit for the purpose designed by the designer.” Another word for Good means that which is beautiful by God’s Devine design.

Jesus Christ can be seen either from the perspective of Orange County or from God’s heavenly perspective. Jesus of the OC is an uncrucified Christ. There is no price to pay, no cost of following him… Jesus of the OC offers a cheap salvation. However the Jesus of Nazareth says, count the cost…. If they hated me, they will hate you. Jesus of Nazareth said, Blessed are they when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven.
Jesus of the OC is politically correct. Jesus of Nazareth is biblically correct.
Jesus of the OC says truth is relative. Jesus of Nazareth says truth is absolute.
Jesus of Orange County says, peace is based on circumstances. Jesus of Nazareth says, I am the prince of peace.
Jesus of the OC says, study the word so that you will know. Jesus of Nazareth says, study to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Jesus of the OC says, God’s purpose is to love, bless and serve me. Jesus of Nazareth says, my purpose is to love, serve, and worship the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength….
Jesus of Orange County says, God’s job is to set me free from captivity. Jesus of Nazareth says, make me a captive Lord and then I shall be free…. Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be… Imprison me within thine arms and free shall be my stand…

That in loving God above all, we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

God’s Heart for Israel

Phil Hanlen’s ministry Ambassadors and Embassies is different from most church organizations that arrange trips to Israel with Christian believers. Most such trips are sightseeing tours to observe and experience the holy land where Jesus walked. Phil’s ministry is different in that their mission is to serve and support the citizens of Israel.

Jerusalem today is 99% Muslim. However there are several Christian ministries in the midst of this Muslim enclave. These Christian ministries are dedicated to manifesting the love of God in the Holy Land where God first called Abraham to be the father of many nations.

On the Palestinian side of the River Jordan, Phils ministry supports Netivah a serving ministry to the people on the West Bank. Phil also partners with Matt who is works with the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Israel.

The Orthodox Jews teach that Christians are the enemy. They do not understand that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy that was given to Abraham and his descendant’s.

Phil’s organization raised $2000 to bless Israeli soldiers. They are building a special area for assembly, prayer, and meditation near an Israeli military base.

What is the purpose for blessing Israel? How important is Israel to God? Israel is mentioned in the Word of God over 2500 times. The God of Israel is referenced 200 times. In Genesis 12, God made his original covenant with Abraham. God said, I will make you into a great nation and you will be a blessing. I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you. God’s ultimate promise to Abraham was that the Messiah would come through Abraham’s lineage.

Deut 6:6-7 says, Israel is God’s possession whom he has chosen from among all of the nations of the world.

God’s ultimate plan is in the book of Isaiah. He said, I will make Israel a light to the nations to reveal my light to all the earth. The purpose for the God’s covenant with Israel was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ.

The picture of what Christ would accomplish was given to Israel through the systems of Levital sacrifices and holy days.

Orthodox Jews celebrate the Old Testament. However, they do not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, God’s way of redemption for all mankind.

When Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the people celebrated his arrival. They thought that Jesus would fulfill his purpose as king of kings and Lord of Lords. They thought he would be their political messiah to establish a new kingdom upon earth and overthrow the power of the corrupt and brutal Roman Empire. However the next time they saw him he had been whipped, pummeled, beaten, and mocked and scourged. Then the Romans nailed him to a Roman Cross to be crucified as a common criminal….

They did not understand that this was his purpose… to shed his innocent blood as the perfect sacrifice as the lamb of God without spot and without blemish. He was the fulfillment of the Levitical sacrifice as the atonement for the sin nature that we inherited from Adam’s fall. This was his purpose and the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham: that from his seed all the world would be blessed… for Jesus Christ who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

The Jews thought they were God’s chosen people and the rest of the nations and peoples of the world were condemned to death. However, in the book of Acts, God revealed to Peter, that which you considered unclean, I have cleansed. If I have cleansed the Gentiles through Jesus’ payment for their sin, then do not call them unclean.

How would God accomplish his promise of salvation? According to Romans 10:9-10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Did they not hear? Did Israel not understand? Isaiah said, I was found by those who were not looking for me and had no knowledge of me.(the Gentiles.). Romans 11 is given to answer the question, has God rejected his people Israel?

According to Romans 11:11-12 and 15-32, “I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead.
16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of 32the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all”

God’s plan for Israel has not yet been fulfilled. God’s plan for both Israel and the Gentiles is a result of the Love of God.

Romans 15:27 says, It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of Israel’s spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

God’s plan for Israel will ultimately be fulfilled in the book of Revelation. His original promise to Abraham holds true today: Those who bless Israel God will bless…

This is our purpose… to love God by loving the people he has called, especially those who are Abraham’s descendants of the twelve tribes of the house of Israel…

That together as Brothers of Christ and sons of God we may live to the praise of the glory of God’s grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

How Firm a Foundation

Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount leads to the ultimate conclusion in Matthew 7: 24-27, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Chapter 7 began with the contrast between the world’s prideful judgement and God’s righteous judgement. Then Jesus contrasted the broad way of the world with the narrow gate and the narrow way of the kingdom of heaven… for Jesus Christ himself is the way, the truth and the life. Many will enter into the broad way that leads to destruction, but few will enter into the narrow gate and into the narrow way that leads to life eternal.

Jesus taught the multitude about the false prophets who come into the church to devour the flock of God. They deceive the flock disguised as wolves in sheep’s clothing. They attract the congregation with enticing music and by speaking flattering words of man’s worldly wisdom… but they are wolves whose goal is to scatter, confuse, and devour the flock.

Jesus said you can tell these false prophets from God’s true prophets by inspecting their fruit…. For by their fruit you shall know them.

The conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount is: the foolish man builds his house on the sand of the devil’s worldly wisdom whereas the wise man built his house upon the rock. Whether the house will stand depends on the foundation upon which the man builds his house. For Jesus said, “upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

An excerpt from the book Prepared, Living Your Life in the Midst of an Increasingly Hostile Culture says: “Is America loosing the spiritual war, having already lost the cultural war? Apart from a gracious intervention of God, America will never return to her godly roots.

There was a process that gradually resulted in removal of America’s godly roots. This process began with the removal of the Bible in 1962, then in 1973 the the Supreme Court ruled that Americans are allowed to kill their unborn children. Next was the classification of homosexuals as a protected class in our laws. Then the court ruled in favor of the legalization of homosexual marriage.

In exposing the world’s sin, Christians have become a persecuted people. How are Christians to live while professing their faith in an increasingly hostile culture? The question is not whether we will suffer persecution, but how we will handle the suffering. Will we bear up under the suffering, casting all our care upon Him for he careth for us?”

Lutzer said, we are being swept along by.a mighty cultural current that is leading over the waterfalll and crushing the American Christian ethical values upon which our nation was founded. We may wonder if this will effect the lives of true followers of Christ.

America has been the only nation that has been spared Christian persecution in the last 300 years. God has honored the biblical values of our nation’s founding Fathers based on Christian virtues. However, our nation has drifted far from her moorings of the Word of Truth.

Those who think themselves wise in their own conceits have been tripped by their own pride… they have embraced the wisdom of this world and have become foolish, lacking the wisdom of God’s Holy Spirit.

James 3:15-18 says, “This wisdom (of this world) descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Proverbs says that in order to receive wisdom and prudence with knowledge and discretion, a man of understanding will seek wise counsel. The fear (awe, respect, and reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…. Fools hate the knowledge of God. They run from the light whereas true Christians run to the light of truth.

The words of Shakespeare are on-point… he who laughs last laughs best…
Psalm 69:8 says, “But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.” The Lord shall laugh at their folly and at the waywardness of their vain worldly wisdom….

John 16:32 says, these things I have spoken to you that ye may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer I have overcome thei world.

Whether the house we build in our lifetime will withstand the onslaught of the pressures, turbulence, and flooding of this world depends on the foundation on which our house is grounded. If our house is built on the shifting sands of the wisdom of this world, the house will not stand and great will be the fall of it.

The wise man built his house upon the rock. When the waves of destruction beat upon it, its true character was revealed. The house that stands is built upon the rock of Jesus Christ himself. Christ is our sure foundation. He is the cornerstone upon which the house, the church of God is established, grounded, and secured.

The last of the beatitudes is, blessed are they when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven. The trials and tribulations will reveal the true character… the quality of the foundation upon which our life is founded…. According to Romans 5, for tribulation (Pressure, and trial) worketh patience…. Then patience worketh experience (proven character), and proven character produces hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

The crowds who followed Jesus around said, you need to be our political messiah to drive the oppressive Roman authorities out of Judea. Jesus said, my kingdom is not of this world. This world will pass away. The nations are but a drop in the bucket compared to God’s plan of eternity…. That which endures is not built upon the sand… upon the fleeting wisdom of this world which will come to destruction. But he who builds his house upon the solid rock, will endure into life everlasting through Jesus Christ. He alone is the firm foundation and the cornerstone of the body of Christ… the church, the dwelling place of the Lord…

That despite the troubles of this world, we may live to the praise of the glory of His grace, mercy, love, and honor!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael

Grace Through Suffering

Paul said, we walk by faith and not by sight. From God’s heavenly perspective, the world is upside down. The world calls evil good and good evil. But from God’s perspective, the light of the truth of His Word expels the darkness of this world.

From the world’s perspective, a human right is the right not to suffer…. not to be taken advantage of, and not to be offended. In our litigious society, we look for people to persecute, retaliate against, and prosecute for causing us to suffer.

From God’s perspective, human rights are often godly wrongs. From His perspective, the tribulations and pressure of this world are a test. Our true character… God in Christ in us is revealed only through the testing of trials and the pressure of tribulation. Romans 5 says, “For tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience (His proven character within us), and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.” Through the trials of life, God’s Holy Spirt will teach us by experience the true meaning of hope of Christ’s return and the love of God

Jesus said before his crucifixion, all of you disciples will scatter and forsake me. But I’m telling you what will happen so that when you forsake me, you will remember my words. When you remember these words you will have peace, for my Father is with me. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world.

In Philippians 1:28-29, Paul said, And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake…

In Acts 4, the temple authorities in Jerusalem said to Peter and John, “Didn’t we command you not to speak in the name of Jesus?” But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Peter answered, ‘If we don’t speak it, even the rocks will cry out.”

Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

Suffering and endurance is one of God’s promises. Suffering is a blessing in disguise. Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians from a Roman prison, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” Even though he did not know what the future would bring, Paul was convinced that whatever happened to him, God would use for the advancement of the good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Paul wrote by revelation in Romans 8:16-18, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The crowd will cheer for us when we hit the winning run. However, when we strike out with the game on the line, the people we care about will watch how we react to adversity. Our true character is revealed in the trials and tribulations of life. Through the storms of life, God says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

The purpose for Ministry is to create an atmosphere where God can come help himself to our lives. If we are willing to change according to his will, not ours, then we will emerge from adversity closer to him. If our heart’s desire is to know him more deeply and more intimately, the answer to this prayer is in Proverbs 17:3, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” Through God’s fire of testing he will reveal what’s really valuable… For the crucible and the furnace of refinement is the test to reveal his character within our heart.

The greatest lessons of life are learned through the Lord’s refining fire…. Pain is inevitable… misery is optional. Through the pain, persecution, trial, and the suffering of this world, God’s refining fire will teach us the true meaning of Joy…. For joy is not the absence of pain. Joy is the presence of the Lord.

According to 1 Peter 4:19, Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. Oswald Chambers said, Those who suffer and endure, God will call to be an example to encourage others to run to the battle lines in the spiritual battle. God puts his saints where they will glorify him.

In the parable of the three servants, the master before leaving for a period of time, had given each of his three servant talents to invest. To one he gave five, to another he gave two, and to the third he gave one talent. What was the difference between the servants?

Two stewards, the one who had received five talents, and the other who had received two talents, both loved their master. They were both bond-servants, slaves who were bound to their master by the bond of love. (See Exodus 21:5-6) They both invested the master’s talents and by the time their master returned, they had doubled their master’s original investment. They had made wise investments with a heart of love for their master. The master said to each of them, “well done thou good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in a little, I will entrust you with much… enter now into the joy of the Lord.”

The wicked and slothful steward who had received one talent said, I knew you were a hard taskmaster. You reap where you haven’t sown, and you gather where you have not thrown seed. I was afraid, so I went and buried your talent in the ground. Here, I’m returning the talent you gave me.”
From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. This servant did not love his Master. He was ungrateful and his actions were motivated by fear. However there is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out fear because fear has torment. He who feareth is not made perfect in love. Anything that is not done with the love of God will come to naught…. It profits me nothing.

The master said to him, You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed.
Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
So I’ll take the talent from you and give it to him who has the ten talents.
For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

According to 1 Corinthians 13, Only that which is done in love is profitable. If not done with the love of God, it profiteth me nothing.

Life’s greatest treasures are revealed through God’s refining fire. Through the trials, tribulation, persecution and challenges of this world, God gives us the opportunity to prove that he alone is our sufficiency. Paul prayed three times In the midst of his pain and suffering, “Lord please remove this thorn in my flesh. Then I will be a better servant.” Twice God did not answer Paul’s prayer. The third time God answered, but it wasn’t the answer Paul had expected. God said. “My strength is made perfect in thy weakness… my grace is sufficient for thee.” Through the trials of life we will learn that Thy grace is sufficient for me.

Jesus said, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, for great is your reward in heaven! Despite the suffering of this world, we can be of good cheer for Jesus Christ has overcome the world…

… that we may live to the praise of the glory of God’s grace… for thy strength is made perfect in my weakness…. grace is sufficient for me!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael