Re-Post Friday

In order to understand who Christ is to us, we need to be able to answer three questions. Today we look back at the first of these questions. Read it HERE!

Where Is Your Focus In 2023?

The start of the new year is always a time of hope with many looking forward to plans for the future. However, if the last couple years have been any example, we know that the future is something that is not certain. Things that previously thought could never happen have occurred in the last couple of years, and this can often cause the born again believer to lose focus and be swept away by the fears and worries of the world. Today I want to remind you all of a verse to meditate on over this year.

“2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:2-3

It may seem a simple thing to remind the Christian to keep the focus on Christ, but as I walk more in the faith I see those who have lost this basic fact. Jesus is the author of our faith, and yet there are those who place man’s definition of His word over what Jesus Himself says. They will try to deny some of His words and actions or they will go so far as to change His words to make it fit their own narrative. They forget that Jesus is the author of salvation and sad to say these individuals often lose the joy in Christ that is prevalent to those who follow after Him daily.

You see my friends, when we keep our eyes focused on Christ, we find the joy in hardships. For when we keep following after Him who the author of Hebrews states found joy in the cross, a horrible death, we can find joy in what we face this coming year. It is because we have the promises of His word and His actions that we are able to face what comes this year, it is why we should have no fear in trials. As a quick reminder, there is a difference between a trial and a temptation. God will not tempt us (James 1:13-14) but we will go through trials to strengthen the faith of the believer.

So today, as we begin to plan out this next year, I ask that you consider what the author of Hebrews describes perfectly, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1b. Keep your eyes focused on Christ this year, in doing so you will have joy even in trials as described in the book of Phillipians. When you do so you will not grow weary this year.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

Old Lessons For a New Year

While it is a new year, it is important to understand that the lessons of yesterday are still prevalent today. The Bible is applicable no matter the year we live in, one such lesson is the observable signs of a fool. No doubt 2023 will be a year of people bloviating and speaking out of line. The Bible identifies these people as fools.

Proverbs 18:6-7 “A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth [is] his destruction, And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.”

The fool is quickly identified through their words, here we can clearly see that a fool first and foremost will cause contention. The word contention here comes from the Hebrew word “Riyb” which means this person causes strife and arguments amongst others and themselves. This person cannot help but let their mouth be wild and untamed.

Naturally, this leads to issues that will result in adverse action against the person. This person will be identified as having their mouth cause them continues problems. “And his mouth calls for blows.”

Ultimately, the fool is identified as being their own worst enemy. Their own mouth has caused their own destruction. Nothing will save them since they cannot help themselves. I must admit that I have seen people like this before; who cannot help but vomit whatever comes out of their mouth. This has caused more strife in their life and has virtually destroyed their professional career. “A fools mouth is his destruction.”

Nevertheless, the most insidious aspect of a fool is their own self destruction regarding their eternal state. “And his lips are the snare of his soul.” The fool’s mouth reveals their salvation is still not found in Christ. Instead of accepting the Lord and receiving salvation, the fool is more inclined to be a legend in their own mind. They are the most philosophical, the most enlightened, and believe they are above any correction. Like in everything else, the fool brings about their own destruction even at the cost of their own soul.

So as we start 2023, be vigilant to look at those around us and even ourselves to make sure that our actions do not resemble what the Bible calls a fool. Let our words be uplifting, loving and gentle. Always bringing people the truth and recognizing the need for Jesus Christ to be in our life. 2023 will be an amazing adventure, let us remember that the Bible is applicable right now to give us daily advice. Happy New Year from Mill House Ministries to you!

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Re-Post Friday

Today we review the importance of the shield of faith. Read it HERE!

What’s In A Name?

As born-again followers of Jesus Christ, we know the importance of the inspired word of God. We understand that the Bible is meant to be studied and reflected upon, we also know that the Bible has more to teach us then we can ever know. Now as we come to the season where many are making resolutions for the New Year. Just as I am sure there is more than one of our readers who state that this year they want to go deeper in their Bible studies, I am sure that there are those who simply don’t know how to look past the surface level of what the Bible can teach us. Today, I want to offer you one way that you can have an understanding that every word and name in the Bible is there on purpose, none of it was by accident or a mistake. Today I ask that you look at Genesis 5:25.

“25 Now Methuselah lived 187 years, and fathered Lamech.”

You may be wondering why we are looking as such a short verse and one that does not seem to hold any meaning whatsoever. That is until you look at the meaning behind the name of Methuselah. Before we get to that however, I want to remind you of some events that were occurring during this time. Genesis chapter five reveals the dependents of Adam. This includes Enoch who is arguably a man who had the greatest relationship with God besides Jesus Christ the Son of God. “Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah” Genesis 5:22a. The reason why I bring up Enoch being the father of Methuselah, is because for a man with such great faith to give his son a name that means “When He Is Dead It Shall Be Sent”.

The fact is that Enoch was prophesizing the event that would occur in chapters six and seven. “17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” Genesis 6:17. However, this flood only occurred after Methuselah had died. We can see that Enoch was warning the people of the day about a coming disaster. Even the small things can be huge when looked at through the right focus.

So this year, as you strive to grow in your understanding of the word of God, know that there is nothing in the Bible that does not have meaning behind it. We simply need to ask God to teach us and take the time to dive into His word.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Look At Our Relationship

Each and every day, the believer is faced with a choice to walk according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. The Bible being God’s perfect word is designed to help us along the way. Yet, today I wanted to highlight a small portion of scripture to help facilitate this walk. Let’s examine just one small part of Psalm 119.

Psalms 119:17-24 “Deal bountifully with Your servant, [That] I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 19 I [am] a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. 21 You rebuke the proud--the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. 23 Princes also sit [and] speak against me, [But] Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also [are] my delight [And] my counselors.”

Here we have a saint who is wanting their relationship with the Lord to be ever more. They are not settled for the status quo but rather with enriching the relationship they have with Christ.

“Deal bountifully with Your servant, [That] I may live and keep Your word.” They know their relationship is built on both God and themself. I want to quickly iterate this has nothing to do with salvation, but rather our walk after salvation. The believer recognizes God’s part in our lives, but also in the blessing of His word.

The more we focus on Christ and walk in His commandments, the more we will see the wonders of His word; but also have tribulation today. This is why the believer in this passage identifies the wondrous things within God’s law, but also the feeling of being a stranger. It is no surprise that Jesus in John 14 says we will expirence tribulation and Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors.

“18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 19 I [am] a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.” Jesus states in John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every [branch] that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Discipline signifies that we are saved. When there is no discipline, this can be a sign that an individual is most likely not saved. This is why the psalmist identifies discipline within the relationship.

“21 You rebuke the proud--the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.”

Each chapter of proverbs points the reader to the liberating philosophy regarding wisdom and how to apply it in our life. What is truth and when people attempt to malign our actions to follow Christ, He teaches us how to act accordingly. The Psalmist sees this and understands the relationship that God has in our lives with the daily interactions with mankind.

“23 Princes also sit [and] speak against me, [But] Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also [are] my delight [And] my counselors.”

You see for the believer, their relationship with Christ should be paramount. We need only to recognize that God is more than our salvation; but rather our foundation, our denominator, our motivation for all progression forward. He loves us too much to abandon us to the way side after purchasing us with His blood. We are His children, and like any good relationship it takes two.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Re-Post Friday

As we bring gifts to others, it is important to remember the gift we have been given. Read it HERE!

Looking Beyond the Birth

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come Let Earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing” We hear these lyrics and many others quite often during this time of year. These songs are uplifting and remind the believer that God has always had a plan of salvation. In fact, I am sure that many will be hearing sermons regarding the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas and many of these sermons will feature the same verses regarding Christ’s birth. While this is all wonderful and needs to be taught on, I feel that there is a passage that is often discussed during Christmas but has a deeper meaning then what is taught.

“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

This is a very common verse to be discussed now and it is a wonderful verse full of the promise of God to send a Son who will rule the whole earth. However, it seems like verse six is where the discussion ends. I would argue that the next verse holds as much, if not more, importance.

“There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.”

Isaiah 9:7

Christmas is an important time to look at the birth of Christ, however, we need to remember that His birth is not the end. We need to look beyond the birth and realize that one day there will be no end to His government. If we believe that God promised to one day send a savior as is promised in verse six, then the promise in verse seven is just as important. Christ will reign forever and this is something that we can be reminded of as we remember Christ’s birth.

However, I do want to leave a reminder here. Christ will reign forever, but only those who know Him as Lord and Savior will know His peace. If you have not come and confessed your sins to God, I encourage you to do so now. If you allow God to work in your life, you will see that we have a hope for the future kingdom that is one day coming.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

An Applicable Christmas Present

There are many lessons that Christmas offers to us, but there is one that is easily missed that I would like to share with you. This lesson is a great reminder for the believer to reflect on God’s word and to see how serious we take His intentions. You see, there was a previous generation that had a wonderful opportunity to be present when Jesus Christ arrived in His first coming.

From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament is a declaration of Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:44 “Then He said to them, “These [are] the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and [the] Prophets and [the] Psalms concerning Me.”

The scripture points to Jesus Christ. Unlike with His first coming, there have only been signs given for Jesus Christ’s second coming. Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

We know that His first coming is very much set in stone, to the very day! For a better understanding of this, please read Daniel chapters 9-12. Nevertheless, while they knew the time of His arrival in Jerusalem, they did not know the exact date of His birth in Bethlehem. But there would be signs found in scripture indicating the time. Likewise today, we are in a similar manner. God has given His scripture and we have two choices. We can take Him seriously or ignore His word.

Let’s examine both groups and see the blessing one received.

Our first group are the wise men from the east. These men knew the word, knew the scripture, and even studied the nature looking to better understand God who was the creator of it all.

And when they saw the sign, they acted upon it with seriousness!

Matthew 2:1-2 “1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

These wise men, understood that Jesus would go from being 100% God, to 100% God and 100% man. They knew He would be born in Israel, knew that nature itself would give signs of His arrival, and even expected the government to be waiting for His arrival. They studied and took God’s word seriously.

Now the second group also read the word but did not take it seriously. They spiritualized and turned God’s word into a self-help practice for themselves.

Matthew 2:3-6 “3 When Herod the king heard [this,] he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, [in] the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Because they did not take God’s word seriously, they did not understand that He was coming. They missed out on being there for the birth. They missed out on being there to witness and help prepare a more suitable place for His birth. The official religious leaders, the experts of the law and public standard missed the mark. They had failed. But do they learn from their failure? NO! They quote where Jesus would be born and do not go. They fail to even acknowledge their mistake. The greatest danger a person can be in, is in belief of self righteousness. To believe you are good enough on your own accord is a very dangerous place to be in. It clouds your judgement, takes fear of the Holiness of God away from you, and snatches understanding from within your grasp. Like smoke it keeps you from preserving what is needing to recognize your need of a savior. It fails to allow you to find the Christ.

Sounds harsh? Well just look at what happens next. The wise men are rewarded to meet Jesus as a toddler, while the others miss the opportunity to see the child who will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, they also miss the opportunity to help the family of Jesus in a moment of coming danger.

Matthew 2:7-12 “7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found [Him,] bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”

Because they took God’s word seriously and acted upon it, they were able to meet Jesus and help serve Him by providing for the family in their quick departure from Egypt. The gifts given were what was needed to help the financial challenge coming for Joseph and Mary and their new son Jesus. What an amazing opportunity, all because they took God’s word seriously.

So my Christmas challenge to you, are you taking God’s word seriously in your own life? Are you being a wise man studying and applying His word? Or are you being one of those who are missing out? This is a personal question to you. Christmas is a wonderful time to recognize the love that Christ has for you. He came to save you, and He has already paid the price. All you need to do is accept that and ask for Jesus to come into your life. What a Christmas present then to have eternal life with a God who loves you more than you could possibly imagine. There is nothing else like it.

For those who are saved, I ask you if you are taking God’s word seriously and seeking to do what He asks? Are you reading all His word? Are you seeing the signs of the times? There is a Christmas present to believers as well. For when we study God’s word we are able to see how much God loves us, and how much His word comes to life for us. It is applicable in the same way as it was in Jesus Christ’s first coming as it is today. So this Christmas, take the time and see what this Christmas lesson is for you and see that God has a present for you that no one can wrap and give you like He can. All you have to do is accept and open it.

Merry Christmas!

JL

Re-Post Friday

Today we look back on why Mill House Ministries began. Read it HERE!

A Strange Direction

It is no doubt that we are faced with choices when we follow God. Some of His directions are easy to do, some are harder and require a more active focus to complete. However, often it seems as if these are the only two ways that God’s direction occurs for the believer. It is either an easy choice to follow or a challenge. But what about the directions that may seem impossible or even ridiculous? One such example comes to mind and can be found in Joshua 6.

“ Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. 2 But the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have handed Jericho over to you, with its king and the valiant warriors. 3 And you shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4 Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight ahead.””

Joshua 6:1-5

God’s people were told to walk around a city in a circle for seven days, if they did this then after the seventh day the city would be handed over to them. To anyone else, this command might seem as if God was attempting to make a mockery out of His people. How could simply walking bring down a wall? And yet, through their faith that God would hold to His promise, Joshua and the people followed through with this strange direction.

If you are not familiar with this event, the result can be found in Joshua 6:20, “So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, everyone straight ahead, and they took the city.”

The people had nothing to go off of except for the fact that God upholds His promises, even the strange ones that at the time seem as if they will result in nothing. So why is this reminder important? While we might not be asked to walk around a city, God may still be leading us in strange paths. What He wants us to do, might seem impossible. If you are faced with God asking you to do something that seems as if it is impossible, I ask that you remember this event. If God can bring down a wall, He will accomplish the task He has set before you. All you need to do is keep moving and see how God will uphold His promise!

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Christmas Publication

Last week we went over how the Holy Spirit could be considered the most quoted God-Head in the Bible, because of His involvement developing the Holy Scriptures. While there are several wonderful topics regarding the Holy Spirit, His reality, His role in the Trinity, His role with Man kind, and many others; today we are specifically looking at His role in regards to the creation of God’s written Word. Ironically, the best evidence of His role is actually found in His involvement with Christ’s birth. It should be noted that some scoffers who doubt the capability for the Holy Spirit to use man to write the Bible fail to recognize the full and tangible example of this being displayed in the work of the Holy Spirit about to bring Jesus Christ as a God-Man. The Holy Spirit uses Jesus Christ’s birth as a living example of what He was doing with the publication of His written word. When you evaluate the necessary actions for both, you can compare the similarities and see how Christ’s birth was a declaration of the Holy Spirit’s ability to be more than most understand and appreciate. Christ’s birth reveals the Holy Spirit’s ability to overshadow mankind for the creation of His perfect, pure, and unalterting Word. This is further expounded upon when Jesus Christ claims to be the Word of God! Christ’s perfection validates the Bible’s inerrancy which in turn validates the Holy Spirit’s role.

Some might argue symantec’s of the words “overshadow” or “guidance” but this only identifies limitations of man’s vocabulary within written languages rather than God’s capacity to properly utilize man and Himself in writing His scripture. While creation exhibits God’s existence, His Word exhibits the Holy Spirit’s role as being His true and only word. For those who might say God had to write the entire word and man had no part, I would point once again to how Christ came about. He was indeed a blood relative of Mary and an ancestor to King David, thus physically influenced. In comparison, the different books of the Bible each have their own unique characteristic of those who “penned” the book. The Holy Spirit appears to thrive on bringing out our unique attributes to set forth His perfect craftsmanship, in this case both the Holy scripture and the Son of God.

So as we celebrate the Christmas season, know that Christ’s birth also exemplifies the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about a completed message from God Himself to you and I, the sixty-six books of the Bible. I hope you have enjoyed this small study into a rather marvelous role of the Holy Spirit. I would encourage you to look into the scripture identified in the table and see where else God proclaims His roles in His word and in your life! We have a wonderful God in the Holy Spirit who brought to us not only His scripture, but also a living breathing Son of God who died and rose again for you and I. Let us not take this with indignant hearts, but rather meditate and ask the Holy Spirit to continue to teach us and reveal more of His master piece in His written word and in His final revelation in Jesus Christ.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming

JL

Re-Post Friday

A review of the breastplate of righteousness and the importance it has! Read it HERE!

A Living Faith

We have now come to the end of James chapter two. Just as James makes sure to cause the reader to reflect on their faith, he also wants to leave them with an encouragement. That is why in the second half of this chapter, James leaves his brothers and sisters in Christ an example of what a true and living faith is.

“20 But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.“

James 2:20-26

Last week we discussed that a dead faith is one that provides no fruit of a changed life. The person continues to behave the same way as before they “professed” to know Christ. Now James offers a comparison of what a living and fruitful faith is by providing two examples. James begins with Abraham. To understand the magnitude of James remarks about Abraham, I ask that you go back and read Genesis 15. In this chapter God makes a promise that Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). At the time, Abraham was childless and believed that he would not have any children. Yet God would later provide Abraham two sons. For the purposes of this post, we are going to focus on Abram’s second son, Isaac who the promise that God made Abraham was intended for.

  Now I would ask you to go and read Genesis 22. In this chapter we see that Abraham is being tested by God. Abraham is asked to go and sacrifice his son, Isaac. We see a hint of Abraham’s faith in verse 5, “5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” Abraham knew what was being asked of him, and yet he still told and believed that both he and his son would return to the men. This faith continued even up to the point that he nearly sacrificed Isaac (Genesis 22:10). Abraham did not know how God would uphold His promise if Isaac was killed, and yet Abraham submitted wholly to the will of God. He showed his faith by his willingness to listen to God.

The second example that James provides of a living faith is that of Rahab. To understand how Rahab lived I ask that you read Joshua chapter 2. The first thing to note here, is that Rahab is not Jewish. In fact, considering she identified as a harlot (Joshua 2:1) she is the last person that many would assume to have a life changing faith in God. Yet this woman had heard of God and knew that He has authority in heaven and on earth (Joshua 2:11), she recognized God’s authority and through her faith that God’s servants would keep their promise to her, she assisted them in escaping. Rahab’s story continues in Joshua 6 were we see that all of her city was destroyed except for her family and their home (Joshua 6:17).

Through both Abraham and Rahab, as well as the others that are mentioned in Hebrews eleven which I highly encourage you to read for encouragement, we see that a true faith in Jesus Christ results in a changed life. We do not remain the same as we were before we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, through the Holy Spirit we produce fruit. It is through the fruit of our works that we are then identified by others as followers of Jesus Christ. I ask you to look back now through your own walk with Christ, are you simply going through the motions and living out a dead faith? Or is your faith producing works that point others to the Man who came to serve others, Jesus Christ?

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

Not So Hidden Author

Not too long ago, I was doing my Bible study and I had a thought come across my mind regarding the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit). I asked myself, who do we hear from the most in the Bible? Some might say it is God the Father, but when you compare the quotes in the Old Testomant to the Christophenies (Preincarnated appearing of Jesus Christ) you quickly realize this is not possible. Yet, some might say it is God the Son, due to Jesus is quoted not only in the Gospels John 21:24-25  “24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen” but also in the Old Testament and other New Testament books.

We know that Jesus is the representation of the Trinity to man, John 14:7-11 7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own [authority;] but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 “Believe Me that I [am] in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” We know that the entire redemption story is written around Jesus Christ. However, when it comes to Jesus being quoted, we do not have as much as our final choice.

The Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit, is the most quoted author of the Bible. You might be wondering or even scratching your head about this, but take a moment and think about the implications of those who did write the Bible. Moses wrote Genesis and yet lived over 400 years after the last events in the book. Is Moses the one writing? Of course he is, but so is the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:19-21 “19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Peter is establishing a monumental truth that was already in practice with the coauthors of the Bible. None of them “willed” what was being written, they were all writing with inspirations of the Holy Spirit. This is a complicated aspect which we will be discussing in greater detail next week, but for now we can summarize that the Holy Spirit is talking. Jesus even recognizes this special role in John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

In the Old Testament we see that it is the Holy Spirit once again that moves people to speak on aspects they did not see. Moses with the book of Job, David with much of Psalms, and many more. So as you go in your own Bible study, take appreciation on what God is doing as the Holy Spirit and His personal interaction daily with us. Next week we will discuss more about how the Holy Spirit does what He does.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Re-Post Friday

Today we take a look back at the greatest injury a Christian has. Read it HERE!

A Dead Faith

There has been a long going discussion that has transcended centuries, nations, and peoples, many have observed those who claim to be Christians and inspected the individual’s actions in hopes of identifying an authentic child of God verse imitators. Actions define the person, we identify those breathing air and capacity to utilize their senses as living people. Conversely when we are not able to breathe and our senses are not operating we are classified as dead. Actions, negative or positive, will help identify the state of the person. James captures this basic human understanding and helps identify the spiritual similarity. Wanting the Jewish Christians to understand this foundational truth, he paints a picture of two types of faith found in James chapter two.

“14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Keep in mind, that at the time of this writing many were still with the belief that they needed to commit acts in order to be seen as righteous by God. James takes it upon himself to argue against this belief by pointing out two different types of faith. This week we will be discussing the first identified type of faith known as dead faith.

This is someone who sees the suffering of those around them and does nothing. It is the person James is describing in verses 15-16 “15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ” This type of faith is seen in those “Christians” who have the head knowledge of Christianity. They know the scripture and can give all of the Sunday school answers, but when it comes down to it their walk in the world does not match up to what they profess to believe. Jesus would describe this type of faith as being a whitewashed tomb, “27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28

A “faith” that does not respond to others is a dead faith. Our works cannot save us, however, it is by our works that we show evidence of a changed life when we come to Christ. Those of us who have submitted to God for salvation understand that it is out of love for us that Christ died for our sins. Therefore, faith will produce works out of love as argued in Galatians 5:5b, “ The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” And again in 1 John 3:17-18, “17 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? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” A dead faith will not produce fruit, a person with a dead faith will not care about those around them. They will sit in the service nodding along with the sermon but in the world they will not have the fruit of the spirit, “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

James likens the dead faith to that of the demons“19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” When demons were confronted by Jesus, they often stated a fact that many people today fail to admit to. That Jesus is the Son of God, “2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him…6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”” Mark 5:2-8

While demons have the knowledge that there is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, this does not mean that they are saved. After all, the demons believe in God but they do not serve Him. A dead faith is much the same, someone who has the knowledge of God but does not produce the works expected by a changed life.

  We now have a better understanding of what it means to have a dead faith. James is a book that is designed to cause the reader to reflect upon their walk with God. If you are one who is simply going through the motions, I regret to inform you that your faith is that of one who does not have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. It is telling that even demons have a greater faith than one such as this. However, there is still time! You can come before Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Savior, that no works by yourself can save you. Only the works of Jesus Christ! If you ask Him to come into your life and change it, watch how quickly He does just that! Then join us next week as we look at two individuals who have that changed living faith in Jesus Christ.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

Just a comment…?

Today I want to connect some dots and help you see a remarkable truth about the Bible. The gospels are full of Jesus making doctrinal foundations that later are expounded on by the disciples. This is important to understand so that you can see how Jesus will make a comment and, in doing so, bring out a massive truth that will define a theological mountain. A great example of this is found actually in John chapter 4. In short, Jesus travels through Samaritan country and has a rather remarkable discussion. This discussion with the Samaritan woman establishes a characteristic of the Church before it was announced.

John 4:19-26 “19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you [Jews] say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 “God [is] Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am [He.]”

She wants to know where we should worship, and Jesus rightfully brings the discussion to the source. He first identifies that the Jewish laws set down by Moses were correct, but that a day was coming when people would worship by the Spirit. He leaves the location purposefully vacant. In doing this, He foreshadows an intrinsic characteristic of the Church; we are everywhere and anywhere at any time. There is no place that the Gospel of God cannot reach, no place that the Church is off limits to go and proclaim God’s good news. Jesus later would expound on this with:

Matthew 28:18-20 “18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age.” Amen.”

Mark 16:15-16 “15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Luke 24:44-48 “44 Then He said to them, “These [are] the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and [the] Prophets and [the] Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 “And you are witnesses of these things.

Acts 1:4-8 “4 And being assembled together with [them,] He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” [He said,] “you have heard from Me; 5 “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

These commandments make Jesus’s simple discussion with the Samaritan woman that much more important. It is why when we study the New Testament, we need to recognize that Jesus will plant a seed of doctrine which will later on be brought to fruition by the disciples in their writings. It is why Jesus states in John 16:5-7 and John 16:12-15 “5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you…. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear [them] now. 13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority,] but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare [it] to you. 15 “All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare [it] to you.”

This simple discussion, later on expounded on by Jesus Himself and the disciples, first reveals itself in a simple conversation by the well that Jacob would be at. The symbolism is too instrumental to pass on. Here we see Jacob having a life-preserving source, and yet through his bloodline, a savior who would be the true source of life would come, and He (Jesus) would talk about His followers being able to worship God in Spirit anywhere. Jesus is defining that the preserving truth was about to go global! What a declaration that He simply states while in conversation with a Samaritan woman discussing salvation with her. Is Jesus not the most incredible person in history?

So, as you read through the Gospels and Jesus makes a comment, try to identify where the disciples would expound and build on the foundation that Jesus had created. How ironic that Jesus, who is identified as the “cornerstone,” would also be the theological cornerstone to everything discussed later on past the Gospels. I would encourage you to seek to understand every part of what Jesus says and watch how His words will guide and comfort you.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming

JL

Re-Post Friday

As we continue our review of the armor of God, we reach the Belt of Truth. Read it HERE!

Blessings

For our American readers, tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and as the name states, it is a time to give thanks. During this season, we often reflect on the past few months and see how we have been blessed. We are thankful for another year with loved ones, thankful for the jobs we have, thankful for the situations that we had. In doing so, often thank God that He has provided for us as He has in this past year. While this is a very good thing to do, I want to ask you all to reflect on how you have been over the year and see if there is a change that you can make. With the end of the year approaching, I ask you to see how you can bless others.

  Jesus gives us our example in how we should be.

“The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him….When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

John 13:2-17

 If the Son of God could kneel before His disciples and serve them, then we should be serving those around us as well. As Christians we should not simply be focused on the blessings that we have received, but we should be blessing those around us. This can be a simple act such as removing the snow from a neighbors sidewalk, volunteering to bring a meal to a family who is sick, help with a ministry in the church. Or we could be doing larger acts such as funding a missionary.

  We are children of God, and as such we are blessed with having eternal life. However, this does not make us better than those around us. When we come along side others and serve them, we show them Christ and how He served His disciples. In doing so, we open the door to conversations that can bring someone to know Christ or give someone a deeper understanding of God. We should have a servant’s heart, because Christ demonstrated a servant’s heart and when we replicate Christ’s actions we are able to thoroughly share how we have been blessed by Jesus. When we serve cheerfully with a giving heart and not out of a commitment, we show the world the peace that comes from following Christ.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex