A Time For Acts V

When studying the church original acts, it is easy for us to forget that the book of Acts is not the only source of information we have. The letters to the churches help us understand the actions of the early church as well. Today, I want to cross examine two separate groups of saints and see how, even though they are in different locations and people groups, their actions were centered on Jesus Christ.

The Thessalonians and Colossians were two groups of believers whose actions can be defined as monumental. Let us see what Paul states regarding their actions. Ironically, the similarities are subtle at first glance, but glaring once you see it.

First, we will start with the Thessalonians.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

There are three characteristics that I want to point out. First, is they became imitators of the Lord, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” Second, their actions were centered on understanding who Christ was and implementing Him to others. They turned from the world, “and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” Finally, they allowed God to use them, “so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.”

The Thessalonians allowed their love and actions which were centered on imitating Christ and following only Him to be utilized to help strengthen other believers.

Now let us examine the Colossians.

Colossians 1:3-8 “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.”

Once again we have the saints becoming imitators of God, for their actions are centered on faith in Christ which has developed into actions of love towards others. This is a fruit of imitation that Christ first exemplified with the washing of the feet and later on with dying on the cross, “since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints.” The first action quickly follows into the second with implementing their understanding of Christ with others. It is why their actions could be defined as not only “love” but love that was defined as a Christian love, “love in the Spirit.”  Third and finally, like the Thessalonians, the Colossians allowed God to use them; they were willing to follow. This willful obedience is identified when you see their study of Jesus Christ. Let us go a little deeper and see exactly what I am talking about. In verse 6 we read, “which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing--as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth.” The word, “understood” helps us identify something rather unique about the Colossians. They studied God so that they could discern what He wanted to use them for in action. The word “understood” is the key. The Greek word is, “epegnote” which means “to perceive, discern, recognize and find out.” They sought knowledge of Christ, and by doing so allowed His Spirit to transform them so that their actions were identifiable as being Christian love!

You see, something that the early church and even today can be found with saints that are Christ centered, is their actions will undoubtedly declare Jesus Christ! It is why I have found this study so rewarding, it helps us understand our own history and see how God used amazing brothers and sisters in Christ for amazing work. He is still doing that work today, in fact over the past couple months I have had fortunate moments to see Christ work in marvelous ways. Sometimes through other brothers and sisters in Christ, and other moments through His Word in moments of personal reflection. No matter what, Christ is still acting through His saints. What a blessing for us. So if you ever want to examine your walk and see if you are Christ centered, ask yourself three simple questions. First, am I imitating Christ? Second, do I desire to understand Christ and what He wants me to do? And third, am I allowing God to use me? If you can answer those three like the Thessalonians and Colossians than keep up the good work and continue to strive for Christ.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

Re-Post Friday

Continuing our study on the time that the church is in. Read it HERE!

On Judgement and Future Plans

Have you ever found yourself judging someone according to the law? Are you so obsessed with future plans that you aren’t focused on your present actions? This is what the last six verses of the fourth chapter of James discusses; and true to form, James causes us to reflect upon our own actions in light of what the Word of God describes.

Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. The one who speaks against a brother or sister, or judges his brother or sister, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. 17 So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.

We have already seen in the previous sections of this chapter that James warns against lusting after what other Christians have, causing strife with other Christians, and seeking after the world. In verse eleven, we see that James is continuing to discuss actions of Christians towards other Christians. Here we see James turning to the topic of speaking against fellow believers as well as judging them. James makes it clear that we should not speak against one another, this I believe connects back to James 4:1-2a, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? 2 You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” James has already established that the source of conflict comes from our own desires and so when we speak against another Christian, James he points out that we do so to again fulfill our own desires. We need to keep in mind what James states about the tongue, that the smallest part of the body directs our ways. Our words needs to reflect Christ.

James is pointing out here that we should not be speaking against or judging another believer who does not follow the “law”. I placed the law in quotations on purpose and that is because many believers will judge another based on their own interpretation of how a Christian should behave. And so we see James pointing out that those who judge a believer based on their own interpretations of how a Christian should act, are not doers of the law but judges. James continues to point out that there is only One who is able to Judge. Jesus Christ. When we judge others, Christians based on our own interpretation of how they should behave, we place ourselves as the ultimate judge.

This is not to say that we should not inspect a person’s fruit. After all, it is by a person’s actions that we will know if they are a born-again believer. “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:16-18. What James is discussing, is that we should not be based on our own ideals but rather through what the Scriptures, the Words of the true judge, states.

James then ends this chapter with a remark towards the future. Often times, we believe that we have all the time in the world to complete tasks that we want to do. We forget that our lives are ultimately fleeting. I think the final verse of James chapter four is the ultimate key for when we think of the future. “17 So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, for him it is sin.” If we know that God is calling us to do something, following what His scripture states, and we do not do it then we are resulting back to what is discussed in James 4:4. “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”. We have the Word of God as our ultimate authority, if we ignore what the Word states then we are practicing sin. We must continually reflect upon the scriptures and our actions to ensure that we are following the authority of the One who has the right to judge us all!

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Time For Acts IV

It had been exactly fifty days since Jesus Christ had laid down His life in the crucifixion and picked up His life in the resurrection. His ascension completed, the Holy Spirit had brought God’s power in a new marvelous way to man which had never been seen before. Yet now Peter and John are once again in the cross roads of acting in a manner that many in the Church today have forgotten. Peter had just healed a lame man, Acts 3:3-10 “Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” As amazing as this is, this is not the focus of today’s post! Peter’s real act to examine comes in the following verses.

Peter directs the star struck crowed towards the true source! Acts 3:11-12 “While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” Peter is directing the people to who they really should be focused on, he is taking them to scripture, he is taking them to Jesus. No more was Peter afraid to address the crowds, no more was he focused on his own self ambitions; but rather focused on having people understand who Christ was. Ironically, he does this in what many “number seeking pastors” today would argue against, he tells them they have sinned! He tells them they have made a huge mistake leaving the true God of their Fathers. Acts 3:13-18 “13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.”

Yet, this action of Peter is not done, he recognizes what the Jewish community had already started to reject, that their Messiah was in fact murdered. Jesus Christ was the expected King of the Jews, and yet He was killed. The majority of nation had left the way and had turned to their own religious idolatry. This is why Peter tells them in verse 19 “come back.” Some English translations say “convert” but this does not fit with the Greek meaning as much as “turn back”, Peter is exporting them to turn back to the true way Judaism was designed to be, Acts 3:19-20 “19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” Peter is recognizing the Jewish cultural foundation that is Christianity. People today see them as two different religious ideas. However, the following of Jesus Christ has been the same since the beginning. Nothing has changed, even God’s plan with Israel in the end times has not changed. Daniel the prophet spoke of those days, and other prophets spoke of what Christ would do. This is why Peter identifies the Old Testament as important as the coming New Testament. Acts 3:21-26 “whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” 

So what can we take from this incredible action? Three huge take always. First, that our actions should always be centered on Jesus Christ. No matter what God does through us, we bring the glory, honor and praise back to Jesus Christ. Second, we articulate our words to help those around us see their sin is not cleanable by themselves. They need Jesus Christ. Third, direct them to scripture. Allow them to see how God’s Word is truth and life. Nothing made by mankind is capable of being identified in the same category as the 66 books of the Bible. Peter’s actions would bring five thousand men not counting women and children to the Lord that day. And yet, all he did was act on his faith and lean on Christ for what was needed. I would ask you, can you and I do that today? Can we stand in front of a crowed who is eagerly wanting to listen to us and point them back to Christ? Take some time and see what the Lord is calling you to do. You might be surprised that maybe Christ is calling you to your own small crowd or even an individual and declare to them what Peter declared in Acts chapter 3.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

Join us as we look at the second warning found in the book of Hebrews! Read it HERE!

Where Does Your Friendship Lie?

We have all been around them, those fake friends who smile at your face but talk behind your back. Those who try to play it both ways and present themselves to each group differently. I am sure we can all think of how poorly things have gone when the lies have been exposed. However, did you realize that there are those who practice this misguided behavior when it comes to their walk with Christ? This is the next topic that James discusses in his fourth chapter.

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

James 4:4-10

Once again we see that James does not mince his words, he attacks the issue head on. And once again, I wish that the topic he discussed was only prevalent in the church of that day; but this is simply not true. James begins this topic by pointing out that those who claim to follow God but still seek to be apart of the world, are adulterers. James is quick to remind the readers that to keep one foot in the world, to follow the desires that lead us to sin, places us in enmity against God. God is pure, He can have nothing to do with sin. 1 John 1:5, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John also continues with a message similar to what James is stating here, 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” 1 John 1:6. You see, we can’t have it both ways. We cannot follow after the things of the earth which keep us bound to sin, and also follow God who wants to free us and have a relationship with us. This is why James uses the word “chooses”. We all have a personal choice, we can either follow the world or follow God. It cannot be both ways.

James continues by reminding the readers that God is jealous. He wants our undivided attention and to have a relationship with Him, it is why He sent His spirit to dwell in us. But do to free choice, there are some who choose to ignore Him for the desires of the world.

If the passage were to end here, the outlook would be pretty bleak. However, James continues to remind the reader that while God is a jealous God, He also gives us grace an aspect that no distraction in the world can offer. How do we receive this grace? By humbling ourselves and realize that we are trying to be a fake friend to God. We try to devote our time to Him but at the first chance we get we run for what separates us from Him. This is why James says that we must submit to God. When we come before Him and acknowledge that we are pursuing things that draw us farther from Him, we become humble. In this humility we receive the strength to resist temptations and then draw nearer to God! How amazing is that? This process simply proves that salvation cannot be won on our own merit, but by the grace of God! When we turn from what is causing us to sin, we begin to hear Him more, we are no longer the double-minded individuals that James discusses in verses 1:8 and 4:8.

Again, if the passage were to end with the acknowledgment that we are double-minded and adulterers, we would lose hope. This is why I love how James ends the discussion on this topic, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” James 4:10. How amazing is it to think that the God who created heaven and earth will exalt us! And the only thing that we need to do for this to occur is to acknowledge that He wants a relationship with us, not one that is fake and double-minded, but a pure and true relationship that strives to know Him more!

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A Time For Acts III

Typically when a moment in history is discussed we look at the “BIG” picture moments. The moment when the hero or villain does their feat, forever changing the affairs of the time or even the world. Ironically, when reviewed people skip the minor actions and details of what had been leading to the larger spoken of events. This happens to Peter. When people think of the first acts of the Church they jump to the Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. However, they first miss Peter standing up for the Word in a different environment. Let us look at Acts chapter 1.

Imagine, Jesus has left and all 120 of them are praying and waiting for what Christ had promised when He said, “You have heard from Me for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5. Now they wait. Acts 1:12-14 identifies what is going on. “12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” For more details about the significance of this go back two weeks and see our first post in the series.

While praying and being in fellowship, Peter realizes he needs to speak. While we do not know the details of how or why specifically him, we know Peter knew the calling. I can only imagine the moment he recognized what was going on, it was God’s word coming alive in his mind. We can be sure of one thing, it was as clear as when Peter first heard Jesus talk to Him, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” Matthew 4:19 or when God the Father revealed to him who Jesus really was, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” Matthew 16:17. This is not something caused by the Pentecost but rather a relationship with Christ, nurtured by the Holy Trinity.  His heart must have been racing, we do not know his thoughts and if there was any doubt if he should talk or not; but what we do know is when he stands up, we have a new Peter. The Peter of the Pentecost did not start on the Pentecost, but rather in a room filled with prayer with other brothers and sisters. Instead of bringing the attention to himself, he goes directly to scripture; and because of Doctor Luke, we have the capacity to read what was said.

Acts 1:16-26 “Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 “For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ 21 “Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- 22 beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” 23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen 25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.”

Peter recognizes that scripture must be fulfilled. The courage to stand up here amongst those who knew him, those who knew his sin and his shame only a month prior, in abandoning and denying Jesus appears to not even be calculated. This Peter is different, this Peter is the Peter Christ called him to be. The believers recognized the moment and acted accordingly. Instead of doubting they examine the word and act accordingly. What a testimony to you and I! Listen, compare the scripture to what we have heard, and act accordingly. The Pentecost has not even happened and yet we are starting to see a foundation established of what the Church should be acting like. Separated from the World in our thoughts, actions, and attention to be laser focused on the Lord and His Word. Not influenced by the world, but influencing the world to recognize that Jesus is the answer to it all. We need to make sure our actions are based out of an abundance of time and study in God’s Word. So that we may know when to speak and when not to, the moment to stay still and then the moment to act.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

Understanding the age we are in gives hope to the future! Read it HERE!

Source of Conflict

As James begins the fourth chapter in his book, he turns to the source of conflicts. And just as James does not shy away from any other hard topics, he makes it clear where the source of conflict stems from.

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? 2 You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.

James 4:1-3

We can see pretty quick that James points to individual motives as the source of conflicts. An individual wants what they cannot have so the conspire to get it. Someone is jealous of a role that another has so they spread vicious rumors. We do not come before God to ask that He help us, or when we do ask it is with a motive that stems from self rather than a desire to serve God.

When looking at this passage in James 4, I am reminded of Cain and Abel.

3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:3-7

Both brothers brought an offering before God, but only one was accepted. I do not believe that Abel’s offering was much more impressive than the of Cain; but it came down to the motives behind the offering. Abel brought his with the desire to serve and honor God, while Cain brought his with the desire to serve and honor himself. We see the result of this motive in the death of Abel by Cain’s own hand and his callous answer when God asked where Abel was. The source of Cain and Abel’s conflict stemmed from a desire to serve self rather than glorify God!

Now this is not to say that sometimes conflict isn’t necessarily a good thing. After all, if someone is misusing the word of God and teaching false doctrine we need to stand up to it. This act will no doubt cause a conflict, but in the end the difference is in the motive behind it.

So if you find yourself in the middle of a conflict, I ask that you take a moment and really consider why you are in this situation. Are you seeking your own glory or are you wishing to follow after God?

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

Treasure In His Word

Recently I had the opportunity to be reminded about a truth that I believe all saints need to hear from time to time. The mystery is still in God’s Word. You might be wondering what I am talking about, but take a moment and think of all of the scholars, theologians, pastors, students, teachers, critics, and even casual bystanders for centuries who have read God’s Word. Yet we are still learning new things. Science is developing and advancing to find out what God’s Word has already known. As Robert Jastrow once stated, “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.”

As prophecy of the Last Days approaches, we advance our knowledge of the accuracy of His perfection in declaring future events. Daniel 12:8-9 “I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.”

This promise does not have an ending, but rather is a declaration without limits or boundaries. Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” Like the rest of God’s Word, His declarations of His character and how He interacts with us is unchanging. Malachi 3:6  “For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” With this understanding we can take each day with God’s Word and study it with the intensity that we are possibly looking at a discovery that has never been seen before. This is unique only to His Word because it is alive. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” So as we study God’s Word and we believe we have found something new, look at God’s Word in other sections and see if it collaborates your theory. Talk to other believers but most importantly pray! Ask the Lord to guide you.

So you might be wondering what caused me to be reminded by this lesson? The answer is simple and a series that I am planning for this coming late summer/early fall.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

Join us as we go over the first warning found in the book of Hebrews! Read it HERE!

Introduction to James Chapter 4

We have slowly been making our way through the book of James; a very concise writer who does not shy away from difficult subjects. His writings are very much to the point and often require the reader to do some self-reflection. While some may find his writings hard to manage, it is actually one of my favorite books of the Bible. James truly gets to the heart of issues that are still prevalent in both the Church and the Christian individual.

In his first chapter, James discussed such topics as endurance in faith, the difference between a trial and a temptation, the dangers of doubting, and our reaction to the Word of God. We learned that we cannot simply be hearers of the Word of God, but doers (James 1:22). We also learned that God does not tempt us (James 1:13-14). We learned what it means to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger when it comes to God’s Word (James 1:19).

The second chapter of James was as much of a reflection of the individual’s walk with Christ as the first chapter. In James chapter two, we learned that the outward appearance of an individual is not a mark of their faith, and to show partiality towards someone based on their appearance is wrong (James 2:9). We also learned that while we are not saved by works, our works will show the world who we belong to (James 2:17-18).

The third chapter was admonishing those who would wish to be in a leadership role in which we saw that those in leadership are held to a higher standard (James 3:1). We also learned that the smallest muscle can cause the most harm (James 3:5-6), as well as reached an understanding of what true wisdom is (James 3:17-18).

Now we reach the fourth chapter in the book of James. In this chapter James will ask the reader to reflect if they are a friend of God or of the world, where do conflicts arise from, and if we should be boasting about what tomorrow brings.

I hope you are excited to join me as we learn from a man who lived with Christ and yet it was not until later did he come to acknowledge Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I would challenge you to prepare your hearts, spend time in prayer and read ahead as we start James chapter four. Remember that if you have questions, you can always reach out to the ministry on our contact page. This is going to be a marvelous time for us to examine what God has to say to us and I am excited to have you with me on this adventure.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A TIME FOR ACTS II

Have you ever watched a professional sporting event on television or in person? You see the players with incredible speed, accuracy, strength, and talent. Increadible and yet, this is not what makes them different from amateur players of the sport. What makes them different is before the game. What we see is the final accumulation of what the player has been working, striving, and practicing for years. Before there is ever action in front of the viewer, the player has been training. This can also be applied to the church. Before the church ages began, there was practice being done.

Christ had ascended into heaven and now the early church was reminded by two angels that the Messiah would return in such manner at the appointed time. The age we are currently in was just starting, the age of the Church had begun.

Yet, the very first act of the Church does not happen at Pentecost, but rather before. Here we see the gathering of believers together. Instead of huge miracles, they gathered together and prayed.

Acts 1:12-14 “12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Instead of mighty speeches and increadible acts in front of massive numbers of people, the believers are gathered together separated from the outside world and are in prayer. Even though they could no longer visually see Jesus Christ, they had not lost their relationship and connection to Him. Like Jesus’s continuous exmaple on earth of constant communication with the Father, so to the Church would be in constant communication with the Son of God.

This in itself is an incredible act. The first action by the congregation of believers in the church age was not to feed the poor, was not to help the homeless, was not to preach the gospel; but to gather together separate from non-believers and pray. Breaking this down even further, we can see that the very first act of the Church was seperating themselves from the world and being relationship with the Lord. This actually is the basic distinction from a born again Christian and a non Christian. Both are sinners, Jesus died on the cross for both, both have salvation offered in Jesus’s resurrection; but only one has accepted it and has a relationship with the living God.

What this passage of scripture teaches us, is the greatest act a believer can first do is be in prayer with other believers separated from the world all with one mind. What does this one mind mean? The Greek word is “homothumadon” which is a compound word to describe a group together having a fierce passion at the same place and same time. What does this mean in context? This group knew that there was something coming as Jesus had promised in Acts 1:4-5 “4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

The Church waited upon the Lord, prayed and waited for Him to make the first move. I can tell you from personal expirence that if you ever try to push God into your timeline or by your own effort, you will be disappointed. Look at Joshua in the battle of Ai in Joshua chapters 7 and 8.

While this is not a post on prayer, we should recognize its significance in our individual life and corporately as a church! Their first act was coming together and doing just that. Secondly, we should recognize the differences between us and the world, we have a heavenly relationship, a direct connection to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Whereas the outside world does not. Our actions need to reflect this; our understanding needs to be wrapped around the foundation that we as believers, prior to any such action with the outside, need to be acting inside the church with one accord.

The very first act of the Church in the Bible is separating itself from the world to be in fellowship with one another and with God. I hope this sinks in, as we see the actions of the church interacting with the outside world. Remember, that all the actions of the church first start, even if not noticed by most, with prayer and fellowship in the Lord.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

Our second post regarding the time that the church is in! Read it HERE!

Made Clean

Last week we discussed the matter of freedom and acknowledged that those who place their faith in the works of Jesus Christ can experience true freedom. We do not need to be slave to the desires that keep us separated from God. This week, I want to give you a visual representation of Christ removing our sins and creating something new. It is a passage that is often looked at, but just like many passages there is a deeper meaning to it.

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:1-12

I wanted to give you all the passage in context, but the main section that we will be discussing today is verses six through nine. While many look at this passage and see it as Jesus’s first miracle, I also believe that it is a visual representation of a concept that has not yet been discussed in the book of John. And that is that Jesus removes our sin and makes us a new creation. The six stone water jars mentioned are used in a purification ritual. In this case, it would be a purification of the bride. These jars would only be used as part of this purification process and in doing so, the bride would be made clean for her husband.

Now Jesus had the servants place water inside the jars and changed the water into something new. This is where the visual representation of Jesus cleansing us of our sin comes into effect. We are all born sinners and are unclean, it is only through the purification of the blood of Jesus Christ that allows us to become a new creation, “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. When we accept that Jesus died for our sins and now reigns, then we become a new creation. We effectively have gone from being water to wine. John 2:1-12 shows how the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) has made His bride (the church) clean through a purification ritual (the cross).

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

Christian Liberty

While it is that season for the United States, I thought it would be prudent to have the discussion of Christian liberty that all Christians, no matter what country you reside in, can reflect on.

Galatians 5:1-6 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who [attempt to] be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”

As Christians, we are free from sin and the need to follow the old law “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Our liberty, our freedom, is purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. Now this does not mean we are to intentionally sin, but rather recognize and be assured in our salvation.

However, in this particular passage Paul is wanting to discuss to the self righteous person. The individual who believes they can do their own righteousness and be saved. “Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.” The term circumcised here is in the context of the Jewish believers who made up most of the early church. Here Paul is saying that if we leave the faith and believe our own works can get us into heaven we are mistaken. There is a freedom in Christ that cannot be mistaken as something we earn or purchase ourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” There are people who claim to be believers in Christ, who think they are following the law and are perfect in what they do. In fact, they do not realize that the law points to only one righteous person and that is Jesus Christ. The law does not save you, the law serves one purpose and that is to point you to the need of a savior. “3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who [attempt to] be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”  It is important to understand that man has a basic desire wound tightly into an unqualified pursuit of proving themselves worthy. This desire is to our detriment, for man is not capable of proving anything other than unworthiness. Thus why Christ’s unfailing love and free gift of salvation is so liberating. This gives us the opportunity to love the Lord and pursue righteousness, but with the understanding that it is Christ who finished His good work in us. We can only thank Him and follow the commandments set forth for our present age as the Church. So take this time to reflect on the liberty we have in Christ Jesus.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

The introduction post to our series on the warning found in the book of Hebrews! Read it HERE!

Are You Freed?

The idea of freedom is portrayed quite common nowadays. We are bombarded with news of freedoms being taken away, someone gaining freedom, and how certain people are going to ensure our freedoms. For the Christian, the idea of freedom however, means something much more; and yet our freedom is often overlooked. So today I want to ask you, are you really free?

What I mean is are you really free from the control of sins in your life? Not saying that you must be perfect, after all we cannot be completely perfect until we are present with the Lord, but do you find yourself continually going back to the very thing that you ran from to follow Christ? If this is true, then I would argue that maybe you aren’t experiencing true freedom.

There is good news however! The scriptures state that once we place our faith in Christ, we are no longer bound to the aspects of this world that have kept us from Him!

“What should we say then? Should we continue to sin so that God’s kindness  will increase? 2 That’s unthinkable! As far as sin is concerned, we have died. So how can we still live under sin’s influence?

3 Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 When we were baptized into his death, we were placed into the tomb with him. As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life. 5 If we’ve become united with him in a death like his, certainly we will also be united with him when we come back to life as he did. 6 We know that the person we used to be was crucified with him to put an end to sin in our bodies. Because of this we are no longer slaves to sin.”

Romans 6:1-6

We do not need to return to our unprofitable desires because we have something greater! We are freed from our sins! So today if you find yourself struggling to walk away from something that you know is against scripture, I ask that you don’t continue to look back. Instead, focus on Christ and pray that He helps you to remove the desire for it.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex

A TIME FOR ACTS

ACT Part 1

Today I want to start a study regarding specific characteristics of the early church. This study will primarily be coming out of the book of Acts with some added context from other books. I want us to examine what our brothers and sisters two thousand years ago were able to do in  the Lord. My plan is for us to examine what was done and ask three simple questions.

1. Is what the individual does special to only them, and/or that scenario?

2. What is stopping me from acting in such a manner? If special only to them, is there a different act that is similar today?

3. What does the act help us understand about Christ?

I am eager to start this series and hope you come along with me for this adventure. I would like to leave you with this, scene as the book of Acts begins.

Acts 1:1-9 “1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”

Christ appears to have physically left the followers. They eagerly stare into the sky looking up to see if they can catch just one last glimpse of the Son of God. Finally, the clouds surround the Lord and He is no longer in sight. Jesus’s first coming had concluded, His second coming postponed until Israel recognizes their Messiah; for now it was a new age, an age of great exploits, endeavors. and actions. It was the time for ACTS.

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

Jl

Re-Post Friday

Join us as we reflect on the time that we are in! Read it HERE!