November 2021 – Sonshine's Journal

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021

You are the Body of Christ…

1 Cor 5 to 8 Life Lessons for the Church and Believers who make up the Body

Even though the Corinthian church had many sins that needed correcting, Paul could stop and say, you are unleavened–meaning they were believers. He said you are washed, you are sanctified, and you are justified. If we just stopped and pondered that when the enemy comes calling, we might see ourselves differently. Yes, we sin, but 1 John 1:9 says if we confess them, God will cleanse us from all this unrighteousness that beleaguers us.

However, then with all that, Paul takes this church to the woodshed! Why are you dragging your dirty laundry into the marketplace? Why are you not remaining pure both in and out of marriage? Beloveds, this should not be! Instead, you should see yourselves as the Body of Christ purchased with his blood, and you now are the temple of the Lord. Be ye pure! Be ye holy! Beware of being a stumbling block to outsiders.

Do we ache when sin abounds?

Do we want purity and righteousness as Paul wanted for the Corinthians?

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021

Wisdom is found in Christ!

1Cor 1 to 4 Paul challenged them to remember that as Spirit-filled believers, they like him, have the mind of Christ. He lovingly reminded them not to get caught up with the factions of the world who fall into one of two camps. Remember this; there will always be some, like the Jews, who won’t believe unless they have supernatural evidence. Then there will always be some, like the Greeks, who want to debate with human wisdom but refuse to read the scriptures to let the Spirit teach them the truth! Remember what James taught: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.” [James 3:17]

Let the Spirit guide you in all things and let your life be the evidence of who you are in Christ.

Remember this truth: “no one knows the things of God except by the Spirit of God.” [1Cor 2:11] Without the Holy Spirit, no one can know this truth: “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” [2Tim 3:16]

November 28, 2021November 28, 2021

God has a sense of humor~

Acts 19 God’s sense of humor

I always love this chapter because of what took place with Sceva’s seven sons. Principle: Don’t mess with God and His message or his messengers.

The seven sons of Sceva thought they could ride on Paul’s coattails: “some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by evil spirits, saying, “I sternly warn you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. God sends a man with an evil spirit who said to these seven sons; ” “I know about Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” [Acts 19:13-16] Hilarious! 🙂 This is a reminder of Psalm 2: “The one enthroned in heaven laughs in disgust; the Lord taunts them.” [Ps 2:4]

God has a sense of humor and He uses an evil spirit to ferret out the false exorcists. When the evil spirit descended on these sons they left in a hurry leaving naked and wounded. [Acts 19:13-16]

Let’s remember who God is or you might find yourself in that same position.

November 24, 2021November 24, 2021

What is your life verse?

Gal 1 to 3 Paul and the Galatians

Paul arrives in Galatia and is horrified to learn that they had deserted the faith. He asks them bluntly, did you receive Christ by doing the works of the Law or by believing? Remember that Abraham didn’t have the Law! He was, and we are justified by faith, not by the works of the Law.

Paul reminded them that like him, they should be able to say: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Gal 2:20 KJV] That is the testimony of a transformed believer. It is the life verse of a believer because it is the gospel in a nutshell.

What is your life verse?

November 23, 2021November 23, 2021

The Simplicity of the Gospel

Acts 15 and 16 Is Circumcision required for salvation?

The Jews, specifically the believing Pharisees, contended that for the Gentiles to be saved, they needed to be circumcised. Not so said Peter with his testimony about the salvation of Cornelius and his household. Paul agreed with him and expounded on it and will later write the book of Romans to justify why salvation is as Peter said: Circumcision is an outward ritual, and Paul explained that it must be Circumcision of the heart!

Further, Peter asked why do we want to add a burden that even the Jews have never been successful in keeping! So the dialog raged on until James stood up and proclaimed the truth from the OT. God said He would call the Gentiles to Himself for salvation, and it consisted of nothing more than repenting and believing in the name of Jesus.

James wrote a letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, and the truth remains today: there is no outward ritual that one must keep. Just repent and believe, and you will be saved. That same message is still true today. Later, as Paul and Silas proclaimed that message to the residents of Philippi, the jailer came to believe it as well.

Today stop and praise God for the simplicity of the gospel message.

November 22, 2021November 22, 2021

James, A Practical Book

James 1 to 5 Trials Abound, but God is greater than any trial.

James knows that life comes with trials, and each trial proves whether our faith is true or false. and how we handle a trial proves where our faith is. He begins with this statement; “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations [trials].” [James 1:2] That is the foundation. You either prove your faith by facing a trial with a joyful spirit, or you don’t. Agreed, trials are NOT FUN! We want them to go away, but James says we should be joyful because there are different trials that everyone will face. What we need is practical advice for each one so we can pass them and be successful.

James begins by laying the foundation: Be joyful. Unfortunately, we get ‘hung up on the “why” when God wants us to know the “how.” First, go to God! Seek His face! Ask Him what to do and how to do it! That is a beautiful lesson from James. Then step by step, James takes us through the various trials of life we all face, and his advice for each one.

There is a life lesson here for all of us: Study and memorize the book of James so you can discern the trial and seek the wisdom of God to know how to face it and pass the test He has allowed.

November 21, 2021November 21, 2021

God’s Plans

Acts 13 and 14 God uses Paul and Barnabas

Paul is the preacher and Barnabas is the encourager. We should be so blessed to have this combination in our walk with the Lord. Who is your encourager?

In Acts 7 we read that the Jews were angry hearing Stephen’s words and they stoned him and he died. Now in Acts 14, we read that both the Gentiles and Jews were angry and they stoned Paul. Whereas Stephen looked up to heaven as he died and prayed that God not hold this against them, for they did it in ignorance. In Acts 14 both Jews and Gentiles stone Paul and leave him for dead yet while others stood around, Paul got up and went into the city.

Principle: Stephen was raised to eternal life, yet Paul was raised to preach again. Until God so decides our death date, He will raise us up to do His work.

Two questions to close this chapter: 1. Do you have a Barnabas in your life? and 2. Until God so determines your death date, you are to be busy about the Lord’s business.

November 20, 2021November 20, 2021

God is God!

Acts 11 and 12 Beware…you are NOT God!

Incredibly since we began this journey in January, we have met men who think they can control life and all that pertains to it! In Exodus, we met Pharaoh, who said, “Who is this God that I should obey him. [Ex 5:2] and in Daniel, we met a blustering king who gave all credit to himself, not God. [Daniel 4:33] Now, fast forward to the NT, where the religious leaders think they can contain these Jesus followers/disciples through threats and death, but this “Jesus thing” keeps growing and taking over the whole world. Acts 12 reveals to us King Herod, who thinks he can stop what the religious leaders could not by killing the apostle James by the sword. When that brought glee to them, he imprisoned Peter yet an angel opens prison doors and frees Peter to go and preach the gospel!

All of these have either not known or have forgotten this principle: Isa 42:8 “I am the Lord! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else.” And so Herod meets God: “Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.” [Acts 12:23]

God is God, and there is none other. Give Him glory and praise for if you do not, one day you will realize too late this principle: “at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth and confess Jesus as Lord,” [Phil 2:10-11]

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021

The Power of the Holy Spirit!

Acts 9 The Conversion of Saul

As we read this story, we are drawn back to Jn 16:2 and the words of Jesus “They will put you out of the synagogue,…the one who kills you will think “they are” offering service to God.” Before this, the religious leaders did not think twice and plotted to kill Jesus and later Lazarus. As the Jews heard Saul share his conversion, they too plotted to kill him. Is this any different than today? No, the unbelievers often do the same. The irony is that not one of them sees this as breaking the commandment: “thou shalt not kill.” Satan is a master of not only disguise but a master of lies. “Whenever he lies, he speaks according to his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies.” [Jn 8:44] Satan’s one desire is to blind “the minds of those who do not believe so they [and you] would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2Cor 4:4]

How easily we are duped or hoodwinked! Yet, the conversion of Saul is a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. He alone can change our thinking, our relationship to God, and our way of life.

How has the Holy Spirit changed your life?

November 18, 2021November 18, 2021

Acts 7 “The Door of Opportunity”

As a history teacher and anointed with the Holy Spirit, Stephen relayed to the High Priest and the religious council the account of Israel. He reminded them that their ancestors hardened their hearts, and now they are in danger of doing the same thing!

Stephen’s life is an example of what Jesus said would be true. The Holy Spirit will anoint you and provide the right words to say even when tried. [Matt 10:19]. When you speak, it will be the Holy Spirit who will be pricking their hearts. Would they believe, or would they choose to ignore the Truth of the Messiah? Jesus reminded the religious leaders that they were the masters of the scriptures, which spoke of the Messiah; yet they refused to believe the man behind the scriptures standing before them. Now they were also rejecting God’s messenger. God was closing their last door of opportunity.

God lovingly prepared Stephen both as he spoke and looked up to heaven. It was then that he saw Jesus waiting for him. Then, as he drew his last breath he sought forgiveness for those who would hurl their stones of death upon him; just as Jesus has done. [Luke 23:34]

You are God’s servant, just like Stephen. Trust that God will provide the right words at just the right moment. When God opens the door of salvation, do not ignore the door of opportunity.