Month: December 2021

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Be an encourager! Do it TODAY!

Be an encourger

Philippians 1 to 4 How To Encourage!

As Paul welcomed Epaphroditus to his “home” in Rome dressed not in finery but in shackles, he might have reminisced of the first time they met in Philippi. How encouraging to renew special friendships! But, alas, Epaphroditus is ill. Did he contract COVID? No one knows, but this one thing we know is that he came bearing gifts from his beloved Philippians and this was not the first time they had reached out to him to provide what he called the “necessities” of life. Practical encouragement is what we are called to do, and the Philippians lived it 24/7, 365 days a year.

But, as always, there are the naysayers. So Paul reflected that they were not to listen to them. Paul wrote: “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh.” [Phil 3:2] Instead, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” [Phil 4:4-6] 

How do we encourage the faithful? How do we especially encourage the naysayers like our neighbors? Take a page out of the book of Philippians for the how-to encourage! 

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From Sinner to Saint

Sinner then

Ephesians 1 to 3: No wonder the Ephesians wept on that shore in Acts 20, knowing that they would not see him again. [Acts 20:25] They wept because they would no longer hear his voice or see his face. They were the recipients of the grace of God, and their hearts were changed forever! Paul had written this to them that they might know the riches of their inheritance and how blessed they were because of Christ. God poured out on us not only the forgiveness of our sins but all wisdom and insight all because of His good pleasure.

Paul wrote: Beloved Ephesians know this truth: what was once a mystery has now been revealed. You once were dead in your trespasses and sins, but now, you have been brought near to Christ through the shedding of His blood. You once were a sinner, but now you are a saint! [Eph 2:1-9]

Oh, the depth and riches of His grace. His prayer for them was that they “may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” [Eph 3:18-19] The world seeks peace, but peace only comes us by the price paid by Christ. [Eph 2:14]

Who is on your prayer list today that they may know these truths?  

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Be the real deal

Colossians 1 to 4 The Real Deal

Today there are two new ways the enemy seeks our attention and change. One is the spammer who collects our data and phone numbers and calls us all day long! 🙁 The other is the porch pirate that takes what is ours with this motto: what is mine is mine and what is yours is mine as well. That means we need to be savvy and it isn’t just with things, it is with our worldview as well and in particular our salvation. But this is not new news!

The Colossians were saved but facing the onslaught of the worldview that one must “do this” and “do that” to be assured of their salvation. We have those same people today. Paul told the Colossians to BEWARE of their ways and it fits for us here in 2021.

What you are a Christian? Then you must not eat this, you must not drink that, you must be in the church every time the door is opened. Paul said those are just outward coverings to make others think you are a Christian. That is not what Christ wanted! He wanted you to put off the old deeds of your past and put on the new deeds of the believer and at the top of the list is LOVE! Don’t let others judge or cheat you out of your salvation by these false ideas and rules. 

This letter tells us that what the world uses to judge our salvation is just pretty window coverings and not the real deal. Is LOVE our highest priority? I hope it is and when others see us or question us, may they see that LOVE!

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God can use storms to get our attention…

Storms are just a distraction

Acts 27 and 28 End of the Journey

Paul has been waiting for over two years in a prison in Caesarea. He had appealed to Caesar, and the authorities had said, to Caesar, you shall go. But, unbeknownst to Paul, an adventure lay ahead that he could not have considered. How often do we start our day expecting nothing but fair winds and following seas, but then God intervenes. Like us, we would not have envisioned that God would bring a trial into our lives to test our faith and give us an open door to proclaim Jesus. Such was the case of Paul and the 276 prisoners on the ship setting sail for Rome.

As they set out, all is well, but soon a tempestuous wind arises to cause havoc and fear. Yet, Paul remained steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. [1Cor 15:58] How about us when an unexpected trial arises? Are we steadfast? Are we immovable? Or are we, as James says, driven and tossed by the wind. [James 1:6] If so, then James says we are doubters and don’t expect God to provide answers and protection.

Paul’s journey ends finally after several months, in Rome, where he can share the gospel with many for two years. Some, like always believed, and some, like always, refuse to believe. No matter what, Paul provided the Truth, the Way, the Life of His master.

How about us?

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The Chorus of the Unbeliever

It is the job of the Holy Spirit not men

Acts 24 to26 The Chorus of the Unbeliever.

God has orchestrated three different encounters with three different rulers to present his testimony and the gospel message. Sound familiar? Yes, we have those same encounters and often hear the same responses. They are the chorus of the unbeliever.

Chorus #1: Felix puts off making any decision until a better day when the commander comes. That is the delay technique of the enemy.

Chorus #2: Again we meet Felix and hear his words: “Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” [Acts 24:25] Fear is the tool of the enemy. He wants to blind the minds of the unbelieving lest they see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2Cor 4:4]

Chorus #3: Festus wanting to gain the favor of the Jews taunted Paul with this question: are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried? And then, “Your great learning is driving you mad.” [Acts 26:24] Yes, the world says believers are crazy.

Chorus #4: Agrippa now hears Paul’s testimony and to this, he responds: ‘ “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” [Acts 26:28] This is the wrong question because it is the Holy Spirit that does the convincing and persuading, not men. “And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong concerning sin and righteousness and judgment [John 16:8]

When we hear these arguments, know this truth: It is the enemy at work! You continue steadfastly presenting Christ and let the Holy Spirit do the work.

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Why Delay?

Bow now or bow later

Romans 14 & Phil 2 Every Knee Shall Bow

Both here and in the book of Philippians, Paul reminds everyone that every knee shall bow to the Lord and worship Him as Lord.  “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” Rom 14:11. and “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” [Phil 2:9-10]

Bow now or bow later is your choice. If you bow now you will reap the blessings of God but if you wait and bow later in eternity you will face the wrath of God. 

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LOVE truly, LIVE practically

LOVE truly

Rom. 11 to 13 The Practical Side of the Gospel

Do you want others to come to know Jesus? Then live and share the gospel practically beginning with being humble, not haughty! You have a gift that the unbeliever needs, and your attitude reveals the truth of where you are now. In addition, present your bodies a living sacrifice, that is, your reasonable service to God for the marvelous gift you have been given. Why is that so hard? It is because we are prideful people, so Paul is reminding us to be like humble Daniel.

But, there is more on that topic, and Paul says think soberly which is just another way of saying think humbly. Love without hypocrisy means letting your love be genuine. Be steadfast in prayer. Where there is a need in the body, step up and provide it. Love your neighbor as yourself. Just as Jesus said, don’t worry about what you put on, etc. Observe and see those weak in the faith and step up and receive them. Listen to yourself, are you judging others, or are you putting a stumbling block in their path?  

Peter says it succinctly: “set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” [1Peter 2:9]

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Not Condemned!

Rom 8:1 no more condemnation

Rom 8 to 10: We, as believers, are well aware of the battle of the mind. Satan does his best to accuse us as he is called the accuser of the brethren. [Rev 12:10] So, as Paul continues his doctrinal treatise to the church at Rome and us in this present century, he now comes to what is the greatest assurance for any believer! “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” [Rom 8:1] So, when Satan comes calling with his deadly d’s of distraction, dismay, discouragement, etc., we can quote this verse back to him as part of our resisting him so he will flee. [James 4:7]

Not only is this comforting, but also the fact that both the Holy Spirit and the Christ intercede for us in our most challenging times. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” [Rom 8:26] and Christ too intercedes for us, “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” [Rom 8:34]

Today when you are experiencing that spiritual tug of war, remember this, both the Holy Spirit and the Christ are interceding for you and others.

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Alive in Christ

Christ paid the penalty

Romans 4 to 7 As I read this, all I could think about was what Martin Luther must have thought when he read this letter. What freedom he now had, as I do as well, freedom in Christ, freedom from sin, freedom to serve Him, not to gain heaven but because this is our gift back for our salvation. No wonder he took the church to task! They were like the Pharisees of old, and they needed correcting. No wonder he, like Paul, was willing to step forth to proclaim the good news: you are saved by faith, not by works!

God grants righteousness on our faith and not of works, which is precisely what Martin Luther, proclaimed and for which the church rebelled. Yet, like Martin Luther, we can declare righteousness because of this truth.

Now, as to death, we shall be like Christ in His resurrection, We die physically, but we shall never die spiritually; God so loved us that even while a sinner, Christ died for us. [Rom 5:8]Therefore, we are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness, and we prove that through our works which takes us back to James. Prove your faith by your works. [James 2:17 -19] Rom 6:14 we are no longer under the constraints of the Law, but we are under grace. Rom 6:19, we are now slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Life Lesson: If we say we are righteous, live as righteous because of what Christ did.

 

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The Challenge for Today

Saved by faith

Romans 1 to 3 and Acts 20:1-3 

Over and over Paul emphasizes that truth. If we want to be justified we must believe by faith and that only. Paul also emphasizes that he is unashamedly a believer in Christ and the gospel message. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” [Rom 1:16] 

Are we proud to be a believer in the gospel; do we echo Paul’s words? How often do we excuse ourselves for not sharing the gospel message? How often do we not let unbelievers know that salvation is by no other way or name but by the gospel of the risen Christ? 

Truly this is true and we need to share it: Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Salvation is by faith not by works. Share this truth today!

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