Category: evangelism

Posted on

The Peace that Passes all Understanding

James 3 be a channel of peace2a

Advent Series: James 3 “The Peace that Passes all Understanding”

As Dr. Luke recorded the advent series which he relayed to Theophilus, the words we have come to memorize and repeat are what the shepherds heard that night so long ago. It was as if God’s spoken promise to Abraham came to life:  all nations would be blessed through the coming of His Son.

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.

The heavenly angelic choir praised God with these words and modern-day hymnals include these words yet the meaning is often obscured. It was a folk singer, Jill Jackson, who came to know the meaning of it as she pondered the meaning of those words that the Heavenly angelic choir offered: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”  Jackson captured what the angelic choir meant and which comes from the Prophet Isaiah:  “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee: because he trusteth in thee.” [Is 26:3] James captured the essence of those words as he wrote: And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Today plant seeds of peace wherever you are and with whom you find yourself. Be a conduit of peace that others may see Jesus in you. St Francis of Assisi wrote: “Make me a channel of your peace; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned. In giving to all men that we receive and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.”

Jesus left his disciples with these words: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you”

 

 

 

Posted on

Advent: Seeing Christ in Scripture

Titus Advent SEries2a

Advent Series from Titus

The more focused you are the more you can see is a truth that crosses all dimensions. For example, if you are focused on the images in a telescope you can see not just a mix of stars but if you look closely you can see particular stars. That is how it is with scripture. The more focused you are the more you are apt to see the Christmas narrative in each and every book. They say that Christ is found in every book of the Bible but until you focus you might miss the details that the authors have pointed out.

Ch 1: God, who does not lie promised the hope of eternal life before time began. John 1, in the beginning, was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was fully God. In him was life and the life was the light of mankind.  God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it happen? [Num 23]

Ch 2: The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people. We wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke 2: Simeon waiting in the Temple “for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.

Ch 3: We are saved not by works of righteousness but on the basis of his mercy …poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. Note from Dr. Constable: God poured out His Holy Spirit on believers richly. He did this first at Pentecost (Acts 2), but He does it since then whenever individuals experience conversion (cf. Rom. 5:5).

Keep looking! Keep your eyes open to see Jesus in the OT and revealed in the NT! Happy Advent!

Posted on

Let Your Light Shine!

2tim 1 to 4 let light shine2a

Advent Series: 2Tim 1 Gifts!

The world is blind to the truth both visually and orally. We know that the enemy has blinded them so that they may not see the glorious Christ. They will turn away from the truth and turn to myths yet of all seasons, Christmas offers opportunities that open hearts. People are more open to the gospel message because it paints a picture of the many and beautiful gifts that God has promised to those who believe in him. Christmas gives us an opportunity for the three gifts that the Father has bestowed upon us of Grace, Mercy, and Peace to shine forth!  We have them in abundance because we know that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In addition, God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control—which by the way is a Fruit of the Spirit!

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;  If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. God wants us to be open to the opportunities that he places in our grasp. We must be ready in season and out of season with the message and be ready whether it is convenient or not!

Pray that God uses your gifts this season to proclaim the truth of the gospel just as Jesus said: let your light shine before people so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. [Matt 5].

 

Posted on

Myth or Truth?

1tim adven2at

Advent Series: 1Timothy

Recently a friend received a note saying Christmas is just a man-made myth copied from earlier mythologies. Where did these ideas come from? We don’t need to go back very far to find evidence of these ideas. Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Adams saying that in the not too distant future generations will class Christmas as a fable. Thus we need to be armed with evidence from scripture to dismantle these godless ideas.

True, Paul counseled Timothy to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings and we should heed that counsel as well. Peter reminds us that the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. In addition, Peter and John both spoke and wrote that they had been an eyewitness of this one who came for one purpose: to save His people from their sins. Paul tells Timothy what they had discovered: Christ was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

The world may seek to deny the divinity of Christ but if we are like the Bereans we can follow the path of truth just as the prophets of old so that we can say with them: Christ indeed was the Son of God just as the scriptures say.

Are you looking and watching?

If you are interested there is a page of Advent articles on Bible.org. Just put Advent in the search box.

 

Posted on

Advent–Looking for the Blessed Hope

1&2Thess keep watch

Advent Series: 1 & 2 Thessalonians…Looking for the Blessed Hope

Beloved, Christ came many years ago in a stable in Bethlehem but soon and very soon, He shall appear with flashing light and the trumpet of Gabriel. He will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. And wonder of wonders we shall see Him as the disciples saw him at the Transfiguration or as John saw him on the Isle of Patmos. He will come in the same way as a thief in the night and we who are sons of light will join him in the heavens.

In the meantime, may you be kept entirely blameless for his coming. May you be found spotless and worthy of his kingdom so he can present you before the Father’s throne. Strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, that you may enter his presence. Why does he desire this? He called you to this salvation through the gospel message so you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Encourage your hearts in every good thing knowing that he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one until that time.

Stay alert, Keep a watch for you know not when he shall appear. Are you ready?

Posted on

Keep Looking for Advent signs!

Phil 1 to 4 advent

Looking for Advent: Phil 1-4 “Complete your joy”

The heavens rang aloud that Advent night so very long ago and hymns have shared that joy which we sing at Christmas time. As we read scripture each day we should be looking for advent clues such as joy and Paul ensures that we do.

Paul says “complete my joy.” Be unified n spirit and in purpose. As you seek to complete the gift of joy do it humbly with the purpose of being unified. Look at the Savior as your role model who proclaimed joy wherever he went and in whatever he did. The result? God exalted him and honored him with a name above every name. The prophet Isaiah gave us that name along with other names given to him:

Isa 9:6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called:

Amazing Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This day as you read, keep looking for advent clues to help you celebrate this season with joy!

 

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Posted on

How we were redeemed

ephesians advent 4 children2a

Ephesians 1-3 Advent Day 4 “How we were redeemed”

In Galatians, we talked about the privilege we have of being adopted into God’s family. Today we see how that process took place. It began in eternity past—in fact before the foundation of the world. As a people, we were predestined to be holy children of God because of the pleasure of His will. Yet when sin entered the world we found ourselves as children of wrath. However, God in his rich mercies and his great love made us alive in His Son Jesus Christ. In him, we have redemption through his blood and the forgiveness of our sins.

God is rich! He is so rich that he poured out on us not only the forgiveness of our sins but all wisdom and insight all because of His good pleasure. So now we are children of God, claimed as God’s own possession. Not only that, but we have been marked with the seal that cannot be broken of God’s promised Holy Spirit.

And why has God chosen to bring us into His family? It is so that we will be able to comprehend, understand—that is to have God’s perspective and to know His love with surpasses all knowledge that we might be filled to overflowing with His love that we can share these truths with others.

Posted on

Have you been “hoodwinked?”

Galatians 3 believe2a

Galatians 3 “Hoodwinked means veiling the truth”

How often do we, like the Galatians, fall under the spell of smooth teaching of others when we fail to be a Berean to search the scriptures to see if what is taught is true? The Galatians had been, as we say today, “hoodwinked” by unscrupulous teachers. To get them back on track,  Paul asks 4 basic questions. We might ask these of ourselves as well.

(1) How did you receive the Holy Spirit? Was it by keeping the Law? If so we might as well disregard Eph 2 ‘it is by faith you are saved, not of works lest any man should boast.’ The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to us so that we might be sealed until the day of redemption; so that we might be indwelt by His presence teaching and illuminating us with truth; (2) How is God sanctifying you? Is it by works? If so then we have to disregard the example of Abraham who was counted as righteous not by works but by faith alone. Luther wrote regarding Abraham: “I believe what you say God.”  (3)How do you explain your suffering; was it for nothing? Or is it to glorify God?  (4) How do you explain the miracles amongst you? Do you give credit to man or God for these?

Paul ends with this truth: God justifies so that we might walk by faith alone. Is this you?

 

Posted on

I just can’t understand it …

2Cor 3 praying2aAre those your words when you are flummoxed by an unbeliever who can’t or won’t believe in Jesus? Keep reading.

2Cor 3 Understanding Unbelievers—

One of the hardest things for a believer to understand and recall is how they were before they met Christ. Once spiritually alive all thoughts turn to share Him with those who are not yet “in the fold.” Yet, time and again we are met with indifference and often misunderstandings. We want them to live and fellowship with us but something is hindering them. What is the problem and is there a solution?

How many times have you read Paul’s words: whenever the words of Moses are read there is a veil over their minds and wondered what he meant? It wasn’t until one day when a neighbor, on her own and out of the blue asked me “Who is God?”  In my mind, I saw an open door but Satan saw his opportunity to shut it, lock it and hide the key. Excitement built only to be shattered that very day. As we sat and I explained to her the answer it was like a “veil” came down and separated us. To this day I can see that glaze in her eyes literally falling down; it was the strangest thing but now I know from Paul that it was that veil. Several attempts later were all for naught yet I prayed and continue to pray for another opening.

The words of Hughes: “A veil of intellectual darkness hides the glory which has been deliberately rejected.” Did you notice what Hughes says? The glory has been deliberately rejected but why? The answer is this: Satan “has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” [2Cor 4] Satan has had his hand in this veil.

Beloved, keep praying for openings. Don’t give up hope. Pray specifically that Satan would be bound and that God’s love pours through you to that unbeliever. And yes one more thing, pray for my neighbor that God would remove that veil.

Do you have that someone who needs prayer too? Share with me so we can covenant together for their salvation.

Posted on

Duck or Believer?

romans 12 duck or believer22a

Romans 12:2 The duck idiom says “if you look like a duck, swim like a duck, quack like a duck, you must be a duck.” According to abductive reasoning, this may or may not be true but it does reflect how we might be seen in the world. More and more believers are fading into the fabric of society. We live and work amongst unbelievers yet how many know that we are indeed born-again. Paul reminded his readers to not be conformed or molded into the world’s system.

Ducks waddle in the barnyard and we waddle in the world. The duck has been trained to discern danger and what is safe and we must do it as well.  We do it by being saturated with the Word so that we can discern truth from error and clinging to this promise: He who hath begun a good work in you will complete it on the day of Christ. It is all His power and all because we are a new creation in Christ. He enables us to “behold the glory of the Lord.” (2Cor 3:18] This is how the mind is renewed — by steadfastly gazing at the glories of Christ for what they really are.

Are we waddling with the ducks or standing out to share the gospel?

Optimized by Optimole