October 2017 – Praying Pint

Blessed Assurance

“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.”

John 11:23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

John 5:28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Isaiah 26:19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.

Psalms 17:15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.”

Daniel 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Hosea 13:14 I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death.

Blessed assurance that death will not be our final state. Everlasting life awaits those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. We get so got up in things this side of eternity we lose sight of that which is beyond what we see here. This life is but a vapor when compared to eternity. Yet is seems so long at times. When trials, issues, troubles come we have the assurance that the same person who will raise us from the dead is also able to wrap His loving arms around us and give comfort, refuge, hope, love, courage, and peace. Rejoice and praise Him for He is able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine. We are redeemed and will be alive forever with Him.

Believe the works

John 10:37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” And many believed in him there.

John 2:23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.

John 4:39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

John 8:30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

John 11:45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

John 12:42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;

Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

There are many accounts of people believing. Some that believed and told others. Some that believed and said nothing because of what it may mean to their way of life. In Romans it says; “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” In Matthew it says; “but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” In James it says; “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believed that, and shudder. O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?” There is more to living for God than just believing. Believing is the first step and requires a heart that is open and seeking to receiving the Word of God. God’s word and call is to all mankind. He is the one who draws us to Himself and loved us and showed grace and mercy through His son Jesus Christ. Our walk of faith in Him is more than believing. Our lives should reflect the light of Christ through humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him.

How long will you Limp

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.”

“how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard,”

John 10:24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

John 12:37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

In the scriptures today we see those who have set their heart and mind not to believe no matter what, those who go between whatever is popular at the time, and those who believe and are fully committed. Do you wonder what keeps people grouped like this? What is it that blinds the non-believers to Christ? What is it that keeps the wafflers from committing to fully? What is it that keeps the believers committed? Are the non-believers that way because of pride and condition of a hardened heart/closed mind? Are the wafflers that way because they want to have what seems like the best of both worlds or are they afraid of what others might think? Are the believers that way because God opened their heart and mind and drew them to Himself? Hardened hearts and minds, waffling are always possible even to those who believe. If we are complacent and neglect His word and lose desire to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey we can harden and we can waffle. Paul said we should guard ourselves. We need to take every thought captive. We cannot prevent the first thought that comes to mind but we can certainly get a proper thought put into place. Paul said to put on the full amour of God. There is so much more to being a follower than salvation. It would seem like this – we want a warm bed to sleep in but want nothing to do with the household or maintaining the house. Our walk to to be so much more than believing and salvation. We are to reflect the light of Christ, proclaim the good news, be able to give reason for why we believe, able to encourage, able to disciple, able to correct, and have a daily walk that is filled with joy, peace, hope, kindness, gentleness, and love. Spend time in His word and grow in knowledge and understanding of Him. Hear His whispers of guidance and humbly obey Him.

God raised Him up

“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

John 10:18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Acts 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Acts 3:15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Philippians 2:6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Hebrews 5:6 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,

Matthew 26:53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Do you ever wonder in awe, this selfless act of redemption Christ obediently carried out for salvation of those who would believe in Him. He could have asked for and received the help of 12 legions (50,000 +) of Angels to save Him from the hands of those taking charge of Him. He could have stopped this from happening but He didn’t because the will of the Father. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Redemption of our soul came at a very high cost and is not to be taken lightly. “he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” – what does it mean to obey Him? To obey Him we must have a heart deep desire to humbly serve, honor, and follow Him. Our heart and mind must choose to actively seek to do His will and purpose. His word is active. His word is light unto our soul. His word is a beacon of hope. His word is a light unto our path. His word is the beginning of our understanding of things of God. His word give us wisdom in things of God. His word was given to us to grow in this understanding and knowledge. It is very hard for this to happen unless we spend time in His word. Choose to spend time in His word. Choose to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey.

The Good Shepherd

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

“For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. “

“Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.“

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Micah 5:4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Our shepherd, Jesus Christ, is the good shepherd that calls, leads and protects His sheep. These sheep hear His voice calling. They come running to Him because their heart desire wants to hear His voice because the Spirit of God has opened their heart to hear. Of course there are those who choose to shut God out and reject this calling. The sheep also hear His leading. They trust in Him and come running to Him and where He leads they follow. They choose to stay close to Him for with Him they find comfort in His guidance. They stay close to hear His voice. These sheep know He protects them and in His care they are safe and secure. They choose to stay near. If only we would be like sheep and follow the Good Shepard.

Surpasses all understanding

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Yesterday I was at the funeral of the wife of the couple who invited us to church the night we were saved, 22 March 1979. This couple was instrumental in discipling and setting our roots deep in Jesus Christ. Their family has been and remains grounded in Christ and humbly serve others above self. It was evident from the people who spoke at the funeral, this was a way of life for her, and as well for the family and grandchildren. Her legacy passed on, in and through Jesus Christ is nothing the world can give nor can it take it away. While out with the husband to talk and get a bite to eat it was evident to my wife and I how much the loss of a God centered wife can punch a whole in the heart. It was hard for him to explain the hurt but what made me think about the humble service in this family was when he called our waitress over to our table and he took her hand and asked how he might pray for her. Here is a man who lost the love of his life and he saw a soul needing prayer. What a blessing to be with him. His hurt was evident but his humbleness to serve others in Christ’s love stayed on top. The light of Christ did not dim even when his heart was in despair. Their son and daughter also were seeking to comfort others who were dealing with this loss. Their hugs and words of encouragement were like they were directly from their mom’s heart. I am still sad for their loss but am happy for knowing she is in the presence of Jesus Christ forever. What a blessing to be able to witness and experience the love of God through this family.

The sheep hear His voice

“They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

“They say, ‘Declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word.”

“hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

“having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people”, “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

John 10:1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

Proverbs 19:27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

2 Peter 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies

1John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

1 John 4:5 They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Living for the single purpose to humbly serve, honor, follow, and obey Jesus Christ is driven by a deep heart desire, want and commitment. Knowledge, understanding, and ability to hear His whispers of guidance into our life has firm root in and through His word and is a reflection of this desire our time spent in it. How many days are spent complacently neglecting our purpose this side of eternity. These scriptures are directed toward those who have an appearance of walking with the direction, power, and light of Jesus Christ. Yet, in reality, they have none. Our purpose is to be more than an appearance. in Malachi it says :“They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Walking with and serving God is not to be a self directed life but rather one that seeks to know, wants to know, and is ever listening for God’s direction. Do you want to find a place of comfort, refuge, hope, joy, love, courage, peace, and purpose? Set your heart, mind and soul on Him. Spend time in His word. This side of eternity is filled with cultural lies, false hope, and non-God seeking purpose. Each day we must fight off these lies with truth which is found in and through Jesus Christ. Think about the commitment David had in his heart, mind and soul – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Awake, O sleeper

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Joh 9:36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!

Hebrews 10:26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

In light of “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. we must be diligent in our commitment, service and obedience to Jesus Christ. The warning given to us is that if we think we SEE and have obtained all there is in our christian walk, we are in serious fault and blind ourselves to the purpose God has for us. I wonder if we have watered down the Gospel of Christ to a salvation moment and forgetting/neglecting what is expected in service to Him. These things come to mind: “Study thyself approve, a workman that does not need to be ashamed”. “Go and make disciples”. “Love you God with all your heart, mind, and soul”. “Lean not unto your own understanding.” “Confess your sins”. “Give generously”. “Do not forget the widow and orphan”. “Love your neighbor”. “Live in unity”. “Do not think highly of yourself”. “Be a light unto the world”. “Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ”. “Help those in need”. “Meditate day and night on my word”. “Listen to my voice”. “Make Me the desire of your Heart”. “Keep you eyes focused on Me”. ……….. I am sure more come to mind. The point is this – our expectations for Living for God have become so low and lax, and our time in His word has dropped to a few minutes on Sunday that we are becoming blind to knowing what it means to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey. Our only hope is to keep in His word and deepen our desire to live for Him.

They follow Me

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.”

Joh 9:1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Ecclesiastes 9:1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God.

Luke 13:2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 4:21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Isaiah 26:12 O LORD, you will ordain peace for us, for you have indeed done for us all our works.

As much as we want to think we are in control and have it altogether, we do not. We make plans, we do this and that many times without giving God a second thought. While living this side of eternity our culture can convince us we don’t need God everyday. In fact we might not even give Him a thought. Satan would love nothing greater than to have us neglect God and become complacent in our walk with Him. Our purpose is to humbly serve, honor, follow, and obey Him. With this our purpose this side of eternity how is it possible if we neglect to seek Him, desire Him, listen for His whispers of guidance, and spend time in His word. It is not possible and without placing God first in all we do, all the time, we live a lie serving only ourselves. How do we encourage others in their walk if we do not start first with all our heart, mind and soul seeking Him. Spend time in His word and listen for His whispers of guidance.

Before the foundation of the world

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

John 8:48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Proverbs 8:22 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or the first of the dust of the world. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Scripture is very clear in stating Jesus was with God from before the foundations of the world. I don’t think much about this but probably should. Some of the people were looking for the “Anointed One” to come. And when He arrived in the flesh some believed He had come and others who should have been able to see did not. Jesus looked at them and called them liars and told them they did not know God. Today we see the same where some people see and others don’t. Some believe and some don’t. We are not blindly following a myth. This is the Son of God who came to redeem the world and wishing none would perish but would come to everlasting life. We have been given free will to believe or not. We are give free choice to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. Our life this side of eternity is very short. Make the most of it living for Him alone and finding heart, mind and soul desire serving Him and His purpose.