Be Sure to Cast Your Vote.

Everyone who is eligible to vote needs to vote in the November General Elections. Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility.  When we cast our ballot we help determine who will be running the government of our country.

Why is it important to vote?

Scripture tells us that we are to be subject to the governing authorities.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (Romans 13:1-2 ESV)

Scripture also tells us that we are to pay our taxes (to finance the government).

Then the Pharisees …. sent their disciples to him (Jesus), saying, “…Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” …. Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:15-21 ESV)

We are to pray for our leaders.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1Timothy 2:1-2 ESV)

We are to be subject to the governing authorities, help finance the government, and pray for our leaders. Certainly we should take part in the process that determines who will be running our government.

NOTE:  Regardless of the outcome of this current election, or any election, it is crucial to know that our hope in not in Republicans, Democrats, or Libertarians.  Our hope is in the Lord.

Our hope is in the Lord.

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6 ESV)

 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2 ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (Psalm 33:12 ESV)

Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (James 2:12 ESV)

Lessons from the book of James (#8)

Scripture tells us to “speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.”

Scripture also tells us that we will be blessed if we do this. “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25 ESV)

 What is the law of liberty?

“The law of liberty” is God’s will for our lives. It is God’s standard for our everyday living.  The law is God’s Word.

Why is God’s Word called “the law of liberty”?

Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 ESV)

God’s Word is called the “law of liberty” because, as the Holy Spirit implants God’s truths in our hearts and enables us to obey His teachings, we move closer to living the life that God has planned for us and we experience liberation from sin’s bondage.  God’s perfect law provides true freedom. Freedom from sin is liberty.

Jesus summed up the “law of liberty” in a few short verses when he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)

When we love God with every fiber of our being, and when we love our neighbors as ourselves (without partiality) we are “speaking and acting as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.”  (Admittedly, this is a lofty goal, which none of us have yet achieved, but we can all “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me …: (Philippians 3:14))

Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional blogs.

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When given the choice, I will choose White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies over any other cookie.  I am definitely partial to White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.   I just think they are better than any of the other choices I may have.  Putting it in simple terms, I favor White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies over other varieties.

Is favoring one variety of cookies over another variety a sin? Of course not!

Lessons from the book of James (#7)

Is it o.k.  to be partial to a particular group of people?  Is it o.k. to favor rich over poor?  Is it o.k. to treat one group of people better than another group?

What does the bible say about partiality?

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.  For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

…. if you show partiality, you are committing sin …

                                                                                                            (James 2:1-4 & 9 ESV)

Intellectually I get it.  Scripture says that treating the poor with less respect than the rich is sin.  I understand what James 2:1-9 is saying.  Do I put this into practice?

Do I treat people like I treat cookies, favoring one group over another?  Am I as respectful to the “homeless” person who knocks on my door as I am to the people that I worship with at church?  Do I “favor” the individuals in my “small group” more than others?  I need to be asking myself these questions.

If I want to be maturing in my walk with the Lord, I need to remind myself that …. if I show partiality, I am committing sin …  .  I know that I need to ask God to help me to be impartial to all people.

How about you?  How are you handling partiality?

Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional blogs.

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

Just how willing are we to “Trust and Obey” the call of the Lord?

Lessons from the book of Acts (#4)

Do you remember the story in Acts, chapter 9, where the Lord asked a disciple named Ananias to visit with a man named Saul?   At that time Saul was known to be a vicious persecutor of Christians?  Ananias truly believed that Saul wanted to imprison or even kill him for being a disciple of the Lord.

But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3 ESV)

But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2 ESV)

Notice how Ananias chose to “Trust and Obey” the Lord, when the Lord gave him an assignment.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus (one of Saul’s targets) named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go ….

Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem

…. the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine

So Ananias departed and entered the house (where Saul was staying).  (Read the story in Acts 9:1-19)

We know very little about this man named Ananias, except that he was “a devout man according to the law, well-spoken of by all the Jews ….,” (Acts 22:12).  We also know that he was willing to be obedient to the Lord in a situation that he had seen as “life threating.”  We know that the Lord used Ananias to minister to a man (Saul/Paul) who would “ open their eyes, (the eyes of the Gentiles) 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. (Jesus)”(Acts 26:18)

Ananias, with one courageous act of obedience, was used by God in a way that impacted the lives of countless numbers of people for all of eternity.

The story of Ananias is a powerful illustration of someone “Trusting and Obeying” the Lord.

Hopefully this story will motivate all of us to always “Trust and Obey” the Lord.

Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional blogs.

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Do what it says.

Lessons from the book of James (#6)

Imagine looking in a mirror and seeing a huge piece of black licorice stuck between your front teeth and then turning away from the mirror and immediately forgetting that the candy is still there for everyone to see.

In James (one of the books of the Bible) we read:

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.  For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22-25 ESV)

Just listening to scripture or just reading scripture is of little value.  We need to study  the scriptures carefully, think about what we are reading, and pray for understanding.  We need to be intentional and diligent in our Bible study.  We need to persevere in our study of the Word, and then we need to do what scripture tells us to do.  We need to put the Biblical principles we are learning into practice.

“… a doer who acts, … will be blessed in his doing.”

We need to do something.  We need to get the licorice out of our teeth.

 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional blogs.

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How do we get patience?

Lessons in Patience (#2)

We know that the Bible tells us to be patient.  So where does patience come from?

•  When God’s love is being manifested in our lives, patience will also be manifested.

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God ….. (1 John 4:7 ESV)

 Love is patient and kind…. (1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV)

•  Scripture also tells us that patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  When we surrender our self-will to the Holy Spirit, patience will be manifested.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, … (Galatians 5:22 ESV)

•  We can pray for patience.

 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that …. you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, …. (Colossians 1:9 & 11 ESV)

•  You need to know that patience often comes from going through tough times.

 …. but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience… (Romans 5:3 KJV)

•  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  (James 1:2-3 KJV)

 Patience is accepting my circumstances and courageously persevering without complaint.

 … let us run with patience the race that is set before us, … (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Read more about patience in future blogs.

  You may also want to read “Whoever Believes….”

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“Just be patient.”

Lessons in Patience (#1)

How often have you heard the phrase, “You just have to be patient”?  Or better yet, how often have you told someone else, “Just be patient”?

Often times I find it very difficult to be patient.  Is patience really an important virtue?

Numerous passages in scripture tell us to be patient.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12 ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV)

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, …. (Colossians 3:12 ESV)

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV)

…. preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2 ESV)

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. …. You also, be patient. …. Do not grumble …. (James 5:7-9 ESV)

Clearly, as challenging as it may be, it is important for Christians to value patience and to have the desire to practice patience, whenever necessary, in any circumstance.

Patience is accepting my circumstances and courageously persevering without complaint.

Read more about patience in future blogs.

 Be sure to check out  “Whoever Believes….”

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Living for personal gain vs. Living to serve the Lord

Lessons from the book of Acts (#3)

There is a story in the Bible which contrasts the lives of two men.  (Acts 8:9-25)

This is a story about a man named Simon and a man named Philip.

Simon was a man who attracted a large following of people by using magic to get their attention and to gain personal recognition.

9 But there was a man named Simon… , saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. (Acts 8:9-11 ESV)

Simon was promoting himself.  Simon was after personal gain.

This same story talks about a second man, Philip, who attracted a large following of people by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  (Acts 8:12)

Philip was preaching the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.  Philip was living to serve the Lord and to promote the Kingdom of God.

Which one are you?  Are you a Simon or a Philip?

Are you striving after personal gain or are you motivated to live your live serving the Lord?

How would you like to live your life?

  Please read “Whoever Believes….”

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Where do “perfect” gifts come from?

My first response might be some place like The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, or Sears.  I’m thinking of tools or electronics (It’s a guy thing).  Females answering this question might name some special clothing or jewelry store.

Lessons from the book of James (#5)

Scripture tells us something completely different about the source of perfect gifts.  The Bible says that every good act of giving and every perfect gift comes from God our creator.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)

The gifts we receive from God are far better than any gift we have received from other people.  A few of the gifts that come from God are:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8 ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 ESV)

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:31-33 ESV)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God….. (1 John 4:7 ESV)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (John 14:16 ESV)

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11 ESV)

Perfect Gifts from our Father in Heaven.

Awesome!

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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Spiritual Maturity

Lessons from the book of James (#4)

In previous blogs we learned that trials are from God and are designed to produce spiritual growth. Temptations are from Satan and yielding to temptations lead to death.

Yielding to temptations will, without a doubt, stunt our spiritual growth.

The way to avoid being tripped up by Satan’s temptations is to be growing in a relationship with the Father by spending time in the word.

In James 1:18 we see how God transforms lives with His word.

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18 ESV)

We also read about lives being transformed in the book of Ephesians.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, …. (Ephesians 1:13 ESV)

God’s “living and active” word is at work in believers.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. (1 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV)

 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. 
The grass withers, and the flower falls,25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV)

 God’s word gives our lives direction.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 ESV)

God uses His Word to change our lives.  The changes are for now and for eternity.

Why would anyone choose to subject themselves to Satan’s temptations and stunt their spiritual growth by ignoring God’s word?  If we know that God’s word empowers us to have victory over Satan’s temptations, it seems foolish choosing not to spend quality time in the Word throughout the week.

Spending time in the Word leads to spiritual maturity.

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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