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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We read in James and Matthew that we are to be perfect.

Lessons from the book of James (#3)

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:4 ESV)

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 ESV)

What does it mean to be perfect?  We know that God would not expect us to obtain something that is impossible for us to obtain.

I know that I have been redeemed.  I know that my sins are forgiven.  I know that I am a part of the family of God.

….giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:12-14 ESV)

But am I perfect?

What do other scriptures tell us?

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. (1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV)

• I need to grow up.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on …. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)

• I am not perfect yet, I need to keep pressing on.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)

• I am being transformed

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

• I need to be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

• I need to know scripture and use it accurately.

No, I am not “perfect.”

I like the NIV version of James 1:4 “….that you may be mature and complete….”  As long as I am living here on earth I will never achieve sinless perfection, but I can be a spiritually mature Christian with a right relationship with God the Father.  This is possible because of what Jesus did for all of us when he died on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins, and made a right relationship with God the Father possible.

I can be the person God wants me to be:
mature, balanced, grown-up, complete, lacking nothing.

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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Keeping fit physically and spiritually.

Most people agree that keeping physically fit is important.  In 1Timothy 4:7 it says, “Bodily training is of some value.”

Clearly, there is value in physical exercise.  Research tells us that a program of regular exercise benefits us in many ways.  Physical exercise helps us control our weight, combat diseases, improve our mood, boost our energy, sleep better, etc.

While it is important to keep fit physically, it is even more important for us to keep fit spiritually.  Scripture tells us to “….train yourself for godliness; for …. godliness is of value in every way,” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Physical exercise produces temporary benefits.  Spiritual exercise “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1Timothy 4:8)   Spiritual exercise benefits us now and benefits us for all of eternity.

While there are a number of ways to exercise spiritually, our primary spiritual exercise (training ourselves for godliness) is spending time in the Word.  We will benefit the most if we have a program of regularly scheduled times for Bible study.  Consistency is always important for any exercise program, physical or spiritual, to be successful.

One of our goals for our Bible study could be found in 2 Peter 3:18 where we are instructed to, “….  grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Remember to “…. train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV)

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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 Persecution and Joy

Lessons from the book of Acts (#2)

Recently, at church, I heard a number of stories of Christians throughout the world being persecuted.  Christians are being forced to leave their homes, jailed, tortured, and even killed for their faith.

These stories are unsettling and distressing to listen to.  How can I possibly connect the words “persecution and joy”?

Let’s look at an example in scripture where these two words are used in the same story.

1 ….. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ….. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city. …. 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 8:1-12 ESV)

Great persecution ….they were all scattered….those who were scattered went about preaching the word….Christ was proclaimed….many believed…there was much joy….

As bad as persecution is, it often leads to good things.  As we look back through history, or even in our own personal lives, it becomes clear that spiritual growth does not take place when things are easy and going smoothly.  Spiritual growth takes place during the “tough” times.

 We all enjoy the “mountain top experiences” but we need to remind ourselves that we experience the most spiritual growth when we are in the “valleys.”

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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Sooner or later we are all going to die.

Lessons from the book of Acts (#1)

When your time comes, would you like to die gracefully?

We can all learn from a man who died gracefully. His story is found in the Bible, in the book of Acts, chapter 7.  This is the story of Stephen, one of the seven chosen to serve in the early Church.  Stephen is sometimes recognized as the first martyr (after Jesus) of the Christian Church.

Stephen knew what he believed and boldly spoke out for Christ and the Church with uncompromising conviction.  His comments enraged “the religious authorities.”  Stephen was accused of blasphemy and was martyred for his faith after eloquently and forcefully defending the establishment of the new Christian Church.

Why was Stephen able to die gracefully in the midst of a hostile environment?

Let’s take a look at four elements of his story.

• Stephen was a man of faith.

 …. and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, ….. (Acts 6:5 ESV)

•  Stephen knew where to put his focus.

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55-56 ESV)

• Stephen knew that his salvation came through Jesus, the Messiah (Savior) .

 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59 ESV)

•   Stephen was able to forgive his enemies.

 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:60 ESV)

When my time comes, I hope I die as gracefully and peacefully as Stephen died.

  Please read “Whoever Believes….”

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We all experience trials and temptations.   Both trials and temptations seem to be a part of life.  Is there any difference between trials and temptations?  If yes, what is the difference?

Lessons from the book of James (#2)

In James we read, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, …the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…. that you may be perfect and  complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2 – 4 ESV)

• There is a big difference between trials and temptations. Trials are for our benefit.  Trials help us grow spiritually.  Trials help us become “perfect and complete.”

We also read, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

• Trials are often difficult and painful. Trials may take time and endurance.  Trials are used by God to help us become more mature in our Christian walk.  As tough as trials may be, they are for our benefit.
•  Here is a major difference between trials and temptations. Trials are from God.  Temptations are from Satan.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and He himself (God) tempts no one.    (James 1:13 ESV)

• Temptations involve fun.  We enjoy temptations.  When Satan tested Eve in the Garden of Eden he made the fruit look appealing.  Eve believed that it would taste good.  Eve felt that she would enjoy it.  The fruit would make her wise.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6 ESV)

• Note: Satan tempts, but we choose.  Satan cannot make us act.  We act out of choice.
• Temptations are sin. Temptations lead to death.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15 ESV)

• Temptations destroy relationships.

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”  And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, ….  Genesis 3:8-10

We like temptations, temptations can be fun initially, but we suffer tremendous harm when we yield to temptations.

We don’t like trials, trials are hard, but we benefit greatly from them.

  Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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Rich and poor alike benefit from trials.

Lessons from the book of James

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation… (James 1:9-10 ESV)

A Christian who is poor can boast of the fact that he is an heir of the kingdom of God.  He will, in fact, be “rich” for all of eternity.

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? (James 2:5 ESV)

The rich, after going through trials of various kinds and learning to depend on God rather than earthly riches, can also boast.  When the rich become free from the “….cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things …” (Mark 4:19 ESV) they too can boast of having the privilege of being identified with Christ.

The Apostle Paul clearly understood this principle.  In Philippians he says, “…. for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV)

Check out “Whoever Believes….”

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Asking For Wisdom.

Wisdom- Part 3

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)

How do we ask for wisdom?

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, …. (James 1: 6 ESV)

Notice that scripture says that not everyone gets what they ask for.

For that person (one who doubts) must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (James 1:7 ESV)

What does it mean to ask in faith?

In order to receive wisdom from God, a person must first recognize God as a holy and sovereign God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

In New Testament language, a person needs to have a relationship with God the Father, through Jesus Christ before expecting this gift of wisdom.

Finally, a person needs to believe that God will, in fact, give wisdom to those who diligently seek for it.

I love those who love me (referring to wisdom), and those who seek me (wisdom) diligently find me. (Proverbs 8:17 ESV)

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, (Ecclesiastes 2:26 ESV)

To receive wisdom, we must ask in faith, without doubting.

Check out www.seekinghiskingdomministries.com for additional blogs.

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