Whoever changed the term "The Lord's Supper" into Communion was on the right track but whatever happened after that? Obviously the one who changed the term had understanding that is not generally known today but like everything spiritual has over time and centuries been degraded into something else that was never intended. Communion was never intended to be a ritual of 5 or 10 minutes over a tiny chip of bread and half a sip of grape juice. When Jesus spoke of it they were having a full meal deal and it was the last time they would be having a meal together before His death. Yes Communion is definetly to commemorate His death but much more also. At this last meal He girded Himself and washed the disciples feet as an act of humble servitude and then told them that this is how they should view one another. How can I serve you my brother to make you feel special and to show my respect for the fact that you are a chosen vessel of the Lord Jesus Christ? What has been done with the Communion is a travesty and with tragic results. Let's examine the scriptures. We know what Jesus said and the Apostles seem to have understood it but the Apostle Paul had to bring some correction.
According to the scriptures it was common for the early church to get together frequently to eat together and worship and praise God. Everyday was a celebration of sorts because of the new found freedom they were experiencing.
Acts 2:46
New King James Version (NKJV)
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
What they were doing is practicing in reality the instructions of Jesus. "Whenever you come together to eat, remember me". However also what is common among people in general there were some who were not following protocol and this is what Paul addressed.
1 Corinthians 11:17-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
Conduct at the Lord’s Supper
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk.
I will get right to the core of my message and then attempt to prove it by the scripture. Communion by it's very root means sharing, being together in close intimate relationship. The hippies of the flower generation took it even further and shared everything sometimes even their spouses. The early Church sacrificed whatever extra that anyone had and shared all things in common and that is the root of Communion. So when they came together to eat and celebrate their new found faith and love for the Lord Jesus they also recognized that He had done something special in each of them and now they were children of God and because He was dwelling in each of them they were in effect "His Body" and He demanded that they show the same respect for each other that they would give to Him if He were present in person. Every time they got together and ate it was essentially a reenactment of the Last Supper. It was indeed a full meal otherwise why would Paul accuse some of gluttony and others of drunkenness. No wonder that he points out that some are sickly and some have already died. God does not fool around with our misunderstandings. I am reminded of a mother bear with her cubs. Better not mess with them or your life is in danger yet we show so little respect for God by the way we treat each other. Just tell a loving parent that their children are being bullied at school, all hell will break loose. We are created in God's image though we have not yet attained His holiness He's working on that and will get it done. You and all those other Christians around you no matter where they go to worship are precious in His sight so when we go to have Communion do we even consider if we have an issue with someone or if someone has an issue with us that we have not addressed?
1 John 4:20
New King James Version (NKJV)
Obedience by Faith
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
It doesn't have to be something big for Solomon said "It's the little foxes that spoil the vines, for the vines are tender". Why do you think that Peter was so harsh with Ananias and Sapphira who just held back a bit of the money from the property they sold and gave a large portion of it to the Church? It was because of the purity of heart that was so prevalent at the time and God was delighted with it and just one bit of guile was unacceptable and He wanted to make a point. It was like in the garden of Eden where all was pure and perfect, so perfect that Adam and Eve did not know they were naked but just one bit of evil destroyed it all.
I am not trying to judge anyone for that is not my job but I see Christians dropping like flies from every manner of disease and others who are just sick almost all the time and there has to be a reason. One need not look too far to see the discord that exists and the scriptures do not lie. So while I think it unlikely that the manner of the Communion practice will to change to a more meaningful form at least the individual can take responsibility and get themselves in right relationship with those around them and if they cannot do that then don't eat with another Christian until you do or you may be eating and drinking condemnation for "We are the Lord's Body".
john
responses to email justjohn@eoni.com
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Gift of God
Romans 6:23
New King James Version (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Few Christians that I know of are aware of the enormous implications of this verse. In scripture every word has importance and for that reason it is vital that we make careful choice about the multitude of translations that we choose from to get our meat. If all you want is milk then I suppose any of them will do but the real meat is revealed in the fine print and can be difficult to discover. Diligent and prayerful search is the only answer because without the aid of the Holy Spirit no one is going to learn the deep things of God. I have said all that because I want to point out one of those deeper things that is usually passed right over in our haste to get to the good stuff or that which stimulates our interest.
The above passage says the Gift of God is eternal life and that is true but what is usually understood is that God has given you a present or thing that assures you of a place in heaven along with a certificate that is like a fire insurance policy and as long as you behave yourself it will remain in force, though some people think that they do not even need to behave themselves. The part that is missed is in the tiny word "of" sandwiched in between "gift and God". Please note that the word is "of, rather than from". Therein lies a huge difference. A gift from God is something that can be categorized or quantified. It can be unwrapped and worn or put in a drawer or on a bookshelf or stored in the freezer. However the "gift of God" is the person of God Himself and must be regarded in an entirely different manner. Just because you cannot see Him or necessarily feel Him in a physical sense does not mean that He is any less real. We are not intended to feel Him nor see Him, otherwise where would faith be? God cannot be categorized, quantified or contained in a few words. He is infinite, everywhere, all knowing and I could go on an on. The point being that nothing is impossible with God and when He comes and takes up residence in you then your future possiblilities are also infinite and far beyond your capacity to imagine what He can do in you, for you or with you. The only requirement is that His goals must become your goals and He's not going to tell you what His goals are except His desire for your childlike love and obedience.
This knowledge should shake us to the very root of our being and instill a holy fear in us. Not a fear of judgement but a fear of failure to regard this holy presence in the proper sense. God knows our frame and He knows our sinful selfish nature and He chose a wonderful way to deal with it. First He issued the Moses law so the people could see the holiness that would please God but to also learn that no person could possibly meet that expectation. I guess it was in a way God's way of humbling us. Then He says "now that you are able to understand that you cannot please me on your own I will come down and enter into each of you that are willing to accept me and I will live my holy life out from within you and you will become transformed. Can you begin to grasp the enormity of that? The very God who says "if you see my face you will die" has come down to you in another form but with the same purpose "To Kill You" That is to kill the sin nature in you that you cannot control and to bring forth His nature so that when people look at you they will see Christ. This is the great mystery of God.
Colossians 1:27
New King James Version (NKJV)
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Real spiritual growth always start with a change of mind, something that affects the way we think and view life around us or within ourselves. I hope and pray that this will be stimulus for some who read it to begin to view their relationship with the Lord in a new light. He is as close as your thoughts but deeper than your heart. You have to open up, give up, look up and pray up. He's listening not only to every prayer but knows every un-uttered thought so there's no secrets and you might just as well talk to Him about those things that are hindering you because He already knows and is just waiting for you to admit that they are there and willing to be rid of them. The unhindered life of God in you will produce a life beyond your imagination, you simply must be willing to let Him lead. Many are seeking to do something for God and some even say like Peter "I would die for You" but they are not willing to die to self. They have determined for themselves how they want to serve God and are pursuing that course and expect Him to bless their plans but it works the other way around. He says "FOLLOW ME AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN".
It is my prayer that you learn that lesson well because God does not need great preachers and teachers or great missionaries but He does need simple men and women that will follow Him and lay themselves down to be a channel for His goodness and love and power to flow through them in ways that they will not even understand. There's a great revival coming right along with the great tribulation that we've all heard so much about and it is not the professionals that will be at the forefront but rather the simple deacons (layman) that will be doing the works and miracles. For more info read the book of Acts. Some of the greatest works wore performed by those who were chosen as deacons to wait on tables.
Be blessed and be a blessing my friends,
john
Comments: email justjohn@eoni.com
New King James Version (NKJV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Few Christians that I know of are aware of the enormous implications of this verse. In scripture every word has importance and for that reason it is vital that we make careful choice about the multitude of translations that we choose from to get our meat. If all you want is milk then I suppose any of them will do but the real meat is revealed in the fine print and can be difficult to discover. Diligent and prayerful search is the only answer because without the aid of the Holy Spirit no one is going to learn the deep things of God. I have said all that because I want to point out one of those deeper things that is usually passed right over in our haste to get to the good stuff or that which stimulates our interest.
The above passage says the Gift of God is eternal life and that is true but what is usually understood is that God has given you a present or thing that assures you of a place in heaven along with a certificate that is like a fire insurance policy and as long as you behave yourself it will remain in force, though some people think that they do not even need to behave themselves. The part that is missed is in the tiny word "of" sandwiched in between "gift and God". Please note that the word is "of, rather than from". Therein lies a huge difference. A gift from God is something that can be categorized or quantified. It can be unwrapped and worn or put in a drawer or on a bookshelf or stored in the freezer. However the "gift of God" is the person of God Himself and must be regarded in an entirely different manner. Just because you cannot see Him or necessarily feel Him in a physical sense does not mean that He is any less real. We are not intended to feel Him nor see Him, otherwise where would faith be? God cannot be categorized, quantified or contained in a few words. He is infinite, everywhere, all knowing and I could go on an on. The point being that nothing is impossible with God and when He comes and takes up residence in you then your future possiblilities are also infinite and far beyond your capacity to imagine what He can do in you, for you or with you. The only requirement is that His goals must become your goals and He's not going to tell you what His goals are except His desire for your childlike love and obedience.
This knowledge should shake us to the very root of our being and instill a holy fear in us. Not a fear of judgement but a fear of failure to regard this holy presence in the proper sense. God knows our frame and He knows our sinful selfish nature and He chose a wonderful way to deal with it. First He issued the Moses law so the people could see the holiness that would please God but to also learn that no person could possibly meet that expectation. I guess it was in a way God's way of humbling us. Then He says "now that you are able to understand that you cannot please me on your own I will come down and enter into each of you that are willing to accept me and I will live my holy life out from within you and you will become transformed. Can you begin to grasp the enormity of that? The very God who says "if you see my face you will die" has come down to you in another form but with the same purpose "To Kill You" That is to kill the sin nature in you that you cannot control and to bring forth His nature so that when people look at you they will see Christ. This is the great mystery of God.
Colossians 1:27
New King James Version (NKJV)
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Real spiritual growth always start with a change of mind, something that affects the way we think and view life around us or within ourselves. I hope and pray that this will be stimulus for some who read it to begin to view their relationship with the Lord in a new light. He is as close as your thoughts but deeper than your heart. You have to open up, give up, look up and pray up. He's listening not only to every prayer but knows every un-uttered thought so there's no secrets and you might just as well talk to Him about those things that are hindering you because He already knows and is just waiting for you to admit that they are there and willing to be rid of them. The unhindered life of God in you will produce a life beyond your imagination, you simply must be willing to let Him lead. Many are seeking to do something for God and some even say like Peter "I would die for You" but they are not willing to die to self. They have determined for themselves how they want to serve God and are pursuing that course and expect Him to bless their plans but it works the other way around. He says "FOLLOW ME AND I WILL MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN".
It is my prayer that you learn that lesson well because God does not need great preachers and teachers or great missionaries but He does need simple men and women that will follow Him and lay themselves down to be a channel for His goodness and love and power to flow through them in ways that they will not even understand. There's a great revival coming right along with the great tribulation that we've all heard so much about and it is not the professionals that will be at the forefront but rather the simple deacons (layman) that will be doing the works and miracles. For more info read the book of Acts. Some of the greatest works wore performed by those who were chosen as deacons to wait on tables.
Be blessed and be a blessing my friends,
john
Comments: email justjohn@eoni.com
Sunday, April 22, 2012
To be a Vessel of Honor
Ephesians 2:19-22
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
It would be good for the reader to read the entire second chapter of Ephesians to get full impact of what I am trying to say here, but I will leave that up to you.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
It would be good for the reader to read the entire second chapter of Ephesians to get full impact of what I am trying to say here, but I will leave that up to you.
It astounds me how many professing Christians are wrapped up in politics either actively campaigning for a certain candidate or just hustling others to vote for their favorite or talking down the other side. This is not about politics though I will say that it doesn't matter one iota who becomes our next president because they all will be doing what they are told by those who are pulling the strings behind that curtain. There seems to a kind of insanity set in that to me is similar to the lemmings in the arctic that at a certain season all run down into the water and drown themselves. No Christian should be surprised at any of the stuff that is going on for it has been foretold for two thousand years in the book of Revelations and other scriptures that there would be an end of the age when total madness would overcome all mankind and evil would be called good and good would be called evil. We are there. Governments would be torn down until chaos controlled the planet then all mankind would cry out for someone to bring order out of the chaos and at that time the Antichrist would be revealed and set up a one world government. That time is upon us and there will be no delaying it. The timing of God is perfect and if you think some politician is going to or even could change that then I have that proverbial bridge to sell you.
My point is that for the Christian our focus should be much different. Example 1:
Hebrews 10:24-25
New King James Version (NKJV)
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
These days our gathering together pretty much entails one carefully choreographed hour per week on Sunday morning during which most people are relegated to the position of observer. little opportunity exists of real interaction other than handshaking and exchanging a few pleasantries. I know of only one church having a Sunday evening service and that is attended by fewer than a dozen individuals. I am not blaming the churches in particular because they are simply giving the people what they want or what they respond to. The real failure of the church leadership in in not informing the people of the time they are in and the dangers that lay literally at the door.
Jesus did much of His teaching through story telling or parables that were stories that made a point and usually started out "The kingdom of God is like" and then went on to tell the parable and the hearer or reader is supposed to understand that this is what it is like if you are a Christian. I wonder how many understand this one:
Matthew 25
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.
Most who read this will say "Oh I understand that one" but their actions tell a different story. Either they don't really understand it, don't believe it or worse, don't care. This is a parable of exclusion and it's tragic. It tells of a group of believers waiting for the return of Christ only to discover too late that 50% of them were disqualified. In reality the number could even be higher. I will attempt to explain.
When Jesus says "Watch" He does not mean that you should have your eyes on the eastern sky all the time to see if Jesus is appearing. It has much more to do with watching how you conduct your daily affairs and constantly seeking the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is truly pleasing to God and reveals that you have the life of Jesus in you. This is not to try to determine "what would Jesus do" type of thinking and action but having such an ongoing relationship with Him that you know what He wants you to do. There is a vast difference because the former is trying to be a copycat which will never work because Jesus always did things that baffled His observers and the latter is simply obeying what Jesus directs you to do.
The Holy Spirit is the agent that God sent to earth to be our constant companion, guide and helper but few understand that He is a Person and His life is in you and you must learn to hear Him and yield to Him. He will not shout and will not force and the less that you obey Him the less that He will speak until the time comes that He is completely silent. This is the case of the 5 foolish virgins, they were real born again Christians who neglected the most vital relationship in their life and the sad result is that they were actually shut out of the kingdom. This should terrify everyone of us enough that we would spend enough time seeking that relationship that satisfies like nothing else and will develop into a love relationship where all fear evaporates. What begins with fear will indeed turn into passionate love and devotion because that is what God wants and will develop in you if you will seek Him with all your heart. We hear a lot about worship and most tend to think that it is when we go to Church and sing and listen to some prayers but in truth worship is the passionate focus on the Person of Jesus Christ in all you do and the decision to obey at all costs.This will produce in us a presence of the Holy Spirit that could be considered a reserve. The five wise virgins had a reserve which is more than you need at the moment but will certainly come in handy at some point in the near future.
A very important aspect of this parable comes to mind and that is the fact that the 5 wise virgins would not share their oil with the 5 foolish virgins. It is not because they were selfish, no not at all. The simple fact is that what you get in your life through passionate pursuit of the Lord cannot be shared or given away, it is not a thing or substance that is divisible, it is development of character as well as sensitivity between your spirit and the Spirit of God and each person must find it for themselves and pay the price to obtain it.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Most who read this will say "Oh I understand that one" but their actions tell a different story. Either they don't really understand it, don't believe it or worse, don't care. This is a parable of exclusion and it's tragic. It tells of a group of believers waiting for the return of Christ only to discover too late that 50% of them were disqualified. In reality the number could even be higher. I will attempt to explain.
When Jesus says "Watch" He does not mean that you should have your eyes on the eastern sky all the time to see if Jesus is appearing. It has much more to do with watching how you conduct your daily affairs and constantly seeking the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit to live a life that is truly pleasing to God and reveals that you have the life of Jesus in you. This is not to try to determine "what would Jesus do" type of thinking and action but having such an ongoing relationship with Him that you know what He wants you to do. There is a vast difference because the former is trying to be a copycat which will never work because Jesus always did things that baffled His observers and the latter is simply obeying what Jesus directs you to do.
The Holy Spirit is the agent that God sent to earth to be our constant companion, guide and helper but few understand that He is a Person and His life is in you and you must learn to hear Him and yield to Him. He will not shout and will not force and the less that you obey Him the less that He will speak until the time comes that He is completely silent. This is the case of the 5 foolish virgins, they were real born again Christians who neglected the most vital relationship in their life and the sad result is that they were actually shut out of the kingdom. This should terrify everyone of us enough that we would spend enough time seeking that relationship that satisfies like nothing else and will develop into a love relationship where all fear evaporates. What begins with fear will indeed turn into passionate love and devotion because that is what God wants and will develop in you if you will seek Him with all your heart. We hear a lot about worship and most tend to think that it is when we go to Church and sing and listen to some prayers but in truth worship is the passionate focus on the Person of Jesus Christ in all you do and the decision to obey at all costs.This will produce in us a presence of the Holy Spirit that could be considered a reserve. The five wise virgins had a reserve which is more than you need at the moment but will certainly come in handy at some point in the near future.
A very important aspect of this parable comes to mind and that is the fact that the 5 wise virgins would not share their oil with the 5 foolish virgins. It is not because they were selfish, no not at all. The simple fact is that what you get in your life through passionate pursuit of the Lord cannot be shared or given away, it is not a thing or substance that is divisible, it is development of character as well as sensitivity between your spirit and the Spirit of God and each person must find it for themselves and pay the price to obtain it.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[a] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Let us all determine to be a vessel of honor. All we need to do is ask that the Lord grant that and then spend time (quality time) seeking to know Him and His Word and He will do it. We cannot do it and that is the very reason that Jesus had to come and be crucified and resurrected that He might return to the Fathers side and send the Holy Spirit to carry on the work. Surrender and obedience, study and prayer are the cornerstones of a victorious Christian life. Let's all go for it. I look forward to meeting you all over there.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
john
email. justjohn@eoni.com or
acts2216@eoni.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Be a good Samaritan
This something of an addendum on my previous post "Soul Power" as it occurred to me that some might think that they should do absolutly nothing unless God spoke to them with a bullhorn sort of voice commanding them to do such and such. That idea flies in the face of much of Jesus teaching while He was here on earth not to mention all the teaching of The apostle Paul. We are not robots and that is not the way God want's us to think. The main gist of my article on Soul Power was to focus on the human tendancy to think we can do anything without God and the pride factor that generates. Pride is one of the most dangerous sins that can get a hold on a servant of God and transform him into a servant of self leaving God completely out of the equasion. I don't think any serious Christian really wants to spend his whole life in Christian service and works only to get to heaven and stand before the Lord and be told that it was all wood, hay and stubble and had been burned up in the fire of judgement and that his only reward was the minimum that the least would get. It always grieves me to hear someone say "well all I want is just a little shack over there in a corner of heaven". That person is seriously misinformed of the purpose we are put here for and why we were redeemed and what does that say about his or her love for the Lord and what He has done for us?
We are called to Good Works.
Galatians 6:9-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
If we are loving faithful Christians we are spending time with the Lord and we can be sure that He is guiding our steps daily. Therefore if we encounter a need in the course of our daily walk we can be pretty sure that God wants us to do something about it. This is quite different than determining that I'm going to become a missionary or teacher or pastor and go here or there and serve God in that capasity. It is simply ministering to the needs in the life of others that are in the path that God has laid out for me today. It is really no different than the life of Jesus. As He walked from place to place He met needs that presented themselves. He did not get up in the morning and say to His disciples " I heard that there were some sick folk over in such and such a community so let's walk over there today and heal some. No, instead when He got out of the boat at Gadarea a demon possessed man came out of the caves and confronted Him, at that point Jesus did the logical thing and demanded the demon to come out of him. When He was walking down the road a blind man kept crying out to Him, Jesus Son of God help me. Again Jesus did the logical thing and asked him what he wanted. To receive my sight he said, to which Jesus response was, "receive your sight".
Look for the direction of the Holy Spirit in the everyday grind, ask for wisdom, you will always get it and then do what your heart leads you to do. These are the works that will turn out to be Gold, Silver and Precious Stones that will result in reward at the end of your days on earth. Don't ever say "well I can't because I have no resources" because the Spirit would never put you in a place to help someone and not supply you with what was necessary to help. We simply may not want to part with that which would help that person.
Never forget that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
New King James Version (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Not only that but you cannot outgive God for here is the promise and if it doesn't work it is because you don't believe it or are not obedient or your motives are to get rich.
Luke 6:38
New King James Version (NKJV)
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
I trust that anyone reading this blog has pure motives and desires to have a closer walk with God so I'm sure none of the above negative descriptions apply.
There are a few cautions. While we are encouraged to help those in need there are a few descriptions in scripture where we should not help. The Apostle Paul said that if a man does not work, neither let him eat. There are those who seem to be perpetually in need but are not taxing their abilities to provide for themselves. It is one thing to help a person out of a crisis situation but is another matter when that person almost immediatly encounters another crisis and then another. It seems that their whole life is a perpetual crisis. This is where we must use discretion of the Holy Spirit and let our gift to them be one of prayerful intercession before God. Crisis is often the means that God uses to get people to look up. If we are always looking to man to solve our problems we will never get to know the only One Who has the ultimate solution. We will never develope an ounce of faith in the unseen. Then there is the person who is a Christian that is living contrary to the word of God and is under His discipline. If we intervene with help other than Godly council and prayer then we are crossing swords with the Lord and interfering with His purposes in their life and that is very unwise because the Hand of God may eventually come against you. These are all reasons that we must and absolutely must get in a relationship with God that He can guide our every move and action with very gentle urging. Now you should not need God to tell you to stop and help that stranded motorist or help the neighbor lady to change a flat tire when you yourself have some place to be because that is called a sacrifice and a true sacrifice is something that you willingly give even though it really costs you something. That releases the blessings of God.
The Samaritan in the parable that Jesus told about the traveler who was attacked, robbed and beaten by theives was a total stanger to him but he tended his wounds and gave money to have him nursed back to health and asked nothing in return, as opposed to the pharisees who walked by on the other side of the path so as not to get blood on their clothes. Jesus didn't call him a Good Samaritan, that is a title given by man as though all the other Samaritans are bad and this one was good. No he simply was an undistinguished layman doing the will of God in contrast to the religous not doing the will of God. I could carry this much further but trust that it is not necessary for those who delight themselves with the the will of God.
Be blessed my friends and pass these messages along if you think they will be helpful to someone.
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com
We are called to Good Works.
Galatians 6:9-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
If we are loving faithful Christians we are spending time with the Lord and we can be sure that He is guiding our steps daily. Therefore if we encounter a need in the course of our daily walk we can be pretty sure that God wants us to do something about it. This is quite different than determining that I'm going to become a missionary or teacher or pastor and go here or there and serve God in that capasity. It is simply ministering to the needs in the life of others that are in the path that God has laid out for me today. It is really no different than the life of Jesus. As He walked from place to place He met needs that presented themselves. He did not get up in the morning and say to His disciples " I heard that there were some sick folk over in such and such a community so let's walk over there today and heal some. No, instead when He got out of the boat at Gadarea a demon possessed man came out of the caves and confronted Him, at that point Jesus did the logical thing and demanded the demon to come out of him. When He was walking down the road a blind man kept crying out to Him, Jesus Son of God help me. Again Jesus did the logical thing and asked him what he wanted. To receive my sight he said, to which Jesus response was, "receive your sight".
Look for the direction of the Holy Spirit in the everyday grind, ask for wisdom, you will always get it and then do what your heart leads you to do. These are the works that will turn out to be Gold, Silver and Precious Stones that will result in reward at the end of your days on earth. Don't ever say "well I can't because I have no resources" because the Spirit would never put you in a place to help someone and not supply you with what was necessary to help. We simply may not want to part with that which would help that person.
Never forget that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
New King James Version (NKJV)
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Not only that but you cannot outgive God for here is the promise and if it doesn't work it is because you don't believe it or are not obedient or your motives are to get rich.
Luke 6:38
New King James Version (NKJV)
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
I trust that anyone reading this blog has pure motives and desires to have a closer walk with God so I'm sure none of the above negative descriptions apply.
There are a few cautions. While we are encouraged to help those in need there are a few descriptions in scripture where we should not help. The Apostle Paul said that if a man does not work, neither let him eat. There are those who seem to be perpetually in need but are not taxing their abilities to provide for themselves. It is one thing to help a person out of a crisis situation but is another matter when that person almost immediatly encounters another crisis and then another. It seems that their whole life is a perpetual crisis. This is where we must use discretion of the Holy Spirit and let our gift to them be one of prayerful intercession before God. Crisis is often the means that God uses to get people to look up. If we are always looking to man to solve our problems we will never get to know the only One Who has the ultimate solution. We will never develope an ounce of faith in the unseen. Then there is the person who is a Christian that is living contrary to the word of God and is under His discipline. If we intervene with help other than Godly council and prayer then we are crossing swords with the Lord and interfering with His purposes in their life and that is very unwise because the Hand of God may eventually come against you. These are all reasons that we must and absolutely must get in a relationship with God that He can guide our every move and action with very gentle urging. Now you should not need God to tell you to stop and help that stranded motorist or help the neighbor lady to change a flat tire when you yourself have some place to be because that is called a sacrifice and a true sacrifice is something that you willingly give even though it really costs you something. That releases the blessings of God.
The Samaritan in the parable that Jesus told about the traveler who was attacked, robbed and beaten by theives was a total stanger to him but he tended his wounds and gave money to have him nursed back to health and asked nothing in return, as opposed to the pharisees who walked by on the other side of the path so as not to get blood on their clothes. Jesus didn't call him a Good Samaritan, that is a title given by man as though all the other Samaritans are bad and this one was good. No he simply was an undistinguished layman doing the will of God in contrast to the religous not doing the will of God. I could carry this much further but trust that it is not necessary for those who delight themselves with the the will of God.
Be blessed my friends and pass these messages along if you think they will be helpful to someone.
john Martin
justjohn@eoni.com
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