Posted by: missionventureministries | November 11, 2020

GOD PROTECTS THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM- Psalm 91

This Psalm speaks directly to every person’s fears, need for protection and security. It is clear that God’s protection of those who draw near to Him was primarily on the author’s mind. In verses 1 and 2, we find a description of the ultimate place for shelter and refuge. 

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 

In the first verse, the visual picture painted is of one being sheltered in the safest place of God, His shadow and thus protected by His Presence. We must understand that the one who “dwells” or lives in God’s secret place will be protected by His Almighty Presence. It is not the one who claims to dwell in God’s presence that will be protected, but the one who truly lives there. The clear teaching in all this is that for the believer to attain any of God’s promises he must live in unbroken fellowship with God, never acting in self-will but doing only what God directs in His word. He must be totally consecrated to the service of God and completely yielded to the authority of Jesus Christ. 

Verse two tells us that we need to trust and acknowledge Him as our refuge and fortress. We are not to trust in our own strength and intellect to save us from danger, and need to recognize where our real protection lies. This entails faith. Hebrews 11:6 states, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” 

3 Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

Here the Psalmist wants to makes us aware that God will save us from being entrapped or entangled by an enemy, seen or unseen. God will also save us from the “deadly pestilence.” Pestilence refers to deadly plagues, dreaded disease, epidemics, etc. We can be assured that when we live in God’s secret place, He will deliver us from our enemies, visible or invisible. 

4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

God covers and shelters those who are His. Here again the author uses figurative language to describe God’s love, faithfulness and divine protection for those who trust in Him. 

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

In these verses the writer shifts his focus to the beneficiary. The believer will be without fear because he is living in the internal sanctuary of the Omnipotent God. Today’s terror may be the unknown threat of the terrorist or the weapons of destruction they unleash. Whatever the threat, they cannot penetrate the defense of the Almighty. Pestilence and plagues in today’s definition could be such as anthrax, Covid-19, Ebola, Small Pox and others. However in verse 7 we see that though thousands may fall at our side, those in God’s care will remain untouched. 

 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 

The second result is that we will only observe God’s punishment of the wicked, and those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty will not experience it. Therefore, we are to be deeply grateful for the grace of God and His indescribable mercy. 

What we learn from Psalm 91:3-8 is that God protects those who are His. He will not allow any danger or threat into their lives except those filtered through His sovereign hand. And concerning the ultimate disease of sin, those who believe are eternally delivered from its inevitable end. There is no death in the secret place of the Most High. Yes, there are deadly threats confronting us daily; but these can only destroy our mortal bodies. Physical death for the believer is simply an open door to life everlasting in the Presence of God. 

9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

God makes an incredible promise in verses 9 and 10. It starts with a condition and ends with a result. In a conditional statement, we must always fulfill the condition before we can claim the promise. If we are not experiencing God’s divine protection, we must always ask, “Am I living my life in God’s Presence and in light of His Nature and Attributes?” Then, having fulfilled the condition, we can expect to experience the promise. 

11 For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

In these verses God reveals the method by which He protects His children. These are specific angels God puts in charge to watch over all the ways of those who choose to live within His shelter and their involvement is personal as lifting you up in their hand. 

13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

Here we see a picture of the victory that is ours when we stand in the shadow of our Heavenly Father. By God’s Power, we will be able to “tread” and “trample” upon the lion and cobra … the “great lion” and the “serpent.” God is speaking here about our spiritual adversary, Satan, who is described in Scripture as both a lion and a serpent. When you stand close to God, His might stands behind you and not even Satan will be able to defeat you. 

14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.
15 He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” 

In the last three verses, God Himself pronounces eight blessings for those who have consecrated themselves to His service. Love in verse 14 in this context means delight in, cling to. This teaches that God has only obligated Himself to deliver those who truly delight in Him from all their troubles, and He will honor them. God will satisfy those who qualify for the blessings with long life and show him My salvation. The full sight of divine grace shall be the believers closing vision. 

It should be noted that the conditions of salvation are the same in both the Old and New Testaments. God has laid down the conditions and they must be complied with in order to be saved. As Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

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Posted by: missionventureministries | November 6, 2020

HOPE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO GET WELL – John 5:1-15

Do you want to get healed E

“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)

Are you to the point of loosing everything you love? Do you feel lost and desperate and don’t know what to do? There is hope for you, because Jesus is waiting for you with open arms and has the answers and the healing you are so desperately looking for.

As Jesus was in Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals he came by the Sheep Gate pool where a great number of sick and disabled people used to gather. One of they had been an invalid for thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:1-6)

That question is an important one for those who have physical infirmities, but more importantly for those who being lost in their sins have the need of being made spiritually whole. Do you want to be spiritually cleansed? Do you want to be normal and live like Jesus intends for you to live, free from the shackles of sin?

The invalid replied: “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Healing from whatever it may be: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, un-forgiveness, only comes for those who want it. Even though it appears that this man wanted to be healed, after 38 years his problem had become a way of life. No one had ever helped him, and the man’s situation looked hopeless but he perseveres. So, no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities (sins), God can take care of your deepest needs. Don’t let a problem or hardship cause you to lose hope. God may have special work for you to do in spite of your condition, or even because of it. Many have ministered effectively to hurting people because they have triumphed over their own hurt. God had a plan for this man and He has one for you to.

Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. (John 5:8-9)

Instantly, as Jesus spoke the words, the man was completely healed. To show he was fully healed, Jesus told him to pick up his bed and walk. He did not need to go to “rehab” to learn to walk again or to give up his sinful addictions. He was healed mind and body; and this is a true miracle by God. You can also be blessed by a miracle like this one if you have faith and believe. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

The Jewish authorities questioned him about who had healed him, but the man had no idea because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd. (John 5:10-13)

Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. (John 5:14-15)

After healing the man, Jesus went to the temple and there he found him again. The man did not know who Jesus was, but he knew it was God that had healed him. So, he immediately went to the temple to give thanks to God for healing him. This action shows that the man believed in God and wanted to give Him thanks for the blessing he had received.

At the temple Jesus told the man to go and sin no m ore. Here Jesus addresses the man’s spiritual condition. Jesus said he had been made physically whole, and to sin no more referring to being healed spiritually also. Jesus performed a great miracle of love; He imparted spiritual strength so that the man could live with victory over his sin, sickness and past failures.

Jesus was giving him a stern warning. Being lame was a terrible thing, but being spiritually dead was much worse. Sin separates us from God and eternal life. Thirty-eight years of being lame was bad, but a lot worse is being unrepentant and losing one’s soul. There is no comparison between being lame all those years and spending eternity in hell.

Receiving God’s healing involves a deep desire to be healed and an acceptance of our sinful condition that can only be redeemed by Jesus. It is also a realization that we cannot get to the healing on our own accord. We need help to even understand how to get well and that help comes through God’s Holy Word and through those whom He sends to help us.

Getting well refers to hearing the word and believing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is not about only knowing Scripture, but about living it, and embracing Jesus as the Word Himself for He is Life! It is about honoring Jesus in everything and obeying Him only.

Evangelism is simply one prodigal telling other prodigals that Jesus has paid the price, His blood has been shed for our forgiveness and redemption, and the Father is waiting and longing for them to come home.

God is longing and is waiting for you. As Isaiah wrote: Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (Isaiah 30:18)

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Posted by: missionventureministries | October 14, 2020

IT IS NOT THE HEALTHY WHO NEED A DOCTOR BUT THE SICK – Matthew 9:10-12

“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matthew 9:10-12) 

The Bible tells us that everyone is born into this world with a dreadful disease called sin, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that when sin is fully grown it gives birth to death (James 1:15). 

In this biblical account, Jesus has called Matthew, a tax collector to follow Him as one of His twelve apostles (Matthew 9:9). Tax collectors were one of the most despised people in Israel. They were Jewish men who collected money from their countrymen for the Romans; and even though a portion of the taxes where kept for themselves as payment for their services, most of them where greedy and over charged. It was therefore unimaginable for a righteous man like Jesus to invite a tax collector to become His disciple. 

Matthew had hosted a dinner party at his home with his friends (Matthew 9:10). These, of course, were other tax collectors and “sinners.” Sinners were considered those people unwelcome in the Jewish religious society because they did not follow the rules of the Pharisees or the Law. 

Here we see that the Pharisees were bewildered by Jesus’ actions and asked His disciples “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” something they would never do (Matthew 9:11); and Jesus answers them in a way that both explains His actions and exposes the Pharisees. 

Healthy people don’t need a doctor, Jesus says, but sick people do. Jesus was there to help people who understood they needed help and were open to the truth in contrast to the Pharisees who considered themselves the most religious and followers of the Law. 

We can learn very important lessons here from what Jesus did. 

First: The purpose of evangelism is to reach the lost (Matthew 5:11-16) and not to shun sinners. 

Second: Showing love and kindness does not require and does not imply approving of what the other person does or believes. Christ was introducing them to Himself as the only way to be forgiven and redeemed. He was showing love and compassion for them. 

Jesus was speaking of sickness in a spiritual context in Matthew 9:9–13 and Matthew was a patient in need of healing. The sickness was sin, and Jesus was the Healer; that is, Jesus can forgive sin and restore the spiritually sick. On the other hand, those who see themselves as “righteous,” however; those who, like the Pharisees, refuse to acknowledge their spiritual sickness deny their need of the spiritual Doctor and thus remain in their sin. 

The sin disease is most tragic when we do not feel it and do not know we have it. Just like Jesus told the Laodicean Church: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:15-18). 

Jesus Christ is the only One who can heal us: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” – in other words, healed from our sins (Acts 4:12). He never refused anyone who came to Him on earth for physical healing (Matthew 12:15), and gave us the assurance that, “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). 

As we see, one of the most important steps in being healed of our sin sickness is recognizing our desperate need for healing and just like the psalmist cried out “Lord, be merciful to me; heal my soul, for I have sinned against You” (Psalm 41:4), He will respond with forgiveness, grace, and healing.

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Posted by: missionventureministries | October 8, 2020

HOW TO GROW IN GRACE, KNOWLEDGE AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 2 Peter 3:18

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

Do you know that our attitude toward Scripture will determine our effectiveness in spiritual battle? Yes that is what happens. 

Let me share a story that I once read that made quite an impression on me. It is about a man who was gazing at a beautiful garden. 

First he saw a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. As he watched the butterfly for a few seconds it fluttered from flower to flower but derived no particular benefit from any of them. 

Next he saw two botanists one with a large notebook and the other with a microscope in hand. As the botanists carefully observed each flower, they made copious entries in the book. But after hours of meticulous study, most of what they learned was shut up in the book; and very little remained in their minds. 

Then he saw a little bee entering a flower and emerging laden with pollen. It had left the hive that morning empty but would return full. 

When it comes to Bible study, some people are like butterflies, going from one favorite verse to another, one seminar or bible study to another. They are very busy and expend much energy but have little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any significant way because they never really explored the Word of God wholeheartedly. They are content to simply flutter around making themselves busy but never gaining anything from their endeavor. 

Others, like the botanists, may study in great depth but never apply it to their lives. Did you know that there are entire commentaries written by unbelievers? In some cases their grasp of Scripture is exceptional, but they know nothing of the true love for God and obedience to Biblical truth. What a tragedy! But we don’t have to be a Biblical scholar to make that mistake; we need only to fail to apply what we learn to our life. 

We should thank God each day for the opportunities He gives us to study His Word and take full advantage of what He reveals to us so that we can live a happier and more fulfilled life. 

Jesus taught us to depend on God’s Word for our “daily bread.” We cannot underestimate the importance of consuming it regularly, for it is the fuel of our spiritual lives (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4). God’s Word equips and empowers us to serve Him (2 Timothy 3:17; Hebrews 4:12), and we can exert it as our greatest offensive weapon against our adversary, the devil, and the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:17). 

We need to understand that the Word of God is eternal: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8). 

That Truth is eternal: “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). 

So how can we doubt the importance of the Bible, when we read, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35)? 

Therefore we should be like the bee and strive to spend time in the Word; reading, studying, making notes, then emerging fuller than when we began; and as we do this, our mind will be filled with wisdom and Biblical insights. Our life will be sweeter and purer because the God’s Word has done its work (1 Corinthians 2:13).

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Posted by: missionventureministries | September 29, 2020

HOW TO BE TAUGHT BY GOD – Psalm 119:33-38

“Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.” (Psalm 119:33-38)

This section of Psalm 119 focuses on being taught, gaining understanding, and keeping “the instructions” of God’s Word. 

Here we read the psalmist request for God to control the process of teaching him since he needs the help from the Lord to find the truth he cannot find on his own. 

  • “Teach me, Lord” (v. 33) – He longs for God to teach him His decrees so that he may obey them. 
  • “Give me understanding” (v. 34) – Here we see that if the Lord did not give Him His understanding, he could not find godly understanding on his own. 
  • “Direct me in the path of your commands” (v. 35) – He wants to follow God’s commands so that he will not be inclined to go the wrong way. 
  • “Turn my heart toward your statutes” (v. 36) – Here we sense his longing to obey God and he asks to have his heart directed in the right way and not toward selfish gain. 
  • “Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (v. 37) – He wants to focus on those things that have meaning and purpose in his life as he walks with his Master. 
  • “Fulfill your promise to your servant” (v. 38) – He desires God to fulfill all His promises so that he can be an obedient servant. 

To be taught by God we must absolutely believe that all Scripture is divinely inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and apply it to our lives. 

The Ten Commandments were divinely inscribed! And the testimony of their unique importance is a sobering condemnation of any who ignore them or distort their meaning (Exodus 20). 

And in the New Testament Paul writes: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). 

As we see, it is no longer an external standard divinely engraved in stone by the finger of God, but an internal conviction inscribed in the heart by the Spirit of God! “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds” (Hebrews 10:16). 

This remarkable writing of God’s law in our hearts and minds has been accomplished through Christ, because He came not “to destroy, but to fulfill” the law (Matthew 5:17) and “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Now, with the law in our hearts, we have become epistles of God, “known and read of all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2), and it is vital that the writing read true and clear throughout our lives. 

Having prayed for God’s direction in his life, the psalmist promised to act on God’s ways illumined by the Lord’s instructions, because, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). He acknowledged his “delight” and his “longing” in the holy life and character revealed in the Scriptures and, like the Proverbs 2:1-5 passage, showed a willingness of the spiritual consciousness of his heart and mind to “understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5). 

If you are making decisions, always look to God’s Word for direction. Take comfort in the peace which only He can provide (Philippians 4:7). Ask for wisdom, trust His promises, and He will guide your path: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

God blesses those decisions that He initiates and that line up with His Word and instructs you in the way of wisdom and leads you along straight paths (Proverbs 4:11); and He blesses decisions that accomplish His purpose and depend on His strength because, “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). 

Always remember that having the desire to live a godly life takes determination. The person seeking to live as God wants him to live will hasten and does not delay to obey the Lord’s commands (Psalm 119:60). 

May our prayer always be: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | September 23, 2020

FINDING FAVOR IN THE EYES OF THE LORD – Genesis 6:5-8

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:5-8) 

According to this account in the Bible, the ancient world was so filled with wickedness and evil that God was grieved and sorry He had made mankind. That is why; He decided to eliminate every living creature on earth. But in the midst of all the corruption, Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord” and was rescued from the destruction of the flood. 

Our world today is also filled with sin and corruption, and as Christians, we are called to walk as Noah did, in the favor of God. 

The favor of God can be explained as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.” When we favor someone, we want to be with them. In the same way, God shows favor to the ones who honor and delight in Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” 

As we see, the favor of God is expressed by His approval, acceptance, support, provision, power, and joy. This is what He showed to Noah and also to Mary, the mother of Jesus when “The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28); and it is also what He has manifested to everyone who has been saved by Jesus Christ. 

God’s favor was poured out on us at salvation when our sins were forgiven, and it is further displayed by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit who seals us as His children. His favor is a fact, and it is also something we can experience on a daily basis as we walk in it. 

After salvation, we should see the evidence of God’s favor working in our conversation, character, and conduct as we walk in the fullness of His Spirit. Our lifestyles and habits should indicate to those around us that we have the favor of God. Instead of worrying over the circumstances in our lives, we can have confidence in His presence with us and His faithfulness in answering our prayers. 

Another evidence of God’s favor is His willingness to communicate with us; and in turn our willingness to learn to listen to Him and obey His will. One of the first lessons we learned as children was to listen to our parents, and that’s exactly what we need to do in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Therefore, if all we do is talk to Him in prayer without listening to Him, we won’t know His will for us. 

If we make time to listen to Him, God makes these promises to us as written by the psalmist in Psalm 32:8.

  • “I will instruct you.” The Lord gives us insight and understanding of His Word so we will know how to live our daily lives.
  • I will “teach you in the way which you should go.” We don’t know what a day holds, but God does, and He will guide us throughout the day.
  • “I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” Every day we make decisions and encounter situations that challenge us because we don’t know what to do. What we need is personal direction from the Lord, and He will be faithful to provide it if we will listen. Because He loves us and wants us to obey His will, God continually gives us counsel through His Holy Spirit who is our internal guide. 

The Lord doesn’t save us and leave us to do the best we can, He desires to communicate with us if we’ll listen. However, listening to God demands our time and attention. The Holy Spirit who directed and led the apostles is the same one who indwells and guides us. We are tremendously blessed, yet we often don’t take the time to listen to Him. When our mind is so filled with other concerns it is impossible to hear Him. We need to understand however, that there is nothing more important that to make time so that we can heed to His voice and operate under His control.

When we have the favor of the Lord, we rest in quiet confidence that we are within the plan of God and we ask Him to “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).

We become aware that He is there for us at all times (Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20); and we walk with God as with our closest friend, and begin to see and appreciate the little blessings that God provides for our enjoyment, because God’s favor can be felt in our spirit.

As you look at yourself, are you walking in the favor of God? If so, what is the evidence of His favor in your life? 

If you are truly a child of God and are a born again believer you have nothing to fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Finding favor with the Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more than we desire to please ourselves. Those who are favored of God know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His good purpose (Romans 8:28); and that His ears are attentive to their cry (Psalm 34:15).

If you want to find and enjoy God’s favor and are not a believer please check out the PLAN OF SALVATION. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | September 16, 2020

UN-FORGIVENESS AND TAKING REVENGE HAVE DESTRUCTIVE POWERS – Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29) 

What happens when someone offends you or hurts you? What is your first response? Do you immediately become angry and have the desire to retaliate? Or perhaps your outward expression doesn’t change, but inside you begin quietly nurturing bitterness. 

Although these reactions might seem perfectly natural to men, they definitely are not how God tells us to respond. 

We need to understand that un-forgiveness is spiritually destructive because it is contrary to God’s will and affects our emotions, thoughts, prayers, our relationship with others and especially with our heavenly Father. 

Scripture is very clear that we are to forgive anyone who causes us harm, because we ourselves have been forgiven a much larger debt of sin by God. The grace He pours out on each of us should be our motivation to extend grace to others. If we have received His loving pardon, then we must do the same for others, even when it feels unfair. 

Forgiveness involves a total change of attitude and action; whereby we give up resentment toward someone and relinquished our desire for revenge. In our own strength, this is impossible, but if instead of in our pride we continue to focus on what has happened and ask the Lord to change us and fill us with His Spirit, He will begin the process of transforming our heart. 

Why do we have such a hard time extending forgiveness to others? Perhaps one reason is that it doesn’t seem right. Justice demands that there be punishment for wrongdoing. However, when we read God’s Word we become aware that we are not the ones who have the authority to retaliate, and to do so amounts to usurping God’s role, which is just as sinful as what was done to us. 

The Bible tells us to, “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). 

That we should help our brothers in Christ to, “see to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). 

And that we should not “grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:30-31). 

Like Paul teaches, instead of demanding justice now, we should encourage others to bless and do good to those who persecute us. As hard as this might be even for Christian, the Word tells us: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17-18). As we see, we can never overcome evil with sinful attitudes and actions, but only with good. 

We must trust God and leave vengeance to Him because it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). 

And always remember what Jesus said: “If you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15); and that is a very sobering thought. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | September 9, 2020

SALVATION, SANCTIFICATION AND GLORIFICATION

The New Testament uses three terms to describe God’s saving work in the life of the born again believer. 

The first aspect of salvation is justification. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2). 

There is no way we can enjoy a victorious Christian life unless we understand the biblical meaning of justification, because it is the foundation of everything we believe about salvation. To be justified is to be declared righteous by the Lord. Justification was initiated by God’s grace, accomplished by Christ’s death and resurrection, and is received through faith. 

Jesus lived a sinless life and obeyed the law of God perfectly; then He offered Himself on the cross as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sin. When we trust in Christ through faith, God declares us not guilty because Jesus took on our sin and suffered the punishment that we deserved: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

We need to praise God, because justification is all His work and has nothing to do with what we have done, it is due solely to His grace (Galatians 2:16). The Lord doesn’t see some goodness or worthiness in us that warrants salvation “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). As we see, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves righteous or acceptable to Holy God. The only way to be made righteous is by His amazing grace, through faith in His Son. 

The second part of salvation is sanctification. This too is a work of God on our behalf. “By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Justification is a legal declaration that happened when we came to faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Although sanctification began at the same time, it is a process that continues throughout our lives as Christ’s righteousness is accomplished in and through us by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 

Our position of righteousness can never be changed because Christ’s work on the cross cannot be undone. We are reconciled with the Father, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit forever. These are the foundational truths to which we must cling whenever sin threatens to entangle us, guilt overwhelms us, and discouragement overshadows our joy in Christ. Even in the midst of defeat, we can be confident that the good work God began in us will be completed by Him as well (Philippians 1:6). 

Although God is the one transforming us into His Son’s image, we do play a role in the process. The Lord uses a variety of means to mature us and in order to grow spiritually we must be teachable, yielding to His Spirit and filling our minds with truths from His Word. And in the process, there’s comfort in knowing that one day our growth will be complete (Philippians 3:12). 

The third and final aspect of salvation is glorification. A day is coming when our righteous standing before God will become a living reality. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). Our battle with sin will be over, and we’ll never be burdened with guilt again. We will live eternally in the complete freedom of being personally righteous as well as righteous through Christ. 

Until this moment arrives we walk by faith knowing that we belong to Christ, our sins are forgiven, we’ve been declared righteous, and nothing can separate us from His love. However, tempting as it may seem to rely on justification, ignore sanctification, and live as we please until we’re glorified, that is not our goal. On the contrary, we must pursue “the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). 

There is great comfort in knowing that God has provided everything we need in salvation to both rest in Christ’s righteousness and grow in it. Take time to thank and praise Him for His great mercy and grace toward you through Christ Jesus. 

God’s favor was poured out on us at salvation when our sins were forgiven, and it is further displayed by the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit who seals us as His children. His favor is a fact, but it is also something we can experience on a daily basis as we walk in it. 

After salvation, we should see the evidence of God’s favor working in our conversation, character, and conduct as we walk in the fullness of His Spirit. Our lifestyles and habits should indicate to those around us that we have the favor of God. Instead of fretting over the circumstances in our lives, we can have confidence in His presence with us and His faithfulness in answering our prayers just as God promised the psalmist. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8); but we need to learn to listen. 

God’s voice will speak quietly and clearly. He doesn’t shout but speaks softly through our conscience and into our minds, whispering, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). He wants us to know what He is saying, and has been speaking to us since the day of our salvation. First, His voice clearly convicted us of sin and moved us to repentance and salvation. Now He continues to communicate with us to bring us to obedience and surrender in our daily lives. 

Therefore, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | September 2, 2020

GOD SETS THE SOLITARY IN FAMILIES – Psalm 68:6

To be lonely and isolated is not God’s will for us, therefore, “God sets the solitary in families” (Psalm 68:6). 

God’s greatness is seen in His compassionate concern and care for the weak and needy. God sees those who live without a close family connection and cares to provide them with families. They may be without a husband or a wife, without a father or a mother, or without a brother or a sister nearby; God cares and has family connections among His people for the solitary. 

The natural family is God’s idea (Colossians 3:18-21); unfortunately many families don’t express the love God intended. When that happens, God’s plan is to put us into another loving family, His family, which is represented by Christians and the church. 

God wants us to have wonderful relationships with people, especially with His people. His plans for us can only be fulfilled as we learn to relate correctly both with our brothers and sisters in Christ and also with those who, because of ignorance or rebellion, are still outside the family of God. 

A Christian family should have all members committed to Christ and His service. When a home is filled with love honor and respect for God and each other, then peace and harmony reign in the home. But, if we try to have a family without Christ as Head or without adhering to the biblical principles the Lord has lovingly provided for us, the home will suffer. 

God created us to be in families, since we have a natural desire to be a part of something that gives us sense of acceptance, affirmation and being needed and appreciated. But even if we have never received that from our own biological families, there is good new, God sets us in spiritual families, and this can be equally important and beneficial to our life. 

Our relationship and fellowship with true Christians and a true church is crucial to our well being, since believers in Jesus are all brothers and sisters, and God is our Father. 

It is very important however, to be involved in a church where the leadership seeks holiness, because, even if some have the form of godliness, they are false leaders if they have no hunger for righteousness in heart and life; and, if the church is not led correctly it will be detrimental to those who are seeking to have their true spiritual needs met.  

Note what Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).  And on another occasion referring to the Pharisees He said, “Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14). 

In a godly church you can learn wisdom from more mature Christians by fellowshipping with them, “He who walks with wise men will be wise” (Proverbs13:20), and by doing so you will grow in love, faith, wisdom and holiness. 

Hearing the preaching of anointed ministers of Christ, will grow your faith, since “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17); and the Word will build up your faith and confidence in the promises of God as you fellowship with true believers. 

Fellowship in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word “koinonia”. This word means an association, community, communion, joint participation. It means sharing with other people. 

To be involved in Christian fellowship with others means to share your life with others. We share our lives with others and also with Christ who promises to be with us even if only two or three are gathered together in His name (Matthew 18:20). 

Fellowship with Christ and other believers involves feeding on the Word together. Sometimes it means eating meals together (Acts 2:46). In fellowship we share our time, our gifts and talents, both spiritual and natural. We also share of our resources as God leads, (2 Corinthians 9). 

This does not mean that Christians should expect other Christians to support their families since, 1 Timothy 5:8 says: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” And in Ephesians 4:28 we read that, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” 

 Christian fellowship exists not only to meet the needs of Christians; emotionally, socially, mentally, spiritually and when ever necessary financially; it also exists to demonstrate to the world the meaning of Christian love and to call people out of the world into that fellowship with Christ and His body. 

In fellowship with Christ and with one another, we are coming not only to receive but also to give. This is where our dedication to Christ’s Lordship will be made practical, and hence, proved real. 

Always remember that “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). And that even “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10). 

God wants you to learn to give love and encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as John and Paul wrote, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 26, 2020

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED? – Ephesians 4:1

Paul writes, “as a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1) 

As we see, from this verse and the following verses, a calling refers to our calling as believers, not our calling to a specific ministry. 

“To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2). 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people” (Ephesians 1:18). 

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called” (Ephesians 4:4). 

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling…” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). 

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9). 

Our calling is to love God, love others, obey God, and take care of others. We need to understand that the calling is “of God” and is irrevocable (Romans 11:29). We are called “by His grace” (Galatians 1:15), and “into the grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6). 

We are called “out of darkness” and “into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). In addition, we are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). We “share in the heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:1), and in response, we should press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 3:14). 

To “live a life worthy” refers to the daily godly conduct of one’s life. 

Paul also encourages the Colossian believers, praying with Timothy that they would “live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:10-12). 

To be worthy connotes that our actions should match our words, and our outward appearance should match our inward convictions. To “live a life worthy” of our calling means to live up to that calling; to live in such a way as to honor God by everything we think, say and do. 

Paul is exhorting believers to live their lives so as to prove they belong to Christ. They are to maintain a fidelity to Christ and live with integrity. True believers will display the fruit of the Spirit who lives in them (John 14:17; Galatians 5:22-23). Their daily lives reflecting their position in Christ, and the character of Christ. 

We have been called out of darkness into light (Acts 26:18), out of slavery to sin into freedom (Romans 6:16–18), and out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:9; Colossians 1:13). 

The New Testament writers mention many things to which we are called. We are “called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). We are “called unto liberty” (Galatians 5:13).  We are called “to His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3), and God also “called us to His eternal glory in Christ” (1 Peter 5:10), for we are “called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). 

In summary to make one’s calling and election sure is to live out the Christian life in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is to do more than simply pay lip service to Christ. Those who profess salvation but never grow in their walk with God will suffer a lack of assurance, always wondering if they are really saved or not. On the other hand, those who grow ever more like Christ will be sure of their calling. They will know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13); and will be living testimonies of the power of God to change lives. 

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