Posted by: missionventureministries | June 24, 2014

THE FERVENT AND EFFECTIVE PRAYER – James 5:16-18

elijah-prays E

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:16-18)

Here, we are instructed to pray for one another, especially for those who are struggling physically and spiritually. And as we continue reading, James reminds us that Elijah was a man like we are who was able to pray and accomplish God’s purposes as we should. He prayed with fervency and his praying was passionate. The Word of God tells us that he prayed “earnestly” and he sought God with all his being. 

What motivated Elijah to pray with such passion? First, his understanding of God moved him to pray earnestly. Elijah knew whom he was praying to. He knew that God has all power. He understood that the Lord could do the impossible. Elijah prayed earnestly because his faith was in God and not in his praying. 

Each person’s understanding of God will determine their strength and perseverance in prayer. God has given us His mighty Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer and to teach us how we should pray. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us though we do not know how to put our desires into words.” (Romans 8:26) 

For many, God is “too small” and they doubt His power and ability. They lack in faith and their prayers are not answered. On the other hand those who grow in knowledge and understanding of almighty God, His greatness, sovereignty and holiness; learn how to pray fervently and effectively. 

The situation that Elijah was living in and confronted with caused him to seek Gods guidance and direction; therefore, he waited on God to speak and answer his prayers.  We should do the same. As we look around and see lost, wounded hurting people, it should lead us to pray earnestly. As we see people denying God’s Word and will, it should challenge us and stir us to pray with all our hearts. As we see the church powerless and ineffective, it should quicken our seeking of God.  

We should however, not let the conditions around us overwhelm us; we need to seek God and rest in Him. It would be easy to get weighed down as we look at conditions around us. The need is staggering and can be disheartening. Yet, this is why we must seek God. This is why we must run to Him and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. It is only as we run to Him, rest in Him, and pour our hearts out to Him that we can face and deal with the conditions around us and be strengthened to do His will, and to reach the lost. 

Jesus taught us to pray with faith: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). Therefore, when we pray according to God’s will and with faith in His promises, we need to continue persevering and not lose sight of that which has been asked until God has fulfilled His promise. (1 Kings 18:43-44) 

We need to persevere in our prayers. There are however obstacle which hinder the fulfillment of the promise; un-confessed sin separates us from God, so that He will not hear, (Isaiah 59:1-2). Then there is Satan, and his constant opposition to the plans of God as we see in (Daniel 10:12-13). It may also be that our heart needs to be purified because whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered, (Proverbs 21:13). Whatever it may be, we need to make things right with God and then we need to persevere until the answer comes.  

On Mount Carmel, Elijah prayed seven times; the persistent friend at midnight pleaded until he received (Luke 11:5-8). The widow who kept coming to the unjust judge saying: ‘Grant me justice against my adversary,’ (Luke 18:1-5). These are examples of perseverance in seeking answers. So, if we believe the promise of God without doubting, we should pray until we receive the answer, remembering that only perseverance in prayer can triumph. 

Keep in mind Elijah had the same nature we have but he prayed powerfully and effectively. We can do the same. If we learn to persevere in prayer, its fruit will be always more abundant, always more evident, and we shall obtain, as Jesus obtained, which shall bring honor and glory to the Father. 

True power in our lives begins with humility. Humbling ourselves before Almighty God can result in His imparted Holiness to us. Consequently, holiness will bring healing, happiness, health, joy, courage, peace and eternal life.  

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)

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Posted in 1 Kings, 1 Peter, Daniel, Isaiah, James, Luke, Mark, Proverbs, Romans | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | June 17, 2014

WARNING! – BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER – 1 Corinthians 15:33

1 Corinthian 15 vs 33 E

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) 

In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul wrote of the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth teaching that the resurrection of Jesus Christ wasn’t true. These people like the Sadducees denied life after death and the resurrection (Luke 20:27). As a result, their moral and distorted outlook on life influenced the rest of the Corinthian believers.

Paul is telling us that in associating with false teachers, weak and uninformed people we will be adversely influenced by them. It is important to understand that false teachings do not lead to holiness. Therefore, it is critical that we are careful whom we form relationships with and who we choose to worship with. Churches and people who are not founded on the truth of God’s Word will cause those that are not firmly grounded in Scripture to waver in their faith and adversely affect their walk with Christ and their witness to the world. This is why Paul tells us, “Do not be misled.”

This is his second admonition to the Corinthians to not be “misled”. Earlier Paul had warned them: “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men” (1 Corinthians 6:9). He cautioned them not to take up the lifestyles of corrupt people—those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul knew how easy it is for people to be influenced by such adverse teachings, just like they are today. If people do not build their house on the solid rock – Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:24-25); they will begin to adopt such perverted ideas and behaviors as normal. For this reason, Paul quotes this well known proverb by the Greek poet Menander: “Bad company corrupts good character.” No doubt it was well known among the Greeks at that time.

The point Paul makes, is pertinent to all people in all ages. When those that are not grounded in the Word associate with or take delight in the company of people with worldly morals, they run the risk of mimicking their behaviors, their language, and their habits. Before long they are no longer following Christ because their house was built on sand and lacked a solid foundation. (Matthew 7:26-27) 

When this happens people go back again to the way of the world denying and rejecting the Bible as the Word of God. This is especially pertinent to young people who are generally easily influenced by their peers. People of all ages can be very weak and easily influenced by false teachers, demon entities and un-informed weak Christians who have not developed a Bible based lifestyle.  

For this reason it is vital for parents of children and teenagers to especially be on guard against the influence of bad company, false teachers in the cults and so-called “Christian” churches; who will destroy their faith in Jesus Christ, and exploit them in their greed and with evil doctrines and ideas. So, what are we to do? Paul provides us the answer in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

As parents and guardians, we must expose these false teachers, (wolves in sheep’s clothing). It is vital that we stand firm against ungodly influences that may corrupt our children, and weak immature believers. As born again believers, we stand firm against those who would corrupt our walk with Christ. And we must stand your ground against false teaching and a diluted gospel presentation that lead others astray from the truth. In all things, we are to be “self-controlled and alert” because our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Paul also told us that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) 

Do you choose friends and a church based on how much money they have, or how popular they are? Or do you choose your church and your friends based on their character, loyalty, honesty, and the ability to teach and encourage people to grow in Christ? The latter is the type of church and friend that God wants us to have. Therefore; do not be misled, take time to pray and let the Holy Spirit lead you in choosing your friends and the church where God is honored and worshiped with the respect He deserves. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  (1 Timothy 1:17) 

We need to remember that: “God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day”. (Psalm 7:11). Therefore, we need to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; because without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

 

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Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, 1 Timothy, 2 Chronicles, Hebrews, Matthew, Psalms, WARNING! – BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER - 1 Corinthians 15:33 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | June 9, 2014

THE REALITY OF GOD’S WRATH – Romans 1:18-20

The wrath of God - Romans 1 vs 18-20

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20) 

Paul tells us that “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven….”  So let us focus and see what the “wrath of God,” means. The Bible clearly teaches that our heavenly Father is a God of love. Therefore, some people are disturbed about the idea of a God of love possessing wrath. They see those attributes as being in conflict. But God’s attributes are balanced. God is perfect in His love and He is also perfect in His holiness and His justice. Habakkuk wrote, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness” (1:13).  

God loves us all, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), but God’s wrath is against sin. Therefore, the righteousness of God reacts with wrath against sin. This wrath grows out of His holiness, because a holy God cannot tolerate sin. “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.” (Hebrews 1:9) 

God’s wrath is different from human wrath. The Bible declares that He is slow to anger. His wrath doesn’t explode quickly, or unpredictably; there are a lot of warnings and He will usually hold back His wrath to give us more time to repent. “The Lord is … longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). But as mankind continues to sin, and continues to reject Him, we can be sure that His wrath is building to the point that some day it will burst forth against this ungodly world, as clearly described in the book of Revelation. 

We should not be deceived in thinking that God will not eventually hold us accountable for our sin. Therefore, it is wise to believe in the reality of the wrath of God, because a person or nation that ignores God’s warnings is in grave danger.   

If someone believes that the one true God is not a God of wrath, then they are going against what God has clearly revealed about Himself. When the Day of Judgment arrives no claim of ignorance will serve as an excuse. 

The Word of the Lord “show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them” (Romans 2:15). Therefore,as it is written, people’s conscience convicts them that they have sinned against Almighty, Holy God; and this fact should lead to a sense of guilt and sorrow and a desire to reconcile with Him.   

However; God’s Word warns us that many people have become so rebellious and wicked that they no longer have a conscience – “The Holy Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2) 

For example: Many evil brutes in the Roman Catholic Church who call themselves priests, bishops, cardinals, nuns and popes have criminally molested, raped, tortured and murdered hundreds of thousands precious innocent children, women and men through out the existence of their evil institution in they name of Jesus.  

God has warned us about these evil, wicked people and the judgment that their crimes deserve; because, “these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.” (2 Peter 2:12) 

These evil criminals and millions like them are demon possessed and they have “seared their conscience with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). The warning from God to these wicked demon possessed liars filled with doctrines of demons; is God’s judgment is coming to each of you – swift and certain. 

God’s wrath is against people like these “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (v18), because they do not want to submit their will to God’s will even though “what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.” (v19) 

On Judgment Day no one can claim that they were ignorant of God, and ignorant of their responsibility to seek Him, worship Him, and obey Him because since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (v20) 

We need to remember what Jesus taught and He 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. 22 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?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23) 

There is however an antidote for the wrath of God. That is why God in His immense love for us sent His Son to pay the price of wrath for us. No one has to live another day in danger of the wrath of God, which He has clearly revealed from heaven because, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Remembering once more the preceding verses, “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. (Matthew 7:21) 

The truth of the wrath of God ought to motivate the born again believer to share the Gospel. It should encourage us to pray for the lost. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:10-11) 

May God give us a desire to reach souls and proclaim the truth of His word faithfully to those who are perishing; since Scripture is  full of warnings of the wrath of God for those that continue in their sin without repenting, and “the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.” (Colossians 3:6)

 

 

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Posted in 1 Timothy, 2 Corinthians, 2 Peter, Colossians, Habakkuk, Hebrews, John, Matthew, Romans, THE REALITY OF GOD’S WRATH – Romans 1:18-20 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | June 2, 2014

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “DO NOT CAST PEARLS BEFORE SWINE”? – Matthew 7:6

Pearls - Matthew 7 vs 6

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) 

This analogy was used by Christ to demonstrate how people react when they are living in open rebellion against Almighty God; rebellious people, who stubbornly reject His truth and close their minds and hearts to spiritual knowledge. 

Jesus taught this during His Sermon on the Mount, and to understand its meaning, we have to understand its context and placement within the sermon. Christ had just finished instructing the crowd on judgment and reproof: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1-2), and “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Then in verse 6, Christ shows us the difference between “judgment” and “discernment.” 

To understand a relationship between dogs and pigs we see an illustration in the book of Proverbs, to which Peter refers.  “The proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (2 Peter 2:22) The dogs and swine here are representative of those who ridicule, reject and blaspheme the gospel once it has been given to them. Therefore, we are not to put forth the gospel of Jesus Christ in the direction of someone whose purpose is to trample it and return to his own evil ways. However; we as true born again believers need to identify such people through discernment, because “the person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things … (1 Corinthians 2:15). While “the person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

This does not mean we refrain from teaching the gospel. Jesus Himself ate with and taught sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10). The same instruction Jesus is giving in Matthew 7:6, Jesus gave to His apostles when He said, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town” (Matthew 10:14). So, there is no need to present the gospel to those with negative attitudes toward God. 

Christ was instructing the disciples not to try to convert the masses. Unless God is opening someone’s mind to spiritual understanding, they will treat God’s truth in the same manner that pigs would treat pearls—as nothing but dirt. A pig would neither understand nor appreciate the great beauty and worth of the pearls. Neither would a person not being called by God, understand the great value of the truths of God. He or she would, figuratively, “trample God’s Word under their feet.” 

God warned us through the writings of Peter that some people are so evil, wicked and depraved that they are like “brute beasts” that should and will be destroyed by Almighty God. “But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption.” (2 Peter 2:12) 

Balancing judgment with discernment is the wisdom that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

We should not try to force God’s truths on others. Instead, one should “…be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). As Christians, one should be prepared to answer questions that others may have, if they are asking sincerely—and not for the purpose of debating. Often, when people honestly desire to understand what the Bible teaches, it can be an indication that God is opening that person’s mind.

In Matthew 13:45-46, Christ once again compares the truths of God to pearls, where He states, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Like the merchant, who sold all that he had to purchase a pearl of great price, God expects us to treat His truth as a valuable, priceless gem.

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DISCLAIMER MVM

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 26, 2014

THE EVIDENCE OF BEING FILLED BY THE SPIRIT – Ephesians 5:15-20

Ephesians 5 vs 15-20

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) 

One cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit, which entails complete control by the Holy Spirit, if we have come to even the slightest degree under the control of wine, or anything else, for that matter. Therefore, Christians should be filled with the Holy Spirit, so as to be only under His influence. 

The Bible strongly warns about the dangers of alcohol: “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1) 

All true believers are indwelled by the Holy Spirit from the moment of conversion. Paul gives a stern warning in Romans 8:9: “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Therefore, all true believers are sealed with the Spirit the moment they are saved: “When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 1:13). So, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30) 

Being fully controlled and guided by the Spirit is not just a one-time experience. It should be a continual experience; a moment-by-moment control of one’s thoughts and actions by God.  

But how does one have such an experience, and what is the evidence that it is the real thing? To be controlled by the Spirit, one must yield control to Him and not let ourselves be controlled by anything or anyone else. So the phrase, “full of the Holy Spirit,” describes a person who habitually lives with every area of their life under the control of the Spirit. They are not obstinate, but are controlled by the Spirit. 

Jesus promised that “when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). 

The fullness of the Spirit does not mean that a person once had a dramatic or ecstatic experience, but rather that they consistently walk with their life yielded to the Holy Spirit, so that the fruit of the Spirit characterizes their life. 

The real proof is in the life, manifested by such characteristics as are described in the context of the passages referring to the Spirit’s filling. The filling of the Spirit is accompanied by how we live. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (v. 15-16), understanding God’s will – “therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is”  (v. 17). It is also accompanied by a happy and Bible-centered conversation – “speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” (v. 19) and a continuously thankful heart – “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 20). 

So to be a Spirit-filled Christian, we must be growing in our understanding and obedience to God’s Word and it is also evidenced by boldness in witnessing and in standing up for God’s truth (Acts 4:31; 13:9-10). 

If we believe in Christ as our Savior and Lord, God has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us. He commands us to be filled with the Spirit, which means living our life yielded moment-by-moment honoring the indwelling of the Holy Spirit by everything that we think, say and do. 

We need to understand that the Holy Spirit will not fill a dirty vessel. However, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We must present ourselves to God as those alive from the dead and yield our minds and bodies to Him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13) 

As we walk this way, confessing and turning from sin, relying on the indwelling Spirit for His power, being obedient to His Word, we will develop a habit of holiness. 

He will control or influence our thoughts, our emotions, our words, our attitudes, our schedule, our relationships, our finances, and all of life. He does not do this as a controlling master, but rather, using our unique personality and gifts. He fills us as the wind fills the sails of a ship, directing us in His paths of righteousness and joy. 

God does not want us to yield our wills to Him so that He can dominate us – but so that He can communicate His amazing love to us, His children.

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Posted in 1 John, Acts, Ephesians, John, Proverbs, Romans, THE EVIDENCE OF BEING FILLED BY THE SPIRIT – Ephesians 5:15-20 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | May 19, 2014

WAIT PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD – Psalm 40:1

Psalm 40 vs 1

I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 

When we are in fellowship with our heavenly Father we get to know Him and we learn to patiently wait on Him, because God always has our best in mind.  

Patience is a virtue. It is also a way in which the Lord delivers His blessings to us. Just like nature patiently waits for rain and dew to be provided, so patient saints wait for God to rain down His blessings on them.  “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.” (James 5:7) Patiently waiting upon God was a special characteristic of our Lord Jesus. Impatience never lingered in His heart, much less escaped His lips. Therefore, we pray and wait, knowing that Jesus Christ is completely aware of our needs. When we wait and trust the Lord even in the midst of tribulation, He prepares our minds, heart and character because: “Tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character.” (Romans 5:3-4) 

When we wait patiently and pray, we discover God’s will and purpose in the things that most concern us. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.” (Lamentations 3:25) Yes, it is hard to be patient when we really want something. Do we think before we act? Is our motive aligned with what the Almighty wants for us? Is it ever appropriate to make a decision without consulting the Lord? Our heavenly Father knows what we need and when we are able to handle His blessing. Pride on the other hand, demands to have things now, but humility sees the value in wisely waiting. A humble person focuses on the relationship with Jesus while they patiently wait and let Him do a work of greater grace in their heart. We need to enjoy what we already have and as we do we will appreciate what we get more earnestly. Like Job who lost everything, we need to wait on God and not loose hope. “As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” (James 5:11)

Trying to manipulate circumstances drains our energy, however, actively waiting on God is uplifting, because when we allow Him to strengthen us for the tasks we are called to do, we can experience supernatural power that He provides. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak…  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:29, 31) 

When we rush God’s plans or do things our own way, we end up defeated. But waiting on Him will ensure our victory and keep us from foolish and precipitous acts. “Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 49:23) 

In the end, we will never be embarrassed if we choose to wait on God. Because, it is always the wise thing to do. When others encourage or even demand that we run ahead of God we need to remember the Lord’s plans and timing are always best. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, and preferences better than anyone else, even better than we know ourselves.  

We should not let circumstances tempt us to take matters into our own hands. God has a purpose for everything we experience. Isaiah spoke of a God “who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4). What a wonderful promise! While we actively wait, He actively works. Think of this: Every single day, we have the greatest Mediator working on our behalf. What a wonderful blessing this is. 

Although waiting can be one of the more difficult things in the Christian life, it is not wasted time. During periods of waiting, God teaches us lessons we couldn’t otherwise learn. In such a season, He strengthens our faith, and may even change our circumstances. His purpose is to keep us in step with Him as He prepares us to receive the answers we need to hear. Ephesians 1:11 says that the Father “works all things after the counsel of His will.”  

Some religious people will ask you, “Why are you wasting so much time in prayer, when you could be actively working in the church?”   That is a divine impossibility – there is no such thing as “wasting” time in prayer as we wait for God to guide us and reveal His perfect Holy will to us. Wasting time, Gods finances and our lives happens when we refuse to wait on God and rebel against the commands of His Holy Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  

Waiting on the Lord takes time. Even when nothing appears to be happening, we need to allow God to set the pace for our life. As we obey Him, He will honor us in due season: “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” (Hebrews 6:15) 

Peter warned us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:6-10)

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 11, 2014

A FAITHFUL MOTHER – 2 Timothy 1:5

A Faithful Mother - 2 Timothy 1 vs 5

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 

Paul mentions these two women for having taught their son and grandson the values of Christian faith.

It must have been challenging for Eunice, and Grandmother Lois, to give a Christian education to Timothy because even though they were Jewish believer, his father was Greek (Acts 16:1). It is hard to teach religious principles to children when a parent is not a believer. It is possible that Timothy’s father had died when he was a child, since he is no longer mentioned. 

However his mother and grandmother played an important role in his formation. Eunice and Lois put into practice the great biblical truth “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).  

Christian Mothers are best equipped to inspire their children not only in faith in God, but also to give them confidence in who they can be, by the grace of God. 

Therefore the maternal influence is so important. Mothers received from God the power to shape the character of the children for time and eternity. Therefore with God’s help and power, educate your children so that they are useful in this world and most of all, so they are well equipped to teach others about Jesus, salvation and eternal life. “Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) 

Happy Mother’s Day, God bless.

 

 

Original picture source: “In favor of God” by Simon Dewey

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 5, 2014

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS – Proverbs 28:13

 

Proverbs 28 vs 13

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) 

Every person, even the most godly Christian believer, at least occasionally commits acts of sin—sins of omission, if not sins of commission. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) 

When a Christian does sin, the remedy is available. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This forgiveness is based on the fact that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) 

The problem is that the very compulsion that caused the believer to commit the sin in the first place will often lead him to try to justify the sin. If that is not possible, he will try to hide it, or even to deny it. 

The antidote for this situation, of course, is to confess and forsake his sin(s). This confession, however, cannot be simply a generalized confession (“please forgive all my sins”), but a specific “naming” of the particular sins, acknowledging that it was, indeed, a sin in the sight of God, deserving of divine punishment and repudiation by a holy God. Similarly, the term “forsake” does not mean simply to quit engaging in the particular sin, but to quit even thinking about it—no longer either desiring the sin or being depressed under the guilt of it. If possible and applicable, this would also entail making restitution to anyone who had been injured by that sin; otherwise, the confession need be made only to God. 

And God will forgive and cleanse. Then, “forgetting those things which are behind,” we can “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) 

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.” (Psalm 32:1)

 

SOURCE: by Henry Morris, PH.D. – Institute for Creation Research

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Posted by: missionventureministries | April 29, 2014

HOW CAN WE RAISE GODLY CHILDREN? – Deuteronomy 6:5-7

Deuteronomy 6 E

First, we need to develop a dedicated relationship with God as we study and read His instruction manual on bringing up children: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)

As parents we are to first love the Lord with all our heart and might, therefore showing our children the great love we have for Him. The reason for this is that we cannot teach our children what we do not possess ourselves. And the foundation for both a good marriage as taking care of our children is to love the Lord supremely above every other love. 

Many parents do not understand that a solid godly marriage adds stability to a child’s life. Only when each spouse sincerely loves God and has made Him the absolute Lord of their life, can they build a strong and lasting spiritual foundation that is vital for successful parenting. The Bible does not provide any excuses for a single father or mother not to bring up their child in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 1:5) 

Ninety four percent (94%) of all fundamental Christians accepted Jesus as their Savior while they were very young; and sixty five percent (65%) of all Christians were led to the Lord by their parents.  

As parents we cannot expect someone else to lead our children to a saving knowledge in Jesus that will assure that they do not spend eternity in hell.  God has commanded every parent to lead their children to the Savior and in paths of righteousness, because our children are a precious gift from God. Therefore, raising godly children, who honor Christ, demonstrates our appreciation for these precious gifts.   

The Bible is God’s instruction manual that we are to use to raise our children, since He is the one who created the family unit. They need to learn who He is, and how to obey and respect their Creator.

Understanding your children’s greatest needs begins with acknowledging their greatest problem. Their chief problem is they are born a sinner (Psalm 51:5). Children did not enter this world pursuing God and His righteousness. They where born as sinners in need of The Savior! A tendency to sin drives their hearts and minds until they come to know and have a relationship with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The most urgent need of every child is regeneration. Parents must teach their children as early in life as they can to have personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

To be successful, parents must make a commitment to search the Scriptures and read biblically based books that direct them to be in harmony, as they teach their children. If parents are not in agreement, their children will skillfully manipulate them to get their way. 

Children should be attending church as newborn babies and then provided appropriate teaching according to their age group for their entire life. They should be encouraged to participate in the children’s choir, Christmas plays and other activities that are offered at their church. 

Parents need to educate and protect their children. In a culture that is infiltrated with humanistic thought, sexual immorality, ungodly media, pedophiles, and false teachers, to name but a few, it is absolutely essential that parents take responsibility for their children’s spiritual wellbeing. A major part of protection is to teach children truth so they will reject Satan’s lies that are seeking to take root in their hearts. Parents must realize that it is their responsibility to protect their mind and to train their child. It is their God ordained duty!   

The father must discipline himself and make family devotions a priority in his home. It is vital that he build a biblical foundation for his children because the Bible tells us: “to realize that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3) God has given men the responsibility of being the head of the home. They have a job to do, which they will answer to God for on Judgment Day. 

Yes, the mother can and should assist with the instruction; but if a father doesn’t take the leading role, the children won’t take it seriously. If they don’t see their father reading the Bible, they probably won’t read it either. Even if mom studies the Bible regularly, if dad refuses to obey God and teach the Bible, the children will think that they don’t have to either.

As leaders, men are responsible to God for everything that happens in their families. Proverbs 22:6 says: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

We need to realize that Proverbs was written to men. Solomon, who was “wiser than all men”(1 Kings 4:31), wrote Proverbs as instruction to his sons. “Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.” (Proverbs 4:10) and “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path,” (Proverbs 23:19). Spiritual training of children is the man’s responsibility. He can have his wife’s help, but he is the one accountable to God.

The Bible tells us that by their fruit you will know them (Matthew 7:20), and even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright? (Proverbs 20:11)

The Lord is with us to guide us and help us through His Holy Spirit to bring up godly children; 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 in 1 Corinthians, 1 Kings, 2 Timothy, Deuteronomy, HOW CAN WE RAISE GODLY CHILDREN? - Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Matthew, Proverbs, Psalms | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | April 17, 2014

JESUS’ UNFAIR AND CORRUPT TRIAL – Matthew 26:3-5

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” (Matthew 26:3-5)  

The arrest, trial, conviction, sentencing and execution of Jesus Christ was and still is without legal precedent. He suffered the death penalty even though Pontius Pilate – the local Roman authority – found Him innocent.  

1 Jesus before Caiaphas

The Messiah actually underwent two trials with three phases each. First came the religious trial where the charge was blasphemy; then came the civil trial where the charge was incitement to rebellion. 

2 jesus-before-pilate

Jesus was tried before a “kangaroo court”. This is how the dictionary refers to a kangaroo court – (An unfair, biased, or hasty judicial proceeding that ends in a harsh punishment; an unauthorized trial conducted by individuals who have taken the law into their own hands, a proceeding and its leaders who are considered corrupt and without regard for the law). Like all such trials, it was preceded by a conspiracy: “Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” (Matthew 26:3-5)  

The conspiracy included the Pharisees, the elders of the people, the Sadducees and the chief priests. These were two opposing camps and there was a great bitterness between them. But they had one thing in common; animosity towards the claims of the Messiah. While Jesus upheld the Law of Moses, He refused to uphold the traditions of either the Pharisees or the Sadducees. This was the reason He was hated by both groups. This hatred gave rise to a conspiracy against the Messiah, which was lead by Caiaphas, the High Priest. The plan was to arrest Jesus in secret, away from the attention of the masses, and kill Him before the people became aware of what had happened. 

Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:11 and Luke 22:5 clearly declare that the conspirators were glad when Judas offered the opportunity to apprehend Jesus. They quickly made a promise to pay him for his services. The amount agreed upon was thirty pieces of silver. Judas was paid out of the “Temple” money that had been designated for the purchase of sacrifices. Little did the conspirators realize that they were indeed purchasing a sacrifice with temple money, for when the Messiah died, he died as the sin-sacrifice for all men. 

The thirty pieces of silver had further meaning. According to Exodus 21:32 “If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave. . .” Thus, the leaders of Israel held the ministry of the Messiah to be the value of a slave. Yet at the same time, unknown to them, these leaders were fulfilling an Old Testament Prophecy. Zechariah 11:12 clearly states that His price would be thirty pieces of silver. Read Zechariah 11:12-13. 

By the time of the Messiah, Judaism had developed a large body of law controlling every facet of Jewish life, which in the Scriptures is referred to as the tradition of the elders (read Mark 7:3-4).  

Within this massive body of law were the commandments that dealt with the manner in which the Sanhedrin was to conduct a trial. 

The main thing that the Pharisees and Sadducees had against the Messiah was His refusal to accept the traditions as being authoritative and binding. Yet they themselves were guilty of the very thing for which they condemned the Messiah. In trying to bring about the speedy death of the Messiah through a kangaroo court, they violated a number of their own laws. 

The twenty two laws of the Sanhedrin which were violated at Messiah’s trial are as follows: 

  1. There was to be no arrest by religious authorities that was affected by a bribe: “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.” (Exodus 23:8)
  2. There were to be no steps of criminal proceedings after sunset. (“Let a capital offense be tried during the day, but suspend it at night.” (Mishna = the oral law, Sanhedrin 4:1)).
  3. Judges or Sanhedrin members were not allowed to participate in the arrest. “Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?” (Luke 22:52)
  4. There were to be no trials before the morning sacrifice.
  5. There were to be no secret trials, only public.
  6. Sanhedrin trials could only be conducted in the Hall of Judgment of the Temple Compound.
  7. The procedure was to be first the defense and then the accusation.
  8.  All may argue in favor of acquittal, but all may not argue in favor of conviction.
  9. There were to be two or three witnesses and their testimony had to agree in every detail: (Deuteronomy 19:15)
  10. There was to be no allowance for the accused to testify against himself.
  11. The High Priest was forbidden to rent his garments (Leviticus 21:10)
  12. Charges could not originate with the judges. They could only investigate charges brought to them.
  13. The accusation of blasphemy was only valid if the name of God itself was pronounced.
  14. A person could not be condemned on the basis of his own words alone.
  15. The verdict could not be announced at night, only in the daytime.
  16. In case of capital punishment, the trial and guilty verdict could not occur at the same time but must be separated by at least 24 hours.
  17. Voting for the death penalty had to be done by individual count beginning with the youngest so the young would not be influenced by the elders.
  18. A unanimous decision for guilt shows innocence since it is impossible for 23 – 71 men to agree without plotting.
  19. The sentence could only be pronounced three days after the guilty verdict.
  20. A person condemned to death could not be beaten or scourged beforehand.
  21. Judges were to be humane and kind.
  22. No trials are allowed on the eve of the Sabbath or on a feast day. (The Mishna = Oral law says: “They shall not judge on the eve of the Sabbath, or on any festival.” 

* * * * * * * 

From Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum’s teachings

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