Posted by: missionventureministries | August 19, 2012

WAITING ON THE LORD – Isaiah 40:31

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. – Isaiah 40:31

This scripture tell us that no matter how strong or independent we may be, we cannot accomplish it alone. God often has to bring us to the place where we have to stop trying, turn to Him and say: “God, I cannot do it on my own I will wait upon you Lord.” God is waiting for those words but they often are not said until we have exhausted our own ideas with no results. We need to learn not to be impatient but to wait upon the Lord because, it is only in waiting that we find the promises of God. 

The longer a true believer lives, the more they realize that everything is in God’s hands. When a person is young either in age or in their Christian walk, they are more inclined to try to solve everything within their own ability. Then, after many years of trials, tests and troubles, they begin to get a glimpse of what living by faith and trusting God really means. 

  • Waiting upon the Lord requires true faith, and those that do trust in Him will gain new strength.
  • Waiting upon the Lord requires sometimes going through the fire and still trusting God to bring us through those difficulties and then we will mount up with wings like eagle.
  • Waiting upon the Lord requires having confidence in what we hope and know that God will take care of us. And then we will run and not get tired, we will walk and not become weary.

Like baby eaglets, in their nest, can do nothing but wait until the mother eagle returns to her nest to bring the necessary food, drink or whatever else is needed to keep her eaglets alive; we must stay in the “nest” and trust that God will bring us what we need, and then accept what comes because we know it is for our own good. 

It is hard to mount up, climb, or go up higher if we try to go before our time. That period of waiting on God is a must. It is always best to soar under the shadow of the Almighty as He covers us with His feathers under His wings while we trust in Him.

The reason many Christians fail the fiery tests of their faith is because too many are bankrupt spiritually. When the trials come, there is no faith and trust in God to draw strength from because:

  • We have not spent time praying.
  • We have not spent time studying.
  • We have not fasted at all.
  • And we have not waited on the Lord. 

Notice what happens when we wait on the Lord. God says He will renew our strength. We will begin to take flight like the eagle. We will run and not get tired. We walk and not become weary.

Scriptures tell us that the Lord like an eagle stirs up its nest and hovers over its young and spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. (Deuteronomy 32:11) 

Just as that mother eagle never forgets to come back to her nest, Jesus will not forget us either. As that mother eagle is always out gathering and preparing a way for her little eaglets, so is Jesus, the Good Shepherd tending His flock.

We need to wait upon the Lord and place our faith and trust in Him and He will let our spirit soar above this world. He will lift our spirit upon eagle’s wings and we will be strengthened for the journey ahead. Only by patiently waiting, placing our whole-hearted faith in God and trusting in Him totally will we have our strength renewed.

God has it all under control. As a child of the Most High God, we are to look to the heavens because our Father sees our need and our answer is already on the way! Just like the angel told Daniel: “Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (Daniel 10:12) 

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.” (Psalm 62:5)

 

 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 12, 2012

I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN GOD – Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4 

According to the introductory statement to this Psalm, David wrote this when he had been seized by the Philistines in Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15), and starts this Psalm expressing his situation and his fear. From this initial fear, he puts his trust in God – which is the only response we should have to any situation. 

When we look to God and read His word, it will bring any situation back into perspective and the realization that if we trust in the Lord, there is no need to be afraid, for He is greater than anything that we fear. In David’s case, this was the enemies surrounding him, for us it can be anything that threatens and frightens us. 

If we think about it, we realize that we do not see the fullness of our hope in God until fear arrives and causes us to lean on God and place our trust in Him.  

David openly acknowledges that he was afraid. To be afraid means to be fearful of someone or something that is dangerous, can cause us pain, or is threatening. It is a normal instinct and a reality we all have to deal with at one time or another. It is not a weakness we have, it is an element that arises from the fact that we live in a fallen and sinful world. It only becomes a problem, for a believer, when it begins to be the most compelling factor in our life, causing us to respond more to the fear than to the Lord who indwells us and promises us He will take care of us and protect us. 

Fear is one of these things, designed to make us feel that we “need” God, and to lead us to Him when we realize that we have no power to save ourselves from impending dangers. 

I will put my trust in You – as the only One that is able to save; this is the only action that can calm the mind in the midst of danger.  

We deal with fear by choosing to trust in God, by praising His name and His word. Our praise and worship to God expresses our love for Him and acknowledges His love for us and “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). With the love and promises of God residing in us, flowing through us, what can any mere man do to us? 

We can absolutely trust in God and His word because the Lord says: “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God…” (Isaiah 41:10) 

Trusting God:

  • Produces evidence of our faith
  • Brings peace and satisfaction
  • Brings help in times of need
  • Brings joy in the present and assures us of eternal joy  

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? – Psalm 27:1 

We need to remember that our confidence must always be in God, He is our light and our salvation. Therefore, what can mere man do to me?

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 11, 2012

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES – Acts 17:11

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Posted by: missionventureministries | August 5, 2012

FAITH BRINGS RIGHTEOUSNESS – Galatians 3:1-5

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” – Galatians 3:1-5

Paul had clearly preached the gospel to the Galatians and they seemed to understand the great doctrines of salvation by grace and of liberty in Christ and it was hard for him to understand how they had been so quickly led astray.

True Christians acknowledge that life in Christ begins by the work of the Spirit. It cannot be perfected or brought to maturity through the flesh. Yet in many churches today people seem to believe that they can. In the first three verses above, Paul wants them (and us) to understand that sanctification comes by trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit by faith. He called the Galatians foolish for compromising the gospel of grace by relying on human effort for personal holiness and spiritual maturity instead of placing complete trust in God for salvation.

In these days of apostasy, this is even a greater problem then it was in Paul’s time, since at this very time in history, people that admit to being Christians are “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” – Ephesians 4:14. Many who profess to be Christians have, like the Galatians, been “bewitched” by clever persuasion of false teachers and religious leaders into such deceptions. They have been drawn away from the pure gospel by the fascination and allurement of the false teaching, and by the devious and deceitful words of its teachers. Had they acted by the truth that they were taught, they would not have fallen prey to it, but they acted irrationally.

Looking at religious leaders many consider themselves open-minded in their new thinking, but Paul would call them “foolish” just as he did the Galatians. He writes to the Colossians that “true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

It is sad to see what is happening today as it was with the Galatians where people are being misled to think that sanctification was something they needed to accomplish on their own. The Galatians had by faith received and been empowered by the Holy Spirit, but now were agreeable victims to a false form of sanctification. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3:1)

Paul asked the Galatian believers, “did you receive the Holy Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?” – Galatians 3:2. The reason he asked this was because they were being taken in by the false teaching of the Judaizers who said that you had to add works to faith. Furthermore, they were tying to grow in Christ by adding works to their faith. If a person receives eternal salvation and the fullness of the indwelling Holy Spirit through wholeheartedly trusting in the crucified Christ, why in the world would he trade in supernatural power for human effort? That’s what Paul wanted to know. We cannot achieve a spiritual goal by natural means. The Holy Spirit produces spiritual life initially and He also sustains it.

“Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). Likewise, adhering to external religious restraints can be easier than serving God in the liberty of the Spirit. This is why some first-century believers in Galatia wanted to live under the Mosaic Law, even though in Christ they were no longer bound by it.

Many Christians follow a similar pattern. They look for security by placing themselves under a legalistic system that calls for no more than good external behavior. In many instances, the do’s and don’ts are merely cultural, not biblical. Although their outward conduct may be generally acceptable, they are actually escaping into a subtle kind of bondage. Obedience to accepted standards has value only when our actions reflect a changed heart and express gratitude to God for His salvation.

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 29, 2012

DO NOT THINK OF THE PAST – TRUST IN THE LORD – Isaiah 43:18-19

“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 19 “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:18-19

God is telling Isaiah “do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” He is literally saying that we are to receive God’s forgiveness and look ahead to our future.

We all have a past and some things are not so good, therefore we need to ask God for forgiveness, learn from our past mistakes, make amends if at all possible with the one we hurt and look forward to the new things the Lord will do in our lives.

When studying the Bible, we see that God used the least likely people to do some of the most amazing things for Him. He chose the adulterer, the murderer, the thief, and the prostitute. God used them as an example for us.

So if God used people like King David who was an adulterer and a murderer and others; why not us? Jesus died on the cross for us and once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we are new creatures in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). Galatians 2:20 tells us: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Believers need to quit living in the past because God wants us to focus on what is ahead of us and forget what happened yesterday or many years ago; since Jesus paid the price for us on the cross and blotted out all our sins. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25

We need to learn to put the past behind us. So we may ask: How could God ever forgive me? According to Lamentations 3:22-23, God’s mercy is new every morning, and the Lord tells Jeremiah that He will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34). He told Isaiah: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (1:18).

God wants to heal everything that hurts us, but first we have to choose to let it go. Just like David we need to acknowledge our sin and ask God to forgive us. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)

After a strong exhortation to forget the former things, the Lord says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” This question is vital to understanding how dwelling on the past affects us. The fact is, when we are caught up in the thoughts and events of the past, wallowing in the hurts and pain of yesterday, we become oblivious to the “new” things the Lord is doing all around us. That’s why God asks, “Do you not perceive it?” The perceptions of someone who struggles with letting go of the past literally become dulled—keeping them from “seeing” the good things the Lord is doing all around them.

We must get our eyes off the past and fasten them upon the power of the Lord. The writer of Hebrews tell us to: “…fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2) This cannot be done when our eyes are fixed on our past.

While there is a place and time to recollect the events of the past to gain a heart of wisdom, there is also a time to just let it go—release it. The apostle Paul said: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)

God does not want us to go through life looking in the rear view mirror. It’s time now to look ahead and focus on what’s before us. God wants to do a new thing in our lives. He wants us to rise up to our full potential in Him. The Lord has called us to do mighty things. He will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert for us.

We have to keep moving forward. It is only in moving forward that we ever accomplish what God has called us to. We cannot stay where we are, nor can we go backwards. The only direction we can go is forward. So let’s move on and keep our eyes focused on God and grow. Just as it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) 

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 22, 2012

WE ARE JUST A VAPOR THAT APPEARS FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN VANISHES AWAY – James 4:14

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”– James 4:13-15

James deals with a very factual issue in these verses as he addresses the ambitious attitude of living and planning without regard to God. He rebukes living independently of God with a self-sufficient mindset. We might think that as believers this doesn’t apply to us; however, we must remember that James was writing to believers and he warns and rebukes those who would seek to walk independently of God.

James is not condemning wise, strategic and careful planning. The problem lies in what they did not do; they did extensive planning, but in the course of their planning, they totally ignored God. The Lord was not part of their agenda.

The important thing that we need to focus on, is how we spent our time on this earth and what we will have to show for when we reach the end of our life? How much was invested in the kingdom of God, or how much spent on worldly things? Will we be rewarded at the end for our labor or will we suffer loss at the judgment?

We need to draw close to God and He will draw close to us (James 4:8). When we do that, He will teach us to live each day without regret.

Life is a vapor! Like a morning mist that soon vanishes. Life is a gift from God and compared to the realm of eternity it is relatively short. God’s promise is seventy years, eighty if we are strong (Psalm 90:10), but even if you break one hundred it is still at best a vapor in God’s eyes. There are no guarantees about tomorrow, let alone next year or ten years from now. Our physical bodies are here on earth for only a fleeting moment in God’s eyes (Psalm 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8). 

We should thank our heavenly Father each morning when we wake up, being aware that our entire lifetime exists only one breath from God, the breath of life (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4). You may be young and healthy this morning, but you easily could be struck and be dead by tonight.

We many not want to or like to think about such things, but if we ignore them, we will not live our life properly in light of eternity.

Have you ever thought about how much time you have left? How much time will you have to hear what God is saying to you and make the necessary changes in the way you are living, before you find you ran out of time?

We should be ready to meet our Maker at any moment and should ask Him often to “Teach us to number our days correctly Lord, so that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” (Psalm 90:12) before it is too late.

James finishes by giving great advice: Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” This is where we get the expression “Lord willing.”

Did you know that we are alive today because God wills it? He wants us alive right now at this point in history for a reason. It is amazing to think about this. While we are not here for long, we are here for a reason. God created us for one purpose in life and it is to be in fellowship and to worship Him. We are not normal if we do not realize that this is God’s total purpose for our lives.

If you would like to understand more about worship please go to the following link: How to Worship God in Spirit and Truth – John 4:24

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Posted in 2 Peter, Genesis, James, Job, Psalms, Romans, SCRIPTURE | Tags:

Posted by: missionventureministries | July 16, 2012

PURSUE THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – Psalm 37

This Psalm is filled with wisdom directed to the believer’s and teaches them how to act toward evildoers. It instructs us on the importance of maintaining the right perspective during our life.

David begins in the first two verses with a statement of consolation: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”  – He mentions the word “do not fret” several times in this chapter. So how do we accomplish this, how do we stay calm in response to the evildoer?  Our answer is found in the next verses: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret —it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

David encourages us with principles which should guide our lives.

Trust In The Lord (vv. 3, 5) – While the wicked trust in themselves, the righteous are called to put their confidence and hope in the character and promises of the Lord. We are to confide in God and rest on Him, instead of allowing the mind to be troubled because of the wicked; or because what they can or might do to us. We need to place our trust in the Lord. The wise, cling to the goodness and sovereignty of the One who “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

And do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture (v 3) – The Bible teaches us: do “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). The best way to keep the mind from fretting is to be always engaged in doing good; to have the mind always occupied in something valuable and useful. Philippians 4:8 states: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart  (v 4) – Here David is telling us that we should seek our happiness in God – in His being, His perfections, His friendship and His love. We are to let the nearness of God be our good (Psalm 73:28) and cultivate intimacy with Him. This cannot be done apart from the discipline of regular time with the Lord in the Word and prayer. When we seek Him first, He gives us the desires of our heart because our desires become conformed to His. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this (v 5): – We are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due time, casting all our concerns upon Him, for He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:6-8). Without reservation we need to give all our plans, our dreams, our hopes, and our desires to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3). The only things that will really be ours are the things we freely give to God. Jesus told us: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24).

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (v 6) – The angel of God told Daniel: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes. (vv. 7, 9, 34) – Be still means waiting in silence patiently and confidently for God’s answer and intervention as we leave the whole matter under His control.

God’s timing is different from ours, and because of this, we are not to grow impatient, anxious, and frustrated with the adversities of life. We are to trust His character and we must trust His timing. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret —it leads only to evil. 9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. (vv. 8, 9) – Repeatedly, David reminds us that the righteous should not fret over evildoers because it only leads to evil. He reminds us that those who are evil will be destroyed in the end but those who place their trust in Him will inherit the land.

The wisdom of this psalm is to adopt a perspective on life by embracing God’s purposes and ordering all of our affairs according to His will and instructions.

The bulk of Psalm 37 contrasts the pursuits and destiny of the wicked and the righteous. It grants that in the short run, those who refuse to acknowledge God may prosper, while those who seek God often suffer at the hands of evildoers. By contrast, the righteous will ultimately endure and inherit the land (vv. 3, 9, 11, 22, 29, 34). Jesus reiterates the teaching of Psalm 37:11 in the Beatitudes by declaring, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). The good news is that those who in meekness commit themselves to Jesus Christ and are blessed by the imputation of His righteousness not only will inherit the land, but they will ultimately inherit the entire earth.

 

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Posted in 1 John, 1 Peter, BIBLE STUDIES, Daniel, Luke, Matthew, Philippians, Proverbs, Psalms, Romans, SCRIPTURE | Tags: , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | July 9, 2012

THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL – 2 Chronicles 7:14

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 

This well-known verse states God’s requirements for blessing us; it requires humility, prayer, devotion and repentance. While this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. This verse stands as a high expression of God’s readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people.  

We find similar words in the New Testament – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:8-10) 

Let’s take a look at our verse:  

“If My people” – This is the beginning of the conditions that God is looking to be met before He will act. It is clear that God is issuing a conditional promise to His people – do these things and I will respond. God has an expectation of specific things before He brings revival and these promises are only for those who place their faith in God.

We often forget that the work of revival always begins with God’s own people first, why? God must first renew His people before the real work of winning souls for Christ can take place.

“Who are called by my name” – God is the one who calls us out from among the world. Being a Christian means that we are meant to stand out from the rest of the world. We must live differently than the world because we value different things, we value an eternal promise and we value a different lifestyle.

We are called to be a holy priesthood, where every believer carries the responsibility for ministry. We are called to be Christ’s witnesses in this world to share His truth and boldly seek His power.

“Will humble themselves” – The word humble means to be in submission, to live in a state of surrender. When we humble ourselves, we are literally saying to God, you are in control of my life. When we humble ourselves before God we are allowing Him to mold us to His will and once we allow God to do that, we cannot remain the same.

“And pray” – One of the key principles of revival is a determined effort in prayer. When we pray we are bringing our lives to meet with God and in the moment that we meet with the Lord something amazing happens; He pours Himself into our lives. This is why prayer is so absolutely essential to experiencing revival.

Prayer is the foundation of a growing relationship with God and without prayer that relationship will never truly grow. We must have a deeper connection to God if we ever want to experience revival in our lives and in our churches. Each day we make a decision to cultivate and grow that relationship with God or to settle for where we are in our relationship with Him.

Revival is nothing more than God stepping into His relationship with us and filling it with His presence and power in a fresh way. If we are not developing that relationship with God, we will never experience personal revival, and it takes many with this kind of commitment to have a revival in the church and in our community.

“And seek my face” – To seek something from God means to first have the deep desire to see it happen and then to actively and persistently pursue it.

One of the major reasons why churches in America seldom see a movement of God is because they don’t want it bad enough. There is a personal price that has to be paid in finding revival. It means that we need to render ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit and then obey what the Spirit says. The church today does not see God moving because people have stopped seeking.

God said these words to Jeremiah: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13). We will only truly find God and His reviving power when we earnestly desire that which only He can give us. Once that desire is there, then we must pursue it.

“And turn from their wicked ways” – Revival will never happen in our life until we let go of our sin. Sin is nothing more than pure bondage. When we recognize our wrong doing and confess, we renew our relationship with God and He sets us free.

If we want our churches to see revival, today is the day to seek the Holy Spirit. If we want our community to see a mighty outpouring of His power, today is the day to seek Jesus. If God is tugging at our heart today, we need to humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face, turn from our wicked ways and we will hear from heaven and God will forgive our sins and heal our lives, families, churches, communities and our country. And there can be once more a great revival.  

Time is short; our Lord is coming back soon. To him that overcomes a crown of life shall be given (James 1:12) and with the King of Glory shall those who – ACCEPT (Romans 3:23), BELIEVE (Romans 5:8) and CONFESS (Romans 10:9) – will reign eternally.

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Posted by: missionventureministries | July 2, 2012

“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

This is a beautiful affirmation of faith by Joshua in the Old Testament. This verse expresses the heart of a great spiritual leader at the end of his life. In these simple words we find the will of God expressly stated. We are to serve the Lord and we are to do everything in our power to see that our family follows our example. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15  

When the children of Israel moved into the Promised Land, they were getting ready to set up their homes as permanent places rather than living in tents that would be taken down and moved every few days or weeks. Their leader, Joshua, issued a strong challenge to the Israelite families. What God or gods will they serve? Would they serve the gods of Egypt where they were enslaved? Would they serve the gods worshipped by the various peoples they have encountered in their Promised Land? Or would they serve the God who led them out of slavery in Egypt, guided them through the years of wandering in the wilderness and brought them into this Promised Land? They had to make a decision, and their decision would make all of the difference in the world, not only to their lives but to all their history.  

There are many choices that we can make; however, one that is absolutely vital is to serve the Lord. We can choose to have our false gods (the love of money, clothes, jewelry, sports, TV, etc.) or we can choose to walk with God. We need to be aware that whatever we love more than God is a false god. Just like Joshua, the apostle Paul admonished us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2 

Another very important message to focus in this passage are the words “choose today.” No individual is guaranteed an opportunity to respond to God at some future time. The Bible proclaims: “Today is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). 

Joshua commanded the people to repent by putting away the gods of their ancestors and the foreign gods: “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel” (v. 23). When the Israelites voiced allegiance without a decisive end to their practices, Joshua must have reminded them what Moses had told them that they would not be able to serve a holy, jealous God, because God will not tolerate rivals. “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,” (Exodus 20:5).  

A decision to serve the Lord based on enthusiasm only will not last. A Christian’s decision demands integrity: “Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14). A decision to follow God means a decision formed with a commitment of “sincerity and truth.”  This means to serve wholeheartedly, to serve with integrity, or without blame. This was true for the Israelites as it is true for all humanity. 

Joshua made the decision along with his family to serve the Lord. Will you and your house serve the Lord? We need to be aware that our decisions have consequences good or bad not only upon ourselves but also upon other people. A selfish decision affects our families in negative ways. Likewise, a decision to serve God influences our families positively. 

Just as Joshua pointed the way to God, each of us has the same opportunity. Ask God to help you examine your heart, because as born again believers the Bible tells us that we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Whether we are retired, working or a homemaker, we are to be teaching the way to God and helping others to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you follow Christ, there will come a time when you must say to some of your acquaintances, “Do what you want, but I’m going to serve the Lord.” This is a personal decision, but in the end if it comes down to this, you must choose to serve the Lord. 

Just like Joshua had provided a good example for his family to follow God, every Christian man ought to make a similar statement to the family the Lord has given him. Though Joshua could set the example, he could not make the choice for them; the people had to choose for themselves. Whom will you serve today? 

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

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Posted in 2 Corinthians, BIBLE STUDIES, Exodus, Joshua, Romans, SCRIPTURE | Tags: ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | June 25, 2012

Abide in the teaching of Christ – 2 John 1:7-11

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. 9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. – 2 John 1:7-11

This letter was written to the believers and John was warning them about false teachers and the danger of becoming associated with them. We have to remember that Satan comes as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), as a result believers must be on guard against error by having an intimate acquaintance with the truth of God’s Word. John told them that: many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. He calls them deceivers and antichrists and stresses the need to stand on guard against false teachers.

One of the marks of a false teacher or a cult is that they do not accept, believe, and teach about the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. For example the Jehovah’s Witnesses believe, He is an “angel” (the archangel Michael), a created being. To the Mormons Jesus is the “spirit brother” of Lucifer, not eternal, but created. There are many cults proclaiming falsehoods in this world and they will try and bring believers outside of the confines of the truth of God’s Word. Beware!

We need to be cautious when speaking to someone about religion. The first question we should ask is: “What do you believe about Christ; is He God come in the flesh?” Sadly we will encounter many that will say He is simply human; these are against Christ’s deity and therefore are antichrist. We should: not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist. (1 John 4:1-3) As we read John’s letters, we become aware that anyone teaching against Christ and His doctrine is an antichrist.  Many people will confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh but they refute and rebel against the following fundamental principles of the Gospel.

  • The virgin birth and deity of Jesus Christ – when Jesus lived on earth He was fully God and man. After His ascension He is fully God.
  • The substitutionary death of Jesus – He died and paid the sin debt for every person.
  • God physically raised Jesus back to life after He was in the grave for 3 days.
  • The holy inspiration and complete accuracy of the Bible.
  • Jesus Christ will return to earth, to defeat His enemies and judge every person.
  • Every true believer will admit that Jesus paid their sin debt – believes that God raised Him from the dead and confesses verbally that Jesus is the absolute Lord of their life.
  • Every believer will desire “to be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19)

John warns believers to watch out and not to be deceived in verse 8, because they would loose their reward if they started following false teachings. We need to remember 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 who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

In verse 9 does John state clearly that those that do not walk or abide in the doctrine of Christ do not have God. This basically means that those that do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God and those that deny Christ’s divinity and Lordship are not saved believers and therefore are antichrists.

Verse 10 goes on to say: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting.” The context of this passage clearly refers to those cults who come knocking on your door. We need to be aware of these people’s teaching and are commanded not to receive them into our house. The reason being is that this greeting would be seen as approval by neighbors and fellow Christians who see us doing so, or hear of it and would give a false approval, basically saying that it is OK to participate in their evil deeds.

We need to understand that hospitality to strangers is not forbidden. However, it is forbidden to receive a false teacher in such a way as to give them opportunity to teach their heresies. Jesus spent much time with sinners, (Matthew 9:10-12) yet not with Pharisees. The reason Jesus did not spend time with Pharisees, but with other sinners, was that in their pride and arrogance they did not see what they were lacking and in need of. Jesus didn’t waste time or give weight to their message by spending time with them because of their false teachings.

Please be aware that to support someone who is working against the true Christian message makes those who greet them accomplice to participating in their evil deeds. That is what the Bible teaches us: If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching (the message of Jesus Christ), do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. Christian fellowship and hospitality is to be denied to anyone that does not teach according to the doctrine of Christ.

 

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Posted in 1 John, 2 Corinthians, 2 John, Ephesians, Matthew | Tags: , ,

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