Posted by: missionventureministries | February 13, 2012

TAKE EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER – Philippians 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7

This is one of the most comforting and encouraging texts in the Bible. Believers can always find renewed strength here. The wonderful truth is that God is present with us always. He is near to every believer every moment of every day and He knows what we are going through.

Be anxious for nothing stands in contrast to worrying which reveal a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and power. As believers, we need to realize that our confidence in life does not come from ourselves but from the all powerful God of the universe. That is why Paul tells us not to worry about anything. If we worry we are basically saying that God cannot handle it.  By contrast we are to take everything to God in prayer and His peace will guard our hearts and minds. Believers, who stand firm in Christ, respond to trials and endure hardship with thankful prayer.

Jesus told His followers in the Sermon on the Mount. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear… Do not worry about tomorrow… (Matthew 6:25-34). We have a heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, and is able to help and support us – so why worry or be anxious?

But in everything by prayer and supplication. Paul emphasizes our great need to take all things without exception to God in prayer. As soon as we have a need or problem we are to take it to the Lord in prayer. We present our requests to the Lord with trust, relying upon His assured and gracious provision to help us in our times of need.

Recall Abraham’s servant at the spring in Nahor asking for specific guidance in finding a bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:12-14), or Hezekiah spreading the letter of his enemy Senacharib before the Lord in the Temple (Isaiah 37:14-20).

With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. The attitude we are to have when presenting our supplications to the Lord is one of thankfulness trusting Him for the answers that He will reveal to us through His Holy Spirit. God causes everything to work together for our good and His glory.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God will give us a peace beyond understanding that will guard our heart and mind as we endure and stand firm in the Lord. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “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.” Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us that, “God will not leave us or forsake us.”

We can have this wonderful peace as believers. God will answer our requests in His way and time, and will give us His peace which surpasses all our comprehension. It is a peace that is greater than anything we could ever imagine. It is a stable and securing factor that will give us rest in our sovereign Lord. “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

There needs to be daily surrender, and a renewed commitment to the only One who guides us and keep us strong. Once we have peace with God, we can then go on to enjoy the peace of God, day by day. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

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Posted in 1 Peter, BIBLE STUDIES, Genesis, Hebrews, Isaiah, Matthew, Philippians, SCRIPTURE, TAKE EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER - Philippians 4:6-7 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by: missionventureministries | February 6, 2012

I WILL DO WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME – John 14:13-14

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” – John 14:13-14

Jesus was telling this to His disciples the evening before His crucifixion and He is also telling us today that He will do whatever we ask in His name, so that He the Son may bring glory to the Father. 

As Christ spoke that evening to His personally chosen representatives, Jesus was imparting full authority to them by giving them the power to ask in His name. At that time, to speak in the name of a person meant to fully represent them in all ways.

Jesus was promising His disciples that while they were fulfilling their mission; He would do anything they asked Him to do while asking with the authority of His name. This was a blessing He personally imparted to them specifically. He was handing His disciples a great privilege as well as a tremendous responsibility.

You may ask me for anything in my name is a great promise. We need however to read this verse carefully and analyze the word “anything” within the context of Scripture. A new Christian or a shallow Christian may look at this promise with an incorrect motive because they have not studied the Bible thoroughly. An example in further searching the Scriptures is found in James who reminds us: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3).

Many Christians also think that because they end their prayer with “in Jesus’ name” that they have the ability to somehow control the process by which these things come to pass. We need to understand that to pray in Jesus’ name means that we accept what God wants for our lives, which is the process by which the Father brings matters to be. Praying in the name of the Son of God is in surrender to His will and to the authority given to that name.

Jesus is teaching us here that like Himself, we need to pray so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. It is to this end that Jesus as our High Priest will do everything we ask in His name. Every answer to prayer He gives will have this as its object. Our Savior taught us that we should pray: “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Our prayers need to reflect petitions that will honor and bring glory to His holy name and require that we: 

  1. Pray with a clean heart and for the right reasons:      “If I regard wickedness in my heart,      the Lord will not hear.” – Psalm 66:18
  2. Pray in the Jesus’ name and according to His will:      “This      is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according      to His will, He hears us.” – 1 John 5:14
  3. Pray in faith: “If you have faith and do not      doubt … it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer,      believing, you will receive.” – Matthew 21:21-22

True prayer is born when the work of grace manifests a new desire in the soul and self becomes crucified. When everything of self is cut off and we are totally surrendered to the authority of Christ, and the glory of the Father being the aim of our prayer.

“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.” (Galatians 2:20)

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 30, 2012

IF I REGARD INIQUITY IN MY HEART, THE LORD WILL NOT HEAR – Psalm 66:18

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” – Psalm 66:18

Why does God not answer prayers? There can be any number of reasons why He doesn’t answer our prayer, sin being the biggest reason why our prayers are not answered. Can God answer a prayer when we have not confessed sin? Will He answer a prayer if there are sinful thoughts on our mind?

God’s first condition is that our heart must be pure. In Isaiah 1:15 God says: “I will hide mine eyes … I will not hear.” Sin in our heart will close God’s ear and cut off all communication with Him. It is unsuccessful for us to pray when we are carrying a sin on our conscience which we have not yet acknowledged or confessed. Isaiah 59:1–2 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

To help us better understand here are some examples of hindrances to prayer:

Un-confessed and un-repented sin – In the letter to the Romans, Paul tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Yes, we all sin, but do we have un-confessed and un-repented sin in our life?  If so, we need to confess our sin, and repent from it as we are commanded in Acts 17:30 “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,” if we do not, our prayers are not going to be heard. (Psalm 66:18)

Selfishness – “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3).  We need to examine ourselves and make sure our prayers are not motivated by selfish desires.  If we find that selfishness is a factor then we need to confess it and repent.

Doubt – “But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind,” (James 1:6).  We all doubt and when we do we should remember the man who said to Jesus, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Remember that God has given a measure of faith to every man (Romans 12:3), therefore we need to trust God. James 4:8 tells us to: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” God is merciful and He will help us is we trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall directyour paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Pride.  Jesus spoke of the Pharisee and the tax-gatherer who both were praying.  The Pharisee boasted about himself while the tax-gatherer asked for mercy from God.  Jesus said in Luke 18:14 regarding the tax-collector, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”  Jesus shows us that pride is sin and that it hinders prayer. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).  If you are prideful, confess it as sin, repent, and learn from Jesus how to be humble unto death.

A poor relationship -If there are problems with your family, a friend or acquaintance because of selfishness, pride, arguments, anger, un-forgiveness, or any of the other number of obstacles that cause strife, then your prayers will be hindered. In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus said, “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” 

When the believer lives in rebellion against God, sin blocks his ability to communicate with our heavenly Father (Psalm 66:18) and places them in a position to be disciplined by the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:32) so that we will not be condemned along with the world. We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit by whom we were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), because, “the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.” (Romans 8:16)

The Bible teaches us as believers to put off falsehood and speak truthfully to everyone, for we are all members of one body. We are not to be angry with each other for that is sin, and we are also not to not let the sun go down while we are still angry, so we do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:25-27)

Let us therefore keep in mind that God will not answer the prayers of believers if they are living in unrepentant sin or fail to forgive others. Jesus teaches His disciples in Matthew 6:12, “that God forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” And continues in verses 14-15 that “if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Therefore, a believer that is living in sin or fails to forgive others has their prayers blocked since they are out of fellowship with the Father.

So how do we remedy this situation? 1 John 1:9 makes it clear: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Therefore, we need to repent, confess our sins and be reconciled to God and to those we have offended.

 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 23, 2012

ONE SOWS AND ANOTHER REAPS – John 4:35-38

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” – John 4:35-38
 
Jesus teaches us much about winning souls. In this next verse we see that He teaches us the need for compassion by way of example: “Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every diseaseamong the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”  – Matthew 9:35-36
 
When we read the Scriptures we learn from Jesus that winning souls involves both sowing and reaping just as in agriculture, sowing involves preparing the soil and planting the seed. In winning souls to Christ, it likewise involves preparation and planting. Hearts need to be prepared to receive the gospel. This process involves time, love and patience. Likewise the process of reaping involves soles who have heard the Word and decided to obey it.
 
Both sowing and reaping are necessary to win souls.  Yet the two are not always done by the same person(s). We may reap where other have sown. Just like the case in Samaria where Jesus said: “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” – John 4:38.
 
Jesus had spoken to the woman at the well (John 4:4-26) she knew that the Messiah was to come and now she had met Him. She returned to town and told others about Jesus and told them to come and see Him. (John 4:28-30)
 
There are times when we tell people about Jesus and they seem “ripe”, ready to receive the gospel, requiring little effort on our part. This is likely due to the “sowing” that occurred some time earlier when a friend or family member had spoken to them about Jesus and they did not respond then, but are ready now.
 
We should be careful not to boast when we are privileged to reap where others have sown.  Yet we can rejoice, for reaping. It is an exciting time for the laborers!  On the other hand we may sow where others will reap. This was the case in Samaria. Jesus did the sowing, but the disciples would do the reaping. The woman also sowed and Jesus and His disciples did the reaping.
 
There are times when a lot of sowing is being done, lives are influenced by the godly examples of other Christians, souls are taught the Word of God, yet the reaping is not enjoyed by those doing the sowing, because few seem to respond to the efforts being made.
 
The reaping often comes later; it might be years before the Word bears fruit, it might be long after we are gone. When this occurs, we should not become discouraged and should continue reaching the lost. We need to remember Jesus’ words ‘One sows and another reaps.’      
 
He also said: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” – Mark 16:15. As a result, we should be influencing souls by example and need to be aware that there may be times when we see little fruit from our efforts. Jeremiah prophesied nearly fifty years with little success. Jesus and His apostles had their periods when few would listen, yet we can take comfort in knowing that God’s Word is never sown in vain. It will accomplish its purpose – “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” – Isaiah 55:10-11. It has the power to save those who believe it – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” – Romans 1:16.
 
God only holds us responsible for sowing the seed – “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul” – Ezekiel 3:17-19
 
We need to remember to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 15:58. Because, the power is in the seed, not in the one who sowes or the reaper – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
 
We need to follow the Master’s instruction as His disciples and need to pray because “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:37-38

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 16, 2012

What Does the Bible Say About Modesty? – 1Timothy 2:9-10

“Women are to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” (1Timothy 2:9) – paraphrased.

As Christians our behavior and the way we dress, set the tone for how others see us and value our faith. Being modest in our appearance is just as great a witness to those around us as are our actions and our words. One problem many non-Christians have with believers is that they see them as hypocritical especially if they are preaching purity and modesty to others while wearing revealing and inappropriate clothes. By being modest we take the focus away from self and allow people to witness our inner faith rather than our outer appearance. This is applicable both for men and women.

Discernment is always necessary when shopping for clothes. One way to discern if an outfit is the right one is to ask ourselves why we are buying it. Is it something we like or is it designed to draw attention to ourselves? Is the person buying the outfit to attract the opposite sex? What type of attention are they seeking?

People need to remember, that it is not being Christ like to tempt others through the way they dress. There is plenty of great clothing available for Christians of all ages that are both modest and fashionable. It is not a sin to like nice clothes, but it is a sin when that desire for fashion becomes more important than our faith.

The Christian woman’s primary desire is not to put her body on exhibit, but to reflect her Christian values. Her appearance and dress should not say, “Look at me, admire me,” but rather, “Christ lives in me and has changed me from the inside out. If that change has occurred, then there is no need to draw improper attention to the outward appearance. 1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us that: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

People focus on the outer appearance; however, to God what is on the inside is what matters most to Him. God’s focus is on developing our inner beauty so that it can be reflected in everything we think, say and do for His honor and glory. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” If God looks at the heart, what does He see when he looks at us? Does He see someone who is seeking Him or does he see someone seeking the world?

Virtually all of us are influenced by appearances, yet we need to keep appearance in perspective. It is important that we remain aware of why we dress the way we do. We need to ask ourselves if our focus on our appearance leads us and others to take our eyes off the Lord. If the answer is “yes” then we need to take a closer look at our priorities. Colossians 3:17 says: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

We cannot seek God and also seek the world; we must choose one or the other. The Bible tells us in Matthew 12:30 – “He who is not with Me is against Me…” And also in Revelation 3:16 it talks about the lukewarm church: “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves: Are we trying to portray something that we are not? Do we spend more time worrying about how we look externally in front of others than about how we look internally before God? Do we sometimes dress or act in a certain way in order to fit in with those around us? Or is it to get their attention?

We need to realize that not only does how we dress and act affect us; it also affects those we come in contact with. Women of any age need to think about how they dress and the way that they interact with those around them, especially men. Is there anything about their behavior or way of dressing that might be a stumbling block to them? What message are they sending to the world, their friends, their church and especially to their kids?

Men are stimulated by sight. This is why Jesus told the men of His day, “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28).

In a culture that promotes immorality and promiscuity, it is our obligation as Christians to show the world how to be truly respected and that comes by us respecting ourselves by the way we dress and act.

As Christians our heart’s attitude should be to seek after God because: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Here are some verses for us to think about:

Jesus warns of offenses: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man (or woman) by whom the offense comes!” – Matthew 18:6-7

Submit to God, resist the devil: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:5-6

“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.” – Proverbs 11:22
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30

“There is a way that seems right to a man (or a woman), but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 9, 2012

DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU – James 4:8

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  – James 4:8

We draw near to God by confessing sin and studying God’s Word. The goal of every believer is to walk in obedience and unbroken fellowship with our heavenly Father. God draws near to believers who are loyal to His way of thinking as revealed in the Holy Bible.

As Christian we are to commit our lives to obey Jesus Christ as Lord, to put ourselves under God as our supreme ruler, to give our allegiance to Him. To draw near to God is when we have a great desire for closeness with the living God, to get to know Him better as we fellowship with Him. It is the pursuit of an intimate love relationship with God.

The Lord longs to have fellowship with us. He told Zacharias: “Therefore say to them, ‘thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.” – Zachariah 1:3

When we are saved we long to be in communion with the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. As the priest of old drew near to God, so does the one who comes with saving faith, the one who comes with humility and is literally in awe of the majesty of an infinitely holy loving gracious merciful God.  

Paul’s great cry was: “O that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10).  His desire was that he would “rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord,” – 2 Corinthians 5:8. Paul continues, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” – 2 Corinthians 5:9.

Like Paul, it is fantastic to understand what it means to want God’s energy flowing through us. To understand what it is to want to know all there is of the intimacy of a living communion with a holy God. That should be the pursuit of the heart of every believer.

It is amazing that God who transcends the universe allows us to enter into communion with Him through prayer and fellowship. We neither earn nor deserve this yet the Father delights in having companionship with us. He welcomes our voice and takes pleasure in answering our prayers. We have a compassionate High Priest who is waiting for us to draw near, “let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. God requires that we exercise our desire toward Him first and He will embrace any believer no matter how long or to what extent he went away from Him. God stands ready to accept us with open arms.  “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.” – Psalm 145:18

 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 1, 2012

TRUSTING IN THE LORD – Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

To trust in the Lord with all our heart is the key to our relationship with God and we know that this can only be accomplished through faith in His Son. To trust is to rely on God, to trust the righteousness of His ways and seek to be guided by them in every circumstance in our lives.

Throughout the book of Proverbs we read about the reward of trusting in the Lord as opposed to the ineffectiveness of resting in our own wisdom and seeking our own way. From the beginning, God designed us to have a dependency upon Him. Every decision of each day needs the counsel of God, who instructs and guides us if we will let Him do so; and God promises to communicate in return. The fall in the Garden of Eden was precipitated when Adam and Eve sought to live independently of God, and this human independence continues at the heart of sinful rebellion to this day.

Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavor to live independently of God as people ignore the Lord in the things they do.

Entire trust in God is the only sound position for Christians to take. God is all knowledgeable and all powerful, and foresees the troubles that come upon man. For anyone to rely on his own understanding is foolishness indeed.

If we are faithful to read God’s Word, study it, meditate on it, and obey it, God will guide us. The Holy Spirit teaches us (John 14:26; 16:13-14) and directs us when we pray and seek the Lord’s will. It is our responsibility to place ourselves in the Lord’s hands, through surrender, through study of His Word, through fellowship with Him in prayer and through uniting ourselves with others who are like-minded in Christ Jesus.

Trusting God, relying and resting in Him is what our focus needs to be. When we have a decision we need to make, we always need to go before the Lord, because He knows what is best for us. We need to remember not to lean on our own understanding. We must trust in the Lord completely in every decision we make. We must not be wise in our own eyes. We should always be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counsel. We need to bring our decisions to God in prayer, using the Bible as our guide, and follow God’s leading and “He will make our paths straight” by guiding and protecting us.

Abraham and his nephew Lot were wealthy and had vast herds of sheep and cattle. However, because the land was not able to support them both, and their herdsmen were quarreling with each other, they decided to go separate ways.  Even though Abraham was older and had the right to make first choice, he allowed Lot to choose which part of the country to settle. Lot could have done a number of things in response to Abraham’s generous offer.  He could have deferred to Abraham out of respect. He could have asked Abraham’s advice and most importantly He could have taken time to consult with God. Instead, he impulsively chose the fertile plains of the Jordan River for himself (Genesis 13:11) and sealed his fate.  By pitching his tents near Sodom, Lot came into contact with more trouble and more evil then he was prepared to handle.  He eventually fell captive to the king of Elam, and Abraham had to go and rescue him.

Like Lot and many others in the Bible, we also will try to choose our life’s direction on our own. Those who have not learned to trust the Lord, have the same tendency to go for the quick fix, the first thing that looks good, without taking time to consider our motives, our past history, and the potential consequences. 

Lot‘s decision led him into many battles and situations that brought him much unnecessary sorrow.  Allowing God to direct His choice would have been much wiser.  Our downfall comes when we fail to draw strength and wisdom from God and to consult Him when making choices.  He is there for us, to guide and direct us, if we will only let Him. 

As we begin a New Year let us remember to trust in the Lord instead of self and acknowledge His supremacy in everything we do, and we can be assured that He will make our paths straight.

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Posted by: missionventureministries | December 26, 2011

YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE – John 8:32

“You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” – John 8:32. These are the memorable words of our Lord Jesus.

This chapter of John contains some intense dialogue between Jesus and the religious leaders of the day. There was a large crowd gathered as He was being challenged by the Pharisees regarding sin and salvation. In the midst of this dialogue Jesus turned to those that believed in Him and said, “If you hold to my teachings, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” – John 8:31-32.

As Christians we want to be free in the deepest, fullest sense because the opposite is bondage and slavery. In John 8:36, Jesus tells us that: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” and that is what we are after, real freedom.

When we are saved, Christ frees us from the bondage of sin. He frees us from the bondage we labored under for all of our lives up to the point when we accept Him as Lord and Savior. We were in bondage to the desires of the flesh and of the mind, being ruled by the prince of the power of the air. “He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” – Ephesians 2:1-3. There was no way for us to free ourselves from sin, had He not rescued us, and our bondage to sin would have finished in judgment.

When we are free we experience Jesus, the sovereign, risen, living Lord of the universe, as the source and content of real freedom in our life. Jesus taught His disciples, by word and by example, how to obey the divine will; as a result, the fullness of life intended and blessed by God is found in hearing and obeying His word.

To “know the truth” is to be personally and passionately involved with the Lord in an intimate Master-disciple relationship. Salvation is a gift, but discipleship is a walk. We must grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord to be wholly free. As we walk in truth, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds under His instruction and example.

We can be filled with scholarly information and still be terribly bound by the brokenness of our souls and lives. An intimate, obedient and disciplined relationship with God is the “knowledge” that truly sets us free. Only lives of holy learning and obedience will bring credit to our Lord and honor to our God, and will set us free to be more and more like the One who is ever Faithful and True. For this to happen, we need two things: We need God’s liberating truth and grace, so that He might more and more be glorified in us.

Only the truth of God can make us free. The truth leads to our sanctification, that is, the setting of ourselves apart to God and His service. Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them in Thy truth; Thy word is truth” – John 17:17. Christ Himself is the personification of truth and He spoke of Himself as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” – John 14:6. Then He affirmed that no one can come to the Father but by Him. Jesus has made it clear that the truth He taught, the truth He came to this earth to bring from the Father, is the only means for the salvation of our souls. How we ought to love that truth, seek to understand it, and to live by it.

Therefore, “be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15

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Posted by: missionventureministries | December 19, 2011

LOVE IS THE TRUE MEANING WHY WE CELEBRATE THE SAVIOR’S BIRTH – John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”  – John 3:16-17

The birth story is the account of God’s Son becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Each year as we celebrate the Savior’s birth we see that the true meaning of this celebration is God’s incredible act of love for us.

God knew that if we were to ever be reconciled with Him again, we needed a Savior. For that reason, God provided a way, the only way, for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8

Here are some reasons why Jesus came:

  • “God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” – Galatians 4:5
  • Jesus said: “For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” – John 18:37
  • “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”  – 1 Timothy 1:15
  • The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14-15)
  • “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  – Luke 19:10
  • “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45
  • “God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.”  – 1 John 4:9
  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  – John 10:10

We read in Luke 4:18 that the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Jesus and He opened it and found the place where it was written:  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners.” (Luke 4:18 and Isaiah 61:1)

God’s gift to the world is His Son. Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to die for us, making salvation available through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Someday He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus gave His life so that every sinner could be brought out of darkness into God’s light and experience salvation from our sin by the grace of God through faith in Jesus our Messiah. Since the beginning the manger had been overshadowed by the cross, because God loved us so much.

May we celebrate this time of year focused on the reason for the season. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

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Posted in SCRIPTURE, SPECIAL MESSAGE

Posted by: missionventureministries | December 12, 2011

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD – Psalm 46:10

When we are still, surrender to His Lordship and reflect on the truth that God is in complete control of us and this world, we will find peace and are delivered from our earthly fears. In fact, even though the present world is in turmoil, with the nations raging and the kingdoms of men faltering, we will not fear, since we know that God is our present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1-2)

We are to meanwhile “set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  – Colossians 3:2-4

But to what end are we to be still, surrender, and even die to self? We surrender to know the saving power of God in our lives. We give up trusting in ourselves and our own powers in order to experience the glory of God’s all sufficiency because “the LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” – Exodus 14:14

Psalm 46 tells us that we must know God, and we can do that by having an intimate relationship with Him. That knowledge does not come from knowing about Him, but rather getting to personally know Him by what He says in His Holy Word. By recognizing the things He does in our lives, and by way of His Holy Spirit who comes to guide and comfort us. In John 14:26, Jesus says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

We need to realize that hearts that will cease focusing on themselves, will find “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” – Philippians 4:7. That “in quietness and trust” – Isaiah 30:15, is the source of all strength; a great peace that will never make us stumble (Psalms 119:165); and will give us a deep rest, which the world can never give nor take away.

We deal with so many responsibilities in the course of just one day, it is for that reason that it is so very important to start the day focusing on our Creator; this has to be our first and top priority. There is only one way to know God, we need to: “Be still, and know.” Because “the LORD is in His holy temple, therefore, let all the earth keep silence before Him.” – Habakkuk 2:20. We need to trust our God because by seeking His will and His guidance, He will set the priorities of our day and life and equip us to handle each one of them.

If we do not take time to be still before our Father, the less we will hear God’s voice and the more we operate according to our own agenda, wisdom and power. So why not take a moment right now and relax in the presence of God and “be still” because this knowledge come from a steady trust and recognition of God’s presence among us.

Thank you Lord for being our Almighty God and that we can always be in communion with You.

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