The Christian and Good Works

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:10)

We are meant to do good. We can do good through Christ who has freed us from sin. This passage from Paul's Letter to the Church in Ephesus tells us who we are, how we came to be and why we do what we do!

We are handcrafted by God. We are His workmanship. Can the pot say to the potter, "Why have you made me like this?" (Rom. 9:19-21) A watchmaker makes a watch to tell time. We are created by the creator to walk in good works.

How often do we question ourselves wondering if we are doing God's will? Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we are doing God's will? Do we care that we are doing God's will? As slaves of righteousness, we will want to do the Master's desires.

And we must be careful of falling into the trap of believing in anything like 'Karma'. We cannot influence the outcome of our days. We read in Scripture, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Prov. 16:9) and "A man's steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?" (Prov. 20:24) God directs our every step for those who are in Christ Jesus! Can we ever stumble? Of course! But God is there to pick us up! "The steps of man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

When we are in Christ Jesus there are just some things we cannot help not do like meditating on the Law (Psalm 1), reading Scripture (Psalm 119:105), and daily taking up our cross (Lk. 9:23-27).  All of this is because we have the Holy Spirit in us directing our will! (Rom. 8:1-11)

Albeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.  (Article 12, The Articles of Religion, see also Article 13 on Works before Justification)

How to Refute an Idolator

Definition of IDOLATRY

1

: the worship of a physical object as a god

2

: immoderate attachment or devotion to something

"You shall have no other gods before me.

 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:1-5)

“Man's mind is like a store of idolatry and superstition; so much so that if a man believes his own mind it is certain that he will forsake God and forge some idol in his own brain” John Calvin

I believe that idolatry is the one sin that is little understood and therefore often ignored when it comes to pastoral teaching. Anything that man creates from his imagination is an idol. And we can even make an idol of the God of the Bible Anytime we define God that pleases our imagination, it is idolatry! Here are a few ideas about God I have heard in my ministry with each one followed by a refutation.

Scenerio 1

Suzie: It doesn't matter what we call God, it's all the same.

Christian: You're absolutely right, Nancy!

Suzie: My name is Suzie.

Christian: But if I can call God by any name I wish, then I should be able to call you by any name I wish. 

As you can see, to make oneself more important than God is idolatry!

Scenerio 2

Bubba: It doesn't matter what we believe about God, He loves us anyway.

Christian: What is 2 + 2?

Bubba: 4.

Christian: I believe it's 16!

Bubba: But that doesn't make any sense. You would get an 'F' from a teacher.

Christian: Then why does it make sense to come to any conclusion about God that one wants to?

I hear this a lot. Belief is subjective. Yet at one time man believed the earth was flat. We can believe anything we want but it does not make it true. To believe anything we want is idolatry.

Scenario 3

All religions are the same. 

Well if all religions are the same, then why are their names different? If all religions are the same, then how come only Jesus' tomb is empty? All religions except Christianity are based on works righteousness! No system of faith offers forgiveness of sins. Only one person, Jesus Christ the Righteous can do that. All religions except Christianity, have at their center the person who believes they are good. This is the beginning and the end of idolatry. As John Calvin also states, "Every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols."

And as St. Paul writes:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen." (Rom. 1:18-25)

An Evangelical Understanding of Sickness and Healing

9 Lessons From God Concerning Sickness « J.C. Ryle Quotes list's Bishop Ryle's understanding of sickness in God's plan of redemption. So often we hear from leaders of the healing ministry that illness comes from Satan. But even Satan cannot do anything without the permission of God our Father. When we blame Satan for our illness, something Job did not do, we become as guilty as Adam and Eve who took no responsibility for their disobedience and were cast out of the Garden. When we blame, we justify ourselves, something the Pharisees were known for. God is in control all the time. Our bodies are frail from the time of the Fall! All the more to be dependant on God not only for healing but for our redemption. Illness is part of God's plan, His visitation, to help us draw closer to Him.

The reformation was not bereft of the knowledge of God's healing as so many charismatics are so wanton to believe. The English Reformation produced the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. It is filled with exhortations, many of which have been removed in later editions. After all, what churchgoer wants to be corrected! But a beautiful one exists in the Order of the Visitation of the Sick reminding the believer that God chastises those whom He loves!

The Order for the Visitation of the Sick.

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When any person is sick, notice shall be given thereof to the Minister of the Parish; who, coming into the sick person's house, shall say,
EACE be to this house, and to all that dwell in it.


When he cometh into the sick person's presence he shall say, kneeling down,EMEMBER not, Lord, our iniquities, nor the iniquities of our forefathers: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.
      Answer. Spare us, good Lord.

Then the Minister shall say,Let us pray.      Lord, have mercy upon us.
           Christ, have mercy upon us.
     Lord, have mercy upon us .


OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.
      Minister. 0 Lord, save thy servant;
      Answer. Which putteth his trust in thee.
      Minister. Send him help from thy holy place;
      Answer. And evermore mightily defend him.
      Minister. Let the enemy have no advantage of him;
      Answer. Nor the wicked approach to hurt him.
      Minister. Be unto him, 0 Lord, a strong tower.
      Answer. From the face of his enemy.
      Minister. 0 Lord, hear our prayers.
      Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.


Minister.LORD, look down from heaven, behold, visit, and relieve this thy servant. Look upon him with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in thee, defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

HEAR us, Almighty and most merciful God and Saviour; extend thy accustomed goodness to this thy servant who is grieved with sickness. Sanctify, we beseech thee, this thy fatherly correction to him; that the sense of his weakness may add strength to his faith, and seriousness to his repentance: That, if it shall be thy good pleasure to restore him to his former health, he may lead the residue of his life in thy fear, and to thy glory: or else, give him grace so to take thy visitation, that, after this painful life ended, he may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then shall the Minister exhort the sick person after this form, or other like.EARLY beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness, and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly, that it is God's visitation. And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you; whether it be to try your patience for the example of others, and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord laudable, glorious, and honourable, to the increase of glory and endless felicity; or else it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father; know you certainly, that if you truly repent you of your sins, and bear your sickness patiently, trusting in God's mercy, for his dear Son Jesus Christ's sake, and render unto him humble thanks for his fatherly visitation, submitting yourself wholly unto his will, it shall turn to your profit, and help you forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life.

If the person visited be very sick, then the Curate may end his exhortation in this place, or else proceed.AKE therefore in good part the chastisement of the Lord: For (as Saint Paul saith in the twelfth Chapter to the Hebrews) whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verity for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. These words, good brother, are written in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction; that we should patiently, and with thanksgiving, bear our heavenly Father's correction, whensoever by any manner of adversity it shall please his gracious goodness to visit us. And there should be no greater comfort to Christian persons, than to be made like unto Christ, by suffering patiently adversities, troubles, and sicknesses. For he himself went not up to joy, but first he suffered pain; he entered not into his glory before he was crucified. So truly our way to eternal joy is to suffer here with Christ; and our door to enter into eternal life is gladly to die with Christ; that we may rise again from death, and dwell with him in everlasting life. Now therefore, taking your sickness, which is thus profitable for you, patiently, I exhort you, in the Name of God, to remember the profession which you made unto God in your Baptism. And forasmuch as after this life there is an account to be given unto the righteous judge, by whom all must be judged, without respect of persons, I require you to examine yourself and your estate, both toward God and man; so that, accusing and condemning yourself for your own faults, you may find mercy at our heavenly Father's hand for Christ's sake, and not be accused and condemned in that fearful judgement. Therefore I shall rehearse to you the Articles of our Faith, that you may know whether you do believe as a Christian man should, or no.

Here the Minister shall rehearse the Articles of the Faith, saying thus,OST thou believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth?
     And in Jesus Christ his only-begotten Son our Lord? And that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that he went down into hell, and also did rise again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?
      And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholick Church; the Communion of Saints; the Remission of sins; the Resurrection of the flesh; and everlasting life after death?

The sick person shall answer,All this I stedfastly believe.Then shall the Minister examine whether he repent him truly of his sins, and be in charity with all the world; exhorting him to forgive, from the bottom of his heart, all persons that have offended him; and if he hath offended any other, to ask them forgiveness; and where he hath done injury or wrong to any man, that he make amends to the uttermost of his power. And if he have not before disposed of his goods, let him then be admonished to make his Will, and to declare his debts, what he oweth, and what is owing unto him; for the better discharging of his conscience, and the quietness of his Executors. But men should often be put in remembrance to take order for the settling of their temporal estates, whilst they are in health.
These words before rehearsed may be said before the Minister begin his Prayer, as he shall see cause.
The Minister should not omit earnestly to move such sick persons as are of ability to be liberal to the poor.
Here shall the sick person be moved to make a special confession of his sins, if he feel his conscience troubled with any weighty matter. After which confession, the Priest shall absolve him (if he humbly and heartily desire it) after this sort.
UR Lord Jesus Christ, who hath left power to his Church to absolve all sinners who truly repent and believe in him, of his great mercy forgive thee thine offences: And by his authority committed to me, I absolve thee from all thy sins, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.


And then the Priest shall say the Collect following.Let us pray.MOST merciful God, who, according to the multitude of thy mercies, dost so put away the sins of those who truly repent, that thou rememberest them no more: Open thine eye of mercy upon this thy servant, who most earnestly desireth pardon and forgiveness. Renew in him, most loving Father, whatsoever hath been decayed by the fraud and malice of the devil, or by his own carnal will and frailness; preserve and continue this sick member in the unity of the Church; consider his contrition, accept his tears, assuage his pain, as shall seem to thee most expedient for him. And forasmuch as heputteth his full trust only in thy mercy, impute not unto him his former sins, but strengthen him with thy blessed Spirit; and, when thou art pleased to take him hence, take him unto thy favour, through the merits of thy most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

What Do True Christians Smell Like?

 The law of the LORD is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
    making wise the simple;
 the precepts of the LORD are right,
   rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
    enlightening the eyes; (Psalm 19:7-8)

Ray Comfort describes how our conscience is like our nose. If it is desensitized, it cannot be of any use to the rest of the person. The Smell. | The Daily Evidence

The Psalmist states the Law revives our soul. We are awakened to our nature when we hear the Law. Through repentance, we seek the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ! (Heb. 10:19-23) What once was dirty has now been made clean. But the pleasing odor of a true Christian, may be a reminder of death to an unrepentant sinner! (2 Cor. 2:14-16)

What is the Pulpit for? A Response to Faithshared.org Uniting in Prayer and Understanding

Until this past year, I have been called to well established parishes to serve as a pastor. So I have been the latest in a long line of preachers to serve a particular church. In more than one pulpit, some caring priest typed a portion of John 12:21 on a piece of paper, cut it down to size and taped it to the top of the pulpit. It reads, "Sir, we wish to Jesus." This statement was said by gentile God-fearers who desired a firsthand knowledge of the Messiah. The priest who placed it on the pulpit desired a reminder for himself and those who would follow, that in our preaching, we must show Jesus to the crowd!  When people walk into a church, they should be looking for Jesus.


This month, June 2011, churches are being encouraged to share their pulpit with Muslims and Jews to help increase our understanding of the three abrahamic faiths. Unfortunately, too many Christians do not understand Jesus let alone another religion! The website, Faithshared.org has recommended passages from the Koran to be read from a Christian pulpit. This one from Surah 5 is not on the list:


5:72-75 “They do blaspheme who say: ‘Allah is Christ the son of Mary.’ But said Christ: ‘O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.’ Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help. They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except one Allah. If they desist not from their word of blasphemy, verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them.”


Yes, Islam denies the divinity of Jesus and the Trinity. Islam considers Christians blasphemers. So I have taken it upon myself to show Jesus. What I want to do is talk about who Jesus is! I want Muslims, and everyone else for that matter, to know who Jesus is, to see HIM! There are many Christians who worship the institution, not the Christ. I have posted a video love letter. What love is it to allow someone to drive off a cliff without any warnings of the danger? The pulpit is to share the  Good News of Jesus Christ. That is what the pulpit is for!

 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word.They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:39-42, see John 4:1-45 for the entire context

Jesus, the Cure for Death and Dying

We die! It is a fact of life. But how many of us really understand why we die? Is it a purely biological phenomena that we come into the world, age, and die? Is it because we are not medically smart enough to cure and prevent illnesses that weaken our bodies and kill us? Or is it we have the misfortune of being in an accident that is fatal? We die because we cannot live forever by God's decree. Do we really want everybody to live forever? The murderer, rapist, thief, liars and idolaters. Do we want them to believe they have no condemnation for their sins? We all die. It's the reward for sin. Even for those of us who believe we are basically good! (Rom. 3:9-20)

Death came into the world at the very moment we chose not to follow God. Gn. 2:17) We are born in the likeness of Adam. (Gn. 3:5) His first son was a murderer. Not even God could stop him. (Gn. 4:6-11) God shortened man's life to reduce the opportunities to sin in the world. (Gn 6:3) And even this did not prevent Him from starting over. (Gn. 6:6)

Man can do no good. Even our good deeds are born from a self-serving heart. (Is. 64:6) So when we do not get the rewards we were looking for, we get angry, jealous and quarrelsome. So what is the solution?

The solution is to change our heart. ( Gk. metanoia = repent) But we cannot do this on our own. And this is where Jesus Christ comes in. He is the Holy one of God. When we see Him take our nature to the cross, see that He stood between us and God, taking upon Himself the punishment meant for us, we become sorry for our sins. And we want to put our trust in Him who died for us. After all, He rose from the dead. That’s right, he paid our penalty and shows us He is the Way to eternal life. We cannot help but look to Him for our salvation for our hearts are broken.

On that first Good Friday, Jesus died in our place. On that first Easter Sunday, He shows us that not even death can bind Him in a tomb. He is Risen! This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the proclamation of the Church. As the Rt. Rev, J. C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool states, "It is true that we deserve death - but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors - but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real Gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live."

Why is Good Friday Good?

When I was a young boy I asked my mother why do we call Good Friday good when it was the day Jesus was killed. Her answer was simple: It's good because Jesus died for me. I really didn't get it until I was much older. Here is my testimony why Good Friday is good, for me!

The Importance of Church Attendance

Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:24-31)

We shall all do well to remember the charge of the Apostle Paul–“Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is.” (Heb. 10:25). Never to be absent from God’s house on Sundays, without good reason–never to miss the Lord’s Supper when administered in our own congregation–never to let our place be empty when means of grace are going on, this is one way to be a growing and prosperous Christian. The very sermon that we needlessly miss, may contain a precious word in season for our souls. The very assembly for prayer and praise from which we stay away, may be the very gathering that would have cheered, established, and revived our hearts. We little know how dependent our spiritual health is on little, regular, habitual helps, and how much we suffer if we miss our medicine. ~ Bishop J. C. Ryle in his sermon on John 20.

What Does the Church Look Like?

The answer to the above question may elicit many different responses. One person may say that the Church is a building where people gather every week to worship God according to their traditions. Someone else may reply that the Church is not a building at all but just the people gathering and worshipping God. The point is that every individual may have their own opinion as to the definition of a church. Which one is correct? I suppose one could say that each opinion is an aspect of what the Church looks like and should look like. But there is one opinion that has to be considered above all other opinions. And that opinion is not even an opinion at all but rather God's will for how He has designed the Church. To go against God's will at any time is to go against God!

So let us ask ourselves, what is God's vision for the Church? The answer to this question can be found in Scripture. The Acts of the Apostles provides a picture, a vision, for the Church. One will notice that buildings are not mentioned as being necessary for being the Church. Unless, of course, you include the prisons where the apostles found themselves in. And even there they sang songs of praise, miracles occurred and people came to believe Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior! St. Luke, the author of Acts describes in detail the early church. It is our manual for how our church should look today. Today we can make the mistake of looking to churches on television as examples of what the church should look like. Such popular churches are indeed successful. Successful in the eyes of the world that is! And that is a problem. God will never use worldly standards to judge the success of the Church. In fact, each individual is called to renounce all aspects of the world when becoming a Christian. St. John writes, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) St. Paul also states, “Do not conform any longer 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.” (Rom. 12:2)

Is it wrong, then, not to desire a large Church? No, as long as the true Gospel is preached whereby we hear the Word of Faith, repenting of our sins and our worldly self and becoming a new creation in Jesus . A godly Church is a place where Jesus is the Good Shepherd calling the lost back to Himself, regenerating our hearts. The problem with many large American churches is that people attend for the celebrity status of the preacher, the feel of the sports stadium or it is like a rock concert. In other words, they are attending for their feelings. They are not really leaving the world. The success of the Church will always be judged not by the world, but by God our Father who is looking not at numbers but at our hearts! A successful church is a church where hearts are changed and souls are saved!

What is Jesus Teaching You?

Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. Matthew 23:10ESV


Jesus is speaking to His disciples exhorting them not to be like the scribes and Pharisees who desire to place heavy burdens on the peoples’ shoulders. Jesus is emphasizing His role as our instructor, our teacher. We recognize Jesus as a savior from our sins. We call Him Lord of our lives. But we also need to see Christ as our teacher.

We have the Scriptures that teach us what God has said giving us knowledge of His will for our lives. But in our lives that we live daily, we can also see Christ directing events in such a way that He has something to teach us. Not everything goes our way. When times are frustrating in our lives, we should look to Jesus as our teacher. When we are not happy, we should ask the Lord, what is it that we need to learn. Is there something that we need to change in our lives that would reflect God’s will for us. Perhaps it is just an attitude. A rich ruler, a man with power and money asks Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” The ruler quickly learned no one is good but the Father in heaven. And he also learned that keeping the commandments were not enough. He loved his money more than God. In other words, he saw where he needed to change. But we know how the story ends, the rich ruler went away very sad. (Luke 18:18-25) Happiness would have come if he had let go of his possessions. What is Jesus teaching you?

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30ESV)

What is Your Idol!

They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. (2 Kings 17:15ESV)

We become what we worship. If we worship what is true we will become true. If we worship what is false, we become false as stated above. Our souls are designed for worship. As St. Augustine says, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee." The first two commandments deal with God's uniqueness and the prohibition against any man-made substitute. Idolatry is not just a carved image but anything we desire before God.

John Calvin, the great reformer said, “Every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols” We can even make our image of God be an idle when our image contradicts the revelation of God’s nature found in Scripture.

Everything around us in the world we live in tempts us to idolatry. The American culture praises fame and fortune. Some TV preachers reinforce this saying God wants you to have it all! False prophets are not in short supply. The truth is found in all the words of Scripture. Those who worship God in spirit and truth will bear fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)This who worship idols will bear fruit of idolatry! (Romans 1:22-32)

The Plumb Line of God

A Plumb Line is a builder's tool that gauges the trueness of a structure. Is the wall truly perpendicular to the ground. Are the bricks aligned straight to each other? The prophet Amos saw a plumb line and the King of Israel saw that his kingdom did not measure up to the judgment of God. His response was to ask the prophet to go south and prophesy to Judah. Of course this only removed Israel from the hearing of the word. It did not remove God’s judgment.

How do we know if we measure up to God? By hearing His Word. Jesus states that our faith is like a structure built on a firm foundation. Jesus says, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” (Lk. 6:46-49)

Let us hear the word of God and be doers as well! (James 1:19-25) Then our hearts will measure up to God’s judgment and our faith will be built upon the sure foundation of Jesus our Lord! As Isaiah promised, “Whoever believes will not be in haste. And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line:...” Isaiah 28:16b, 17)

A New Year

January marks a new year. It is named after the Roman god, Janus. Janus had two faces, one that looked at the past and the other that looked to the future. Now we know there is only one God. (Dt. 6:4) But sometimes, because of our fallen nature, we act like a god, knowing the past and desiring to know the future. Knowing the past is easy. We have memories of what happened last year. But knowing the future is something we cannot do. Sure we make plans. And even God reminds us that while we make plans, He has already decided the outcome. (Pr. 16:33, 19:21) So, given the nature of our limitations and knowledge of God’s providence, how should we live into the new year, into the future?

Our inability to know the future is our call to trust God, our Father, all the more. We should accept the fact that He has ordained every appointment that will take place. Our wishes and dreams should be prayers that include “in accordance with Your will!” St. James reminds us of our pride when we think we can make the future go according to our desires, Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15NIV.

The truth is we do not know what will happen tomorrow. But remember your disappointments this past year. Disappointments occur when our expectations or plans are unfulfilled. A surprise occurs when there is no plan or expectation. We are not God. We cannot go back and change our disappointments. But we can look to the future in the knowledge that all things work together for those who love God, (Rom. 8:28) and therefore, are willing to let God surprise us daily as we submit to His perfect will by saying, Thy will be done, on earth as it is heaven!

Labor Day - Questions for the Church

What if 100% of all churches prayed for the unemployed this weekend?

What if 100% of all unemployed workers prayed to God for His mercy and guidance?

What if 100% of all believers repented of those things that contribute to our unemployment?

What if this weekend 100% of all Christians got on our knees asking God's guidance for our nation.

What if 100% of our citizenry prayed for all elected officials and business leaders that they all may do God's will.

What if 100% of all church goers read their bibles this Labor Day weekend seeking answers from God's Word?

What If..................................?

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bearing Good Fruit as Christians

³³ "If you want good fruit, you must make the tree good. If your tree is not good, it will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. ³⁴ You snakes! You are evil people, so how can you say anything good? The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart.³⁵ Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things.³⁶ And I tell you that on the Judgment Day people will be responsible for every careless thing they have said. ³⁷ The words you have said will be used to judge you. Some of your words will prove you right, but some of your words will prove you guilty." (Matthew 12:33-37, New Century Version)

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. This is the Jesus Prayer. It is attributed to Eastern Orthodox mystical tradition. Often times the prayer is said in constant repetition as a way of centering the soul. But this form of prayer should be seen as having meaning as we need to stop our soul and see what Jesus is really doing in our lives. In other words, it is not meant as a mantra but rather as a sincere petition to the living Lord to do actually what the prayer is saying. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER.

If we think we are in control of our lives, we are lying to ourselves. We are not our lord. If we were, we all would have done a better job. Our problem is we go though life not truly walking as if Jesus is in our neighborhood. And then crap happens. Then we stop and make demands of God telling Him what He needs to do! Who is lord of Whom? An authentic recitation of the Jesus Prayer requires humility from the petitioner: Jesus, You are Lord and God, perfect and holy. I am a sinner, guilty in the sight of my Father in heaven. I place myself before you. I seek your mercy. Remember, there really isn't any laundry list such as, I need that promotion so I can buy a new car. I am lonely please help me find a partner to alleviate my loneliness. Basically the prayer says my heart is open to whatever you know I need. I am at your mercy. You are my Lord!

The Jesus Prayer developed from the biblical tradition of people coming to Jesus, acknowledging his messianic divinity, and asking for mercy. Their character was one of humility. Three passages come to mind:


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+15%3A21-28&version=NKJV&src=embed


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9%3A27-31&version=NKJV&src=embed


http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+18%3A35-43&version=NKJV&src=embed

In each of these passages, the petitioner approaches Jesus out of their poverty, not entitlement. They acknowledge Him as the Messiah. They have an authentic understanding of who they are in relationship to Jesus. They ask Him to have mercy. This is their faith.

I will often say the Jesus Prayer on my walks as my thoughts often become runaway thoughts of all the negatives in my life from the 'should of''s' to the hurts and worries that I have no control over. By stopping and not trying for any great argument with God on how I think He should run the world, I acknowledge Him as my Lord and my guilt by stopping my worldly thoughts and beseeching Him for His mercy. By doing this I accept His undeserved kindness (grace). I try not to be perfect and let Him do what He has to do! After all, who beside Jesus knows my needs better!