Memories can Haunt Us

As we pass through our lives we will pass through many valleys that hold memories of the “shadows of death” that David, King of Israel, spoke about in the well-known passage found in the 23rd Psalm. How we position these experiences in our memories will govern not only how we recall our past but how we face our future.

Our memories and how we recall them can liberate or imprison us. Past experiences can be used by Satan to remove hope or, on the other hand, by God’s Spirit to build faith. Sad enough many people live in the shadows of the past that cloud the hope God has for them in the present and future as their life unfolds.

We have the ability to recall the past with 20/20 vision. When we accurately recall the events in past experiences we have the capacity to see how God worked in our lives to bring about His will and purpose for us.

The Apostle Paul makes this comment about how we see our future:

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Co 13:12)

There will be a time when the “dark glass” will be wiped clean and we will “know” God and His purpose for our lives just as God knows our past, present and future for our lives.

We have the ability to view life as it passes and use the history of how God has worked in our lives to find the confidence to place faith in Him as we face the unknowns in the future. The prophet said:

“I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light.” (Lam 3:1-2)

These words of the prophet reveal a dark and desperate frame of mind he was in. God had removed His favor from the children of Israel because of sin and they had been removed from the land God had promised they would possess.

When we fail in our attempts to please God, He does not abandon us but rather He walks through the “valley of the shadows” with us. King David said in his psalm:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” (Psa 23:4)

We have many promises from God but one of the most empowering is found in these words:

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deu 31:6)

God’s promises are not like ours… He keeps them.

When God says He will “not fail” you, He means it. The Psalmist said:

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” (Psa 139:7-8)

The same prophet that uttered the words of discouragement at his current state of condition said:

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lam 3:21-23)

Are you walking through a “valley of shadows?” If so, remember God’s compassions do not fail and are renewed in your life every day. Seek to remember God’s previous compassion and how He sustained you in the past as you see through the “dark glass” of the future to build your faith in God.

Check out this amazing summation of man in a clear but concise 6-minute video.

Living a life of humility is not self-deprecation. Self-deprecation is a behavior gimmick employed to present one’s self as excessively modest; seeking to draw greater attention to yourself or an attempt to belittle or undervalue oneself.

Seeking to live a life in humility is not a character quality many people seek to possess. Humility is contrary to our basic human behavior and is not a natural desire. We tend to have a proudful spirit and this is evident in even the youngest child who seeks approval from others for their accomplishments. 

Satan’s pride was the reason why he was removed from his place in God’s Kingdom and will be cast into the lake of fire. We have the same pride issue and it too will separate us from God. A proudful spirit will build walls between you and others and you and God.

The word of God draws this conclusion about our pride:

“The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” (Psa 10:4)

Pride has been the downfall of most people and will allow Satan to gain control in their life. The Apostle Paul, speaking to the selection of servants in the Lord’s Church, said:

“Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Ti 3:6)

The scripture states of Jesus:

"Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Php 2:6-8)

“He humbled Himself,” Jesus was not and could not be humiliated by anyone but He made the choice to be “humble.” Jesus was, according to the scripture, God and creator of the world:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” (Col 1:16)

Jesus was not humbled by the leaders of the Jews, Roman authorities or even His own family. The only way the Creator King and Saviour would be humbled was if He Himself made that choice. To be able to deny one’s self is the key to humility.

Jesus is our example. We are instructed in the Bible to:

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Php 2:5)

What was the “mind” of Jesus? He was God but Jesus, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” (Php 2:7) The Creator become a servant. There is no better example of this statement in the Bible than when Jesus robed Himself and washed the feet of the disciples.

The Prophet, Priest and King took such a lowly disposition that many did not notice that He was washing their feet. Humility came naturally to Jesus but not so much for us. The book of Proverbs is filled with warnings for us about the dangers and pitfalls of pride and we, like Jesus, must choose to humble ourselves.

The scriptures reminds us of the importance of humility with these words:

 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (Jas 4:10)

Self-promotion is a character quality that often is employed in the world to achieve success but to be truly successful with both man and God you must learn to humble yourself.

If you will seek humility as you live your life as a pilgrim in this world God will indeed lift you up.

Turning Your Own Way

The love of God is not dependent upon who we are but who He is. We are incapable of earning God’s affection. Isaiah, the prophet to the nation of Israel, said:

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isa 53:6)

Born as a sinner, we start on a path that will and has led us “astray” and do not seek after God. This is the outcome of the fallen nature of humanity. Apostle Paul makes this observation about our spiritual condition:

 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Rom 3:10-12)

God’s love is the power for us to change our lives.The Scriptures make this comment about how we are able to overcome our fallen condition:

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Tit 3:3-5)

The kindness of God is demonstrated by loving us. His love for us did not begin when we loved Him back but God’s love was directed at you before you even acknowledged God’s existence. The letter Apostle Paul sent to the Christians in Rome makes the observation about the nature of God’s love:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)

The word ‘commendeth’ is understood to mean “stand with or to draw near.”

God’s love was not just directed towards you but He sought you out while you were deep in the darkness of sin. Jesus said:

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44)

The love of God that was commended to you was how you came to know Jesus.

God did not just send His Son, He “commendeth” His love to seek you out and stand with you so you could know Jesus. God’s love is the motivation for Jesus’ coming to the world, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)

God not only loves you, He seeks to have you love Him back. To love God back will make you aware that God is not just there now but has always been with you. To acknowledge God and receive His grace is a life-changing experience.

Not only are you granted a place in His Kingdom, you are endowed with His Spirit that moves you from the darkness of sin and into God’s will. Apostle Peter states what happens when you love God back:

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” (1 Pe 2:9)

Do you know God is standing with you? Have you loved Him back? Acknowledge God today and repent of your sin and the “marvelous light” will change not just where you are going to spend eternity but God’s love will give you joy and peace while you live out your life on this side of Heaven. 

Jesus was a great teacher…

a prophet, healer and friend. These character qualities alone would qualify Jesus as a saint but would not allow Him to be received by God. Jesus was a man who was:

 “…despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isa 53:3)

Jesus was a man who, “hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows,” and the ones whom He served saw Him as, “stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isa 53:4) This great sacrifice alone did not win Him God’s favor.

Why was Jesus approved of God if it was not for these great works and sacrifice? The word of God gives us this understanding of just who and what Jesus was and why He was approved by God:

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:15-17)

Jesus is, was, and for all eternity, will be God. Jesus, living as a man in His creation, did not lay down His righteousness but His righteousness was enclosed in the flesh. Jesus was not tempted to engage in the sinfulness that Satan has used against humanity. The nature of sin is that you must lust to commit sin. The scripture makes this claim:

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (Jas 1:14-15)

These very same claims of righteousness the scripture ascribe to Jesus; teaching, healing, serving and prophesying was claimed by the ones who were demanding to be “received up into glory.” Listen to their voices as recorded in scripture:

 “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Mat 7:22) 

Their claim to “glory” was rejected by Jesus with these words:

“I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mat 7:23)

Why was Jesus “received up into glory” and the ones who laid claim to the same character qualities that scripture accredited to Jesus? Jesus was without sin and they were not. Unlike Jesus, who did not lust and therefore could not have sin, they did lust and did sin. Jesus was God who became man. Jesus was not just a man but He was a God-man. 

Do you desire to be received “up into glory” when you die? You must have the same righteousness that Jesus possesses. Your righteousness will disqualify you. You must have the righteousness of God bestowed on you by God’s grace and mercy.

Do not be another voice in the crowd trying to be “received up into glory” that is depending on accomplishments made in your own power. Repent of your sin and call on Jesus’ work on the cross and you will be saved and indeed be received into glory.

Many people, when asked about their relationship with God, will offer up some religious credential. Some will lay claim to membership in some church group or have been baptized or some other religious activity. Others, when asked about their standing with the God of creation, will hold on to some supernatural religious experience. 

The critics of the Apostle Paul were once pointing out his sufferings as evidence that he was a false teacher and were relying on their religious hopes of being in good standing with God. While doing this, Apostle Paul said:

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Co 13:5)

Paul had experienced a personal and real encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus to persecute the followers of Jesus:

 “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:4-5)

The Apostle did not claim any relationship to the Jewish system of belief for his standing with God. In answering their charge of being a false teacher he simply answered: if Jesus Christ is not in you, you are a “reprobate.”

The scripture is clear on the way you must come before God:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Act 4:12)

No church group holds this power. There’s no personal religious activity you can depend on for salvation to be offered to you.

Jesus and Jesus alone has the power to change you from a reprobate. A reprobate is someone who has been rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. This is the condition of everyone who is not “in the faith” that the Apostle Paul taught.

To be saved you must first see yourself as depraved and hopelessly lost. As long as you hold onto some other hope based on anything other than Jesus, you are a reprobate. It may seem harsh to call someone a reprobate but when God’s word reveals the truth of your desperate condition it will provide you with a path to be liberated from your sin.

Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Only the people who care for you will speak the truth to you when you seek approval of God for your life. Will you hear the truth of God’s word and be set free?

The word of God declares this truth about Jesus:

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)

Is Jesus in you? Are you a “whosoever” that has believed in Jesus?

The Gospel of Jesus teaches that when you repent of your sin and call on the name of Jesus for forgiveness, you are transformed into the temple of the Holy Spirit and are indwelled by God Himself. If you are depending on a religious group relationship or some religious action you have taken, you are a reprobate. Call on Jesus today and you will be in Jesus and Jesus will be in you.

Do you think you have a right to have God answer your questions? Do you question God’s right to oversee and direct His creation without question? Many people demand why God allows, what we view as ‘great injustices’, to happen.

In the account of the life of Job, we see such a case. Job had wrapped himself in his own righteousness as he suffered the “fiery darts” of his adversary, Satan. Job, having reached his breaking point, demanded an account from God:

“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” (Job 40:4)

What a profound conclusion Job has observed about himself after his request was answered. To declare “I am vile” was not some kind of self-loathing uttered in a state of deep depression that Job was experiencing. It was a recognition of the righteousness of God. His now “open eyes” enabled him to see God in all His holiness.

When God revealed Himself to Job he was humbled and broken but that is not the end of the encounter. God has a purpose in revealing His righteousness. It is not to make you self-loathing but repentant. Job, after experiencing God’s revelation, said:

“I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1-6)  

It is when we see God for who and what He is that we realize how pitiful we are. The prophet Isaiah, speaking to the coming of the Saviour and how we will respond to His appearing, said this about how we will see ourselves in God’s presence:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isa 64:6)

If you see yourself as somewhat of a good person; you are sorely mistaken. You are an “unclean thing”. There is not one redeeming thing you can claim that will give you a right standing with God. When you present God with evidence of your worthiness to be in His presence you wrap yourself with “filthy rags.” The words “filthy rags” is more than just a rag that is dirty or not fully clean; these words describe a rag that is ritually impure. This rag, once it has been soiled, must be destroyed and never be used again.

Job’s declaration “I am vile” was a statement of fact. Job was a filthy rag unable to stand in the presence of God. Job had wrapped himself in his own righteousness and demanded God to answer his questions. When God made Himself known to Job his position changed from a self-righteous demander to a pitiful sinner. 

How do you see yourself? Are you attempting to find your righteousness in a religious discipline or perhaps doing the best you can to live a life that will not be harshly judged by God? When you stand before God, and you will, what will you say in your defense?

To see yourself as a “filthy rag” and call on the name of Jesus for His deliverance is your only hope. Call on Jesus today and you no longer will be a rag that must be discarded but rather will become the friend of Jesus and a child of God.

Heaven Bound

Why don't followers of Jesus just go to Heaven when they are saved? This is the question often asked and seldom answered. Jesus said:

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

Jesus did not come to collect a group of people and jet them to His Kingdom. He came to give a message of hope to all of His creation. This message was not bound to a time or place but was for all people for all time.

As we await our blessed hope, we are to occupy and wage a war against both sin and the power of evil. We do not huddle in fear as ones that have escaped the enemy, fearing that he will return and again take us hostage.

We wage a war, not with weapons of this world, our war is not waged for a kingdom of this dispensation but in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said:

“My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

The weapons were given to us by the Spirit of God.

The Apostle Paul said:

“For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”(Rom 14:7-9)

The war we wage is for the lost souls of the living so He would be Lord in life and in the death of people in His creation.

We are the Lord’s and we are here for a purpose. We cannot withdraw from the world. We must engage the enemy of the cross with the hope of the gospel of Jesus. We are empowered with spiritual weapons to take the people who are held captive by sin and death and deliver them to the feet of Jesus and whereby grace they will be received. 

As Jesus walked the earth He made disciples that would take the message to the world as He found it. Jesus taught the 12 to whom would deliver the gospel to their generation and said those 12 disciples, the ones who watched Him return to the Father:

 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 1:8)

It is God’s will that you, as a follower of Jesus who have been gifted with His Spirit, to be a witness where you live, where you travel and to the places you will never think you would go.  Are you living out God’s purpose for your life?

Jesus saved you and you have a purpose in not entering Heaven upon salvation…but to be a witness of the grace and mercy you received upon hearing the Gospel of Jesus. Live each day that you remain outside the veil of death that ends your mission on earth serving the purpose you are here.  

Jesus, speaking of Himself, said to the church in Philadelphia that He held “…the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” (Rev 3:7) Jesus is the only one who holds the power over sin and death; the power over sin that has separated mankind from God’s presence and condemns us to death.

Throughout history, many have laid claim to the power of God to open and shut the gates of heaven. To be blunt, every person, church group or religion that claims to have the “key” that opens and closes access to God’s grace and mercy are liars. When it comes to the truth of God’s word, God proclaims, “…let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Rom 3:4)

Access to God’s Kingdom does have a gate and Jesus is the keeper of the gate to God’s Kingdom. Jesus always was and always will be the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of God. This position has never nor will ever be relegated to any other. No church group holds the “keys to heaven.”

When Jesus told Peter:

 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mat 16:18-19)

He did not endow Peter with the power to open and close the gate to God’s grace.

An entire religion’s polity and structure is built on the misinterpretation of these verses found in the book of Matthew. This religious group claims that Jesus endowed the power of Heaven and earth to a man. From Peter to the current leader, each man has had the “key” that opens the gate to God’s Kingdom. Nothing could be further from the truth. Peter never laid claim to this power. In all of the writings, Peter never said Jesus gave him the “keys” to God’s Kingdom. 

Peter’s position on who holds the power to open the gates of Heaven is made clear when he said:

 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1 Pe 1:18-21)

Jesus said that Peter’s confession, “…Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mat 16:16) was the “key” that opened the door to God’s mercy. Jesus, speaking of Himself, holds the key to the gate of God’s Kingdom and said, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Jesus was and is the gate of God and there is no other. The word of God is clear on this matter. Speaking of Jesus, the Apostle Peter said:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Jesus warns of the impending failure when you try to gain access to God’s Kingdom through other gates, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Mat 7:13-14)

Do not fall for the lies of Satan. No church group, no individual and no action taken by yourself or others on your behalf is a gateway to Heaven. Jesus alone holds this position and will open God’s Kingdom gates for you to enter in. Jesus said:

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

My friend, God loves you and has made a way through Jesus, His Son, for you to have a gateway to His grace, mercy and His Kingdom. Call out to Jesus and He will save you and make your pathway of life end at the true gate that opens the gate of God’s Kingdom.

Never Grow Tired     

The intended purpose of these web postings is to be a source of edification, inspiration and education to the redeemed in Christ. The last stanza of the old hymn “I Love To Tell The Story”, written by Katherine Hankey, states, “I love to tell the story for those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest”. What a comforting truth to know. Followers of Jesus should never grow tired of hearing the gospel story.

The story of the babe in the manger, who was God in the flesh given as a gift of life to all who would trust in God’s grace, is a story told around the world by God’s people and unbelievers alike. The death of Jesus at the hands of the Roman army and His empty tomb found by the women and witnessed by the Apostles; bring joy to the heart of the born-again. Jesus, as He ascends to heaven in His glorified body to prepare our “mansions” in the Father’s house, excites the hearts and minds of the followers of Jesus with the hope of being with Him through all eternity.

The story that we who await the coming of our Lord and Saviour, love to hear over and over is found in these words of Apostle Paul:

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”(1 Th 4:15-18)

It is my hope that these daily writings will touch the ears of some, who are sitting at the "gates of the waiting" to die and they will hear the words of life through the Saviour. You who sit and wait; open the bible and read about the sinful people who heard the story and found forgiveness and friendship in the gospel. Turn to the Bible and read about the women who were looking for love in all the wrong ways and find love in the arms of Jesus. Read of the men who set their hearts on the riches of this world and find the “pearl of great price in the grace of God in the gospel message.”

To sit and perish in your sins is a poor choice when you can have life and life more abundantly. Arise and awake dear one. Find the hope that God has for you and take the encouragement of the Wiseman Solomon:

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Pro 3:5)

Dear friend, do not linger or impose on the future. Call on Jesus today. Call out to God for forgiveness in the name of Jesus and His promise: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37) will be yours.