by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
“But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, ‘There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.’” Luke 13:14 God heals people. If God were displeased with a healing taking place on the Sabbath, it would not have happened. Evidently the miraculous works of Jesus had become so commonplace that people lost their sense of awe. With the passing of time two things can easily happen if you are not careful: 1) – The truly miraculous begins to appear mundane. 2) – Gratitude moves to indifference. You can easily see this in conversion. When a person becomes a Christian, he is filled with awe and a deep affection toward God for so great a salvation. Gratitude flows from every pour of his being. The longer he walks with Christ, if he is not careful, the less miraculous his conversion appears as he accommodates himself to the cares of the world. He loses his hunger for the Word of God, and in the process gets lost in the velocity of life. Cultivate a spirit of perpetual gratitude to God, and never lose your sense of wonder at what God has done for you. This will not “just happen.” You must make a conscious effort to take time from your busy schedule to spend time with the...
by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
“…he touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.” Genesis 32:25 Genesis 32-33 records Jacob’s encounter with his brother Esau as Jacob returns to the Promised Land. Twenty years earlier, he fled from Esau, who, in a state of rage, wanted to kill Jacob for stealing the birthright. Note the strategy employed by Jacob as he anticipates meeting his brother: He sends a letter assuring Esau he has no need or intention of seeking part of Isaac’s inheritance (32: 4-6). Jacob divides his possessions in two and separates them (32: 8-9). He pleads his case before God, reminding Him of His promise to Abraham and Isaac (32:10-13). He then selects a generous gift for Esau and sends them ahead (32:14-22). Then Jacob separates his family from his possessions and divides them so as to best protect the wife of his choice (32:23-24; 33:1-2). He humbles himself before his brother when they meet (33:3-11). Finally, Jacob disassociates himself from Esau and his men lest Esau changes his mind and becomes angry once again with Jacob (33:12-17). In the midst of this ordeal, God comes to Jacob and makes him lame, after which He blesses him (32:25-33). It seems that God assisted Jacob as he laid out his strategy by ensuring that Jacob would approach his brother, a broken, crippled man (possibly one to be pitied). Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” Each of us, in a spirit of dependence upon God, must live by his wits. But the Lord takes...
by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” 2Thessilonians 1:8-9 Note that hell is not created by Satan and his family, but for Satan by God; hell is God’s creation, as also affirmed by our Lord Jesus: “Then He will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'” Why does God tell us, not only that He has created hell, but has given such vivid descriptions of what it is like? I suggest that it is because He wants us to fear it – and Him. Edmund Burke observed that “it is impossible to look on anything as trifling, or contemptible, that may be dangerous.” God means for the horror of hell to sober us during those times when we are tempted to disobey or neglect His commands. No one is so secure with God that he can afford to be cavalier regarding His...
by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.” 1 Samuel 22:2 Those who were anguishing, in debt, unhappy with the status quo – these were the kinds of men that gathered around David, eventually becoming his mighty men. You become like the people with whom you associate. Giant killers train giant killers. David killed the giant Goliath. “There was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.” [150] If you wish to be godly, associate with godly people. If you have a heart for evangelism, spend time with those doing it. If you wish to think biblically, spend time with those who have the same desire. Jesus was the friend of publicans and sinners, and you should emulate the Savior. Christianity is a religion of mission. God wants you involved in the lives of those that do not know and love Him “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [151] The sanctified life always calls attention to its source; they know that your goodness comes from being with Jesus. Because He calls you to be the friend of sinners, and because you become like the people with whom you associate, it is imperative that you counter-balance your association with sinners by a band of godly brothers and sisters that will provoke you to godliness. [150]...
by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 The ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ involves a spiritual battle in which the evangelist is nothing more than an ambassador. Whether a person responds negatively to the “glorious gospel of Christ,” or whether he believes and is given new life, the battle is fought on a spiritual plane outside the control of the messenger. Why do some people reject the gospel? Satan has blinded their minds so they cannot see. Why do other people accept the gospel? “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in their hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 348 For this reason “we faint not.” 349 Paul faced persistent opposition and rejection throughout his ministry. He stayed in the battle, refusing to quit, because he knew that in the final analysis the struggle did not involve him personally. You can easily misunderstand your task as a witness for Christ and take it personally when people reject your message. Conversely, you think too highly of yourself if you take pride in your ability to win others to Christ. In either case you fail to grasp that you are limited to merely sharing the good news. Beyond that point it becomes a spiritual struggle over...
by MIMADMIN | May 7, 2015 | Articles
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 Samuel charged King Saul with the crime of rebellion, and as a result took his kingdom from him. Saul, when given the task of annihilating the Amalekites, decided to save the best for sacrificing later. Nathan charged King David with the crime of murder and adultery without David losing either his kingdom or his life. Although the crime of David seems more serious than that of Saul, the difference lay in their attitude. When Nathan confronted David, he said, “I sinned.”1 David did not seek to excuse himself; he immediately confessed. Saul on the other hand argued with Samuel, seeking to excuse himself by blaming the people. David was disobedient. Saul was rebellious. If you liken God’s Law to a fence, when David broke the fence he freely admitted that he was wrong. When Saul broke the fence, he wanted to argue with God over the validity of the fence. “It was a bad command, an unreasonable expectation. You should have allowed me to modify it in light of my current circumstances.” God will not tolerate the attitude of Saul. Because all are sinners, you find yourself frequently having to confess your wrongs. But that is different from ignoring God’s commands or refusing to recognize their authority over your life. When you find yourself moving in the direction of rebellion, quickly repent. It is not a safe place to be. 1 II Samuel...
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