Blog Update: A New Resource

We have a new Resource that I'd like to make available to you all. For now it will simply be called, "Other Blogs". Basically, it is a way for you guys to get more than just from what you get here.

One blog in particular that I want you to see is "Stories From the Loft."

It is something being done by a good friend of mine, and I think that you all would enjoy it.

http://storiesfromtheloft.blogspot.com/

Honorable Shame: Suffering Fearlessly for the Name

Acts 5:12-42 (KJV) "[12] And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. [13] And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. [14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) [15] Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
[16] There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. [17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, [18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. [19] But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, [20] 'Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.' [21] And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. [22] But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, [23] Saying, 'The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.' [24] Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. [25] Then came one and told them, saying, 'Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.' [26] Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. [27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [28] Saying, 'Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.' [29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, 'We ought to obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.' [33] When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. [34] Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; [35] And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. [36] For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. [38] And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: [39] But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. [40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
[41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
[42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

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It seems that a lot of us Christians today seem a little wary about this whole suffering thing. We tense up, and as Americans we often attempt to avoid suffering as much as possible. But it wasn't that way with the early church. In fact, they were honored. We don't like pain, we don't like shame, but the Apostles were honored that they were even considered for the participation of it.

In verses 12-16 we see that the ministry of the Apostles is growing, and it seems as if nothing is holding them back.

"[14] And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both men and women."

"Multitudes," it says. So in this part they've been pretty successful. Kind of like us, if we start doing something for God, and then He blesses it; maybe a little bit, or maybe even a lot.

But then in the next section, the trial comes forth. Something big happens that throws the entirety of everything out of whack.

"[17] Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, [18] And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison."

So they're out there preaching and healing their hearts out, serving God with a passion, and then the higher ups come and throw them in jail! There have been a lot of times in my life where I felt led by the spirit to do something, but because of certain people around me, I was afraid to do it.
I'm sure others have had the same experience.

What I do know is that if I went ahead and ran with it, even in spite of that fear, it always turned out better for me in the end, than if I had given in and given up. And that's what happens here.

Now, God gets them out of prison and sends them back to continue their work, basically to do it again. And when they meet up with the higher ups, they do not get a welcome response:

"[27] And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, [28] saying, 'Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in His name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.' "

So that's their accusation. I love the apostles' response:

"[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, 'We ought to obey God rather than men."

I love that. "We ought to obey God rather than men." And we really should. He demands it. And, Proverbs says "the fear of man is a snare."

So when the apostles were done speaking, the authorities were going to kill them, but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, said that if they weren't from God, that it would be God who put them down; but if they were from God then did not dare go against them.

So, instead of killing them, they just beat them a few times, and then they let them go.

"[40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go."

But even all this is not what gives me kicks about this passage. It is the next two verses that hit the nail on the head.

"[41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. [42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

That is just beautiful. There is no other way to put it. Before I saw this passage, I don't ever think I even thought about the concept that it might be honorable for me to suffer shame. It's almost as if they were admitted into a prestigious society, or given exclusive awards. But it was in the form of shame.

Again, I have no idea who or when people will read this. But I pray that those who do would be blessed by this example, and be encouraged by it to share their faith--to teach and preach Jesus Christ without ceasing. That is my hope, and I hope some of you are blown away by it. I was :)

Radical Labor: As for the Lord

Collosians 3:23-24

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will recieve the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

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This is a very popularly quoted scripture, and for good reason. It's giving us instruction about how to live our lives as we work. It says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"(emphasis added). So anything that we do, whatever we do, whoever we do it for--it is not for those people that we work. Anything from getting out of bed to brushing our teeth to walking the dog to getting a grade to even changing the world. We work heartily, as for the Lord. This is not simply some spiritually-charged pep talk. This is an aspect of the way to live out life.

And why do we do this? What do we have to look forward to? Because of the fact that we know "that from the Lord you will recieve the inheritance as your reward."(emphasis added). So we know that we are to work heartily, as for Christ and NOT for men, and we know that we will receive the inheritence from Jesus Christ himself. But more than this, we know from the last line, that we actually ARE serving Jesus Christ, and should be serving Him, regardless of the task that we face. "You are serving the Lord Christ." I might not want to do something for myself, or for my parents, or for my teachers; but if I'm doing something for my Savior, the King and Ruler of the universe--then, it is WAY more important on my agenda. Maybe it is that way for you too.

I know that this is the time of the year when we just get so tired, that we start ceasing to care anymore. It gets like that, when you are sick of seeing the same classes, and the same grades, and the same everything throughout the year. We don't think it matters anymore; so little time left to go, and yet, so much to be done with. School is not over. Not yet. But that's ok. We are serving Christ. So don't be discouraged. Work heartily, as for Lord. I pray that many would be blessed by this word; not by my words, but Christ's.

Refuge in the Storm: "Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46



"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Selah)

[4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Selah)

[8]Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] 'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Selah) "

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For what it's worth, especially nowadays, it seems as if more and more this planet, and this people, and this country is so out of whack. It's almost as if it is falling apart, as if the very ground were falling beneath our feet. Apparently the sons of Korah felt this way too when they composed this Psalm. "[6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter". It makes you wonder if it will ever be right. It makes you kind of nervous, really. "[10] 'Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' " That statement alone is a world of comfort for my own heart. We might not know what's going on, but God does! And he promises that one day, He will recieve what is due, and that he will be exalted among the nations! Today this is partially fulfilled, through his people throughout the world. But from Revalation, we know that Christ will actually reign as King someday. That's amazing! But again, that's another subject. God's been showing me that, even in the craziest and most dire of situations, that is when He is there. Even in the darkest storm, in the hottest fire, it is there that we savor that God is "a very present help in trouble".

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Selah)"

I pray that this would be of encouragement to many, even as in our own nation, built on a belief that God ruled and that men should have freedom to choose Him-- even as it becomes more and more of a secularist and socialist place to live, we can be still and know that He is God.

God's Amazing Love and Grace

Isaiah 1:2-4

"[2] Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
For the Lord speaks,
'Sons I have reared and brought up,
But they have revolted against Me.
'[3] An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master's manger,
But Israel does not know, My people do not understand.'

[4] Alas, sinful nation,
People weighed down with iniquity,
Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who act corruptly!
They have abandoned the Lord,
They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away from Him."


Romans 3:10-12

"[10] as it is written,
There is none righteous, not even one;
[11] There is none who understands
There is none who seeks for God;
[12] All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one."


Romans 5:6-11

"[6] For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."



Ephesians 2:4-7


"[4] But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), [6] and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

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I have been reading through Isaiah for a while, and the passage from Isaiah 1 stuck out to me. Although it is talking about Israel, all of us were like the Israelites because God created us and we all rebelled against him and sinned and some even denied his existence. As Romans 3 points out, we all turned away from him. I didn't want to stop there because I didn't want to leave people feeling guilty. That's not my point. Besides, if you're a Christian, you are forgiven and God gives us a heart that seeks after Him. I wrote those verses so that we could understand more clearly how much we didn't deserve God's grace and how much God really loves us.

The verses from Romans 5 are amazing. Just think about it. God sent His only Son to die for us-- while we were still sinners. Not only did we make a few "mistakes," we hated Him and turned away from Him... and yet Christ died for us. One would hardly die for a righteous man (verse 7), but God sent His Son to die in our place when we were His enemies. We deserved God's wrath and punishment, but God gave us mercy. We deserved eternal separation from the all-powerful, loving, holy God, but He gave us grace. Now we don't have to be God's enemies any more and can live in His love if we have repented and put our trust in Jesus. We can have a relationship with God, having no fear of His wrath or punishment, and also be shown the "surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Jesus taking the punishment for our sins is the ultimate example of God's love for us.

I wrote this to try to help you understand how much God loves us and how much grace He shows us. Please meditate on these verses and pray about this and see how knowing about God's love can affect your life-- whether it's loving others like God loves us (1 John 4:7-21 and Ephesians 5:2), remembering how much God loves you (even when you were a sinner), especially when you feel like God can't love you (Romans 8:38-39) , worshipping and glorifying Him even more because of it (Psalm 136), encouraging others and telling others about it, living your life in light of His love, or strengthening your relationship with God as a whole.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

The LORD is our Strong Tower

Luke 12:13-34



"Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.' [14] But he said to him, 'Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?' [15] And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' [16] And he told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully, [17] and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ [18] And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ [20] But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ [21] So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. '




[22] And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. [24] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! [25] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [26] If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? [27] Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [28] But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! [29] And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. [30] For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
[32] “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 18:10

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."

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Brothers and sisters, have you ever been afraid of loss, because of trusting in the wrong things--things which aren't eternal? I know I have. Don't waste your time on it, it is a foolish thing for us who have been called, as sons and heirs with Almighty God, through the Lord God Jesus Christ. It says somewhere that "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans, I think). So brethren, if you are ever halted in your ministry because of fear, listen to Jesus when he says “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life" and " Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you." We all need to remember just how much our Father loves us, and that he does not leave us unguarded--indeed, He IS our protection. If you are weary, worn, confused, in danger--run to Him! He is a strong tower, and for those who have been redeemed by his blood--surely we shall be safe.

We Shall not Be Cast Headlong

Psalm 37:23-24

"The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; [24] though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand."

I as a Christian have often had a problem with not having a right sense of God in the way that he forgives. Today, I was going to post a different passage from Luke, but I feel the Lord would rather me get this out here first.

Of course, as Christians we know that we have been given the forgiveness and salvation from our sins that comes from the blood and knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, I know in my life that when the music stops playing, your pack starts getting heavier, and you start to trip, even falling down--it can seem that the Lord is dissapointed in us. And He very well may be, but not in the way that we feel dissapointment. When we are dissapointed in someone, it is very tempting to let them know about it, and not always in a very nice way.

There have been many times in my life when I have felt so ashamed of myself, and so aware of my unrighteousness before God that I feel as if I deserve and am being thrown on my face, because of the things that I still have yet to learn. There's just one thing--God isn't like that.

On Easter Eve I was having a down day, but through the radio God spoke in my ears this good word: "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; [24] though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." For us who delight in the way of the LORD, God says that He establishes our steps. But He doesn't even stop there; He says, "though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,". So not only does God establish our steps, when we mess up and fall, He will not cast us headlong. He's not going to hit us in the face. Yes, the LORD disciplines us, and we should rejoice when he does, but we must always remember the God does not do so in bitterness, nor in malice.

"for the LORD upholds his hand."-- The picture that comes into my mind is a loving father, taking his little child and leading him back home from across the street. As we get older, we seem to grow out of this, but when I was a toddler, my mom and dad would almost always make me hold their hand when we would walk through somewhere dangerous, and even if we were walking around the block of our street, or going to the park. God says here that he takes us by the hand. He is not some distant figure that we cannot be sure if He is with us or not. Indeed, He is our Father, "whereby we cry Abba, father."

When I heard this on the radio on Easter Eve, it touched me in a way it couldn't have at any other time thus far. I was brooding, I was sulking, and I deserved to be knocked over. But God didn't do that--He took me by the hand and it was as if He said, 'You will not be cast headlong. The Lord still loves you.'

Brothers and Sisters, I know not who will read this, but I hope the Lord shall bring it as a good word to many, even as He gave it to me. God bless, and know that he is a God who loves His children, and who does not cast them headlong.