Blog 09-30-2010

Thursday

PRaP 09-30-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 57

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Loving Enemies”

Matthew 5:43-48

Luke 6:27-36

 

Matthew:

⁴³“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[a] and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you: Love your enemies^[b] and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 

Luke:

²⁷“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you.

 ³²“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

 

This is a difficult teaching for all of us.  Even children have difficulty with this teaching.  We all have this built in anger system that makes us lash out at someone who has hurt us.  We surely don’t want to be nice to someone who has done something to us that hurt.  We only got so many cheeks to turn Lord!  As much as I know this is good and right it isn’t easy to do but we must be obedient in the things our Lord Jesus has commanded us.  This too makes me look at what the US Government is doing.  They are always giving to our enemies, people who are a threat to our very existence.  They even sell advanced military weapons to our enemies as if there would never be a chance that they would turn those very weapons back on us.  Is it Biblical or just stupid?  I will refrain from commenting about the validity of our governmental leaders at this point other than to say that you never give to one who is wanting you dead the very gun to shoot you with.  OK enough politics.  Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Little ones to Him belong.  They are weak but He is strong.  Yes Jesus loves me.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-29-2010

Wednesday

PRaP 09-29-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 56

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Retaliation”

Matthew 5:38-42

 

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[a] 39}But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

 

And if you are willing to give a loan do not give it in expectation of it being returned because it will make you lose sleep at night in anticipation of the return of that loan.  Do not pay back evil with evil but always with the Good News of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of sin.  I tell you the truth set forth a good effort and one will be set before you.  Plant seeds of life and not of wrath that there will be a good harvest for your Father in heaven.  That was Christianese for teach the good things about Jesus and not anger so that Jesus will get the credit and not you.  Because if you get the credit for Salvation it isn’t Salvation at all but a prayer said to a man and not to Christ.  Man cannot give forgiveness of sin only Christ gives that forgiveness. Remember vengeance is the LORDs not ours to do.  Interesting fact to leave you with, in the NIV vengeance is used 29 times and ONLY in the Old Testament.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-28-2010

Tuesday

PRaP 09-28-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 55

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Vows”

Matthew 5:33-37

 

³³“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ ³⁴But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

 

Let your yes be yes and your no be no.  Seems simple enough but in this world we live in with contracts and prenups and lease agreements and the inability for man to hold his word the simplicity is gone.  No more is the handshake and a mans word good enough.  Our yes has become maybe and our no has become maybe not.  I sit back and look at my own life and see too where I have even fallen into this maybe syndrome and I wonder how I got there.  But the more and more I look at it the more and more I see that the world I work in and live in is full of maybe.  Even in the commercials on TV there are so many maybes that it makes the mind swim in maybe.  Kind of a scary thing if you ask me. This is the world we live in and is not a world we are to be of or participate in the sins of yet we unconsciously find ourselves doing the exact things we do not want to do and we have to fight the good fight over flesh and defeat it that the Glory of God will shine through our lives.  Let your yes be yes and your no be no and there would be no need for contracts because a mans word should be a mans heart.  Don’t let your heart become a maybe.  Maybe it will beat and maybe it wont.  Lord I don’t want a maybe I want a yes or a no in Jesus name Amen.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-27-2010

Monday

PRaP 09-27-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 54

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Divorce” 

WARNING, there will be some of you offended by this message today and others it will bring you hope of a future with Christ.

 

Matthew 5:31-32

 

³¹“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[a] 32}But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

 

I am guilty as charged and unfortunately more than once.  Adultery is used in one form or another in the NIV 79 times and none of it is good.  We must repent of our adultery and live a life pleasing unto the Lord as difficult as it is we must forgive the ones who have put us in this adulterous situation and move away from the adultery.  The Bible is clear that those who do not repent will not enter the Kingdom.  We must remove ourselves from these sins if we think we are going to heaven.

 

Here is the hope for us that have failed in marriage:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11,

⁹Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders ¹⁰nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Those of us who have failed can still be sanctified and washed clean of our sins through repentance and justification through Jesus Christ our Lord.  This does not give us free reign to continue to sin over and over again if you cannot find a spouse that you can live your life with it is better not to marry at all but if you cannot control your passions of the flesh then you better find someone that you can live the rest of your life with.  Many have successfully married and been given in marriage but there are some that should never marry and dedicate their lives to Christ so that we can be at God’s business and not that of the world.  This is a tough subject for me since I have failed multiple times but I will not give up on God’s plan and even when I fail He still loves you and me.  Remember He still loves ALL of us through all of our mess.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-24-2010

Friday

PRaP 09-24-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 53

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Lust”

Matthew 5:27-30

 

²⁷“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’^{[a] 28}But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

 

I don’t think that Jesus was telling you to literally gouge out an eye or cut off a hand but I know that He wants us to take away the things that are causing us to sin in this way.  If He were literal about what He is saying we would all be walking around with one eye and one hand.  Human nature is to look and to lust but it is sin and we need to find a control for our lust that we not fall into sin.  Guys I know you let your tongue wag when a pretty girl walks by and you want to say things to her but you need to get control over this desire for to lust is to commit adultery.  You gals out there are just as guilty as us guys.  You see six-pack abs on a good looking man and you let your tongues wag too but that ladies is to commit adultery in your heart too and that’s a problem.  Take away those things be it television, movies or whatever it is that you are in an environment that causes you to lust in your heart.  Repent of your sin as I must do and seek the good things and not the worldly things.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-23-2010

Wednesday

PRaP 09-23-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 52

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Anger”

Matthew 5:21-26

 

²¹“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,^[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²²But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother^[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,^[c]‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.

 ²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

 ²⁵“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.^[d]

 

We are a lawsuit happy people we sue for a splinter or a spilled cup of coffee.  Shows me that even people who call themselves Christians are not putting the love Christ speaks of in His word into practice.  Use wisdom and stay away from these people and make for yourselves a place of peace in your community and in your home.  Settle matters peacefully and without destruction of property and without destruction of the spirit of a man.  The teachings of Christ are Perfect and just and if we would follow His commands there would be peace.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-22-2010

Wednesday

PRaP 09-22-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 51

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About The Law”

Matthew 5:17-20

 

¹⁷“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

What law would Jesus be speaking of?  He is speaking of the 10 Commandments spoken of in Exodus handed down to Moses.  They will always be here until God takes them away and by what I have seen here that will be “NEVER” so you think that maybe we should start living by them? 

 

Peace and Agape Love

Pastor Steve

Blog 09-20-2010

Monday

PRaP 09-20-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 50

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Teaches About Salt And Light”

Matthew 5:13-16

 

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 ¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 

They will know you are Christian by the way you walk and talk and take care of your business.  They will know you are Christian by the way you live your life and by the way you raise your children.  They will know you are Christian by the way you honor your father and mother.  They will know you are Christian by your fruit.  They will know you are Christian by how you handle failure and success.  These are big ones because most of our failures are made public so that the world can say look at the Christian he or she has failed where is their God now?  We have to stand up once we are knocked down and get back up again and keep on moving forward because we are to show them we are Christian by the way we walk even in failure.  When we are successful we have to be very careful as well because we then become worldly and we switch over to the worship of that success instead of the God who gave us success.  When we are blessed we are to be a blessing to others.  Never forget that when much is given much is expected.  All eyes are upon you who are of Christ and the non-believers are watching you to see how you do things.  As difficult as it may be to be the salt and the light our goal must stay clear in our mind.  We must keep our eyes on the prize.  Watching and waiting patiently for Him who Saves and He who has created all things our eternity with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Steve

Blog 09-17-2010

Thursday

PRaP 09-17-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 49

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Gives The Beattitudes”

Matthew 5:1-12

 

¹Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ²and he began to teach them saying:
 ³“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ⁴Blessed are those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
 ⁵Blessed are the meek,
      for they will inherit the earth.
 ⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
      for they will be filled.
 ⁷Blessed are the merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
 ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart,
      for they will see God.
 ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
      for they will be called sons of God.
 ¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 ¹¹“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

 

Very difficult thing these Beattitudes it requires us to step out of us and become more like Him.  But if we conquer these and master them we will become more Christ like and we will be blessed.  Now be careful here with the word blessed.  God’s blessing is more than what the world calls a blessing.  Many times we only see the physical blessings like when we are blessed with finances.  His blessing are so much more than physical blessing.  He gives spiritual blessing as well and to me those are just as important as the physical.  This is something to PRaP about today.  Are we so used to and in tune with physical blessing that we miss the spiritual ones?

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACHARY!!!!!!!!  My baby is 13 today please pray for God’s will to be prevalent in his life that He may be all he can be for Christ.

Blog 09-16-2010

Thursday

PRaP 09-16-2010

 

250 Events In The Life Of Christ/ A Harmony Of The Gospels Part 48

Section 2: Message And Ministry Of Jesus

“Jesus Selects The Twelve Disciples”

Mark 3:13-19

Luke 6:12-16

 

Mark

¹³Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴He appointed twelve—designating them apostles^[a]—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); ¹⁸Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

 

Luke

¹²One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. ¹³When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: ¹⁴Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, ¹⁵Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, ¹⁶Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

 

Jesus went up on a mountain top to pray about who He was going to choose to be disciples and not only disciples these men were to become Apostles that they may have the power to heal and cast out demons and that they would be sent out to preach and teach the good news about Jesus Christ.  Jesus appoints Apostleship to His ministry.  I think that today we miss that point.  Any one of us if we went through the right church doors could go in and speak eloquently and be sharply dressed and have the right amount of money to back us could be deemed Apostle by a church.  That doesn’t make you an Apostle of Jesus Christ.  I don’t know why this is on my heart today but beware those who deem themselves Apostle So n So it could be that wolf in sheep’s clothing.  Jesus is alive and lives in our hearts.  He is here and there and everywhere and there are some great men and women of God out there that are bringing the Truth.  Just don’t take a title for face value.  You must read the heart and not the appearance.

 

Peace and Agape Love,

Pastor Steve