He That Dwelleth in the Secret Place

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-11-03-SBF%20265%20He%20That%20Dwelleth%20in%20The%20Secret%20Place.mp3
http://archive.org/download/20131103SBF265HeThatDwellethInTheSecretPlace/2013-11-03-SBF%20265%20He%20That%20Dwelleth%20in%20The%20Secret%20Place.mp3
Carl Swartzentruber
Romans 12

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 6)

http://archive.org/download/20131030SBF254ExpositionOfRomans12/2013-10-30-SBF%20254%20Exposition%20of%20Romans%2012.mp3

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 5)

Ray Wenger
Romans 9
http://archive.org/download/20131030SBF254ExpositionOfRomans12/2013-10-29-SBF%20250.mp3

Sabbatical

Thank you all for reading this blog.

I plan to take a sabbatical from writing. I feel that I need to focus on Bible study and building a closer relationship with Jesus personally. I plan to continue posting sermons, but I won't be doing regular blog posts for a while. May God bless you.

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 4)

Ray Wenger
Living in the Spirit
http://archive.org/download/20131028SBF243ExpositionOfRomans78/2013-10-28-SBF%20243%20Exposition%20of%20Romans%207-8.mp3

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 3)

Romans 5-6
Ray Wenger
http://archive.org/download/20131027ExpositionOfRomans1/2013-10-27-SBF%20234%20Exposition%20of%20Romans%205-6%20.mp3

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 2)

Romans 2
Ray Wenger
http://archive.org/download/20131027ExpositionOfRomans1/2013-10-27%20Exposition%20of%20Romans%202%20.mp3

The Centrality of the Cross (Part 1)

http://archive.org/download/20131027ExpositionOfRomans1/2013-10-27%20Exposition%20of%20Romans%201%20.mp3

Your Gentleness Makes Me Great

Your gentleness makes me great.
Psalm 18:35

In this chapter, David is listing many of the things God has done for him. God had trained his hands for war. He had blessed him for his righteousness, and given Him victory over his enemies. However, I find this phrase surprising. It seems like it doesn't really fit. This was the Old Testament where it seems that gentleness was not as much of a virtue. So, I examined this phrase more closely. The word "gentleness" also carries the idea of humility, meekness and condescension. God is willing to humble Himself and condescend to us make us great and bless us with abundance. Isn't it amazing that the God of the universe is willing to do that?

Thank You, God, that You are willing to humble Yourself to bless us. Thank You for the abundance You've blessed us with. Help us to appreciate it and share it with others. 

A Living Sacriifice

https://archive.org/download/20131006SBF191ALivingSacrifice/2013-10-06-SBF%20191%20A%20Living%20Sacrifice.mp3

Power and Authority (Part 2)

Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You, who shows lovingkindness to thousands, but repays the iniquity of fathers into the bosom of their children after them, O great and mighty God. The Lord of hosts is His name; great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; who has set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, and even to this day both in Israel and among mankind; and You have made a name for Yourself, as at this day
Jer 32:17-20

Building on yesterday's theme: God is all powerful. He has made everything. There is nothing that is beyond His power or out of His control. I find it interesting that this passage include mention of His lovingkindness and of the fact that he repays iniquity of the parents to children. I've always struggled to understand this, but I believe it's very real. Children suffer because of the iniquity of their parents. It can be simply the result of their parents' wrong choice, but many times, it's more than that. They can be spiritually oppressed. It's only by the power of God that we can be freed from that. God's power is great enough to free us from those chains.

Lord, I thank You for Your great power. Thank You for your loving kindness. Thank You that Your power can free us from the bonds of iniquity.

Power and Authority (Part 1)

This is part 1 of a series on what the Bible has to say about power and authority. I'm beginning by reading all the verses that contain the word power. I've begun in the Old Testament, and I am amazed by the consistent theme of the word power. It's translated from numerous different Hebrew words, but in many of the verses, the theme is the same. Most verses refer to either God's power or man's power.  The verses that refer to God's power often mention how great God's power is or how unlimited it is. The verses that refer to man's power usually either refer to how limited it is or how it comes from God.

The message is clear: all power comes from God. Any power we have is from God, and is controlled and limited by God. Even Satan's power is limited by God. This means that we have no reason to boast in ourselves. Whatever we are able to do is because of what we've been given.

Thank You, Lord, that You are all powerful. Thank You that we have access to that power because Your Spirit lives inside us. Help us to remember that we can do nothing without You. Help us to completely depend on You.

My Heritage Is Beautiful to Me

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
Psalm 16:6

God has blessed me in a big way. The "lines" David is referring to seem to mean property lines or boundaries. In other words, God has given me a good property. He's blessed me with a good lot in life. This is so true. He's given me a Christian heritage. There are generations before me who have served God. What a blessing! This is something that is a help to me in so many ways.

However, I was made to wonder: what about the things in my heritage that aren't good. What about the witchcraft? What about the unhappy marriages? How do I deal with those type of things? They aren't beautiful. I'm sure that even the best heritages have some dark sides. Every human being has some failings. I believe that we need to look for the good in those before us and ask God to help us overcome the evil. He can help us break that bondage that those before us have had. He wants to give us freedom. He wants to bless us. He wants to break Satan's chain. However, this is not something that comes by accident. We need to seek God and ask Him to free us from the iniquity of those before us. If we don't, those things will continue to bind us.

Lord, I thank You for the blessing of a beautiful heritage, and I pray that You would deliver me from the iniquities of those before me. I want to live completely in Your freedom. I don't want to be bound by darkness and sin. I want to live a full, productive Christian life for You. Please show me any areas where I am not experiencing freedom in You. Help my family to all experience this freedom as well. Show me if there is anything in their lives that they need to be freed from. Thank You for the deliverance You've already given. I praise You for it.

Who May Dwell on Your Holy Hill

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
 He does not slander with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,
But who honors those who fear the Lord;
He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
 He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
 He who does these things will never be shaken
Psalm 15

Who can dwell with God? The person who meets these requirements. When you read the list, it may seem impossible. This is a difficult list! How can we ever live up to it. The answer is, we cannot. Only when God lives in us and empowers us can we do it in His strength. A person who lives out these requirements will be unusual. They will stand out. They will truly be someone who point people to the amazing power of God.

Lord, help me to be this kind of person. Help me to be a person of integrity, transparency and truth. Help me to stand by my word even when it hurts. Help me not to take advantage of other people, but to be generous to them. Help me to do all these things for Your glory.

A Faith That Endures

http://ia601009.us.archive.org/9/items/20131013SBF202AFaithThatEndures/2013-10-13-SBF%20202%20A%20Faith%20that%20Endures.mp3

They Are In Great Dread

There they are in great dread, for God is with the righteous generation.
Psalm 14:5

In the beginning of the chapter, David discusses how it seems like everyone has turned away from God, and there is no one left who serves God. But, then, it seems, he remembers the fear that wicked people live in. Even though they look bold and confident, it's not real. They don't have power against the righteous people because God protects them. Evil forces know and respect God's protection. When we are in God's will, He puts a hedge of protection around us just like He did for Job.

So, how can I be sure that I stay within that protection? How can I know that God is protecting me? How can I have the confidence of knowing God is empowering me?

Lord, thank You for your protection. Thank You that You are with the righteous. Help me to stay close to You and within that hedge of protection. Help me to never do anything that would allow evil to have access to my life. I praise You for the complete confidence and power that I can have through you. Help me not to fear evil but to have a proper fear and reverence for You.

I Have Trusted in Your Steadfast Love

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
 I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Psalm 13:5,6

In the rest of this chapter, David is "complaining." He feels that God has forgotten him. His enemies were gaining the victory over him. Yet, he trusted in God's steadfast love. He knew God loved him, and He chose to sing praises to God in thankfulness instead of staying in that complaining frame of mind.

We too can make this choice. It's not always easy though. When I'm in a complaining frame of mind, it's hard for me to see the bright side. But, God's love never changes. Salvation still saves us. There is always a bright side even when we can't see it.

Lord, I praise You for Your steadfast love. Thank You that You love me even in my dark times. Thank You that You never fail me. Help me to remember that in the times when I feel like complaining more than praising. Help me to remember how bountifully You've dealt with me. Thank You that You never change. We can count on You to be the same all the time.

The Godly One Is Gone

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Psalm 12:1

Right now I feel a little like David did. It seems that there aren't many godly people left. It feels like more people walk away from truth all the time. In many ways, our culture has forgotten all sense of right and wrong. Sin is celebrated. Even churches stand for things that are in direct conflict with the Bible. The politicians in this country seem to be blinded to truth.

Yet, I am not afraid or worried. In verse 5 of the same chapter, God says, "I will now arise... I will place him in the safety for which he longs." What a blessing! We can know we are safe in God's protection. When God arises, His enemies had better run. Theri evil cunning is no match for His omnipotence.

I thank You, Lord, that You will arise. Thank You for giving us the safety for which we long. Thank You that You know everything and are all powerful. We trust our lives to You and we are safe.

In the Lord I Take Refuge

In the Lord I take refuge;
Psalm 11:1

David had many difficulties. Much of his writing seems rather melancholy. He had the lonely position of king. He had many enemies. Even some of his own children turned against him. Yet, he took refuge in the Lord. He knew where to go when he was in trouble. That is something that I want to learn. I want to learn not to go it on my own. I am slowly learning that I can't do it alone. I need God always every step of the way. I need God's strength to win, and I need God's refuge and protection.

Lord, help me to depend on you. I want to surrender all the strengths You've given me. I want to realize that, without You, I am nothing. I ask for Your protection. Help me to make use of the refuge that You are for me..

What is Man?

What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Psalm 8:4

It's good to be reminded that we are not as great as we sometimes think we are. God is incomprehensibly greater than we are. Yet, He cares deeply about us. He could have abandoned us when the first humans chose to disobey and walk away from Him. Yet, He didn't. There have been countless times since then when almost all the people in the world have rejected Him and His plan. Yet, He works miracles through that remnant that trust Him and brings people back to Himself.

Lord, thank You for how much You care about us. Thank You for reaching out to us even though we do not deserve it. I pray that we could be the people that You use to bring mankind back to You. May we be the ones that You can use to send revival in our churches, in our country and in the world. I want to live a life that You can direct and use. I realize that this will be difficult, but I trust You to give me the strength and grace I need. I give my life to You.

A Living Sacrifice

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-10-06-SBF%20191%20A%20Living%20Sacrifice.mp3

Encouraging Each Other

Encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25

Most Christians agree that "the day [is] drawing near." Signs of the end times abound around us. This world is not turning into a better place. So, what are we doing about it? Are we complaining about politicians and taxes? What we really should be doing is encouraging each other. We should be building each other up, and helping those who are stumbling. We should be working together to remain strong in these difficult times. We are on God's side, and we are assured that He will win. Even though evil and darkness are becoming more powerful all time, this is only short lived. God uses the evil people in the world to fulfill His purposes. He cannot be thwarted! We cannot lose if we remain true to God.

Lord, help us to be encouraging each other. Help us not to be consumed by bickering, whining or complaining. Thank You that we can have absolute assurance that Your kingdom will prevail. Help us to trust You no matter how difficult times are. Help us to trust Your plan even we can can't see or understand it. Thank You for how much You love and care for us. Thank You for Your protection from evil. We praise You for Your absolute power and for the victory You've already won.

Heaven Itself

For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Hebrews 9:24

In this chapter, the writer was explaining how much better Christ's redemption was the the redemption in the Old Testament by the blood of animals. In the concluding verses, he tells us how Christ enters into heaven to represent us before God. How wonderful! What a blessing! Christ has gone into heaven to intercede for us. What amazing love. Not only did He give His life to save us, but also He intercedes for us and watches us.

Jesus, I thank You or dying to make atonement, for being the perfect Sacrifice for us. Thank You that You've entered into heaven. Thank You that we can join You there at the end of life.

The Spiritual Battle

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-29-SBF%20180.mp3

He Saves Us Forever

Jesus, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:24-25

Jesus is our High Priest forever. He has made atonement for our sins once and for all. He is perfect. He didn't offer a sacrifice. He gave Himself as a sacrifice because He loves us and wants to rescue us from our sin. Now He is in heaven interceding for us. What an amazing Saviour!

Thank You, Jesus, for being my perfect High Priest. Thank You for saving me. Thank You that you never sleep, you never fail and you never stop loving us. I want to give life back in gratefulness to You.

You Ought to Be Teachers

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14

Do I have this problem that he's speaking of here? Would I rather relax and listen to a "feel good" sermon than speak about my faith. Listening and learning are very important. We may never stop learning. Yet, when God wants us to speak but we are content to listen, we are like big babies that never grew up. We need to be moving forward and making progress in our spiritual lives.

Lord, help me to grow in my Christian life as You want me to. Help me not to get stuck and the simple and easy. Instead, I want to grow to be more like You. I want to follow Your plan. I want to mature and learn to discern good and evil. I want to live my life for Your glory.

Dealing Gently

He [a high priest] can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness;
Hebrews 5:2

God calls us to deal gently with the ignorant and misguided. These people need gentle guidance and teaching. They are not deliberately doing wrong. They simply don't understand. It's sometimes easy to be harsh or reproving. Yet, God wants us to lead them kindly. Jesus is a good example of this. He was very kind to those who were seeking. Yet, He very harshly reproved those who were knowingly going against what they knew.

This is also a challenge for us to follow the knowledge we have. God will honor us when we obey what we know, but He will judge us for turning against the truth we know. We have had much teaching about God and the Bible. So, we are very responsible.

Lord, help me to be gentle with those who are ignorant. Help me to be willing to speak against those who have turned against the truth they know. Give me wisdom to know that difference. Help me to know how best to reach all those around me for You.

Someone is Watching You

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:13

If you were concerned that the NSA is watching you, God knows way more about you! There is nothing hidden from him. Everything is open: not only what we do but also what we think. He understands our motives and desires. Yet, if we have a relationship with Him, this is a comfort. He knows us intimately. He made us. He loves us and wants the best for us. He protects us and cares about us. He knows the future. So, having a benevolent God watching us is a blessing.

Thank You, God, for watching and knowing everything. Thank You that we can trust You unconditionally. We know that Your kingdom of truth will win and we are on Your side. I trust You completely with me life. Help me to surrender every part of it to You.

Hearing in Faith

For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
Hebrews 4:2

We put a lot of emphasis on hearing the Word of God. It's very important. We need to study the Bible to learn what God wants for us. However, if we study it without faith, it will not profit us. We could be a theologian that is just as lost as an atheist if we don't have faith as we study the Bible. We need to believe the Bible to benefit from it. We need the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to understand it. It needs to affect our lives so that we can be saved.

Lord, help me to study Your Word and hear the good news of the gospel in true faith so that I can profit from it. I want it to be something that affects my life and not just something that is a good subject for debate. Help me to seek the truth and love it.

Partakers of the Heavenly Calling

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-22-SBF%20170%20Partakers%20of%20the%20Heavenly%20Calling.mp3

Our Circle of Infuence

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-15-SBF%20159%20Our%20Circle%20of%20Influence.mp3

They Always Go Astray in Their Hearts

Therefore I was angry with this generation,
And said, "They always go astray in their heart."
Heb 3:10

Isn't that so often true of the human race. We go astray from God so easily. We're so prone to forget God and be attracted to other things.

Lord help me not to go astray from You. Help me to follow You with my whole heart. Help me to always remember what You've done for me. Help me to desire to walk more closely with You as Enoch did. Help me to remember that You've placed me here for Your glory.

I and the Children God Has Given Me

Behold, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Isa 8:18 This verse is quoted in Hebrews 2:13.

Sometimes in the daily grind of making a living and raising a family, I forget that these children are not really mine. They are a gift from God, that I have responsibility for right now. I am a steward of these gifts from God. I will need to give account for how I trained them and what kind of example I was to them. I will be accountable for the contribution and lack of it that my children make to God's kingdom and society around them.

Also, sometimes I forget why they were given to me: "for signs and for wonders." God wants to use my children to bring glory to him. He wants to use them to make other people think of Him. He wants them to be people that He can do miracles through. This can be hard for parents sometimes. Think of the man that was born blind. Before Jesus healed him, the disciples asked, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" (John 9:2) What did Jesus say: "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him." God wanted to do a miracle in this man's life. God wanted to draw people to himself, and He did so in a miraculous way.

But, let's look at it from the perspective of his parents for a moment. In their culture, health issues were a sign that someone had sinned. For example, think of the accusations of Job's friends. The disciples said that same thing: someone sinned that this man is blind. On top of the difficulty of raising a blind child, these parents likely had to deal with critical friends and the disapproving scribes and pharisees. We may have to face the same thing today when God gives us children so that He can receive the glory. He loves us. He wants us to experience the miracles He has planned for our lives, but we'll never receive them if we dwell on criticisms from other people and allow ourselves to wallow in self-pity because God hasn't given us "perfect" children.

Lord, help me to remember that my children are really Yours. Help me to treasure the gifts that they are from You. Help me to remember that I've been entrusted with them so that You can do miracles and bring glory to Yourself. Help me to realize that they are not at all to boost my reputation and my ego. Help me to rely on Your strength to raise them as You want me to. I thank You for them.

Praise the Lord!

Singing God's Praise

In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise."
Heb 2:12

Do I sing God's praise among the people around me? Do I speak about what God's done for me? Do I share my personal testimony? Do the people around me know what God has done for me? Do I sing while I work? I believe that I need to do better in all of these areas. I need to grow and become more vocal about what God has done for me.

Lord, help me to sing Your praise often. Help me to speak about what You've done from me. Give me the courage to speak up when I feel intimidated. Help me to live a life of praise. Help me to bring the sacrifice of praise to You in good times and bad. I want to praise You for the blessings and the trials in my life.

We Must Pay Much Closer Attention

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.
Heb 2:1-4

We are reminded that we need to pay more attention to the teaching that we've heard. Why? so that we don't drift away. We, as humans have the tendency to forget unless we are continually reminded again.

This word is unalterable. It cannot change, and if we neglect this offer of salvation, it will be at our own loss.

Lord, help me to pay attention to Your Word. Help me to remember that it is for my own benefit. Thank You for the signs and miracles that have confirmed Your Words. Help me to share these wonderful Words with those around me.

True Worship

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-08-SBF%20149.mp3

Lord, If You Had Been Here

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-09-01-SBF%20141%20Lessons%20from%20the%20Book%20of%20John.mp3

Live Faithful

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-08-25-SBF%20131%20Live%20Faithful.mp3

They Will Perish, But You Remain

You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
 They will perish, but You remain;
 And they all will become old like A garment,
 And like A mantle You will roll them up;
Like A garment they will also be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end
Heb 1:10-12

What an awesome God we serve. He never changes. He is always true. He loves us beyond measure. He is all-powerful. He created everything. He has no limitations.

I am so happy to serve this amazing God.

I Rather Appeal to You

though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you
Phm 1:8-9

What makes you feel better: when people appeal to you or when they order you to do what is proper?  Are you more motivated by harsh commands or gentle suggestions? Do you prefer orders from on high or nudges from a friend who cares about you? I believe that Paul and Philemon were examples of how that church should work. Paul realized that appealing to Philemon was the most effective. He also knew Philemon well enough to know that with a suggestion, Philemon would do more than he said. What a beautiful picture of how church life should work!

Am I able to receive an appeal from my brothers or sisters in the church and act on it? Am I humble enough to appeal to people even when I'm confidant in Christ that I am right? Following Paul's example would improve relationships in the body of Christ dramatically.

Lord, help me to be able to give and receive appeals in the spirit of a servant, a follow of You. Help me to know when to appeal and when to give orders, and to do both in love. I want to relate to my family, friends, co workers, brothers and sisters in the church meekly and humbly as You showed us when You were here on earth.

Achieving Maximum Potential

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-08-18-SBF%20116%20Achieving%20Maximum%20Potential.mp3

Relating to Those in Sorrow

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-08-18-SBF%20115%20Relating%20to%20Those%20in%20Sorrow.mp3

Engage in Good Deeds

Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
Tit 3:14

In this verse, Paul reminds us that people of God must be doing good deeds. They should be known for their hospitality, generosity and willingness to give. They should be willing to give to the needs they see. But, with so many charities and other good organizations asking for our support, how can we decide where to put our support? How do we decide between giving to starving children in Haiti or Africa? Should we support the tornado victims in Mississippi or Christians in China that have no Bibles? Should give money to the mission work to unreached people in India or Indonesia? There are so many pressing needs that beckon to us for help. In all this giving, we need to be sure that we're not neglecting our own homes and families. How can we do it all?

Lord, give us wisdom to use Your resources where they do the most good. Help us to follow Your guidance as we make decisions about giving. You have given us everything we have and it is all Yours. Please help me to remember that in every decision we make.

How God Looks at "Spiritual" Discussions

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self- condemned.
Tit 3:9-11

I heard (and been a part of at times) too many "spiritual" discussions that were nothing more than foolish controversies and disputes about the Bible. They missed the point of the Scriptures and the majored on the minors.They are like a Pharisee eating his soup who would "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Mat 23:24) It's so easy to get into those types of discussions and feel sanctified and justified for trying argue our interpretation of the Bible with no regard for the other person's feelings or ideas. And, usually we completely miss the main point of the passage.

Jesus said this about people who majored on the minors: "you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (Mat 23:23) When we feel like we've arrived in justice, mercy and faithfulness, then maybe we'll be justified in putting such scrutiny on tithing the herbs from our gardens/arguing about the meaning of the white horse in Revelation.

Lord, help me to focus on the things that You say are important. Help me to love what you love: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ more than I love to be right. Help me to honor their feelings and opinions. Most of all, I want to honor you by my life.

The Kindness of God

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Tit 3:4-7

Reading these verses this morning blessed my heart. Just read over them several times and let the meaning sink into your heart.

• The amazing kindness of God
• How much He loves us
• We don't need to earn salvation
• His amazing mercy
• Renewed by the Holy Spirit
• We are heirs of God

Let No One Disregard You

These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Tit 2:15

As I read this verse, I thought about how we're taught to be tactful, humble and not offend people when we speak. Yet, this verse seems to fly in the face of that teaching. It tells us to speak with authority, and let no one disregard us. I believe the difference is this: when we are speaking from our own hearts, thoughts and opinions, we should be reserved and not over-confident. Yet, when we are speaking from God, there is no need to apologize. When Jesus spoke, people were amazed at the authority with which he spoke. When God has given us words to speak, we too can and must speak with boldness and authority.

Lord, help me to be sensitive to You speaking in my life. Help me to be bold to speak what You have given me. Help me not to be dogmatic when expressing my own opinions, and help me to know the difference.

Urge the Young Men

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Tit 2:6-8

In these verses, Paul gives us a snapshot of what the lives of young men should look like:

• Sensible: reasonable, balanced, wise
• An example of good deeds: a life that inspires others to kindness, self-sacrifice and discipline
• Purity in doctrine: only getting our doctrines and beliefs from the Bible, not being swayed by every wind of doctrine
• Dignified: acting and living respectably and in a way that honors God
• Sound speech which is beyond reproach: truthful, upright, full of integrity, speech that honors God and respects our fellow men

Lord, help me to have this kind of life. Help me to be an example of someone who fears You. I want my life to point people to You.

Professing to Know God

They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him,
Tit 1:16

Is this a picture of me? I profess to know God. I claim to live for Him. Yet, if people could only see what I do and not hear what I say, what would they think? Is my life as good as my words? Or, are some of the things I do self-serving instead of God-serving. The talk is easy to get right, but the walk tells what we're really made of.

Lord, help me to serve You in my wards and actions. Help me not to be a hypocrite. I want to be genuine all the way through. I don't want to have anything that I need to hide. I don't want to have to put on words or actions when I'm in public. You can see me all the time, and You are the One I want to please. So, please help me to speak for You and live for You continually.

Safely to His Heavenly Kingdom

I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen
2Ti 4:17-18

In previous verses, Paul was telling Timothy about his arrival in Rome, when no one would stand with him for fear of persecution. Yet, through it all, God delivered Paul from Satan, that roaring lion. Paul had complete trust that whether he lived or whether he died, God would keep him safely and bring him to heaven. Paul was completely content with life or death if it brought glory to God.

Is my life that surrendered to God? Do I completely trust God's direction in my life even when it means hardship?

Lord, I thank You that I can trust You completely. I know You have a plan for my life. I choose to give You the reins of my life. I am willing to follow You through hard times and easy. I ask You for the grace to face whatever lies ahead. I want my life to be dedicated to Your glory.

Lord, Pour Me Out

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering
2Ti 4:6

Paul had submitted his life to God. He allowed God complete control. God could pour Paul out in any way He desired. Am I that submitted to God and His plan for my life?

I want to be like water in a glass: completely without resistance to wherever God pours me out. Water has no control over where it's poured out, how it's used or where it runs. I want to give God that kind of complete control over my life.

Lord, I submit my life to You. Help my lack of submission. I want You to control every detail of my life. I want Holy Spirit to fill me so completely that my first impulse in every situation is to follow Your direction. Please help me to see the areas in my life that are not surrendered and give me the strength to surrender them to You. Amen.

A Synopsis of the Book of John

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-08-04%20A%20Synopsis%20of%20the%20Book%20of%20John.mp3

Difficult Times Will Come

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self- control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
2Ti 3:1-5

This seems like a description of today. This long list of bad character traits is a laundry list of what we see around us. Paul tells us to avoid these kind of people. We become like the people we are around. So, we need to be careful when choosing our associates. As we choose friends that have good character traits, we will improve our characters. With God's help and the influence of good friends, these difficult times will be less difficult.

Instructions for the Lord's Bond-Servants

The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
2Ti 2:24-25

Am I the Lord's bond-servant? Do  I do everything He asks of me without questioning? I believe that I still need to grow in this area. Paul lists some character traits of bond-servants of God:

1. Not quarrelsome: peace-loving
2. Kind to everyone, not just those we agree with
3. Able (and willing) to teach
4. Patient when wronged (no revenge)
5. Giving gentle correction to those in opposition to truth

We must also desire in our heart that God would lead them to truth and repentance. We must have a personal love and concern for them, not just a desire to prove ourselves right.

Lord, I give myself to You as a bond-servant. I ask You to rule my life. Please build in me these characteristics. I want to represent You to my family, friends and coworkers.

Guard the Treasure

Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
2Ti 1:14

While the title may sound more like Pirates of the Caribbean, that a Bible verse, there is a similarity. Christians should be guarding the treasures of salvation and gifts of the Spirit even more closely than pirates would guard a treasure chest. But we have something far more powerful than canons and cutlasses. We are to guard this treasure with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord that we can never lose a battle when we rely on God.

Lord, I thank You for the treasures You've given me as a Christian. I pray that you would help me to always remember the value of these gifts and defend them. Help me not to be distracted by daily life.

Entrusting Our Lives to God

I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2Ti 1:12

Can I say with Paul that I completely entrust myself to God? I tend to want to be in control of my own life. I want to make my own decisions. Yet I realize that when I completely entrust my life to God, it is so much better. He sees the future. He cares about me. He understands me intimately. Why is it so hard to give control over to God?

Lord, I surrender my life to You completely. Please show me any areas that are not completely under Your control. I am convinced that You do a better job of running my life than I do. Thank You for how much You love me and care about me. I'm Yours.

Not According to Our Works

God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity
2Ti 1:9

God has put a holy calling on our lives. He has called us to be different from those around us. He wants us not to be normal or average. He wants us to live our lives looking up and following Him. He wants our goals and dreams to focus on Him not on earth. He wants to give us a future in heaven. Yet, we may not credit ourselves that we've been called. It has nothing to do with what we've done or our performance. We may only boast in God. He's called us for His purpose, not our own. It's His plan that we're fulfilling. And, it's only by His grace that we can be good enough to fulfill His plan. We cannot save ourselves. Only through the blood of Jesus, can we be made clean from sin.

Thank You Lord, for calling me for Your purpose. Thank You for the privilege of walking with You. Help me to live only for Your purposes in my life. Thank You for the grace that changes me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Help me to realize that there is no way I can earn that gift. I can only thankfully receive it and live out my life in thankfulness to You.

Power, Love and Freedom

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:7

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful
Jn 14:27

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:15

I the verse prior to 2 Timothy 1: 7, Paul reminds Timothy to rekindle afresh the gift that God has given him. He then reminds Timothy not to be fearful, but bold. When we are serving God, we can be bold. We don't need to be afraid of what people will think. We are only concerned about what God thinks. Our King is God, and if we're following Him, everything else will fall into place. We also don't need to fear what people will do to us. God is strong enough to protect us if He chooses to. If he chooses not to, we will only go to heaven to live in eternal bliss.

John 14:27 gives us the same idea. It also adds the idea of peace. Because we trust and follow God, we will have peace without worry and fear. Romans 8:15 adds another angle. We can have freedom. Fear enslaves us. Love frees us. When we offer our bodies a living sacrifice to God, we can be completely free. What a paradox! Being a slave to God, makes us free from opinions of people around us, fashions, fads, keeping up with the Jones's, fear-based religion, peer pressure, and our own unrealistic expectations. Now that's freedom!

Lord, help me to have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Help me not to live in fear, but to live in boldness. Help me to have your peace instead of worry. Help me to live in freedom serving You. I desire to be free of the chains that living here on earth can so easily encumber me with. I claim Your freedom for myself. Through Your power and the indwelling Holy Spirit, I will live in freedom!

Faith

Faith

Abolished Death and Brought Life

but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
2Ti 1:10

What a blessing! King Jesus has abolished death and given us life instead. Let's always live in that life.

Do Not Fix Your Hope on Uncertain Riches

Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
1Ti 6:17

If you live in America, you are likely among the richest people in the world. So, this verse applies to us. We have so much. Our natural tendency is to begin to trust in those riches. How can we avoid this tendency? The next phrase tells us: fix our hope on God. He is the one who gave us all these things for our enjoyment. Let's not lose sight of the giver in our enjoyment of the things He has given.

Lord, please help me not to be distracted by the many gifts You've given me. Help me to continue to fix my trust on You and not on myself. I choose to keep You first in my life, and I ask for Your help in doing so.

What Should Christians Pursue?

pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.
1Ti 6:11

Paul gives us clear direction on what we should be seeking in life:

1. Righteousness: doing what God asks us of.
2. Godliness: being like God in His goodness, generosity, love, truth and etc.
3. Faith: believing that God will do what He has promised.
4. Love
5. Perseverance: continuing to do these things even when the going gets tough.
6. Gentleness: kindness, meekness

Lord, help me to pursue these good things instead of pursuing wealth, power, gain or fame. Help me to seek Your approval and not worry about the approval of other people. I choose to seek You.

A Morbid Interest in Controversial Questions

he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
1Ti 6:4-5

How often do we fit this description? How many "spiritual" discussions fall under the category of "controversial questions and disputes about words"? I think Christians need to be more careful discuss "things which make for peace and the building up of one another." Rom 14:19

Lord, help me to avoid questions that are controversial and only create strife. Help me to speak things that build up those around me. I want You to control my tongue in everything I say. I ask You to speak through me so that my words may be a blessing.

Let No One Look Down on Your Youthfulness

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe
1Ti 4:12

In the Bible, much is made of the wisdom and experience that comes with age. This is in sharp contrast to the American culture of youth. We can learn a lot from those who are older than we are. Over time, they have learned what is important in life. They've learned a balance that most younger people do not posses.

However, in this chapter, Paul tells Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his young age. We should aim to be young people that other folks look up to The second half of the verse tells us how to do that: "in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

Lord, help me to be a younger person who is blameless in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. I want to be someone who is an example of a younger person serving you. Help me to point those around me to You.

Hoping in the Living God

we have fixed our hope on the living God
1Ti 4:10

Who better to fix our hope on. Who could be more trustworthy. He is the only person we can know will never disappoint. And, He's the living God. He is powerful and able accomplish everything for us. Let's put our complete trust in Him.

Lord, help me to completely trust You. Help me to never doubt our question. I choose to place my hope in You. I thank You for never failing me. I praise You for your faithfulness.

Use Your Gifts

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
1Ti 4:14

Paul tells us to put our spiritual gifts to good use. We shouldn't hide them under a bushel or leave them on the back burner. As humble people, we sometimes feel that we need to hide our gifts lest we look proud. Quite the contrary, if God has given us gifts, we are to display and use them for His glory and for the growth of His kingdom. We will actually be judged by God if we bury our talent.

Lord, help me to use the gifts You've given me. Help me to edify the body and glorify You with what You've given me. I surrender my talents to You to use however You  see best.

Discipline Yourself

discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness
1 Timothy 4:7b

I'm afraid that we have a difficult time following this verse in a balanced way. We either tend towards the "discipline is everything" belief or the "freedom is everything" mindset. As humans, we tend towards excess. Personally, I tend towards the discipline side. I demand excellence of myself and those around me. I tend to look down on those that allow themselves "too much freedom." Yet, I probably allow myself too much freedom at times. I believe that Paul was instructing us to find a balance. Our discipline needs to be for the purpose of godliness, not to bolster our reputation and make ourselves look good. We shouldn't be deriving our self worth from our self discipline.

Lord, please help me to discipline myself for the purpose of godliness. I also want to experience Your freedom. I pray that You would help me find that balance with the guidance of Holy Spirit.

God Put Me Into His Service

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service
1Ti 1:12

Paul thanked God for putting him into service. Do I do that. Sometimes I don't feel glad to be in God's service. Sometimes I feel like serving myself. Yet, I know I'm blessed to be able to serve God.

Lord, help me to appreciate being in your service. Help me to choose joy in hard times and easy times. Help me to revel in Your love and approval. Thank You for giving me the gift of faith and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Goal Is Love

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. for some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the law, even though they do not understand what they are saying or matters about which they make confident assertions.
1 Timothy 1:5-7

How many church leaders today would say that the goal of their instruction is love? Even if they would say that their goal is love, when you look at their lives, sometimes you wonder if it's true. It's sad, but too many leaders have an unspoken goal of politics, power or control in their instruction. What a blessing it would be if we had more leaders like Paul: leaders who are selfless and are leading for the benefit of their followers and the glory of God. Let's band together and pray for our leaders and pray that God would raise up more leaders whose goal is love.

Relationships in the Kingdom of God

http://shalombiblefellowship.org/messages/?download&file_name=2013-01-20-Relationships%20in%20the%20Kingdom%20of%20God.mp3

This is a continuation of last Sunday's sermon. It expands on how we should relate to people inside and outside the church. The church isn't just our congregation or church group. It is the body of Jesus Christ worldwide.

It's been quite a while since I've posted anything on 'Casting for Christ. One of the things that God has been teaching me is that He loves me unconditionally. I am starting to believe and accept it in my heart. I still have a lot of growing to do yet.

One step on this journey was a sermon that I shared on Sunday. Please pray for me that God's love would reign in my heart.

Here are my notes from the sermon:

Jesus Loves Me

His name was Bill.  He had wild hair, wore a T-shirt with holes in it, blue jeans and no shoes.  In the entire time I knew him I never once saw Bill wear a pair of shoes.  Rain, sleet or snow, Bill was barefoot.  This was literally his wardrobe for his whole four years of college.

 He was brilliant and looked like he was always pondering the esoteric.  He became a Christian while attending college.  Across the street from the campus was a church full of well- dressed, middle-class people.  They wanted to develop a ministry to the college students, but they were not sure how to go about it.

 One day, Bill decided to worship there.  He walked into the church, complete with wild hair, T-shirt, blue jeans and bare feet.  The church was completely packed, and the service had already begun.  Bill started down the aisle to find a place to sit.  By now the people were looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything.

 As Bill moved closer and closer to the pulpit, he realized there were no empty seats.  So he squatted and sat down on the carpet right up front.  (Although such behavior would have been perfectly acceptable at a college fellowship, this was a scenario this particular congregation had never witnessed before!)  By now, the people seemed uptight, and the tension in the air was thickening.

 Right about the time Bill took his "seat," a deacon began slowly making his way down the aisle from the back of the sanctuary.  The deacon was in his eighties, had silver-gray hair, a three-piece suit and a pocket watch.  He was a godly man -- very elegant, dignified and courtly.  He walked with a cane and, as he neared the boy, the church members thought, "You can't blame him for what he's going to do.  How can you expect a man of his age and background to understand some college kid on the floor?"

 It took a long time for the man to reach the boy.  The church was utterly silent except for the clicking of his cane.  You couldn't even hear anyone breathing.  All eyes were on the deacon.

 But then they saw the elderly man drop his cane on the floor.  With great difficulty, he sat down on the floor next to Bill and worshipped with him.  Everyone in the congregation choked up with emotion.  When the minister gained control, he told the people, "What I am about to preach, you will never remember.  What you've just seen, you will never forget."

I.                   Introduction

a.       Goals

                                                              i.      Understand God’s heart of love better

                                                            ii.      Open our hearts to God’s love

                                                          iii.      Become channels for God’s love to flow through our hearts

b.      My journey

c.       Credits

                                                              i.      Jack Frost

                                                            ii.      Experiencing Father’s Embrace

                                                          iii.      From Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship

II.                Love is greater

a.       Speaking in tongues (very important) – like an annoying sound

b.      Prophecy

c.       Faith

d.      Giving

e.       Martyrdom by fire

III.             Love described

a.       patient

b.      Kind

c.       Not jealous

d.      Not boastful and arrogant

e.       Does not hold grudges

f.       Does not rejoice in unrighteousness

g.      Rejoices in truth

h.      Bears all things

i.        Believes all things (gullible?)

j.        Hopes

k.      Never fails

l.        Love is not what we do, it’s who we are.

m.    Love works. Works don’t love

                                                              i.      I struggle to put this into practice

                                                            ii.      I do my duty and feel satisfied, but when works don’t flow out of love, the benefit is reduced dramatically.

1.  We sing Sweet Hour of Prayer and are content with 5-10 minutes a day.

2.  We sing Onward Christian Soldiers and wait to be drafted into His service.

3.  We sing O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing and don't use the one we have.

4.  We sing Blest Be the Tie That Binds and let the least little offense sever it.

6.  We sing Serve the Lord With Gladness and gripe about all we have to do.

7.  We sing I Love To Tell the Story and never mention it at all.

8.  We sing We're Marching to Zion but fail to march to worship.

9.  We sing Cast Thy Burden on the Lord and worry ourselves into a nervous breakdown.

10.  We sing The Whole Wide World for Jesus and never invite our next-door neighbor.

11.  We sing Throw Out the Lifeline and content ourselves with throwing out a fishing line.   

IV.             God’s love as an example

a.       He created us for relationship with Himself and others

b.      He gave us beauty

c.       He gave us abilities

d.      He gave us autonomy

e.       He died

f.       He rescued us after we turned away from Him

                                                              i.      Imagine if God kept score

                                                            ii.      Imagine if he was always “fair” or didn’t want to go beyond the call of duty as we sometimes don’t

V.                We can only truly love, after we’ve received God’s love

a.       This is a process

b.      1 John 4:16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

VI.             Why can’t I love

a.       Rejection from people in the past – we build walls and keep people at a distance

b.      We are afraid of intimacy

c.       We have agreed with a lie from Satan

                                                              i.      God only loves us based on how well we perform

                                                            ii.      This carries over into our human relationships

                                                          iii.      We only love the people around us based on their performance

d.      We believe that God is like our parents. If they were angry, distant, hard to please, unloving; that’s how we see God unless He has healed us from those wounds.

e.       Our culture (especially in previous generations and in the Anabaptist world) says that men are tough, without feelings and emotions. They don’t need to receive or give love.

f.        We've never received unconditional love.

                                                               i.      Maybe very little love at all

                                                             ii.      Maybe love based on performance

                                                            iii.      We have no love in our emotional bank account to give.

g.       We are serving God for what we get from Him instead of for a relationship

                                                               i.      Money

                                                             ii.      Community

                                                            iii.      Healing

                                                           iv.      Emotional support

                                                             v.      Prodigal son rejected a relationship in favor if money

                                                           vi.       if that is where we are, God longs to welcome us back

                                                          vii.      When he came back into his father's love, he received all the physical blessings of his father's house as well.

Fable:

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in

her front yard.  She did not recognize them.

She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry.  Please come in and have

something to eat."

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she said. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in," they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had  happened.

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"

The woman went out and invited the men in.

"We do not go into a House together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she wanted to know.

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing  to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love."  Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

The woman went in and told her husband what was said.  Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!" he said.  "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house.  She jumped in with her own suggestion:

"Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.  "Go out and

invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love?

Please come in and be our guest."

Love got up and started walking toward the house.  The other 2 also got up and

followed him.

Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love.  Why are you coming in?"  The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would have stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

h.      We have a religion based on fear

                                                               i.      There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1Jo 4:18

                                                             ii.      Do you live every day with a fear of

1.       hell

2.       God's anger

3.       Offending God

4.       Displeasing God

5.       God wants us to live in love that casts out fear

6.       Live loved

                                                            iii.      If we sin and we are afraid of God, we run away from God instead of running to Him for forgiveness

                                                           iv.      We run to:

1.       addictive behavior

2.       hyper religious activities

                                                             v.      We believe that we can earn God's love by works

1.       After we began attending Shalom, I realized that a big part of my fulfillment and value in life came from works.

2.       I'd been very involved in church activities

a.       Superintendent

b.      Sunday school teacher

c.       trustee

3.       Now I didn't have those activities to give value to my life

4.       It was God's way of showing me that those things were a crutch in my life that were blocking me from receiving His unconditional love.

5.       This is why we see so many people of God fall into sin. They have been filling the void of intimacy with God with good works.

                                                           vi.      What we need is a new picture of God

1.       If we look at Jesus life on earth, we can get a picture of who God is

2.       He wants to bring life, healing, compassion and joy to us

VII.              Living without God's love

a.       When we live without God's love, we can never give true love to others

b.      We desire intimacy with God

c.       we live with a void in our lives we seek intimacy elsewhere:

                                                               i.      Even our spouses cannot fill that void

                                                             ii.      Fulfilling marriages, can only come as we first have a close relationship with God

VIII.            Learning to love

a.       See ourselves as God sees us

                                                              i.      We tend to believe that we are unlovable

                                                            ii.      We are damaged beyond repair

                                                          iii.      God sees us as His beloved children

                                                          iv.      We are created in His image

                                                            v.      Our worth comes from God, not from us or our performance

                                                          vi.      a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, " ' You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ' You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Mat 22:35-40

                                                        vii.      Jesus said that this is the most important commandment. Yet, many times we want to put the Great Commission before the Great Commandment

                                                        viii.      Sing "Jesus Loves Me" with understanding and believe that it's true.

                                                           ix.      Jesus loves me when I'm bad and when I'm good.

b.      Realize our need for intimacy

                                                               i.      We all need it, men included.

                                                             ii.      We need God every step of the way.

                                                            iii.      We need to know and be known by God and by the people in our lives

c.       Take personal responsibility for intimacy

                                                               i.      It's easy to blame others for the lack of intimacy in our lives

1.       My parents didn't show me love

2.       I've been heart too many times

3.       My spouse doesn't accept it/doesn't deserve it.

                                                             ii.      God we hold each of us accountable

d.      "Be" then "Do"

                                                               i.      Being creates doing, but being is first and foremost.

                                                             ii.      I find this very difficult.

                                                            iii.      I tend to find fulfillment in doing.

                                                           iv.      I tend to look for the praise from people instead of God

                                                             v.      As we abide in God's love, we will become like Him

e.      Speak God's love

f.        The solution to having no love to give

                                                               i.      Forgive the people in our past who have hurt us

                                                             ii.      Repent of the lies we've believed about God because of the hurts we have from other people

                                                            iii.      Learn to experience God's unconditional love

                                                           iv.      Only God loves us perfectly

                                                             v.      Finish with a story that illustrates this well:

I was watching some little kids play soccer.  These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game –- a serious game – two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents.  I didn’t know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing – I wished the parents and coaches could have done the same. 

The teams were pretty evenly matched.  I will just call them Team One and Team Two.  Nobody scored in the first period.  The kids were hilarious.  They were clumsy and terribly inefficient.  They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they didn’t seem to care.  They were having fun.

In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player who now guarded the goal.  The game took a dramatic turn.  I guess winning is important even when you’re five years old-because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. 

Team Two swarmed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalie.  He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good.  Team Two began to score.  The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them.  Team Two scored two goals in quick succession.  It infuriated the young boy.  He became a raging maniac-shouting, running, diving.  With all the stamina he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late-they scored a third goal.

I soon learned who the goalie’s parents were.  They were nice, decent-looking people.  I could tell that his dad had just come from the office-he still had his suit and tie on.  They yelled encouragement to their son.  I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines.

After the third goal, the little kid changed.  He could see it was no use; he couldn’t stop them.  He didn’t quit, but he became quietly desperate; futility was written all over him.  His father changed too.  He had been urging his son to try harder – yelling advice and encouragement.  But then he changed.  He became anxious.  He tried to say that it was okay – to hang in there.  He grieved for the pain his son was feeling.

After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen.  I’ve seen it before.  The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had.  He retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee – and then he cried.  He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks.  He went to his knees and put his fists to his eyes – and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted.

When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field.  His wife clutched his arm and said, “Jim, don’t.  You’ll embarrass him.”  But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field.  He wasn’t supposed to – the game was still in progress.  Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all – he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him.  I’ve never been so proud of a man in my life.

He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, “Scotty, I’m so proud of you.  You were great out there.  I want everybody to know that you are my son.”  “Daddy,” the boy sobbed, “I couldn’t stop them.  I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me.”

“Scotty, it doesn’t matter how many times they scored on you.  You’re my son, and I’m proud of you.  I want you to go back out there and finish the game.  I know you want to quit, but you can’t.  And, son, you’re going to get scored on again, but it doesn’t matter.  Go on, now.”

It made a difference — I could tell it did.  When you’re all alone, and you’re getting scored on — and you can’t stop them — it means a lot to know that it doesn’t matter to those who love you.  The little guy ran back on to the field — and they scored two more times — but it was okay.

I get scored on every day.  I try so hard.  I recklessly throw my body in every direction.  I fume and rage.  I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being — and Satan laughs.  And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees — sinful, convicted, helpless.  And my Father — my Father rushes right out on the field — right in front of the whole crowd — the whole jeering, laughing world — and he picks me up, and he hugs me and he says, “John, I’m so proud of you.  You were great out there.  I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the outcome of this game, I declare you –The Winner.”