Psalms 118 : 19 - 24, Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. NIV
In today's scripture, we can see that David is celebrating the goodness and the mercy of the Lord. Why is he celebrating? It is because in previous verses (not shown), David had been chastised by the Lord for his sin, but the Lord did not turn him over to death; the reason that God gave mercy and grace to David was because David's faith was in the Lord to be his righteousness...not in his own righteousness.
Today's Word shows us that the Lord was revealing the Day of Salvation to David; the Day of Salvation would be the day that the Jews' Messiah (Jesus) would come to earth. The above passage begins with David talking about entering the Lord's salvation through the gates of righteousness. It was a desire of David to build the Lord a temple for Him to dwell in, but because he had shed innocent blood, the Lord wouldn't allow it. So when David saw the Day of Salvation, it was in the scope of seeing a "building" more so than a "person".
In John 14, Jesus uses this metaphor that David depicts concerning Himself. Jesus declares that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the door, or in David's words, "the gate" that we must enter if we are to inherit salvation.
In the prophecy that David received from the Spirit of the Lord, he saw Jesus as the Messiah being rejected as the Capstone of the temple of God by the Jews. In other words, the Jews found righteousness in "self" and not in "Christ" so they rejected Him as their foundation of faith.
When Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh, He was the Day of Salvation sent to fallen man. He was the fulfillment of David's vision and was rejected by His own special people just like David prophesied. Romans 3: 23 says that "all have sinned," but God has not turned us over to destruction. He has loved us, and through His love given to us grace and truth and not punishment. So let us rejoice over the fulfillment of our salvation. David saw a temple with gates, but we see Jesus and celebrate His goodness in our hearts and lives. Let us build our lives on the Rock, Christ Jesus and live.
This Is the Day That the Lord Has Made,
Pastor Asa
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
When Man Alters God's Law
Leviticus 20 : 10 - 11, 'The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death. NKJV
Have you ever read something in the Bible that made you begin to think? I'm not sharing this word today because of people living in adultery. But rather, to share with you something that was revealed to me the other day when I was thinking on the story of the woman that was caught in the act of adultery and was brought before Jesus. Before I go any further, let's look at that story from John's perspective.
John 8 : 2 - 6, Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. NKJV
While it was still early in the morning and not everyone had gotten up and out of bed, these self-righteous men apprehended a woman and brought her to the temple. They didn't bring her into the temple because they were obeying the Law of Moses; their intended purpose was to tempt Jesus...in order that they might find something to accuse Him. So you can plainly see that these so-called religious rulers were judgmental to say the least. In other words, they were just as corrupt as the woman that they were about to stone.
If you continue to read the story, you will see that Jesus doesn't answer their question, but ignores them and begins to write on the ground. Many people, including myself, have preached on His writing; but all we have to do is look at the text for today's word and know exactly what He wrote.
They only brought the woman; where was the man (adulterer)? Did they alter the Law of Moses that commanded them to stone both the man and the woman? If they weren't altering the Word to accommodate the sin in their own lives, then why didn't they grab the man out of bed and bring him to be condemned beside her? This is where we can see what Jesus wrote without being there. As He wrote the correct Law upon the ground, the men from the oldest to the youngest saw the truth written before their own eyes. Then Jesus made the statement that brought conviction on every one of the hearts of the men that were present. "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." When you look at the law in Leviticus and see the way these men went about serving justice... according to their own traditions... and Jesus' question to them, you can see that Jesus turned the tables on these men, and they had to forgive, or they would be condemned for their own sin of violating the Law.
They had taken the Law of God and twisted it so that they could break the law themselves and not be condemned. Please pray for our leaders in the body of Christ that have altered the truth to fit their sinful ways and led innocent people astray. Jesus came to set the captives free, not to condemn us. Jesus did not come to condone sin, so neither should it be condoned in the body of Christ.
Saved By Grace,
Pastor Asa
Have you ever read something in the Bible that made you begin to think? I'm not sharing this word today because of people living in adultery. But rather, to share with you something that was revealed to me the other day when I was thinking on the story of the woman that was caught in the act of adultery and was brought before Jesus. Before I go any further, let's look at that story from John's perspective.
John 8 : 2 - 6, Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. NKJV
While it was still early in the morning and not everyone had gotten up and out of bed, these self-righteous men apprehended a woman and brought her to the temple. They didn't bring her into the temple because they were obeying the Law of Moses; their intended purpose was to tempt Jesus...in order that they might find something to accuse Him. So you can plainly see that these so-called religious rulers were judgmental to say the least. In other words, they were just as corrupt as the woman that they were about to stone.
If you continue to read the story, you will see that Jesus doesn't answer their question, but ignores them and begins to write on the ground. Many people, including myself, have preached on His writing; but all we have to do is look at the text for today's word and know exactly what He wrote.
They only brought the woman; where was the man (adulterer)? Did they alter the Law of Moses that commanded them to stone both the man and the woman? If they weren't altering the Word to accommodate the sin in their own lives, then why didn't they grab the man out of bed and bring him to be condemned beside her? This is where we can see what Jesus wrote without being there. As He wrote the correct Law upon the ground, the men from the oldest to the youngest saw the truth written before their own eyes. Then Jesus made the statement that brought conviction on every one of the hearts of the men that were present. "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." When you look at the law in Leviticus and see the way these men went about serving justice... according to their own traditions... and Jesus' question to them, you can see that Jesus turned the tables on these men, and they had to forgive, or they would be condemned for their own sin of violating the Law.
They had taken the Law of God and twisted it so that they could break the law themselves and not be condemned. Please pray for our leaders in the body of Christ that have altered the truth to fit their sinful ways and led innocent people astray. Jesus came to set the captives free, not to condemn us. Jesus did not come to condone sin, so neither should it be condoned in the body of Christ.
Saved By Grace,
Pastor Asa
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Restorer of the Family
Acts 16: 25 - 34, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. NKJV
Are you faced with a seemingly impossible situation in your family? Has Satan or sin brought division into your home? If so, the Lord has given me a Word from His Word to build your faith. As your faith is built up through God's Word, you will also be strengthened in your inner man. When we make a conscious decision to go before God by faith with an insoluble situation, God will, at that moment, begin to release His strength (GRACE) to empower us to hold on until the impossible becomes possible.
When we place faith in God's Word for a particular need, our faith takes the weight and the care off our shoulders and places them at His feet. Everything that doesn't align itself with the Word of God and His will for our lives must be brought into subjection to His authority. Now that you have given the Lord your need and are standing in faith, leave the situation on the ALTAR until the Holy Spirit can ALTER the situation.
The very moment faith entered the heart of the jailor in this portion of scripture; the Holy Spirit began to change lives. It began with the father, but quickly spread throughout his entire household. In what was possibly one of the worst nights of Paul and Silas' lives and ministry, God chose to bring salvation to a lost household. You must look to God and not the circumstances, if you are to remain strong and committed to the faith process.
God seems to perform His best work in some of the darkest periods and places of our lives in order to show us that He is God over everything. Remember, faith will move mountains, as long as you're standing on and speaking the Word of God over those mountains. Jesus tells us that all things are possible to those who believe. Believe today and see the salvation of the Lord in your families' lives.
Standing on God's Word,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Are you faced with a seemingly impossible situation in your family? Has Satan or sin brought division into your home? If so, the Lord has given me a Word from His Word to build your faith. As your faith is built up through God's Word, you will also be strengthened in your inner man. When we make a conscious decision to go before God by faith with an insoluble situation, God will, at that moment, begin to release His strength (GRACE) to empower us to hold on until the impossible becomes possible.
When we place faith in God's Word for a particular need, our faith takes the weight and the care off our shoulders and places them at His feet. Everything that doesn't align itself with the Word of God and His will for our lives must be brought into subjection to His authority. Now that you have given the Lord your need and are standing in faith, leave the situation on the ALTAR until the Holy Spirit can ALTER the situation.
The very moment faith entered the heart of the jailor in this portion of scripture; the Holy Spirit began to change lives. It began with the father, but quickly spread throughout his entire household. In what was possibly one of the worst nights of Paul and Silas' lives and ministry, God chose to bring salvation to a lost household. You must look to God and not the circumstances, if you are to remain strong and committed to the faith process.
God seems to perform His best work in some of the darkest periods and places of our lives in order to show us that He is God over everything. Remember, faith will move mountains, as long as you're standing on and speaking the Word of God over those mountains. Jesus tells us that all things are possible to those who believe. Believe today and see the salvation of the Lord in your families' lives.
Standing on God's Word,
Pastor Asa Dockery
Friday, January 6, 2012
Avoid the Pit of Condemnation
1 Peter 4 : 12 - 14, Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. NKJV
How do you respond to trouble when it knocks at your door? I have seen how many Christians (including me) respond to trouble. There is a tendency to ask, "What did I do wrong that caused this trouble?" But here is the danger in asking such a question: It places your attention on you and not on the righteousness of God. Do you remember what kind of a day scripture says that Job had when he lost his family, his livestock, and his health? He lived under the old covenant... before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But thankfully and unlike Job, we're under the new covenant (of grace by faith in Christ), and we do have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Father has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and to convict us when we sin against the truth. God doesn't have to use fiery trials to break us of sin. But if we don't want to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, then He will let us reap the corruption of our flesh.
So when you face trouble in your life, do you struggle with self-condemnation? I have heard some teachers say that if a Christian has problems, it's because they lack faith. Peter contradicts that teaching and explains the correct purpose of the trials. We are partaking of Christ's sufferings when we are faced with trials in this life. Will we continue in faith or will we draw back in unbelief?
The purpose of having faith isn't to keep us from having trials, but it is to be placed in Christ so that we might walk in the righteousness of God as His child. So when a trial visits your house or interrupts your life, look to the Lord to lead you through it; do not look to your own weaknesses. He has given you the measure of faith (Romans 12 : 3), and He promises to help us endure the trials by faith and to then overcome the trials while remaining in faith.
So if you have faith in Christ today, and you're faced with job termination, sickness, relational conflicts, etc., then know that God has already given you the power to overcome the trials of life. The key to having victory in your battles is in your faith. The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord, not us, will deliver us out of them all. He will be faithful, but we must remain faithful. Those who endure to the end will see their salvation.
Waiting on the Lord,
Pastor Asa
How do you respond to trouble when it knocks at your door? I have seen how many Christians (including me) respond to trouble. There is a tendency to ask, "What did I do wrong that caused this trouble?" But here is the danger in asking such a question: It places your attention on you and not on the righteousness of God. Do you remember what kind of a day scripture says that Job had when he lost his family, his livestock, and his health? He lived under the old covenant... before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But thankfully and unlike Job, we're under the new covenant (of grace by faith in Christ), and we do have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Father has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and to convict us when we sin against the truth. God doesn't have to use fiery trials to break us of sin. But if we don't want to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, then He will let us reap the corruption of our flesh.
So when you face trouble in your life, do you struggle with self-condemnation? I have heard some teachers say that if a Christian has problems, it's because they lack faith. Peter contradicts that teaching and explains the correct purpose of the trials. We are partaking of Christ's sufferings when we are faced with trials in this life. Will we continue in faith or will we draw back in unbelief?
The purpose of having faith isn't to keep us from having trials, but it is to be placed in Christ so that we might walk in the righteousness of God as His child. So when a trial visits your house or interrupts your life, look to the Lord to lead you through it; do not look to your own weaknesses. He has given you the measure of faith (Romans 12 : 3), and He promises to help us endure the trials by faith and to then overcome the trials while remaining in faith.
So if you have faith in Christ today, and you're faced with job termination, sickness, relational conflicts, etc., then know that God has already given you the power to overcome the trials of life. The key to having victory in your battles is in your faith. The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord, not us, will deliver us out of them all. He will be faithful, but we must remain faithful. Those who endure to the end will see their salvation.
Waiting on the Lord,
Pastor Asa
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Amazing Wisdom of God
Proverbs 21 : 1 - 2, The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he turns it wherever he pleases. People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart. NLT
When Jesus was on the cross, He prayed something that we need to look more closely at today. He asked the Father to forgive those who had beaten and crucified Him; He said that the people who were doing this to Him did not know what they were doing. Paul gives us some insight into why they didn't know in 2 Corinthians 4. When people reject truth, or in this case, they rejected Jesus as the truth and treated Him as a blasphemer, it allows Satan to spiritually blind them.
In the countries of the world, you will find that governments rule over the affairs of the people, yet the government leaders may or may not know the Lord. But if some governments refuse to acknowledge God, it won't prevent Him from being Lord over the earth or His people. Many government leaders will do what they perceive is right according to the thoughts of their own hearts. Yet the Word tells us in Proverbs 29 that when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. We are instructed in God's word to pray for our leaders on a consistent basis; this empowers the Lord's will to be carried out in the earth over the will of man or governments.
When men and women in leadership don't place their faith in Jesus as their Savior, it allows Satan to blind them to God's will. But the church has a higher calling and authority than the government. If we will pray, then the Lord can turn the hearts of the kings and accomplish His will in the earth. Please pray with me and ask the Lord to place His wisdom and direction in the hearts of our leaders. In Genesis, there is a great example of Godly wisdom that led a heathen ruler during a famine. While Joseph was in prison, as the result of false accusations, Egypt was about to face a seven year famine. Joseph's hard times in prison were about to end, but for Egypt, they were about to begin. Here's the reason why we need to pray for God's wisdom to lead our officials:
The Lord knew that a famine was about to cover the land for seven years, but before the famine began, there would be seven years of plenty. So He gave Pharaoh a dream concerning the next fourteen years of his administration. This gave Joseph, the "dreamer," an opportunity to interpret the dream for the King. When Pharaoh heard the meaning of his own dream, he placed Joseph over the kingdom... even though he was not an Egyptian. The wisdom that God gave Joseph preserved the lives of Jews and gentiles alike. It doesn't matter what party is in office as long as we pray for Godly wisdom to rule that office. James teaches us that when we find ourselves in various trials or temptations, we should ask God for wisdom.
Why would James be directed by the Holy Spirit to tell us to ask for wisdom during trying times? Wouldn't it make better sense to ask for the trial to be over? This is why we shouldn't listen to man's wisdom, but rather seek God's direction. If God delivers us out of a trial, but we don't know what caused the trial, then there is a very good chance that we will slip back into the same trial again.
Like never before in my generation, we need the wisdom of God to lead us through these tough times. Who knows, there may be Godly wisdom and direction that comes out of this test that will astound the greatest minds in the earth today and win them to Christ. Now let's pray!
Lord We Come to You Today,
Pastor Asa
When Jesus was on the cross, He prayed something that we need to look more closely at today. He asked the Father to forgive those who had beaten and crucified Him; He said that the people who were doing this to Him did not know what they were doing. Paul gives us some insight into why they didn't know in 2 Corinthians 4. When people reject truth, or in this case, they rejected Jesus as the truth and treated Him as a blasphemer, it allows Satan to spiritually blind them.
In the countries of the world, you will find that governments rule over the affairs of the people, yet the government leaders may or may not know the Lord. But if some governments refuse to acknowledge God, it won't prevent Him from being Lord over the earth or His people. Many government leaders will do what they perceive is right according to the thoughts of their own hearts. Yet the Word tells us in Proverbs 29 that when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. We are instructed in God's word to pray for our leaders on a consistent basis; this empowers the Lord's will to be carried out in the earth over the will of man or governments.
When men and women in leadership don't place their faith in Jesus as their Savior, it allows Satan to blind them to God's will. But the church has a higher calling and authority than the government. If we will pray, then the Lord can turn the hearts of the kings and accomplish His will in the earth. Please pray with me and ask the Lord to place His wisdom and direction in the hearts of our leaders. In Genesis, there is a great example of Godly wisdom that led a heathen ruler during a famine. While Joseph was in prison, as the result of false accusations, Egypt was about to face a seven year famine. Joseph's hard times in prison were about to end, but for Egypt, they were about to begin. Here's the reason why we need to pray for God's wisdom to lead our officials:
The Lord knew that a famine was about to cover the land for seven years, but before the famine began, there would be seven years of plenty. So He gave Pharaoh a dream concerning the next fourteen years of his administration. This gave Joseph, the "dreamer," an opportunity to interpret the dream for the King. When Pharaoh heard the meaning of his own dream, he placed Joseph over the kingdom... even though he was not an Egyptian. The wisdom that God gave Joseph preserved the lives of Jews and gentiles alike. It doesn't matter what party is in office as long as we pray for Godly wisdom to rule that office. James teaches us that when we find ourselves in various trials or temptations, we should ask God for wisdom.
Why would James be directed by the Holy Spirit to tell us to ask for wisdom during trying times? Wouldn't it make better sense to ask for the trial to be over? This is why we shouldn't listen to man's wisdom, but rather seek God's direction. If God delivers us out of a trial, but we don't know what caused the trial, then there is a very good chance that we will slip back into the same trial again.
Like never before in my generation, we need the wisdom of God to lead us through these tough times. Who knows, there may be Godly wisdom and direction that comes out of this test that will astound the greatest minds in the earth today and win them to Christ. Now let's pray!
Lord We Come to You Today,
Pastor Asa
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Way of Suffering
Philippians 2 : 8 - 11, And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. NKJV
Since it's only you, this devotion, and the Lord here today, let me ask you a question. Do you consider yourself perfect? If you answered no, then ask yourself, "why?" What does perfection look like to you? Is perfection obtainable in the flesh? Doesn't the Word of God declare that Jesus was perfect and that He was also a man? Many would argue that fact and say that Jesus was God in the flesh... so it was impossible for Him to sin. Consider this also; James tells us that God can't be tempted with evil, but we read in Luke 4 that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted. If He was only God, and not man, then Satan would not have been able to tempt Him. If He were only God, then the writer of Hebrews misrepresented Him as our High Priest when he wrote that He could be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Jesus, as the Son of man knows what it is like to be tempted, yet He resisted temptation, because He was submitted to God's will.
James tells us that if we will submit to God and resist the Devil, then the Devil will flee from us. So let me ask you again, what does perfection look like to you? Perfection is not according to our opinion, but rather perfection is based on God's Word and it being hidden in our hearts. God commands us to be holy, even as He is holy. He wouldn't ask something of us if it was impossible to obtain. Having stated these truths on perfection, let me add one more. Jesus was perfect in all His ways, yet the religious world called Him a winebibber, glutton, a friend of sinners, and last, but certainly not least, a blasphemer. When you hear their testimony as to what Jesus was, it doesn't quiet line up with God's testimony of Jesus does it?
So we can conclude that we're not called to live up to man's requirements or definitions of perfection; a perfection that is according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is where our calling is.
James 3 : 2, For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. KJV
James teaches us that if we can bridle our tongue and not offend in word, then we are perfect in the sight of God. Even as small as the tongue is, it is still hard to tame that little critter. The reason being, it vents what is hidden in our hearts. So we must begin with the heart if we want our tongues to remain silent. How did Jesus keep Himself from the pollution of this world and not offend in word?
The verses in our text for today teach us that Jesus was more than just obedient; He humbled Himself through submission. As a pastor, I have found that a lot of people will obey spiritual authority as long as they agree with it, but the moment they don't agree with authority, they rebel. This is why Christians can't tame the tongue. We sometimes refuse to obey when the suffering of our flesh man is involved. Yet Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the death of the cross. The Word declared that He "became" obedient. It was a process that He was willing to undergo that prepared Him for the suffering. It is that process of being "willing to be made willing" to suffer that we all must submit to if we want to be perfect before the Lord.
1 John 2:5-6, But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. NIV
There's a song that is sung during the celebration of Jesus' resurrection each year entitled "Via Dolorosa" which, when translated, means "The Way of Suffering." It talks about a person walking today where Jesus walked. I want to use that line to share one final thought: the Lord doesn't require us to walk the streets of Jerusalem to be like Christ, but He does require us to walk "the way" that Jesus walked, and Jesus walked humbly before the Father. Did He please the religious rulers, or did He seem to be humble to them? No. Was He still perfect? Absolutely! All the Father asks of us, as His children is that we place our faith in Christ and walk in humility before Him while we live in a fallen world. By the way, you are complete in Christ!
Learning How to Tame My Tongue,
Pastor Asa
Since it's only you, this devotion, and the Lord here today, let me ask you a question. Do you consider yourself perfect? If you answered no, then ask yourself, "why?" What does perfection look like to you? Is perfection obtainable in the flesh? Doesn't the Word of God declare that Jesus was perfect and that He was also a man? Many would argue that fact and say that Jesus was God in the flesh... so it was impossible for Him to sin. Consider this also; James tells us that God can't be tempted with evil, but we read in Luke 4 that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and was tempted. If He was only God, and not man, then Satan would not have been able to tempt Him. If He were only God, then the writer of Hebrews misrepresented Him as our High Priest when he wrote that He could be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. Jesus, as the Son of man knows what it is like to be tempted, yet He resisted temptation, because He was submitted to God's will.
James tells us that if we will submit to God and resist the Devil, then the Devil will flee from us. So let me ask you again, what does perfection look like to you? Perfection is not according to our opinion, but rather perfection is based on God's Word and it being hidden in our hearts. God commands us to be holy, even as He is holy. He wouldn't ask something of us if it was impossible to obtain. Having stated these truths on perfection, let me add one more. Jesus was perfect in all His ways, yet the religious world called Him a winebibber, glutton, a friend of sinners, and last, but certainly not least, a blasphemer. When you hear their testimony as to what Jesus was, it doesn't quiet line up with God's testimony of Jesus does it?
So we can conclude that we're not called to live up to man's requirements or definitions of perfection; a perfection that is according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is where our calling is.
James 3 : 2, For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. KJV
James teaches us that if we can bridle our tongue and not offend in word, then we are perfect in the sight of God. Even as small as the tongue is, it is still hard to tame that little critter. The reason being, it vents what is hidden in our hearts. So we must begin with the heart if we want our tongues to remain silent. How did Jesus keep Himself from the pollution of this world and not offend in word?
The verses in our text for today teach us that Jesus was more than just obedient; He humbled Himself through submission. As a pastor, I have found that a lot of people will obey spiritual authority as long as they agree with it, but the moment they don't agree with authority, they rebel. This is why Christians can't tame the tongue. We sometimes refuse to obey when the suffering of our flesh man is involved. Yet Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the death of the cross. The Word declared that He "became" obedient. It was a process that He was willing to undergo that prepared Him for the suffering. It is that process of being "willing to be made willing" to suffer that we all must submit to if we want to be perfect before the Lord.
1 John 2:5-6, But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. NIV
There's a song that is sung during the celebration of Jesus' resurrection each year entitled "Via Dolorosa" which, when translated, means "The Way of Suffering." It talks about a person walking today where Jesus walked. I want to use that line to share one final thought: the Lord doesn't require us to walk the streets of Jerusalem to be like Christ, but He does require us to walk "the way" that Jesus walked, and Jesus walked humbly before the Father. Did He please the religious rulers, or did He seem to be humble to them? No. Was He still perfect? Absolutely! All the Father asks of us, as His children is that we place our faith in Christ and walk in humility before Him while we live in a fallen world. By the way, you are complete in Christ!
Learning How to Tame My Tongue,
Pastor Asa
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
The Heart of the Father Is Relationship
John 17 : 1 - 3, Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. NKJV
John had a wonderful view of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. He also gives us insight into our Heavenly Father's love for us, His children (who used to be sinners). The purpose for Jesus coming to earth was to reconnect fallen man back to God as their heavenly Father... not just their Creator. There is a story in Luke that depicts the Father's heart toward us, whether we're in fellowship with Him or in rebellion against Him. The Holy Spirit instructed me to send this out as a devotion to let you know that God will always love you, but sin can separate you from His life.
Luke 15:11-14, "A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. NKJV
Just look at the heart of the father in comparison to his wayward son. Although his son was demanding, the father was very gracious and giving. The son was driven by lust and pride, but the father was moved by love. Even though the father knew what would happen to this young man's inheritance, he gave him the portion anyway.
Luke 15:20-24, "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. NKJV
As the prodigal son was returning home, his father met him and greeted him with love and affection; after they were reconciled, the father told the servants to prepare a feast for his son that was (dead), but now was alive.
Take notice how the father treated the son... both when his son was leaving and when he decided to return home. The father's love never changed, but the attitude of the son did. This story reveals the heart of our heavenly Father. He will lavish His love on us whether we're in pride like the prodigal, or headed back home.
Although the father never stopped loving his son, the sin that was in the son's heart separated him from his earthly father. John tells us in chapter 3 that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. God never stopped loving mankind after the fall, but our sin separated us from having a relationship with Him. As Christians, if we choose to walk in sin, it will adversely affect our relationship with God. Sin severs the line of communication between us and our heavenly Father.
The father in the story never esteemed his riches over having a relationship with his sons. Likewise, the heavenly Father gets pleasure in the prosperity of His children, because He is all about intimate relationship. Is there a sin, or an iniquity in your heart today that has separated you from having true fellowship with your heavenly Father? If so, then confess your faults to Him, because He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He cleanses us as well as forgives us so that we won't have the desire to go back into the sin or iniquity of the past.
Walking in Fellowship With the Father,
Pastor Asa
John had a wonderful view of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. He also gives us insight into our Heavenly Father's love for us, His children (who used to be sinners). The purpose for Jesus coming to earth was to reconnect fallen man back to God as their heavenly Father... not just their Creator. There is a story in Luke that depicts the Father's heart toward us, whether we're in fellowship with Him or in rebellion against Him. The Holy Spirit instructed me to send this out as a devotion to let you know that God will always love you, but sin can separate you from His life.
Luke 15:11-14, "A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. NKJV
Just look at the heart of the father in comparison to his wayward son. Although his son was demanding, the father was very gracious and giving. The son was driven by lust and pride, but the father was moved by love. Even though the father knew what would happen to this young man's inheritance, he gave him the portion anyway.
Luke 15:20-24, "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. NKJV
As the prodigal son was returning home, his father met him and greeted him with love and affection; after they were reconciled, the father told the servants to prepare a feast for his son that was (dead), but now was alive.
Take notice how the father treated the son... both when his son was leaving and when he decided to return home. The father's love never changed, but the attitude of the son did. This story reveals the heart of our heavenly Father. He will lavish His love on us whether we're in pride like the prodigal, or headed back home.
Although the father never stopped loving his son, the sin that was in the son's heart separated him from his earthly father. John tells us in chapter 3 that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. God never stopped loving mankind after the fall, but our sin separated us from having a relationship with Him. As Christians, if we choose to walk in sin, it will adversely affect our relationship with God. Sin severs the line of communication between us and our heavenly Father.
The father in the story never esteemed his riches over having a relationship with his sons. Likewise, the heavenly Father gets pleasure in the prosperity of His children, because He is all about intimate relationship. Is there a sin, or an iniquity in your heart today that has separated you from having true fellowship with your heavenly Father? If so, then confess your faults to Him, because He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He cleanses us as well as forgives us so that we won't have the desire to go back into the sin or iniquity of the past.
Walking in Fellowship With the Father,
Pastor Asa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)