We Speak Truth

 Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

To have the approval of God is all that matters in life. We seek to please people and those around us for various reasons. Everyone desires to be liked by others and to have a good reputation. It is important that we speak in such a way that others are edified and find comfort in the words we speak. But often, when we speak the truth, it goes against the way someone is living and behaving. Your words are not met with approval. Your words are received as judgmental.
 This has been a week of reflection for me and many who call themselves Christians. Charlie Kirk was killed because he spoke words and truth that were acceptable to God and unacceptable to those who have rejected the truth of God’s word. To please God is to have faith in Jesus as the Messiah and redeemer of our hearts. This, above all, is what makes us acceptable in the sight of God. Charlie was a defender of truth and moral righteousness, but beyond standing for living a righteous life was the hope he gave to others that Jesus was the answer for this generation. How we speak is as important as what we speak. The words of our mouths must be spoken in love and kindness, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Let the words of our mouth speak truth, and our thoughts be virtuous. When defending the truth, we must tell it in a way that points to Jesus. May the words of our mouths speak Jesus. For He is our only hope for this generation.

Advent:Our Hope

 1 Thess 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

As we approach the 1st Advent  of Christmas, we take time to prepare our hearts with the expectation of hope that Christ brings to the world. For many, Christmas is a time that families gather together, exchange gifts, partake together with food and pleasant conversation. This may not be the case in every home, but as a general consensus this is the picture we conjure. A time of goodwill and promoting peace on earth. Unfortunately, in the homes of many families, this is all it means. There may be a word or two about the celebration of the birth of Jesus giving lip service to His coming. To the true believer, the coming of Jesus is the hope that fills the heart. It is a hope that allows us to live each day knowing that He came not only to bring peace to earth, but to bring peace to the heart. We hope not as making a wish, but our hope is built on nothing less that Jesus Christ our redeemer, a hope and faith that He will someday return. As in His first coming, our hope is not in vain. His promises are true, Hope will someday burst the eastern sky, and He shall appear, and we who are in Christ will be caught up together in the air and be with Him forevermore. For this is our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing as we enter this Christmas season.

Hope in God

 Psalm 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
The soul that is cast down can be caused by many reasons. It appears here that the psalmist is in a state of discouragement or depression. His enemy is constantly oppressing him. The circumstances in his life are not in his favor. Life is happening and it is not good. It appears that God is far from him and is silent. Where does one go when life is not going well? The answer is still in trusting God. Look to Him and lift up your heart in praise. Praise Him in spite of the circumstances. Praise Him in the face of adversity. Praise Him even when your emotions are in a state of despair. He is a great Physician and will send the Holy Spirit to heal your broken and discouraging heart. “O my soul, trust in God, believe that He will see you through, put your hope in God”.

The Messenger

Mal 3:1a Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me….

Because He is faithful He sends His messengers to give words of hope or warning. The messenger comes in various forms and God uses them to communicate to us what we need. The messenger most often will speak through the Word of God. The Bible is God’s message to us. Within the pages of its cover hold the word of eternal life and eternal damnation. Hope and warning is given to all who seek Him in His word. The Messenger is also the man of God, or women of God that proclaims His truth without fear or favor of men. The messenger can also be a friend of a foe who speaks the truth. The truth spoken by a foe may be intended to hurt, but God can use them to reveal or heal. Lastly, God uses circumstances in our lives and the Holy Spirit speaks to us that there is a message for us to learn and be drawn closer to Him. Let us open our hearts to the message that God has for us.

Ponder On Jesus

Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

Christmas activities are coming to an end. Potlucks, church dinners, recitals, parties, programs, caroling, and white elephant gift exchanges. All were done in the spirit of the Christmas season. Christmas Eve and Day will wrap up the festivities of this special occasion. But, have we taken the time to ponder the reason for the season. Yes, we know the real reason, but do we really ponder the wonderful love of God. God, who so loved the world, sent His Son to earth to live and die among us. To be the everlasting gift of salvation. The gift of forgiveness, the burden of sin is gone, our sins cast into the sea of forgetfulness. His Spirit given to us to abide in us, and lead us on this earthly journey. Ponder the gift of hope, love, joy and peace. Ponder and think on Jesus. Like Mary, let us take time to ponder these things in our heart.

Loved By God

Lam. 3:22.23   It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not…They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Life happens and it is not always good, then I recall to my mind, that I am loved by God. He will not leave me or forsake me. Problems of life consume us, and it seems like we are always climbing out of discouraging places. Morning brings a new day with a new hope that God will take us through whatever we are going through. He will not forsake His own. His love is from everlasting to everlasting. To those that love Him, He will watch, His mercies are not depleted. When it seems that we are all alone, He is there to comfort and meet our needs. 

Without Faith

Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Faith is what takes us through the tough times. Without faith, we despair of hope and we have nothing to anchor our lives. Faith in the providence of God is what helps us see life from another prospective. The eternal view is seeing the hand of God in everything that happens in life. The storms that take place in our life are the things that we fear. The fear of the unknown, the fear of lose, or rejections. “ O ye of little faith”. “Without faith it is impossible to please God”. Faith is the cornerstone keeping our lives secure in God. Cast away fear and look to Jesus, in Him the storms of life will cease, and we can make it to the shore on the other side.

A Merry Heart

Prov.15:13,15- A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance:…he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

We have just finished celebrating the birth of Christ and the words, “Merry Christmas” will be stored away until next year. To make merry is to give cheer and create an atmosphere of celebration. A merry heart will cause one to smile and bring cheer to others. We rejoiced because God sent His Son to earth to be a Savior and give hope to a world without hope. It is amazing what a twinkle of eyes and a smile on a face can do to lift the hearts of others. People all around us face things in life that are daunting and uncertain, but a merry heart can bring cheer to all who despair. The life of a Christian should not be one on doom and gloom. Yes we face trails and live in difficult times. but God is able to make our heart merry even when Christmas is over. 

God is Good

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

God is good, God is good all the time for His mercy reaches all who seek after Him. The skeptic will say, “How can God be good when so many bad things happen” To the person who has not experience God’s grace this truly is a quandary. To see God from spiritual eyes, is to see God for who He is. The works of bad things happening is because Satan controls the hearts and minds of humanity. All are born in sin, and all live under rule of Satan. Blinded by sin and following the lust of the flesh. The consequence of sin is the root of all that is bad. When bad things happen it is because sin is the root cause. This is the foundation, but so many other variables play into life’s experiences. Love, faith, and hope is the foundation to understanding who God is and what  He desires of those who serve him. God is good, for God is love, they that believe (faith) in the Son of God are given this love, and through the goodness of God, hope is given for a better tomorrow.  When times become hard and difficult to understand, hope thou in God and know that God is good.

Encourage Others

Acts. 4:36 “And Joses, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, “the Son of Consolation”), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,”

Our personalities are shape genetically and environmentally. The influences that surround us often determine who we are. Barnabas had a way of bringing hope and cheer to those around him. He was a man who looked at life with the glass half full, instead of half empty. He lived after his name. He was a man who encouraged others in the faith. To those who had little, he gave of his own means, to those who others did not accept, he went out of his way to befriend them. No doubt, Barnabas’s personality was shaped also by knowing Jesus. Jesus, the One who changes lives and influences personalities to be kind and giving desires that everyone have a heart the will encourage others to look to God when things get hard. We all can be like Barnabas, bring hope to the hopeless, and encouragement to others who are going through tough times.

Anchor of the Soul

Heb. 6:19.20 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil, where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, who is made a high priest forever...”- 

The future is so uncertain. Things change from one day to the next and sometimes those changes can be big. But in the midst of change, we serve a God who does not change. His promises are forever true and He stands by His word. We can anchor our trust in the One who is steadfast and dependable. Jesus, the one that is constant and true, He changes not, He is the same today, yesterday, and forevermore. When the circumstances around us swift and change with the blowing wind, His love and care is consistent. He will not let us become shipwreck in the storm of change. “Our hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus Christ and His righteousness.” “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast, and sure as the billows roll.” He is unchangeable, He is our hope when all else fails. Yes, the world seems to be headed toward self destruction, leaving God out of it’s plans, but for those who have anchor in Him, we can believe that there is a better tomorrow. Because He lives and is the anchor of our soul, we can look to the future and know that God will be there every step of the way.

Israel Restored

Isaiah 62:1-12

As we look ahead to things that are yet to come, we find hope in knowing that Christ will someday rule over all earthly kingdoms. He shall reign forever and forever! And those who have been redeemed by his precious blood, washed and made clean will come to Zion singing, the song of the redeemed. Until then, let us remain diligent and watchful lest we find ourselves without a song to sing.

Righteousness Rules- righteousness goes forth

• God’s Objective- His People (Jews) will lead
• The People of God are a light shining in darkness

Renewed in Christ – a new name

• Exalted with Christ- as father Abraham is the bossom..
• We are given a new start- know by others as –a new man
• Things are different now- a changed life

Royal Diadem – royal diadem in the hand of the Lord

• We our the precious jewel in his hand
• God’s handiwork- God said, “it is good”

Rejoicing of God – God rejoice over thee

• Parallel- Christ and the bride
• The joy of the bridegroom over his bride
• ·Marriage supper of the lamb

Reign of Christ –till he establish-arms of His strength

• God will set his watchman to guard against the evil

• There will be no rest or ceasing to watch until all is safe
• His kingdom will be established- His promises is true

Return to Zion – go through the gates

• The gathering of God people back to Jerusalem
• The people of God from all times will return
• Spiritual return to Christ- Leave your sin- clear the way

Reward of God- his reward is with him

• A reward to them that diligently seek him

Redeemed of the Lord- They shall be called the redeemed

• Once forsaken and desolate- Mercy of God to remember
• Sought out by the Holy Spirit
• Called unto holiness

The Promise Gospel

Isaiah 37:14-21, 33-38

The people of Israel suffered for their disobedience toward God. They suffered the consequences of their sin. Isaiah is given a promise from God of hope. A Blessed promise that a redeemer will come to take their sorrows away and give them new life and hope. What a comfort to know that all is not lost, that Jesus desires to take of life of sin and give us something worth living for in this world.

Cleanse from Sin- double for all her sins

• Parallels to New Testement-
• Captivity is over- Sin’s consequences
• A people who knew better are forgiven

Consolation of God- comfort ye

• The God of All Comfort
• “My People” His desire to bring back

Comfort in Pardon- her iniquity is pardon

• Proclaim His Promise
• God still loves the sinner
• Atonement is made-

Cry in the Wilderness- voice crieth in the wilderness

• John the Baptist
• Highway to be prepare

Crooked Made Straight- crooked shall be made straight

• The World we be turned upside-down
• All things pass away, all thing new
• From darkness to light

Coming of Christ – the glory of the Lord shall return

• Seeing Christ for who He is –Lord of Lords
• The Salvation of the Lord

Controlled by God-Spirit of the Lord bloweth

• Life is but a vapor- God controlled our days
• He only needs to speak the word

Changeless Gospel- the Word of our God shall stand forever

• The unchanging God- His word is still the same

Conquering Savior- God will come with a strong hand

• More than conqueror are we- Through the blood
• He will bring his people through- He will bring us through

Job's Confidence

August 12th, 2007
Job 19:1-11, 19-27
In the shadow of despair and hopelessness, Job sees a ray of light shining through the dark clouds that surrounded him. He sternly rebukes those who have accused him wrongly and stands firm in his belief that he has done nothing that would cause the torrent of calamities that he is facing. He still does not understand why God is allowing all the pain and suffering, but he maintains his integrity toward God and is confident that God will see him through. We often go through trails and hardships without understanding the purpose, but God who stands alone as all knowing will judge right in the end. We may never know all the reasons why, but we can know that God lives and He is ultimately in control.

Agony of soul
• Beyond physical pain
• Rebuke those who cause more suffering
Accepting of fault
• “ I could be wrong, but it is not God’s Fault”
• We must always realize that we might be mistaken
Ascribe his suffering from God
• All things do come from God
• Caught in the net of God without know why
Anguish and hopeless
• Fence up- no where to go, no hope for the future
• A Tree uprooted with no hope to live again
Abhorred by friends
• When Friend turn on you
• Don’t give pity, but show compassion and sympathy
Affirming of our faith
• Epitaph of our life- Let it be know
• Though He slay, still he lives
Avenger of right
• God will make all thing right
• We live not for this world, but for the world to come
• Like the beggar, our reward may be in the life after.

Our Lively Hope

1 Peter1: 3-12

Review: Waiting on God through prayer requires that we submit to God and have a heart that will forgive. Bitterness and un-forgiveness are on one of the greatest hindrance in seeing God answer prayer. We cannot earnestly and effectually see God work when our own hearts hold grudges and feeling of contempt.

The Abundant Mercy of God
• Again and again God is reaching down to us
• Hope that is alive and real- What do you hope for?
• Made possible by His resurrection

Anticipation of Heaven
• A place that will not fall apart or crumple
• A holy place
• It will be forever
• Prepared and reserved for those in Christ

Acceptance of Trial
• We rejoice even in our trials
• Tried by fire- Testing our faith in our hope
• We may be found still praising God

The Appearing of Jesus Christ
• Faith rolls back like a scroll
• Our faith become sight
• Rejoicing- The life of a Christian
• The end of faith- Our eyes shall behold Him

Attested by the Prophets
• They looked for the Christ to come
• By faith, they looked to future for coming
• We now see the fulfillment of what they said would come
• We can look back by faith that He came.

The Angels Curiosity
• A Holy God reaching down to unholy man
• God set men free from the bondage of sin