Work in Progress

 Philippines 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

We all are a work in progress. Paul writes that some of us are still being fed milk, babies in Christ, and others are eating meat. Everyone starts their Christian walk at different points in their lives. It is easy to judge others based on our personal journey. There are some that develop into mature Christian quickly, and others that struggle with old habits and need more time to be established and grounded in the Word. It is the Lord’s will that we all come to completion, whole in Christ. It is not His will that we remain immature Christian, always fed the milk of the Word. (1 Corinth 3). God desires that we come to live a holy life. (Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God). We struggle with our human frailties, but it is God’s will that we continue to grow. “This is the will of God, even your sanctification” (Heb. 12:14). Even after experiencing the work of sanctification in our lives, we still have a lot to learn. The work that God has started in our lives is done daily as we pick up the cross of Jesus and follow Him in obedience.

Through Faith

 Heb. 11:33,34
...who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 

Men and women of the Bible were just ordinary people. They were human beings that faced  the daily struggles of life. They were really no different from you and me. It was their faith in a big God that made them extraordinary. They refused to give in and quit even when faced with imprisonment and death. They were not perfect and their humanity sometimes failed them, but through faith they were able to overcome their human weakness and were made strong by the power of God. They allowed God to work through them, and God was glorified in them. We live our lives each day doing ordinary things that appear to have insignificant impact, but God honors those who dare to believe Him. Like the father of the son with the unclean spirit we pray, “I believe, help my unbelief.” In the face of what seems impossible, Jesus says, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Have faith, trust God to do the impossible. He did it then, He can do it again!

A Nation Forsaking God

 Lamentation 1:1
How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave.

The consequences of sin will bring down the tall and mighty. A great nation will fall if it fails to stay one Nation under God. America, once a Christian Nation, is now a Nation ruled by ungodly men and women who have forsaken God’s word, removing the Ten Commandments from the governing halls of our country. The abomination of evil prevails in our White House and sits in the seats of Congressman and the House of Representatives, making laws to legalize unions contrary to God’s commandment all in the name of tolerance and equity. A Nation made up of people who elect leaders that don’t regard His word have fallen from grace and are lost to the political correctness of our culture. A Nation once full of people who loved God and desire the approbation of God now are fighting for their freedoms to worship God by the dictates of their conscience. Like Sodom and Gomorrah, unless the people humble themselves and confess their sins, she who was once mighty will become a nation of slaves. Have mercy on us O Lord! 

Disobedience to God

 Gen. 2:17
​​ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The fall of Adam and Eve points to a tree placed in the garden. The tree was put there for a purpose. God does all things with a purpose. The tree of knowledge tested man’s obediences to God, the one who created them. The command was simple, “Don’t eat this fruit”. God’s commandments are given for man’s good.  A tree with fruit that God forbid them to eat. The fruit was no doubt a fruit to be desired. Eating of the forbidden fruit would open Adam and Eve to the dark evil ways of sin. It was not so much the fruit itself, but the disobedience of Adam and Eve that caused them to plunge into darkness, causing their hearts now to seek the pleasures of evil.  God made man a free moral agent, the ability to choose right, or wrong. God did not predestine Adam and Eve to make the wrong choice, they could have abstained from the temptations of Satan, but they choose to listen to the deceptive lies of Satan and disregard God's words. We all have choices to make each day. Sometimes choices are made without all the information, but such choices are not willful disobedience to God’s word. But, “Thus saith the Lord.” are made clear in His word. Our human judgment may falter, but we can have a heart perfect toward God. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to us. Follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and do what He saith. 

The Feebleminded

 1Thess 5:14
…comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men.
There are those around us that don’t have the ability to make good judgment. They may have been born with a disability, or they may have a lack of education and training to make good decisions. The feebleminded can easily be confused and disoriented. They often need someone to help guide them in making a good decision. It is easy to lose patience with someone who does not understand things that are common sense to most people. It is our duty and responsibility to help and support those who struggle with mental illness or depression, and give them the guidance they need to do what is needed. Patience is a virtue that does not always come easy for most people, especially those who don’t understand the nature of disability orders. The concept of equity, to give everyone the opportunity to be what God wants them to be is demonstrated in our love and patience to help all men regardless of their human weakness, or position in life. Follow that which is good and put aside your biases and reach out to those who need your help.

Small Things

 Zech. 4:6,10
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts…. For who hath despised the day of small things?

Small things done in Jesus' Name are great in the eyes of God. God takes our little efforts and uses it to do great things. Like the widows with her vessel with little oil, God took what little she had and multiplied it. Like Gideon with his small band of 300, the Spirit of God did a miracle and defeated their enemy. We may feel that our efforts amount to little, but God takes the things we do in Jesus' Name and uses it for His glory. Jesus said, “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Even a cup of cold water, a little thing will be a great gain in the Kingdom's work. You don’t have to be wealthy or talented to do little things to help build the Kingdom of God. Serving tables, reaching out to those that are hurting, listening to and caring for those who are broken in spirit, in everything we do, even the small things matter to God. Don’t despise the small things that are done for Him.

Fellowship in Christ

 1 John 1:3
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Fellowship with Him, fellowship with the Father, and fellowship with one another. Fellowship, the bond of perfection, communion with God, a child of the King, adopted into the family of God. Fellowship, a cord that binds us together in our faith and love for Christ. The mutual belief that Christ died for our sins, and through confession of sin, we enter into fellowship with Him. When we come into contact with a fellow believer, there is an instant connection. We may be divided by land or sea, social class, or culture, but our kindred spirits connect in Christ, we have instant fellowship with one another.  We gather together on Sunday to worship the Father and give thanks to our Redeemer, but we also gather to break bread and have fellowship with each other. A time to build each other in the most holy faith. Time to share life and our walk with Christ, how God is answering prayers,  and share the burdens we carry. Our hearts become heavy when we hear about someone who no longer is in fellowship with Christ. They are no longer walking in the light, and are now walking in darkness. We must be aware that believers may not always agree, but when one denies the power of Christ, and continues in sin and darkness, they have dis-associated themselves from the body of Christ. As fellow believers, we must pray that God will restore that person, and return back  into the fellowship of Christ. Let us gather together to worship our Savior, and have fellowship one with another because we have seen and heard what Christ has done for us.