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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

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“Action!” James 1:22

September 10, 2017 /

 “But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].”

In the devastating wake of hurricane Harvey, a life-changing storm that did its level best to annihilate Texas, there were rays of goodness that shined brightly—and they continue to, piercing the crushing darkness Harvey brought with it. Rays of light in the form of volunteers, financial and material relief, to say nothing of a day of prayer set aside that our nation may unite as one to lift up—come along side of, those who may be feeling utterly alone. Rays that came quickly in wading boots and on flat-bottom Louisiana boats. Through the open door of a furniture store, and in emergency aid, and in Convoys of Hope. Rays witnessed by neighbor helping neighbor—freely sharing what little this thief named Harvey had left them…

Before I continue in this teaching let me say that by no means are my words nor my examples used meant to diminish, from the smallest to the greatest loss, the horrific tragedy and personal pain experienced by any soul touched by Harvey. Though I have not experienced what they have endured, I can only image their deep sense of loss.

And for that, the nation and I grieve with you…

I had chosen a different picture for this post. But as I began to pray for the Holy Spirit’s leading, the above image flashed in my mind. And it made perfect sense—it fit, this image of a doer. Of one spent in service to others. One that gave and gave until he couldn’t take one more step. This iconic picture is a visual definition. It’s the embodiment of what James is instructing the Church in. He admonishes us, as believers, to leave it all on the field, to, like the  man in the photo, be doers. “But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]” (vs.22 amp).

He’s saying in part, that as Christians, we’re not to just fill ourselves with the Word of God—though we must, so that we have the Words of Life to share with others. As well as having our own sword at the ready so as to defeat our enemy. More, James is instructing us to be active with our faith—to sweat God’s Word—to labor in it, to pour it out, demonstrate it, live it, allow it to shine forth, in and through our exhaustive service to others.

James is cautioning us not to be guilty of hearing the Word of God—taking it all in, yet, not allowing what we’ve heard—taken in, the room and soil necessary to take deep root and hence produce within us good fruit that might be shared. A bounty—a plethora, that others might see what God has done in us and through us, and give glory to The Father. And, if we missed what he was cautioning us against, James amps up his first instruction later in Chapter 4, listen: “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Did you catch that? James goes from telling us not to delude ourselves into thinking that just by having—knowing, God’s Word, by being saved, we’re good…

No! James makes it abundantly clear in Chapter 4 that to know we’re supposed to be the hands and feet of Jesus—know that Jesus Himself charged us—commanded us, to take His Word, the wonderful, life-giving Word of the Gospel, to everyone, to all nations, and then to turn around and not act on what we’ve heard, not share we what we’ve been freely blessed with, is a sin. “Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20; emphasis my own).

And there it is, our charge. But how? How can those who are not Pastors, Preachers, Teachers of God’s Word, not missionaries, don’t encounter nations, or even crowds of people—how can they be doers of God’s Word? It’s simple really. Ready? We are—we become, doers of God’s Word by staying in our lane and by exercising the faith and gifts God has given us. We are all ministers of the Gospel. And we peach it by doing what God has called us to do. If you’re a mom—raise your children up in the ways of the Lord. If you’re a student—share Jesus with those you encounter on campus, in line at the cafe, in the gym. If you work a 9-5, take advantage—use the opportunities available to you to talk to co-workers about the Lord—simply invite them to lunch, to church, a home Bible study, or a small group meeting. Show Jesus to them…

You may very well be the only Jesus someone ever meets!

Whoever you are, whatever you do, regardless of your station or education—if you are a child of God, He has appointed and anointed you to be a doer of His Word! To reach as many as you can for as long as you can, with the time and talents you’ve been entrusted with. In fact, listen to what Jesus spoke to His friends—His disciples, as He was both comforting and encouraging them—before His return to the Father: “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it” (John 12:12-14).

Beloved, I urge you today to be doers of all that God has called us to do. If you haven’t acted in the past—today is the acceptable day to start. Act—or as James instructed and Jesus commanded—be a doer!

Let your highest goal in this lifetime be that you will spend yourself being imitators of The One who gave it all—spent Himself, for you…

If you’ve not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior—now is the time! That feeling inside is The Holy Spirit knocking on the door of your heart. He wants to come in and begin the good work in you that The Father has had planned for you from before creation! A simple yes, and Jesus will come to you and be the change you’ve never been able to create for yourself! You’re not too young nor too old. And you’re certainly not too far gone— if there’s breath in your lungs, contrary to ANYTHING you may have done—Jesus loves you! He’s been waiting—just for you…

Won’t you ask Him—welcome Him,invite Him, into your life today?

“Who Are You?” John 1:19-28

April 30, 2017 /

  

“And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it, but acknowledged, I am not the Christ! They asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not! Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No! Then they said to him, Who are you?…” (John 1:19-22)

The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior our identity is changed. Not outwardly mind you—rather, Spiritually. We are born again. If that confuses you, you’re in good company. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, was equally perplexed (John 3:1-3).

John, known as the Baptist, was called to point all men towards the One who would follow him—but, was not in the least inferior to him. He was called to make all men aware of their sin, and to call them to repent of those sins. Yet, John was different from those of his station. You see, John was born to Zechariah—a priest from the line of Aaron, and from Elizabeth, a relative—the cousin in fact, of Mary, Jesus’ mom. So by all accounts, he should have been found wearing a fine linen tunic and been seen serving inside the splendor and protection of the Temple.

But that’s not where we meet him—God called John—predestining him to be a forerunner. A herald. To be a voice crying out in the wilderness and, that is precisely where we come across him. Clad not in a tunic of fine linen, but rather of rough camel’s hair. In fact, it is safe to say that John was very rough. And not merely in his appearance…

Aside from his severe clothing and wild haired appearance, John also spoke coarsely. Calling those, who perhaps at a different time, would have been his contemporaries, his peers—vipers and hypocrites! You must be dead certain—so to speak, confident, of who you are, and know exactly what it is God has called you to do to be that emboldened—that antagonistic, and impertinently dismissive—of the ruling religious powers of the day! And John was.

He lived to please an audience of One, and only One…

He knew his only mission in life was to prepare the way for the coming of Messiah…

He also knew he was not that Messiah. Nor was he the Prophet Elijah—though in defense of the Pharisees and Priests, John had apparently, somewhat, adopted the appearance of Elijah in that he wore a hair-tunic tied at the waist with a leather belt (2 Kings 1:8). Nor did John consider himself a Prophet. So, when these same authorities came challenging him—asking in whose authority did he rebuke the people, calling them to repent and be baptized, he emphatically stated that his authority came from the One that was standing right in front of them—The One whom their false-piety and high-mindedness would never allow for them to truly see…

John knew both who he was, and who he was not…

He stayed in his own lane—in complete obedience to God’s call on his life—even unto death…

When challenged, concerning your faith, your calling—the work the Lord has placed before you to do, how will you answer? Because, at one time or another, you will be challenged. Are you, like John, rock solid—laser-focused in your certainty of what God has called you to be, or speak, or, to do for the advancement of His Kingdom?

Will you be able to refute others when they challenge your faith or your ministry?

If so how? And by whose authority? What is the basis of the certainty of your calling/ your relationship with Jesus? It, your confidence, should stem from your relationship with the Father. And, to fully grasp His will for your life—you must first know (ginskō, in the Greek; yada, in Hebrew) Him. “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Dan. 11:32; emphasis my own).

This “Knowing” according to John Rittenbaugh, indicates a close, warm, and even passionate intimacy combined with head knowledge that produces an “edge” in a person’s life. This enables us to trust God and, at the same time, to perceive what He is doing. It is this factor that makes God’s Word authoritative to us.

John had it, this knowing. Jesus Himself confirms that he did, listen to what He tells two of John’s disciples sent to Him for answers: This is the one about whom it is written: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:10-11).

And, there is yet another—One greater than John, if fact, He is the One John states that He was unworthy to even unlace the sandals of, Jesus—our example. Jesus had the greatest, most pure, form of this knowing of God and His will. “It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose” (John 1:27).

Jesus too, knew who He was. He was certain of it. As with John Jesus too was certain unto death. And, as with John, it was, in part, the certainty of that knowledge that emboldened Jesus also, to fulfill the will of the One that had called Him—sent Him, predestined Him, to save souls, to draw all men unto Himself, to restore to right relationship to Himself everyone that has, is, and, will ever, go astray…

So, in order to answer the question posed to you today, like John, you must first know Jesus. And, like Jesus—you must know God—His will for your life, starting with His deepest desire. And that is for you to have a relationship with Him. That He be both Lord and Savior of your life.

And that can only happen when you accept Jesus into your heart…

Then, and only then, will you, too, be truly able to state emphatically who you are! “My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples” (John 15:8).

And, if you’re reading this and you’re not sure who you are, then I beg you—now, to ask Jesus into your life as both your Lord and Savior. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Plainly stated, you will be able to boldly reply to anyone that may ask, who are you? I am a Son/Daughter of The Most High God, saved by His amazing grace…

And that is the most potentially life-changing answer you may ever give to anyone!  Just ask John, or better still, Jesus. “And they overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death” ( Rev.12:11).

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