For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
What is ‘born of God’?
I believe there are at least two things that are born of God.
First, we have the obvious.
The things commanded to do in the Bible are born of God. These things originated with God. To do what God says to do is to do the will of God. This includes obey the commandments, love one another, treat others the way you want to be treated, and tell the world that salvation has come into the world through Jesus Christ. The Christian is able to do things we are told to do in the Bible through faith.
Second, there are specific tasks that are set to the individual to accomplish. Accomplishing these tasks is made possible through obedience to all the commandments and teachings of the Bible. When God has called someone to do a task, faith in God is what will actually get the task accomplished.
Is there a specific way that one identifies a specific task that he or she has been set to accomplish?
Not exactly, but pretty close. While Moses had the blessing of having his task to deliver the children of Israel from bondage explained to him directly by God in some detail, most people do not have such direct communication with God.
Notice that Moses had just spent forty years tending sheep and thinking on the things of God. He was close to God, and seemingly content in his life as a shepherd. God called him to go and do a specific and monumental task, but God didn’t give Moses all the gory details of what it was going to take to get the job done. Moses’ peaceful life was suddenly over. What I notice from this is that a special commission from God for an individual will likely totally annihilate a peaceful routine.
For us today, it is possible that God could speak from a burning bush. It is also possible, even likely, that God will just continually impress on your mind and heart a specific task. It may be something major. It may be something minor. You will find the idea of specific task or duty will not leave you alone. I suppose we have all had thoughts that seemed wonderful today, but we are unable to remember them tomorrow. It is the idea that stays in your mind that can be from God.
To discern whether it is the will of God, or just a rabbit trail that leads to nowhere requires some knowledge of the Bible. Whatever endeavor that is in your mind will not require that you step outside the rules set for every believer in the Bible. God never calls anyone to do anything that is outside the instructions given to us for righteous behavior.
After you have determined that what you want to do is within Biblical guidelines of righteous behavior, the next step is to give it some additional consideration to just see if the idea sticks in your mind, or if it fades away. It may be something that is good and that needs to be done, but it may not be your personal calling to do it.
If the idea stays with you, and does not go away over time, then it is likely that you should consider setting out to do it. That may be the idea that is ‘born of God’. Moses’ idea of delivering the children of Israel from bondage was definitely born of God. By faith Moses accomplished his task and overcame the world of his day. Through Moses, God showed His power. Faith is not a way of manipulating God. We cannot choose a task on our own without consulting God, and then expect God to show up and give us success. Moses had always known that he wanted to children of Israel delivered from slavery. He had first attempted to do this good deed on his own. The result was 40 years spent in the wilderness. When God was ready to set them free, Moses was ready to do it God’s way.
Psalm 37:3-5 says:
3. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
This is the key to doing God’s will.
First, put your trust in the Lord and do the things He says to do. This brings blessings beyond counting.
Second, delight in the Lord, or continually walk with Him and get to know Him better. THEN, God Himself puts the right desires in your heart. He will change your heart to want the things that He knows will be best for you AND direct your path.
Once you have a desire, or calling, or goal from God, turn the accomplishment of these things back over to God. He will give you good success in the things He has called you to do.
Verse 7a says, ‘Rest in the LORD, wait patiently for him:’. Moses probably knew what God wanted from him when he attempted to set the Jews free forty years prior to the burning bush incident. He set out to do God’s will on his own time frame, and of course disaster was the result. Abraham pretty much did the same thing when he had a child with his wife’s maid instead of waiting for God to send them the promised child.
When a Christian is certain that God has given him or her a task to do, they must still wait on the Lord for the right moment. It can be somewhat frustrating at times.
Time spent waiting on the Lord should be spent continually doing the things all Christians are called to do.
Like Nehemiah, prepare as best you can for the time when God makes a way for you to begin your work.
Nehemiah had a list a mile long of things he would need to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and when given the opportunity he spoke boldly to the king to secure the things he needed. There certainly would have been a different result if Nehemiah had deserted the king without permission, and set out to rebuild the walls of the city without building materials and the authority to boss people around.
Then, once you do begin your work, don’t measure your success as the world counts success. You may gain fame or even fame and fortune doing the will of God. Then again, you may not. What you will gain is a level of contentment and peace that is not available any other way.
If you are looking for something more to do for the Lord, keep looking. Seek Him continually.
Hebrews 11:16 says, ‘but without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’
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Monday, July 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Salvation for all - By Grace Through Faith
The Cleft of the Rock – OR – Who Can be Saved?
By Barbara Henderson
‘What must I do to be saved?’ was a question asked in Acts 16:30.
The answer given was ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.’.
To ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ’ is to:
believe the words that Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
have faith that Jesus Christ has the power and authority to make good on His promise to save you from hell and give you entrance to paradise.
acknowledge that Christ’s death on the cross paid your penalty for sin.
The question and answer are still the same today.
The key to salvation is to actually follow the instructions given. One must obediently step into the ark of safety provided by Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ, the believer is shielded or secured from the wrath and judgment of God.
Everyone is called to step into the safety of the rock.
Few actually do.
God has chosen that His judgment will pass over those who hide themselves in Jesus Christ.
Moses was invited to step into the Clift of the Rock, which is Jesus Christ. (Exodus 33:22)
Once Moses was in the Rock, the face of God passed by. God did not look on Moses in judgment. Because of the Rock, Moses was spared.
All people are called to step into the Clift of the Rock.
Those who do answer the call are chosen by God to be spared judgment.
Those who do not answer the call will face the full measure of God’s judgment.
From the Clift of the Rock, Moses had a spectacular view of God’s goodness and glory of God.
The truly repentant sinner has the same view.
In the Rock of Jesus Christ, Moses had a place of refuge, salvation, and strength.
The truly repentant sinner also has a place of refuge, salvation, and strength in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the rock of my salvation spoken of in Psalm 62:7 and 89:26.
God is still calling mankind to step into the safety of the cleft of the rock with repentance and sincerity of heart.
Some people may feel that God does not want them personally.
This is not true.
God does want everyone to come to Him through Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:9 tell us, ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’
It is not God’s will that any should perish and miss heaven.
God has called you personally to step into the safety of the rock, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ there is mercy and safety from the judgment of God.
Outside of Christ, there is judgment.
By Barbara Henderson
‘What must I do to be saved?’ was a question asked in Acts 16:30.
The answer given was ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.’.
To ‘believe on the Lord Jesus Christ’ is to:
believe the words that Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world.
have faith that Jesus Christ has the power and authority to make good on His promise to save you from hell and give you entrance to paradise.
acknowledge that Christ’s death on the cross paid your penalty for sin.
The question and answer are still the same today.
The key to salvation is to actually follow the instructions given. One must obediently step into the ark of safety provided by Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ, the believer is shielded or secured from the wrath and judgment of God.
Everyone is called to step into the safety of the rock.
Few actually do.
God has chosen that His judgment will pass over those who hide themselves in Jesus Christ.
Moses was invited to step into the Clift of the Rock, which is Jesus Christ. (Exodus 33:22)
Once Moses was in the Rock, the face of God passed by. God did not look on Moses in judgment. Because of the Rock, Moses was spared.
All people are called to step into the Clift of the Rock.
Those who do answer the call are chosen by God to be spared judgment.
Those who do not answer the call will face the full measure of God’s judgment.
From the Clift of the Rock, Moses had a spectacular view of God’s goodness and glory of God.
The truly repentant sinner has the same view.
In the Rock of Jesus Christ, Moses had a place of refuge, salvation, and strength.
The truly repentant sinner also has a place of refuge, salvation, and strength in Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the rock of my salvation spoken of in Psalm 62:7 and 89:26.
God is still calling mankind to step into the safety of the cleft of the rock with repentance and sincerity of heart.
Some people may feel that God does not want them personally.
This is not true.
God does want everyone to come to Him through Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:9 tell us, ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’
It is not God’s will that any should perish and miss heaven.
God has called you personally to step into the safety of the rock, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
In Jesus Christ there is mercy and safety from the judgment of God.
Outside of Christ, there is judgment.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Why do People Worship Idols?
Why Do Men Love Idols More than God?
By Barbara Henderson
In ancient times, there were people who openly worshiped idols; images of something to which they prayed requesting that some gift or favor be granted them. They may have thought that their image of gold, silver, or even wood was just a representation of some deity; but, never the less, it was a manmade object to which they prayed. Idols were/are appealing because:
Idols do not see your sin.
Idols do not hear your sin.
Idols have no authority to require that you turn from your sin.
Idols have no power to condemn you for your sins.
Idols have no divinely inspired book of rules by which you are to live, thus you are allowed to do what is right in your own eyes.
Idols are just a disgusting form of self worship, allowing the idolater to indulge whatever sin their heart desires.
Idol worshipers are really worshipers of their own lusts.
For the heart in rebellion against God, idols provide a way to set their own ways above the ways of righteousness according to God. Today, people in general are still idol worshipers. They may not bow down to an image made by someone who is an idol maker by trade, but they are still idol worshippers.
Common idols include:
One’s own self righteousness. How can someone righteous in his or her own eyes ever come to an understanding of the need of salvation as explained in the Bible?
A desire for the goodwill of men. Matthew Henry says, ‘It is no new thing for what is done faithfully, in conscience toward God, to be misrepresented as done obstinately, and in contempt of civil powers.’ (Daniel 6:11-17) What will the good will of men do anyone on judgment day?
An example of seeking the good will of man on the global scale is government officials and so-called preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaiming alliances with Islam. They proclaim it to be a religion of peace, and even worse, proclaim God Almighty to be a different name for Allah. Allah is simply a created being just as everything and everyone else. He has no power to create anything. He has no power to cast anyone into hell.
Why do they speak such lies and heresy? It is because they desire the good will of men. Eventually those who continue to follow the exact teachings of God are misrepresented as ‘haters’ and as ‘standing in the way of peace’.
Impatience. Temporary success, recognition, and self gratification are the pillars on which decisions are made. No thought is given for the eternal or even near future consequences of immediate actions.
One’s own preferences. People prefer certain things in life. For instance, everyone has preferences in music. In fact, music is probably one of the most divisive things in all creation. In music, God’s preferences are seldom considered. Music is a gift to mankind from God. Through Godly music we are able to praise and worship God. Ungodly music is often preferred by many who call themselves Christians. They love their ‘music’ more than they love God. Their music is an idol. In their love affair with their idol, they take the idol to church with them and flaunt their own preferences above the righteousness of God.
One’s own glory. When someone supposes themselves to have accomplished all on their own, whether making a fortune or passing through great trials successfully, the glory of accomplishment is kept for that person alone. They don’t consider that the great men of the Bible such as Moses and Daniel were very clear that their accomplishments were done through the power of God, and not anything in themselves. Those who love to take credit may have ‘glory’ today, but what will they have on judgment day?
Idol worshipers may have a guilty conscience. They know their actions are not in line with what God wants them to do. In order to reconcile their sin with the will of God, they ‘sacrifice’ their sinful preferences to God. That means they bring their idols to church because they cannot live without them. They present these idols to God as though they were worshiping Him, when in reality, they are just indulging their own desires. That is where you get a lot of garbage and pure baloney in the church. Yoga and other pagan practices are brought into the church. Mindless meditation is common in the church. It has replaced meditating on the goodness of God and His words.
When a church separates families more than it brings them together, the church system is being worshiped more than the things of God. Some idol worshipers don’t like their home life, so they invent things to do at church in order to avoid improving their marriage and home. Hen parties called ‘ladies meetings’ and other such nonsense is pushed on silly women. Men’s visitation is another avenue of escape for men not happy at home. Such activities may be done in sincerity and have good value. However, no matter what ‘activity’ it may be, if it separates family more than it brings them together, it is definitely NOT something of which God approves. Those neglecting family in favor of service to the church or socialization with church members are neither worshiping nor pleasing God. For some Christians, being the ‘most faithful’ church member becomes an idol.
Growth oriented churches love to ‘grow’ more than they love to teach the truths of God, build strong families, and properly disciple new converts. Growing a larger church becomes an idol of more importance than the things of God. In the end, there may be a large structure filled with people who are totally ignorant of the original purpose of the church.
Whatever is placed before God is an idol.
Christian priorities should be:
God - love God with all your heart and mind and soul.
Family – love and do what is best according to God for your family.
Church – Christians are to attend a church that teaches the truths of God without apology or deviation.
After these three priorities, there is work and love of country.
It is easy to point out reasons for idol worship, and common idols.
It is much more difficult to avoid living as an idol worshipper ourselves.
This requires that Christians:
Stay vigilant because the devil really is trying to destroy them
Are willing to acknowledge sin when they realize something is sin. This includes
practices in the church that come from heathen/infidel/pagan worship instead of from the teachings of the Bible (yoga, mindless meditation, ungodly music….)
Are willing to turn from sin once it is identified .
The better you know God the more you will love Him.
The more you love Him, the more you will seek to please Him.
The true and sincere follower of Christ must:
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15
AND do the things Christ says to do.
‘And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do no things which I say?’ Luke 6:46
All people, including Christians, will think, speak, and act according to the priorities of their hearts. Christians should examine their own lives constantly to make sure their own thoughts, speech, and actions are in line with what is pleasing to God.
By Barbara Henderson
In ancient times, there were people who openly worshiped idols; images of something to which they prayed requesting that some gift or favor be granted them. They may have thought that their image of gold, silver, or even wood was just a representation of some deity; but, never the less, it was a manmade object to which they prayed. Idols were/are appealing because:
Idols do not see your sin.
Idols do not hear your sin.
Idols have no authority to require that you turn from your sin.
Idols have no power to condemn you for your sins.
Idols have no divinely inspired book of rules by which you are to live, thus you are allowed to do what is right in your own eyes.
Idols are just a disgusting form of self worship, allowing the idolater to indulge whatever sin their heart desires.
Idol worshipers are really worshipers of their own lusts.
For the heart in rebellion against God, idols provide a way to set their own ways above the ways of righteousness according to God. Today, people in general are still idol worshipers. They may not bow down to an image made by someone who is an idol maker by trade, but they are still idol worshippers.
Common idols include:
One’s own self righteousness. How can someone righteous in his or her own eyes ever come to an understanding of the need of salvation as explained in the Bible?
A desire for the goodwill of men. Matthew Henry says, ‘It is no new thing for what is done faithfully, in conscience toward God, to be misrepresented as done obstinately, and in contempt of civil powers.’ (Daniel 6:11-17) What will the good will of men do anyone on judgment day?
An example of seeking the good will of man on the global scale is government officials and so-called preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaiming alliances with Islam. They proclaim it to be a religion of peace, and even worse, proclaim God Almighty to be a different name for Allah. Allah is simply a created being just as everything and everyone else. He has no power to create anything. He has no power to cast anyone into hell.
Why do they speak such lies and heresy? It is because they desire the good will of men. Eventually those who continue to follow the exact teachings of God are misrepresented as ‘haters’ and as ‘standing in the way of peace’.
Impatience. Temporary success, recognition, and self gratification are the pillars on which decisions are made. No thought is given for the eternal or even near future consequences of immediate actions.
One’s own preferences. People prefer certain things in life. For instance, everyone has preferences in music. In fact, music is probably one of the most divisive things in all creation. In music, God’s preferences are seldom considered. Music is a gift to mankind from God. Through Godly music we are able to praise and worship God. Ungodly music is often preferred by many who call themselves Christians. They love their ‘music’ more than they love God. Their music is an idol. In their love affair with their idol, they take the idol to church with them and flaunt their own preferences above the righteousness of God.
One’s own glory. When someone supposes themselves to have accomplished all on their own, whether making a fortune or passing through great trials successfully, the glory of accomplishment is kept for that person alone. They don’t consider that the great men of the Bible such as Moses and Daniel were very clear that their accomplishments were done through the power of God, and not anything in themselves. Those who love to take credit may have ‘glory’ today, but what will they have on judgment day?
Idol worshipers may have a guilty conscience. They know their actions are not in line with what God wants them to do. In order to reconcile their sin with the will of God, they ‘sacrifice’ their sinful preferences to God. That means they bring their idols to church because they cannot live without them. They present these idols to God as though they were worshiping Him, when in reality, they are just indulging their own desires. That is where you get a lot of garbage and pure baloney in the church. Yoga and other pagan practices are brought into the church. Mindless meditation is common in the church. It has replaced meditating on the goodness of God and His words.
When a church separates families more than it brings them together, the church system is being worshiped more than the things of God. Some idol worshipers don’t like their home life, so they invent things to do at church in order to avoid improving their marriage and home. Hen parties called ‘ladies meetings’ and other such nonsense is pushed on silly women. Men’s visitation is another avenue of escape for men not happy at home. Such activities may be done in sincerity and have good value. However, no matter what ‘activity’ it may be, if it separates family more than it brings them together, it is definitely NOT something of which God approves. Those neglecting family in favor of service to the church or socialization with church members are neither worshiping nor pleasing God. For some Christians, being the ‘most faithful’ church member becomes an idol.
Growth oriented churches love to ‘grow’ more than they love to teach the truths of God, build strong families, and properly disciple new converts. Growing a larger church becomes an idol of more importance than the things of God. In the end, there may be a large structure filled with people who are totally ignorant of the original purpose of the church.
Whatever is placed before God is an idol.
Christian priorities should be:
God - love God with all your heart and mind and soul.
Family – love and do what is best according to God for your family.
Church – Christians are to attend a church that teaches the truths of God without apology or deviation.
After these three priorities, there is work and love of country.
It is easy to point out reasons for idol worship, and common idols.
It is much more difficult to avoid living as an idol worshipper ourselves.
This requires that Christians:
Stay vigilant because the devil really is trying to destroy them
Are willing to acknowledge sin when they realize something is sin. This includes
practices in the church that come from heathen/infidel/pagan worship instead of from the teachings of the Bible (yoga, mindless meditation, ungodly music….)
Are willing to turn from sin once it is identified .
The better you know God the more you will love Him.
The more you love Him, the more you will seek to please Him.
The true and sincere follower of Christ must:
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15
AND do the things Christ says to do.
‘And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do no things which I say?’ Luke 6:46
All people, including Christians, will think, speak, and act according to the priorities of their hearts. Christians should examine their own lives constantly to make sure their own thoughts, speech, and actions are in line with what is pleasing to God.
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