What happened in the trial of Jesus? The Sanhedrin certainly had the right, the jurisdiction, to try Jesus because of the charges brought against Him; namely blasphemy. After all, He had claimed to be one with the Father (John 10:30), He had forgiven sin, the prerogative of God alone (Mark 2:7-11), and He had said He was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed (Mark 14:61, 62).

In the haste of the mob to try and condemn Jesus, almost every rule of the then existing law of Moses and Hebrew custom was violated, which, of course, made His trial illegal.

1.    To begin with, the Sanhedrin decreed that Jesus should be killed (Matthew 26:1-5). This was “pre-trial” judgment. “No judge could sit in judgment if he be at enmity with the accused or if he had formed a preconceived idea concerning him.”
2.    His arrest was effected through the information of a traitor, which violated the code of Leviticus 19:15-18. See Luke 22:1-6, 47-53.
3.    He was arrested by members of the Sanhedrin (Luke 22:52-54).
4.    The arrest was made without the issuance of any legal warrant. It was not the result of a legal mandate from a court whose intention it was to conduct a legal trial.
5.    His arrest was at night (Mark 14:17, 27-, 32,43-66).
6.    He was taken to the house of Annas, who was not the high prie4st at that time (John 18:12-14, 19-23).
7.    This trial was in a house, not in the Temple.
8.    All the Sanhedrin were not present in Annas’ house.
9.    Jesus was struck physically by a member (John 18:22) and spat upon (Matthew 26:67).
10.    He was judged and bound over to the high priest (John 18:24).
11.    The trial before Caiaphas, the high priest, was before the morning sacrifice.
12.    The witnesses could not agree (Mark 14:56).
13.    Jesus testified against Himself (Mark 14:56, 60-63).
14.    The high priest rent his clothes (Matthew 26:65). An ordinary Israelite could tear his garment as a sign of grief, but priests were forbidden because their vestments were made according to specific directions from God and were figurative of his office.
15.    The trial before Caiaphas was also in a house, not a Temple (Luke 22:54). Not only should a trial of this nature be held in the Temple, but any sentence of condemnation also had to be pronounced there.
16.    Jesus had two trials by the Jews, only hours apart, not on separate days (Matthew 27:1, 2; John 18:28a).
17.    The high priest could never say the accused was innocent or guilty. Yet Caiaphas did (Matthew 26:65.)
18.    Jesus was never afforded the opportunity for someone to speak in His favor (remember, all his disciples had forsaken Him; Mark 14:50).
19.    He was found guilty upon His uncorroborated testimony.
20.    All condemned Him to death (Mark 14:64). (to be continued)

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless, touch, strengthen, and heal you in Jesus Name, Amen.

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The following references serve as a background study for His Trial: Matthew 26:57-58; 27:1,2,11,26: Mark 14:53-65; 15:1-15; Luke 22:66—23:25; John 18:12-14,19-24,28—19-24,28—19:16.

Considerable controversy concerning the propriety of the trial of Jesus has existed ever since His crucifixion. Volumes have been searched in an effort to find some legal justification for the verdict rendered, but nowhere is there to be found any logical or legal excuse for the absolute disregard of the then existing Hebrew code, nor the customs usually followed in criminal proceedings before Jewish courts.

Jesus had to undergo two trials: one ecclesiastical and the other civil; the first before Caiaphas and the second before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. This was necessary at that time because Judaea was under the jurisdiction of Rome and under the administration of a Roman ruler. In matters of religion Rome permitted the Jews to continue their ecclesiastical courts (the Sanhedrin), before which body all religious offenders were prosecuted and by which all punishment was meted out. In the case of Jesus’ trial, however, where the only punishment which would satisfy His accusers was death, the ecclesiastical court did not have the power to inflict the desired penalty, thus making it necessary to resort to the civil tribune to procure their object. Knowing full well that Jesus had many followers, the entire plan to capture, try, and convict Him was carefully laid, so that all would be fully completed after sunset and before daybreak. Then only a few persons beside the horde which made up the army of conspirators would know what was taking place and only the actual execution would be left to be done after sunrise.

There were a number of steps which had to be followed in a Hebrew trial, especially if the accused was guilty of a crime worthy of death.
1.  A court could not meet for capital punishment during Feast Days (Mattew 26:4,5)
2.  When a trial was in order, before anything was done, the morning sacrifice had to be offered first.
3.  There had to be the assemblying of all the Sanhedrin (Judges)—in their appointed place (the Temple in this case). The Sanhedrin was comprised of seventy men—the highest tribunal of the Jews. There were 23 priests, 23 scribes, 23 elders, and the presiding officer; namely, the High Priest (Numbers 11:16, 17).
4.  When convened, there was an examination of all witnesses, both in private and in the presence of the accused. No one could speak against the accused until someone spoke in his favor. Testimony was never admitted from women, minors, idiots, slaves, blind men, gamblers, relatives, or Gentiles. All evidence had to be heard. The witnesses had to agree on essential details. All evidence had to be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). If not, the testimony was rejected. Each witness was required to give evidence separately and in the presence of the accused and corroborated both times. The accused could testify on his behalf but was not compelled to do so . He could not be compelled to testify against himself, and a confession alone was not acceptable as a basis of conviction.
5.  Afterward, there was a debate and balloting on the innocence or guilt of the accused. If any member of the Sanhedrin had a preconceived idea about the guilt or innocence of the accused, the case was thrown out of court. The youngest voted first, then the next youngest, next junior jurors, and last the seniors. This was done so the youngest would not be influenced by the elders. If the defendant was acquitted, he was freed immediately. If convicted, the court met again the next day, re-discussed all the evidence, and took another vote (the second trial was like an appeal). If a judge voted “not guilty” in the first trial, he could not change to “guilty” in the second trial. But if he had voted “guilty” the first time, he could change to “not guilty” after due consideration of all the evidence. The verdict of the court could not be unanimous. “A simultaneous and unanimous verdict of guilt on the day of this trial had the effect of an acquittal.” If found guilty both days, there was no delay in the execution of the person (that is, if the sentence was death). The execution was at sundown, and the guilty was stoned to death (the Jewish method of capital punishment).

(To be continued)  May the Lord Jesus Christ bless, touch, strengthen, and heal you in Jesus Name, Amen.

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Proverbs 22:6 says:  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 20:11 says:  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Growing up a PK, eyes were always on me and my four siblings as to what indiscretions we might commit.  Well, let me say, grown ups would look at us to see our indiscretions so they had ammunition to say my father wasn’t all that.  I will speak for me; I violated many of the things my parents taught me were wrong.  But as far as my mother and father go, they didn’t falter.  No, I can’t say they were perfect but when it came to raising their five children, they were as close to perfect as you could get!  Consistent!!!  No meant no, day after day after day!  No didn’t mean no today and then tomorrow, it meant yes.  uh uh.  I know that sounds biased, but if I had enough time, I could convince you; they were ambassadors for Christ when it came to parenting!

Sadly enough, I’m not sure they make ‘em like that anymore.  I wasn’t the parent my parents were and I’m certain my siblings would say the same thing.  Sometimes I wonder if the ‘new generation” fears God like our parents did.  The bible/God’s word is clear when it tells us how to raise our children.  Why is that so hard for us?  Why is it so effortless to stand on the word of God for most things, but when it comes to raising our children and standing on that same word, we struggle?  This is a big topic but the one aspect I want to deal with today, is the one thing I have heard from so many parents, (not mine, remember, they were near perfect :o) and especially fathers, and that is telling their children to fight.

Here is what I’ve heard so often and mostly from Christians, “don’t you start it (the fight) but if they put their hands on you and you don’t do something (fight back), I’m gonna get you (spank you/whip you) when you get home!  Heard it?  Said it?  Why is that one of the areas where we tragically fail our children?  According to my bible, there is not a command by God revising the “turn the other cheek” commandment for our kids during childhood and adolescence. (Matthew 5: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also).  There might be a bible scholar out there that will dispute me and say there is such a scripture telling us to teach our kids to fight, when they are young, and I just haven’t seen it.  Do we realize with these teachings we are raising bullies and potentially young men/women filled with rage.  I know that sounds too simplistic, but I challenge you to do some research and see that many violent adults began their lives as violent children.  We are Christians.  We are supposed to sow integrity and goodness into our children’s lives when they are young, so we will see the rewards of integrity and goodness when they are old!

My girlfriend quotes me because I have said it so often, and I still believe it, we as Christians should be the best at whatever we do.  We should be the best employee, the best citizen, the best neighbor, the best student, the best daughter/son, and the best parent.  But the only way we can do this is by being different than the masses.

I grew up with “Christians” that were a part of my church and our children attended one high school.  Almost all of the children of these “Christian” families got kicked out for fighting!  Kid you not!  There are hundreds and thousands and millions of non-Christian kids who go through 12 years of school and beyond and never get kicked out for fighting.  Why is it that so many Christian children cannot live up to the same standard as a non-Christian child?  

One thing I have to say about life, we typically don’t take a path if we don’t realize it is an option.  Teaching your child to fight/giving your child an option to fight, regardless of the circumstances, should not be an option!

Listen, if we don’t realize Christianity is a daily occurrence and not just for Sundays, we will not please God nor be accepted by Him.  I hear you saying God will forgive me for looking out for my child, teaching him to stand up for himself, and not letting Johnny get the best of him.  Will He?  He gave His son up on the cross!  Are our children better?  Tell your daughter or son to take it!  Really the bottom line is the parents are embarrassed to think another man’s child beat up their child!  As I’ve said in previous articles, we live vicariously through our children.  What they do or don’t do, we see as a direct reflection on us.  Bingo!  But do we want their actions to reflect our Christianity or our non-Christianity?

Following Christ has benefits those not following Him aren’t privy to!  If you trust Him, if you obey Him, if you actually do His will, I can’t say troubles won’t come, but I can say, He will bring you out!  Telling our kids it is okay to do something God is displeased with at certain times, is ruining the parent’s witness and credibility as a Christian!  How are they going to be able to decipher right from wrong when they see you at church praising the Lord and shouting, and then tomorrow they are at school explaining to the principal they were in a fight because daddy told me I had to?  And kids will tell it!  Then the principal says, I thought your dad was the deacon at Mount, We Love the Lord, Non-denominational Come to Meeting, Assembly of Our Lord and Jesus Christ Church; and little Bobby has to say, “Yeah, I think he is”.  Now that is what should be embarrassing!

Don’t be mistaken, the world knows our children.  They know who they are and whose they are.  It is up to us to pour the right things into them.  Even if they stray, your accountability to God and His word is covered.

Talk to me about laying down our Christianity when it suits us and picking it back up when it suits us.  Is that Christianity?

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1.  We must forgive our debtors
Matt. 6:12, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

2.  Forgiving others is an absolute necessity.
Matt. 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

3.  Jesus says we must forgive often.
Matt. 18:21, 22. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”  Jesus answered, “ I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Luke 17:3, 4. “So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him and if he repents, forgive him, If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven     times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent, forgive him.

4.  The parable of the unmerciful servant shows how sinful it is not to forgive; God sends judgment on this sin.

5.  Put away bitterness and anger; forgive as God forgives.
Eph. 4:31, 32. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

6.  Be imitators of God.
Eph. 5:1, 2. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

7.  The father of the prodigal son forgave him and accepted him as completely as if he had not sinned. This father represents God. Thus Jesus reveals how God treats repentant sinners.  Luke 15:20-24

8.  Jesus commands us to forgive others.
Mark 11:25. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him.  So that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

9.  Love keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Cor. 13:4,5. Love…keeps no record of wrongs.

10.  Love (overlooks) a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8. Above all. Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

11.  Restore with gentleness one who has fallen into sin.
Gal. 6:1.   Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

12.  Paul tells us we must forgive and restore one who has sinned against us.  2 Cor. 2:5-11.

13.  Forgive a repentant sinner and affirm your love.
2 Cor. 2:7,8.  Now, instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

May the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless, keep, strengthen, and heal YOU today is my prayer for you.

Pastor Harold E. Sawyer Sr.

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3.6 (1 person)

1Jo 4:7 ¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
•    As children of God, it should be our desire to ascribe to and passionately embrace anything that is of God.
•    God directed Who He was and what He did towards–others. Love and loving is about another, not about self or how we can be loved in return.
•    We only hear of God loving us or others.  He wanted to love and be loved.
Eph 4:2 ¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
•    The success of anything under the heavens is contingent on how we love, interact and cohesiveness.  We can succeed at anything if we humans can retain unity.  The story of the Tower of Babel was proof.
•    Gen 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do
•    Although the situation was negative, godless and defiant, the essence of it remains true.  Only disunity can negate the efforts of humans who were born in the image of God.  We are, by design, creators.
•    And in a spiritual sense, if we “…all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1Co 1:10  nothing is impossible to us.
•    We have to artfully and carefully learn how to be involved with something and  still not make it about us.
•    The danger or extreme of what we call self-love is dangerous.  Perhaps the extreme is self-worship.  There is a self-love that numbers us among the wicked:
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy
•    The child of God is commanded to love their neighbors—as they love their selves, but first of God to love God with all that is within them. (Mt 22:37)
•    We need to achieve the balance of loving people as we love ourselves, not less than we love ourselves.  Under those circumstances, self-love is acceptable because it is love in context.
•    There is no greater love than one to die for a friend or just as you would only die for yourself.  It is an equal love because you are doing for them what you would do for yourself. Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends..
•    Nothing works short of love that expends itself painfully and patiently.  Love is dispensed at risk and almost foolishly.
Ro 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
•    Dissimulation commonly takes the form of concealing one’s ability in order to gain the element of surprise over an opponent. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissimulation)
•    Love does not hold back for the sake of gaining an advantage or hold information to release it later at another’s expense.
•    When we love someone, we wonder how we often wonder how we can show it. Love is manifested in what it does.  It cannot be contained, concealed or hidden. It burst forth and directs itself at its object which is—away from itself.
•    If you love someone, you can’t rest until you show it. Even then it is difficult to fully manifest sufficiently..
•    Unselfish people are known for preferring their fellow.
•    Certainly we do not keep them at arm’s length after they have hurt us.  It is a very tiring endeavor.  Only in selfishness can we withhold love until we trust our offenders.  If our love is true, we cannot hold it back.

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I wanted to take the time to say something about what you are about to read.  Everything isn’t for everybody, but if you open yourself up to the possibility of learning, great things can happen.  Powerful things can occur in your life.  People experiment with alcohol, drugs, another man’s wife, war, medicine and many other things.  Experiment with this for today.

Tom

Father I bow in worship and praise before you, I cover myself with the blood of Jesus Christ and claim the protection of the blood for my family, my job, my finances, my home, my spirit, soul, and body. I surrender myself completely and unreservedly in every area of my life to you. I take a stand against all the workings of the devil that would try and hinder my family and me from best serving you this day. I address myself only to the True and Living God, who has all power, and control over everything. Satan, I command you and all of y our demon forces of darkness, in the name of Jesus Christ to leave my presence. I bring the blood of Jesus Christ between you and my family, my home, my finances, my spirit, soul and body. I declare, therefore, that you and all of your wicked spirits are subject to me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit come into my life today, breakdown every idol and cast out every foe. Now, I myself tear down all the strongholds of Satan and smash the plans of Satan that have been formed against my family and me. I tear down the strongholds of the devil against my mind, and I surrender my mind to you, blessed Holy Spirit. I affirm heavenly Father, that you have not given me the Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore, I resist the spirit of fear in the name of Jesus the Son of the Living God, and I refuse to doubt, refuse to worry, because I have authority (power) over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means hurt me (Luke 10:19). I claim complete and absolute victory over the forces of darkness in the name of Jesus and I bind the devil and command him to loose my peace, joy, prosperity, and every member of my family for the glory of God and by faith I call it done.

I break and smash the strongholds of Satan formed against my emotions to you Lord Jesus. I destroy the strongholds of Satan against my body today and I give my body to you Lord Jesus realizing that I am the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Again, I cover myself with the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and pray that the Holy Ghost would bring all the work of the crucifixion, all the work of the resurrection, all the work of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ into my life today. I surrender my life and possessions to you. I refuse to fear, worry, or to be discouraged in the Name of Jesus. I will not hate, envy or show any type of bitterness toward my brothers, sisters or my enemies, but will love them with the love of God shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost.

Holy Spirit open my eyes and show me any areas of weaknesses that does not please you and give me the strength, grace and wisdom to remove any sin or weight that would prevent our close fellowship. Work in me to cleanse me from all grounds that would give the devil a foothold against me, I claim in every way the victory of the cross and the blood of Jesus over all satanic forces in my life. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and I welcome all the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

May the Lord Jesus Christ touch, bless, strengthen and heal you is my Prayer.

Pastor Harold E. Sawyer Sr.

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FROM SECOND CORINTHIANS

THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU—6:16

“Dwelleth in whom? In every Christian. For, ‘if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. ‘ Wherever the Spirit dwells, He works, and His work is the efficient cause of our sanctification, comfort, and usefulness. He dwells in us as the Spirit of light, quickening and reviving, instructing and illuminating. As the Spirit of liberty, delivering from bondage, dread, and terror. As the Spirit of love, shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts and leading us to love Him and all His people. As the Spirit of power, enabling us to conquer the world, overcome Satan, and crucify the old man with his deeds. As the Spirit of prayer, teaching us to pray, making intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. As the Spirit of peace, applying the atonement, giving us peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and producing in us a peacable disposition. As the Spirit of Christ, exalting Him in our minds, enthroning Him in our hearts, and glorifying Him in us and by us. Would to God we lived, moved, and spoke under the influence of this truth—‘the Spirit of  God dwelleth in me!’ If we did, it would have a very sanctifying effect upon us, for we could not go to some of the places we go, we could not say some of the things we say, and we could not do some of the things we do. We will often ask ourselves, ‘Is this becoming in one who is the residence of the Spirit of God?’ ‘Ought I, in whom the Spirit dwells, be found here?’ O beloved, what an honor God has put upon us by letting His Spirit dwell within.

PRAYER THOUGHT: “Dear Lord, deliver me from any habits that harm, from an unforgiving spirit that hinders, and from a life that would cause a weaker child of Thine to stumble. Help me not to be a reproach to Thee. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.”

Second Corinthians—The Book of a minister’s Heart

Occasion of Writing: At the conclusion of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul announced his intention of visiting the believers in Corinth as he was passing through Macedonia, which was a definite change in his previous plan of sailing directly from Ephesus to Corinth, and consequently, meant a more or less extended postponement of this visitation. This caused great dissatisfaction in the Corinthian church. Some said Paul was inconsistent, others that he was afraid to show his face. In fact, the entire church was immersed in a heated debate over the motive and methods of apostolic authority of the great apostle, which, of course, deeply grieved him. Not more than a year separated the writings of his two epistles to the Corinthians.

Contents: “We might say, without exaggeration, that not only is II Corinthians the most personal of all Paul’s Epistles, but it is, indeed, sort of an apology for his apostolic life and ministry. Unjust charges, calumnies, and insinuations had been made against him. For this reason, we find the whole inner life of the apostle revealed before us. Human weakness, spiritual strength, the deepest and tenderest of affection, wounded feeling, sternness, irony, rebuke, impassioned self-vindication, humility, self-respect, zeal for the welfare of the weak and suffering, as well as for the progress of the church of Christ, and for the spiritual advancement of its members, are all displaced by turns in the course of his appeal,, and are bound together by golden cord of an absolute self-renunciation dictated by love to God and man.” Second Corinthians has 13 chapters, 257 verses, and 6,092 words.
Character: Church Epistle.
Subject: Service unto God resulting from union with the Head of the Church and the members of the body of Christ.
Purpose: To show that the Christian is God’s ambassador with a spiritual and glorious ministry, finding in Christ consolation in all His suffering and sufficiency for every trial.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless, touch, strengthen, and heal you in Jesus Name. Amen.

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How about a little extra bible class on Sunday?

It is there for you, it is there for me and it is there for everyone in the world. What is it that is there? Temptation. Let’s look at just a little bit of what the bible says about temptation/test/trial.

There is some overlapping in the Greek words translated by these English terms. They occur infrequently in the Old Testament (OT), But the New Testament (NT) develops these concepts of temptation, testing, and trials.

OT:
1. Testing
NT:
2. Temptation
3. Testing
4. Trials
5. Summary

OT – 1. Testing in the OT. Three Hebrew words are translated “test” in the NIV and NASB: nusah, sarap, and bahan.
Nasah occurs thirty-six times in the OT and indicates an attempt to prove the quality of someone or something. Often a time of pressure and difficulty constitutes the test. God tested his people at the time of the Exodus to “see whether” they would follow his instructions (Ex. 16:4; cf. 20:20; Dt 8:16; Jdg 2:22)

But human begins have no right to test God (Dt 6:16), unless specifically invited by God to do so (Mal 3:10), the word here being bahan) The historic incident referred to in Dt 6:16 is instructive. God had promised to be with his people and had demonstrated his presence in the fiery cloud that accompanied them. Yet Israel demanded proof, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Ex 17:7). Because God is totally trustworthy, demanding proof of his power or presence is an insult, demonstrating a failure to walk by faith (cf.Mt 4:5-7)

The word sarap means “to smelt or refine.” It refers to the process by which gold or silver is refined. This process is used to illustrate God’s purification of his people, usually through judgment (e.g. Jere 6:27-30; cf. Eze 22:18-22;). The NIV translates this word seven times as “test” or “tested” (Ps 17:3; 26:2; 66:10; 119:140; Isa 48:10; Jer 9:7 Zec 13:9).

Bahan Also means “to test,” specifically in the spiritual realm, with a focus on some quality, such as integrity. It has the sense of an examination designed to prove the existence of the quality sought. It is found twenty-nine times in the OT (Ge 42:15, 16; 1 Ch 29:17; Job 7:18; 12:11; 23:10; 34:3,36; Ps 7:9; 11:4,5; 17:3; 26:2; 66:10; 81:7; 95:9; 139:23; Pr 17:3; Jer 6:27; 9:7; 11:20; 12:3; 17:10; 20:12; Eze 21:13; Zec 13:9; Mal 3:10,15),

While testing may involve the believer in difficult circumstances, God’s purpose for us is always good..

May the Lord Jesus Christ touch, Bless, Strengthen, and heal you is my prayer. Have a great day in Jesus.

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   There are so many times when we as Christians put down our Christianity when it is convenient, and pick it back up when it is convenient.  There are parts of the bible that we ignore and bypass in order to satisfy our flesh and do the things we want.  And we all do it, or have done it, at some point in our life.  I question how we expect to please God when we live our lives this way.  I ask myself; is God more displeased with the “Christian” that lives this way, knowing to do right but shirking the things he chooses not to do, or the one that isn’t even trying to live a “Christian” life, but knows he should.  I hear what you are saying, both are wrong.  God simply wants us to do the right thing. 

 

   Let’s talk about what I consider to be the number one topic of Christianity 101 and also, what I believe should be, the first principle of life:  loving one another.  I am always amazed when I hear proclaimed Christians say, they don’t like someone.  I am more amazed when I hear them say, they don’t have a reason.  I realize, all personalities don’t click and some people are more comfortable for us to be around than others, but to blatantly dislike someone, without having a reason, and not have love for them is Christianity 101, WRONG! 

 

   The bible clearly speaks about love over and over and over.  I am of the belief that the reason it is dealt with so much is because of our seemingly natural instinct not to love.  But how can we not love when God so clearly spells out what he expects of us in His word concerning love!?  Here are just a few compelling scriptures, in the new international version, for easier understanding.

The bible says: 

John 13:34 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Galatians 5:13 - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

 

   I have not even begun to scratch the surface with this list!  There are so many places within the bible that instructs us to love.  He didn’t put stipulations on it.  He just says love. 

 

   It is clear, although we claim to want to be like Christ, our actions say different.  Why won’t we just love?  He did soooo very much to prove His love for us and He continues to show us His love.  But we have this reason, and that excuse, and a loophole, and a free pass to forego all of His instructions and not do His will.  Or at least we think we do.  But none of those things fly when it comes to disobeying His word.  So tell me, where does not doing His will leave us?  Better yet, which direction will not doing His will take us? 

 

   I plan for Christianity 101 become a reoccurring bible class topic, at least once a month.  This week’s topic on loving one another will probably have at least three parts to it before moving on.  It’s a heavy topic, with several angles and issues I think we need to cover.  Let’s begin talking about this but before you post your comment, ask yourself, am I doing one of the simplest (or is it simple for you?) things Christ could ask of me, do I love…? 

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Continued….

 

Money, the lack of money, or the abundance of money is how many people define who they are.  It identifies an economic classification.  It represents social standing.  It separates the haves from the have nots.  And why not?  Even the bible says: money answereth all things! (Ecclesiastes 10: 19b)  And common sense lets us know that money is necessary, money makes things easier, etc.  But the bottom line is, money is a tool and provision God places in our lives and unless we are good stewards over our money, God will not be pleased.

 

God knows our heart.  Just like God knew the widow gave all she had, God knows what we have.  He knows when giving is just a routine action.  He knows when giving is done begrudgingly, and he knows when giving is done from the heart.  So often the concern arises of monies being used for the purpose intended, or being used for something else.  From my experiences of being a “PK”, there were always the typical rumblings with the question of what the Pastor was using the church money for.  Did our money buy that new car?  Did our money buy this?  Did our money buy that?  etc….  But I don’t recall anywhere in the bible where it instructs us to give and then micro-manage our gifts to completion.  Sure, if we give to a specific project, mission, or cause; that is definitely what we expect our money to be used for.  But if we give in that spirit, without God being the focal point of our giving, the blessings associated with the gift could be hampered.  If we give for the sole purpose of our gift going to the furtherance of the works of God, we will never go wrong. 

 

Human nature is subject to mistakes and wrongdoings.  God is not.  Giving purely to and for God and His works will never leave you questioning your decision to give.  Don’t get me wrong, giving does not come natural to us.  Human nature is to hoard, keep, protect, save, etc. what we have.  Who knows when an incident might come along and absorb or wipe out monies intended for a completely different purpose?  There is something very comforting about having a tidy little nest egg set aside!  We all want to know our future is protected.  And we’ve been taught it is the right and responsible thing to do, having a hefty savings account.  But just like we pay into our 401K at work and our company matches our contribution, so does God!  But unlike our companies that match only a certain percentage and no more, God’s blessings are endless!  He will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:30) and that is the power to give! 

 

When I got to the place where I was able to give to God with a heart aimed at God and leave it there, I felt the joy and the peace associated with the cheerful spirit of giving.  I knew God was pleased.  Still, it’s not always easy when other financially things are staring me down, but I know He is Jehovahjireh!  I know he is my provider and I know blessings are sure to follow!  Subtle blessings.  Obvious blessings.  Overwhelming blessings!  Blessings, blessings, blessings!  You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try!

 

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