Meeting In The Word

The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.
A. W. Tozer (1897-1963, American preacher)

John 14:22-26 (HCSB)
Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it You’re going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me. “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Another dependable sign of a disciple of Christ is a great love of His Word. We have a lot of different programs, and books out there from different authors, but the book that will get us through is God’s Word. I don’t mean to demean others books and writings, but the Greatest Book is still “The Bible,” and if it is read by a believer and interpreted by The Holy Spirit of God, nothing is better.

Notice also that Jesus says that the one who loves Him, “Keeps” His Word and keeping His Word calls together one of the most important board meetings with the Chief Executives over your life. Keeping His Word stirs great affection in the Fathers heart for you, and causes Jesus, The Father and, The Holy Spirit, to come and make their home within you. They will “Tabernacle” with you.

I think that we are being “bombarded” today by many well meaning people with books to help and encourage Christians, but the best book is not being studied and read with a zeal for God to reveal to them, what the world cannot understand. The Holy Spirit is ready right now, and waiting for you and I to open “The Book.” If we will do that a land of wonder is revealed before our eyes, the world cannot see…God Bless.
Pastor William

Heavens Escalator

I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963, British academic, writer, Christian apologist)

Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, if He provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to You a tenth of all that You give me.” (HCSB)

One of the most dependable signs of love is giving. It is a sign of a lifetime commitment and one that is not easily overlooked. You will find it constantly in God’s Word, and you will find it constantly in life. If you see someone open their wallet, as well as their heart, then you know that a relationship is serious.

Look at the commitment that Jacob made after a dream in which he saw the stairway of heaven, and angels ascending and descending. This is also mentioned by Jesus in John 1:51, when Jesus says “you will see heaven opened and angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. They are angels of provision, and they are bringing whatever is needed on this earth, from heaven.

Where are these stairways? Well, I think that wherever there is someone with a real relationship with God, there is a stairway nearby. You will see them sharing with others what they have received, being confident of their supply, and sure of God’s promise to them. It is a sign of what they have seen and believe, the mark of a real commitment to their God; you can’t out give Him…He wins every time…God Bless.

Pastor William

Sincere Love

Sincerity is an openness of heart that is found in very few people. What we usually see is only an artful disguise people put on to win the confidence of others.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680, French classical writer)

1 Timothy 1:3-5
As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach other doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. (HCSB)

Focus, focus, focus, it’s time to re-aim, to get our goals in sight again. I fear many Christians and I’m afraid that some churches have lost sight of our ministry to this world. Paul is adjusting Timothy’s sights here and getting the right targets back in Timothy’s scope. Listen to what Paul say’s is the goal of their instruction.

No. 1 is love from a “Pure” heart, second is a Good conscience, and third a Sincere faith. Faith can only dwell in a pure heart, and this union yields a good conscience. This union yields such a secure peace that you can confidently love others sincerely, without worrying about what others think of you. You see most of the time people give a compliment because they want one, but sincere love doesn’t need one.

Spurgeon, the British Baptist preacher, said this “Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite.” So it is imperative that when we claim to love, that we represent our Fathers love as pure, and sincere, and this will leave us with a good conscience. The road to reality and sincerity can be found by following Calvary’s well worn path, right behind Jesus…God Bless.
Pastor William