Identity

God's Cousins

Trying to figure God out is a waste of time, energy, and resources. God has no beginning nor end. Hebrews 11:6 says that those who come to God must first believe that He is-that He exists. I don't claim for one moment to know how, but I believe it to be true. Throughout the New Testament there are numerous references to God as Father: the Father of Jesus; the Father of those who have become His children, through confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, out of a believing heart.

But what about all of God's family? Some teach that Mary, who gave birth to Jesus, is the mother of God. If that be true, then who is God's father? Does God, then, have brothers, sisters, in-laws, out-laws (just kidding), or grandchildren? Does God have cousins?

The truth is that, although singularly used to give birth to Jesus, Mary isn't the mother of God; she was the mother of Jesus's humanity, not His deity. Jesus existed in heaven long before He ever came to the earth as both God and man (John 1:1,2,14).

God has, in fact, no mother, father, siblings, or other such relatives, including cousins. However, God has a family. This greatest of families is made up of those human beings who, as I stated earlier, have openly confessed (declared to be true) Jesus as their Lord, out of a believing heart (spirit), according to Romans 10:9,10.

In short, God has lots of children-hopefully billions of them. Many have gone on to  Heaven; the rest are still here on Earth (Ephesians 3:14,15). God's family knows no color, language, or socio-economic restrictions. Salvation is of the heart, not the pocketbook.

No, God doesn't have cousins, just a growing family of children from around the world who make up what the Bible calls the Church, the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:24). If you're one of those children then you are my brother or sister, in Christ. We may differ on some things, but I love you with the unconditional love of God.

If you're not yet part of the greatest family of all go to our website, hubertgardner.org,, where you'll find a page to receive Christ for yourself, becoming part of God's family.

Then I'll get to love another member of His family- without sending Christmas cards.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2018-2024

Does God Get Lonely?

For those who believe in God, one thing is understood: God is bigger than us. How big? I don't know, but big enough to meet every need of humanity, including yours and mine. At the same time, this question has been asked for more years than anyone can remember, and many more besides: Does God get lonely? Has He ever felt alone? After all, God is, well, God. All powerful, ever present, all wise. Creator of heaven and earth.

According to the Gospel of John 4:24, God is a spirit. As such, the only part of His vast creation capable of spending quality time with Him would be restricted to those who are also spirit beings. The Bible offers insight into who qualifies to enjoy God's fellowship.

According to the first chapter of the book of Genesis, verses 26 and 27, God made Mankind (male and female) in His image and likeness, someone who was also a spirit being. Nowhere does the Bible state that birds, fish, plants, or other animals are created in God's image. If so (and it is), then God is their Creator, but there is no basis for any relationship, based on fellowship. We can thus conclude that only human beings qualify to spend time with God, to know Him personally.

But, still, does God get lonely? No, in the sense that there's anything inadequate with God. But yes, in the sense that just as we, as human beings, long for fellowship with other human beings, including spiritually. God, as a spirit being, created us with a heart hunger to fellowship with other spirit beings, including Him.

As a result God, Himself, has a hunger to fellowship with other spirit beings, those created in His image and likeness. With animals, trees, and water out of the picture, that leaves us, people like you and me. Not even angels qualify to fellowship with God in a manner that He longs to have with us.

God needs your fellowship; He wants to fellowship with you, to be-if you will-the ultimate Pal. To commune on a level far beyond that enjoyed in even the most intimate marriage relationship between a man and a woman.

So, does God get lonely? He's lonely for a relationship with each human being. He has so much to not just teach, but share out of His own heart on a one-on one basis.

Just Him and you. Pals, confidants, and best friends. That's what God longs for, and what's being offered through His Son, Jesus Christ, the one Way to knowing God.

So, yes God is lonely for you, if you don't know Him. If you do, He's always longing for more: more fellowship, more secrets shared, more revelation into Hims as a Person.

Your questions and/or comments are welcomed.

 

Where is God?

A few days ago I asked this very question to a fellow Christian, "Where is God."?" Her response was to the effect that God is with her, which is true. God is also for her, as he is for every Christian. Her answer though, is, unfortunately typical of so many Christians endeavoring to explain where God is. For a variety of reasons, too few Christians have been enlightened as to what the real answer is to the question, "Where is God?" The real answer is, for the Christian, God is not only with and for you, He's actually IN you.

Your internal organs, such as stomach, pancreas, and heart, are called that because they're in you. Not just with you, but IN you. What a difference in knowing that all of your internal organs are in you, functioning according to God's design.

In the same manner, as much as I'm thankful that God is for and with me, I'm infinitely more thankful that He is IN me, in the person of the Holy Spirit.

Hearing others talk about God being in them is wonderful. Knowing this truth for myself, however, is changing my own life, knowing that the Living God, the Creator of the Universe, the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, has taken up permanent residence in my heart, my spirit. The same spirit that God used to raise up Jesus from the dead is IN you, me, and every other Christian on planet Earth.

So, where is God? He's in every Christian, through the New Birth, when a person confesses Jesus as his/her Lord out of a believing heart. And He's in them to stay.

Whether due to lack of teaching or overlooking this truth, the person's response to my question, "Where is God?," is what drives me to get this vital truth into people's lives, including knowing where God is. Knowing that, no matter the situation you may be facing, God is in you, will change your outlook on life.

"God is in me."  Say this to yourself. Begin to see yourself this way (because it's the truth) until this truth becomes real in your own heart. Because it's then-and only then-that knowing where God is will change your life.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2017-2024

No Sequel Needed

Great books do not need a sequel; the original is sufficient in itself. Although sequels were done to them, books like To Kill A Mockingbird, Gone With the Wind, and The Wizard of Oz are, in my opinion, just fine as they are.

The greatest book ever written, and the one with the most annual sales is, actually, the Bible. Actually 66 books within the one Book, the Bible is history, a narrative of the life of Jesus Christ, and letters written to Christians. It also contains the book of Revelation, a lengthy vision that John, the last of the original disciples had regarding end times.

For centuries the Bible has endured criticism, derision, hatred, and questions concerning its sacred origins. It has survived countless attempts to eradicate it from the face of the earth, to be blotted out from all memory-all to no avail.

Jesus said that His words would not pass away (Matthew 24:35). The same is true concerning the rest of the Bible: what holy men of old wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21) is as true today as when it was written. God says what He means and means what He says. No sequels, revisions, updates, or corrections are needed.. As I said in my book, Born To Win: A Study Guide for New Believers, God said it right the first time.

Much time is spent arguing whether the Bible is really God speaking to us today, or merely a work of fiction compiled from the pens of many men over the years. Any book that has changed countless lives over the last 2,000+ years is worth studying. It's the only book ever spoken by God through the lives of those who not only wrote what God said to write, but who first lived it.

Regardless of doubters, scoffers, and others opposed to God's Holy Word, the Bible's words were correctly written the first time. Unlike the afore-mentioned books, the Bible stands as the written will of God. As is. Forever. No sequel needed.

And that's more than enough proof for me to act upon the timeless truths of God's Word, the Book needing no sequel: The Bible.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2017-2024

By Another Name

Joseph Levitch died in 2017. In case that name doesn't ring a bell, perhaps the name Jerry Lewis will. Yes, the famous actor and television personality's birth name was Joseph Levitch. Christians have received a new name-actually more than one-from the moment of their rebirth. I'm not talking about a new earthly name; I'm talking about something new from God, our Heavenly Father. I'm talking about something the world can neither give nor take away. I'm talking about something that's eternal, as in forever.

When you, as a Christian, became a child of God, through Jesus Christ, God had new names for you. one being Redeemed. According to the Bible you're a partaker of God's redemption that's in Christ, our Redeemer (Colossians 1:14). Redeemed; yes that's you.

God calls you righteous. That means you have the ability to stand before Him without fear, condemnation, or intimidation. Not because what you have done, but because of what Jesus did for you, through His death, burial, resurrection, and seating.

Redeemed,  righteous, to name but a few other names.  What God says about you is what you ought to be saying about yourself, because God never lies-so it's the truth.

You didn't change your earthly name when you became a Christian, but now God is calling you by other names: Redeemed, righteous, heir, delivered, victorious, healed, strong,  Take your pick; they're all good,. And they all belong to you.

No matter what someone may say about you remember this: God doesn't see you as merely John, Sandra, Frank, or Hubert. He sees you by another name, the name belonging to someone so close to His heart that He can't stop thinking about this person.

That person is you. And me. All of us, together and individually, by another name.

Something good to know for yourself, to then share with someone you know., as God leads you.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2017-2024

 

How's Your HC?

The word conditioning holds different meanings, depending on who you're talking to. There's physical conditioning, mental conditioning and hair conditioning, for openers. For the Christian a different kind of conditioning exists, one that, generally speaking, is unheard of or underused. It's called heir conditioning, as in being conditioned to being an heir of God, joint (equal) heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16,17).

As children of God, we are His heirs. Usually, being heirs means that someone died, a will was read, and those mentioned receive whatever the deceased left to them. In this case, however, the person who died-Jesus-has been resurrected, and is very much alive.

And, now, as God's children, we still get to receive and enjoy our inheritance. In this life, with no waiting.

God made the world, which is His (Psalm 51:12). He made it for us, His children, not the devil and his crowd. As His heirs, God wants us to have the very best in life, being willing to use it to further His kingdom, here in this life. He wants us to enjoy our inheritance, without our eyes and hearts holding on to temporal things, which we can't take with us.

More than temporal things, though, God wants us to truly know the reality of our place in Christ, as the triumphant Church in the earth, enforcing Satan's defeat, which Jesus won for us. As the Church, Christ's Body (Ephesians 1:22,23; Colossians 1:18, 24), we are to rule as kings in this life, by Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). This is part of our inheritance. Both yours, and mine.

It takes time to grasp the reality of what God is saying to us: We are His heirs, joint (equal) heirs with Jesus Christ Himself. What Jesus is heir to we are, in equal portions. No intelligent person would think of Jesus as a pauper. No, He's King of kings and Lord of lords. Well, who are the kings Jesus is King of? Among others, us. Again, this is all part of our inheritance.

Being willing to believe what the Bible says about us is the first step towards knowing and walking in our inheritance. For some, the obstacles of religious thinking will have to be overcome, but their persistent efforts towards doing so will be well worth it.

I'm passing on what's begun in my own life. Whatever time and effort I'm putting in to improve my heir conditioning (being conditioned to think, believe, talk, and act like an heir of God) is paying off!

And I'm just getting started.

So, how's your HC? How's your heir conditioning coming along-being conditioned to think, believe, talk, and act like an heir of God? If this sounds too good to be true remember that God sees this about you. Since agreeing with and acting like an heir pleases God, go ahead and please Him.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2017-2024

 

Sunday Mystery Hour

My wife and I enjoy watching detective mysteries, the kind where we try to figure out who did what to whom, before the hero does. Those from England/Australia rank high. Sadly, for multiple reasons, a Sunday mystery hour happens live before the eyes of many. No television or movie channel access is needed; this mystery is aired live, in thousands of church services worldwide. No signup necessary, for this mystery is found in the hour+-long services being led by many pastors.

I say mystery because many who attend these services are either unchurched, or come from a completely different background than what they're checking out. To use a restaurant analogy, the menu being offered is in a language foreign to the guest.

Generally speaking-and regardless of intent-so much of what's being said in our Sunday services is geared to those already familiar with words and phrases used by pastors and other leaders. In short, the unchurched and those from mainline denominational backgrounds don't speak our lingo. It is, in part or in whole, a mystery to them.

We in churches need to do a better job of keeping things simple. " Can't you feel the Presence of God, this morning?" may register with "regulars" but confuse guests. What if they don't "feel" God? Are they, then, unspiritual or in sin? I know what some mean by that but, at the same time, God's in service with me all the time, because He's in me-whether I "feel" Him or not. The same is true concerning my liver, which I've never "felt."

New people checking out your church aren't stupid; they're hungry for something not found on the menu of traditional restaurants. Their appetite has changed; not so the menu. Worship leaders, pastors, and others in the public eye need to realize that not everyone understands what they take for granted. Trying to learn "Christianese" takes a lot of time, something those new to contemporary settings  may not be willing to take.

Let's not use high-sounding phrases as a means of appearing super spiritual to newcomers. Jesus always spoke using terms common to most people. Parables centered around corn, wheat, mustard seeds, fish, and bread-things people readily understood. Even the Apostle Paul, a former Pharisee, used simple words in his preaching,

With pretty good results, I'd say.

There's a time and a place to explain deeper meanings found in Scripture. Using my previous analogy of a restaurant, simplifying our menus will bring more hungry "customers" into our midst. Doing so can help take the mystery out of Sunday services.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2017-2024

My True Identity

Whether young or old(er), married or single, male or female, everyone's looking for an identity. Everyone is looking to, somehow, identify with a person or organization that provides security. Someone or something to make sense of this life. Beginning at about age 11, I played organized baseball until I was in my late teens. With home life deteriorating my identification with baseball grew into becoming my reason for being. Although fast afoot, fear kept me from trying out for our high school football team my senior year. Basketball tryouts resulted in being cut, as was the case for our baseball team. Failure at basketball was tolerable, but not making the baseball team my senior year: devastating.

To make matters worse Coach Miles took me aside and told me that, if he took me, he'd have me (a senior) for one year. But, taking a junior meant having him for two years. With summer league eligibility expired, my high school playing days were over.

Still worshipping baseball, I attended a major-league tryout camp. Still fast, but, again, not enough of the skills necessary to go further. Another failed attempt at identifying with something capable-or so I thought-of providing meaning, purpose, and security.

Due to the unconditional love shown me by one family, I gave me life to Jesus Christ within days of the tryout. What happened that night of August 17, 1969, put me on the path of a life that I had needed my whole life, but had never been told about.

After a few years of stumbling around, I was introduced to teaching on our identification with Christ. I began to (slowly) find out who I really was-who I am in God's sight. I began to learn about who I am, in Christ, what I have in Him, and what I can do, through Christ. In short, I found my true identity, my purpose for being. Thank God for giving me true identity in Christ, not in temporal things which will eventually pass away.

God and gangs both offer an identity; both are available by choice. One is free and forever; the other costs you more than you're told and results in death-sometimes sooner than later. The second choice is one of force; the first is one of open invitation to all.

My true identity is found in Christ, in how God sees me. Although married with three grown children my identity is in Christ, my reason for being, security, strength, and rock. I still love the game of baseball, but its no longer my identification, for I can live without baseball. Not so with Christ, my Life, Peace: the one in Whom I have my true identity.

Confessing Jesus as Lord, out of a believing heart, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, will give you an identity that the world can't match.

Where's your true identity? In a gang? Sports? Music? Money? Ministry? Or in Christ?