I Love Mysteries

I love mysteries, especially the "who dunnit?” ones. Some of my favorites crime solvers are Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and the Hardy Boys. My wife and I also enjoy many of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) mystery movies shown on PBS. Chief Inspector Clouseau did not make my list. What is a mystery? A mystery is something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain. I like this definition for mystery: a secret. Mysteries involve the process of revealing a secret about a person or situation that solves the unknown, regarding a case or search for meaning in life.

The Bible is the greatest mystery book ever written. The New Birth-passing from spiritual death to newness of life-is a mystery to the unbeliever.  The Apostle Paul was used of God to reveal another mystery: Gentiles are to be fellow partakers of the Gospel , along with Jews.  How do you explain being one in Christ, regardless of gender, appearance, status, or background?

For us to be unified in Christ He has to be in each of us, individually as well as collectively. According to the Apostle Paul this is a mystery. Colossians 1:27 states that this mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory". Through the Holy Spirit Christ is living in every believer, those who are new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). How is this possible?  How do you explain a mystery?

The natural mind will never receive nor understand the things of God (I Corinthians 2:14). Some things are better "caught" than "taught". The fact that some mysteries can never be fully explained neither dilutes their truth nor detracts from their impact on society. These mysteries are hidden for you, not from you. Understanding will have to be done with our hearts, our spirits.

What about you? Have you ever thought of the Bible as a mystery book?

How do you explain the mystery of the New Birth to the unbeliever?

Has reading about Bible mysteries changed the way you see yourself? In what way?

Who's Your Pastor?

Everyone needs a pastor.  Yes, Jesus is the Head of the Church, made up of those who have believed in Him. Jesus is also, according to Hebrews 13:20, our Great Shepherd. At the same time God has set pastors (shepherds) in the Church, according to Ephesians 4:11. Pastors are often referred to as 'under shepherds', who are shepherds under Jesus, our Great Shepherd. Pastors are father-like, leading the growth and development of a group of like-minded people called the local church. Within THE Church there are many local churches, each under its own pastor. Large or small, there's a church for each person to attend and get involved in. People just like you and me. Who's your pastor? Who do you receive Biblical counsel, encouragement, and balanced teaching of God's Word from? If you just lost your job, a family member needs prayer or you need someone to stand with you in faith, who's going to come visit you in your hour of need? Your favorite TV preacher? Don't count on it. They may read your letters, but they're not coming. Why?

Because they are not your pastor. One reason many people are in trouble is that they don't have a pastor. Just having a pastor won't solve everything, but having one will help keep you from being scattered, thus becoming prey to every wind of doctrine-and there are a lot of them being taught. Matthew 9:36 records Jesus as being moved with compassion because multitudes were scattered, as sheep having no shepherd. I don't want to be scattered, do you?

If you have a pastor, be thankful. Support that pastor in prayer, encouragement, and faithful giving to God through that church. Need a pastor? Ask God to show you who and where that person is. Set aside gender, color, and education for someone with the right character and calling to lead and feed you in the things of God.

Who is your pastor? How helpful is it to you to have a pastor? What difference can you see in your life by you having a pastor?

Does One Church Fit All?

Stores come in a variety of styles, sizes, and selections. There are grocery stores, auto parts stores, clothing stores, discount stores, among others. Some stores are box-like, while others are part of a larger shopping area, such as a mall. In selecting a grocery stores, for instance, one can choose between mainstream (the basics), organic, national, or even international. When it comes to stores, there's usually something, somewhere, that has what you're looking for. No one store, however, has everything you're looking for in terms of food, clothing, automotive supplies, home furnishings, or your favorite pet. The same is true with churches,  No one congregation, pastor, or building has everything you need or are looking for. One style, size, or selection does not fit all. Churches are like ice-cream, pizza, or soda pop: there're lots of flavors to choose from. It all depends on what you're hungry for. More importantly, it should depend on where God speaks to you to go.

Whether where you go is large, small, medium, young, old, really old, hip, contemporary, or as progressive as a medieval monastery, go where the following takes place:

1. I'm (including spouse and children) being fed the Word. Not what the pastor says, but what I can see for myself is in the New Testament where we, as Christians, are to live.

2. I'm challenged, rather than comfortable.  Am I challenged to continually grow in my relationship with God-and others-or is going to church just another part of my comfort zone? Where paying the price of admission (tithing) to see the "show" is enough.

3. I'm able to serve in some fashion, using my God-given gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God, through my church. I can't think of anything more frustrating than being able and wanting to serve, but not being allowed to serve to due to age or inexperience. What better place to develop one's gifts and talents than in church?

What's your church like? Are you being fed the Word? Are you being challenged? Where are you serving, with the gifts and talents God has given you?

Something Better Than "God Is With You"

"God is with you" is a fairly common statement I've been hearing nowadays. In fact, I've heard it for years. Psalm 91:15 says that God will be with those in trouble, who have set their love on Him. Isn't it good to know that God is with us? Yes, He's right here, with me. All this is comforting, yet hardly enough to bring me victory in the midst of trials, test, and other storms which Christians face in this life. No, what I need to know is this: how can God put me over in every circumstance of life?  Just the fact that God is with me is no guarantee of victory over the forces of evil,  in this world we are living in for now. I need God to be closer than (just) with me.

Having my stomach with me provides no guarantee of food providing strength and nourishment to my physical body. No, what my body needs is for my stomach-and every other digestive organ-to be inside me, processing food on my behalf. The same is true with God, our Heavenly Father. He is in each and every believer, working on our behalf.

Always prove what someone tells you about God by the Word of God. The Bible, God's written Word, tells us in 2 Corinthians 6:16 that God would dwell in the hearts (spirits) of believers. He goes on to tell us in verse 18 that He will be a Father to us (believers). Then, in Colossians 1:27, God says that Christ-God's Son-is in us. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit is living in our spirits (hearts), according to Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 3:16, and I Corinthians 6:19 (note: there's only one Church; what's written to one part of the Church is written to all the Church). This means that all three Persons of the Godhead-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-are living in you. And if they can't put you over in life, then no one can (but They can-let them). Now, isn't that a whole lot better than (just) having God with you?

Yes, if you're a believer, God is certainly with you (as well as for you-Romans 8:31). Rejoice in these truths. Rejoice also that God is in you, willing and able to put you over in life-no matter what storms may come your way.

How has seeing that God is in you made a difference in your life?

Soldiers of The Throne

The term "Soldiers of the Cross" references those defenders of the Christian faith, stalwart members of God's eternal army going off to war. "Soldiers of the Cross" is found in the opening verse of the old hymn "Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus", written over 150 years ago by George Duffield. I've sung it many times. Thank God for the Cross where the sins of mankind were laid upon Jesus, Who became sin, according to 2 Corinthians 5:17, for you. For me. For all mankind. At the same time we must remember that the Cross is actually a place of defeat. 
Why? Because the story of redemption doesn't end there. Had that actually been the case you and I would still be lost in our sins. Beyond the Cross, it was Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection that secured our eternal redemption, once and for all (Hebrews 9:12; I Corinthians 15:14,17).

According to the Scriptures above-and many others as well-Jesus defeated the devil; therefore our "soldiering" responsibilities have changed. Same army, however we're now an occupying one, enforcing Satan's defeat. Rather than 
soldiers of the Cross, we're actually soldiers of the Throne. God's Throne. According to Ephesians 2:4-6, we are seated together with Christ, Who sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 12:2). "With Christ" is a place of victory, of having overcome spiritual death, hell, and the grave. His victory is now mine. *

As an overcomer, seated with Christ in heavenly places, I'm part of God's army occupying the earth, enforcing Satan's defeat. I'm not trying to get victory; I already have the victory, in Christ. I'm not Cross-minded, I'm Throne-minded.

How about you? Do you have the victory? You do if you're a Christian because the Bible says so, whether you feel or it looks like it or not. Remember, it's a different view from the Throne, than the Cross.

Yes I'm standing up for Jesus, a soldier of, not the Cross, but of the Throne.

*For more on this see my book, Born To Win: A Study Guide For New Believers, available in hardback through this ministry or on Kindle.

Barns

I like barns. I think they're fascinating (my wife would love to live in a barn (modern on the inside, please). No doubt being around barns at an early age has influenced my thinking. The barns I really like have solid foundations, thick walls, and lots of rooms. A large loft to store hay and play in is a must. One minister said it this way; churches are like barns. Barns are where the harvest is brought to be stored until being used, either “in house” or for taking to market. Likewise, local churches are where the saved grow up into Christ, being rooted, grounded, and discipled in Him. As they grow, the saved go out into the marketplace (the world) to take what they've received to a world desperate for the Truth.

God's “barns” are not for hiding; rather they are receiving and distribution centers, As provision comes in (gifts, talents, and, yes, finances) those in leadership are preparing to distribute such provision where the owner (God) directs. Some goes overseas, some closer to home; some stays to maintain the barn.

How do you see yourself in the end-time harvest? Will you be used far and wide, nearby, or in the barn itself? As my wife has aptly stated so often, there are no unused members in the Body (of Christ). Everyone has a place, a part to play. Find out where you fit in (hint: ask God-He knows), what your part is in this last great harvest of people into God's Kingdom.

It's harvest time. God's barns are busy places. It's up to you and me to finish the harvest that's before us.

Be watching for an upcoming post on finding your place, doing your part.

Rights and responsibilities: The church, the body

Acts 4:29-31 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine and to heal: and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they had assembled together: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” The right for the Church, the Body of Christ, to be used by Jesus, the Head, to carry out God's plans and purposes in the earth was conferred on us by the Blood of Jesus, through the New Birth. Our responsibility is, as hands and feet in the Body, to carry the Good News of the Gospel to the ends of the earth, expecting the preaching of the Word to be confirmed with signs following.

Just as your body is helpless without your head, so the Church, the Body of Christ, is helpless without our Head, Jesus Christ. Through Him God supplies every resource needed for the Body to carry out the will of God, by the Holy Spirit's direction. Without (apart) from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

At the same time, your head is helpless without your body. Guillotines proved that. In the same manner Jesus, our Head, can do nothing apart from His Body, the Church. The Head is in Heaven, the Body on Earth; therefore God's Will, Plans, and Purposes for mankind must be carried out through Christ's Body, the Church. It is the Church's responsibility, therefore, to cooperate with its Head, Jesus Christ, by renewing our minds to who we are, what we have, and what we can do in the earth, in and through Christ, our Head. In doing so we'll use our authority, as believers, to further the Kingdom of God.

You have a part in carrying out Jesus's Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). For more information on this and other foundational topics read my book Born To Win: A Study guide For New Believers, available in hardback through our office, and now available on Amazon's Kindle Store (see link on our home page).