Monday's Message: Labour

2 Corinthians 6:5

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

Today lets  begin examining the last three “Ins” that are listed in verse five, in labours, in watchings, in fastings. The first of these three is labours. The New Testament mentions the word labour fifty times and most of the time it is speaking of the work we are called to do as born again believers. Jesus Christ did all the work necessary for us to be saved from hell and now He expects us to work hard for Him.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

So we are save by grace through faith, but that is just the beginning. The Bible says we are created to do good works, otherwise, why are we even here? We are here because God has works for us to do and He has ordained that we should walk in them.

There are many works that we should be doing as faithful Christians; reading our Bible (Joshua 1:8) praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) being a member of a church (1 Corinthians 12:18) helping the poor and needy (Galatians 2:10) having families and raising Godly children (1 Timothy 5:14) for a man, working and providing for his family (2 Corinthians 6:15) warning others of the coming judgment (Revelation 20:12) showing them the way of salvation (Luke 1:77) and much more! God wants us to consistently work hard for Him and His kingdom during our short time here on earth. And it isn’t just our spiritual work that is important, we should do all of our work to the best of our ability for a testimony to those who see our good works.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

One of the most important works for us to do is to tell others about Jesus Christ. If we fail to warn our friends, family and neighbors that there is a penalty for their sins and that Jesus is their only hope to have those sins forgiven once and for all, who will? We must not assume that someone else will do it. God has placed certain people in our lives for a reason and we should love them enough to warn them even if it may make us feel uncomfortable. Unfortunately, most Christians will never share the gospel with anyone and this is truly sad. Therefore it is up to the few labourers to do the heavy lifting of going out into the highways and hedges and compelling them to come in.

Matthew 9:37 Thensaith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

John 6:27 Labour not for the meat whichperisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

God expects His children to labour so find something to do for Him today and start laying up treasure in heaven.

Family Friday: How to have Joy in your marriage!

Used with permission from Dan Carr, Jr.

I. Jesus
Keep Jesus first in everything! One may say, “If Jesus is first in (your spouse’s name) life, then he will not have time for me or the children.” The closer you draw near to Jesus, the better spouse you will become. The Bible says in I John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…”. It is important for you to understand that the closer you get to God, the more His love can flow through you.

A. Keep Him first by praying daily.
Use a journal and create a prayer list to write down needs in the lives of your spouse, children, friends, and coworkers. Be specific in your prayer. Do not just make a general prayer such as, “God be with my wife/husband today.” Being very specific in your prayer will only be possible with the help of a prayer list.

B. Keep Him first by reading your Bible daily.
Have a Bible reading schedule that you live by. I personally like to read a Proverb a day, but I also read Romans 6 and I Corinthians 13 every day as well. I believe that reading these chapters daily will help me stay close to God in addition to my relationship with my wife. Romans 6 helps me to acknowledge sin in my own life that can hinder a sweet relationship, and I Corinthians 13 teaches me how to love my wife unconditionally.

C. Keep Him first by meditating on His Word.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8 KJV

If you are going to be a success in your marriage, you must meditate on God’s Word. Whatever your weakness may be, search for a Scripture verse that corresponds with that weakness; therefore, enabling you to meditate on God’s Word throughout the day to help you overcome your weakness.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”    1 John 4:4 KJV

II. Others
“Life is not about you: it is about others.” If we keep that our motto we will be okay, but so many people today are self-centered, and life is all about them. As a result, we make life miserable for everyone around us. I have to be careful when I am on a date with my wife that I do not get caught up with work and everything else I have going on in my life. I do not want to fail at making her feel special and important. It is so easy in today’s busy world we live in to neglect those who are the most important to us.

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:3-4 KJV

III. Yield

I know that in my outline you may have been expecting me to use the word, “YOU” as my last point, as so often you see in the acrostic, “JOY,” but I purposefully chose the word, “YIELD.” Here, I am not referring to the one definition of yield which means to give in, or allow someone to have their way; nevertheless, I am referring to the another meaning of the word yield which means produce or provide. The Bible says,

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” 1 Timothy 5:8

It is our responsibility as a mate to provide for one another. Not only should we be providing food and clothes and other essentials of life, but we should be providing an environment where there is joy and peace and gentleness. We should desire a home where the fruits of the Spirit are alive and thriving. Very sadly, so many homes are full of strife, bitterness, and envy which are the works of the flesh. Our home should be different!

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:16-23 KJV

I cannot stress the importance of walking with God. When the Holy Spirit is controlling you, He will control every word, every action, and every thought. Your spouse will benefit greatly as well as your children and those around you.

I hope this blog has been a blessing. I will continue to post and update lessons that can help you become a better spouse as well as a better father and mother, in order to help others benefit from having known you.

Monday's Message: In Afflictions & Necessities

2 Corinthians 6:4-10

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

This Monday's Message, lets begin in 2 Corinthians 6:4 “In afflictions”. To better understand what the Bible means by afflictions, lets look at the first time it is used in the New Testament. In Mark 4:14-20 Jesus is explaining the famous parable of the sower.

14 The sowersoweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

Notice in verse 17 it says,When affliction or persecution ariseth. Here we see the word affliction being compared to persecution. Next it says, For the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. So Jesus said that those on stony ground receive the word with gladness and then when they are afflicted because of the word, they are offended.

This same parable is explained in Matthew 13:20 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

So, according to Jesus’ teaching, believers will be afflicted because of the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:12, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. In 2 Corinthians 6 the apostle Paul tells us to approve ourselves as the ministers of God in afflictions. By comparing these two passages we can see that as children of God we should expect tribulation, affliction and persecution from the unbelieving world because of our faith in Jesus Christ and His Word. When this affliction comes, we should not be offended as if we weren’t told to expect this kind of treatment. Rather we should count it joy to suffer for Jesus Christ.1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The next item listed is, “in necessities”. We can see Paul uses this same word in 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. The word necessity means something that is needed, indispensable, or required. I believe he is speaking of going without necessary things such as food, shelter, clothing etc. We know that Paul suffered many things while preaching the gospel all over the world.

2 Corinthians 11:23, Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

This list of afflictions and necessities is strikingly similar to the list we are studying in chapter 6. The apostle is drawing from his own experience to warn us of the cost of serving Jesus Christ. Paul was willing to suffer for the cause of Christ and we should be willing also. The Christian life is a call to service, a call to put our own wants after those of God and others. We should expect to be hated of by the world and to be treated badly. But because we in the United States live in a mostly free country that was built on Christian values we have the luxury of sitting back and avoiding affliction, distresses, stripes and imprisonments. This luxury certainly will not last forever according to the scriptures. Would you be willing to go to jail for preaching the truth of the Bible? Jesus commanded us to teach others the whole counsel of God, not just the gospel message.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Are you willing to stand on the truth of God’s Word even if it means that you will suffer for it? We should all be willing to suffer and yes, even give our life for Christ if need be.

Revelation 2:10, Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Jesus commands us to be faithful unto death. We should make up our mind today that we will stand for Jesus Christ and His Word no matter what the cost, and rejoice if we are counted worthy to suffer for His holy name.

We Pray Wednesday: Why doesn't God answer my prayers?

 

 

Why doesn't God answer my prayers?

                Does God really mean it when He says that He will give us what we ask for? Bible texts come to our minds, such as Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you"...  Will He really answer when we call?   Isaiah 65:24: "Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Why doesn't God answer my prayers? Does God answer prayers? Have you ever asked the question, why doesn't prayer work? Why at times does it appear that God ignores us when we pray to Him? Many have prayed for God to intervene and solve a problem that they are struggling with, but sometimes God‘s apparent answer is silence.

God knows what’s best

            Even when we feel that God is not answering our prayers, you can always know God is a God of love. The Bible tells us He loves us: John 3:16. '"For God so LOVED the world" Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love."God created us and knows infinitely more than we know. He knows what is best for us, and what would not be good for us. If you have children, when they were very small, sometimes they asked for things that would not be good for them, or would harm them. For good reasons sometimes parents do not always give their children what they ask for, when they ask for it. Parents give them what is best for them.It is the same way in our prayers to God. God gives us what is best for us. We are God’s children and He gives us what is best for us, and at a time when it is best for us. Our lives must be right with God before He can answer our prayers.

Do it the right way

            God has certain conditions that must be met before our prayers can be answered. One of the first, is we feel our need of help from Him. Isaiah 44:3 says, “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received. One cannot pour water into a cup that is already full.

Have a right heart

            If we have cherished sins in our lives, and refuse to give them up, or if we are doing things we should not be doing, and are disobeying Him, we cannot expect Him to answer our prayers. He cannot answer our prayers if we have sins in our lives that are unconfessed or if we are hanging on to cherished sins. Also, if we refuse to forgive others who have wronged us, God cannot hear us. This is not saying you can earn God’s favor to answer your prayers, it will always be Jesus’ blood that makes us worthy; but we do need to do our part if God is going to work in our lives.

Pray without ceasing

            One of the reasons we feel our prayers are not being answered, is because we stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says it best, "pray without ceasing." Paul is more direct in Philippians 4:6, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

In reality, we should not be worried so much about if God hears our prayers – He does and He does care. What we should be worried about is if because of temptations, hard times, and trials we get discouraged, and give up praying. In Luke 18:1, Jesus, “spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."

His time, His will

            God is a God of love, and He is interested in every detail of our lives. He hears our prayers, and answers every sincere prayer if we meet His conditions. We must not expect that every answer will be "yes", since we are sinners and do not always ask what is best for us. Sometimes His answer is "No’ and sometimes it is "wait." We need to end each prayer with, "Not my will but thine will be done." Even if we are sincerely doing God’s will, and to the best of our ability, following His will for us, He may see that it is best for us not for Him to say "yes" at this time. We must continue trusting Him, regardless of His answer at the moment.

            God's timetable is not the same as ours. He knows better than we do when the best time for our prayers to be answered is. God is eternal and does not measure time as we do. 2 Peter 3:8: "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. "

            In the story of Abraham, God promised a son to Abraham. But Abraham became impatient when Sarah didn‘t bear him a son, so he took his wife’s servant as his wife. Abraham tried to solve the problem in his own way and the result was disastrous. We are still seeing the results of his mistake today. God eventually answered his prayer at the time when He saw it was best for Abraham.

            For God to give us what we ask for, we must ask "according to His will." Faith cannot take the place of "asking according to God's will." 1 John 5:14, "…if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." If you do not ask according to God's will, it is not real faith in God. If God's answer is "No" we still must be willing to wait patiently, and trust God to answer in his own way and in His timing.

            Trust God, even though it may seem like prayer doesn't work. Even though it may seem like at the moment He is not near and has abandoned you.

            If we have faith and sincerely trust God, we will not be concerned as to whether the answer is "wait" or the answer is "no" or "yes." We must just trust, and wait and see if God in His timing will see fit to answer as we have requested, or perhaps He has something better in mind for us. Remember your prayer should end with "not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42). "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6.

Teen Tuesday: Train Wreck

Have you ever seen a train wreck? There’s not a much more vivid metaphor than the unbridled collision of several tons of moving metal resulting in twisted steel, broken glass and an industrial disaster of gargantuan proportions. Too often we see high school graduates celebrate their graduation night and start down the tracks of adulthood only to wreck their lives just a few miles from the train station!

This is the time of year we see our graduates “commence”—begin their adult lives, their post-high school years; so I thought it would be appropriate to consider the top three challenges facing every graduate. It could be stated that these are the first big and immediate tests that confront a young adult immediately after high school. If they pass these tests, they avoid the bad decisions that can lead to a spiritual train wreck. Perhaps these thoughts will be helpful to you as you prepare graduates for adulthood!

1. The Challenge of a Job—Exodus 20:9-10 says, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God.” God created us to work and expects us to lead productive lives. (Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”) And every young adult is excited about having that first job! Mine was making Big Macs at McDonalds. What a joy. And yet, so many young people allow their job to become their first spiritual downfall—often within a few weeks of high school graduation. How?

They Work at the Wrong Place—even in a tough economy, starter jobs are pretty easy to find—especially for hard working, honest, and clean-cut young people. It’s amazing how many Christians will take jobs at places that a Christian has no business working. No amount of money is worth corrupting your heart and mind, so teach young adults to be selective about work environments. It is possible to work in the world without “eating the king’s meat.” For every Christian, there ought to be some places we just wouldn’t work, no matter what.

They Work at the Wrong Time—the first test of a new job is Sunday work. How is it that we can toss God and His church aside for $7.50 an hour? One of the greatest reasons young people fall away from God after high school is that they stop attending church because of work! But for those who honor God’s commands and protect Sunday, God always provides for their needs in a better way. I’ve watched it hundreds of times over the years—God always takes care of those who protect His day and who stay deliberately and faithfully involved in their local church.

They Work for the Wrong Purpose—some young people view their new job as nothing more than a way to meet new friends and buy clothes or iPods, while others see it as a temporary means to a more important end and a way to be a witness for Christ. Those with a higher purpose—pursuing the will of God—always keep their job in check and view it as an opportunity to facilitate God’s will in other areas.

Stay tuned for more big challenges. And until then, share your comments or additional thoughts, and be sure to consider who you can challenge with these thoughts.

Note: These articles are also shared in the April 2009 issue of The Baptist Voice—a subscription-based magazine from the ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church and West Coast Baptist College.