Sunday, May 31, 2009
HOW TO FORGIVE SOMEONE
Have you ever felt like dark things are all around you and no matter how hard you pray, they don’t leave. You feel constantly pressured. This is called being “hedged in”.
In my experience, and by observation with the people I talk to, it happens when you are refusing to forgive someone for what they have done.
The tough truth of the situation is that if you won’t forgive, you will not be forgiven. Think about the Lords prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So what happens if you won’t forgive those trespasses?
What does the bible say?
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” – Matt 18:23-35
If you feel hedged in and always under pressure, you might very well be in the torture prison that Jesus taught about.
So how do you get out of it? Forgive!
Some of you are saying… but I can’t… you don’t know what he/she did. I just can’t.
Some people are just INCREDIBLY angry and they can’t forgive. I know how that feels. The kind of unforgiveness is really just anger. You’re angry. Very angry. Immensely angry.
Here’s what I did.
Releasing spiritual debt
I will probably never forget the exact day on which I did this.
Let’s look at the sin that has been committed against you as a debt. Someone has sinned against you and now owes you a spiritual debt.
Step one is to separate the spiritual debt from your anger. The bible says:
BE angry, but do not sin (Eph 4:26)
So you don’t need to stop being angry right now. Your mission… should you choose to accept it… is to release them in prayer from their spiritual debt to you.
Your prayer can be as simple as this: “Lord Jesus, please do not hold their actions against them. I declare that they do not have any debt to me”. You might want to add your own authentic words to this. Really let them go from spiritual debt.
That takes care of the torture prison. The enemy should leave right away.
Thanking God for the good
This is the second step I took.
God promises to use all things for the good of those who love Him. That’s you and me!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Rom 8:28
Perhaps you’ve been rejected or abused. Have you used those experiences to help other people? Can you thank God for using those experiences to help others?
DO NOT thank Him for the experience of being sinned against. No, thank Him for using it for good in some way.
In my case intense loneliness in my childhood was the memory. But now I write this blog and help hundreds of people overcome emptiness and loneliness. It’s a bad memory, but God is using it for the good. I can smile now.
I can move on.
Emotional release
But the thing still happened right? You might still have some anger to deal with. As long as your anger gets processed, you will be able to go to a deeper level of forgiveness, where you EMOTIONALLY release the event or person.
Step three happened for me today. I read a book for men about women. I was just amazed to see into the world of a woman. How emotional it is. How they love. How they view the world through a lens of love and emotions.
As I understood that, I “saw” that my own mother had seen her own family and me in that way. Let me say that my family was responsible for a SHOCKING amount of pain in my young life which I am only now working through. But… when I could see that she really did do her best, that she tried to love, that she lived this life of trying her best… I could release her EMOTIONALLY.
My childhood had been massively lonely and painful, but I could “see” my mother’s angst as she tried her best to create a loving environment. I could truly see it. She tried. I can let that go now.
And so I have felt unbelievably FREE and happy for most of the day. I’m moving on.
Summary
You can do this too. Just take it step by step. See it as layers. Forgive the spiritual debt to begin with. Then go on to the other emotional layers. It will be a different process for you… but the end result is the same. Freedom and release FOR YOU
In my experience, and by observation with the people I talk to, it happens when you are refusing to forgive someone for what they have done.
The tough truth of the situation is that if you won’t forgive, you will not be forgiven. Think about the Lords prayer. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So what happens if you won’t forgive those trespasses?
What does the bible say?
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” – Matt 18:23-35
If you feel hedged in and always under pressure, you might very well be in the torture prison that Jesus taught about.
So how do you get out of it? Forgive!
Some of you are saying… but I can’t… you don’t know what he/she did. I just can’t.
Some people are just INCREDIBLY angry and they can’t forgive. I know how that feels. The kind of unforgiveness is really just anger. You’re angry. Very angry. Immensely angry.
Here’s what I did.
Releasing spiritual debt
I will probably never forget the exact day on which I did this.
Let’s look at the sin that has been committed against you as a debt. Someone has sinned against you and now owes you a spiritual debt.
Step one is to separate the spiritual debt from your anger. The bible says:
BE angry, but do not sin (Eph 4:26)
So you don’t need to stop being angry right now. Your mission… should you choose to accept it… is to release them in prayer from their spiritual debt to you.
Your prayer can be as simple as this: “Lord Jesus, please do not hold their actions against them. I declare that they do not have any debt to me”. You might want to add your own authentic words to this. Really let them go from spiritual debt.
That takes care of the torture prison. The enemy should leave right away.
Thanking God for the good
This is the second step I took.
God promises to use all things for the good of those who love Him. That’s you and me!
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Rom 8:28
Perhaps you’ve been rejected or abused. Have you used those experiences to help other people? Can you thank God for using those experiences to help others?
DO NOT thank Him for the experience of being sinned against. No, thank Him for using it for good in some way.
In my case intense loneliness in my childhood was the memory. But now I write this blog and help hundreds of people overcome emptiness and loneliness. It’s a bad memory, but God is using it for the good. I can smile now.
I can move on.
Emotional release
But the thing still happened right? You might still have some anger to deal with. As long as your anger gets processed, you will be able to go to a deeper level of forgiveness, where you EMOTIONALLY release the event or person.
Step three happened for me today. I read a book for men about women. I was just amazed to see into the world of a woman. How emotional it is. How they love. How they view the world through a lens of love and emotions.
As I understood that, I “saw” that my own mother had seen her own family and me in that way. Let me say that my family was responsible for a SHOCKING amount of pain in my young life which I am only now working through. But… when I could see that she really did do her best, that she tried to love, that she lived this life of trying her best… I could release her EMOTIONALLY.
My childhood had been massively lonely and painful, but I could “see” my mother’s angst as she tried her best to create a loving environment. I could truly see it. She tried. I can let that go now.
And so I have felt unbelievably FREE and happy for most of the day. I’m moving on.
Summary
You can do this too. Just take it step by step. See it as layers. Forgive the spiritual debt to begin with. Then go on to the other emotional layers. It will be a different process for you… but the end result is the same. Freedom and release FOR YOU
Friday, May 29, 2009
THE ASSURANCE OF VICTORY!
Introduction
First John 5:1-5 depicts the victorious life. The Bible uses many terms to describe those who have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For instance, we are called Christians. We are also called the children of God (John 1:12), children of light (Eph. 5:8), children of the day (1 Thess. 5:5), and children of obedience (1 Pet. 1:14). But there is another title in the New Testament that may be as exciting as any other, and it is the title overcomers. That is the title John uses in 1 John 5:4: "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Lesson
I. THE DEFINITION OF AN OVERCOMER
A. The Salvation of Overcomers
Verse 4 tells us that Christians are overcomers. Only those who have been born of God are the only true overcomers.
1. An overcomer defined
The Greek word translated "overcomer" literally means "victor." The verb form is nikao, and the noun form is nike. The verb means "to conquer," "to have victory," or "to have superiority". It sometimes means "to defeat."
The Greeks believed that real victory could be achieved only by the gods, and not by men. Only the gods were conquerors and unconquerable. The Greek goddess of victory was named Nike. The United States even used that name for one of its aerial missiles.
2. An overcomer demonstrated
A form of the word nikao is used by our Lord in John 16:33 where He said, "I have overcome the world." It is a word of victory. Jesus, in effect, said, "I have conquered Satan's system." One of the truths about a Christian is that he is in Christ. The Christian is in an indivisible union with Christ Himself and as a result, is a partaker of His divine nature. A Christian partakes of everything that Christ is and has, including His inheritance, righteousness, death, life, and Spirit. Since Christ is a victor, Christians partake of His victory. The believer then, is a victor. Those who have been born of God are true overcomers.
B. The Spoils of an Overcomer
1. Satan
a) Satan's appearance of victory
One of the things Christians have overcome is Satan. We are victors over Satan. It may seem like Satan has victory now, but ultimately he won't.
(1) Revelation 6:2
Revelation 6:2 says, "And I saw and, behold, a white horse; and he [the Antichrist] who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." A form of nikao, is used here. He went forth as a victor to gain a victory. Satan will have the initial victory. He will cause some devastating things in the early part of the tribulation, as all of humanity succumbs to him.
(2) Revelation 13:7
Revelation 13:7 says, "It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." Satan will make war with the saints and seem to overcome them. Satan appears to be the victor.
b) Christian's assurance of victory
But that isn't the whole story. Ultimately the book of Revelation says the saints are going to triumph over Satan.
(1) Revelation 12:11
Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." The saints ultimately will gain the victory.
(2) Revelation 15:2
Revelation 15:2 says, "I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." That is a picture of the victorious saints,in heaven, having conquered Satan and his false trinity.
(3) Revelation 21:7
Revelation 21:7 says, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
(4) Romans 16:20
Romans 16:20 says, "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Satan has been defeated at the cross. The ultimate battle has already been won. Positionally, he is already defeated; but practically-- as we learn the Word of God--we need to exercise that victory on a day-to-day basis.
2. Death
Immediately upon receiving salvation, the Christian overcomes death. First Corinthians 15:54-57 says, "When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." The believer conquerors death.
3. The World
The third thing a Christian conquers is the world. First John 5:4 says, "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world." The believer is a victor over the invisible, spiritual system of evil that operates in the world to capture men's souls for hell. When someone is saved, he is removed out of the clutches of Satan and hell, and reserved for heaven. The believer has conquered the system in Christ. If you look carefully at the phrase "whatever is born of God" in verse 4, you will find it is in the present tense, which means that the Christian is continually having victory over the world. It is a habit of life for the saint to conquer the world's system.
What does it mean to be a victor? For one thing, it is foolish to lose when we have the power to overcome. Positionally, we have conquered Satan, death, and the world. But from a practical standpoint, we need to claim and exercise that victory on a day-to- day basis. Christians are overcomers. Everyone else in the world is defeated.
II. THE DESCRIPTION OF AN OVERCOMER
First John 5:1-5 gives us a list of three characteristics that are common to all overcomers:
A.Faith in Jesus Christ (vv. 1a, 4)
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God .... For whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Overcomers are people born of God--people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. When you place your faith in Christ, you are born of God and become a victor.
1. A trust that is total
Many have wondered what John meant when he said, "Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1). Some have thought John meant that Christ was a something that God spawned or created. But that isn't the idea. The Greek text is saying that Jesus has been begotten out of God, not created by Him. Jesus is the Anointed One who came out of the very essence of God. He is God, having invaded the world and taken on human form.
We are overcomers by the act of believing, which results in our new birth. All that is required to be an overcomer is to believe that Jesus is the Anointed One who has come from God. The Greek phrase combines both the present and perfect tense: "Whoever is believing that Jesus is the Anointed One, has been born of God." That tells us that faith is a result, not the cause of the new birth. If you have been truly born again, you will continue to believe. Some people think all that is required in salvation is a moment of faith. But true Christians have faith from the point of salvation onward. Jesus said in John 8:31, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Sons of God will manifest that they have been begotten of God by continuing to believe in God's eternal, only begotten Son.
2. A faith that is fundamental
First John 5:1 states that a person who is born of God believes that Jesus is the Christ. He must believe that Jesus the man is God incarnate--the Messiah, King, Savior, Redeemer, and the center and focus of revelation. The Cerinthian gnostics, whom John was dealing with, denied that Jesus was the Christ. John said their claims were worthless unless they believed that Jesus is God in human flesh. The Greek word translated "belief" is not referring merely to intellectual attainment or mental acquiescence, but a wholehearted acceptance of everything that is implied in the claims of Christ. You need to believe that Jesus is God and that He died for our sins, committing your whole life to Him in sacrifice and serving Him as Lord. That characterizes people who are born of God and are overcomers.
First John 5:4 further defines the concept of faith: "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." "Believe" and "faith" are two English words for the Greek words pistas, and pisteuo. The essential ingredient in the life of the overcomer is his faith. The Christian's victory is based on the reality that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be.
First John 5:5 says, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" John is emphasizing the need to believe in Christ because he has already mentioned that phrase many times in the epistle of First John and three times in this passage as well. He is saying in verse 5 that the basic characteristic of an overcomer is that he believes in Jesus Christ. A believer is one whose faith overcomes the world.
The Struggle for Solutions
There are many people in this world who struggle to find solutions for the plagues and problems of this life that can't be solved. But Jesus says, "I offer you a life that is victorious over Satan and all his forces, including death and the plagues of the system that corrupts this world. All I ask is that you believe I am God in the flesh who died for your sin and rose again for your justification." If you place your faith in Christ, you are born into a new victorious life. I don't want to be victimized by Satan, who goes around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). I don't want to be victimized by death and sent to hell. And I don't want to be victimized by the evil world's system, which tries to take the earth from Christ. If there is victory to be had, I want it. Jesus said you can be a super- conqueror if you believe in Him and are born again. Overcomers are characterized by faith.
B. Love for Jesus Christ(vv. 1b, 5)
"And everyone that loveth him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of him.... Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God?"
It is characteristic of overcomers not only to love God, but also to love all who are begotten of God. A true believer confesses Christ and loves his brothers.
1. Objects of love
First John 5:2 says, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments." The new birth brings us not only into a relationship with the eternal Son, but into a relationship with the children of the Father as well. In First John 5:2, John gives a self-evident, universal principle that he has given in many other places (1 John 2:5, 10-11; 3:10; 4:7-8, 12, 21): If you love God, you will love your brothers. Everyone who loves the parent will also love the child. Salvation is not only being in love with God but being in love with God's children as well. If I am born of God, then I will love all who are born of God, for God also dwells in them.
2. Characteristics of love
Love is not a sentiment; it is a sacrificial act. For example, 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Love covers a multitude of sins" (NASB). If I love someone, I will have a desire to rebuke their sin, cover it, and forgive it. True love doesn't manifest itself by publicizing evil. Love is very practical. That kind of love is characteristic of all who are overcomers because they love their brothers.
John says the reverse in 1 John 5:2: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." In verse 1 John says that we know we love God because we love our Christian brothers. In verse 2 he says we love them because we love God. Some will say he is reasoning in a circle, and that's exactly right. You can't love the brothers without loving God, and you can't love God without loving the brothers. One proves the other. John is saying it is characteristic of overcomers to love one another.
C. Obedience to Jesus Christ (vv. 2-3)
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome."
1. Internal obedience
Faith, love, and obedience are all woven together. John ties obedience to love in verse 2: "We love God, and keep his commandments." He ties love to obedience in verse 3: "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." And he ties faith to love in verse 1: "Everyone that loveth him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of him." All three are inextricable. Love, faith, and obedience to God's Word are all characteristic of the believer. But the genuine proof of love is obedience.
God wants obedience that is internally, not externally motivated. God wants us to obey out of love, not fear (1 John 4:18). In Romans 6:17-18 Paul said, "God be thanked, that whereas ye were the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being, then, made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Paul was saying Roman Christians had obeyed from the heart. God doesn't want superficial, external obedience, but obedience that is motivated from the heart.
2.Total obedience
In addition to internal obedience, God wants total obedience. Partial obedience does not satisfy God at all. Some people think God is satisfied when they do a few things right and a few things wrong. But He is not going to settle for two out of three. He wants total obedience. Some people say they believe all the Bible except the part that says wives are to submit to their husbands, but that's not acceptable. In Joshua 22:2-4, Joshua said to the Israelites, "Ye have kept all that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them." God kept His promise as their obedience was total and motivated by the heart.
3. Constant obedience
The third kind of obedience that God wants is constant obedience: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). God desires constant obedience; we're not to be obedient only when we feel like it.
4.Cheerful obedience
The final kind of obedience that God wants is at the heart of what real obedience is: cheerful obedience. Some of you may be wondering how you could possibly obey as God wants you to. But you can.
a) 2 Corinthians 9:7
Paul wrote "Every man [is to give] according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." We are commanded to give cheerfully.
b) Philippians 4:4
This verse tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice." Disobedience is a sin, but externally motivated, partial, inconsistent, grudging obedience is also wrong. God wants a loving, total, constant, and joyous response of obedience. He can ask for that because His commandments are not grievious or burdensome (1 John 5:3). Jesus' commandment's are not grievious for three reasons: one, if you mess up, He forgives you; two, He never asks you to do something without giving you the power to do it; and three, we keep His commandments not out of fear, but out of love. That doesn't mean they aren't ever difficult, just that they aren't impossible.
III. THE DELIGHTS OF AN OVERCOMER
John describes the fantastic delights of the overcomer. There is one problem: He didn't describe them in 1 John. They are in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 2 and 3 there are seven letters to seven first century churches. At the end of every letter is a promise to the overcomer. Those promises were given to the true believers in those particular churches, but they also apply to every believer throughout the ages.
A. The Tree of Life (Rev. 2:7)
The first delight of an overcomer is the gift of the tree of life. Revelation 2:7 says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." There was a tree in the Garden of Eden called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When Adam and Eve ate of that tree, they became sinners. But there was another tree in the Garden called the tree of life. God took Adam and Eve out of the Garden because He didn't want them to eat from the tree of life. He didn't want sinners to have eternal life because that would have brought sin into His eternal dwelling place. He put an angel with a flaming sword to guard the Garden so they couldn't get back in and eat from the tree of life.
But did you know that God transplanted that tree out of the Garden and into heaven? Revelation 22:2 says, "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bore twelve kinds of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing of the nations." Now that's a big tree, if it is on both sides of one river! It has twelve kinds of fruit. Did you ever see a tree like that? Not without a lot of string on it! It yields its fruit every month. Its leaves serve as therapy for the nations. The word "healing" doesn't refer to the healing of disease; it refers to providing health. We won't be hungry or thirsty in heaven, but we will eat and drink for pure enjoyment. Revelation 2:7 says, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." That means the overcomer is promised heaven. The first delight for overcomers is the eternal enjoyment of God's presence in His paradise.
B.Eternal Life(Rev.2:11)
The second thing promised to the overcomer is eternal life. Revelation 2:ll says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." There are two deaths mentioned in the Bible: the first is physical death and the second is spiritual death. Spiritual death results in eternal death. The overcomer will not be harmed by the second death. Everyone will die physically, for verse 10 says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," but the believer will never die spiritually. That's exciting! The man who is not an overcomer dies only to die again. The overcomer dies to live forever. What a promise!
C.The Bread of Life (Rev. 2:17)
The third delight of an overcomer is the hidden manna of God and a white stone from God. Revelation 2:17 says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in that stone a new name written, which no man knoweth except he that receiveth it." The overcomer receives two things:
1. Hidden manna
The first is hidden manna. And that manna is Jesus. It is nothing more or less than feasting on the presence of Jesus Christ. People often ask what heaven will be like. I always say, "Heaven is where Jesus is." That's enough for me-- feasting on His presence, for Jesus is the hidden manna and the Bread of Life. Oh, what a rich banquet, just to spend forever in His presence!
2.A White stone
God will not only give us manna, but a white stone as well. In the Greek text, the white stone refers to a diamond. There is debate about what that might mean. But I have one thought.
In the Old Testament, the priest had on his breastplate a bright stone called the urim. When people wanted to know God's will, He revealed it in that stone. The white stone might refer to the absolute and ultimate knowledge of God's will. What more could we ask for than to have all of God's revelation and knowledge given to us in glory?.
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? It might seem so impersonal with only righteous people around. Will we feel like a lot of celestial cattle being herded around? No! God is going to give each of us a crystal in which a new name will be written known only by the person who receives it. My stone will say one thing; yours will say something else. Whatever else will go on in heaven, God and I will have our own thing going! The same will be true of you. We will all be individuals in glory. What will your new name be? How could I tell you? No one will know but you and God!
We are going to have a personal relationship with God forever. We're going to be in the presence of the hidden manna--Jesus Christ. We're going to be eating of the tree of life and lapping up the water from the crystal river flowing from His throne. We'll never be touched by the second death. What terrific promises!
D.The power of life (Rev. 2:26-28)
Revelation 2:26-28 says, "He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star."
1. Powerover the nations
What is meant by the phrase, "power over the nations"? In Psalm 2:8-9 God said He will give power over the nations to the Messiah. Revelation 2:27 says that as Jesus receives power over the nations, He will give it to us. We will rule with Christ in His millennial kingdom.
You might think that His rule will be harsh since He will rule with a big rod. The Greek word for "rule" is poimanei, and is translated "shepherd." It is a shepherd's rod, not a billy club.
There will be discipline in the kingdom. Where evil and sin dwell, judgement will be enforced. But there will also be caring, nourishing, and tenderness in this Shepherd's rod. That is what the phrase "power over the nations" refers to. Could you ever dream of being seated together with Christ on His throne? You may say, "Who me? I'm not even the foreman on my job!" But remember, our ruling in the kingdom is by pure grace.
2. The morning star
Revelation 2:28 says, "I will give him the morning star." We own the morning star. Revelation 22:16 says, "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Who is the morning star? Jesus. You know who's going to be mine in heaven? Jesus. He is given to overcomers. In 2 Peter 1:19, Peter says, "And the day star [will] arise in your hearts." In a sense, the morning star is already shining in us, but some day He will belong to us in the fullness of His presence. We will rule the nations and possess the Lord of the nations for our very own.
E.The book of life (Rev. 3:5)
Revelation 3:5 gives us the fifth delight of an overcomer: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Here are two more features for an overcomer.
1. Clothed in white raiment
White raiment refers to righteousness, purity, holiness, and glory. We're going to be clothed in white, and that's Christ's color. When He comes out of heaven riding on a white horse, wearing a white robe, we will be with him on white horses and dressed in white robes. Because of His own righteousness, He clothes us in His own holiness, purity, and righteousness.
2. Confessed before God
John further states, "And I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels" (Rev. 3:5). Many people are confused by that phrase. They say, "Does that mean that you could get your name blotted out of the book of life?" No! the text says, "I will not blot his name out of the book of life" (emphasis added). We are secure in Christ.
In John's day, kings in every area had a registry. All the people's names were put into that registry. When anyone committed a criminal act, his name was removed from the registry. Our Lord is saying "The world may cross you off its lists, kings may remove your name for the crime of Christianity, but I will never blot your name out of My book." That doesn't mean you can't be sure; it means you can be sure. You are secure in Him. It doesn't imply that God takes names out; it emphasizes that He keeps them in! Aren't you glad that your salvation is guaranteed? He says, "I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels." When I get to heaven, Jesus is going to say, "Father, angels, here is John MacArthur." Wow!
F.The name of life (Rev. 3:12)
Revelation 3:12 says, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write on him my new name."
1. The "pillar in the temple of my God"
What does it mean to be a pillar in God's temple? In John's day, important people were honored by placing a pillar inscribed with their name in the local temple. Great temples to certain gods became monuments of perpetual honor to famous citizens, because they would begin to mark those pillars with the names of these citizens. As overcomers you and I have pillars in the celestial hall of fame. In fact, we are pillars! We are eternally honored in God's celestial hall of fame.
The verse continues by saying, "And He shall go no more out." Historically, this letter was written to the church at Philadelphia, which was located near a volcano field. They were constantly being subjected to earthquakes. Whenever an earthquake would occur, the people would flee from the city because it was often destroyed. The Lord was saying to this group of believers, "I'm going to make you pillars, and you're never going to have to flee. You're never going to have to fear. In heaven there is no fear, No pillar has ever collapsed there. You're secure."
2. The "name of my God"
In addition, Jesus is going to write on us "the name of my God," which is the mark of possession. Then He is going to write "the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God." That is the mark of citizenship. Then He will write "my new name," which is the mark of love. We belong to God, to heaven, and to Jesus. We are going to have their names written on us. We'll be pillars, never shaken, never fearful, never having to run. That's exciting!
G. The throne of life (Rev. 3:21)
The seventh delight of an overcomer is in Revelation 3:21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." The supreme thing is to be in heaven seated on the throne of God.
Can you imagine what would have happened if you had been living in the days of the Caesars, and sat on Caesar's throne and said, "This is terrific Caesar!" You would have lost your head! We will be co-reigning with Jesus, sitting in His throne, and He will be sitting in the Father's throne. We are all going to be in the same place.
Do you have a picture of what it means to be an overcomer, and to someday enjoy the delights of being an overcomer forever? I praise God I am an overcomer!
First John 5:1-5 depicts the victorious life. The Bible uses many terms to describe those who have entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For instance, we are called Christians. We are also called the children of God (John 1:12), children of light (Eph. 5:8), children of the day (1 Thess. 5:5), and children of obedience (1 Pet. 1:14). But there is another title in the New Testament that may be as exciting as any other, and it is the title overcomers. That is the title John uses in 1 John 5:4: "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Lesson
I. THE DEFINITION OF AN OVERCOMER
A. The Salvation of Overcomers
Verse 4 tells us that Christians are overcomers. Only those who have been born of God are the only true overcomers.
1. An overcomer defined
The Greek word translated "overcomer" literally means "victor." The verb form is nikao, and the noun form is nike. The verb means "to conquer," "to have victory," or "to have superiority". It sometimes means "to defeat."
The Greeks believed that real victory could be achieved only by the gods, and not by men. Only the gods were conquerors and unconquerable. The Greek goddess of victory was named Nike. The United States even used that name for one of its aerial missiles.
2. An overcomer demonstrated
A form of the word nikao is used by our Lord in John 16:33 where He said, "I have overcome the world." It is a word of victory. Jesus, in effect, said, "I have conquered Satan's system." One of the truths about a Christian is that he is in Christ. The Christian is in an indivisible union with Christ Himself and as a result, is a partaker of His divine nature. A Christian partakes of everything that Christ is and has, including His inheritance, righteousness, death, life, and Spirit. Since Christ is a victor, Christians partake of His victory. The believer then, is a victor. Those who have been born of God are true overcomers.
B. The Spoils of an Overcomer
1. Satan
a) Satan's appearance of victory
One of the things Christians have overcome is Satan. We are victors over Satan. It may seem like Satan has victory now, but ultimately he won't.
(1) Revelation 6:2
Revelation 6:2 says, "And I saw and, behold, a white horse; and he [the Antichrist] who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." A form of nikao, is used here. He went forth as a victor to gain a victory. Satan will have the initial victory. He will cause some devastating things in the early part of the tribulation, as all of humanity succumbs to him.
(2) Revelation 13:7
Revelation 13:7 says, "It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them; and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." Satan will make war with the saints and seem to overcome them. Satan appears to be the victor.
b) Christian's assurance of victory
But that isn't the whole story. Ultimately the book of Revelation says the saints are going to triumph over Satan.
(1) Revelation 12:11
Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." The saints ultimately will gain the victory.
(2) Revelation 15:2
Revelation 15:2 says, "I saw, as it were, a sea of glass mingled with fire, and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." That is a picture of the victorious saints,in heaven, having conquered Satan and his false trinity.
(3) Revelation 21:7
Revelation 21:7 says, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
(4) Romans 16:20
Romans 16:20 says, "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." Satan has been defeated at the cross. The ultimate battle has already been won. Positionally, he is already defeated; but practically-- as we learn the Word of God--we need to exercise that victory on a day-to-day basis.
2. Death
Immediately upon receiving salvation, the Christian overcomes death. First Corinthians 15:54-57 says, "When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." The believer conquerors death.
3. The World
The third thing a Christian conquers is the world. First John 5:4 says, "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world." The believer is a victor over the invisible, spiritual system of evil that operates in the world to capture men's souls for hell. When someone is saved, he is removed out of the clutches of Satan and hell, and reserved for heaven. The believer has conquered the system in Christ. If you look carefully at the phrase "whatever is born of God" in verse 4, you will find it is in the present tense, which means that the Christian is continually having victory over the world. It is a habit of life for the saint to conquer the world's system.
What does it mean to be a victor? For one thing, it is foolish to lose when we have the power to overcome. Positionally, we have conquered Satan, death, and the world. But from a practical standpoint, we need to claim and exercise that victory on a day-to- day basis. Christians are overcomers. Everyone else in the world is defeated.
II. THE DESCRIPTION OF AN OVERCOMER
First John 5:1-5 gives us a list of three characteristics that are common to all overcomers:
A.Faith in Jesus Christ (vv. 1a, 4)
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God .... For whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
Overcomers are people born of God--people who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. When you place your faith in Christ, you are born of God and become a victor.
1. A trust that is total
Many have wondered what John meant when he said, "Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1). Some have thought John meant that Christ was a something that God spawned or created. But that isn't the idea. The Greek text is saying that Jesus has been begotten out of God, not created by Him. Jesus is the Anointed One who came out of the very essence of God. He is God, having invaded the world and taken on human form.
We are overcomers by the act of believing, which results in our new birth. All that is required to be an overcomer is to believe that Jesus is the Anointed One who has come from God. The Greek phrase combines both the present and perfect tense: "Whoever is believing that Jesus is the Anointed One, has been born of God." That tells us that faith is a result, not the cause of the new birth. If you have been truly born again, you will continue to believe. Some people think all that is required in salvation is a moment of faith. But true Christians have faith from the point of salvation onward. Jesus said in John 8:31, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." Sons of God will manifest that they have been begotten of God by continuing to believe in God's eternal, only begotten Son.
2. A faith that is fundamental
First John 5:1 states that a person who is born of God believes that Jesus is the Christ. He must believe that Jesus the man is God incarnate--the Messiah, King, Savior, Redeemer, and the center and focus of revelation. The Cerinthian gnostics, whom John was dealing with, denied that Jesus was the Christ. John said their claims were worthless unless they believed that Jesus is God in human flesh. The Greek word translated "belief" is not referring merely to intellectual attainment or mental acquiescence, but a wholehearted acceptance of everything that is implied in the claims of Christ. You need to believe that Jesus is God and that He died for our sins, committing your whole life to Him in sacrifice and serving Him as Lord. That characterizes people who are born of God and are overcomers.
First John 5:4 further defines the concept of faith: "Whatever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." "Believe" and "faith" are two English words for the Greek words pistas, and pisteuo. The essential ingredient in the life of the overcomer is his faith. The Christian's victory is based on the reality that Jesus Christ is who He claimed to be.
First John 5:5 says, "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" John is emphasizing the need to believe in Christ because he has already mentioned that phrase many times in the epistle of First John and three times in this passage as well. He is saying in verse 5 that the basic characteristic of an overcomer is that he believes in Jesus Christ. A believer is one whose faith overcomes the world.
The Struggle for Solutions
There are many people in this world who struggle to find solutions for the plagues and problems of this life that can't be solved. But Jesus says, "I offer you a life that is victorious over Satan and all his forces, including death and the plagues of the system that corrupts this world. All I ask is that you believe I am God in the flesh who died for your sin and rose again for your justification." If you place your faith in Christ, you are born into a new victorious life. I don't want to be victimized by Satan, who goes around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8). I don't want to be victimized by death and sent to hell. And I don't want to be victimized by the evil world's system, which tries to take the earth from Christ. If there is victory to be had, I want it. Jesus said you can be a super- conqueror if you believe in Him and are born again. Overcomers are characterized by faith.
B. Love for Jesus Christ(vv. 1b, 5)
"And everyone that loveth him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of him.... Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God?"
It is characteristic of overcomers not only to love God, but also to love all who are begotten of God. A true believer confesses Christ and loves his brothers.
1. Objects of love
First John 5:2 says, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments." The new birth brings us not only into a relationship with the eternal Son, but into a relationship with the children of the Father as well. In First John 5:2, John gives a self-evident, universal principle that he has given in many other places (1 John 2:5, 10-11; 3:10; 4:7-8, 12, 21): If you love God, you will love your brothers. Everyone who loves the parent will also love the child. Salvation is not only being in love with God but being in love with God's children as well. If I am born of God, then I will love all who are born of God, for God also dwells in them.
2. Characteristics of love
Love is not a sentiment; it is a sacrificial act. For example, 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Love covers a multitude of sins" (NASB). If I love someone, I will have a desire to rebuke their sin, cover it, and forgive it. True love doesn't manifest itself by publicizing evil. Love is very practical. That kind of love is characteristic of all who are overcomers because they love their brothers.
John says the reverse in 1 John 5:2: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." In verse 1 John says that we know we love God because we love our Christian brothers. In verse 2 he says we love them because we love God. Some will say he is reasoning in a circle, and that's exactly right. You can't love the brothers without loving God, and you can't love God without loving the brothers. One proves the other. John is saying it is characteristic of overcomers to love one another.
C. Obedience to Jesus Christ (vv. 2-3)
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not burdensome."
1. Internal obedience
Faith, love, and obedience are all woven together. John ties obedience to love in verse 2: "We love God, and keep his commandments." He ties love to obedience in verse 3: "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." And he ties faith to love in verse 1: "Everyone that loveth him that begot loveth him also that is begotten of him." All three are inextricable. Love, faith, and obedience to God's Word are all characteristic of the believer. But the genuine proof of love is obedience.
God wants obedience that is internally, not externally motivated. God wants us to obey out of love, not fear (1 John 4:18). In Romans 6:17-18 Paul said, "God be thanked, that whereas ye were the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. Being, then, made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Paul was saying Roman Christians had obeyed from the heart. God doesn't want superficial, external obedience, but obedience that is motivated from the heart.
2.Total obedience
In addition to internal obedience, God wants total obedience. Partial obedience does not satisfy God at all. Some people think God is satisfied when they do a few things right and a few things wrong. But He is not going to settle for two out of three. He wants total obedience. Some people say they believe all the Bible except the part that says wives are to submit to their husbands, but that's not acceptable. In Joshua 22:2-4, Joshua said to the Israelites, "Ye have kept all that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them." God kept His promise as their obedience was total and motivated by the heart.
3. Constant obedience
The third kind of obedience that God wants is constant obedience: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). God desires constant obedience; we're not to be obedient only when we feel like it.
4.Cheerful obedience
The final kind of obedience that God wants is at the heart of what real obedience is: cheerful obedience. Some of you may be wondering how you could possibly obey as God wants you to. But you can.
a) 2 Corinthians 9:7
Paul wrote "Every man [is to give] according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." We are commanded to give cheerfully.
b) Philippians 4:4
This verse tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice." Disobedience is a sin, but externally motivated, partial, inconsistent, grudging obedience is also wrong. God wants a loving, total, constant, and joyous response of obedience. He can ask for that because His commandments are not grievious or burdensome (1 John 5:3). Jesus' commandment's are not grievious for three reasons: one, if you mess up, He forgives you; two, He never asks you to do something without giving you the power to do it; and three, we keep His commandments not out of fear, but out of love. That doesn't mean they aren't ever difficult, just that they aren't impossible.
III. THE DELIGHTS OF AN OVERCOMER
John describes the fantastic delights of the overcomer. There is one problem: He didn't describe them in 1 John. They are in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 2 and 3 there are seven letters to seven first century churches. At the end of every letter is a promise to the overcomer. Those promises were given to the true believers in those particular churches, but they also apply to every believer throughout the ages.
A. The Tree of Life (Rev. 2:7)
The first delight of an overcomer is the gift of the tree of life. Revelation 2:7 says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." There was a tree in the Garden of Eden called the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. When Adam and Eve ate of that tree, they became sinners. But there was another tree in the Garden called the tree of life. God took Adam and Eve out of the Garden because He didn't want them to eat from the tree of life. He didn't want sinners to have eternal life because that would have brought sin into His eternal dwelling place. He put an angel with a flaming sword to guard the Garden so they couldn't get back in and eat from the tree of life.
But did you know that God transplanted that tree out of the Garden and into heaven? Revelation 22:2 says, "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bore twelve kinds of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing of the nations." Now that's a big tree, if it is on both sides of one river! It has twelve kinds of fruit. Did you ever see a tree like that? Not without a lot of string on it! It yields its fruit every month. Its leaves serve as therapy for the nations. The word "healing" doesn't refer to the healing of disease; it refers to providing health. We won't be hungry or thirsty in heaven, but we will eat and drink for pure enjoyment. Revelation 2:7 says, "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." That means the overcomer is promised heaven. The first delight for overcomers is the eternal enjoyment of God's presence in His paradise.
B.Eternal Life(Rev.2:11)
The second thing promised to the overcomer is eternal life. Revelation 2:ll says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." There are two deaths mentioned in the Bible: the first is physical death and the second is spiritual death. Spiritual death results in eternal death. The overcomer will not be harmed by the second death. Everyone will die physically, for verse 10 says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," but the believer will never die spiritually. That's exciting! The man who is not an overcomer dies only to die again. The overcomer dies to live forever. What a promise!
C.The Bread of Life (Rev. 2:17)
The third delight of an overcomer is the hidden manna of God and a white stone from God. Revelation 2:17 says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in that stone a new name written, which no man knoweth except he that receiveth it." The overcomer receives two things:
1. Hidden manna
The first is hidden manna. And that manna is Jesus. It is nothing more or less than feasting on the presence of Jesus Christ. People often ask what heaven will be like. I always say, "Heaven is where Jesus is." That's enough for me-- feasting on His presence, for Jesus is the hidden manna and the Bread of Life. Oh, what a rich banquet, just to spend forever in His presence!
2.A White stone
God will not only give us manna, but a white stone as well. In the Greek text, the white stone refers to a diamond. There is debate about what that might mean. But I have one thought.
In the Old Testament, the priest had on his breastplate a bright stone called the urim. When people wanted to know God's will, He revealed it in that stone. The white stone might refer to the absolute and ultimate knowledge of God's will. What more could we ask for than to have all of God's revelation and knowledge given to us in glory?.
Have you ever thought about what heaven is like? It might seem so impersonal with only righteous people around. Will we feel like a lot of celestial cattle being herded around? No! God is going to give each of us a crystal in which a new name will be written known only by the person who receives it. My stone will say one thing; yours will say something else. Whatever else will go on in heaven, God and I will have our own thing going! The same will be true of you. We will all be individuals in glory. What will your new name be? How could I tell you? No one will know but you and God!
We are going to have a personal relationship with God forever. We're going to be in the presence of the hidden manna--Jesus Christ. We're going to be eating of the tree of life and lapping up the water from the crystal river flowing from His throne. We'll never be touched by the second death. What terrific promises!
D.The power of life (Rev. 2:26-28)
Revelation 2:26-28 says, "He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations; And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star."
1. Powerover the nations
What is meant by the phrase, "power over the nations"? In Psalm 2:8-9 God said He will give power over the nations to the Messiah. Revelation 2:27 says that as Jesus receives power over the nations, He will give it to us. We will rule with Christ in His millennial kingdom.
You might think that His rule will be harsh since He will rule with a big rod. The Greek word for "rule" is poimanei, and is translated "shepherd." It is a shepherd's rod, not a billy club.
There will be discipline in the kingdom. Where evil and sin dwell, judgement will be enforced. But there will also be caring, nourishing, and tenderness in this Shepherd's rod. That is what the phrase "power over the nations" refers to. Could you ever dream of being seated together with Christ on His throne? You may say, "Who me? I'm not even the foreman on my job!" But remember, our ruling in the kingdom is by pure grace.
2. The morning star
Revelation 2:28 says, "I will give him the morning star." We own the morning star. Revelation 22:16 says, "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Who is the morning star? Jesus. You know who's going to be mine in heaven? Jesus. He is given to overcomers. In 2 Peter 1:19, Peter says, "And the day star [will] arise in your hearts." In a sense, the morning star is already shining in us, but some day He will belong to us in the fullness of His presence. We will rule the nations and possess the Lord of the nations for our very own.
E.The book of life (Rev. 3:5)
Revelation 3:5 gives us the fifth delight of an overcomer: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." Here are two more features for an overcomer.
1. Clothed in white raiment
White raiment refers to righteousness, purity, holiness, and glory. We're going to be clothed in white, and that's Christ's color. When He comes out of heaven riding on a white horse, wearing a white robe, we will be with him on white horses and dressed in white robes. Because of His own righteousness, He clothes us in His own holiness, purity, and righteousness.
2. Confessed before God
John further states, "And I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels" (Rev. 3:5). Many people are confused by that phrase. They say, "Does that mean that you could get your name blotted out of the book of life?" No! the text says, "I will not blot his name out of the book of life" (emphasis added). We are secure in Christ.
In John's day, kings in every area had a registry. All the people's names were put into that registry. When anyone committed a criminal act, his name was removed from the registry. Our Lord is saying "The world may cross you off its lists, kings may remove your name for the crime of Christianity, but I will never blot your name out of My book." That doesn't mean you can't be sure; it means you can be sure. You are secure in Him. It doesn't imply that God takes names out; it emphasizes that He keeps them in! Aren't you glad that your salvation is guaranteed? He says, "I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels." When I get to heaven, Jesus is going to say, "Father, angels, here is John MacArthur." Wow!
F.The name of life (Rev. 3:12)
Revelation 3:12 says, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write on him my new name."
1. The "pillar in the temple of my God"
What does it mean to be a pillar in God's temple? In John's day, important people were honored by placing a pillar inscribed with their name in the local temple. Great temples to certain gods became monuments of perpetual honor to famous citizens, because they would begin to mark those pillars with the names of these citizens. As overcomers you and I have pillars in the celestial hall of fame. In fact, we are pillars! We are eternally honored in God's celestial hall of fame.
The verse continues by saying, "And He shall go no more out." Historically, this letter was written to the church at Philadelphia, which was located near a volcano field. They were constantly being subjected to earthquakes. Whenever an earthquake would occur, the people would flee from the city because it was often destroyed. The Lord was saying to this group of believers, "I'm going to make you pillars, and you're never going to have to flee. You're never going to have to fear. In heaven there is no fear, No pillar has ever collapsed there. You're secure."
2. The "name of my God"
In addition, Jesus is going to write on us "the name of my God," which is the mark of possession. Then He is going to write "the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God." That is the mark of citizenship. Then He will write "my new name," which is the mark of love. We belong to God, to heaven, and to Jesus. We are going to have their names written on us. We'll be pillars, never shaken, never fearful, never having to run. That's exciting!
G. The throne of life (Rev. 3:21)
The seventh delight of an overcomer is in Revelation 3:21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." The supreme thing is to be in heaven seated on the throne of God.
Can you imagine what would have happened if you had been living in the days of the Caesars, and sat on Caesar's throne and said, "This is terrific Caesar!" You would have lost your head! We will be co-reigning with Jesus, sitting in His throne, and He will be sitting in the Father's throne. We are all going to be in the same place.
Do you have a picture of what it means to be an overcomer, and to someday enjoy the delights of being an overcomer forever? I praise God I am an overcomer!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Managing Your Finances in Tough Times: Five Steps You Can Take
These days, it's hard to find any good news about the economy. Stock markets around the world are unraveling. Home values have plummeted, and increasing numbers of families are struggling with mortgages they cannot afford.
Retirement accounts are shriveling. Grocery and utility bills are going through the roof. Businesses are failing, and new layoff announcements seem to come nearly every day. To say we're facing grim economic times would be a huge understatement.
"Many people are feeling totally helpless and stressed-out about what's happening in the economy. Even if they have a job now, there's a lot of anxiety about whether they'll still have one a few months down the road," observes Erica Sandberg, a San Francisco-based family money management consultant.
But while many feel blindsided by the economic downturn, it really was predictable, adds Michael Gutter, Ph.D., assistant professor of family financial management at the University of Florida. "As a society, we've been living way beyond our means and buying virtually everything on credit, including homes that are out of our price range," he says.
When the real estate market started its downward spiral a few years ago, many homeowners found themselves owing more on their homes than they were worth. They were in over their heads in debt and couldn't meet their mortgage payments, nor could they sell their homes. So they defaulted on their loans. This led to the failure of many banks, causing a chain reaction that continues to ripple through our economy.
Certainly there are no easy fixes to our world's financial problems. Any quick perusal of the daily news will attest to that. Still, families can—and should—take steps to maintain control of their own finances in these uncertain economic times. Doing so will not only decrease your stress levels, it is actually something God expects us to do.
God expects us to wisely manage what we have
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus told the parable of the unjust steward to warn people against poor stewardship. This applies not only to what we do with our money, but also to everything else God has given us in this life.
Verse 11 sums up the parable by stating, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (New International Version). God wants to see how well we're going to manage our physical possessions now before He entrusts us with far greater assets in His Kingdom.
In Proverbs 27:23-24 we're admonished, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever" (NIV). We're also told, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty" (Proverbs 21:5).
Many other verses in the Bible similarly stress the importance of good financial planning.
Even though our lives are in God's hands, He wants us to do our part to keep our finances in check. This is always important, but especially when times get tough. "You may have been able to get away with a certain amount of careless spending in the past, but you can't anymore," Dr. Gutter warns.
So what can you do? With today's economy in mind, here are five ways to manage your family finances more effectively:
Retirement accounts are shriveling. Grocery and utility bills are going through the roof. Businesses are failing, and new layoff announcements seem to come nearly every day. To say we're facing grim economic times would be a huge understatement.
"Many people are feeling totally helpless and stressed-out about what's happening in the economy. Even if they have a job now, there's a lot of anxiety about whether they'll still have one a few months down the road," observes Erica Sandberg, a San Francisco-based family money management consultant.
But while many feel blindsided by the economic downturn, it really was predictable, adds Michael Gutter, Ph.D., assistant professor of family financial management at the University of Florida. "As a society, we've been living way beyond our means and buying virtually everything on credit, including homes that are out of our price range," he says.
When the real estate market started its downward spiral a few years ago, many homeowners found themselves owing more on their homes than they were worth. They were in over their heads in debt and couldn't meet their mortgage payments, nor could they sell their homes. So they defaulted on their loans. This led to the failure of many banks, causing a chain reaction that continues to ripple through our economy.
Certainly there are no easy fixes to our world's financial problems. Any quick perusal of the daily news will attest to that. Still, families can—and should—take steps to maintain control of their own finances in these uncertain economic times. Doing so will not only decrease your stress levels, it is actually something God expects us to do.
God expects us to wisely manage what we have
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus told the parable of the unjust steward to warn people against poor stewardship. This applies not only to what we do with our money, but also to everything else God has given us in this life.
Verse 11 sums up the parable by stating, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" (New International Version). God wants to see how well we're going to manage our physical possessions now before He entrusts us with far greater assets in His Kingdom.
In Proverbs 27:23-24 we're admonished, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever" (NIV). We're also told, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty" (Proverbs 21:5).
Many other verses in the Bible similarly stress the importance of good financial planning.
Even though our lives are in God's hands, He wants us to do our part to keep our finances in check. This is always important, but especially when times get tough. "You may have been able to get away with a certain amount of careless spending in the past, but you can't anymore," Dr. Gutter warns.
So what can you do? With today's economy in mind, here are five ways to manage your family finances more effectively:
1. PREPARE A BUDGET
The number one step you can take is to create a budget for your household. Simply put, "a budget is a plan for how you are going to spend your money," says Karen Varcoe, Ph.D., a financial adviser and consumer economics specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension.
Budgeting helps you see how you are actually using your money and where you need to make adjustments in your spending. Dr. Varcoe says leaving your finances to chance, as so many families do, is a sure path to getting deep into debt.
Creating a budget involves five basic steps. First, sit down as a family and set some short-term and long-term goals in terms of how you want to use your money and time. What's your top priority? Is it sending your children to college? Saving for retirement? Spending time with your family? Going on a vacation? Buying a second automobile? This will get you thinking about how your financial habits could impact those goals in the future.
Second, calculate your net household income for one month. Include your regular paycheck, as well as any bonuses or income from investments or side jobs that you regularly receive.
Third, track your expenditures for a month. Get a notebook and put a heading at the top of each page for different spending categories such as housing, food, transportation, entertainment, clothing, medical, payments on credit card debt and loans, and miscellaneous. Each time you write a check, use your credit card or buy something with cash, record that amount under the appropriate heading in your notebook.
Fourth, at the end of the month, total each spending category. Don't forget to factor in annual or semiannual expenses such as property taxes or insurance premiums. Calculate the cost per month of each such bill. You'll need to set that money aside to be able to pay these bills when they come due. This will help you see if too much or too little of your monthly income is going toward certain kinds of purchases. Then add up all your expenses for a grand total and compare that to your net income for the month.
This leads to the fifth and last step—to actually plan out your budget. Hopefully your expenditures for the month were lower than your income. Then your task is to prioritize this excess to areas of your budget such as savings or paying extra on outstanding credit card debt.
Look at your monthly expenditures to see if they were in line with your family's goals. If not, you will need to make appropriate adjustments in your budget.
"If one of your family's goals is to spend time together in the evenings and weekends, then you don't want to get yourselves so far in debt that you're barely making it each month," cautions Bill Gustafson, Ph.D., senior director of the Center for Financial Responsibility at Texas Technical University.
"If you do, either you or your spouse will probably have to increase your work hours or get a second job if times get tough, and that's going to take time away from your most important goal."
If your expenses exceeded your income, you'll have to cut expenses or increase your income to have a balanced budget. If finding additional income is not possible, you will need to decrease your expenses. Most of these cutbacks will have to come from variable expenses (utility bills, entertainment, transportation, clothing, groceries, entertainment, dining out, etc.) rather than fixed expenses (mortgage or rent payments, auto and educational loans, tithes, etc.).
Once you've come up with your budget, stick with it. When you do spend, record the expenditure either on a computer (using a budgeting program such as Quicken or Microsoft Money) or in a ledger book. Keep a running total of how much you've spent in your various budget categories for each month. If you get to the point where there's no more money left for the month in a particular category, stop spending. Don't let yourself spend what's not in the budget.
2. LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS
In normal economic times, the standard recommendation from financial advisers is to live within your means. However, in today's economy, "you'd be much better off if you could actually live below your means," Dr. Gustafson says.
Take a good look around your household and see what you can do to cut down on expenses. You can usually find many ways to save money—everything from shopping at consignment stores and clipping coupons to going out to restaurants less often and doing your own yardwork instead of hiring someone else to do it. Turn down the heat in winter and the air conditioner in summer to save on utilities. By reducing expenses, you will have more money to put in emergency savings or to pay down outstanding bills.
You can even get your children involved with this. Depending on their age, explain to them some of the serious issues in the economy and why it's especially important not to be wasteful right now. See if they can come up with their own ideas for saving money.
Barbara of Chicago says that by doing this, her kids have really become motivated to "get on board" with the family's goals of lowering spending. "They check the newspapers for coupons for me and look for sales, they don't leave the lights on in their bedrooms anymore, and they haven't asked for a new toy in months," she relates.
"Now they're planning what vegetables they want to plant in a garden this summer so we can spend less on groceries. They've really helped us trim down the family budget!"
In normal economic times, the standard recommendation from financial advisers is to live within your means. However, in today's economy, "you'd be much better off if you could actually live below your means," Dr. Gustafson says.
Take a good look around your household and see what you can do to cut down on expenses. You can usually find many ways to save money—everything from shopping at consignment stores and clipping coupons to going out to restaurants less often and doing your own yardwork instead of hiring someone else to do it. Turn down the heat in winter and the air conditioner in summer to save on utilities. By reducing expenses, you will have more money to put in emergency savings or to pay down outstanding bills.
You can even get your children involved with this. Depending on their age, explain to them some of the serious issues in the economy and why it's especially important not to be wasteful right now. See if they can come up with their own ideas for saving money.
Barbara of Chicago says that by doing this, her kids have really become motivated to "get on board" with the family's goals of lowering spending. "They check the newspapers for coupons for me and look for sales, they don't leave the lights on in their bedrooms anymore, and they haven't asked for a new toy in months," she relates.
"Now they're planning what vegetables they want to plant in a garden this summer so we can spend less on groceries. They've really helped us trim down the family budget!"
3. AVOID BUYING ON CREDIT
This is not the time to purchase depreciable, non-essential items (such as new cars, clothing, furniture, appliances, boats, jewelry and other luxury items) on credit, or to borrow additional money.
"You don't want to be adding to your debt load, especially in a sluggish economy," advises Dr. Varcoe. The reality is, "a lot of people are feeling insecure about their jobs right now. If you're one of the casualties, you don't want to be unemployed and have a heavy debt load to deal with too."
Keep in mind Proverbs 22:7, which tells us, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender" (NIV). Taking on a lot of debt is not wise—even when the economy is in good shape.
If you become burdened down with a heavy load of debt, it's as though you become a slave to your creditors. You cannot spend your paycheck on what you want because you owe huge amounts to the credit card companies, which are probably charging exorbitant interest rates.
Not only is it inadvisable to use credit cards for "wants," but you shouldn't rely on them for "needs" either, cautions money management consultant Sandberg. "Credit cards are not an emergency vehicle. The moment a family begins to say, 'Hmmm, money's a little tight this month; I think we're going to have to start charging,' that's the time to cut up all the credit cards. If you're short on cash, you need to find another way to get by other than credit cards."
She says credit cards should only be seen as a payment tool for short-term loans that are paid back when the monthly bill comes due so you aren't being charged interest. (To avoid interest charges you must have a zero balance each month, and your credit card company may have other restrictions. Read the fine print.)
4. PAY OFF YOUR EXISTING DEBT
If you're already in debt, do whatever you can to pay off existing credit cards and other high-interest loans. Perhaps you've been able to reduce household expenses or even have a few garage sales. Use that extra cash toward debt reduction.
Hal Young, a financial adviser in Folsom, California, says the key is to eliminate enough monthly expenses to come up with a so-called "power payment." Pay whatever extra amount you can, in addition to your regular minimum payment on at least one outstanding debt. Even if you're only paying an extra $100 a month, that can really help bring down the credit card balance. He recommends making a chart, listing every creditor by interest rate, total amount owed and the minimum monthly payment.
"The bill with the highest interest rate or the smallest balance is probably the best one to attack," says Young. It's far easier to whittle down a $3,000 credit card payment than a $30,000 home-equity loan.
You may also want to get some professional help from a debt counselor. Most cities in the United States offer some type of consumer credit counseling services. There you will be able to obtain help for free or at very low cost. Debt counselors can help you consolidate your debts and put together a payoff plan for you. They may even contact your creditors and arrange to have some of your bills delayed for a while to help you get back on your feet financially.
Hal Young, a financial adviser in Folsom, California, says the key is to eliminate enough monthly expenses to come up with a so-called "power payment." Pay whatever extra amount you can, in addition to your regular minimum payment on at least one outstanding debt. Even if you're only paying an extra $100 a month, that can really help bring down the credit card balance. He recommends making a chart, listing every creditor by interest rate, total amount owed and the minimum monthly payment.
"The bill with the highest interest rate or the smallest balance is probably the best one to attack," says Young. It's far easier to whittle down a $3,000 credit card payment than a $30,000 home-equity loan.
You may also want to get some professional help from a debt counselor. Most cities in the United States offer some type of consumer credit counseling services. There you will be able to obtain help for free or at very low cost. Debt counselors can help you consolidate your debts and put together a payoff plan for you. They may even contact your creditors and arrange to have some of your bills delayed for a while to help you get back on your feet financially.
5. SAVE AT LEAST TEN PERCENT OF YOUR INCOME
Financial planners generally suggest families put at least 10 percent of their paychecks into savings. With the world economy as shaky as it is, many financial advisers, like Dr. Gustafson, recommend families save closer to 15 percent of their income if at all possible. Allocate that amount into your monthly budget, just as you would your fixed living expenses.
The Bible also stresses the importance of saving. In a footnoted paraphrase of Proverbs 21:20, The Ryrie Study Bible says, "The wise man plans and saves for the future, but the foolish person squanders what he has."
It's not easy, but by having money set aside in savings, you'll be better prepared if you have an unexpected expense (such as a major car or household repair), or if you find yourself having to buy a "big ticket" item (such as a new washing machine). You won't have to turn to your credit cards to get by.
"Even if you have debt, it's important to save some money," says Sandberg. "Debt is a very draining emotional experience. If you're simultaneously whittling that debt away, but at the same time you're also tucking money away for your family, it kind of counteracts that feeling of 'Ughhh, all I'm doing is paying off the damage of the past.' So emotionally it's just a really good thing to do."
You should have separate savings accounts set up for long-term goals (such as your retirement or college for your children) and short-term goals (to pay for things like vacations, new appliances or car down payments). Additionally, every family should have three to six months' worth of living expenses (mortgage or rent payments, utilities, food and transportation costs) set aside in an emergency fund—just in case you are laid off or incur a major unexpected expense.
The source of true peace of mind
We realize that many of our readers are hard working and that their income may be just enough to meet regular expenses. Realistically, you may not be able to apply all the principles in this article at this point in your life. If so, you're not alone—we've all been there.
However, you should still diligently examine your financial circumstances and the principles explained here and apply what you can. For example, you may not be able to save 10 to 15 percent of your income or put three to six months of living expenses in an emergency fund, but start where you can and save what you can. Make every dollar count.
But no matter what your family's financial situation, do not overly worry. True, these are indeed perilous economic times. There is a lot we could become anxious about if we let ourselves—but don't. Do what you can to try to get your financial house in order and to provide for yourself and your loved ones, and then leave the rest up to God.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything" (NIV). Certainly that includes recessions, company layoffs and stock market crashes. Remind yourself that although God won't supply all of our wants, He "will meet all your needs" (verse 19, NIV). Ultimately, that is what is going to give you true security and peace of mind.
THE STORY OF THE EMPTY BIRDCAGE
There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak..."I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply."What are you gonna do with them?" I asked."Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time.""But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?""Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them." The pastor was silent for a moment."How much do you want for those birds, son?""Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!""How much?" the pastor asked again.The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting."Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!""What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to use guns and bombs to kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!""And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked."Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly."How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked."Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!""How much? He asked again.Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."Jesus said, "DONE!" Then He paid the price. The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door+ and he walked from the pulpit.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH IN TURBULENT TIMES
Psalm 34:19 is clear: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous..." It didn't say, "Many are the afflictions of the sinner." NO! Even the righteous may undergo many trials--ask Job! Troubles and afflictions are a normal part of the Christian' life, but we don't have to be defeated by them.
For some reason we have thought that the life of faith is a life free from troubles. Instead, the life of faith is a life overcoming troubles.
We faith people love quoting 1 John 5:4: "...This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." What is it that brings us victory? Our faith! Faith brings us victory. But remember that with every victory, there has to be a battle.
Some people have thought that the victorious faith life is a life without battles. But this is not true. Victory assumes that there was a battle. You can't say "I won" when you didn't have an opponent.
You may recently have become a Christian and are living by the faith message, standing on the promises of God. And now it seems as though all hell has broken out against you--sickness has constantly been plaguing you, finances have been scarce, your family is fighting life cats and dogs. Nothing good is happening to you. Why?!
All these problems may be happening to you because the devil is attacking your faith. Since you decided to live by faith, you're a threat to Satan and his kingdom. He's afraid of your faith. As long as you stayed in your dead church and refused to act on the Word of God, you were no threat to Satan. Now that you've been born again, you're in a war with him. Paul affirms the Christian battle: "...We must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The kingdom of God represents the benefits of Calvary--all that Jesus paid for by suffering and dying on the cross: our forgiveness, our healing, our prosperity, our victory over sin and the devil, etc...
It is not strange that we must go through much tribulation to enter the blessings of Calvary, because we have an enemy who's trying to keep us from entering the promises of God.
THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH
The Bible calls trials and tribulations "the testing of our faith" ( 1 Peter 1:7 and James 1:3). Trials are meant to test your FAITH. With that thought in mind, look carefully at 1 Peter 5:8-9: "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. RESIST HIM, standing firm in faith..." You are not to embrace the devil; you are to resist him. Resisting him is the same as resisting his works. What are his works? Keep reading 1 Peter 5:9: "Resist him, standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." The works of the devil are SUFFERINGS.
The devil brought all kinds of sufferings to the early church, and he is still brings suffering to many faithful believers today. Unfortunately, many Christians think they are supposed to embrace suffering, because they think it is from God.
Suffering does not come from God--it comes from the devil. To "resist the devil" means to resist suffering. You are not to embrace or accept suffering; you are to RESIST it.
You resist suffering by "STANDING FIRM IN FAITH."
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:16 that faith is a shield...a shield that protects us from the arrows of the enemy. You are supposed to put up the shield of faith so that the devil's arrows (sickness, poverty, problems) don't pierce you, thus sticking with you. God wants you to get rid of your trials. Trials may come, but they are not to stay!
Notice again the entire scripture in Psalm 34:19: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous..." Don't stop here. Keep reading! "BUT THE LORD DELIVERETH HIM OUT OF THEM ALL." This means that troubles should not stay in our life; they should leave! If troubles stay, then you're not delivered.
Remember what the Lord said to His disciples: "...In this world you will have tribulation, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER: I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33). We are world overcomers, not world "copers" putting up with our problems. Trials, troubles and tribulations will come, but we are to WIN by resisting these things. Our faith can overcome!
But if you think that troubles and trial automatically make you stronger, then you are sorely deceived. Trials come to test your faith. This means that trials BATTLE your faith. And if your faith is not fighting back, you are not winning.
If your not winning, you're not becoming stronger. God wants us to become stronger by resisting the devil who sent the trial.
Many sincere Christians don't resist trials, because they have been taught that trials automatically make them stronger. They don't realize that trials are the testing of their faith, and that a test can be passed or flunked. You pass the test of faith by OVERCOMING each trial, not by keeping the trial! If your faith doesn't get rid of the trial, then you've failed the test. God permits trials to come so that you will have the opportunity to exercise your faith, thereby becoming stronger.
A trial can be compared to a weight barbell. Imagine yourself lying on your back and having a heavy barbell placed on your chest. Do you become strong by allowing it to stay on your chest? No! You become strong when you push it up and away from you.
Your faith works the same way as your arms. Your faith becomes stronger when you push the trial away from you, not when you allow the trial to stay on you.
So in the end, trials can be beneficial. This is why we can count it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds--because the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking any good thing
For some reason we have thought that the life of faith is a life free from troubles. Instead, the life of faith is a life overcoming troubles.
We faith people love quoting 1 John 5:4: "...This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." What is it that brings us victory? Our faith! Faith brings us victory. But remember that with every victory, there has to be a battle.
Some people have thought that the victorious faith life is a life without battles. But this is not true. Victory assumes that there was a battle. You can't say "I won" when you didn't have an opponent.
You may recently have become a Christian and are living by the faith message, standing on the promises of God. And now it seems as though all hell has broken out against you--sickness has constantly been plaguing you, finances have been scarce, your family is fighting life cats and dogs. Nothing good is happening to you. Why?!
All these problems may be happening to you because the devil is attacking your faith. Since you decided to live by faith, you're a threat to Satan and his kingdom. He's afraid of your faith. As long as you stayed in your dead church and refused to act on the Word of God, you were no threat to Satan. Now that you've been born again, you're in a war with him. Paul affirms the Christian battle: "...We must go through much tribulation to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The kingdom of God represents the benefits of Calvary--all that Jesus paid for by suffering and dying on the cross: our forgiveness, our healing, our prosperity, our victory over sin and the devil, etc...
It is not strange that we must go through much tribulation to enter the blessings of Calvary, because we have an enemy who's trying to keep us from entering the promises of God.
THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH
The Bible calls trials and tribulations "the testing of our faith" ( 1 Peter 1:7 and James 1:3). Trials are meant to test your FAITH. With that thought in mind, look carefully at 1 Peter 5:8-9: "...Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. RESIST HIM, standing firm in faith..." You are not to embrace the devil; you are to resist him. Resisting him is the same as resisting his works. What are his works? Keep reading 1 Peter 5:9: "Resist him, standing firm in faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." The works of the devil are SUFFERINGS.
The devil brought all kinds of sufferings to the early church, and he is still brings suffering to many faithful believers today. Unfortunately, many Christians think they are supposed to embrace suffering, because they think it is from God.
Suffering does not come from God--it comes from the devil. To "resist the devil" means to resist suffering. You are not to embrace or accept suffering; you are to RESIST it.
You resist suffering by "STANDING FIRM IN FAITH."
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:16 that faith is a shield...a shield that protects us from the arrows of the enemy. You are supposed to put up the shield of faith so that the devil's arrows (sickness, poverty, problems) don't pierce you, thus sticking with you. God wants you to get rid of your trials. Trials may come, but they are not to stay!
Notice again the entire scripture in Psalm 34:19: "Many are the afflictions of the righteous..." Don't stop here. Keep reading! "BUT THE LORD DELIVERETH HIM OUT OF THEM ALL." This means that troubles should not stay in our life; they should leave! If troubles stay, then you're not delivered.
Remember what the Lord said to His disciples: "...In this world you will have tribulation, BUT BE OF GOOD CHEER: I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33). We are world overcomers, not world "copers" putting up with our problems. Trials, troubles and tribulations will come, but we are to WIN by resisting these things. Our faith can overcome!
But if you think that troubles and trial automatically make you stronger, then you are sorely deceived. Trials come to test your faith. This means that trials BATTLE your faith. And if your faith is not fighting back, you are not winning.
If your not winning, you're not becoming stronger. God wants us to become stronger by resisting the devil who sent the trial.
Many sincere Christians don't resist trials, because they have been taught that trials automatically make them stronger. They don't realize that trials are the testing of their faith, and that a test can be passed or flunked. You pass the test of faith by OVERCOMING each trial, not by keeping the trial! If your faith doesn't get rid of the trial, then you've failed the test. God permits trials to come so that you will have the opportunity to exercise your faith, thereby becoming stronger.
A trial can be compared to a weight barbell. Imagine yourself lying on your back and having a heavy barbell placed on your chest. Do you become strong by allowing it to stay on your chest? No! You become strong when you push it up and away from you.
Your faith works the same way as your arms. Your faith becomes stronger when you push the trial away from you, not when you allow the trial to stay on you.
So in the end, trials can be beneficial. This is why we can count it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds--because the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking any good thing
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
INTRODUCING EVAN MILES GOLDMAN
Sarasota-May 18-Evan Miles Goldman was born in the early morning hours. Tim and Melody Goldman gathered in the crowded room to see this beautiful baby boy. He weighed 9 and a half LBS. He is a Big Boy. Evan Miles Goldman is the Grandson of Maria and Noel Serrano and Trish and Ken Goldman. Both Families joined in celebration of this Happy Event.Monday, May 11, 2009
REMEMBERING HILDA BOSCH
"COSTURERA FIEL" Por Clarita Maldonado
1.
Con manos habiles dispuesta y resuelta, llegastes muy joven, Hilda para trabajar. abristes camino en los Estados Unidos, siendo tu el puente para todo familiar.
2.
Tus manos habiles con gran vigor distes, forjando para todos un mejor lugar, embarcastes el "Marine Flasher" y aunque con temor llegastes Mantuvistes siempre tu reservada Dignidad.
3.
La "Maquina Merrow" en la calle "Bleecher" fue el vehiculo que usastes para superar, susurro constante al pedal dando, cosiendo pedazos-tus manos rapidas sin demorar.
4.
Fue en el '45 abristes con tus manos ventana que Dios daba de la oportunidad con tu sacrificio distes a tus hijos la dicha bendecida de poder aspirar.
5.
Costurera Fiel-unistes nuestras vidas siendo gran ejemplo, Madre de Oracion, tu hilo muy fino de amor y servicio brazo a brazo unida a tu amado Tavin.
6.
Militastes fiel por 68 anos en La Sinagoga, gran congregacion a Jesucristo adorando, silenciosa baluarte apoyando en todo la obra del Senor.
7.
Con manos estrictas, Fiel Costurera Guiastes, inspirastes a tu hijo, Joaquin, a Miriam, y a Ruthie, a Tato apoyastes siempre pendiente al secreto genuino, hoy Jerry, Nicole y todos tus nietos te damos gracias, Costurera Fiel.
8.
Sutil tu sonrisa, con mano elevada, nos dejas hoy, "GranMa" Nos dice Adios? "No, mis Hijos Amados, sino "Hasta Luego", me voy al descanso, a las manos de Dios, Sigan muy firmes a Dios fiel sirviendo, nos veremos pronto en el Reino de Dios.
A MOTHER'S DAY TRIBUTE TO HILDA BOSCH
Al llegar a America, Suzy entrevisto a Gran ma, (Hilda) y enfoco en la experiencia de ella, lo siguiente es parte de ese reporte."Hermenegilda Garcia nacio en Ponce, P.R. y tenia 26 anos cuando emigra los Estados Unidos. Se crio huerfana pues su madre murio cuando Hilda tenia una edad intermedia. Conocio a su primer esposo Joaquin Maldonado Sr, con quien tuvo un hijo-Joaquin Maldonado. Cuando Joaquin tenia 9 meses de nacido, el padre del nino murio de tuberculosis, una plaga que estaba azotando al pueblo en ese tiempo. Hilda quedo sola en la crianza de su hijo. Fue entonces que el Hermano de Hilda (Nico Garcia), que ya estaba trabajando en los Estados Unidos,le envio el pasaje a ella. Hilda llego aqui en el barco "Marine Flasher" en Julio del 1946. Vino a vivir en Simpson St., Bronx, NY en el apartamento de una amiga (Carmen Guzman)
Con persistencia encontro trabajo de costurera en una factoria en Bleecker St. en Manhattan. Como ella no hablaba ingles la entrenaron para trabajar la maquina "Merrow". siempre estuvo agradecida de poder trabajar como miembro de "Ladies Garment Worker's Union. eventualmente, pudo traer a su hijo Joaquin,a quien habia dejado al cuidado de la familia de su difunto esposo. En ese tiempo, tambien, busco y hallo una iglesia permanente la cual fue, La Sinagoga, la cual pastoreaba el Rev. Manuel L. Reyes. Fue fiel miembro de la misma or 68 years.
Hilda fue puente para traer a su familia que venian a vivir en un apartamento. al conseguir mejores trabajos-en correos, mechanica, en hopitales, como choferes, etc pudieron luego todos conseguir sus propios apartamentos y casas. despues de estar aca por diez anos, Hilda conocio al segundo esposo-Octavio Bosch con quien tuvo 3 higos-Miriam,Osvaldo, y Ruth. Por ultimo, el elemento de union que mantuvo la estabilidad de la familia-lo fue y aun es cierto, es el compromiso Cristiano y fiel en el senor Jesus, a pesar de cualquier adversidad, siempre apreciare los valores que se me han dejado atraves de Hermemgilda (Hilda) Garcia de Bosch. ahra que su lucha aqui ha terminado, confiamos queel ejemplo de su dignidad y fidelidad a dios y a su familia permanezcan.
Susanna M. Alvarado
Sunday, May 10, 2009
THE NEW STAR TREK IS A STAR HIT!!!
Did somebody just reach through the space-time continuum and pull out a white rabbit?
The crew of the Enterprise, led by James Kirk (Chris Pine, left) goes forth on a new voyage.
Even diehard Trekkers might agree that Capt. James Tiberius Kirk's best days are behind him, but by going boldly back into the past for "Star Trek" -- a "reboot" of the famed series -- director J.J. Abrams and crew have done more than prove the point. They've presented him with a whole new future.
This exhilarating blockbuster gets under way at warp speed with a prologue that climaxes with Jim's birth -- under fire from angry Romulans -- and the heroic self-sacrifice of his father, who goes down with his Starfleet command. Life, death and special effects!
The widow Kirk doesn't get much of a look. Next thing we know, James T. is an angry teenager hot-rodding in a vintage convertible and nearly throwing himself off a cliff in the process. A few years later, he's still the impetuous hothead, getting into a barroom brawl with a company of space cadets and then reporting to the Academy himself the next morning.
A Cold War hero who doves could dig, Kirk has always been a projection of American "soft power," a gunboat commander on an intergalactic peacekeeping mission. He's not perfect, but his flaws are human -- and in the Cold War context, American flaws: he's stubborn (or determined), irrational (independent) and above all, emotional (feeling). He never met an alien of the opposite sex he didn't like or a problem too complex for his gut.
These traits have a youthful, Kennedy-esque character, so it makes sense that they're accentuated in Chris Pine's portrait of the captain as a raw Starfleet recruit, bucking the system. No offense to William Shatner, but it's been a long, long time since Kirk was this sexy.
Spock traditionally mitigates Kirk's hot-blooded excess with a dose of cold, hard logic. In the classic Gene Roddenberry scheme of things, the Enterprise runs most smoothly with both men side by side on the bridge. Watch how Pine and Abrams shot a key scene in the movie
In this new, young, sometimes angry "Star Trek" -- written by Abrams cohorts Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman ("Alias") -- most of the running time they're banging heads, rubbing each other the wrong way. In the development most likely to dismay "Trek" traditionalists, they even have eyes for the same girl (Zoe Saldana as a prickly Uhura).
Don't Miss
New 'Star Trek' attracts fresh blood, high hopes
iReport.com: Why do you love 'Star Trek'?
EW.com: A 'Star Trek' timeline
Despite the tension between them, Zachary Quinto's young Spock is considerably less aloof than Leonard Nimoy's; Quinto stresses confusion and earnest self-doubt where Nimoy mined cool irony. The performance makes sense, in context, but the balance of the story doesn't allow the younger actor to step out the of older Vulcan's shadow in the same way.
This is definitively Kirk's -- and Chris Pine's -- movie: brash, confident and affectionate.
It's cleverly cast across the board, from Winona Ryder, quietly effective as Spock's earthling mom, to Eric Bana, a tattooed and wrathful Romulan. Karl Urban ("Bones" McCoy), John Cho (Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov) and Simon Pegg (Scotty) are physically close enough to evoke their counterparts from the original show, but they're not the finished article, which is where a lot of humor comes in. Orci and Kurtzmann have crafted brisk, snappy scenes for each of them, playfully bouncing off our shared sense of these men's future (our past).
You'll notice I haven't explained the plot, and I don't propose to try. Whether it will stand the test of time -- or even a second viewing -- I don't know. But I do know I watched this movie with a big smile on my face; it's a film with a near-permanent twinkle in its eye.
The new Enterprise is a joy to behold. The movie positively gleams with big-budget production design and deep-space special effects. If the studios are smart, they'll be lining up to get J.J. Abrams to rejuvenate every other washed-up franchise in town. May his work live long and prosper.
The crew of the Enterprise, led by James Kirk (Chris Pine, left) goes forth on a new voyage.
Even diehard Trekkers might agree that Capt. James Tiberius Kirk's best days are behind him, but by going boldly back into the past for "Star Trek" -- a "reboot" of the famed series -- director J.J. Abrams and crew have done more than prove the point. They've presented him with a whole new future.
This exhilarating blockbuster gets under way at warp speed with a prologue that climaxes with Jim's birth -- under fire from angry Romulans -- and the heroic self-sacrifice of his father, who goes down with his Starfleet command. Life, death and special effects!
The widow Kirk doesn't get much of a look. Next thing we know, James T. is an angry teenager hot-rodding in a vintage convertible and nearly throwing himself off a cliff in the process. A few years later, he's still the impetuous hothead, getting into a barroom brawl with a company of space cadets and then reporting to the Academy himself the next morning.
A Cold War hero who doves could dig, Kirk has always been a projection of American "soft power," a gunboat commander on an intergalactic peacekeeping mission. He's not perfect, but his flaws are human -- and in the Cold War context, American flaws: he's stubborn (or determined), irrational (independent) and above all, emotional (feeling). He never met an alien of the opposite sex he didn't like or a problem too complex for his gut.
These traits have a youthful, Kennedy-esque character, so it makes sense that they're accentuated in Chris Pine's portrait of the captain as a raw Starfleet recruit, bucking the system. No offense to William Shatner, but it's been a long, long time since Kirk was this sexy.
Spock traditionally mitigates Kirk's hot-blooded excess with a dose of cold, hard logic. In the classic Gene Roddenberry scheme of things, the Enterprise runs most smoothly with both men side by side on the bridge. Watch how Pine and Abrams shot a key scene in the movie
In this new, young, sometimes angry "Star Trek" -- written by Abrams cohorts Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman ("Alias") -- most of the running time they're banging heads, rubbing each other the wrong way. In the development most likely to dismay "Trek" traditionalists, they even have eyes for the same girl (Zoe Saldana as a prickly Uhura).
Don't Miss
New 'Star Trek' attracts fresh blood, high hopes
iReport.com: Why do you love 'Star Trek'?
EW.com: A 'Star Trek' timeline
Despite the tension between them, Zachary Quinto's young Spock is considerably less aloof than Leonard Nimoy's; Quinto stresses confusion and earnest self-doubt where Nimoy mined cool irony. The performance makes sense, in context, but the balance of the story doesn't allow the younger actor to step out the of older Vulcan's shadow in the same way.
This is definitively Kirk's -- and Chris Pine's -- movie: brash, confident and affectionate.
It's cleverly cast across the board, from Winona Ryder, quietly effective as Spock's earthling mom, to Eric Bana, a tattooed and wrathful Romulan. Karl Urban ("Bones" McCoy), John Cho (Sulu), Anton Yelchin (Chekov) and Simon Pegg (Scotty) are physically close enough to evoke their counterparts from the original show, but they're not the finished article, which is where a lot of humor comes in. Orci and Kurtzmann have crafted brisk, snappy scenes for each of them, playfully bouncing off our shared sense of these men's future (our past).
You'll notice I haven't explained the plot, and I don't propose to try. Whether it will stand the test of time -- or even a second viewing -- I don't know. But I do know I watched this movie with a big smile on my face; it's a film with a near-permanent twinkle in its eye.
The new Enterprise is a joy to behold. The movie positively gleams with big-budget production design and deep-space special effects. If the studios are smart, they'll be lining up to get J.J. Abrams to rejuvenate every other washed-up franchise in town. May his work live long and prosper.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A MOTHER'S LOVE
A Mother's love is something that no on can explain, It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain,It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may For nothing can destroy it or take that love away . . .It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking,And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking . . .It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns,And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems . . .It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation . . . A many splendoured miracle man cannot understand And another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
The modern Mother's Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis as a day for each family to honor their mother,[1] and it's now celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It complements Father's Day, the celebration honoring fathers.
This holiday is relatively modern, being created at the start of the 20th century, and should not be confused with the early pagan and Christian traditions honoring mothers, or with the 16th century celebration of Mothering Sunday, which is also known as Mother's Day in the UK.
In most countries the Mother's Day celebration is a recent holiday derived from the Mothering Sunday holiday in the UK.
It is celebrated in the United States each year on the second Sunday of May.In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association. [1][2]
"She was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world."[1]
This is also the spelling used by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in the law making official the holiday in the U.S., by the U.S. Congress on bills,[3][4] and by other U.S. presidents on their declarations.[5]
This holiday is relatively modern, being created at the start of the 20th century, and should not be confused with the early pagan and Christian traditions honoring mothers, or with the 16th century celebration of Mothering Sunday, which is also known as Mother's Day in the UK.
In most countries the Mother's Day celebration is a recent holiday derived from the Mothering Sunday holiday in the UK.
It is celebrated in the United States each year on the second Sunday of May.In 1912, Anna Jarvis trademarked the phrases "second Sunday in May" and "Mother's Day", and created the Mother's Day International Association. [1][2]
"She was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world."[1]
This is also the spelling used by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in the law making official the holiday in the U.S., by the U.S. Congress on bills,[3][4] and by other U.S. presidents on their declarations.[5]
Thursday, May 7, 2009
OBAMA TO PRAY PRIVATELY TODAY???
COLORADO SPRINGS - Organizers of this week's National Day of Prayer still don't know whether the White House will participate.
The event's evangelical character earned it a White House welcome during President George W. Bush's eight years in office. But Brian Toon, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, says to date, there's been no mention of a White House observance being held this year.
According to an article this past week in the Colorado Springs Gazette, advocacy groups for so-called inclusive dialogue on faith in America are "trying to break what they perceive as the organization's monopoly on the event."
The newspaper went on to say that the "Interfaith Alliance and Jews on First sent a letter this month to President Barack Obama asking him to declare that the National Day of Prayer is for Americans of all faiths - and even for nonbelievers."
The Gazette also reports that "White House officials have not said whether the Obama administration will formally honor the prayer day."
The newspaper said that as of Wednesday this past week, Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, had not responded to several e-mails from The Gazette.
Meanwhile, Toon emphasizes that Americans of any faith can stage their own prayer gatherings or attend those organized by the task force. Unfortunately, he says some have sought to abolish the National Day of Prayer instead.
Amid wars, terrorism, moral decline and swine flu, Toon says there's plenty to pray about.
The event's evangelical character earned it a White House welcome during President George W. Bush's eight years in office. But Brian Toon, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, says to date, there's been no mention of a White House observance being held this year.
According to an article this past week in the Colorado Springs Gazette, advocacy groups for so-called inclusive dialogue on faith in America are "trying to break what they perceive as the organization's monopoly on the event."
The newspaper went on to say that the "Interfaith Alliance and Jews on First sent a letter this month to President Barack Obama asking him to declare that the National Day of Prayer is for Americans of all faiths - and even for nonbelievers."
The Gazette also reports that "White House officials have not said whether the Obama administration will formally honor the prayer day."
The newspaper said that as of Wednesday this past week, Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, had not responded to several e-mails from The Gazette.
Meanwhile, Toon emphasizes that Americans of any faith can stage their own prayer gatherings or attend those organized by the task force. Unfortunately, he says some have sought to abolish the National Day of Prayer instead.
Amid wars, terrorism, moral decline and swine flu, Toon says there's plenty to pray about.
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