Thursday, March 27, 2014

Lead Others to Jesus by Word and Deed

Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, anis seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Is the subtlety of seemingly inconsequential compromises undermining your Christian witness?

In other words, is what you determine to be insignificant in your life making Jesus insignificant to others in their lives?

Keep in mind that most Christians never lead anyone else to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ after they themselves have come to be forgiven and know God's grace through His Son for their own sins.

Today, we use the word "liberty" as if it's a Christian right to exercise "slight" compromise and still maintain our salvation and the assurance of heaven, but the Bible is clear that we are to "be holy, because I am [God is] holy" (1 Peter 1:16)

As Christians we serve as examples of a Christ-follower for others to see and benefit from our lives to God's glory - to lead them to God, not to draw them away.

The Apostle Paul said, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12)  He also said, "Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." (1 Corinthians 8:13)

I pray that our focus today is not on ourselves, not on others, but rather our focus is on the "Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" that we may lead others to the very place of God's grace that they also may come to know salvation in Jesus.

I pray that we don't deem inconsequential what God has determined to be sin and undermines our Christian witness that we may see more people led to Jesus Christ Who saw us as His joy and purpose for dying on the cross.

Run the race to win...to win souls to God's glory.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Will You Stand in the Gap?

Ezekiel 22:30 - "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."

God described Israel at this time as a nation of disgrace - abomination. Why? Guilty of shed blood (v.4); defiled by idols made (v.4); father and mother are treated with contempt (v.7); those who visit suffer extortion (v.7); they despised God's Word; commit slander (v.9); are lewd (v.9); sexual immorality, rape women etc.

But although God was about to execute judgment on the sin of Israel He would relent if a man would STAND on His behalf, STAND in the GAP torn down, and BUILD to His glory.

There are many movies today with fictional characters who will stand for various reasons and the world stands and applauds. There are few today who in REALITY stand in the gap because they fear no one will notice them...no one will pat them on the back and give them words of encouragement.

The Apostle Paul said, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10

The Church needs men! Men that will stand in front of their families and in front of their wives and at the front of their churches - Leading, Growing, Sacrificial, and God-fearing.

God desires for Men to Stand Up and Build to Hold what's been gained and Gain what's been destroyed and held by the enemy - to "Stand in the Breach" before God that the enemy will not enter through.

What does your family need? A man who prays, reads the Bible and leads in the home and at church.

What does your Wife need? A man who prays, reads the Bible and leads in the home and at church.

What does your Church need? A man who prays, reads the Bible and leads in the home and at church.

Would God find in you that man that is standing in the gap before Him to His glory? A man who is tearing down or building up?

Know God's grace - Men, let's stand together and build before the Lord!