November 26, 2017

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

I don't have to think very long to identify reasons to be thankful. I can't even list all of them.

This week-end after Thanksgiving I am thankful that one of my bad days is still more blessed than many peoples' good days.

What a faith! What a God! What a way to live!

How can I say that? Because it is fact! James verifies it in the first few verses of his letter to the believers.

If you were writing a letter to bless and encourage struggling Christians how would you begin that letter? I am not sure I would begin it by reminding them of their sufferings but James did. And it makes sense when we think about it.

These are some of the very first believers. This Christian faith is a brand new phenomenon. They have seen the signs and wonders. They have experienced the freedom and the fellowship. All the wonderful benefits that have come from receiving Christ and joining these Christians almost seemed too good to be true. How long can this last? What am I missing here?

Now they are facing the pressures of persecution. Some of their beloved leaders have been jailed. It is risky to identify yourself as a Christ follower. Public worship is becoming a thing of the past. The heat is being turned up on every hand. BUT through these trials and tribulations they have discovered something very significant - THEIR FAITH WORKS! Everything is true! God is real! Suffering as a Christian is better than prospering as a pagan! What would have destroyed them before they believed now develops them!

What sort of faith is this! What an incredible God! What a blessing to have a faith that works! What a joy to know the truth - because the truth is in the Truth. Pain now has a purpose! Suffering now has significance! Heartache now helps me understand the heart of God!

Can I count it joy when I suffer? What sort of notion is that? Is that healthy? Is it a delusion?

No! It is the blessing we have as Christ-followers! It is real! It is His reality! "All things really DO work together for the good of those who love Him....."!

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I thank God that because He is so good and so strong and so holy that living for Him and with Him makes my worst day make sense!

How about you?

November 25, 2017

"Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen. ’" Matthew 6:13

It's been a long time since I first fell in love with the Word of God! That love continues to deepen the more I study it!

This part of the Lord's Prayer, as with the rest of it, is powerful at every level! The deeper you dig the more powerful it becomes!

Obviously, the key word in this verse is "temptation" and the Greek word used appears six times in the Bible. Each New Testament appearance renders it "test" or "trial". But there is an Old Testament iteration in the Hebrew that sheds more light on the deeper meaning Jesus is implying in this statement.

The Old Testament equivalent of this word in Hebrew is translated "Massah". It refers to an event that happened at that place that came to be known by that name. It would be like me saying "Chancellorsville" or "Gettysburg". You would know immediately that I am referring to Civil War conflicts. Massah was a place where God's people grumbled against Him and tested His patience. The story is found in Exodus 17:

"All the congregation of the children of Israel traveled from the wilderness of Sin, by their journeys, according to Yahweh’s commandment, and encamped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses, and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test Yahweh?” The people were thirsty for water there; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst? Moses cried to Yahweh, saying, “What shall I do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” Yahweh said to Moses, “Walk on before the people, and take the elders of Israel with you, and take the rod in your hand with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink.” Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. He called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because the children of Israel quarreled, and because they tested Yahweh, saying, “Is Yahweh among us, or not?” Exodus 17:1-7

God had supernaturally led them out of bondage from Egypt, then He parted the Red Sea to deliver them from the Egyptian army, then He miraculously provided manna and quail for them to eat but now they complained about having no water.

What would it take for them to trust God stop their grumbling. He had led them into the wilderness to test them and develop their faith but they kept testing Him. Moses was disgusted and God was running out of patience. Rather than prove their faith in God in time of stress and need they demanded God prove Himself by doing another miracle.

So, with that background we come back to Jesus' teaching on prayer. When he says to pray, "Lead us not into temptation" what He means is "when You lead me into temptation, keep me from testing you". 

That is how you are delivered from the Evil One! When you submit to God's testing and resist the temptation to test God, the Evil One is defeated!

An interesting thing happens when God leads you into a season of testing and you submit to His will rather than doubt God's goodness or demand that He proves His presence. Your faith is strengthened and as a result - He proves His faithfulness to you!

Perhaps you are in a season of testing and trials right now! Prove your faith in God and He will prove Himself to you!

November 24, 2017

"Don't bring us into temptation but deliver us from the Evil One." Matthew 6:13

I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving Day!

In my sermon study and preparation this week I came across a sermon on this verse by an Australian Pastor named Lionel Windsor. His interpretation of this Scripture fascinated me and blessed me with a new insight into what Jesus was teaching in this part of the prayer.

When I checked out his exposition of the Scriptures it supported his interpretation. So, I share it with you.

The key is understanding the meaning and background of the word for "temptation". In the original language the word used here can mean "temptation" as in an enticement to sin or "testing" or  a "trial".

We can rule out the "temptation" interpretation in this context because we know James clearly states God cannot nor does not entice us to sin so He could not lead us into that form of temptation:

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." James 1:12-15

So, we know that Jesus is referring to the times of testing or the trials of life that God allows into your life.

Does that mean then we are to ask God not to test us?

No, it doesn't mean that at all. It means that we encounter tests or trying times we are not to test God. So, the prayer is this "when you lead me into times of testing keep me from falling into the temptation of testing you. That will keep me from the Evil One."

This raises the question of, "Why does God test me?"

God allows tests to come into my life that will test my faith and my patience and my wisdom and my trust in His character. But the temptation that often arises when I am suffering under a severe season of testing is to test God by questioning His goodness or His power or His presence or His love.

Praying "Lead me not into temptation" is a prayer to for Him to help me understand the purpose of His testing in my life is for my good not to question His goodness.

A classic illustration of that truth is Job. Why did God subject Job to such a tragic and traumatic season of suffering?

It was to prove to Job what God already knew about him. Job was a righteous man who absolutely trusted God. 

"There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”  And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord." Job 1:1-12

Did you notice that God was boasting about Job to the Evil Accuser himself. God was absolutely certain Job could endure whatever trial the Evil One would inflict on him. But Job needed to know that conclusively about himself.

And while Job's wife and his friends were questioning Job's integrity, impugning God and encouraging him to "curse God and die". Job's testimony is recorded for eternity is this text from Scripture:

"Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh’s name.” In all this, Job did not sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing." Job 1:21-22

Job was able to bear up under this unimaginable overnight loss of his children and all of his financial fortune because he knew God was testing him and he trusted that God had his best interest at heart.

I will have more examples to further illustrate this insightful truth I want to teach you. But think about what I have shared with you in this blog.

But if you are in the midst of a difficult time of testing I want you to remember, God is testing you to make you better not to inflict your life with unnecessary pain. Remember it is for Him to test you not for you to test Him!

If you are in the midst of a difficult time of testing right now I also remind you of this promise from the Word of God:

"The temptations (tests) in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation (test) to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted(tested), he will show you a way out so that you can endure." I Corinthians 10:13

Will you pass the test today and trust God in your pain? He tests you for your good!

November 23, 2017

George Washington's 

Thanksgiving Proclamation 

[New York, 3 October 1789]

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be—That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks—for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation—for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war—for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed—for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted—for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions—to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually—to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed—to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord—To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us—and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New-York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Does God Lead Us Into Temptation?

"Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen." Matthew 6:13

This is confusing.

James 1:13-14 tell us,"And remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it. Temptation is the pull of man’s own evil thoughts and wishes."

So, does God lead us into temptation?

No and yes.

Now I'm really confused!

No, God does not lead us into situations where we are enticed to sin.

But yes, if we choose to live for God and take a strong stand for our faith in a evil world that determined stand will lead us into trials.

Jesus said as much, "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22

The Apostle Paul, familiar with suffering, wrote to Timothy, "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." II Timothy 3:12

From cover to cover the Bible tells stories of godly men who suffered severe trials because of their unashamed testimony for God. Almost everyone who was anyone in the Old Testament and the New Testament suffered persecution and death rather than deny their God.

To this day many Christ-followers are facing unimaginable persecution, suffering, depravity and even execution because of their determined stand for their Christian faith.

American Christians have largely been spared persecution because of their witness or testimony of faith in Jesus. But with the rapid rise of secularism and anti-Christian bias our generation could begin facing increased pressure to compromise our faith.

But do not worry because if that happens you have a prayer!

You can pray, "Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen." Matthew 6:13

November 21, 2017

"Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen." Matthew 6:13

So, are we to pray for God to not allow us to be tempted?

Does that mean if I fall into temptation it is I haven't prayed in the right way?

To clarify the gist of this phrase in The Lord's Prayer take a look at this verse:

"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." James 1:13-14

Obviously, God does not bring me into situations that would tempt me to sin!

The word used for "temptation" in the Greek can mean "temptation" or it can mean "trial". Since James established a Scriptural principle that God cannot cause us to sin we must assume this use of the word is referring to trials that test us not temptations that entice us.

After all, Matthew 4:1 says, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."

Was the Holy Spirit leading Jesus into the desert to sin? Of course not!

You don't need to pray that God will lead you into a morally or spiritually compromising situation. You are quite capable of that yourself. You do need to pray that He will prepare you for the testing of your faith. You have a promise to cling to as you pray:

"No temptation (trial) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted (tried) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tried), he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." I Corinthians 10:13

So, I think you do no injustice to this Scripture to rephrase this prayer: "When you lead me to times of testing lead me THROUGH times of testing without failing the test."

You are either in a time of testing or headed to one so why not pray this prayer today?