Thoughts on Lifestyle

Sunday, September 1, 2002

A Royal Priesthood

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9.

Let those who have become sleepy and indifferent, awake. We are called to be holy, and we should carefully avoid giving the impression that it is of little consequence whether or not we retain the peculiar features of our faith. Upon us rests the golden obligation of taking a more decided stand for truth and righteousness than we have taken in the past. The line of demarcation between those who keep the commandments of God and those who do not is to be revealed with unmistakable clearness. We are conscientiously to honor God, diligently using every means of keeping in covenant relation with Him, that we may receive His blessings--the blessings so essential for a people who are to be so severely tried. To give the impression that our faith, our religion, is not a dominating power in our lives is greatly to dishonor God. Thus we turn from His commandments, which are our life, denying that He is our God and we His people.

"The Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face." Deuteronomy 7:9, 10. {9T 251}

 Where shall we be before the thousand generations mentioned in this scripture are ended? Our fate will have been decided for eternity. Either we shall have been pronounced worthy of a home in the everlasting kingdom of God or we shall have received sentence of eternal death. Those who have been true and faithful to their covenant with God; those who, remembering Calvary, have stood firmly on the side of truth, ever striving to honor God, will hear the commendation: "Well done, good and faithful servant." But those who have given God only halfhearted service, allowing their lives to be conformed to the ways and practices of the world, will hear the sad words: "Depart from Me; I know you not."

Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Many who profess Christianity, Christ likeness, have yet to understand what it means to have the "mind of Christ." Their world is full of worldly things and their eyes are fixed on sin. Their ears gravitate toward the common and their hearts desire fleshly fulfillment. The programs they watch, the radio stations they listen to, all tell that their hearts belong to this world. When asked about their ways and the things they love to view and hear, they reply, "We must occupy until He comes." However, their idea of occupying, couldn’t be further from the truth.

Job as he stood before the Lord said, "An image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, shall mortal man be more just than God?" (Job 4:16). When God says, "My will be done on earth," are we attempting to nullify that. Are we attempting to reversed the Lord’s prayer to say, " our wills be done on earth as we want them done in heaven."

David said, "For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth" (Psalm 26:3). "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside" (Psalm 101:3). David understood that God desires us to walk in His ways and not the other way around. Like Enoch, whose testimony before his translation was, "he pleased God" (Heb. 11:5). So also are we to live.

Paul, not wanting us to have any question of our Christian mindset, painted a picture with words that should leave no room doubt. He said, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8).

This morning, "What’s on your mind?" Have you developed the mind of Christ or are you still chasing the things of this world?" Remember, "every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived (in the mind), it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15, italics supplied).

Pray God for a transformation by the renewing of your mind, for Sin beings in the mind.

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 -  Touch of Faith Ministry

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, 1 Timothy 2:15.

This epistle was written while he was in imprisonment in Rome. How could that lead to the furtherance of the gospel?

Let's go back to the start of the church in Philippi. Paul, while at Troas, received a vision in which he beheld "a man of Macedonia" pleading with him, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us" (Acts 16:8, 9). Paul and his companions, Silas, Timothy, and Luke, responded immediately, and went by way of Neapolis to Philippi (Acts 16:11, 12). There the missionaries joined a little group of worshipers by the river outside the city (see on Acts 16:13). Outstanding among them was a businesswoman Lydia, "a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira." Lydia and her household readily received the apostles’ message, were converted and baptized. Afterward, they met a slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination; she repeatedly proclaimed them as "servants of the most high God," mocking and jeering as they went. Paul cast out the spirit, but her former masters stirred up a mob, had Paul and Silas beaten and cast into prison. While imprisoned, they led out in prayer and singing to God. Then at midnight, an earthquake opened the prison doors, leading to the conversion of the jailer and his family. Thus the Philippian church was formed, with its charter members the purple-seller from Thyatira and her household, the jailer, who was probably a Roman (Acts 16:23), and his household knowing of the mighty power of God. When we understand, that God is in control, all things we do will lead to the furtherance of the gospel!

So this morning, though we may be in bounds, praise God and let your surrounding world know that He is King. Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to all that you meet.

Thursday, April 11, 2002

Standing Begins Now!

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? (Jer. 12:5)

Standing begins now! It begins with overcoming the small issues in life. It begins with standing for truth among our friends and church members. It begins by standing now! Like Daniel and his three friends, who stood at their very first trial, we must stand at the very first sign of evil, however small it may be.

If we become weary now, when running with the footmen, and times are easy, how can we expect to keeping up with the horses and when times are difficult?

This lesson is applicable today. If we fail at the minor tasks of life, how can we undertake the greater responsibilities to come? Jesus said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much," Luke 16:10.

If we can't run with the footmen today, God help us now!

Wednesday, March 27, 2002

You Must Be Born Again

(John 3:3)

If you are born once, you will die twice.

If you are born twice, you will die once.

Monday, March 25, 2002

Be Like Christ

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

As Christians, we have been mocked, laughed at and harassed. We have been told that this think of Jesus' soon return is nothing but a farce. The scoffers are walking around in their lust saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3:4). Has Jesus delayed? Why hasn't He come? My friends the answer is right before us. He is longsuffering to us-ward, and does not want any to perish. He is waiting for us to be like Him.

From the very beginning, we were made in His image, but sin came and took that away. Therefore, God sent His only son, not only to die for us, but also to restore in us that image that was lost. This is why "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature," (2 Cor. 5:17). This is why, to be saved, we must be restored into His image.

The sad news is that many are assimilating to the world rather than to His image. They love the world and the things in it, although they were told, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world," (1 John 2:15). The devil is assiduously attempting to deceive us. He is painting this darken world in beautiful colors of light. He garbs his deceptive darkness in cloaks of brilliance. Everything is so beautiful that if it was possible the very elect would be deceived.

However, my friends, Christ has come and we must be changed. We must allow the working of the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ. Then and only then can we be saved! God is indeed longsuffering. He has been waiting for us to accept His plan of restoration and salvation. Wont you do that today?

May the grace of our Lord, be with your all, always. Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to someone else.

Monday, February 04, 2002

A Higher Standard

And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Lev. 20:26.

"I also saw many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord." E.G. White, Maranatha, p. 41.

Paul, as he spoken to the children of Israel, wanted them to see the error of their ways. He wanted to reveal to them that it wasn't just about laws, but rather about letting the law change them into the people that God desired. He said unto them, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation," (Heb. 2:3). Notice he didn't say "How shall we escape, if we reject, turn away from or even disobey." He said, "How shall we escape, if we neglect."

God wants to transform us back into the image that He created us with initially. Back to that image that allowed Adam and Eve to walk with Him face to face in the garden. However, to do that, we must see the higher calling that He has called us into. Isaiah said, "When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall life up a standard against him," (Isa. 59:19).

My friends the enemy has come and God desires to life up His standard. That standard is His power to seal His people. The power to show to a sin filled world that He has a people who are faithful to Him. That standard is to be seen in us for the saving of the world.

As Jesus prayed in the garden for His disciples and all who would believe on Him, He said, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil...Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." (John 17:15,17,18).

So this morning, allow the word of God to sanctify you: to set you a part to be holly as He is holy. (See 1 Peter 1:15). Then go into the world as the standard of God, redeeming the lost for Him, for He has given unto us the power of reconciliation, (2 Cor. 5:19).

Walk with the Lord today and be a blessing to someone else.

Monday, January 28, 2002

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken. Luke 12:45.

The evil servant says in his heart, "My lord delayeth his coming."

What He Does Not Say or What He Does is:

• That Christ will not come.

• He does not scoff at the idea of His Second Coming, He just says "He delays."

• He banishes from the mind of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly.

• He influences others to live careless day.

• He mingles with the world and is taken into its snare. However, Scripture says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world." (1 John 2:15)

• He will be asleep in his ungodly pleasure and not able to perceive the things of God. "For they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)

• He will miss the warning signs saying, "All things continue as they were from the beginning." "To morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant." 2 Peter 3:4; Isa. 56:12.

• He will join the cry of, "Peace and safety." (1 Thess. 5:3)

• He will carryout his routine of work, seeking to make yet more money, without regard of the "more sure word of prophecy." (2 Peter 1:19),

• He will seek higher learning and more knowledge of everything, but never come to the fullness of God. "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim. 3:7).

To this individual, Jesus comes as a thief. He says, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Rev. 16:15.

Thursday, January 03, 2002

"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem...there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:1, 2)

"The Jews had separated themselves so far from God by their wicked works, that angels could not communicate to them the tidings of the advent of the infant Redeemer. God chooses the wise men of the East to do his will." Maranatha, p. 11.

My friends, don't be deceived. The Bible is very clear. God works through those who are His: the ones who obey His every word. Many claim to be in the Spirit, but are disobedient to His commandments. Scripture says, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." (Acts 5:32; 1 John 3:24).

Let us remember today, what Jesus says, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:48.

December 14, 2001

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)

A strange thing is happening in our churches today. People believe that they can somehow accept Christ but not His doctrine. They say things like, "Preach the Gospel, but not the Doctrine." How do you separate them?

Here it was, alone with His disciples, when Jesus asked a straightforward question, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" The disciples began to repeat what the people had been saying. You are John the Baptist, you are Elias, you are Jeremias or one of the other prophets. But Jesus stopped them and asked, "But whom say ye that I am?" With that, Peter reply, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Amen! Truth!

But something strange would happen right after that, for Peter would attempt to separated Jesus (the Gospel Himself), from the His doctrine (the teaching of the truth).

When Jesus told Peter what would be His fate, Peter began to rebuke Jesus. He said he wouldn't allow that to happen. In essence, what Peter was doing was attempting to accept Jesus without the truth of doctrine. He was denying Scripture.

In one quick swoop, Jesus turned to Peter and said "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men" (see Matthew 16:13-23).

My friends, don't be deceived. You can't be a follower of Christ, if you refuse to follow His doctrines. Jesus says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

November 13, 2001

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:21)

What a scene! Fire blazing, smoke bellowing as the sound of fire crackled through the air. In horror, three are cast into the midst of the fire: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A hush moves across the on-lookers as the executioners fall dead at the mouth of the furnace. The silence is soon broken however, as the thud of bodies hits the bottom of the furnace. Then in astonishment, the king jumps up as he sees four men in the midst of the fiery furnace. He commands them to come forth and when they do, not one piece of their garments is singed.

Just what is the significance of the clothes? Why where they even mentioned? Besides, does it even matter how we are clothed?

When we look closely at this and other Scriptures passages, we quickly discover that God has special clothes for His people. Clothing, that if worn, shields them from the consequences of sin. As Jesus told the story of the marriage feast (Matthew 22:2-14), clothing was important again. In both cases the clothes was symbolic of God's "robe of righteousness" which is given to men. Although it is offered freely, not everyone excepts it. Some believe that their own garments will protect them. As we saw with the executioners and the one who rejected the marriage garment, being in one's own clothes proves to be fatal.

So this morning, it is my prayer that as we prepare to meet Jesus, we would desire to be "clothed upon," not with our own garments, but with "the righteousness which is of God by faith" so that "mortality might be swallowed up of life" (3 Cor. 5:4, Phil. 3:9). Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)

Friday, October 5, 2001

"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." (Matthew 5:13).

The idea in comparing Christians to salt is in its quality as a preservative. Before the day of refrigeration and other modern modes of preserving food, salt and spices were largely used for preservation. The disciples were to recognize the salvation of their fellow men as their primary responsibility. They were not to withdraw from society, because of persecution or for other reasons (see Matt. 5:10–12; John 17:14-16), but were to remain in close contact with their fellow men.

So too it is with us today as we recognize that we are called to call (Rev. 22:17). In a similar way the Christian, like salt, by becoming an agent in saving others through the diffusion of the gospel, exerts a preserving and purifying influence in the world. Then the ministry of reconciliation given to the Christians by God (see 2 Cor. 5:18) draws other to Him.

So this morning, remember that "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house," (Matthew 5:14-15).

Wednesday, October 3, 2001

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

For one moment, picture your neighborhood just before the dawn. Regardless of which direction you look, there is nothing but darkness. But as the sun breaks on the horizon all things change. Instantly, that darkness that covered the area is dispelled and the light dominates until the darkness is gone.

As we have fellowship with Jesus Christ, the source of the light of this world (John 8:12), His light becomes our light (Eph. 5:8). He then sends us out to share that light with those in darkness. This light is to dispel the darkness of ignorance and lead all to God's (Matt. 5:16, Acts 13:47). This is why we are called to be light so that we can dispel the darkness that engulfs the world.

So this morning, remember the words of Jesus, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life," (John 8:12).

Friday, September 28, 2001

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).

Light has been the symbol of God's divine presence. John refers to Jesus as "the light of men" shining through the darkness of this world (John 1:4–9). Jesus referred to Himself as "the light of the world" (John 8:12). When we as true Christians accept Jesus as the light of the world, we become reflectors of that light as we are summoned to "arise, shine" so that the world can be saved (Isa. 60:1–3). We are to go forth and let our light shine throughout the world, dispelling the darkness of sin, while bringing understanding of God. See on John 1:4, 7, 9.

The idea is that as we were once the very darkness of sin itself, we now, by the imputed righteousness of Christ, become His lights, radiating the fruit of the Spirit.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14).

Wednesday, September 26, 2001

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)

As the light of the sun, that travels so many miles, steals across the sky, grows ever brighter until the breaking of the day, so too is the light that swells within the path of the righteous. The closer they come to the Lord, through prayer and the study of His Word, the brighter His light shines within their hearts.

It is not only a brighter understanding of God that is given. Like the moon, they begin to reflect that very light upon others that come into contact with them. This light grows ever brighter as their relationship with the True Light increases. So as Christians, we are not called to live a stagnate life, but one which grows more and more until that perfect day of our Lord's return.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7).

Monday, September 24, 2001

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

As Christians, we know that "without faith it is impossible to please God," and with this faith, we must attain even loftier heights in our walk with Him. He desires that our lives, garbed in His love, should flow as an ever-ending stream, watering everything in our path. However, for us to be such channels, He directs us to add more to our faith.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" so that you can be a blessing to someone else and "if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (Phil. 2:5, 2 Peter 1:10).

Friday, September 21, 2001

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

Paul says, "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things" (Eph. 4:10). We are part of "all things." It is God's desire to have us share in His divinity. He has made it so, that if we confess our sins and turn from our wicked ways, we sit in high places with His Son Jesus Christ. This glorious consummation is accomplished by the work of the indwelling Christ in our lives, for it is in Christ that all the fullness of God is found (Eph. 3:17, Col. 2:9). We are vessels to be filled to the brim with this heavenly grace, God's sacred treasure (see 2 Cor. 4:7). As we let our "light so shine before men," our witness testifies that we are growing in grace and parts of the "fulness of God" are seen, and men come to glorify God in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (see 2 Peter 3:18).

Wednesday, September 19, 2001

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

God is forever true to His word and to the call He extends to man to follow Him. Permitting temptations to come to those He has called that are beyond their abilities to overcome would make Him unfaithful, for He has promised to deliver and keep us (see Ps. 34:10; 2 Peter 2:9; Jude 24). The Christian's source of security against all evil then is only in the faithfulness of God and not self. If the true believer relies on the promises of God, he will escape the corruption of this world and take on the divinity of Christ (see 2 Peter 1:4).

Let us trust in His promises "that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (see Ephesians 3:19).