The Joy of the Lord!

Did you know that God commands us to be glad and full of joy? King David said that the joy of the Lord was his strength. I think he is speaking about a joy that comes from deep within the soul, not an emotional or surface joy that is dependent on our circumstances. True joy comes from knowing God, and knowing His word. King David also wrote in Psalm 19:8a “The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.” NIV

Realizing the following will cause you to grow in the joy of the Lord, and it will then become the strength you need to live life.

1) God created us for his glory.

"Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth,... whom I created for my glory" (Isaiah 43:6-7)

God made us to magnify his greatness. He created us to put his goodness, truth and all that He is on display. The greatest display of God's glory comes from joy and delight in all He is. This means that God gets the praise and we get the joy. God created us so that He is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

2) Every Christian should live for God's glory.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If God made us for his glory, it is clear that we should live for his glory. Our purpose and destiny comes from his design. Our first obligation is to show God's value by being satisfied with all that he is for us. This is the essence of loving God (Matthew 22:37) and trusting him (1 John 5:3-4) and being thankful to him (Psalm 100:2-4) It is the root of all true obedience, especially loving others (Colossians 1:4-5).

Spiritual Warfare – Knowing Our Adversary

To war effectively, knowledge of the enemy is necessary. How else can we resist him? Your wartime mindset must include knowledge of enemy and his tactics: The first step toward victory is realizing we are called to a different standard of living. Ephesians 5:11, "Take no part in unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

Let’s us expose Satan's aim and his strategies according to the scriptures.

1. He is the Father of lies; therefore he is opposed to truth. John 8:44
   Jesus said that when he speaks, lies are his native language. His nature is falsehood! He only speaks the truth in order to deceive.
2. He casts doubt on God's goodness. Genesis 3:1-5
   He destroys the obedience of faith.
3. He hinders evangelism efforts. 1 Thessalonians. 2:18
   He opposes the truth reaching and converting people.
4. He imitates signs and wonders. 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Mark 13:22
5. He blinds the minds of unbelievers. 2 Corinthians. 4:4
6. He misuses Scripture. Matthew 4:6
7. He takes advantage of unresolved anger. 2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:27
8. He distorts and prevents effective Gospel ministry. Acts 13:8-9
9. He causes people to stumble over bad Christian attitudes. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
10. He exploits a lack of understanding. Matthew 22:29
11. He imitates religious roles. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Revelation 2:9
12. He attacks faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 11:3
13. He causes dissension over doctrine and causes rifts. Romans. 16:17-20
14. He tempts saints with sexual allurements. 1 Corinthians 7:5
15. He promotes pride. 1 Timothy 3:6

James confirms that we are called to live by a different standard when he says “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

Victory over the enemy comes to those who humble themselves before God. James 4:6, 7 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Interesting Bit of News

From Reuters:

Nov. 27 - Israel and the Palestinians agreed to immediately launch negotiations to achieve a peace treaty to end their six-decade conflict.

With a handshake, leaders of the United States, Israel and the Palestinians agreed on Tuesday to immediately launch Middle East peace talks with the goal of reaching a final accord by the end of 2008.

A Prayer For Our Church

Heavenly Father, cause the truth of your word to be established in the lives of all who attend NBFC. Through the power of your Spirit and the ministry of your body as we relate one to another, build men and women at New Beginnings . . .

• Who don't love the world more than God,
• who don't care if they make much money,
• who don't care if they own a house,
• who don't care if they have a new car or two cars,
• who don't care if they get famous,
• who don't expect that life should be comfortable and easy,
• who don't feed their minds on TV each night,
• who don't measure truth with their finger in the wind,
• who don't get paralyzed by others' disapproval,
• who don't return evil for evil,
• who don't hold grudges,
• who don't gossip,
• who don't twist the truth,
• who don't brag or boast,
• who don't whine or use body language to get pity,
• who don't criticize more than praise,
• who don't hang out in cliques,
• who don't eat too much or exercise too little;

I pray that you build men and women . . .

• who are on fire for God,
• who are completely sold out to God,
• who are filled with the Holy Spirit,
• who strive to know the height and depth of Christ's love,
• who are crucified to the world and dead to sin,
• who are purified by the Word and addicted to righteousness,
• who are diligent in memorizing and using the Scriptures,
• who keep the Lord's Day holy and refreshing,
• who are broken by the consciousness of sin,
• who are thrilled by the wonder of your grace,
• who are persevering constantly in prayer,
• who are fearless in public witness to Christ's saving grace,
• who are able to unmask error and blow away doctrinal haze,
• who are tough in standing for the truth,
• who are tender in ministering to hurting people,
• who are passionate about reaching the people who have no church,
• who are pro-life for the sake of babies and parents and the glory of God,
• who are keepers of all their promises, including marriage vows,
• who are content with what they have and trusting the promises of God,
• who are patient and kind and meek when life is hard.
• who worship you because they know and enjoy you.
• who are prepared for your return. Amen
  

A Pastor’s Prayer for God’s People

In reading the writings of Paul the Apostle, I became aware of a common theme in his writings, but more specifically his prayers for the people to whom he ministered. I believe he made it very clear what his ministry was all about.

In Colossians 1: 28-29 he says “28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

Paul understood that it was his God given call to bring God’s people to maturity. This is reflected in the prayers that are recorded in the opening of many of his writings. My point in bringing this to our attention is that we as ministers would do well, not only to pray for the needs of the people, such as healing for sickness, blessings in finances, and the like. But also to pray that the people we have been called to lead would grow in their spiritual walk in measures that they have never before experienced. Please note the following prayers and make them your prayers for the people God has called you to minister too.

Dear God, I pray that the faith of the people in which you have called me to minister, would be a true faith that can be seen by all. Let their faith be true in word and in action. Help me Lord, as your servant, to serve your people with my whole heart, in preaching the gospel of your Son Christ Jesus. Help me to be one who imparts some spiritual gift, that will help make your people strong, so that we all can be mutually encouraged by each others faith. Help us together, to see a harvest of the souls in our community in which we have been called to be a witness. (Prayer taken from Paul’s words in Romans 1)

Dear God, I thank you for the grace you have given to me and to your people through Christ Jesus. I pray that you will enrich the lives of your people in every way, fill them with your knowledge, and let Christ be confirmed in their lives by their testimony. Lord, I pray that your people would lack no spiritual gift as they continue to wait on your return. Until then, make them strong to the end so that they will be blameless on the day of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help us all to grow in our fellowship with you and with each other. God I pray that we would grow and know your truth so that there would be no divisions among us, and that we would all be perfectly united in mind and thought. Help us to accomplish your will for us in our community, so that we will see that harvest of souls that you desire. (Taken from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1)

Dear God, cause the faith and love that you have given me and all those who follow you, to been seen and heard in our community. I want to be consistent in giving thanks for the people you have given to me to Sheppard and to remember to always uphold them in them in prayer. Father, I pray in the name of Christ Jesus, that you give me, and your people, the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Help us to know you better. Cause the eyes of our understanding to become flooded with the knowledge of you. Help us to fully know the hope to which we all have been called. Help us to comprehend the riches of our glorious inheritance, and understand your incomparable power for us who believe in you. May we come to understand the fact that we sit with you Christ Jesus, in authority. Far above far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Taken from Paul’s words in Ephesians 1)

Dear God, I am so very thankful for the people you have given me to lead. Help me to continue to keep them in my prayers always and with joy. Build our partnership with you and with each other, so that your work will be completed in each of us. Cause your love to abound in my life, and the lives of those you have entrusted to me. May it abound more and more in knowledge and depth, give us clear insight into your love. Help me and your people to be able to discern what is best, to be pure before you and to remain blameless until the day of Christ. Cause us to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through you, Christ Jesus, let God receive glory and praise through the life that we live in our family and community. (Taken from Paul’s words in Philippians 1)

Dear God, cause your people to continue to grow in the Truth of your Word. Let our faith and love spring forth from the hope that is within us. May we see your gospel bearing fruit not only in our local church and community, but also, throughout the world. Help me to be a faithful minister on the behalf of your children and to always walk in love and in the Spirit. Fill us all with knowledge of your will, with spiritual wisdom and understanding. May your people continue to live a life worthy of you and may we please you in every way. Cause us to bear fruit in every good work and to be strengthened with all power, according to your glorious might, so that we may have endurance and patience. Thank you for calling us, and may we remember to give you thanks in everything. Help us to shine the light of your kingdom in our community. (Taken from Paul’s words in Colossians 1)

I trust that you get the picture of what I am trying to paint. I am not trying to promote prayers of repetition, but an awareness of effective and fervent prayers. Prayers that are specific to the responsibility we all have as ministers of the gospel. Yes, we need to pray for the headaches, sickness, and the like. In addition, I believe our prayers should be aimed at God’s people moving toward maturity and perfection. You can read the remaining books written by Paul the Apostle and see the pattern of prayer continue for the people who were entrusted to him by God.

The Assurance of Our Salvation

Over the course of the last four or five years, I have come to know more about God’s sovereignty and mercy. The realization of Christ choosing me for His glory, rather than me choosing Him, stares at me every day that I open the scriptures.

In the early years of my life, I was led to believe that before Christ, I was drowning in the sea of sin and needed a savior. However, the scriptures tell me that I was a dead man. Dead people cannot choose anything good. Jesus said in the book of John, “you did not choose me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you to bear fruit”.

How does one know if God has chosen them? I think one simple way is to understand what your heart desires. If your heart desires to please God rather than self, it is because God placed that desire there. Does your spirit quicken when you hear the gospel? The bible says that the message of Christ is foolishness to those that are perishing, but for those that are being saved, it is the power of God.

The following are some scriptures that help us with the assurance of our salvation.

PRAY FOR EYES TO SEE THE TRUTHS THAT ESTABLISH ASSURANCE. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19

ASSURANCE IS GOD'S WILL FOR US. "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end." Hebrews 6:11

ASSURANCE COMES FROM HEARING THE WORD OF CHRIST. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31

FOCUSING ON THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS CRUCIAL FOR ASSURANCE. "Since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith." Hebrews 10:21-22

This understanding comes to those who dig deep into God’s word. Assurance of our salvation is a gift of God. "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16

Sunday Morning Message Summary

This morning I spoke on Spiritual Warfare. I find it interesting that some people make to much of warfare by demonizing every problem in their life. While on the other hand, some people place to little significance on the issue of spiritual warfare. It is very plain in scripture that there is an enemy of our souls. His weapon of choice. "Lies" Jesus said when he (Satan) speaks , he is speaking his native language. Jesus said that Satan is the father lies. I believe the first step in getting victory is this war in which we are engaged, is to realize that Christians are called to a standard of life that is different from this world.

In our text scripture, we find the standard reference scriptures that are always used when speaking about about Spiritual Warfare. In 2 Corinthians 10:1-5 Paul writes the following:

• “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

Understanding what Paul is writing here is such a powerful key to our victory. I want you notice that our victory doesn’t begin with an understanding of verse three but it begins with what he wrote in verse two.

• He says, “I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.”

We must understand that, as Christians, God has called us to a different standard of living than the rest of the world. We are under different laws and principles that are designed for God’s kingdom verses the kingdom of this world.

• Paul was reiterating this point when he said in verse three “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does”

That phrase is saying the same thing as “we do not live by the standards of this world.”

More to follow on this topic.

Why become a blogger?

I am not really sure why I wanted to start my own blog. I guess it is because I have an opinion about many things in life, especially things relating to faith and a relationship with Christ. It is my hope to to learn what blogging is all about. This is the start of something new. We will see what it becomes as the whole process unfolds.

It has been my prayer that my life can be an example for all. Like Paul the apostle who said, "I have have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me..." Hence the name for my blog, Jesus thru Jesse.