THE HEART OF THE MATTER

"Behold, a sower went forth to sow" (Matthew 15:3).

Why is it that you pick up your Bible and hear God speaking but your neighbor doesn't hear anything at all? Why is it that children who used to attend church are never there anymore? Why is it that our churches aren't on fire for the Lord?

Perhaps if we travel out to my vegetable garden, we can figure out why. Last summer, I put in 10 healthy tomato plants. I spread them out in different places, interspersed among the raised beds. Most of them produced strong vines that climbed the sturdy cages I set out. But in two other spots, the plants didn't look so good. Their leaves weren't as bright as the others--more of a sickly yellow-green. As the summer progressed, one plant never seemed to grow at all. The others grew by leaps and bounds, but this one barely grew an inch. 

I soon found out the problems in my garden had nothing to do with the plants. But it had everything to do with the soil. The plants that thrived were in compost-rich, fluffy ground. But I planted the others in areas that hadn't been worked much. The ground was hard with clay, too hard for the plants to survive. 

The same thing can happen with us. We can go to church and hear the same message, but the effect can be so radically different. Some will respond and turn to the Lord, others won't budge at all. The problem has nothing to do with the message. We all hear the same words, delivered in the same way. The question that really matters is "What have we done with the message?" Have we really taken it in? 

It's one thing to hear God's saving truth, but it's quite another to receive it. Receiving means more than just listening (just putting in the time to read your Bible or to listen to a sermon). It means soaking it up and taking it in, just like a tomato plant soaks up the nutrients in the soil. 

When I receive God's Word, it comes deep into my  heart; I internalize what God says. And that makes a radical difference in whether I'm growing in grace or not. The Psalmist says, "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts" (Psalm 51:6). What this boils down to is --God can't save me unless He can penetrate beneath the surface, stir me up, and change me from the inside! A superficial work isn't enough to produce the fruits of the Spirit. The prophet Hosea gets right to the heart of the matter when he says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness" (Hosea 10:12). But for that to happen, I must first  "break up [my] fallow ground" (the ground that's not been plowed). Otherwise, the seeds will have big trouble in taking root. 

The right soil in the heart makes all the difference. Some of us have soil that's packed down as hard as clay, others have stony ground, and still others have soil that's choked with weeds. 

The 1st soil is found by the side of the road. Jesus said, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in the heart" (Matthew 13:19). Why can't we understand what God says? Not because there's something wrong intellectually. We can't get it because we're not paying attention. 

Now, I don't mean we're distracted. It's more than that. Our heart is so hardened by the world and its "deceitfulness of sin" that our ears are literally turned off! We can't hear the love of Jesus in the words of Scripture or understand that this message is for us! The Bible seems so hum-drum, with very little to offer because our heart is more like a "highway for the world's traffic, its pleasures and sins" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 44). This heart needs to be drastically broken up before Jesus can make any contact on the inside.

The stony ground is a little better off, but not much. The Word of God starts out pretty well here. We hear God's truth and are definitely convicted by it. Immediately, we receive it with joy. I mean, Heaven sounds like a great place to live, right? And we're thrilled that Jesus died for us on the cross. We love hearing about His grace and mercy. So,  at first, everything looks pretty good on the outside.  But then the storms come. And the plants that once looked so robust and healthy start to shrivel and die. Jesus says they endure only for a while. "For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles" (Matthew 13:21). The root of the problem is the condition of the soil. There's very little of it. So the roots have no chance of growing deep into the ground. There's no way they can be strong to withstand the onslaught of the storms.

How can our heart be without depth? What's standing in our way? If we dig deep enough, we'll discover there's a huge outcropping of 'self'. This rock of selfishness has never been broken up. We might be convicted about the truth of the Bible, but we don't look at our sins as crucifying the Lord of glory. Jesus is still on the outside, knocking to come in. But we don't open the door! We don't bring the Bible face to face with the way we're living. Self is still calling all the shots. It's what I want, what I think, what I feel. There's  no Lord Jesus in my relationship because I'm still the lord of my life.

How can we be faithful in every situation if we're depending on ourselves to do it? There's no possible way to have victory when we're trusting in our own strength to live a Christian life. Self must die completely before Jesus can change us from the inside. His Word can't become part of us, molding us into His image, unless we're converted by what the Lord says. As Jesus says to us as we once said to Nicodemus, "You must be born again."

Then there's the thorny ground. This heart hears the word of God but "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22). God has gotten a foot hold in this heart, but so have many weeds. And like any garden, if the weeds aren't chopped out on a daily basis, they'll cover every inch of ground and eventually the plants will suffocate. 

"Grace can thrive only in the heart that is being constantly prepared for the precious seeds of truth. The thorns of sin will grow in any soil; they need no cultivation; but grace must be constantly cultivated...the work of purification must advance continually" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 50). 

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart, I have sought You; oh, do not let me wander from Your commandments" (Psalm 119:9,10). The only way I keep weeds out of the garden of my heart is by spending time with Jesus. I don't sense my danger when I'm not frequently in the Word of God. The Bible helps me see myself like I really am, to examine what's deep down inside. It keeps my heart soft and pliable, so when I hear God speak, I jump quickly to do what He says. Not out of a sense of duty or fear, but because I love Him! And that love deepens when I "keep the Lord always before me" (Psalm 16:8, NRS). But too often, Jesus gets crowded out and the thorns take over. 

So it all boils down to 2 things:

How do I spend my time? 
After I read the Bible or go to church, I'm still feeding the seed that God has planted by
what I think about or what I do. If I want God's Word to grow in my life, I have to live in the presence of Jesus during the day. I must train my mind to "seek those things which are above...not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1,2). Do I talk to Jesus as I go through my day? Am I watching things on TV or somewhere else that are choking out God's Word? How often is Jesus in my thoughts?

What do I do with the Bible?
Studying the Bible isn't enough and neither is praying. I must also apply what I'm learning to my everyday life. What is God's deep purpose for me in the Word? I don't want to be like the foolish man who built his house on the sand. When the storms come, I want to stand for the Lord, though the heavens fall. I want to be a steadfast witness in words and lifestyle. But I can't truly grow in the Lord, unless I'm sanctified by God's message. Application of Scripture brings Jesus deep inside, to totally and radically change who I am. 

Intimacy with Christ depends on how I prepare my heart to live with Him every day. "God bids us fill the mind with great thoughts, pure thoughts. He desires us to meditate upon His love and mercy, to study His wonderful work in the great plan of redemption. Then clearer and still clearer will be our perception of truth, higher and holier our desire for purity of heart...The soul dwelling in the pure atmosphere of holy thought will be transformed by communion with God through the study of the Scriptures" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 60). 

Share Your Thoughts

RISEN WITH JESUS

On Sunday morning, several women came to the tomb. But all they found was an empty grave. They couldn't understand it at first, but Christ was alive! This startling news transformed the followers of Jesus. His resurrection became the dividing line between faith and unbelief, between power and fear. The same is true today. Resurrection makes all the difference in walking with Jesus in a living way.

How can the resurrection of Jesus be real to us today?
"What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He _____ Him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19,20).

This is an incredible text! We can experience same power in our life that was seen in the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The same life-giving, life-changing power! 

How can you experience this kind of power?
"Or do you not know that as many of us as were _____ into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3,4).
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the _____" (Titus 3:5,6).

Bible baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It shows that our old life of sin is dead and buried in a watery grave. It's also a wonderful testimony that we've given our heart to Jesus and His Spirit has changed us from the inside out. Through Him, we are a 'new creation,' living a brand new life through Jesus. 

Why do you need to be baptized?
"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and _____ away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).
"He who believes and is baptized shall be _____, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).

Jesus says, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24). We are saved when we come to Jesus and leave our old master behind. The old life is dead and gone. Our sins are forgiven and we are clean, walking in newness of life.

What gift does God give you when you're baptized?
"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the _____" (Acts 2:38).

The Holy Spirit has always been with you. He's the One who convicted you of sin--that you need a Savior. He's the One who led you to new truth and gave you new life (see John 16:8,13-14 and John 6:63). Before you surrendered your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit worked on the outside--asking if He could come in and live with you as a constant companion and guide. But when we let Him in, He begins the life-changing miracle of giving us the Father's heart and turning our lives completely around. At baptism, He comes with greater power, just as He did when He fell in tongues of fire on the disciples at Pentecost. His presence brings greater intimacy with God, so that you can be a brighter and bolder witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Was Jesus ever baptized?
"Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming _____ from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove" (Mark 1:9,10). 

Before Christ's ministry began, He went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist. "John tried to prevent Him saying "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" (Matthew 3:13). John had seen countless men coming to the Jordan, but he knew that Jesus was without sin. He had no need to be repent and be forgiven. But Christ said, "it is fitting [or right and proper] for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Jesus always  led by example. He experienced the steps that every believer will take when they decide to follow Jesus and live by the power of His Spirit. 

How was Jesus baptized?
"When He had been baptized, Jesus came _____ from the water" (Matthew 3:16).

Baptism comes from the Greek word, baptizo, which means "to immerse," or "be submerged." Jesus was immersed or completely submerged under water when He was baptized. He went down, then came up. When we're baptized as Jesus was, our entire body is put underwater, demonstrating that we've chosen to be His completely. Every part of us belongs to Jesus. We're also lowered and raised up from the water by someone other than ourselves, someone who stands in God's place. This shows that you and I can't fix our heart. Only Jesus can deliver us from the shackles of sin. He's the only One who can raise us from the dead (see Romans 6:16 and Galatians 5:24).

Did the apostles change the way that people were baptized?
"Both Phillip and the eunoch went _____ into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came _____ from the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Phillip away, so that the enoch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:38,39).

Notice that Phillip used the same method that was used by John at Christ's baptism:  the man from Ethiopia went down into the water, completely immersed, and then came up out of the water.  As the disciples carried the gospel round the world, they continued to baptize new believers in the same way. 

Does God accept other methods for baptism?
"One Lord, one faith, _____ baptism" (Ephesians 4:5).

Many kinds of baptisms have been practiced by well-meaning Christians. People have been sprinkled as infants, anointed with oil, even baptized in rose petals! At least 14 different methods have been used over the centuries, but the Bible only recognizes the one established by God. Baptism through immersion is His method because it is the only way that illustrates the meaning behind this sacred service. 

Does your relationship with Jesus change when you are baptized?
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have _____ on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).

When a woman is married, she generally puts on her husband's last name. This signifies they are now one and their lives are joined together. At baptism, we unite ourselves to Christ, taking the name of Christian. From this day forward, we belong to Him and He belongs to us. When you're baptized, you make a life-long commitment to be His and His alone.

Can we be baptized without joining a church?
"Then those who gladly received His Word were baptized...And the Lord added to the _____ daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:41,47).
"For by one Spirit we were baptized into one _____" ( 1 Corinthians 12:13).

Jesus is the head of His body, the church (Colossians 1:18). When we're baptized, we become part of His body, not merely the head. We need that body to keep growing in Jesus. Worshiping with families who believe as we do (who have the same hope, faith, and mission) gives us strength in following Christ. We're not alone in this journey. We have a family to support us when we're down, to lift us up when we're discouraged, to help us press on when we don't know where to turn. And baptism isn't the end of our journey with Jesus--it's only the beginning. A church is also the place where we learn to be a disciple and a witness for the Lord. That's why the Bible says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25, NIV).

Should you ever get re-baptized?
"He said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit'...Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord _____"

There's definitely a time to be baptized all over again. When Jesus shows you a new way by discovering truths you've never known before. Or if you've wandered away from Jesus and 'divorced' yourself from God, Jesus may be calling you to get baptized again. I experienced this in my own life. There was a time when I stopped talking to God and reading my Bible. I had gotten so busy that I fell into the habit of neglecting the Lord. Without a daily connection with the Savior, the devil had free access to my mind, and I slid all the way back in my Christian journey. I ended up at square 1, at the same place I was before I ever met Jesus! Thankfully, God came after me again. And I surrendered my heart to the love of Jesus. But even though I came back, I heard Him calling me to 'marry' Him the 2nd time. So I was baptized all over again. And this time, I asked the Lord to fulfill His promise in Acts 2:38 and 39. I wanted to be filled with all of God's fullness through His Holy Spirit. 

I reached out for that blessing because God had promised it. He said to repent and be baptized and be filled! And this promise is "to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39). And God did just what He said! I was filled with the Spirit in such power that He took all my fears away. I've never been afraid to share my faith since that day. And He's given me such incredible victories over sin and temptation! My walk with Jesus has been closer and deeper because I responded to God's call and was rebaptized. If God is calling you in that direction, move forward with Him. I know that He'll bless you "abundantly above all that [you] ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).

What should you do to get ready to be baptized?
1- "Teaching them to _____ all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19,20).
2 - "He who _____ is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16).
3 - "_____ therefore and be _____ that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

When we're baptized, we're saying to the world, "I've decided to follow Jesus all the way!" But what does that really mean? Before we can take that step, we need to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn what it 'costs' to be a disciple of Christ. That's the information step. But the rest is a supernatural experience. We need to be ready to believe in our heart that Jesus is the answer to all our needs. Believing is really trusting in the Savior--having confidence in every word He's ever spoken and being willing to live by those words. And finally, we need to reach out and accept His gift of repentance (Acts 5:31), to turn away from the sins that have kept us from the Savior. This step will give us a new heart, a born-again experience, where the sins that we once loved, we now hate. 

One Christian author said it so well--"Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things" (Steps to Christ, pg.58).

How does Jesus feel when you're baptized?
"Then a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son in whom I am well _____" (Mark 1:11).

Your heavenly Father will feel the same way about you when you take the step that Jesus did--to be baptized by the water and the Spirit. And He will do for you what He did for Jesus long ago. He will fill you to the full with His presence and you'll have all you need to live for Christ. May God bless you richly as you take this step or prepare to be baptized very soon!

Share Your Thoughts

JOY TO THE WORLD!

"Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).

As I was driving to a friend's house today, I turned on the radio and enjoyed some of the best music this holiday has to offer...Christmas carols. I started singing along, for I know so many by heart. You probably do too. But have you stopped lately to listen to what they're really saying? Of course, they all talk about the Christmas story--of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. But many carols are also packed with a personal message about an intimate walk with Jesus.

The first song our family sings to welcome the holiday season is "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." This is a beautiful prayer that invites Jesus into your heart, to bring you deliverance from sin. My husband always says this is more than a Christmas song and he's so right. This carol is a song of salvation! 

O come, O come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

God's church today is spiritual Israel, and the promises in His Word that once belonged to the ancient Hebrews now pertain to us. And just as Israel needed to be ransomed from her enemies long ago, we need the Lord to ransom us from the devil's power. Too often we give in to temptation and find ourselves enslaved by sin. "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slave... whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?" (Romans 6:16). But when we call out to Jesus, He delivers us from the power of darkness and leads us into the kingdom of His love. Colossians 1:13. He has already paid the ransom for our rescue. All I need to do is ask Him into my life and His gift of freedom will be mine.

Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King,
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!
Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them 2nd birth,
Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King.

The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest!' but on that first Christmas morning, Christ had no glory at all. He laid it aside to be our Emmanuel, "God with us."  He came to know our struggles and show us how to "live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4. He stepped down from glory into our flesh; in our flesh He was humble and obedient--even to the point of death. The Bible says, "He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7, American Standard Version). 

I would say He constantly emptied Himself. Every day of His life was a walk of continual humility, of stepping down in order to lift someone up. He always thought of others first and lived to bless them. And He "laid His glory by" so that we could love like that! We can, you know. The Christian journey is the story of a resurrection. We were all dead in "trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1), but now Jesus is alive in us! To know Him is to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6).  Because when I walk with Jesus, I'm not the same person anymore. I'm not looking out for me, myself and I. That old way of thinking and acting is gone! Because He's given me new life!  He lives in me and I live in Him. And when I sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing!" I celebrate new life. Not just the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. I also rejoice that Jesus has been born in my heart.

One of my favorite Christmas carols is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." I like to paint a picture of Bethlehem in my mind. I see a quiet night, with twinkling stars hovering over a sleeping city. Not far away are the rolling hills where a group of shepherds are sitting round a campfire, watching over their flock by night. This song flows with such gentleness and peace that I always end up praying afterwards. Because Jesus often speaks to me--more personally--when everything is still and in quietness I wait before Him. Bethlehem  has become my picture of communion with Jesus.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie,
above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark street shineth the Everlasting Light,
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For centuries, God's people had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah. Prophets had foretold His coming with prophecy and promise. But somehow along the way, the anticipation had grown dim and God's people neglected to keep the promises fresh in their minds. At least most of the people did. All of Israel should have known that the "fullness of time" had come and expected their Messiah with welcoming hearts. But very few were ready when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. So He came silently. God's gift of salvation comes quietly even now.

How silently, how silently, this wondrous Gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.

Jesus comes quietly to our homes each morning, calling us to sit down with Him and rest awhile. We can't hear His footsteps, but He's there--knocking gently at the door of our hearts. He asks, "May I come in?" "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20). I hear that gentle knocking as I sing this Christmas carol and so many others. So, I think I'll keep on listening to these old carols. There's alot more to them since I've found new life with Jesus.

Share Your Thoughts

WHY LIFE IS UNFAIR

When little children are caught in the cross-fire of a madman, our hearts are crushed and we cry out "Enough!" We've seen too much bloodshed on our streets. We've suffered too much pain and loss. Why should disease and death stalk us at every step? It seems like we're in the middle of a war! Actually, if we could look behind the scenes, we'd discover this is exactly where we are. We're entangled in a cosmic conflict, waged between the greatest superpowers of all time. And we are caught in the middle.

Where did this cosmic conflict get started?
"How are you fallen from _____, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!" (Isaiah 14:12)

The greatest mystery of the universe is how could sin begin in a perfect world? In heaven itself? The answer lies at the heart of the cosmic conflict.

Who is responsible for this war?
"You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you...You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, til _____ was found  in you" (Ezekiel 28:14,15).

God had poured His richest blessings upon the angel Lucifer. Wisdom, beauty, leadership, everything to make His angel perfect. Of all the angels, no one was closer to God. He stood in God's presence, leader of the heavenly hosts. But somehow this just wasn't enough. He wanted more, and because he couldn't have it, he initiated a rebellion that brought sin and sickness to our world. 

How did sin enter heaven?
"You were the seal of perfection, full of _____ and _____" (Ezekiel 28:12,13).
"Your heart was _____ up because of your beauty" (Ezekiel 28:17).
"You said in your heart, _____ will ascend into heaven...I will be like the _____  _____" (Isaiah 14:13,14).

We really can't explain it, but somehow Lucifer's thoughts turned from praising God to dwelling upon himself. Instead of thanking the Lord for His rich blessings, Lucifer thought God had nothing to do with his wisdom and beauty. His pride led to discontent and eventually to lusting for God's power and glory. The more he thought about it, the more he believed he should be in God's place. He should be ruler of heaven and earth.

What impact did Lucifer's sin have in heaven?
"And _____ broke out in heaven" (Revelation 12:7-9).

The seeds of rebellion that surfaced in Lucifer's mind eventually spread throughout heaven. Very deceitfully, he raised questions and doubts that turned 1/3 of the angels against God. At length, there was a show-down between Christ and Lucifer (who had now become "Satan," the enemy of God). The Bible also calls him a dragon. And "the dragon was cast out [of heaven] called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12:9).

Why didn't God get rid of the devil and all his angels?
"The Lord is good to _____ and His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).
"For My _____ are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8).

God could have ended Satan's life on the spot. But His infinite love and wisdom knew that wasn't the right way. If He'd destroyed Satan right then, too many questions would have remained in the minds of the angels. They didn't fully understand the nature of Satan's rebellion or the extent of his charges against God. They needed more time to see for themselves what the devil was really like. God knew if he got rid of Satan, His angels might continue to serve Him, but it would be from fear rather than from love. So the Lord gave Satan time to reveal himself to all and for everyone to understand the nature of the cosmic conflict. Only then, could we make an intelligent choice in whom we should follow.

How did Satan involve us in the cosmic conflict?
"Then the serpent said to the woman, 'You will _____ surely die!' For God knows in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like _____ , knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:1-6).

Satan brought his rebellion down to this earth. Disguising himself as a talking snake, he tempted Eve at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Previously, God had given clear instruction that Adam and Eve could eat from any tree in the Garden of Eden, except from this one. He further said, if they ate from this tree, they would die. But one day, Eve wandered from her husband's side and came face to face with the devil (in the form of a snake). He suggested that God was withholding something good from her by not allowing them to eat from this tree. He assured her that they wouldn't 'surely die,' a bold lie, and totally opposite to what God had told them. Whose word would she trust? Unfortunately, both Adam and Eve chose the serpent. Eve was deceived and believed Satan's lies. Adam understood what had happened, but could not bear the thought that he would be separated from his wife. So he too took the fruit and ate. How the devil must have laughed! His plan had worked. He now had this world under his thumb.

How did Adam and Eve's sin change their relationship with God?
"I heard Your voice in the garden and I was _____ because I was naked, and I hid myself" (Genesis 3:8-10).
"And you, who once were alienated and _____ in your mind by wicked works" (Colossians 1:21).

As soon as the guilty pair ate from the forbidden fruit, their hearts and minds were changed. Their eyes were opened, just as the serpent said, and they knew what evil was. For fear and guilt overwhelmed them and they ran from Jesus when they heard His voice in the garden. Immediately, their relationship was damaged. And so was their relationship with one another. When Jesus asked, "Have you eaten from the tree which I commanded you that you should not eat?" (Genesis 3:11), Adam didn't take responsibility for what he'd done. Instead he pointed to his wife and blamed it on her. And ultimately, he blamed God, for He was the One who gave Eve to him as a wife! "The woman," he said, "whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate" (Genesis 3:12). So, even their relationship with God was severed. And ever since that day, we have inherited the same problems. We are alienated from God because of sin. But we aren't abandoned by God. For Jesus "has reconciled [us] in the body of His flesh through death" that He might "present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight" (Colossians 1:22). 

How does Jesus warn us about the devil?
"He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from  his own resources, for he is a _____ and the father of it" (John 8:43,44).
"The _____ of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down" (Revelation 12:10).

The worst thing that can ever happen in a war is to convince the army that the enemy doesn't exist. But Jesus has warned us ahead of time. He has ripped the mask off the devil, the great deceiver, so that you and I will be on guard and not be fooled by any of his traps.

What does Satan use to try and deceive us?
"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders and with all unrighteous _____ among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:9,10).

Satan fights dirty. He will pull out every stop in order to deceive us and lure us into sin. He will use half-truths, misquoting the Bible, persecution, accusations, even miracles. Whatever it takes to break our hold on God or to mistrust what He says, Satan will do it. And he'll do it so imperceptibly sometimes, that we won't be even aware that we're falling into a trap. So Jesus says, Keep your eyes open. Watch out for his tactics and you will be safe.

BEWARE OF SATAN'S TRAPS

He deceives and persecutes God's people (Revelation 12:9,13)
He falsely accuses us before God (Revelation 12:10)
He is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44)
He misquotes the Bible (Matthew 4:5,6)
He brings disease and trials upon us (Job 2:7)
He makes war with God's people (Revelation 12:17)
He works miracles before our eyes (Revelation 16:13,14)
He will impersonate religious leaders (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

GLORY TO GOD

During the Christmas season, we can't help but think about Jesus. We see a baby in Bethlehem, lying in a manger. Around Him are adoring shepherds, above Him a host of angels singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!" (Luke 2:14)
     But if we look closer, we can see something more. We can discover why Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It's only when we look beyond the manger that we find the reason for His birth and the true significance of Christmas. It's actually a part of the Living Way to Jesus.  

Why would He come in such a humble fashion? We find the answer in the words of Isaiah:
        "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, 

         because the Lord has anointed Me 

         to preach good tidings to the poor; 

         He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, 

         to proclaim liberty to the captives, 

         and the opening of the prison 
         to those who are bound; 

         to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, 

         and the day of vengeance for our God; 

         to comfort all those who mourn, 

         to console those who mourn in Zion, 

         to give them beauty for ashes,

         the oil of joy for mourning,

         the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness,

         that they may be called trees of righteousness,

         the planting of the Lord,

         that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:1-3, NKJV).

In these short verses, we discover the mission of Christ. We see the power of His mission, the method, and its purpose. All three are intertwined and inseparable. That, in itself, has a purpose, for if Jesus Christ was to complete His mission on earth, He must fulfill God's purpose. And for it to be fulfilled, He must perform God's work in God's way through God's power. All this is packed within these three verses. 

So, why would Jesus be born in Bethlehem in such a humble fashion? Nothing attached to His mission was left to chance; the place of His birth was ordained hundreds of years before it happened. The prophet Micah had foretold it: "But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). 

But why would God choose such a humble beginning for His Son? Why was Bethlehem an integral part of Christ's mission? In the prophecy of Isaiah we find the answer.  Now normally, when we study the Bible, we move from the top to the bottom, we read from the beginning to the end. But sometimes, we can discover incredible kernels of truth if we begin at the end. That's usually where preachers put the force of their message and Isaiah has done the same thing. At the very end, he tells us why Jesus came to this earth, as a tiny babe, born in an insignificant town, and with very humble beginnings. He says, "that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." 

The core of Christ's mission, including the place and method of His birth, is found remarkably in the song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace, good will toward men!" (Luke 2:14) We've heard that song sung as long as we've celebrated Christmas. And you might be tempted to think, "I know that already. That's not  new truth." But don't let the frequency with which you're heard it lull you to sleep. Glorifying God is more than you think. Have you ever thought how you can possibly give God glory when He's already bathed in majesty?  How could we possibly make Him more splendid that He is?

Most of the time, when we hear the word 'glory' we think of God's brightness (as when the 3 disciples saw Jesus on the mount of transfiguration in Luke 9). Or we think of His praise (as when the children sang 'Hosanna to the Son of David' and waved palm branches as He came into Jerusalem). The second one is the major way glory is used in the gospels. Whenever Christ healed the sick or opened the eyes of the blind, the one who was healed always gave God the glory. They praised Him for His wonderful mercy and touching them where they needed it most. 

The work of God in our life is what opens our lips to shout His praise; it's what unshackles our feet to go as His witness. When we encounter God and experience His love, the fears that have bound us disintegrate and we can sing the song of the angels, saying 'Glory to God in the highest!" For "No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart" (Desire of Ages, pg. 141). We long to give Him the offering of praise, not only with our words, but with the testimony of our lives.

Words aren't powerful enough. Quite often, we can talk the talk, but our hearts will be untouched by God's grace. Words can often be a mask, giving the right look or the impression that we truly know the Lord (when we're actually far away from Him). I know I've been there, perhaps you have too. 

In Christ's day, the Pharisees knew the right words. They would talk for hours about God's Law, His commandments, or even the Messiah. But Jesus knew their hearts  and saw that they honored Him with their lips only; their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8). And Isaiah went so far as to say, "they have removed their hearts far from Me" (Isaiah 29:13). So it's not just about saying 'Praise the Lord!' or 'Glory to God in the highest!' True words of praise will spring forth spontaneously and rise to our Father like a sweet perfume when our lives are a praise to God. And the greatest glory that we can give Him is when Christ sees Himself perfectly reflected in us, when all can see that "we have been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). His praise will then come through us when His saving work is seen in us, when Christ is formed within, "the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). 

"God's purpose for His people, and the glorious possibilities toward them, had been set forth in the beautiful words, 'that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.' Isaiah 61:3" (Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 215). God has planted us and He's looking for fruit. Our Father is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8). He's looking, as a Daddy looks into the face of his newborn, looking to see if there's any likeness of himself in his child. When Jesus sees Himself in us, He is glorified. His mission is accomplished. His name is vindicated before the universe. For His sacrifice is not in vain, for He shall "see the labor of His soul and be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11, NKJV). 

Without the humility of Jesus, His labor would have been in vain. If He had been born in a king's palace, within the lap of luxury, His life couldn't have touched ours. He came to be 'one with us,' to be our Emmanuel, Someone who knew how it felt to be hungry, Someone who knew our pain and struggles. And even more than this, He knew the journey to salvation requires a poverty of spirit, to be able to look up and admit we're empty and in need of the presence of God. 

Christ knew that the road to heaven would take Him up Golgotha's road. It led to the cross, where the sacrifice of life awaited Him. And He knew that we must travel that road with Him. To truly belong to the Lord, we must accept His sacrifice and  take up our cross and follow Him. But before we can be His disciples and enjoy intimacy with the Savior, there must be a death to self and sin. We can't know one without the other. So without humility, Jesus could not have been our perfect sacrifice or our perfect example. Which is why Bethlehem was part of His mission for us. He led the way, not He invites us to follow Him.

We need to follow Jesus to Bethlehem every day. To experience that humbling of heart "that our God will make you worthy of His call and will fulfill by His power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:11,12, Revised Standard Version). This is the Living Way to experience Christmas in your hearts. I pray Jesus will be glorified by you!

Share Your Thoughts

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!

We live in unusual times. Wherever you look, whether in government, banking or nature, life as we know it is undergoing radical change. Even scientists, who care little about the Bible, fear that our world is about to end. Prophecy predicts that something big is about to happen. Christ is soon to come. But how soon is soon?

What did the prophet Daniel predict would happen in the last days?
"And in the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a _____ which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people" (Daniel 2:44).

Daniel was given a vision of a metal man that illustrated the rise and fall of world kingdoms. Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and finally a divided monarchy which led to the development of modern Europe today. After the fall of these super-powers, another kingdom will come that will  never end. This is the Kingdom of God! It will be ushered in by the second coming of Jesus Christ. The focus of Daniel's prophecy is to prepare us for this grand event.

When can we expect this day to come?
"Behold, I am coming _____, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work" (Revelation 22:12). 
"Behold, I am coming _____!" (Revelation 22:7)

In the last book of the Bible, we hear an urgent message about the Second Coming. God repeats this message at least 5 times, alerting us that His coming is closer than we think. In fact, the very last words of Christ in the Bible say, "Surely, I am coming quickly!" And the prophet of the Revelation answers, "Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

Can Bible prophecy tell us the exact time for Christ's return?
"But of that day and hour _____ one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36).

God hasn't revealed to us the exact day He's coming. Jesus said even He didn't know. One Bible writer explains, "The supposed dates of Christ's return litter the road of history" (M. Finley, The Next Super Power). Today, many are speculating that the world will come to an end in 2012. A mysterious Mayan calendar has many in an uproar, thinking the world is about to end on December 21. But Christ has unequivocally said, no one knows. But though God hasn't given the time, He's outlined what will happen right before it happens. He's given clear-cut signs to help us know we're getting closer.

How can we prepare if we don't know the exact day for Christ's coming?
"_____ therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be sober and _____ in your prayers" (1 Peter 4:7).

The coming of Christ is closer than we think. But unless we stay on the alert, we could put if off, as many do, thinking it will never come in our lifetime. But Jesus wants us to keep our focus on eternity, on serious matters of the heart. He says, "Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe" (John 13:19). Bible prophecy will make us more aware of the times in which we're living by pointing out the evidence (the signs) that our Lord is coming soon.

Why is it important to know the signs of the times?
"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is _____ than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11).

Historians can tell us what's happened in the past. News commentators can keep us informed about the present. But only God can reveal the future. He's the only One who knows how late the hour is. And through Bible prophecy, He wants us to know it as well. The 2nd Coming isn't something we can put off until just the right time. When Jesus comes in the clouds, our destinies will be sealed and our eternal future determined. So we need to stay alert because everything hinges on our readiness for that day.

Is it possible for us to know when we're getting closer to that Day?
"Now learn this parable from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, know that it is _____, even at the door" (Matthew 24:32,33).

Jesus used this lesson from nature to understand He's coming soon and just how soon that will be. For just as we can tell the change of the seasons by the growing buds and flowers, so we can discern the nearness of His return through the signs of the times.

In the days of Christ, the disciples of Jesus asked, "What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?" What did Jesus tell them?
"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying 'I am the _____ and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4,5).

God doesn't leave us in the dark. He's warned us ahead of time using signs in the world. But before Christ spelled these out to His wondering disciples, He says first to be on their guard, to carefully inspect the signs. And since we are living in the last days, we can expect an increase in deceptions. The Bible says, "Woe to the earth...because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short" (Revelation 12:12). "The shorter the time to Jesus' return, the greater Satan's motivation to deceive the human race will become. As time runs out, he will become more desperate to fool millions with a false second coming" (M. Finley, The Next Superpower, pg. 51). 

HEAVEN'S GATE CULT MEMBERS
TAKE THEIR LIVES TO GAIN HIGHER LEVEL
OF EXISTENCE

MARSHALL APPLEWHITE,
HEAVEN'S GATE CULT LEADER

Are the rise of cults a sign that Christ is coming soon?
"Then many false _____ will rise up and deceive many" (Matthew 24:11).
"For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great _____ and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).

Cult groups have grown explosively during recent decades. Surveys reveal that 5-7 million people in North America alone are involved in cults. 180,000 members are recruited each year! Why have they become so popular? Most of them are looking for answers in an uncertain world. They are drawn to the message of the cults, which say "follow the god within you" (or follow a leader who claims to be God). The rise of cults and their dependence on a charismatic leader is setting the stage for the great deception of the Antichrist in the last days. 

Is the increase of war and natural disasters another sign?
"And you will hear of _____ and rumors of war. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet" (Matthew 24:6).
"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be _____, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:7,8).

We are overwhelmed with war and disasters--within America and in the world. More people have been killed in the last century than the previous 20 combined! Since 9-11, our lives have been threatened by terrorist attacks. There is no end in sight to world hunger. Conservative estimates say that 50,000-90,000 people are starving every day! The world is growing at such an alarming rate that we can't sustain life by the food we grow. Deadly earthquakes have dramatically increased in the past 100 years. Cities have literally been wiped out by tsunamis. Deadly diseases, such as SARS, bird flu, and the West Nile virus bombard us . AIDS is epidemic in many countries. There is even a resurgence of old diseases that once were wiped out. Viruses and bacteria are becoming resilient to medication. And yet, the Bible says this is only the beginning!

Is this just religious hype or are scientists concerned that the end is near?
"There will be _____ in the sun, moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring" (Luke 21:25).

Even scholars recognize that something BIG is about to happen. Eugene Linden wrote a book called Nine Clues to the Coming Instability. In this book, he points to the signs that indicate the end is in sight. The collapse of the global economy, global warming, water and food shortages, the rise of infectious diseases,  
dangerous extremists in religion, the disappearing middle class, the population explosion--all are signs speaking to scientific minds  that the Bible is true and we are living in the last days.

Is the loss of family values an indicator of the end?
"But know this--that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money...blasphemers, _____ to parents, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4).

Family life has changed dramatically in a single generation. Within this time, we have seen the gradual erosion of traditional family values: (1) Divorce rate of over 50% in North America, (2) A strong rise of absentee parents and detached children, (3) Gay marriage and the homosexual lifestyle becoming widely accepted in society, (4) 46 million abortions occurring ever year. Our nation is also being driven by the pursuit of a violent and godless media that keep many from thinking of what direction our world is headed.

How will God be at work in the final days of earth's history?
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the _____ as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

As the world is sliding downhill, God's Kingdom is moving forward to prepare every man, woman and child for the 2nd Coming of Christ. In a world of despair and uncertainty, Bible prophecy provides us with clarity. We are living in the toenails of Daniel's great image (Daniel 2), on the very brink of eternity. The warning signs are out, saying "Get ready to evacuate. I'm coming for you!"

How can we know that these signs are sure indicators that Christ is coming soon?
"Knowing this first, that scoffers will come in the _____ days, walking according to their lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For...all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:3,4).
"For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction will come upon them, as _____ pains upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

It doesn't take rocket science to know this world is falling apart at the seams. It's no longer business as usual. Many may scoff at the signs so clearly revealed in prophecy and world events. And while it's true that many of these signs have been around for a long time, the fact is they are becoming more frequent and more intense--just as  a woman's labor pains. Signs of the end are reaching a fever-pitch as God is reaching out to you and me. He is saying, "Watch and be ready. The end is nearer than you think. It's time to prepare."

Do you sense that Christ's coming is nearer than when you first believed? Do you want to prepare for His soon return?

Share Your Thoughts