Blood Entitlement
Written by Johnny Israel
Grace, Faith, Justified Ministries
A television reporter asked an illegal alien, “Why should U.S. citizens pay for illegal aliens’ medical costs?” The woman simply replied, “We’re entitled to it.” Today’s society expects entitlement ranging from free medical, SSI, low income housing, including utilities, welfare, and food banks. The list is endless. But these rights come with a heavy burden on societies taxpayers. We have come to expect, no demand free services as an entitlement right. History has shown when something is given freely it is as easily discarded by the recipient as having little or no value. As the cliché says, ‘easy come, easy go,’ tagging society as a throwaway culture. Dissatisfied in marriage, we enter into another relationship. We insist on having the best life has to offer without counting the responsibility that comes with our demands. In other words, the U.S. culture covets ‘something for nothing’ expectations. However, there is a prerequisite to entitlement freebees: prepayment by taxpayers.
The Bible tells us that Jesus freely suffered death on the cross as payment for the sins of the world. Through Him, we are justified by faith as if we have never sinned. When we accept his forgiveness of our sins and receive Him as Lord and Savior, we inherit certain inalienable rights. The right to be called sons of God. The right to be endued with Holy Spirit power. The right to enter His presence without condemnation, making our requests known, expecting to be heard. As a child of God purchased by blood, we are entitled to His authority on the face of this earth to change the circumstances of our life. Unlimited authority that the Bible refers to as ‘power over all the enemy and nothing by any means shall harm you.’ According to the Word, you receive entitlement to physical healing, prosperity, peace of mind, deliverance of circumstances, spiritual, mental, and physical strength, a wholesome marriage, protection for yourself and family. Christ died on the cross for the whole man: spiritually, mentally, physically, financially, materially, parentally, and socially. The umbrella of His death and resurrection shields every area of the believer’s life.
Christ’s entitlements are unmerited favor, given without cost to every believer. You cannot earn His favor or entitlements; He has already paid the price on the cross. To receive the benefits of His entitlements requires registration in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You register at the foot of the cross by accepting His forgiveness for your sins, and receiving Him as Lord and Savior in your heart.
The world, nature and the devil is in opposition to the believer’s entitlements. Your antagonist the devil seeks to bar God’s blessing by getting you to accept your circumstances as God’s will for you. It is often preached from the pulpit that we are to thank God for our illness. This is foolish thinking. If a robber breaks into your home, you would not simply stand by and praise God as he carted off your possessions. You would do everything in your power to stop him. The Bible says, “The devil comes to steal and destroy, I come that you may have life.” As a believer, you are entitled to God’s entire blessing, including His authority to change your circumstances, no matter how difficult or impossible they may seem. To access His entitlement, we remind Him of His Word. For financial matters the Apostle Paul said, “My God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” In sickness the Bible says, “I am the Lord that heals you.” Reminding the Lord of His Word pleases Him, and we are strengthened in faith. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my Name that will I do.”
Are you entitled to His blessings to change your circumstances? Yes. Whatever your circumstances may be, the Lord has granted you unmerited entitlement to overcome the problem. Once you presented your request to Him, accept your situation to change for the better. The Word says the promises of the Lord are ‘yes and amen.’ The believer is covenanted through blood. You have been given blood entitlements here in this world and in the world to come.
Johnny Israel
Monday, August 07, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Mel Gibson
Johnny Israel
City Room Press
August 1, 2006
A few days ago the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department arrested Mel Gibson for DUI. TMZ.com, a Hollywood celebrity watch dog, reported that Gibson resisted arrest, refused to cooperate with sheriff officers, and said anti-Semitic remarks. The following day, Mel Gibson released a statement apologizing for his actions. Immediately after Gibson’s arrest the Jewish and Christian community condemned the actor, and producer of the Passion of Christ, stating, “Gibson’s true colors have come out showing he is an anti-Semite.”
Mel Gibson is not only one of the most successful box office draw in Hollywood, he is also one of the most respectable men. When Gibson filmed the Passion, my Jewish brothers immediately castigated him as an anti-Semite. On the other hand, Christians worldwide hailed Gibson as imaginative director that captured the true personification of the crucifixion of Christ.
Since Gibson’s arrest, Jews have demanded the Hollywood film industry blacklist him, listing him as an anti-Semite. Christians have also jumped on the bandwagon, wagging tongues of accusations without first having all the facts surrounding his arrest. It may be understandable why Jews tag Gibson as an anti-Semite, seeing how they consider the Passion an anti-Semitic film. But is Gibson an anti-Semite? Those who have worked closes to Gibson say ‘no’. Gibson is a generous man, supporting charitable organizations that include financial support for underprivileged Jewish children in Israel.
Jesus told his followers, before removing the speck out of their brother’s eye they must first remove the log from their own eye. Meaning, before we judge Gibson for his faults, we first must judge ourselves for our sins. Which one of us has not in the heat of passion made derogatory statements that we immediately regretted saying? Or have acted in a way that is unbecoming of our Christian faith? When the Jews caught a woman in the act of adultery, Jesus said, “He without sin let him cast the first stone.” One by one the accusers threw down their stone and walked away in shame.
Gibson is a brother in Christ. As a brother, we are not to judge or condemn him, but rather to pray for him. When we condemn a brother, we pass judgment on ourselves. Not to mention judgment, gossip, condemnation of a brother blocks the Lord’s blessing in our personal life. The Word tells us to pray for each other, and to love one another as Christ loved the church. These are not the days to wag our tongues in destructive gossip, but to pray as we have never prayed before. God lists gossip as one of the seven deadly sins that blocks the presence of our Heavenly Father. Gossip grieves the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that resides in you and me. The Apostle James said it best, “Can bitter water and sweet water flow out of the same fountain? With the same tongue we bless God and curse men. This should not be so”
The next time you hear a brother in the Lord criticize Mel Gibson, ask them if they have first lifted him up in prayer. The Holy Spirit is love. Criticism is neither a fruit of the Spirit nor a gift. God is not the author of criticism, the devil is. When we criticize a brother, we join allegiance with the devil. The Bible tells us the Devil is the author of strife and division, and that Christ delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. As children of God, we are forbidden by the Spirit to use our tongue for evil, but rather commanded to edify, esteem, and exhort a brother in the Word. On the cross, Christ took upon himself all people’s sins, including Gibson’s. To criticize a brother is to null and void the works of the cross, making His sacrifice ineffective. Therefore, let us remember Mel Gibson as a brother in Christ that deserves our prayers and not our criticism.
Johnny Israel
City Room Press
August 1, 2006
A few days ago the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department arrested Mel Gibson for DUI. TMZ.com, a Hollywood celebrity watch dog, reported that Gibson resisted arrest, refused to cooperate with sheriff officers, and said anti-Semitic remarks. The following day, Mel Gibson released a statement apologizing for his actions. Immediately after Gibson’s arrest the Jewish and Christian community condemned the actor, and producer of the Passion of Christ, stating, “Gibson’s true colors have come out showing he is an anti-Semite.”
Mel Gibson is not only one of the most successful box office draw in Hollywood, he is also one of the most respectable men. When Gibson filmed the Passion, my Jewish brothers immediately castigated him as an anti-Semite. On the other hand, Christians worldwide hailed Gibson as imaginative director that captured the true personification of the crucifixion of Christ.
Since Gibson’s arrest, Jews have demanded the Hollywood film industry blacklist him, listing him as an anti-Semite. Christians have also jumped on the bandwagon, wagging tongues of accusations without first having all the facts surrounding his arrest. It may be understandable why Jews tag Gibson as an anti-Semite, seeing how they consider the Passion an anti-Semitic film. But is Gibson an anti-Semite? Those who have worked closes to Gibson say ‘no’. Gibson is a generous man, supporting charitable organizations that include financial support for underprivileged Jewish children in Israel.
Jesus told his followers, before removing the speck out of their brother’s eye they must first remove the log from their own eye. Meaning, before we judge Gibson for his faults, we first must judge ourselves for our sins. Which one of us has not in the heat of passion made derogatory statements that we immediately regretted saying? Or have acted in a way that is unbecoming of our Christian faith? When the Jews caught a woman in the act of adultery, Jesus said, “He without sin let him cast the first stone.” One by one the accusers threw down their stone and walked away in shame.
Gibson is a brother in Christ. As a brother, we are not to judge or condemn him, but rather to pray for him. When we condemn a brother, we pass judgment on ourselves. Not to mention judgment, gossip, condemnation of a brother blocks the Lord’s blessing in our personal life. The Word tells us to pray for each other, and to love one another as Christ loved the church. These are not the days to wag our tongues in destructive gossip, but to pray as we have never prayed before. God lists gossip as one of the seven deadly sins that blocks the presence of our Heavenly Father. Gossip grieves the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that resides in you and me. The Apostle James said it best, “Can bitter water and sweet water flow out of the same fountain? With the same tongue we bless God and curse men. This should not be so”
The next time you hear a brother in the Lord criticize Mel Gibson, ask them if they have first lifted him up in prayer. The Holy Spirit is love. Criticism is neither a fruit of the Spirit nor a gift. God is not the author of criticism, the devil is. When we criticize a brother, we join allegiance with the devil. The Bible tells us the Devil is the author of strife and division, and that Christ delivered us from the power of darkness and has translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. As children of God, we are forbidden by the Spirit to use our tongue for evil, but rather commanded to edify, esteem, and exhort a brother in the Word. On the cross, Christ took upon himself all people’s sins, including Gibson’s. To criticize a brother is to null and void the works of the cross, making His sacrifice ineffective. Therefore, let us remember Mel Gibson as a brother in Christ that deserves our prayers and not our criticism.
Johnny Israel
Monday, May 15, 2006
Government Power vs. God's Power
Written by: Johnny Israel
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.” Psalms 20:7
I dare say we can all agree that we are living in perilous times. America and the free nations are engaged in a Holy War of radical Muslims bent on destruction, murder, and mayhem. At the same time, America’s Constitutional civil rights are being battered, beaten down, and morphed into a meaningless historic piece of lambskin purely as window dressing. While the government operates under a veil of secrecy to build an information database on all Americans under the guise of fighting world terrorism, the world is rapidly moving toward a one-world government, commonly known as ‘The New World Order.’
At a time when nations are rapidly stockpiling an arsenal of weapons, preparing for Armageddon, Christians are facing a serious challenge to their faith, righteousness, and commitment to Christ. The world is in a weapons race for laser guided nuclear bombs, mega bombs, sophisticated hand held nuclear weaponry, bombs that implode above ground, bombs that explode deep within the earth. We have chemical bombs, dirty bombs, poison gas bombs; every kind of sophisticated weapon of might and power to destroy man.
Governments strive on might and power. The stronger controls the weaker. A nation with sophisticated arsenals holds a secure position of power. Those without sophisticated weaponry are subservient to those that have. It is the law of nature: The strong rules the weak.
God’s law operates on a completely different forum. “Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” While men use physical means to obtain power, God’s power is born of the Holy Spirit. Government power seeks to control men. God’s Spirit seeks men to empower with the authority of His Word. This is where real power lies. Worldly power is founded on fear. The greater government power, the more fearful their enemies are. God’s power is founded on love. “For God so loved the world He sent His only Son…” Love sent Christ into the world to bare our sins on the Cross-, and it was love that raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at the right hand of the Father. Brother, that is power.
Dictators seek power over men. The Holy Spirit seeks out men to empower with the Word. Government power enslaves men to serve them. Christ has become servant to all men. Dictators hold their subjects in bondage for one purpose only: control. Christians are free servants, empowered to heal, cast out demons, raise the dead, share the Good News, and to preach the Gospel.
The scope of power relies on where you put your trust. Is your trust in Government power, or is it in the Almighty, the Supreme Powerful One? The Bible tells us there is power in the Name above every name: Jesus Christ. At His Name every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. As for me, I place my trust in the Name of Jesus, the ultimate source of power.
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the Lord our God.” Psalms 20:7
I dare say we can all agree that we are living in perilous times. America and the free nations are engaged in a Holy War of radical Muslims bent on destruction, murder, and mayhem. At the same time, America’s Constitutional civil rights are being battered, beaten down, and morphed into a meaningless historic piece of lambskin purely as window dressing. While the government operates under a veil of secrecy to build an information database on all Americans under the guise of fighting world terrorism, the world is rapidly moving toward a one-world government, commonly known as ‘The New World Order.’
At a time when nations are rapidly stockpiling an arsenal of weapons, preparing for Armageddon, Christians are facing a serious challenge to their faith, righteousness, and commitment to Christ. The world is in a weapons race for laser guided nuclear bombs, mega bombs, sophisticated hand held nuclear weaponry, bombs that implode above ground, bombs that explode deep within the earth. We have chemical bombs, dirty bombs, poison gas bombs; every kind of sophisticated weapon of might and power to destroy man.
Governments strive on might and power. The stronger controls the weaker. A nation with sophisticated arsenals holds a secure position of power. Those without sophisticated weaponry are subservient to those that have. It is the law of nature: The strong rules the weak.
God’s law operates on a completely different forum. “Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit says the Lord.” While men use physical means to obtain power, God’s power is born of the Holy Spirit. Government power seeks to control men. God’s Spirit seeks men to empower with the authority of His Word. This is where real power lies. Worldly power is founded on fear. The greater government power, the more fearful their enemies are. God’s power is founded on love. “For God so loved the world He sent His only Son…” Love sent Christ into the world to bare our sins on the Cross-, and it was love that raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at the right hand of the Father. Brother, that is power.
Dictators seek power over men. The Holy Spirit seeks out men to empower with the Word. Government power enslaves men to serve them. Christ has become servant to all men. Dictators hold their subjects in bondage for one purpose only: control. Christians are free servants, empowered to heal, cast out demons, raise the dead, share the Good News, and to preach the Gospel.
The scope of power relies on where you put your trust. Is your trust in Government power, or is it in the Almighty, the Supreme Powerful One? The Bible tells us there is power in the Name above every name: Jesus Christ. At His Name every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. As for me, I place my trust in the Name of Jesus, the ultimate source of power.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Messianic Seed
Written by: Johnny Israel
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:28-29)
The term Messianic Jew is universally defined as a person of Jewish ancestry that has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Christians often refer to Messianic Jews as “completed Jews.” And for some strange reason, Christians have the belief that Messianic Jews hold a more sacred position in God’s heart than other members in the Body of Christ. They are wrong.
Let us address the term completed Jew. According to the above-stated scripture passage, Paul the Apostle says there is neither Jew nor Greek (gentile)… for you are all one in Christ. What a profound statement. God does not see Jew or Gentile in the Body of Christ. He sees one body… Christ’s Body. Recently, I heard a preacher say that God favors Messianic Jews because of their Abrahamic bloodline. He gave no scriptural reference to back up his theory. There is only one DNA that governs favorable passage into God’s Chamber Room: Christ’s blood.
Believers take the reference to Messianic Jew out of context. Technically, there is no such thing as a Messianic Jew. It is a term today’s Christians use to identify Christian Jews. The scripture forbids selective profiling in granting favor to one member of the body over another. The Word says, “God is not a respecter of person.” In fact, Paul the Apostle says boldly, “If you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed…” All Christians have inherited rights of Abraham through Christ; it is through Jesus Christ that we receive the Covenant promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:13) There is only one Blood Covenant that bond Messianic Jews and Christians alike. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26)
If Abraham’s DNA was the key to Covenant then Christ would not have had to shed His blood on the Cross. God’s Covenant to Abraham was a Covenant of faith, promised to him and his descendents after him. The Abraham Covenant required animal blood sacrificed on the holy alters for the forgiveness of sin. It was a temporary means to salvation. However, Abraham’s Covenant became moot at the Cross. At the time Jesus’ blood was poured out on the Cross, the Abrahamic Covenant was fulfilled. A new Covenant was ratified on the Cross. Christ did not do away with the old Covenant, but fulfilled it; thereby giving way to a better, more complete Covenant. This New Covenant guarantees all men access to God the Father through Christ Jesus. The blood of bulls, goats, and lambs that were offered for the sins of the people are no longer required. The Bible says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, Christ entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrew 9:13)
Therefore, it is not the children of Israel that God favors, but those who are purchased by the blood of Christ. While God will protect a remnant of Israel, Israel no longer holds the key to salvation. Descendants of Israel have a natural bloodline to Abraham. They are Abraham’s physical seed. But the promise to Abraham was not physical, but rather spiritual. Abraham’s Covenant was temporal (subject to change). Change it did on the Cross. Messianic Jews, in God’s eye, are Christians, not Jewish Christians. All Christians have equal standing with their Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus. Every believer, Jew or gentile, is birth by the spiritual loins of Abraham through faith in Christ Jesus. “If you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Whatever your ethnic or cultural history, as a believer, you have unmerited favor with your Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal. 3:28-29)
The term Messianic Jew is universally defined as a person of Jewish ancestry that has received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Christians often refer to Messianic Jews as “completed Jews.” And for some strange reason, Christians have the belief that Messianic Jews hold a more sacred position in God’s heart than other members in the Body of Christ. They are wrong.
Let us address the term completed Jew. According to the above-stated scripture passage, Paul the Apostle says there is neither Jew nor Greek (gentile)… for you are all one in Christ. What a profound statement. God does not see Jew or Gentile in the Body of Christ. He sees one body… Christ’s Body. Recently, I heard a preacher say that God favors Messianic Jews because of their Abrahamic bloodline. He gave no scriptural reference to back up his theory. There is only one DNA that governs favorable passage into God’s Chamber Room: Christ’s blood.
Believers take the reference to Messianic Jew out of context. Technically, there is no such thing as a Messianic Jew. It is a term today’s Christians use to identify Christian Jews. The scripture forbids selective profiling in granting favor to one member of the body over another. The Word says, “God is not a respecter of person.” In fact, Paul the Apostle says boldly, “If you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed…” All Christians have inherited rights of Abraham through Christ; it is through Jesus Christ that we receive the Covenant promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:13) There is only one Blood Covenant that bond Messianic Jews and Christians alike. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26)
If Abraham’s DNA was the key to Covenant then Christ would not have had to shed His blood on the Cross. God’s Covenant to Abraham was a Covenant of faith, promised to him and his descendents after him. The Abraham Covenant required animal blood sacrificed on the holy alters for the forgiveness of sin. It was a temporary means to salvation. However, Abraham’s Covenant became moot at the Cross. At the time Jesus’ blood was poured out on the Cross, the Abrahamic Covenant was fulfilled. A new Covenant was ratified on the Cross. Christ did not do away with the old Covenant, but fulfilled it; thereby giving way to a better, more complete Covenant. This New Covenant guarantees all men access to God the Father through Christ Jesus. The blood of bulls, goats, and lambs that were offered for the sins of the people are no longer required. The Bible says, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, Christ entered once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Hebrew 9:13)
Therefore, it is not the children of Israel that God favors, but those who are purchased by the blood of Christ. While God will protect a remnant of Israel, Israel no longer holds the key to salvation. Descendants of Israel have a natural bloodline to Abraham. They are Abraham’s physical seed. But the promise to Abraham was not physical, but rather spiritual. Abraham’s Covenant was temporal (subject to change). Change it did on the Cross. Messianic Jews, in God’s eye, are Christians, not Jewish Christians. All Christians have equal standing with their Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus. Every believer, Jew or gentile, is birth by the spiritual loins of Abraham through faith in Christ Jesus. “If you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Whatever your ethnic or cultural history, as a believer, you have unmerited favor with your Heavenly Father through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Has The Church Become Militant?
Written by: Johnny Israel
In the Book of John 15:27, just before Christ suffered on the cross, He said to His disciples, "And you shall bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning." For nearly three years the disciples were with Jesus 24/7. They were eyewitnesses to His mighty miracles. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind received their sight, and the dead were raised to life. Yet at one point, they wanted more. They desired to see Israel free from Roman domination. In their hopes that Jesus has come to set Himself as King of Israel, they asked, "Lord have you come to restore Israel?" However, Jesus had bigger and better plans, not just for Israel, but for the world. The disciples had their eye on a man created government. Jesus' eye was on the world as a whole. Instead of addressing government rule, Jesus instructed His disciples to (1) heal the sick, (2) cast out demons, (3) raise the dead, and (4) preach the Good News. In other words, the purpose of the Gospel is to bring souls into the Kingdom of God.
The government Jesus was setting up was one of Good News, not politics, or fighting causes for this or that. He was after the heart and souls of men. His followers were given one mission, win souls for the Kingdom. Even though the political spectrum was overbearing at the time, Jesus refused to participate in the rights or wrongs of the political agenda. That was not His mission or purpose.Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist is locked in prison. John sent his servant to Jesus, inquiring if He was the One the prophets foretold about, or should they look for another? Two things transpired here. John did not address the horror of confinement, or his wrongful conviction. He needed assurance from Jesus that He was the Christ. John's eye was on God's promise to send the Messiah. In his oppressive state of captivity, he sought assurance from Jesus that He is the Christ. Look how Jesus answered him in Luke 7:22. "Then Jesus answering said, "Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the leper are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached."
Brother that was all the assurance John needed. Notice how Jesus never addressed John's captivity or the evils of the Roman government. Was John wrongfully imprisoned? Yes. Did John have a right to complain against the government? Yes. Yet, neither John nor Jesus said one word against the Roman government. Jesus did not hold rallies, nor did he gather the believers together to march in protest of John's imprisonment. He stayed the course the Father sent Him on.
Today's church has taken a different turn in the road. Called to preach the Good News, the church has become a political machine. In these last few years the church has preached more on politics than winning souls for Christ. She has attacked the judiciary, politicians, promoted canidants, fought against laws, marched and rallied for this cause and that... all in the Name of Christ. We've argued over the placement of the ten commandments, prayer in school, abortion, homosexuals, the marriage of gays, federal laws, state laws, and local governments. The list is endless. We have held our banners high, saying we will no longer tolerate the unbelievers' way of life. Our Christian flag, we said, bores battle scar wear. We declared we possess the love of Christ; and out of the same mouth we declare ourselves as militants for Christ. How wrong can we be? Has the church traveled so far off track that they lost sight of the Great Commission?
Paul the Apostle said, "We fight not against flesh and blood, but against pricipalities, against rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickness in high places. In other words, the believers fight is in the spirit realm, not the physical. We pull down stronghold through prayer. Not establishing tougher laws, forcing the nonbeliever into submission. If the church is going to fullfill the Great Commission of Christ, we must return to our first love. It is time that we take our eye off the world's agenda and placed them Christ's agenda. While I agree we face disturbing issues of abortion, as well as political chaos, the scope of the believers' faith is Christ. It is prayer that changes circumstances, not a political agenda. When prayer changes the situation it is permanent. However, political laws are temporary, they are subject to change at any given moment. One is a conversion of the heart, the other an outward temporary change subject to the whim of man.
In the Book of John 15:27, just before Christ suffered on the cross, He said to His disciples, "And you shall bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning." For nearly three years the disciples were with Jesus 24/7. They were eyewitnesses to His mighty miracles. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind received their sight, and the dead were raised to life. Yet at one point, they wanted more. They desired to see Israel free from Roman domination. In their hopes that Jesus has come to set Himself as King of Israel, they asked, "Lord have you come to restore Israel?" However, Jesus had bigger and better plans, not just for Israel, but for the world. The disciples had their eye on a man created government. Jesus' eye was on the world as a whole. Instead of addressing government rule, Jesus instructed His disciples to (1) heal the sick, (2) cast out demons, (3) raise the dead, and (4) preach the Good News. In other words, the purpose of the Gospel is to bring souls into the Kingdom of God.
The government Jesus was setting up was one of Good News, not politics, or fighting causes for this or that. He was after the heart and souls of men. His followers were given one mission, win souls for the Kingdom. Even though the political spectrum was overbearing at the time, Jesus refused to participate in the rights or wrongs of the political agenda. That was not His mission or purpose.Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist is locked in prison. John sent his servant to Jesus, inquiring if He was the One the prophets foretold about, or should they look for another? Two things transpired here. John did not address the horror of confinement, or his wrongful conviction. He needed assurance from Jesus that He was the Christ. John's eye was on God's promise to send the Messiah. In his oppressive state of captivity, he sought assurance from Jesus that He is the Christ. Look how Jesus answered him in Luke 7:22. "Then Jesus answering said, "Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the leper are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached."
Brother that was all the assurance John needed. Notice how Jesus never addressed John's captivity or the evils of the Roman government. Was John wrongfully imprisoned? Yes. Did John have a right to complain against the government? Yes. Yet, neither John nor Jesus said one word against the Roman government. Jesus did not hold rallies, nor did he gather the believers together to march in protest of John's imprisonment. He stayed the course the Father sent Him on.
Today's church has taken a different turn in the road. Called to preach the Good News, the church has become a political machine. In these last few years the church has preached more on politics than winning souls for Christ. She has attacked the judiciary, politicians, promoted canidants, fought against laws, marched and rallied for this cause and that... all in the Name of Christ. We've argued over the placement of the ten commandments, prayer in school, abortion, homosexuals, the marriage of gays, federal laws, state laws, and local governments. The list is endless. We have held our banners high, saying we will no longer tolerate the unbelievers' way of life. Our Christian flag, we said, bores battle scar wear. We declared we possess the love of Christ; and out of the same mouth we declare ourselves as militants for Christ. How wrong can we be? Has the church traveled so far off track that they lost sight of the Great Commission?
Paul the Apostle said, "We fight not against flesh and blood, but against pricipalities, against rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickness in high places. In other words, the believers fight is in the spirit realm, not the physical. We pull down stronghold through prayer. Not establishing tougher laws, forcing the nonbeliever into submission. If the church is going to fullfill the Great Commission of Christ, we must return to our first love. It is time that we take our eye off the world's agenda and placed them Christ's agenda. While I agree we face disturbing issues of abortion, as well as political chaos, the scope of the believers' faith is Christ. It is prayer that changes circumstances, not a political agenda. When prayer changes the situation it is permanent. However, political laws are temporary, they are subject to change at any given moment. One is a conversion of the heart, the other an outward temporary change subject to the whim of man.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Lord, You Have Searched Me, And Know Me
Written by: Johnny Israel
Psalm 139:1-3 (1) "O Lord, you have searched me, and know me.(2) You know my sitting down and my rising up, you understand my thoughts afar off. (3) You direct my path, and are acquainted with all my ways. (Revised from King James Version)
A friend of mine is a successful businessman. He is astute in money matters, attending to business issues 24/7. Recently, my friend called me, saying his relationship with Christ is not what it should be. “I don’t have the time to read the Bible,” he complained. “All my efforts go into my work.” When I inquired if he was attending church, he replied, “I can’t find the time.” Having known my friend’s background, coming from an impoverished home growing up, being a financial successful businessman was the most important goal in his life. Married, with three children, the family took a backseat to his business ventures. Through his hard work, his business grew to be financially successful. He had all the trappings of success, a three-story house, luxury automobiles, children in college, and a beautiful wife. But, what he lacked most of all was spiritual success. I am reminded of the scripture, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
Was it wrong for my friend to desire success? Of course not. It is God who implants the desire in His people for success. In the Book of Mathew 25: 14-28, Jesus told a parable of a wealthy squire that decided to go on a journey. In his absent, the squire gave three of his servants money to invest for him. When the squire returned, he inquired about his money. The first man doubled the squire’s money through proper investment. The second man did the same. The squire was extremely pleased with these servants. The squire said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” However, the third man went and buried the squire’s money. Thinking the squire would be pleased that he had returned the exact sum entrusted to him, said, “Lord, I knew you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not sowed. And I was afraid and went and hid your money in the earth. Look, the money you have entrusted to me is yours.” The squire answered, “You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not labored: You should have at least put my money into the bank, then at my coming I should have received my money with interest...”
My friend understands the ends-and-outs of business. Having sacrificed his life to his business success, he missed out on the greatest blessing of all: an intimate relationship with Christ. You see, if only my friend would have included Christ into his business, Christ would have advised him in every business decision. This would have saved my friend countless hours of hard work to achieve his success. Jesus is jealous of our time, he desires to fellowship with us in every aspect of our lives. When we invite Him into all our decisions, it is then we are guaranteed spiritual growth and successful business achievement. We are made in His image, for His pleasure. Going through life without enjoying fellowship with Him invites spiritual emptiness, no matter how successful your business has become.
Psalm 139:1-3 (1) "O Lord, you have searched me, and know me.(2) You know my sitting down and my rising up, you understand my thoughts afar off. (3) You direct my path, and are acquainted with all my ways. (Revised from King James Version)
A friend of mine is a successful businessman. He is astute in money matters, attending to business issues 24/7. Recently, my friend called me, saying his relationship with Christ is not what it should be. “I don’t have the time to read the Bible,” he complained. “All my efforts go into my work.” When I inquired if he was attending church, he replied, “I can’t find the time.” Having known my friend’s background, coming from an impoverished home growing up, being a financial successful businessman was the most important goal in his life. Married, with three children, the family took a backseat to his business ventures. Through his hard work, his business grew to be financially successful. He had all the trappings of success, a three-story house, luxury automobiles, children in college, and a beautiful wife. But, what he lacked most of all was spiritual success. I am reminded of the scripture, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?”
Was it wrong for my friend to desire success? Of course not. It is God who implants the desire in His people for success. In the Book of Mathew 25: 14-28, Jesus told a parable of a wealthy squire that decided to go on a journey. In his absent, the squire gave three of his servants money to invest for him. When the squire returned, he inquired about his money. The first man doubled the squire’s money through proper investment. The second man did the same. The squire was extremely pleased with these servants. The squire said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” However, the third man went and buried the squire’s money. Thinking the squire would be pleased that he had returned the exact sum entrusted to him, said, “Lord, I knew you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not sowed. And I was afraid and went and hid your money in the earth. Look, the money you have entrusted to me is yours.” The squire answered, “You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not labored: You should have at least put my money into the bank, then at my coming I should have received my money with interest...”
My friend understands the ends-and-outs of business. Having sacrificed his life to his business success, he missed out on the greatest blessing of all: an intimate relationship with Christ. You see, if only my friend would have included Christ into his business, Christ would have advised him in every business decision. This would have saved my friend countless hours of hard work to achieve his success. Jesus is jealous of our time, he desires to fellowship with us in every aspect of our lives. When we invite Him into all our decisions, it is then we are guaranteed spiritual growth and successful business achievement. We are made in His image, for His pleasure. Going through life without enjoying fellowship with Him invites spiritual emptiness, no matter how successful your business has become.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Cold, Hot, or Lukewarm
Written by: Johnny Israel
In the Book of Revelation 3:14-16 (New King James Version)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Have you ever met Christians who were either to cold or to hot in their personal relationship with Christ? Or how about the believer that is neither hot nor cold? The above-scripture refers to this person a being lukewarm. Unfortunately for the body of Christ is overflowing with the cold, hot and the lukewarm.
The cold Christian has very little sympathy or love for anyone but himself. He governs his faith by Biblical laws and regulations; his faith is one of being legalistic. There is no room for the Spirit mixing with the Word in his heart. He is more apt to quickly judge other believers for their failure to be as he is: legalistic, arrogant, and indifferent.
The hot Believer is just the opposite, only he is usually pushy, overzealous, and most assuredly, annoying. You heard the adage, “He is so Heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” He speaks perennial Elizabethan phrases: Praise God, Glory Hallelujah, Amen brother, and so forth. In his zeal to have nonbelievers submit their lives to Christ, he most assuredly is doing all the talking, and very little listening. While there is nothing wrong with having zeal for Christ, it must be coupled with wisdom. When to speak, when to listen, what to share, and how to share. These are important issues for the Believer to when over the nonbeliever.
On the other hand, we have the lukewarm Believer. He is neither legalistic nor zealous for the Kingdom of God. He confesses Christ as Savior, but aside from that, he lacks commitment. He is easily persuaded to sin. He spends his free time watching television, relaxing around the house, or gets involved into some other form of entertainment. The last thing on his mind is church, the Bible, or sharing his faith. He is referred to as the social Christian. Christ refers to this kind of Believer as lukewarm. He warns in the above-passage of scripture, He will spit the lukewarm Believer out his mouth. In other words, they are in serious jeopardy of judgment and damnation by Christ on the judgment day.The Bible tells us that Christ came into the world to forgive sinners. God so loved each and every one of us that He sent His Son into this world to cleanse us from sin, and to give us eternal life with Him. God is not legalistic or arrogant, but love. It is through His love we come to Him. He also is not desiring His people to be so hot that fail to use wisdom in their zeal to win the lost to Christ. And, He definitely will spit you out of His mouth if your relationship with Him is lukewarm. So what is it He is looking for in the Believer? A person who will open up their heart in compassion and understanding for a lost and dying world, just as He did when He sent Christ in the flesh. For the world to see Christ, they must first see a compassionate and loving Christ in you. Again, an old adage says, “Our actions speak louder than our words.” How true this is. You want to win your neighbor to Christ, spend time in prayer for him. Lift him up into the Chamber Room of your Heavenly Father. By praying for your neighbor, you will begin to respond to him in compassion and caring, that he will see Christ in you.
In the Book of Revelation 3:14-16 (New King James Version)
14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Have you ever met Christians who were either to cold or to hot in their personal relationship with Christ? Or how about the believer that is neither hot nor cold? The above-scripture refers to this person a being lukewarm. Unfortunately for the body of Christ is overflowing with the cold, hot and the lukewarm.
The cold Christian has very little sympathy or love for anyone but himself. He governs his faith by Biblical laws and regulations; his faith is one of being legalistic. There is no room for the Spirit mixing with the Word in his heart. He is more apt to quickly judge other believers for their failure to be as he is: legalistic, arrogant, and indifferent.
The hot Believer is just the opposite, only he is usually pushy, overzealous, and most assuredly, annoying. You heard the adage, “He is so Heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.” He speaks perennial Elizabethan phrases: Praise God, Glory Hallelujah, Amen brother, and so forth. In his zeal to have nonbelievers submit their lives to Christ, he most assuredly is doing all the talking, and very little listening. While there is nothing wrong with having zeal for Christ, it must be coupled with wisdom. When to speak, when to listen, what to share, and how to share. These are important issues for the Believer to when over the nonbeliever.
On the other hand, we have the lukewarm Believer. He is neither legalistic nor zealous for the Kingdom of God. He confesses Christ as Savior, but aside from that, he lacks commitment. He is easily persuaded to sin. He spends his free time watching television, relaxing around the house, or gets involved into some other form of entertainment. The last thing on his mind is church, the Bible, or sharing his faith. He is referred to as the social Christian. Christ refers to this kind of Believer as lukewarm. He warns in the above-passage of scripture, He will spit the lukewarm Believer out his mouth. In other words, they are in serious jeopardy of judgment and damnation by Christ on the judgment day.The Bible tells us that Christ came into the world to forgive sinners. God so loved each and every one of us that He sent His Son into this world to cleanse us from sin, and to give us eternal life with Him. God is not legalistic or arrogant, but love. It is through His love we come to Him. He also is not desiring His people to be so hot that fail to use wisdom in their zeal to win the lost to Christ. And, He definitely will spit you out of His mouth if your relationship with Him is lukewarm. So what is it He is looking for in the Believer? A person who will open up their heart in compassion and understanding for a lost and dying world, just as He did when He sent Christ in the flesh. For the world to see Christ, they must first see a compassionate and loving Christ in you. Again, an old adage says, “Our actions speak louder than our words.” How true this is. You want to win your neighbor to Christ, spend time in prayer for him. Lift him up into the Chamber Room of your Heavenly Father. By praying for your neighbor, you will begin to respond to him in compassion and caring, that he will see Christ in you.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Sower, Seed, and Heart
Written by: Johnny Israel
An old acquaintance of mine, an immigrant from Romania, was a member of the same charismatic church I attended. His prayers were loud, fast, and repetitious. Often times, during church worship, prophecies bellowed from my acquaintance that usually proclaimed some doomsday disaster. His church attendance was exemplary. On many occasions, he substituted teaching Sunday school classes, or filled in as a lay preacher. By all outward appearance, he was considered by the congregation a pillar of the church. However, there was another side to this man. A side that was dark and devious. One early morning the local police arrested him on charges of child molestation, possession of child pornography, money fraud, and felony theft. At first he had convinced the church he was falsely accused. Then as the evidence surmounted, he eventually plead guilty on all counts. To say the least this particular church was dumbfounded. How could a man that prayed, read his Bible, attended church regularly, and taught Sunday school allow the Devil to hold him captive to sinful devices?
The answer is in the Book of Matthew, chapter 4. A sower went out to sow, the Word says. Some seed fell by the way side, some fell on stony ground, some among thorns, and some fell on good ground. Jesus tells us the seed that fell by the way side the birds came and devoured the seed. The seed that fell on stony ground began to sprout life, having shallow root; because there was no depth of earth for the roots to dig down, the sun’s heat caused it to dry up. Those seed on thorny ground grew, but the weeds choked the life out of the seed. However, the seed that fell on good ground sprang to life, yielding fruit. My friend’s heart was filled with thorns: cares of this life, lust, greed, and sexual desires. The Word (seed) began to spring forth with life, but due to sin gripping at his heart, the seed was choked off. Sin eventually took full control of his life. The end result was disgrace for him, his family, his friends, not to mention the pain and suffering of his victims.
God only desires one thing from you: your heart. The Devil is after the same heart. If God has your heart, He has all of you. The Devil is constantly bombarding the Christian heart with lascivious desires. God’s Word is the antibiotic to sin’s desire. The Word mixed with Spirit produces life. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God is not looking for great warriors; He desires a tender heart, one that will allow Christ to reign in. My friend’s heart became corrupted with sin, and eventually sin wedged its way onto the throne of his heart. The best remedy to destroying sin is to open your heart to Christ. Christ’s throne is just a heart beat away.
An old acquaintance of mine, an immigrant from Romania, was a member of the same charismatic church I attended. His prayers were loud, fast, and repetitious. Often times, during church worship, prophecies bellowed from my acquaintance that usually proclaimed some doomsday disaster. His church attendance was exemplary. On many occasions, he substituted teaching Sunday school classes, or filled in as a lay preacher. By all outward appearance, he was considered by the congregation a pillar of the church. However, there was another side to this man. A side that was dark and devious. One early morning the local police arrested him on charges of child molestation, possession of child pornography, money fraud, and felony theft. At first he had convinced the church he was falsely accused. Then as the evidence surmounted, he eventually plead guilty on all counts. To say the least this particular church was dumbfounded. How could a man that prayed, read his Bible, attended church regularly, and taught Sunday school allow the Devil to hold him captive to sinful devices?
The answer is in the Book of Matthew, chapter 4. A sower went out to sow, the Word says. Some seed fell by the way side, some fell on stony ground, some among thorns, and some fell on good ground. Jesus tells us the seed that fell by the way side the birds came and devoured the seed. The seed that fell on stony ground began to sprout life, having shallow root; because there was no depth of earth for the roots to dig down, the sun’s heat caused it to dry up. Those seed on thorny ground grew, but the weeds choked the life out of the seed. However, the seed that fell on good ground sprang to life, yielding fruit. My friend’s heart was filled with thorns: cares of this life, lust, greed, and sexual desires. The Word (seed) began to spring forth with life, but due to sin gripping at his heart, the seed was choked off. Sin eventually took full control of his life. The end result was disgrace for him, his family, his friends, not to mention the pain and suffering of his victims.
God only desires one thing from you: your heart. The Devil is after the same heart. If God has your heart, He has all of you. The Devil is constantly bombarding the Christian heart with lascivious desires. God’s Word is the antibiotic to sin’s desire. The Word mixed with Spirit produces life. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edge sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God is not looking for great warriors; He desires a tender heart, one that will allow Christ to reign in. My friend’s heart became corrupted with sin, and eventually sin wedged its way onto the throne of his heart. The best remedy to destroying sin is to open your heart to Christ. Christ’s throne is just a heart beat away.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Has The Church Become Militant?
Written by: Johnny Israel
In the Book of John 15:27, just before Christ suffered on the cross, He said to His disciples, "And you shall bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning." For nearly three years the disciples were with Jesus 24/7. They were eyewitnesses to His mighty miracles. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind received their sight, and the dead were raised to life. Yet at one point, they wanted more. They desired to see Israel free from Roman domination. In their hopes that Jesus has come to set Himself as King of Israel, they asked, "Lord have you come to restore Israel?" However, Jesus had bigger and better plans, not just for Israel, but for the world. The disciples had their eye on a man created government. Jesus' eye was on the world as a whole. Instead of addressing government rule, Jesus instructed His disciples to (1) heal the sick, (2) cast out demons, (3) raise the dead, and (4) preach the Good News. In other words, the purpose of the Gospel is to bring souls into the Kingdom of God. The government Jesus was setting up was one of Good News, not politics, or fighting causes for this or that. He was after the heart and souls of men. His followers were given one mission, win souls for the Kingdom. Even though the political spectrum was overbearing at the time, Jesus refused to participate in the rights or wrongs of the political agenda. That was not His mission or purpose.
Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist is locked in prison. John sent his servant to Jesus, inquiring if He was the One the prophets foretold about, or should they look for another? Two things transpired here. John did not address the horror of confinement, or his wrongful conviction. He needed assurance from Jesus that He was the Christ. John's eye was on God's promise to send the Messiah. In his oppressive state of captivity, he sought assurance from Jesus that He is the Christ. Look how Jesus answered him in Luke 7:22. "Then Jesus answering said, "Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the leper are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached." Brother that was all the assurance John needed. Notice how Jesus never addressed John's captivity or the evils of the Roman government. Was John wrongfully imprisoned? Yes. Did John have a right to complain against the government? Yes. Yet, neither John nor Jesus said one word against the Roman government. Jesus did not hold rallies, nor did he gather the believers together to march in protest of John's imprisonment. He stayed the course the Father sent Him on.
Today's church has taken a different turn in the road. Called to preach the Good News, the church has become a political machine. In these last few years the church has preached more on politics than winning souls for Christ. She has attacked the judiciary, politicians, promoted canidants, fought against laws, marched and rallied for this cause and that... all in the Name of Christ. We've argued over the placement of the ten commandments, prayer in school, abortion, homosexuals, the marriage of gays, federal laws, state laws, and local governments. The list is endless. We have held our banners high, saying we will no longer tolerate the unbelievers' way of life. Our Christian flag, we said, bores battle scar wear. We declared we possess the love of Christ; and out of the same mouth we declare ourselves as militants for Christ. How wrong can we be? Has the church traveled so far off track that they lost sight of the Great Commission? Paul the Apostle said, "We fight not against flesh and blood, but against pricipalities, against rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickness in high places. In other words, the believers fight is in the spirit realm, not the physical. We pull down stronghold through prayer. Not establishing tougher laws, forcing the nonbeliever into submission.
If the church is going to fullfill the Great Commission of Christ, we must return to our first love. It is time that we take our eye off the world's agenda and placed them Christ's agenda. While I agree we face disturbing issues of abortion, as well as political chaos, the scope of the believers' faith is Christ. It is prayer that changes circumstances, not a political agenda. When prayer changes the situation it is permanent. However, political laws are temporary, they are subject to change at any given moment. One is a conversion of the heart, the other an outward temporary change subject to the whim of man.
In the Book of John 15:27, just before Christ suffered on the cross, He said to His disciples, "And you shall bear witness because you have been with me from the beginning." For nearly three years the disciples were with Jesus 24/7. They were eyewitnesses to His mighty miracles. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind received their sight, and the dead were raised to life. Yet at one point, they wanted more. They desired to see Israel free from Roman domination. In their hopes that Jesus has come to set Himself as King of Israel, they asked, "Lord have you come to restore Israel?" However, Jesus had bigger and better plans, not just for Israel, but for the world. The disciples had their eye on a man created government. Jesus' eye was on the world as a whole. Instead of addressing government rule, Jesus instructed His disciples to (1) heal the sick, (2) cast out demons, (3) raise the dead, and (4) preach the Good News. In other words, the purpose of the Gospel is to bring souls into the Kingdom of God. The government Jesus was setting up was one of Good News, not politics, or fighting causes for this or that. He was after the heart and souls of men. His followers were given one mission, win souls for the Kingdom. Even though the political spectrum was overbearing at the time, Jesus refused to participate in the rights or wrongs of the political agenda. That was not His mission or purpose.
Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist is locked in prison. John sent his servant to Jesus, inquiring if He was the One the prophets foretold about, or should they look for another? Two things transpired here. John did not address the horror of confinement, or his wrongful conviction. He needed assurance from Jesus that He was the Christ. John's eye was on God's promise to send the Messiah. In his oppressive state of captivity, he sought assurance from Jesus that He is the Christ. Look how Jesus answered him in Luke 7:22. "Then Jesus answering said, "Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the leper are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached." Brother that was all the assurance John needed. Notice how Jesus never addressed John's captivity or the evils of the Roman government. Was John wrongfully imprisoned? Yes. Did John have a right to complain against the government? Yes. Yet, neither John nor Jesus said one word against the Roman government. Jesus did not hold rallies, nor did he gather the believers together to march in protest of John's imprisonment. He stayed the course the Father sent Him on.
Today's church has taken a different turn in the road. Called to preach the Good News, the church has become a political machine. In these last few years the church has preached more on politics than winning souls for Christ. She has attacked the judiciary, politicians, promoted canidants, fought against laws, marched and rallied for this cause and that... all in the Name of Christ. We've argued over the placement of the ten commandments, prayer in school, abortion, homosexuals, the marriage of gays, federal laws, state laws, and local governments. The list is endless. We have held our banners high, saying we will no longer tolerate the unbelievers' way of life. Our Christian flag, we said, bores battle scar wear. We declared we possess the love of Christ; and out of the same mouth we declare ourselves as militants for Christ. How wrong can we be? Has the church traveled so far off track that they lost sight of the Great Commission? Paul the Apostle said, "We fight not against flesh and blood, but against pricipalities, against rulers of darkness, against spiritual wickness in high places. In other words, the believers fight is in the spirit realm, not the physical. We pull down stronghold through prayer. Not establishing tougher laws, forcing the nonbeliever into submission.
If the church is going to fullfill the Great Commission of Christ, we must return to our first love. It is time that we take our eye off the world's agenda and placed them Christ's agenda. While I agree we face disturbing issues of abortion, as well as political chaos, the scope of the believers' faith is Christ. It is prayer that changes circumstances, not a political agenda. When prayer changes the situation it is permanent. However, political laws are temporary, they are subject to change at any given moment. One is a conversion of the heart, the other an outward temporary change subject to the whim of man.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Psalms 32:8
Written by: Johnny Israel
"I will instruct you and guide you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my eye." Psalms 32:8
All through the Bible, God promise the believer that He not only will watch after them, He will personally guide them and instruct the believer in the ways of his life. So often, we have drifted along trying to figure out what we should be doing with our life; and how accomplish it. Yet, God specifically says He will personally guide us, not only that, but instruct us along the way. So then why are we worried about our jobs, vocation, or goals? Is it because we willfully ignore the Holy Spirit's direction by attempting to work things out within ourselves? Personally, there are times when I have not listen to the Spirit's prompting, and traveled off in my own direction. The end result was distresses. Was it God that failed me? Or was it me failing to trust Him to guide and instruct me? Of course it was not God failing me. Would I have listened to the Holy Spirit my choices would have turned out differently. Don't we really make His promises out to be difficult by not trusting him, even when we believe our way is the best way? The Bible says, "As many as led of the Spirit are called the sons of God." The key to personal success, whether financial, marital, or social, is following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Remember, it is His responsibility to speak to us, it is our responsibility to follow his direction. Once we apply the two, we have guaranteed success. In the Book of Numbers 23:19 it says, "God is not a man that He should lie, nor the Son of Man that He should repent. Has he said, shall he not do it, has He spoken, will He not make it good." There are times we literally must take our hands off what we believe to be best for us, and allow Him to instruct us in the matter. The Bible says, "Call unto me, and I will answer you..." Jeremiah 33:3. All through the old and new testament, God offers his services to guide us in every aspect of our lives. Isn't it about time we allowed Him to be the Lord in all of our decisions?
"I will instruct you and guide you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my eye." Psalms 32:8
All through the Bible, God promise the believer that He not only will watch after them, He will personally guide them and instruct the believer in the ways of his life. So often, we have drifted along trying to figure out what we should be doing with our life; and how accomplish it. Yet, God specifically says He will personally guide us, not only that, but instruct us along the way. So then why are we worried about our jobs, vocation, or goals? Is it because we willfully ignore the Holy Spirit's direction by attempting to work things out within ourselves? Personally, there are times when I have not listen to the Spirit's prompting, and traveled off in my own direction. The end result was distresses. Was it God that failed me? Or was it me failing to trust Him to guide and instruct me? Of course it was not God failing me. Would I have listened to the Holy Spirit my choices would have turned out differently. Don't we really make His promises out to be difficult by not trusting him, even when we believe our way is the best way? The Bible says, "As many as led of the Spirit are called the sons of God." The key to personal success, whether financial, marital, or social, is following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Remember, it is His responsibility to speak to us, it is our responsibility to follow his direction. Once we apply the two, we have guaranteed success. In the Book of Numbers 23:19 it says, "God is not a man that He should lie, nor the Son of Man that He should repent. Has he said, shall he not do it, has He spoken, will He not make it good." There are times we literally must take our hands off what we believe to be best for us, and allow Him to instruct us in the matter. The Bible says, "Call unto me, and I will answer you..." Jeremiah 33:3. All through the old and new testament, God offers his services to guide us in every aspect of our lives. Isn't it about time we allowed Him to be the Lord in all of our decisions?
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Justified By Faith
Written by: Johnny Israel
Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." What does it mean justified by faith? The word justified means "vindicated" "blameless" or "to be made right." It literally means "without sin." When we receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, the Bible says we are cleansed by the shedding of His blood, and made whole, or without sin. He vindicated us or justified us by our faith in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Justification is worked by faith. Faith, simply put, means "a firm belief in something said or an act." Jesus died on the cross, yet you or I was not present at the cross to witness His death. We accept this fact by faith. We were not present when the disciples saw Jesus ascend into Heaven. Again, we accept this by faith. By doing so, our faith justifies us from an unrighteous state to righteousness. Justification is empowered by faith. Faith is the unseen force the works justification. You can not be justified without faith, yet faith is the foundation to justification. What does this mean for you and me. We simply acknowlege that Jesus died on the cross for our sin; and by faith we accept His forgiveness for our sin. Then a mighty transformation takes place in our heart and spirit. We become a new creation, the old self has died to sin, the new man, or self is justified or make right, by faith. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. God's plan of salvation for man is simple, so simple that it bewilders us that He suffered and rose again. The Bible states that righteousness has come upon all men, yet not all men will receive His righteousness. Reach out to Him in simple faith, and He will esteem you as his righteous child. Justified by faith.
Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." What does it mean justified by faith? The word justified means "vindicated" "blameless" or "to be made right." It literally means "without sin." When we receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, the Bible says we are cleansed by the shedding of His blood, and made whole, or without sin. He vindicated us or justified us by our faith in His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Justification is worked by faith. Faith, simply put, means "a firm belief in something said or an act." Jesus died on the cross, yet you or I was not present at the cross to witness His death. We accept this fact by faith. We were not present when the disciples saw Jesus ascend into Heaven. Again, we accept this by faith. By doing so, our faith justifies us from an unrighteous state to righteousness. Justification is empowered by faith. Faith is the unseen force the works justification. You can not be justified without faith, yet faith is the foundation to justification. What does this mean for you and me. We simply acknowlege that Jesus died on the cross for our sin; and by faith we accept His forgiveness for our sin. Then a mighty transformation takes place in our heart and spirit. We become a new creation, the old self has died to sin, the new man, or self is justified or make right, by faith. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus. God's plan of salvation for man is simple, so simple that it bewilders us that He suffered and rose again. The Bible states that righteousness has come upon all men, yet not all men will receive His righteousness. Reach out to Him in simple faith, and He will esteem you as his righteous child. Justified by faith.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
God's Grace
Written by: Johnny Israel
During the time of Christ, the world was in as big a mess as it is today. The Romans controlled Jerusalem and most of the world, sin was rampant, and the Jewish religious leaders were cold hearted, indifferent to compassion, and legalistic. The spiritual condition of the Jewish people was in a much needed overhauling. The Jews understood the law of Moses; they vigorously practiced their Jewish customs, but they allowed a hard, bitter, spirit to creep into their hearts and robbed them from the presence of God. The very God they claimed as their Lord was no more than a daily ritual of duties and regulations. God needed a way to reach their heart, but how could He, they were too obstinate, and indifferent to the Holy Spirit. God had only one option to restore His compassion into the hearts of His people and that was to send His Son, first to the Jewish people, then to the world, as a sacrificial Lamb to the slaughter. The Bible tells us that Christ was born to die for the sins of the whole world: Yours and mine. Christ freely went to the cross to shed his blood, so that you and I would find redemption from our sin. For without the shedding of blood (Christ's blood) the Bible says there would be no redemption of sin. You or I don't deserve God's grace, but it is because of God's grace Christ suffered on the cross. It was grace that raised Him from the grave and placed Him at the right hand of His Heavenly Father. It is this same grace that you and I are empowered to enter the throne room in prayer. We are saved by God's grace whereby we call God our Heavenly Father. It was grace that restored us to God's heart of compassion and love. Through grace, we died to sin and was raised to newness of life. The old man passed away, the new man, filled with love and grace now lives in us. For without God's grace there would have been no sacrificial Lamb offering. When we pray, let us remember His grace and mercy He bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus our Lord.
During the time of Christ, the world was in as big a mess as it is today. The Romans controlled Jerusalem and most of the world, sin was rampant, and the Jewish religious leaders were cold hearted, indifferent to compassion, and legalistic. The spiritual condition of the Jewish people was in a much needed overhauling. The Jews understood the law of Moses; they vigorously practiced their Jewish customs, but they allowed a hard, bitter, spirit to creep into their hearts and robbed them from the presence of God. The very God they claimed as their Lord was no more than a daily ritual of duties and regulations. God needed a way to reach their heart, but how could He, they were too obstinate, and indifferent to the Holy Spirit. God had only one option to restore His compassion into the hearts of His people and that was to send His Son, first to the Jewish people, then to the world, as a sacrificial Lamb to the slaughter. The Bible tells us that Christ was born to die for the sins of the whole world: Yours and mine. Christ freely went to the cross to shed his blood, so that you and I would find redemption from our sin. For without the shedding of blood (Christ's blood) the Bible says there would be no redemption of sin. You or I don't deserve God's grace, but it is because of God's grace Christ suffered on the cross. It was grace that raised Him from the grave and placed Him at the right hand of His Heavenly Father. It is this same grace that you and I are empowered to enter the throne room in prayer. We are saved by God's grace whereby we call God our Heavenly Father. It was grace that restored us to God's heart of compassion and love. Through grace, we died to sin and was raised to newness of life. The old man passed away, the new man, filled with love and grace now lives in us. For without God's grace there would have been no sacrificial Lamb offering. When we pray, let us remember His grace and mercy He bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry
Welcome to Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry.
The Bible says we are saved by the grace of God, justified by faith, and through faith we please Him. Once a week this site will post articles of faith to encourage you in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course your greatest encouragement in faith comes from reading and studying the Word of God. The more you read the Word and pray, the power of God springs alive in you. From time-to-time this site will post inspiring true-to-life stories of people coming to terms with their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Other articles will contain a short Bible expose' to enrich you with the nuggets of the Word. You are God's greatest and most prized possession. Through His Holy Spirit, Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry will endeavor to encourage you in drawing closer to Him. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you who join us in this exciting adventure of faith.
The Bible says we are saved by the grace of God, justified by faith, and through faith we please Him. Once a week this site will post articles of faith to encourage you in your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course your greatest encouragement in faith comes from reading and studying the Word of God. The more you read the Word and pray, the power of God springs alive in you. From time-to-time this site will post inspiring true-to-life stories of people coming to terms with their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Other articles will contain a short Bible expose' to enrich you with the nuggets of the Word. You are God's greatest and most prized possession. Through His Holy Spirit, Grace, Faith, Justified Ministry will endeavor to encourage you in drawing closer to Him. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you who join us in this exciting adventure of faith.
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