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.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
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.
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