THE SIN OF CONVENIENCE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

THE SIN OF CONVENIENCE

(Luke 10:31) Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

The story of the Good Samaritan is a good reminder for us to reach out to others who are in need. But as you get into the story you have to ask yourself why did the priest and Levite not help the guy who was mugged? I would suppose that it was the same reason we fail to help others in need. It’s usually because of THE SIN OF CONVENIENCE.

The SIN OF CONVENIENCE usually happens when we are so busy and make the accomplishment of our goals supreme. We have our daily list and it’s important for us to finish before the end of the day. We typically pack our roster so full of to do’s that when we see a need we categorize it as an interruption or a bother. If we do help it’s with a huff and a puff. With such sacrifices God is not well pleased because God loves us to give with a cheerful heart. (2 Cor 9:7)

We live in a driven society. It’s hard to start and stop to meet the needs of others when you have this built up energy inside of you. We are like a bullet train striving to meet our destination as fast as we can with as little disruptions as possible. I guess we should be more like a metro train that determines there will be asides along the way.

Now let’s be practical. We live in the West and it’s unfair to compare ourselves with other countries that are more casual in their societal orientation. It’s true other cultures esteem people over appointments. They stop and chat and don’t care about their destination while they are engaging. But where we live we have calendars and schedules and appointments to keep. There’s nothing really wrong with that, I guess. It’s the way we are set up to operate. But we have to remember there may be inherent weaknesses in a culture that we need to take a look at every now and then to make some necessary adjustments.

The good Samaritan was inconvenienced. Think of all he lost that day. He lost time and he lost money. Who knows what else he had to give up in his schedule? But think of what he gained that day. He gained a good sense of well being for doing something right. You always feel right after doing something right. What he gained was far greater than what he lost. The problem with us is that we are so selfish. It’s all about me and it’s me first. We get what we want and end up being so unhappy as a result.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) He said that if you do service to one of the least of these you do it unto Him (Mat 25:31-46). Every time we reach out beyond ourselves the Lord is blessed. What we do for others blesses the Lord’s heart especially when it involves sacrifice. With this in mind let’s avoid THE SIN OF CONVENIENCE and demonstrate the sacrificial love of Christ to others for His glory!

Louie

TEMPTATION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

TEMPTATION

(1 Cor 10:13) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Temptation. It’s something we all face. We feel the tug to do something we know is not right. Sometimes we can shrug it off. At other times it’s like fighting against a terrorist. Why does it get so hard at times to do the right thing? Our flesh cries out for ease and comfort but our spirit cries out for God. Will this battle ever end? How do we get victory over temptation?

First of all we have to keep in mind that there are two natures inside us. There’s the new nature that is after Christ and the old nature that loves to sin (Col 3:9-10). Every day we wake up to this clashing of swords. (Gal 5:17) I guess we should thank God for this tension because it proves we are born again! Also, the devil would leave us alone if we weren’t serving the Lord!

Then, when we are tempted we have to ask if we have been feeding that fleshly nature inside and giving it strength to dominate. Ever heard of the story of the man with the two dogs? A man was describing to his friend how his dogs constantly fight. His friend then asked him which one usually wins. He replied, “Come to think of it…the one I feed the most.” Are we feeding the flesh by watching and listening to the worldly things? Or are we feeding our spirit by reading our Bibles, singing to the Lord, and being in fellowship with God’s people? Flesh or spirit…which one do you feed the most?

So when temptation presents itself what do you do? First realize that the temptation never comes from God: (Jms 1:13-14) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. The devil is the tempter (Mat 4:1). He allures our flesh with a fleshly attraction like shiny bait on a hook to a fish. We might say it’s too much for us and we have to give in but the Word says we will never be tempted beyond what we can handle. God is faithful and will always make a way of escape if we trust Him.

Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Satan came to Him three times with three big temptations. Jesus resisted them all using the Word of God as an offensive weapon. It worked every time and then Satan fled (Mat 4:1-11). The Word is the same weapon we must use today against enemy of our soul (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12; Jms 4:7).

You have a prayer and God has the power! (Mat 6:13) And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Endure and then enjoy! (Jms 1:12) Blessed is the man who endures temptation…!

Louie

ANGELS

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ANGELS

(Heb 1:14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

The word angel means “messenger” signifying heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying out his will in the world. They were created by God (Col 1:16-17) probably before creation (Job 38:4-7). There are countless numbers of them (Dan 7:10). They are highly organized into ranks (Eph 1:21) and together are called the heavenly hosts (Luke 2:13). Michael (Dan 10:13) and Gabriel (Luke 1:19) are named as chief angels (archangels – Jude 1:9). Angels are very powerful beings (Psa 103:20; 2 Kin 19:35).

The appearance of angels vary. Only cherubim and seraphim are represented with wings. Often in the Old Testament angels appear as ordinary men. Sometimes, however, their uniqueness is evident as they do things or appear in a fashion clearly non-human (Gen 16:7-11; Exo 3:2; Num 22:23; Judg 6:21; 13:20; John 20:12). Cherubim function primarily as guards or attendants to the divine throne (Gen 3:24; Exo 25:18). Seraphim appear only in Isaiah’s vision and there attend God’s throne and voice praises (Isa 6).

Angels in the Bible never appear as cute, chubby infants! They are always full-grown adults. When people in the Bible saw an angel, their typical response was to fall on their faces in fear and wonder. Though they are mysterious and awe-inspiring they are never to be worshipped (Col 2:18; Rev 19:10). And contrary to Hollywood, people do not become angels when they die or earn their wings! Though some disagree, there is some credence to the fact that there are guardian angels (Psa 34:7; Mat 18:10).

The role of angels appear to be: WORSHIPPING (Rev 4-5)…GUIDING (Mat 1:20; 2:13, 19)…PROVIDING (Gen 21:17-21; 1 Kin 19:5-6)…PROTECTING (Psa 91:11-12)…DELIVERING (Acts 5, 12)…STRENGTHENING AND ENCOURAGING (Mat 4:11; Acts 5:19-20; 27:23-25)…TRANSPORTING (believers to heaven when they die – Luke 16:22).

Some angels are evil (2 Pet 2:4; Jude 1:6). When Satan rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Isa 14; Eze 28) one-third of the angels rebelled with him (Rev 12:7-9). They became demons and under the authority of Satan oppose God and His people (1 Pet 5:8). God’s angels war against them and are influenced by the prayers of God’s people (Dan 10:2-3, 12-13; Eph 6:12-18).

On our first anniversary our VW van broke down in Palm Springs after a nice steak dinner. A man appeared from around a corner and helped us push-start it. He even wished us happy anniversary! When we turned around to thank him he was gone! “Angels watching over me!!”

Louie

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN

(1 Pet 3:7) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

In this day and age of equality for all we would still have to say that men and women are still different…both outside and in. Let’s make a brief analysis of these differences:

Women tend to be more personal than men. Women have a deeper interest in people and feelings and in building relationships, while men tend to be more preoccupied with practicalities and problem solving through logical deduction. Men tend to be less desirous and knowledgeable in building close relationships, both with God and with others. For example, women are usually the ones who buy marriage books! Women tend to find their identity in cherished relationships, while men gain their self-worth through their work.

Then add on the physical differences: Besides the obvious differences of childbearing we know that a female outlives a male by three or four years in the U.S. Men and women differ in their skeletal structure, a woman having a shorter head, broader face, less protruding chin, shorter legs, and longer trunk. Women have larger kidneys, liver, stomach, and appendix than men, but smaller lungs. Women’s blood contains more water and 20 percent fewer red cells. Since the red cells supply oxygen to the body cells, women tire more easily and are more prone to faint. On the average, men possess 50 percent more brute strength than women (40 percent of a man’s body weight is muscle; 23 percent of a woman’s). A woman’s heart beats more rapidly (average 80 beats per minute vs. 72 for man).

Sexual differences include: A woman’s sexual drive tends to be related to her cycle, while a man’s drive is fairly constant. The hormone testosterone is a major factor in stimulating a man’s sexual desire. A woman is stimulated more by touch and romantic words. She is far more attracted by a man’s personality, while a man is stimulated by sight. While men need little or no preparations for sex, women often feel a need for emotional and mental preparation. When a man is unkind or insensitive to his wife it can easily remove her desire for intimacy.

God has made it to where opposites attract each other and counterparts complement each other. Problems develop in marriage when there is a lack of respect for each other in these differences. (1 Pet 2:17) A husband and wife need to study each other and seek to meet each other’s needs even when they don’t understand how the other “ticks.” Men especially need to work on being thoughtful, kind, gentle and more helpful around the house and with the kids. A woman can build up her man by showing respect, admiration, flirtation, and by providing an orderly home. Viva la difference!

Louie

(some of the above facts are from Gary Smalley’s book “If Only He Knew”).

BIBLE NAME CHANGES

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BIBLE NAME CHANGES

In our modern world names are usually chosen after someone else or just because they sound good. As for me, I was named after my maternal grandfather who died before I was born. All I knew about the origin of my name was that it was French and that there were some famous kings in history with that name. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered my name meant “famous warrior.” But in the Bible a name was usually chosen for its meaning. You see this all over the scriptures. But there were times when God changed a name signifying a special change of character. Let’s study a few of the more prominent Bible name changes:

Jacob to Israel – (Gen 32:28) …“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Jacob mean’s “heel catcher” and Israel means “prince with God.” At birth Jacob caught his brother Esau’s heel by the hand. He later stole his brother’s birthright and then his blessing. God sought to break Jacob’s deceptive nature through his many years working for his uncle Laban. It all culminated when he wrestled with the angel and then turned to clinging to the Lord. His name was changed to reflect being transformed from a self-made man to a man who was now governed by God.

Simon to Cephas (Peter) – (John 1:42)…“You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone). Simon is Hebrew and means “rock” and Cephas is Aramaic and means “stone.” The common understanding is that his name indicates what God by His grace would do through him. He would be a rock-like man in the church during its early years. Jesus said in Mat 16:18, “You are Peter (Greek for petros, a small rock), and on this rock (petra, a large rock foundation, signifying his confession of Jesus being the Messiah) I will build My church.”

Saul to Paul – (Acts 13:9) Then Saul, who also is called Paul… Saul means “desired” and Paul means “little.” Saul was named after king Saul, the king the people desired. The name Paul suited Saul’s transformed character and who was now a humble servant of the Lord.

Louie to ? - (Rev 2:17)…And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’ Up in heaven we get a new name! The name will be personal for no man will know it but he that receives it. This name will reflect the intimate relationship we have with God. When a couple is close, they often have “pet names” for each other. This is the same idea. Perhaps the new name will reflect our character, our substance, our contribution to the body of Christ, and/or the depth of our walk with the Lord.

One thing we may learn from the Bible name changes is that we are not citizens of the world that is seen, but of the one that is to come (Phil 3:20), and it is there that our true names, our everlasting names will be written (Rev 21:27).

Louie