GRACE

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GRACE

(Rev 22:21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Grace. That word we all love but sometimes have a difficult time explaining. That which we need the most but have a difficult time attaining. It can change our lives and also be sustaining. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor.” You can’t earn it…it’s the free gift of God. Some explain it with an acronym: God’s Richest At Christ’s Expense. I like it spelled out like this: Justice is getting what you deserve…Mercy is not getting what you deserve…Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

The Bible says we are saved by grace: (Eph 2:8-9) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. We are helpless sinners from birth and bound for eternal destruction. We have violated the law of God and stand judged for condemnation. But God saw our fallen condition and interposed. He sent Jesus His Son to die on our behalf. He was the spotless Lamb who died as our substitute. Now those who put their trust in the work Jesus did on the cross and in His resurrection will be saved by God’s grace.

The Bible says we also grow in our faith by grace. (2 Pet 3:18) but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… There is that tendency in us as believers to think it’s up to us to continue on by our own merits. How wrong! Just as we are saved by grace we also grow in grace. We can’t do a thing without the Lord. How we desperately try to work for our sanctification but end up failing so pitifully. Every Christian has to learn this valuable lesson. Jesus said: …for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) We will never measure up to that perfect standard. We all fall short. Thank God we are under grace and not the law!

Grace is something that is also transferable to others. You can give to others what they don’t deserve. You can offer them that free gift of forgiveness and overlook their faults because you know God’s grace has done that for you! It sets your offender free and keeps your heart free from the hardness of bitterness and unforgiveness. (Mat 10:8)…Freely you have received, freely give. (See also Mat 18:21-35)

Grace has changed my life. I had always struggled with that condemnation the devil puts upon you that you’re not good enough. I thought if I worked harder and became more dedicated God would reward my efforts. Then the Lord taught me that everything is a free gift from Him. (Jms 1:17) It has also taken judgmentalism from my heart. I have more grace for others that I never used to have because I was holding them to a standard. Now I can just love people and accept them for who they are. Instead of elbowing them I give them more elbow room. And you know what’s funny? I then see changes in their lives! Grace…what a great way to live!!

Louie

TYPES OF ABORTION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

TYPES OF ABORTION (The anniversary of Roe vs. Wade is upon us...January 22, 1973. Warning: Graphic content)

(Lev 18:21) And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.

The pagan god Molech was worshipped by heating a metal statue representing the god until it was red hot. The living infant was then placed on the outstretched hands of the statue. Drums were beaten to drown out the screams of the child until it burned to death. Molech worship was a method of infanticide to eliminate illegitimate children, minimizing the fruit of the immoral sexual conduct God had commanded against. Molech worship can be seen as an ancient version of birth control as even today many people practice birth control by abortion. Sounds horrible what these pagans did long ago. We who are so civilized today would never think of doing such a thing…or would we? Here are some of the modern methods of abortion. Space limits mentioning other forms of terminating a pregnancy (killing a baby).

SUCTION ASPIRATION: This is the most common method of abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. General or local anesthesia is given to the mother and her cervix is quickly dilated. A suction curette (hollow tube with a knife-edged tip) is inserted into the womb. This instrument is then connected to a vacuum machine by a transparent tube. The vacuum suction, 29 times more powerful than a household vacuum cleaner, tears the fetus and placenta into small pieces which are sucked through the tube into a bottle and discarded.

SALT POISONING (SALINE INJECTION): Used after 16 weeks (four months) when enough fluid has accumulated. A long needle injects a strong salt solution through the mother's abdomen into the baby's sac. The baby swallows this fluid and is poisoned by it. It also acts as a corrosive, burning off the outer layer of skin. It normally takes somewhat over an hour for the baby to die from this. Within 24 hours, labor will usually set in and the mother will give birth to a dead or dying baby. (There have been many cases of these babies being born alive. They are usually left unattended to die. However, a few have survived and later been adopted.)

PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION: Five steps to a partial birth abortion: 1) Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's legs with forceps. 2) The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal. 3) The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head. 4) The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the skull. 5) The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child's brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.

(Gen 9:6-7) “ Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. 7 And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.”

Louie

GRAY

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GRAY

(Gen 13:10) And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD

One of the early things children learn is that certain colors are made from blending other colors together. Blue and yellow make green. Yellow and red make orange. Red and blue make purple. But on down the line we found out usually by mistake that black and white make gray. A touch of black accidentally got into the white and dulled it and made it more ashen. You try to mix in more white but no matter what you do it appears shadier than you would like.

In the Christian life we are called to purity and holiness (Tit 2:11-12; Heb 12:14). We start out white as snow (Isa 1:18) and we are to keep our garments pure (Rev 16:15). This is why we are to stay away from the gray. It’s those areas where we have freedom but it would be wise not to dabble because that one touch of compromise can darken the Christian’s character (1 Cor 6:12). We might tell ourselves it’s okay and it’s no big deal. Or we say other believers seem to be free to indulge so why not? But that one dab can make us drab. Then when we keep on in that concession, those additional drops of black stain and drain us.

Lot was a man who seemed to mix colors. He was Abraham’s nephew who accompanied him to Canaan (Gen 12:5). When the flocks of Abraham and Lot were too much for the land they had to separate. Abraham asked Lot to choose first. Lot’s eyes fell on the fertile land towards Sodom and Gomorrah and moved to the outskirts of town (Gen 13). Then when Sodom and Gomorrah were attacked by a coalition of nations, Lot was kidnapped and taken north where Abraham had to rescue him (Gen 14). This means by that time Lot had moved his family inside the city. This is confirmed when the angels came to rescue Lot and his family prior to God destroying the cities with fire and brimstone (Gen 19). Lot was well settled in and perhaps was even a judge in his community (Gen 19:9). His family was so comfortable that the angels had to grab their hands and make them flee (Gen 19:16). His wife so coveted her lifestyle in the city that she looked back in longing to her peril (Gen 19:26).

Do you see Lot mixing colors? He knew the Lord as we learn from 2 Peter 2:8: (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds). But he kept inching toward the world until the world sucked him in and he couldn’t get out. One touch of black here. One touch of black there. Keeping his faith but sacrificing his commitment. Gaining the world but slowly losing his family in the process. And his final end was even worse…he lived in a cave and turned to the bottle (wineskin) which made him even darker still (Gen 19:30-38).

Been caving into compromise? Ask the Lord to wash you as white as snow! (Psalm 51)

Louie

WHEN HEAVEN IS SILENT

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

WHEN HEAVEN IS SILENT

(Psa 109:1) Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!

Have you ever prayed and felt like your prayers were bouncing right off the ceiling? Why is it that when you have a burden on your heart and you really want God to answer, that He doesn’t? Well, here might be a few of the reasons:

1) TIMING - In other words, God will answer but the time is not for now. I am to wait patiently and let God do it in His time. There is a greater purpose that I cannot see that God is working out. I must give Him control of my life’s schedule and know that when the answer comes it’s going to be awesome and beyond my dreams. (Hab 2:3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

2) TEACHING - God is teaching me something I need to learn. I wouldn’t learn it if I didn’t have to wait. I need to keep maturing in my faith and be more like Christ. Heaven’s delays are good for the development of my Christian character! (James 1:2-4) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. {4} But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

3) TRUSTING - If I got everything I wanted when I wanted it, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to trust God. And that’s right where I need to be! When I feel insecure in life I need to turn my situation over to the Lord and trust Him to work it out. I am His child, and times of trial cause me to rely upon Him as I should. (Psa 37:5) Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

4) TRAINING - I might have a particular sin in my life that God wants to reveal to me. Maybe I am harboring some attitude that is not glorifying to Him. Perhaps I have offended someone or did something that has brought dishonor to my Lord. When heaven is silent it makes me search my heart and see what the Holy Spirit might say. (Psa 66:18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.

When heaven is silent in regard to your prayer, there is usually something else God wants to say. Let’s be open to what that might be. That way when God answers our original prayer, we’ll have a bonus, too! Isn’t the Lord good? Someone say an Amen!

Louie

BRANCH OUT

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

BRANCH OUT

(Zech 6:12)…“Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the LORD.

Well, here we are on top of a new year and it’s time to branch out! For many the past year held a lot of difficulty and disappointments. We tried to branch out but we kept getting trimmed! It wasn’t a time for growth but a season of pruning. We had to persevere and be patient and just keep yielding to the process. It was a time for trust. God had His ways. We couldn’t figure it out but we kept telling ourselves God loves us and all things will work together for the good! We would grow back and eventually bear fruit again. (John 15:2)…every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Now it’s time to branch out!

The term branch is messianic in nature. It says in (Isa 11:2)…There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. This is a prophecy concerning Christ. Jesus came from the stump of Jesse, King David’s father. The kingly line of David had lain dormant for 600 years until Jesus came as King and Messiah. You could say it was like a new green Branch coming from a seemingly dead stump.

Then in Zechariah 6 we see another prophecy about the Branch. This time it is foretold that the Branch will branch out and build the future millennial temple of (Eze 40-48). He will bear the glory of God (John 1:14) and sit and rule on His throne as priest and king. That’s just like our Lord, always branching out and doing new things and bringing wonderful fruit into our lives so we can worship Him!

You might find it unbelievable that soon you will branch out after all the whittling you’ve experienced in the past. But I have to defer to brother Job on this matter. You see, he was whacked down to nothing but then God restored his loses and he received double from what he had before! (Job 42) Listen to him talk about a tree that went from trimming to brimming: (Job 14:7‑9) "For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender shoots will not cease. {8} Though its root may grow old in the earth, and its stump may die in the ground, {9} yet at the scent of water it will bud and bring forth branches like a plant. So just because you’ve been pruned doesn’t mean you are doomed. The Lord loves you and you’re going to grow and branch out again.

The Lord wants us to branch out into new areas. He wants to reach the world through us by the fruit we bear for Him (Gal 5:22-23; Phil 1:11). People are weary from the heat of the day and need a place to rest under the shade (Psa 121:5; Mk 4:32). Will you believe God for a year of growth and expansion? After all you’ve been through will you anticipate that this year will be one of increase and advancement? Then tell the Lord you are ready to branch out!

Louie

SANTA OR SATAN ?

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

SANTA OR SATAN?

When a person receives the Lord his eyes are opened to a lot of things. This is especially true when it comes to Christmas. One of the questioned icons of Christmas is the person of Santa Claus because many feel he takes away the focus from Christ. In fact when I was a new believer I heard a man say that all you have to do is rearrange the letters in Santa and you get Satan.

The story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, Turkey. His wealthy and devout parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas divested his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and eventually was made Bishop of Myra. Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need (often giving in secret), his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th.

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. One popular story tells of a poor man had three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters were therefore destined to be sold into slavery. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home thus providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold were tossed through an open window, landing in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas.

The Christian figure of Saint Nicholas replaced or incorporated various pagan gift-giving figures of different cultures. The saint was called Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in Holland. In these countries Nicholas was sometimes said to ride through the sky on a horse. You can see how the legend easily morphed from St. Nicholas into Santa Claus!

Though there is much folklore surrounding Nicholas, what we do know is that he was a giver. God is a giver: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…(John 3:16). The Bible recognizes the gift of giving: …he who gives, with liberality…(Rom 12:8). And we are to give secretly, as unto the Lord and not as to man (Mat 6:1-4). Santa? Satan? Saint? Sounds like Nick was just a regular guy who loved to give to others. And that’s something we all can do. Our good works may not be legendary amongst men but God sees all and rewards openly!

Louie

GOOD GRIEF

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD GRIEF

(Isa 53:3) He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…

When it comes to a personal loss, one may wonder how a Christian is to grieve. On one side a Christian can be so rosy-eyed and believe you should never grieve. Your loved one is in heaven. You are to rejoice and be happy. On the other hand a person may sink in so much despair to unhealthy proportions and never recover to live a vital life. Is it okay for a Christian to grieve? Does it display a lack of faith? Does it negate a victorious life in Christ?

Jesus had a friend named Lazarus who passed away on the younger side. When Jesus arrived on the scene the atmosphere was fraught with various emotions. When He encountered Lazarus’ sister Martha He began talking of His resurrection and eternal life. When He met up with Lazarus’ other sister Mary He found her troubled of soul and weeping along with all the Jews around her. The Bible says “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled”. (John 11:33) The Greek word for groaned is tarasso and it means to be stirred or agitated. This disturbance was because of His conflict with the combined forces of sin, death, and Satan. It was all coming together in the face of death and it made him groan and troubled.

There will be times when the heaviness of living in a fallen world will hit us hard. It may be the loss of a loved one, a large reversal, a friend that strays from the faith, a health crisis, or any other serious problem or set of problems. You’ll feel the weight of it all and just groan in your spirit like Jesus. This does not characterize a loss of faith but a load of weight. And isn’t it usual to groan when you lift something heavy?

Sometimes we can go from one difficulty to another without a break. But we would be in good company because Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. At times like this we have to pray that mature prayer: “Lord, I pray not for lighter burdens, but a stronger back.” You grieve but it’s a GOOD GRIEF. You start to agree with Paul: (1 Thes 3:3) that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. And like David: (Psa 34:19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. You become aware that it’s okay to groan (Rom 8:23), just not to moan (Phil 2:14). That God’s grace will be sufficient (2 Cor 12:7-10). That no trial will be the end of us but the beginning of new strength in the Lord (1 Cor 10:13). That the weight of government is upon His shoulder (Isa 9:6) not ours. And that His Spirit consoles (Isa 61:3) and sorrow will not be forever (Rev 21:4). That’s what you call GOOD GRIEF!

I walked a mile with Pleasure, She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser, For all she had to say. I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I learned from her, When sorrow walked with me. -Robert Browning Hamilton

Louie