God Talks when Man Listens – The Cycle

Ever wonder if God hears you? 

Think about the vicious cycle man has put God through and yet God has always been patient with man.

The Bible is the recorded evidence of man keeping this cycle going and of God being faithful.

God created the Garden of Eden and walked in it talking with man.  Genesis 1-3

Man quits talking to God and begins listening to other voices.  The results: getting kicked out of the garden.

God is in regular communication with the offspring Cain and Abel.  Cain decides God is not worthy of his best. Genesis 4

Man quits talking to God and decides to take things into his own hands.  The results: further separation from God.

There are only two recorded cases of men communicating with God BEFORE the flood.  In Genesis 4:26 when Enos the grandson of Adam is born it states that “then began men to call upon the name of the Lord”.  Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God

By the time Noah comes along; in Genesis 6:9 and is recorded as having walked with God, the world is so corrupt and evil; God has to destroy it

Noah’s sons repopulate earth, but forget to keep talking to God.

God has attempted to communicate with the entire race, but now plans to work thru one man!

He chooses a select group and sets up a chosen nation. It works Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph all talked with God.

But then, their descendents over the next 400 years forget to talk to God.  Until they “decide they need his help again”.

When they cry out, he raises men who will talk to Him again.

Out of the pages we see great men by the name of Moses and Joshua.

Then right on cue, as expected, they quit talking to God. Then come all the Judges.

When a Judge is around they call on God. Once the Judge is gone back they go to forgetting the deliverance.

Then the Reign of Kings begins.  People demand a king, since they had already proven they did not want to listen to God.

God talks to Saul, the First king; he eventually forgets who gave him the throne and the throne is removed.

God gives the throne to David; a man after God’s own heart.  What does David do with that High Praise?  One word: Bathsheba.

God puts a son of David on the throne.  Solomon: A man so “in tune” with God.  So much so, that God gives him whatever he wants. Solomon asks for “wisdom”.    He has so much wisdom that he is not smart enough to realize how much idolatry and evil his hundreds of wives bring in!

Generations of evil men rule a kingdom that ends up divided in two.

Prophets talk with God but the two nations do not.  The results:  the two nations scattered

400 years of silence……Was God silent? He had been trying to talk for thousands of years and no one would be quiet and listen!

 

So, the NEW plan….

Then the ultimate attempt to talk with man; sending His Son to be born in a stable in Bethlehem.  God talks DIRECTLY with man. In person this time, down at man’s level, walking among them.

Many believe and listen.  Many sadly do not. Christ is crucified on Calvary.  The ultimate refusal man can make to say that he will not talk with God.

Those that believe go into the entire world with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Man kills the believers and gets silent once again.

What a surprise………

From the seeds planted by the early church, coordinated religion is birthed.  In order to talk to God, one now is expected to perform ritualistically and a God will answer.

In response men who walk with God begin to speak out concerning the reality of worship to the true God. The results: Revivals throughout the world.

Man goes silent again. He has EVERYTHING he needs. What is God?

Israel becomes a NATION once again and steps onto the stage. The end of the Book has now begun!

 

WHERE ARE WE NOW TODAY?

Man has gone silent…………….

God is talking……………..

DOES ANYONE HEAR HIM?  WHEN HE HAS TO SHOUT THIS TIME…… EVERYONE WILL LISTEN TO THE END OF THE SCRIPT

Liberties: The Sheep or the Wolf?

A key word today is “liberties”.  Make sure your looking to see who’s definition of "Liberty" is being discussed.  Is it the liberties belonging to the Sheep or the Wolf?

President Abraham Lincoln does the best at explaining the difference:

From his Address at Sanitary Fair, Baltimore, Maryland on April 18, 1864:

“…The world has never had a good definition of the word liberty, and the American people, just now, are much in want of one. We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatable things, called by the same name---liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatable names---liberty and tyranny.

The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as a liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty…

Plainly the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of the word liberty; and precisely the same difference prevails to-day among us human creatures, even in the North, and all professing to love liberty. Hence we behold the processes by which thousands are daily passing from under the yoke of bondage, hailed by some as the advance of liberty, and bewailed by others as the destruction of all liberty. Recently, as it seems, the people of Maryland have been doing something to define liberty; and thanks to them that, in what they have done, the wolf's dictionary, has been repudiated…”

(Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 1809-1865.) (https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln7/1:665?rgn=div1;view=fulltext)

Be-ATTITUDES

Every preacher has probably preached on the Beatitudes at some point in their time in the pulpit. There are probably a few people who can even quote them.  A lot of people reading the Gospel of Matthew probably skim over these nine verses just to get past them since the passage is so familiar.  The verses can even be found on knick-nacks at a discount store. Nothing here to waste time on.  HOLD ON a minute, turns out Jesus had a lot to say about the ATTITUDES prevalent in our society right now. There are more solutions in this passage than in any other media available.  What? Well, take a better look at it ONE VERSE AT A TIME.

Matthew 5:3-11 are the BE - ATTITUDES…

1) BE POOR IN SPIRIT – Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

How do you think of yourself?  In humility or pride? If in humility, then what form of humility?

There is vanity when one considers how much was sacrificed in giving.  Being proud of how much offering was given or how wonderful it was of us to give those groceries to the needy.  Being proud of how “un-wealthy” we are is just as bad as King Midas counting every one of his gold coins.

Be poor but not proud.  Job was as thankful for the “taking away”; as he was for “the giving”!

Be humble and lowly.  Matthew Henry puts it this way:  “accommodate ourselves to our poverty…not in pride or prejudice….not throwing away what God has given us…be as little children in our opinion of ourselves…”

2) BE MOURNFUL – Receive comfort

Has this verse ever been used for anything other than during the occasion of the death of someone?

We are to be mournful.  Not the sorrow of life in this world but mournful over sin.  We must feel the sorrowfulness for our sins.  Sins which were paid for by the high cost of a blood sacrifice.  Mournful enough that we are apologetic for our sinful nature. Life must be lived in repentance.

There is a second reason for being mournful.  We need to have sorrow for the sins of others.  Do you feel the sorrow watching your fellow man wallow in his depravity?  Jesus did.  That is why he blessed those who mourn.  In Luke 19:41, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and its “state/condition”.

3) BE MEEK - and inherit the earth

This word IS NOT even a part of our vocabulary today.  What does it mean?  You have heard the expression: “Google it”.  Well do that and you will find this definition:

 “quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive”

That entire definition is so opposed to what is broadcasted from every angle of culture and society.  Look for an example of a person around that fits this description of being meek.  How many can you list?

For a follower of God, this one should hit them in some sensitive areas of their lifestyle and attitudes. What a directive on how a child of God should live and conduct themselves daily. It is also a VERY SIMPLE answer from God on how we should be reacting to the strange chaos we are finding ourselves living in today.

Then there is submissive.  An entire paper can be written on that.  Submission is expected to both authority here on earth and in heaven.  We are expected to be submissive in our homes, marriages, jobs, and authorities.

This is “Quiet Submission” to God and man. Not boastful about that submission or humility.  Calling attention to the fact that you are being submissive is false humility.  Titus 3:1-2 dictates that we are to be gentle in dealings with the evil of men.  Not allowing ourselves to being provoked.  OUCH, does that mandate what our reaction is to look like?

4) BE HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS – and you will be filled

Thriving constantly for purity.  Not for perfection.  When are you hungry?  Have you ever missed more than one meal?  Your stomach starts talking to you.  When you have that kind of desire for God’s Word and for being in the presence of God you are getting closer.  Unlike eating food, you will never reach a full “stomach” until you are standing before the throne of God.  Our goal is to be as much like Jesus as possible without the self-righteousness displayed by the Pharisee in scripture.

5) BE MERCIFUL – and you will obtain mercy

How quick are we to snap a response at the actions of those we see on media today? We are very quick at pronouncing our judgment.  This does not mean or dictate we condone a sinful life style.  A sinful life will send the soul to Hell. Period, end of story!  BUT, there is NO SOUL THAT IS NOT ABLE TO BE SAVED! 

How much do we assume the afflictions, problems or needs of others?  To little time in our seemingly busy schedule to bother with them.  Where is the compassion and care for our fellow man?  Scripture is filled with examples of mercy.  There were those who lowered their friend through the roof just to be healed.  Boaz allowed Ruth to get food from his fields.  It is also filled with those who treated lepers as outcasts and did not show mercy.  Which form of mercy do you display?

6) BE PURE IN HEART – and you will see God

Cleanliness of the heart.  If your heart has never made a commitment to Christ, then none of this will mean anything to you.  The first thing needed is a heart that has been totally surrendered to God and has agreed to Him being the master of everything.  Once that has happened, priorities begin to change and these Be-Attitudes begin to make sense.

7) BE A PEACEMAKER – to be called the children of God

Are we striving to obtain peaceful solutions or are we always an instigator to say or do something to cause dissention or unrest.

8) BE RIGHTEOUS AND PREPARED FOR PERSECUTION

This covers both blatant persecution and the suffering that comes as a result of standing for the righteousness of God. Persecution WILL COME for adherence to righteousness!

Those living in America have not known true persecution. Are they prepared for it?  There are those who have given their lives for the Gospel.  Persecution can come in many forms from simple name calling and false accusations. However, are you prepared for persecution that results in not having food on the table or a home to live?  How about the loss of a job to pay the bills UNLESS you agree to a lifestyle or organization that denies Biblical principles?

Remaining true to convictions and righteousness is the most difficult of all these.  Being rooted in God’s word will be the greatest weapon available to the children of God.

Each of these BE-ATTITUDES builds upon one another. They were not spoken by Jesus to be used as just another common liturgy or as a cute plague on the wall of an office. Better read them slowly again and pay more careful attention to them before quoting them.

Undermining The Credibility of the Gospel

Undermining The Credibility of the Gospel

I received an email that opened with a statement “…be alert Believers in Christ Jesus…”  This was a fellow believer’s admonishment along with a short and wonderful 3-4 sentence statement saying we are all to share the good news of his saving grace and to be faithful until his return.

This was all wonderful and well intentioned.  However, the area of concern is that these statements from the individual were added to an email that the individual had themselves been “forwarded”.  They were now adding their comments to the email before they also turned around and forwarded it on to others.  Why is that of concern?

The email that was being forwarded made statements about a current legislative act that was before the U.S. Congress at the time.  The email connected that legislative act together with: the U.S. President, events of September 11, events in the Middle East, Economic bail-outs and Federal Stimulus packages!  It also included a link to a website that was supposed to show us the legislative document that tied all this together.

The link was not only invalid but upon researching the legislative act in question, the Act before Congress had nothing to do with any of those other topics.  This brings us to the topic of this message.

There is a war raging between the powers of this world and the God of Heaven.  It will get more intense and more difficult to fight every day.  As “Believers in Christ” we MUST be examples of him.  The current President, the current Congress may be wrong or they may be right.  That has nothing to do with how true “believers” should conduct themselves.

A “believer” MUST be careful of trusting messages received “in the name of Jesus”.

Is there truth to what is being told?
Is there truth in what the “fellow believer” has forwarded?
Or is just a means to promote an individuals “personal agenda” by letting “Believers” forward on the “important message”.

Five easy steps to undermine the Gospel of Christ and the credibility of those that spread it:

1)       Get the believer to believe EVERYTHING that they are told. If it comes from a “fellow believer”, it must be true!

2)       State that “Everyone Needs to Know” or “Please Pass It On”.

3)       Mention “Jesus” or “Bible” as many times as possible.

4)       State at least one truthful fact.  Tie as many unrelated issues or facts together so they appear as one. That makes it appear that ALL the other statements are truthful and relevant to one another.

5)       Quote a website or a recognizable name as the “source” or evidence.

The “original” composer of an email may have good intentions.
How many people continue to “forward” information without verifying its accuracy?

A follower of Christ must have HIGHER Standards than the world.  The closer your walk is with Christ, the more important living up to them will become.

If you have taken the time and RESEARCHED the facts stated to you and the facts are TRUTHFUL

Then in all cases please DO forward the “important information” onward. It is VITAL that true “believers” are kept informed.  But do so by sending the “verified” and “accurate” sources that YOU personally checked. Accurate means the “source of the information” and NOT a link to someone claiming “knowledge” of the facts.

LET SATAN DO HIS OWN DIRTY WORK. He is the master of untruth and rumors. We have no business helping him out.

When you SPEAK (whether by electronic methods or tongue) let it be only that which is of TRUTH.

The world has a difficult time enough believing the WORD of Christ when it is shared……. I wonder why?

Psalms 37:30-32

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.  The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.  The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death……

Titus 2:7-8

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Proverbs 17:27-28

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Written 2012

Revised May 2013

WDK