toencouarge July 27, 2013 Vol 1 Issue 21

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

Enoch is the father of the oldest man in the Bible, Methuselah.  The old joke is that Methuselah was the oldest living man in the Bible, yet died before his father.  Why?   Because his father, Enoch, never died!  Enoch never experienced death, thus becoming one of the many types in the Bible of the chosen Bride of Christ, the Church of the living God!

He was taken up to be with God,  or translated, as the Bible records.  Enoch was said to have had a testimony that pleased God and his testimony was the result of his diligent faith.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Hebrews 11:6

Friend, we cannot come to God unless we believe that He is Who the Scriptures reveal Him to be and understand that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Those that seek the Lord with all their heart and a diligent faith will be rewarded immensely.

Enoch’s diligent faith which was so pleasing to God resulted in Life.  “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death” (v.5a).  God rewarded Enoch with eternal life because of his diligent faith.  When Jesus Christ hung on the cross at Calvary with thieves on each side, one of them railed against Jesus and the other repented.   Jesus Christ said to the thief who had expressed remorse,  “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”.  (Luke 23:43)  Beloved, the word “verily” comes from the Greek word, amen (am-ane’; of Hebrew origin properly: firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverb surely).  It is a word of assurance or profound diligence, as if there is nothing, nor any other way, to change that which has been declared.

The fact that Enoch’s diligent faith allowed him to escape death is sweet assurance for us today because our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only thing that grants us life.  Romans 10:9 tells us “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”   This is one of the simplest verses in all the Word of God, yet many will miss its full application by solely focusing on its end rather than its beginning.  Yes, ‘thou shalt be saved’ is key, but in order to achieve that eternal life one must first by faith confess (agree with) Christ as Lord.  Friends, we could not have proceeded from the beginning words of this verse without a diligent faith resting upon those three words identifying ‘the Lord Jesus’.  He must be Lord of our life, the Lord in our hearts, before we are able to receive that same gift of eternal life that Enoch had been granted.  (Hebrews 11:6).  We cannot come to God without believing that He is – THE LORD!

Secondly, we find another reward of Enoch’s diligent faith was that he was Lifted  (and was not found, because God had translated him:) (v.5b).  We are encouraged today in the knowledge that there will be a time in the near future when the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will descend from Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) to call His bride home.  The graves of those who have already died will suddenly be opened and they will receive their glorified bodies.  For those who are alive, just as was Enoch, they will be translated into a glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:50-55).  Paul tells us by inspiration of the Holy Spirit to “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).  They are indeed comforting words.  Knowing that a diligent faith which  seeks the Lord’s will and trusts in His power and might to accomplish great and wonderful things through us so that we may bring Him glory is pleasing to God.  We should find comfort and be encouraged to know that we will be rewarded for our diligent faith that will bring the gift of Life and the future Lifting into the air.

Lastly, Enoch’s diligent faith which gave him life and Lifted him to Heaven also provided a testimony that Lasted.  “For before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (V.5c).  

The word testimony is defined as “to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something”.   In our Bibles, testimony means to witness or bear witness, to testify or bear record.   We know that without faith it is impossible to please God, and by simple deduction, we understand that without faith it will also be impossible to present or leave a lasting testimony that will honor God. 

I had preached a sermon once titled “The Dash”.  It’s theme focused upon the ‘dash’ (-) between the year you were born and the date you died.  What will the dash testify to and teach others?  A diligent faith, one that results in Life and is rewarded with being Lifted, is a faith that exclaims the testimony of the precious Christ who suffered a shameful death, yet rose victoriously, leaving a testimony that salvation is for anyone who diligently seeks Him.

A lasting testimony requires diligence that is exercised in faith and excels through faithfulness.  Consider the bee, my friend: 

A red clover blossom contains less than one eighth of a grain of sugar; 7,000 grains are required to make a pound of honey.  A bee, flitting here and there for sweetness, must visit 56,000 clover heads for a pound of honey; and there are about sixty flower tubes to each clover head.  When a bee performs that operation 60 times, 56,000 or 3,360,000 times, it secures enough sweetness for only one pound of honey!

If you have a diligent faith, one that has a focused vision upon Christ and seeks to please Him, then and only then will you have a Lasting testimony that you may carry into that Life beyond the crystal sea before being Lifted.  

It will be a testimony that will stand the test of time… one that will extend beyond the pages of history revealing that God is Who he says He is and that He is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.  That is Enoch’s diligent faith and his testimony.

“…for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God“

“

toencourage July 20, 2013 Vol 1 Issue 21

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon…33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,Hebrews 11.32-33

The famous Gideon was a man from the tribe of Manasseh whose name means “warrior”.  It was this man’s name, “warrior”, as well as his tribe, that set Israel free from their oppressors. 

In our world today we find organizations, schools, clubs, churches and ministries that name themselves after Gideon.

And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak… and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6.11)

Gideon was a farmer, an agricultural worker who labored in the fields who was transformed into the general of a mighty army.  It was not unheard of nor uncommon that other men from similar backgrounds were also utilized in like manner.  Men such as Shamgar, a ploughman, slew a great number of Philistines with his ox-goad, becoming one of the deliverers of Israel.  Cincinnatus was taken from the plough, and made dictator and commander-in-chief of the Roman armies.

Gideon was threshing wheat in private for fear that the Midianites would rob him once the wheat was threshed (Judges 6.12-14) when the Lord chose him to defend the people from such wicked opposition.  The Midianites were sent against Israel because they turned their back on God to worship Baal, a false god of fertility, thus inviting the judgment of the Lord.  Now He was finished and it was time for His people to be set free.

Today, as in times past, nations are involved in a constant state of war.  We live in a period of time where conflicts and wars are being fought all over the world.  Despite your personal opinion, we are neck deep in a war on terror. There is war in Iraq and war in Afghanistan. Israel is battling Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria, where missiles are aimed at Tel Aviv. Egypt, Iran, Russia, Venezuela and North Korea are aiding and abetting the war against Israel, as well as the war against the US. 

Friend, the Lord will protect His people and His land. Recall that at the close of the Six Day War, the Egyptians retreated so rapidly from Israel that their boots remained in the sand.

Today, thanks to the brave men and women of our military, we are fortunate not to have the war here in America, yet that does not mean we don’t have a battle… There is a raging war occurring on our shores worse than any of the aforementioned. We in America are engaged in a spiritual war; a battle between good and evil, between darkness and light. We have a battle right here on our soil that being fought between Heaven and hell everyday and every hour.  The enemy is Satan who is leading the charge like a crazed animal.  There are no choices for the believer. We cannot claim to be “conscientious objectors” .  The truth of the matter is that you and I are drawn into the battle as a child of God!

Gideon’s instructions from God present a New Testament application to the Christian. (Judges 6.15-16)  His instructions were to gather an army, 32,000 men who came together in support of this farmer turned general.  Nevertheless, the gathering would be Gideon’s first test for the battlefront, for this would be the test of Courage.  In Judges 7:1-3, we find that 22,000 of these men went AWOL out of fear.  The Lord revealed unto Gideon that in the midst of conquest, one must have courage.  God will not use a coward.  A coward is fit for failure, not fighting.  Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7). It is terrible to have the spirit of fear as fear is an infection that will spread like a wild fire, consuming those who are around it.

The next test for battle is the test of Commitment.  In Judges 7:4-7, we are told that 10,000 men went down to a stream to drink. 9,700 of those men knelt down and stuck their faces in the water and drank like thirsty animals… and prey at that!  Only 300  of these men where careful and stood watch, on guard  for the enemy as they cautiously replenished their bodies with needed water. 

• Whereas the 9700 were Careless, these 300 were Careful…
• Whereas the 9700 were Relaxed… these 300 were Resolute…
• Whereas the 9700 were Casual… these 300 were Committed…

Beloved, 9,700 men were interested only in pleasure rather than battle. They were only concerned about quenching their thirst. These are men who will let you down and allow the enemy to breach the walls, penetrate the frontline and the king to be killed. 

Of the 10,000 men, there were only 300 committed men trustworthy enough to serve and fight on the battlefield.  

Finally, with only 300 men ready to fight the enemy, God blessed Gideon with a defending faith of Confidence.  In Judges 7:915, Gideon went on a little survey trip finding a Midianite who had a dream about barley bread.  Barley bread was the poorest, coarsest and cheapest of all breads, yet in his dream, it is a loaf of barley bread that ‘rolls’ into this mighty army with the victory.  Gideon is that barley bread (Judges 6:12, 15-16).

Friend, it is not the man, but rather the God in the man.  Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  God called the poorest of the poor, the coarsest of the coarse, to be a “mighty man of valour“! (Judges 6.12)

There is an old saying that it is not your ‘ability’, but rather your ‘availability’…Beloved, it is not your ‘form’ that matters, but your ‘faith’ that allows the victory!  Gideon was not the greatest, but his faith made him the man God could use to do great things.  If God can use Gideon, He can use you and I, but we must be as Gideon, willing to be used.  If we say, “God cannot use me” then we insult God.  The fact of the matter is that Satan is afraid of believers with a defending faith, he is fearful of Christians that are awakened to the power of Christ in their lives.  We must not place our confidence in earthly things, but rather exercise Commitment in Christ through the Courageous Confidence in the midst of a Defending Faith!

toencourage July 13, 2013 Vol 1 Issue 20

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.  

(Hebrews 11:30)

Jericho was a great city that seemed unconquerable and to the world in those days was considered the most fortified city in existence.  It was Jericho that stood between the children of Israel and the Promised Land.  The walls of this mighty city represented a barrier which prevented the people of God from fulfilling what God’s will in their lives was to be.

 

We all have a ‘Jericho’ in our lives.  We encounter obstacles that stand between us and God, as well as fortifications which create barriers between the fulfillment of the Lord’s will in our lives and His rewards and blessings for us.  Some are personal barriers and others are the devil and his minions attempting to maneuver themselves through temptation to hinder the path, plan and purpose of God.

 

What is your ‘Jericho’ today?  Is it an unhappy marriage?  Frustration at work?  Problematic and undisciplined children?  Disgruntled co-workers?  Caustic rumors?  Troubled relationships?  Maybe your ‘Jericho’ is personal, in the sense that it is borne of selfish actions, sinful thoughts or sensual desires.

Nevertheless, for every Jericho and its fortified walls, there is a fortress of faith that can and will commence the battle to destroy those fortified walls and assure victory in our lives.  Verse 30 in the 11th chapter of Hebrews says it is “by faith” that walls fall down  Not fighting, feuding or finance – FAITH!  It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell and it is by faith that the walls of your ‘Jericho’ will fall as well.  Friend, faith is the link that binds our weakness with the Lord’s omnipotence.  This faith is known as a defeating faith in the life of the believer, one that requires us to perform something against our own nature.  

Within this defeating faith, we find Worship.  As recorded in Joshua 5, we find that the children of Israel had crossed the river Jordan and were ready to claim their possession (vs.13-15).  Their leader, Joshua, was evaluating the challenges posed by the walls of Jericho which appeared to hinder the city’s conquest when a Man suddenly appeared with his sword drawn in his hand.  Joshua approached the Man asking, “Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?”.  His answer was “Nay”.  The Man Joshua met was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ, the Captain of the Lord’s host and it is not a question of whether the Man was on Israel’s side, but whether they were on His side.  It was then and there that Joshua worshipped the Lord, communing with Him to provide the needed direction in acquiring the faith to defeat the mighty walls of Jericho.

From the worship, we find the Work (Joshua 6:1-5).  God’s plan of victory for Joshua and the children of Israel to conquer Jericho was not to dig trenches, construct bridges, charge the walls or build trebuchets.  His plan was to do something that to the human mind made no sense whatsoever.  I wonder if some of the Israelites were asking themselves, “what in the world are we doing?”.  Faith, my friend, is based on following the Lord’s direction and His plan of action, even when it seemingly makes no sense at all.  Many times, Christians become discouraged and will stop serving faithfully because the world disagrees with how or what they are commanded to perform in obedience to Scripture.  

This brings to light the next aspect of faith, the Wait.  Many cannot understand that often times we are commanded to work and then to wait on the outcome.  It is here that many become impatient, falling and surrendering their place and position in the battle.  In Joshua 6:14-15, the Israelites compassed the city of Jericho for six days while nothing appeared to occur in their eyes.  Yet on that seventh day, word came to the people from Joshua to “Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.”  Notice the word “hath”.  It was as if the victory had already been won and in the mind and eyes of God, it had.  Isaiah said, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”  The victory is the Lord’s and it has already happened!  We just need to have the faith that will defeat the “Jericho” in our lives.  

When we wait, the Lord provides the Wonder.  In Joshua 6:20, the walls collapsed and fell flat so the people could move forward and take the city.  Jericho, a city which had been built so strong and was seemingly impenetrable, simply fell flat.  That is a defeating faith, one that will fall flat and crumble the obstacles in our lives if we will wait, work and worship.  Beloved, God has given you the victory! 

On the top of the rocky summit overlooking the bay where the good ship “Mayflower” first cast her anchor, is a magnificent statue.

On the four corners of its huge pedestal are seated four figures representing Law, Morality, Freedom, and Education, emblematic of the four-square foundation that supports our whole national life.

Rising high above these four figures is a glorious granite shaft on which stands a heroic-sized figure of Faith. In one hand she holds an open Bible, symbolizing the religious Magna Carta of American history, while the other hand is raised aloft, pointing to the great white throne of God in the heavens.

The religious figure of Faith is seen rising above the foundation figures of Law, Morality, Freedom, and Education. Thus is shown the supremacy of the religious element in American history.

So long as that element remains as a dominating influence and quickening power, so long will America remain “the land of the free” and the light of mankind.

Beloved, it is Faith above all else!

By faith the walls of Jericho fell…

toencourage July, 6 2013 Vol 1 issue 19

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is known as the “Christian Hall of Faith”, differing from the various avenues offered by the world in its “Hall(s) of Fame”.  In order to earn a place on the list in Hebrews 11, one must have performed a selfless act that resulted in a victory, glorifying the Lord.  Rahab’s act commenced in complete and total faith in the Lord God Almighty.  Nothing or no one less would suffice.

In our text we find a lady who is ear marked in history as “the harlot”.  Albeit a negative designation, the faith she placed in the God of Israel fell second to none.  As a result of her strong belief, her actions protected God’s men, thus awarding her safety from attack and a place in God’s greatest enumerations.

Friends, Rahab possessed a desperate faith, one born out of distress and trial, but nonetheless as strong as any faith mentioned in the word of God.  Her desperate faith revealed she was given to Hospitality.  Beloved, we find that Rahab was given to hospitality for the Lord’s people, opening her home in Jericho to the spies of Israel.  Rahab was well aware  of what had befallen nations in times past as God’s mighty hand was revealed in the acquisitions of lands promised to Abraham.  Her hospitality allowed her to protect, provide and praise the spies.  

Sometimes, it take faith to be hospitable!

Rahab’s faith, however, was result of Hurting.  Great fear and trepidation came upon all of the inhabitants of the city of Jericho.  The testimony of God’s chosen had been made known throughout the entire world producing a feeling of desperation in the hearts of those that grew near the Israelites.  The people of Jericho trusted in their walls and weapons for protection, yet Rahab had a faith that did not rely on that which man could do or build, but rather upon what God had done.  

So often when we begin to hurt in our lives, it’s because our feelings have been wounded or something occurs that distracts us from spending time with the Lord Jesus Christ as we should.  Maybe you began playing church as opposed to practicing Christianity!  Beloved, it is at this moment in your life that as a true Christian, one needs to exhibit a desperate faith by casting all of their cares and concerns upon Him, for He careth deeply for you.

Concerning Rahab, the faith that enabled her hospitality which resulted from her hurting was then Honored by God.   She literally let down a lifeline for the Israelite spies and saved their lives. That same line became the saving thread for Rahab and her own family.  She tied a scarlet thread in the window for all the world to see!  This “scarlet thread” continues to flow into the ages we live in today and it was a thread recognizable by the Lord’s people.

Her desperate faith became a saving faith for all in her house, signified by a simple piece of scarlet material the color of blood.

It is a scarlet covering that has allowed this desperate faith to become a saving faith when one will cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ to cover their sins by the shedding of His blood.

Finally, concerning Rahab, her desperate and saving faith resulted in her family being Healed.  Of all the people in the city, the only ones saved were the ones who had a desperate faith, a faith that allowed them to say that they will trust in nothing more that the Highest of High – a faith that allowed Rahab to say, “I will not hold back…I will not trust another.”

Beloved, Rahab was as good as dead and might have suffered a fate like so many others.  Jesus Christ proclaimed, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11:25). 

Because of her faith, Rahab and her family were saved.  In Rahab, we see that even in the darkest moments of life, no matter who we are or what we have done, that the Lord will save those who place their unrelenting faith and trust in His Word.

In the darkest days of World War I, Field Marshal Haig of Great Britain issued a stirring order to his army.  Allied losses were staggering.  The number of casualties and wounded could hardly be counted.  The order from Field Marshal Haig containing the famous phrase “with our backs to the wall” encouraged the British army and gave them renewed resolve.  The quote from his original message, a copy of which has been preserved, reads:

“Every position will be held to the last man; there must be no retirement.  With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes and the freedom of mankind alike depend upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment.”

A desperate faith becomes a saving faith…

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not…

toencourage June 29, 2013 Vol 1 Issue 18

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3.15

Paul offers a wonderful admonition to the church at Colosse and to us as well when he said, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts”.  He goes on to encourage us, as the bride of Christ, denoting we are called into one body.  We are not to be individuals scurrying about with our own agendas, but rather individuals called to make up one single entity for the Lord Jesus Christ to fulfill His good pleasure in the life we now live.

 

In the last portion of the verse, Paul makes a short yet profound statement.  It is a statement that he shares multiple times in various ways and nomenclature:  

 

“…and be ye thankful.”

 

During the past week, my family and I have been attending a Bible Conference in Montana.  As the Lord would have it from the opening sermon, the topics seemed to revolve around thankfulness and having a grateful heart and mind for Christ.  Thankfulness is reflected in the actions we exhibit in our appreciation for Christ and in many ways, it is our actions toward one another that demonstrate this.  Our gratitude for our Savior is revealed by how we interact and treat fellow members of His body, that ‘one body’ which we are called thereunto.

 

An important issue to examine as we begin will be our thankfulness for the Simple things in life.  How often do we kneel in prayer just to thank the Lord for a safe night’s sleep, for electricity, running water, clean clothes or the heating and cooling of our homes?  What about the air we breath, the warmth of the sun upon our face or cool, refreshing breezes?  A loving pet or a dear friend willing to lend an ear or a shoulder to lean on?  Are we grateful that the car we drive starts…on the first try?  These are probably some of the simple things which many of us take for granted on a daily basis.  The Lord’s good grace, provision and benevolence should be reflected by our heartfelt gratitude and love for Him and revealed in the grace we extend toward others.

 

Another aspect of our thankfulness is in the Sacrificial gift made for our lives.  Imagine the cost that was paid for our redemption and salvation so that we might enjoy the promise of eternity in Heaven.  Think of the horrific suffering and the excruciating pain endured by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on our behalf so that we could be reconciled unto the Father.  Ponder the thought of what it was like as the Lord removed His robe of royalty and donned the covering of flesh so that He, in all ways, could faithfully pay the full price for our sins and crimes against the Holy Creator God.  Sometimes after years of being saved, the power of the “God Moment” that compelled us to fall to our knees confessing Jesus Christ as Lord tends to weaken and fade, growing cold and mechanical (I pray it never grows old).  We should re-visit the place of our salvation often so that the memory of that life-changing moment remains fresh and vibrant within our hearts.  It was then that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit revealed to us that the sacrificial death of Christ covered the multitude of our sins, thus granting access into an eternal life in Heaven for all who believe.

 

Here is a thought to depart with today regarding our thankfulness.  Consider if you will the aspect of Supply.  What if you awoke this morning and discovered that the only things you had were those things that you had thanked the Lord for…yesterday?  What would remain in our lives today that had been there…yesterday?  It is overwhelming to think of what the Lord provides for us on a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute and even a second-by-second basis!  Indeed, He gives life and provides salvation and we should never take either of these tremendous blessings for granted.  The Lord also provides air, water, clothing, food, soap, transportation, friends, family, sunlight, rain, wind, warmth, coolness, sight…the list is endless.

 

Friends, we are privileged members of a diverse group of people drawn from every corner of the world, called into the body of Christ through the precious gift of Christ on the cross.  We are in this together and together is where we should remain.  We must always remain focused so that our hearts are ruled by God, understanding that all we do reflects our gratitude for His abundant blessings and His gift of life and honors Him for His majesty and glory.

 

Thankfulness, a quality and characteristic of the Christ, exercised by the saint for the Simple things, the Sacrificial gift and the Supply He daily gives to all.  Beloved, what if we arose from bed this morning and had only that which we thanked God for yesterday?  Would we even have a bed?

“…and be ye thankful.”