Can You Trust What You Believe?

Posted on September 8, 2012 by shepherdbryan

Life is about trust. Trust in God’s character and word. Trust in relationships. Trust in family. Trust in the food we eat. We often take trust for granted, because what we hear seems plausible, the person who said it seems reliable, all things being equal, there seems to be no need to question it.

Who do you trust in politics? The spin machines are in overtime mode spinning the most twisted lies. There are a whole lot of people who believe them, so what’s the deal? Yet, there are a whole lot of people who don’t believe the twisted lies. Can you trust what you hear?

Sometimes people who have been trustworthy will say something. And it’s possible to believe what they say, so we take it at face value and believe it. We don’t hear a rebuttal or defense, so it must be true. Can you trust what you believe?

I’m not talking about biblical theology. I’m addressing what people say that causes problems in relationships. Can you trust what you believe?

Then we read Proverbs 18:17. That says we should be careful about what we hear. It says we might not be able to trust what we believe. It reads, “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.” Funny, how something can seem right, but when it’s examined, it’s not right. Why then do we believe the first account?

There are a multitude of reasons why we don’t examine what we hear or believe. We’re comfortable believing it. We’re not diligent to examine what is said. We have an agenda and want to believe what we hear. We don’t realize the first person has an agenda, so we don’t examine it. We think the person is normally trustworthy, so why examine him on this issue? We don’t want to face conflict, so we don’t examine. We don’t want to stir up conflict. We think the problem will just go away. We think people will forget and people will just get along. Shall I continue?

If Satan moved David to sin, is it possible for godly people today to do sinful things (cf. 1 Chron. 21:1)? If Jesus called Peter – “Satan” – is it possible for people to speak with a wrong motivation or to provide half truths to fit their agenda (cf. Matt. 16:21-23? If Peter questioned Ananias, “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” is it possible for Christians to also lie for their own purposes? If believers fall away from the truth and believe deceiving spirits can believers today believe what is not true (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1-3)? Did you ever twist the truth before your parents to get out of a jam? Have your children ever twisted the truth to a lie in order to escape punishment?

Let us flee from evil! Let us examine words that are spoken. Let us find out the reason why things happened for the sake of the holiness of God. THAT will honor the Lord. Can you trust what you believe?

Straight Shooting Arrows

Posted on September 4, 2012 by shepherdbryan

Of course it had to happen. Two days after the message on “Straight Shooting Arrows” or how to raise godly children, the newspaper reported exactly when a child must disobey his parents – the mom directed her son to sin. The boy was in a very difficult situation. In Lynnwood, WA a ten-year-old boy was directed by his mom to burglarize a home. Unfortunately, the homeowner was home and the whole thing was caught on security cameras. The child is now under the father’s custody and the mother held on $25,000 bail.

Friends this is not just academic stuff. It’s easy to understand the biblical principles of teaching Children, obey your parents, and Father’s do not provoke your children. But the reality is there are two HUGE hurdles.

First is the application of making all of it work. All things being equal if there are normal children and parents who want to do the right thing, you have a chance of seeing hearts melted and homes repaired to godliness. It’s difficult enough when both parents and children are “normal.” Yet, they both have sin natures fighting against the Spirit to do the right thing. Paul writes, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Gal. 5:17) Furthermore, Paul writes, “For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. (Rom. 7:19) There’s a battle in normal people.

However, and secondly, there is not an ice cube’s chance in Hades, if the parents are not in tune with Jesus and no one outside the home is willing to work with the children. Our communities are filled with broken homes where parents don’t care about Jesus, right and wrong, or morality. What is going on in the heart of the children, do you suppose? They want to respond to Jesus, but no is leading them to the Savior and discipling them beyond their fleshly desires. Who is teaching that boy in Lynnwood, WA how to say, “Mom, I want to obey you. I want to honor you. I want to do the right thing in life and that means I can’t burglarize someone else’s home.” If we in the church don’t come along side of him, how will he learn? Many of these young people are orphans, living at home. James writes, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (Jam. 1:27)

Friends, we Christians have job security. There are so many discipling opportunities if we will open our eyes and set aside our own desires to love on the youth of America. We are beginning to have an explosion of youth at church. If you want an eternal opportunity, you can meet with Justin to see if you have the heart to minister to them. Most of you do. Just let the Lord work through you.

Eternal Life/Security

Posted on August 11, 2012 by shepherdbryan

One of the greatest assurances as a Christian is eternal life. When a person genuinely trusts Jesus Christ as his Savior, who died on the cross for his sins and believes that Jesus rose again, he receives eternal life. Jesus said this about eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)　In other words, because I have become a child of God, I have a relationship with the God of the Universe! That relationship is eternal, because I didn’t do anything for it and I can’t do something that will cause me to lose it. It’s eternal. I like to use acrostics, so here’s one for you – FISHLEGS. It’s how I try to remember eight different approaches to understanding eternal life/security.

What will I have as a Christian? FISHLEGS

· Family Approach John 1:12; Hebrews 2:11-13

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12)

¹¹For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, ¹² saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” ¹³ And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” (Heb 2:11-13)

· Inheritance Approach 1 Peter 1:4

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (1Pet. 1:3-4)

· Sealing Approach Ephesians 1:13

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph 1:13)

· Hands Approach John 10:28-30

²⁸And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ³⁰ “I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

· Logical Approach Romans 8:38-39

³⁸For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

· Election Approach Ephesians 1:4

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Eph 1:4)

· Grammar Approach Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Eph 2:8)

· Sovereign Approach Romans 8:28-30

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Rom 8:28-30)

The question now, however, is how does this affect how I live? It does not mean I can live anyway I want to – the way my flesh wants to. It means I can live any way God wants me to live. In other words, Jesus Christ is my focus, desire and fulfillment. It means that I am living according to the fullness of the Scriptures. It means I’m seeking to love God and live out His will in every aspect of my life. It means that I’m diligently trying to reach others to help them know Jesus Christ, so I can help them understand wonderful truths like Eternal Security. How then should I live? Holy, pursuing truth, living out grace and walking humbly before the Lord!

Mortify

Posted on July 27, 2012 by shepherdbryan

How do you “mortify” the flesh? It’s the word we looked at last Sunday and means “put to death.” This phrase is extremely important in the sanctification process of becoming more like Christ. It is life and death for the Christian, because without this process, he/she cannot grow.

How do you mortify the flesh? First, 1) Identify what the outward or inward sin is. You can identify it yourself or ask another trusted friend or discipler to help you. Scripture is your best guide as the Holy Spirit convicts us when we live apart from faith. Paul describes the things he does that he doesn’t want to do, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (Rom 7:15) Hatred is a good word because it leads to the next course of action.

Next, 2) Choose to put that sin pattern off. Sometimes, translations use the word “consider”, but that seems very weak. This is something you have to strongly desire to do. Do you hate sin? God does (Hab. 1:13). The flesh is too strong, sneaky, deceitful, subtle, did I say deceitful? It will pull the strongest Christian down who does not remain on alert to its ways. Paul writes, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom 7:24)

Then, 3) Put on the righteous action that honors God (Col. 3:10). You must have a corresponding godly behavior that Scripture mandates for biblical living and freedom in Christ. A great spiral-bound handbook called “Transformed Into His Likeness” can give you biblical put ons that will transform your thinking and life. But don’t stop there.

Finally, 4) write up a plan of action that brings your thoughts, words and actions into captivity to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-5). The more specific you can be the better your plan will result in life-changing transformation. If you write down, “Pray every day,” that is good, but it’s not very specific. You should write down and practice, “Pray twice a day at devotions in the morning and before going to bed for God to supernaturally take the Scriptures you are meditating on and memorizing and make them real and practical in your life.” Then keep a journal of how God is answering your prayer, so you personally know how the plan is working. The journal will also be a measurement that you can check to see if you are actually following your plan.

Friends, if you plan, you’ll have a chance against the flesh. Above all, make Christ your all in all. He is the only solution. The plan is nothing if it is not centered on Jesus Christ!

Legalism considered

Posted on July 3, 2012 by shepherdbryan

Last night at my discipleship meeting the question was asked, “Do unbelievers practice legalism, or is what they do just heresy?” I was vague in my answer, thinking that legalism is just for believers in trying to please God and an unbeliever cannot do anything to please God ever. Therefore it wouldn’t be legalism and just heresy. But re-thinking it I considered the four principles for legalism I mentioned on Sunday:
     ·       Legalism is an attitude normally seen in actions.
      ·         Legalism is related to how a person approaches God.
      ·         Legalism imposes rules on the conscience, which hinders a relationship with God.
      ·         Legalism seeks to earn or deserve God’s favor based on obedience to law or rules.

I realized that that is what the Pharisees were doing and they were unbelievers (except for a few like Nicodemus, who eventually trusted in Jesus). The Pharisees imposed rules on the conscience (traditions of the elders) and they sought to earn God’s favor based on their obedience to the rules. What they did was legalism.

God is never obligated to you or me based on what you or I do. It is His Sovereign mercy that we’ll see this Sunday by which we experience any blessing in life. God only obligates Himself to His Word and His character. He does not obligate Himself to us. He is God.

But doesn’t God bless me when I obey Him? Jesus tells a great account about this in Luke 17:6-10,

⁶So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree,`Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. ⁷ “And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field,`Come at once and sit down to eat ‘? ⁸ “But will he not rather say to him,`Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink ‘? ⁹ “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. ¹⁰ “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say,`We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'”

This is so telling of the sovereign holiness of God. Notice that last line. When we obey God, we have only done what was our duty to do. There is no obligation from God. He only obligates Himself to what He has said (in His Word) and to His character. I’ll post some principles very soon on how to deal with legalism.

Are you ready?

Posted on June 27, 2012 by shepherdbryan

When I lived in Minnesota in 1989, we had 14 inches of rain. The rain cascaded down the neighbor’s yard into our window wells and that poured into our basement. We were fortunate it only rose to about four inches on the basement floor. I can’t imagine what the 25 inches in Florida this week would have been like!

Every once in a while I think about the woods we live in and wonder if it ever caught fire if I would get out the chain saw as quick as possible and drop several trees to keep the fire away from the house. I can’t imagine what living in the Waldo Canyon of Colorado Springs would be like where hundreds lost their homes due to 65 mph winds and triple digit temperature.

Are you ready? Are you ready for the circumstances of life to stand your ground spiritually? You won’t know what the enemy might throw at you. We fight not against flesh and blood, but against unseen forces (Eph. 6:12). Unseen. You all know that means you can’t see them and may not know what kind of ploy the demonic realm may be hurtling your way! Are you ready?

You can only be ready 1) if you are equipped with God’s word to stand firm with the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18); 2) if you are being equipped with God’s word to stand against the trickery of man and deceitful scheming (Eph. 4:12-14); and 3) if you are filled with God’s Spirit – totally dependent on His leading, empowerment and strength (Zech 4:6).

We live in unusual times and we must be ready. There is little time to waste. No one in Florida or Colorado knew what they’d be facing this week. What are you going to face next week? Are you preparing this week so you will stand firm?

Life Bears Witness

Posted on June 25, 2012 by shepherdbryan

This morning, I had the privilege of preparing Logan, Collin and Cody with their dad Brady for the baptism that we’ll have on July 8. We talked about faith, salvation, baptism and a number of other important subjects to ensure they were ready. One of the subjects was “what should be true in a believer’s life after salvation.” After salvation, there should be some kind of transformation, because the unbeliever transforms into a believer, a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).

I illustrated to the boys with a simple example. I said if the three boys came into my office and took the pictures and objects and threw them against the wall, I asked them if would they be reflecting their dad or someone else. Collin immediately said, “The devil.” (He’s going to be a pastor some day!) I said, “That’s right, because your dad would never do something like that. When you are respectful of other people’s property, you are reflecting your dad, who is in the place of God, and not the devil.” I went on to say that if a believer did come in and destroyed the office, they would be reflecting what the devil does, because he comes to murder and destroy. It’s often a reality that believers act like their former father the devil, rather than their heavenly father (cf. 1 John 3:7-8).

Jesus was confronted by Jews who wanted to kill Him for claiming that God was His Father. Rather than defend Himself, He said, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” (John 10:31) Obviously, His works reflected the Father and not anyone else.

Whom do you reflect in your works (your life)? Do you reflect one who is devoted to, pursuing and enjoying the Lord Jesus Christ? Or do your works (your life) reflect something other than one pursuing the Lord? Press ahead to Him in His upward calling (Phil. 3:14).

Armor of God

Posted on June 6, 2012 by shepherdbryan

This is the passage we discussed on Sunday:

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints　

Let me give you a few thoughts on the application of the message. How do you apply the armor of God? It’s great to “know” the armor, but how do you apply it? I barely scratched the surface on what to do. How do you apply the armor of God to marriage? To raising children? To your work environment? To living with neighbors? To being good citizens? Let me just take one area like raising children.

Put on the belt of truth, because you need to know what God says about child rearing. The truth will set you free to raise children to godliness to bless them to the fourth generation. The belt of truth keeps your toga and all other distractions from hindering you from moving in God’s perfect plan. The truth organizes your life so that you can move around the battlefield and ensure your children learn God’s truth and be ready to raise their own children when they launch from home. The belt of truth equips you to deal with the lies, the deceptions, the relativity and compromises of the devil and the world. Only God’s belt of truth equips you to discern righteous thoughts, words and actions. The belt of truth gives you discernment to know when to discipline and how to discipline children. It gives you discernment to know what their real needs and desires are.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness, because it directs your thoughts, words and actions to reflect the holy standards of Jesus Christ. When you put it on, you are affirming that you will run from sin and pursue righteousness, holiness and truth, instead of compromising in the world. The breastplate guards the heart from where all sorts of sinful tendencies arise. The breastplate helps you model holiness for your children and give them something to reflect in their life as they learn about God’s Word.

Put on the sandals of peace, because we need to be ready to share the gospel with children. It’s not the church’s responsibility to evangelize the children, but we will. People who are not ready with the gospel are walking around barefoot on a rocky world. That’s painful. The sandals of peace keep children focused on Kingdom issues rather than pursuing all the worldly desires of life. Sandals of peace keep the family focus on God’s saving grace and reaching neighbors for Christ rather than barring the door from neighbor contact. Children need to see parents and leaders who are going out of their comfort zone with the gospel – sandals of peace.

Put on the shield of faith, because every step is observed by the enemy and he is going to send fiery darts at you to neutralize you in the battle. He doesn’t want you teaching your children truth. He wants you distracted thinking the children will figure it out for themselves. The enemy wants you isolated so you can’t interlock your shield with others in order to work together to raise godly children. Use that shield of faith to ward off every demonic attack to steal the hearts of your children.

Put on the helmet of salvation, because if you aren’t confident of your salvation, you’ll either end up working in human power for salvation or you’ll doubt your salvation and not want to venture out to disciple your children or win them to Christ. The helmet brings your thoughts captive to Christ. The helmet ensures you cast your problems on the Lord. The helmet of salvation gives you confidence as you go into battle each day that you have already gained heaven, so now you can be bold about diligent work being equipped for the kingdom and serving to build the kingdom. You are protected. Do not let your children go unprotected in the world.

Use the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, because that is God’s weapon to fight for the sake of your children. Do not let anyone pull your children away from God’s truth. Do not let your children wander off God’s path. You blaze the trail with God’s sword. You ensure the path is clear when you lead your family through the valley of the shadow of death. That sword will protect you and your children need to learn how to use the sword well. They need to learn every book of the Bible, promises to claim when they face trouble and passages of Scripture that will give them comfort and confidence as they launch into life.

Put into effect prayer, because that is your communication to headquarters in heaven. Prayer is your dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is your mark of humility to unleash the ruling power of Christ in your life. Prayer is the dynamic your children need to learn, so they will be effective soldiers for Jesus Christ. Children will learn to pray when parents pray with them.

I’ve only scratched the surface of applying the armor of God to raising children. This is the intention of the Message Based Discussion Questions. We need to discuss how to take the “what” of learning in Scripture and apply it to the “how” and “why” for living. How would you use the armor? How would you use it in marriage? Work? With neighbors?

Stop Complaining, Press Ahead

Posted on June 2, 2012 by shepherdbryan

I love hearing stories of people who have risen out of the ash heaps of life. They suffered terribly and through true grit, and/or miracles of God, they took on great opportunities to serve the Lord. I often get weary of people complaining about how difficult life is. Life is difficult! Normally, it’s from those of us who live in America. I get it. I know even in America where air conditioning is not an option, cell phones are standard equipment that comes with newborns (it seems), and it’s not a question of whether there is a chicken in every pot, but how many televisions every household has. We have stores that are loaded with food and merchandise. We have a medical system that surpasses everywhere on earth. Yet, we grow weary of life. It reminds me of the great passage in Jeremiah.

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan? (Jer. 12:5)

Jeremiah was facing tough times. The nation of Judah was turning away from God and Jeremiah was weary preaching to a people who continued to reject God’s message and to disrespect him at every turn. Yet God was not going to console Jeremiah to sit in tears and give up. To the point where Jeremiah was, he was only battling the footmen. Jeremiah prophesied from 626 – 586 B.C. This was likely early in his career.

God’s point was this: if the footmen – the small problems you face now – weary you, what are you going to do when the horses – the big problems of his later ministry – contend with you? If you grow weary in a time of relative peace, what will you do when you are running from trouble – the floodplain of the Jordan? Jeremiah, will you keep your eyes on me and not lose heart?

It’s possible to lose heart. It’s always when we take our eyes off the Lord. When our eyes are on the Lord, we may suffer, lose everything, or even be shut down, but the Lord is always sufficient. Paul said it best.

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:7-10)

Sharp Tongues can be Stopped

Posted on May 27, 2012 by shepherdbryan

A friend recently sent me this verse. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD. (Isa 54:17) This is certainly a promise given to Israel. Presently, Israel walks through her own valley, scattered around the world and waiting for the return of Messiah. Yet, there is great application to those who will trust in Jehovah, El – Shaddai (the All powerful One).

The world hates the Jews, because Satan hates the Jews. The existence of one Jew is a sign that God will keep His unconditional covenant to Abraham, David and all of Israel. Satan tried to destroy the line to Christ. If he could have destroyed the line, then the Messiah could not have come to redeem Israel and the world from their sins. Now that Messiah came, died on the cross and has returned to heaven, Satan wants to destroy Jews again. Only now he wants to destroy them, because if he can destroy them, then God cannot fulfill his promises in the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants. That is why anti-Semitism has been a problem in history since the time of Christ. In recent history, the holocaust was a Satanic attack to destroy the Jewish people. But God’s promise of protection continues for the Jewish race as a whole.

Isaiah addresses the attacks of people who have an agenda. They believe their agenda is right and will do what is necessary to put you down. They try to be subtle. They may sound sophisticated. They often don’t even realize how painful their words might be. They often don’t care, because they have a burr under their saddle and you may be the target of their “tongue which rises against you.” They are not acting like God the Father.

I used to be bothered when people criticized me. To be slandered in public is especially painful. But it is all part of God’s plan to grow us up and prove that His will is good, acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2). When we trust the Lord, the judging tongue, whether from a person who is close or from an al qaeda terrorist, will strengthen your resolve to trust the Lord even more.

There are plenty of hopeful New Testament promises to those who pursue the Lord. As a believer, you are in the Lord’s hands (John 10:28-30). God promises to take every situation, even the slanderous tongue, and work it out for divine good (Rom. 8:28-30). God set believers free from sin, which is the most vicious enemy of the believer (Rom. 6:22-23). Verbal attacks are proof that we are in enemy territory and often those in your own family, blood and spiritual, will be the adversaries that the enemy uses to attack you (1 Cor. 16:9; cf. Matt. 10:34-36). We should not fear, for Jesus became sin for us that we might be made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). For every attack tests your metal – will you trust in yourself or in Him by faith (Phil. 3:9)?

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