Wishing You JOY All Year, 2019!

When the clock strikes 12 mid-night on December 31, 2018, the world will officially usher in New Year, 2019!

The start of a new year is for many a jumping off point for drastic life-changes – known as new year resolutions.

But for the child of GOD a calendar date should not be our trigger for a life-style change. Our radical life-style change happened when we met and fell in love with JESUS.

We now live every day to serve the One who never changes; nor does His WORD.

So, come January 1, 2019 we simply go on living as those who are the chosen and beloved of GOD (1 Thessalonians 1:4.)  

What we do on any given day is fixed firmly on this foundation by which we:

Obey GOD’s WORD totally

“…grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.” 2 Peter 3:18

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Believe GOD’s promises to and about us

 “All of GOD’s promises have been fulfilled in CHRIST with a resounding "Yes!" And through CHRIST, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to GOD for His glory.” 2 Corinthians 20

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” John 13:10

“If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for he cannot deny who He is.” 2 Timothy 2:13

The family of GOD must not be distracted by the world’s desire to start “new” – turning over a new leaf for the new year, as it were.  

Our faith stands on the divinely “new” which remains fixed – that which our Heavenly Father has already prepared for and deeded to us, His children – 

All for our everlasting JOY, and His glory:

• A new commandment on sincere love John 13:34.
• A new life in CHRIST 2 Corinthians 5:17.
• A new home to enjoy for all eternity Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:2,5
• A new spirit and heart for our GOD and Father Ezekiel 11:19
• A new covenant and family bought by the blood of CHRIST Ephesians 2:15; Hebrews 8:6-13

We can praise and thank GOD with the confidence that as He is today an AWESOME GOD for us so will He be again tomorrow, and every other day to follow!!

You crown the year with your bounty, your ways overflow with plenty. Psalm 65:11

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Almighty GOD and Father, we thank you for YOUR goodness and mercy that follows us ALL the days of our lives. We lack no good thing and we thank YOU for providing all that we need for abundant life and godliness, here and now and for all eternity. Thank you for making all things new through JESUS in whose Name we pray and ask all things. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Let’s Talk About Angels – Part 1

Angels are a symbol of Christmas. One can hardly think about Christmas without thinking of angels. We see them everywhere at Christmas time – on Christmas trees, greeting cards, postage stamps, holiday wreaths, clothing. They hover over nativity scenes and compete for space with Santa Claus and his reindeer on front lawns and in shopping malls.

Angels are depicted as gentle-looking, plump and child-like, winged figures with halos around their blond heads. They carry harps or horns and wear flowing, gossamer-type white or light color robes.

But are these images a true depiction of the Biblical creatures they represent?

Angels in the Bible

Angels do exist and it’s appropriate that they be a part of Christmas since they have key roles in the Christmas story.

It was an angel, Gabriel, that visited the virgin Mary with news that she would carry JESUS, the Christ Child, and angels announced His birth to the world.

The Bible tells of many other instances in both the Old and New Testaments Scriptures where angels have significant roles. 

Who are angels and what do they do?

Angels are spirit creatures created by GOD. 

The Bible does not give any general description of angels but shows them in a variety of roles.

Angels in the New Testament (NT):

The word angel is translated from the Greek word aggelos (or angelos), which means “messenger” and this is exactly the role they take in NT Biblical references – delivering messages.

• The angel Gabriel delivered news of the birth of John the Baptist to his father and about JESUS to His mother – While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Luke 1: 5:19; God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. Luke 1:26-38
• A group of angels brought news of JESUS’ birth to a group of shepherds – “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem…” Luke 2:8-16
• An angel delivered news of JESUS’ resurrection to two women who came to the tomb to recover His body for embalming. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen…” Matthew 28:1-10

In every instance shown, fear was the reaction to the angels’ visitations –  even with the Roman guards who had a reputation for being extremely fierce. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Matthew 28:4  

The words “fear not” or “do not be afraid” were spoken before every announcement.

Angels in the Old Testament (OT):

Angels were much more active during the OT than in the NT. The book of Job indicates that angels were actually present at creation – “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth….and all the angels[a] shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7

References to angels begin in Genesis with Abraham and his family and continue through to the Prophets:

• Abraham’s wife mistreated her servant, Hagar because she conceived Abraham’s child, Hagar ran away. But an angel of the LORD found Hagar, sent her back home and gave her good news about her son’s future. “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. Genesis 16
• Hagar and her child were sent away eventually and again angels came to her aid. Genesis 21:8-20
• In Genesis 18 three angels in the form of men visited Abraham with news that he and Sarah would be parents. Later in Genesis 19, two of those angels rescue Abraham’s nephew from Sodom before destroying the entire city.
• Abraham’s grandson Jacob had a variety of experiences with angels – that famous stairway dream being one episode. (Genesis 28:10-12; 31:11-13; 32:1-2)
• Exodus 12 recounts the events of the first Passover and GOD’s rescue of His people out of Egypt. It was an angel of death that killed every firstborn of those families who did not have blood over the door post.
• When King David acted against GOD’s wishes and conducted a census of the Nation of Israel, GOD’s judgement came through the angel of the LORD. 2 Samuel 24:16-17.

In addition, we read about the angel of the LORD giving warnings against disobedience and idolatry; calling down curses on Nations; killing thousands of soldiers in one night; and saving Daniel from being eaten by lions.

The impact of angels on people in both Old and New Testament accounts indicate to us that these are creatures that both radiate and perform with great power.

Angels are definitely not the cute and cuddly-type images we love to include in our Christmas decor.

Just a few places in the Bible talk about angels' apparel; one is the recounting of the angel who appeared to the women at JESUS’ tomb.

All accounts of angels show them doing GOD’s will....whatever the task. They are GOD’s helpers. 

However, there is a group of angels that are definitely not working for their Creator.

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father, YOUR WORD says that YOU made us a little lower than the angels but it also says that YOU use angels to protect us and deliver us from harm. Thank you for showing us again through YOUR WORD that YOU are truly the only wise GOD and the Creator of everything for our joy and YOUR glory. Help us to rejoice in YOU always! We pray and ask all in JESUS NAME. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Why A Child?

Handel’s Messiah 12 – For Unto Us A Child is a favorite at Christmas. It certainly is one of mine.

Taken straight out of Book of Isaiah this is a beautiful rendition of the Isaiah’s prophecy about GOD sending us the Christ CHILD – His SON. Isaiah 9: 6

Why did GOD send us a Child?

Galatians 4:4-5 tells us that when the time was right GOD sent His Son to buy our freedom from sin so He could adopt us as His own.

Only the Sovereign GOD is privy to such wisdom and knowledge of the time having come and so GOD put His plan into motion.

JESUS was here as promised – born of a virgin and He would save us from our sins.

From the outset we could see that this was no ordinary Child.

While JESUS’ birth took place in the least desirable of places, in a stable among animals, all of Heaven was ablaze and abuzz at this event. Stars were exploding and angels were serenading.

A child enters the world in the humblest of circumstances and all of heaven is bursting with excitement. (Luke 2:1-20)

What’s this all about?

The heavenly hosts, GOD’s army were acknowledging and worshiping the GOD of the universe Himself.

CHRIST may have come to us as a baby but He existed before His birth here on earth, the incarnation.  He is the eternal WORD and the I AM. He was with GOD and was GOD (John 1:1; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 1:23; 2 Peter 1:1.) He was GOD who left His home in heaven and came to earth to save those who love Him.

Why did GOD choose to start CHRIST’s mission on earth as a Child and not a full-grown adult is one of those mysteries, and again GOD’s Sovereign right to make that choice.

What the Scripture does tell us is that JESUS had to take on our human nature so He could die in our stead. He couldn’t die for us as GOD. Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die…Hebrews 2:14

At Christmas we celebrate JESUS’ birth but the real reason Christians celebrate happens on Good Friday.

Good Friday is the reason for Christmas. This is when the true joy of Christmas becomes a reality for believers.

GOD gave us a Christmas gift to last for all eternity; a treasure that He gift-wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.

His name is JESUS, and He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth....” Luke 1:14

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  Holy Father and our GOD, thank YOU for YOUR priceless Christmas gift that will last for all eternity to those who love YOU and are called according to YOUR purpose. Remind us this season of the real reason we celebrate – JESUS, who is GOD the SON come to earth to die with all authority and power to save His own. Thank you, LORD JESUS for all that YOU are; our Emmanuel, Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. We rejoice in YOU and ask all things in the NAME above all names. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Gift of JESUS Unwrapped

The month of December has only just begun and already we are bombarded with the sights, smells and sounds of Christmas.

Beautifully decorated Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and creches are on display in every shopping mall. Before the last Thanksgiving turkey sandwich was eaten, local radio stations were playing Christmas songs and carols. Two of my personal favorites are Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy.

It wouldn’t be very long now before we will be unwrapping gifts and enjoying spiced cider, eggnog, minced pies, rich fruit cake and other Christmas menu favorites.

Truly, ‘tis the season to be jolly!!

But, wait! In the midst of all the pre-planning excitement and anticipation of that DAY, are we forgetting something, or Someone? 

Are we giving any thought to the One who is the reason for our “good cheer”?

Aside from the plastic baby JESUS lying motionless in the creche on our front lawns, will our friends, co-workers and loved ones who don’t really know Him get to meet the real JESUS this season?

Christians know that the doll infant in our creches represent not just a baby but a life-altering, divine power. How about making an extra effort this season to reveal to others what we know?

Unwrapping the gift of JESUS that’s you

Why did JESUS come to earth?

Christmas is the Christian celebration of the coming of JESUS CHRIST.

GOD sent His Son JESUS to earth in the form of a man to live among His people for a period of time (John 1:14) with a mission to fulfill the Father’s plan for saving the lost (Luke 19:10.)

JESUS completed His mission and returned to His Father in heaven. But, He left us, believers, with a mission of our own – make disciples and become His witnesses.

JESUS today continues to save the lost but He does it through us, His ambassadors here on earth.

An ambassador in a foreign country reflects his or her Nation’s character and image, exactly to the host country. An ambassador represents everything his or her country stands for, or against. 

Similarly, the world around us can come to know who JESUS is by observing us – what we say and do.

What better time to show off the character of our Savior than during the celebration of His birth on earth?

To perform His mission, JESUS had to do what all babies do eventually. He had to grow up. So, the JESUS you must put on display cannot be the helpless baby in a manger. Only the acts and words of the Man, JESUS will have a meaningful impact on your world.

It is up to us to unveil the grown-up JESUS by imitating His character wherever we have influence.

What qualities of the Man, JESUS can you show to your world?

Be a witness. See, I made him a witness to the peoples… Isaiah 55:4.

Christian witnessing is about sharing the gospel. Telling the unsaved about JESUS’ death, burial and resurrection is crucial to being a true witness.

However, to the people in your world, the truth of the gospel is validated in you – how you live your life is confirmation of what you say you believe. The quote, People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, is a truism for every Christian.

JESUS was His own best witness for drawing people to Himself because He lived what He taught. He treated everyone with grace, showed great patience, kindness and a sincere love – even those who wronged Him. (Mark 10:1, Ephesians 5:2, Matthew 9:22)

Live like the JESUS you preach.

JESUS was GOD in human flesh, holy and righteous but He was often accused of being a “friend of sinners.” (Matthew 5:46, Matthew 9:13)

Be a friend to sinners. For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” Matthew 9:13

JESUS is still a “friend to sinners.” He came to save the lost. In order to save lost people, JESUS had to associate with them, not so He could be like them but that they would become like Him.

While the Pharisees treated “sinners” like outcasts, JESUS ate with them so He could teach them by word and example and give them the opportunity to choose new lives.

Reach out and invite a sinner into your world this season – it doesn’t have to be a huge deal. Include them in whatever plans you have, alone or as a family.

You were lost and a sinner and JESUS found you through someone who reached out to you. Now you have JESUS’ righteousness and His peace. (Isaiah 32:17)

Be an instrument of peace. He is our peace…. Ephesians 2:14; “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you….” John 14:27

You know the Christmas story...

When the LORD’S angels announced the birth of the CHRIST CHILD to the shepherds, a multitude of the heavenly host burst into praise, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2: 14

JESUS is the Prince of Peace who left us with the gift of peace. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are told to seek peace and make every effort to live in peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 3:11.)

There are dozens of commands in Scripture to believers about being peacemakers.

The season of “goodwill” can also come with plenty of openings for conflict; in the workplace, at home and in places of business.

Give the gift of peace and yield the right to be right. It’s hard to fight with someone who’s putting your interest ahead of theirs.

Choose the path JESUS took – put others’ needs first.

JESUS, the Creator of the universe, chose to give up His deity to serve you. (Philippians 2:6-7)

Be a servant – give of yourself. “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.” Isaiah 42:1 & Matthew 12:18

JESUS exemplified servanthood – throughout His years of ministry on earth and up to His death on a cross. “….the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Serving others is central to being a Christian. You are most like JESUS when you’re serving generously and with love.

This may be the season of “joy to the world” but it’s also the time of year when many have nothing resembling joy.

Some are financially desperate due to chronic joblessness, illness, etc. Others are suffering emotionally – feeling unloved, lonely and unappreciated.

Depression is a common malady around Christmas.

Opportunities for you to make a difference are endless. You can serve by giving sacrificially of your resources and your time. Needs are greatest at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and food pantries need more generous supplies now than the rest of the year.

Toys-for-tots and angel tree programs are a way to serve our most vulnerable – minor children.

Consider also the not-so-obvious needs – where you show up in person to let someone know that they matter, both to you and to their Creator. There are many lonely and forgotten in nursing homes, assisted living housing, veterans’ homes and hospitals.  Often clients in these institutions have no one to visit with them at any time of year.

Be someone’s Christmas angel. Take a Christmas-wrapped token along with the good news that will cause great joy for all the people – that a Savior has been born, their Messiah and LORD.

Remind someone that John 3:16 is as much for the lonely as for those in families and that GOD promises to be a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Psalm 68:5-6)

Conclusion

Being a Nation’s ambassador is a huge responsibility so ambassadors have a support team that works alongside them.

As an ambassador for JESUS, you also have a support team. JESUS calls Him your "Helper" or “Advocate.” He’s the Holy Spirit sent by the Father to empower you with His truth and guide you in how to use it with grace. (John 14:26.)

Grace and truth are characteristics the Father gifted to JESUS and He in turn gifted them to you. (John 1:14, 17)

So, this season, be the grace and truth that will change a life for all eternity.

Unwrap the gift of the real JESUS to your world!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we worship and adore you. As we prepare to celebrate this Christmas, we give honor to the ONE, the Word who became flesh, the only SON of the Father who came to save full of grace and truth. Help us to serve this weary and hurting world as JESUS does for us, in peace, sincere love, grace, and truth. Because of JESUS’ love we can bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Glory to GOD in the highest, HALLELUJAH! We pray in the name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Lying to GOD – Getting What We Don’t Deserve

Judgement against Ananias and Sapphira for their deception regarding the sale of their property came swiftly. (Acts 5). Both dropped dead at the apostle Peter’s feet.

The story also recounts the reaction to this clear demonstration of GOD and the Holy Spirit’s power. People reacted as one would expect – with great fear! “Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.” Acts 5:5, 10-11.

However, the actions of the believing church that followed were not what you would expect from people in fear. We don’t read of believers running away from the church, leaving town and giving up the ministry. Instead we see the church continuing in the mission and the power of GOD doing great work through them.

They’re preaching the gospel and performing miracles and, as a result, more people are believing and joining the church – “more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” Acts 5:12-16

What sort of fear produces such a reaction?

The disciples’ “great fear” was not born of anxiety or worry for their own personal safety. They weren't thinking about danger to themselves. Instead their fear incited a greater reverence and awe in them toward GOD. (Hebrews 12:28-29.)

This type of fear will motivate GOD’s chosen people to joyfully surrender all to GOD and His Holy Spirit.

The believers were newly filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), so they were awestruck that this same power now lived in them. This awareness, increased greatly their honor and respect for the power that was now enabling them to do greater works.

Biblical scholar Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Bible says the believers’ fear was “not a damp or check to their holy joy, but it taught them to be serious in it, and to rejoice with trembling.”

Two thousand plus years later people still lie, cheat and in other ways break GOD’s law, even believers.

Why does GOD not strike you dead now when you sin against Him and His Holy Spirit?

We actually do suffer a form of death when we break GOD’s law in any way.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Our “death” is not a loss of our physical life but a loss of spiritual well-being.

Sin separates us from GOD. For GOD’s children separation from the Father is a brokenness of life. The broken relationship interrupts our spiritual growth.

A believer’s sin is a heavy burden that inhibits intimacy with the Father. We can try to live in both the spirit and the carnal world, but Romans 8:13 shows us we can’t. We cease to feel joy. We become bitter, unhappy complainers, and dissatisfied with life.

However, separation from our Father doesn’t have to be a permanent state for the believer. GOD Himself makes restoration between Him and His children an easy fix. He tells us how in His WORD:

If we confess our sins, He (GOD) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10

We don’t make things worse for ourselves by pretending that our sin doesn’t exist. We confess, GOD forgives, cleanses us from our righteousness and we are right with Him again.

And we don’t have to keep repeating the sin. With the power of the Holy Spirit that’s in every Christ-follower we can put to death the misdeeds of the body. When we do, new spiritual life with freedom to enjoy the Father again will follow. “You will live.”

So, is there anything to learn from the story of Ananias and Sapphira? 

The instant judgement against Ananias and Sapphira is the only such recorded incident in the New Testament. Under the New Covenant, JESUS’ atoning death and resurrection opened the door to GOD’s grace and mercy for us. 

So, why was it different for Ananias and Sapphira?

Only GOD knows.

GOD’s Spirit can assess the deepest matters of the heart but He reveals to us only what He wants to.  He is the Creator of all and it is His right to do with all as He pleases.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29.

We take what lessons are revealed and leave the rest to GOD’s Sovereignty and His perfect knowledge.

The take-away for us from Acts 5:1-11 is that to have great fear of GOD’s power with honor and respect for His Spirit makes us truly alive. A reverent awe towards GOD and all things pertaining to GOD enables believers to do the good works that GOD designed for each of us with a pure heart and with joy. (Ephesians 2:10,)

Conclusion

Because GOD keeps His promises, His Spirit-filled, blood-bought children will never know His wrath.

CHRIST JESUS, took GOD’s wrath upon Himself on our behalf so that we can know His grace, should we choose to accept it.

GOD is faithful today to His New Covenant people in CHRIST. He gives us what we don’t deserve when we sin against Him.

GOD gives us mercy.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, we stand in awe of YOU! We praise YOUR Holy Name! We thank you that YOU are longsuffering, that YOU do not treat us as we deserve and for YOUR kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank YOU, LORD that YOU show compassion to those who fear YOU, so our spiritual lives are thriving and we can know the joy of YOUR presence. Thank YOU for the Holy Spirit that lives in us and JESUS, our Savior and Redeemer, our LORD. YOURS, Father, is the glory, and the power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in JESUS’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s a thought to ponder as you celebrate the Thanksgiving Day Holiday with friends and loved-ones.

“It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another to give thanks.

Gratitude is what you feel.

Thanksgiving is what you do.”

Pastor Timothy Keller, New York City, NY.

How are you doing with thanksgiving to people who make your life more meaningful every day? 

And more important, how often do you offer thanksgiving to your Heavenly Father?

Fact! We can never repay GOD for all that He has done for us. His goodness, love, mercy and amazing grace in giving His one and only Son to die for us always will be beyond our ability to repay.

What we can do is daily and exuberantly open our lips and praise GOD’s Name.  

There’s a song that says, “If I had 10,000 tongues, it just wouldn’t be enough to say thank you!” (Richard Smallwood) – and it wouldn’t.

We owe our daily existence to the One who created us. It’s His breath in our lungs. Surely, we can give back a bit of it to Him in praise, and we can tell others how good He’s been to us.

We can take time to say:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. Psalm 115:1

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:1

Not just one day a year, but every day of the year.

Almighty GOD deserves no less!

I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with His praise.  Psalm 34:1 (MESSAGE BIBLE)

Praise and Thanksgiving:  We exalt you, our GOD, forever we will praise your name! YOU are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in mercy. YOU are good, YOUR promises are trustworthy and YOU are faithful in all YOU do. YOU hear us when we cry out in trouble and YOU lift us up when we are down. YOU are the GOD who is always near; We thank YOU for YOUR lovingkindness that is better than life and JESUS CHRIST who saved us. To YOUR NAME be all glory, all honor and all praise, forever and ever. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Lying to GOD – Getting What We Deserve

You are always and forever in GOD's presence.

Not only does GOD see your actions, He watches your thoughts. You are wholly known by an omniscient GOD (Psalm 139:2-3). He knows all that there is to know and all that can be known – about everyone and everything.

GOD’s knowledge is total.

Christians should know this about GOD because the Scriptures tell us so.

In both the Old and New Testaments, we learn that our thoughts and our motives are all visible to GOD – that GOD’s knowledge and understanding of the entire universe are infinite.  1 Chronicles 28:9; Job 34:21; Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13.

You have no secrets from GOD. Yet, believers are often deceitful with GOD, as if He is just like one of us. 

We behave towards GOD as if He were a naïve grandfather who is so blinded by love for his grandchildren that he can't imagine they could do wrong. So, he lets them get away with mischief and buys them whatever they want, whenever they ask. 

This is not GOD!

Not only does GOD know about our lies and pretenses but He holds us accountable. GOD judges us for all our deeds, good and evil.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10

all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13b

What price, lying to GOD – Ananias and Sapphira?

A lying tongue is among the seven things the Bible says that GOD detests (Proverbs 6:16-19.) If GOD hates lying, it’s a sin.

Lying to the people in our lives is a sin against GOD; one that is especially grievous when we lie to, or about, the body of CHRIST. 

GOD judges us for the sin of lying.

What might GOD’s judgement for lying look like?

The following story from Acts 5 demonstrates:

A man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us but to God!”  (Verses 1-4)

Keeping back a portion of the proceeds they received from the sale of their property wasn’t Ananias and Sapphira’s sin. They had a right to do this, since the property belonged to them. Their wrongdoing was deception. They pretended to be generous and sincere but were exposed as cheats, liars and hypocrites.

Ananias and his wife outwardly imitated the actions of the believers (see Acts 4:32-37) while in their hearts they were the total opposite.

The believers were earnest heard-working men and women whose goal was to dedicate themselves and all that they owned to the work of spreading the gospel of JESUS CHRIST, regardless of the cost.

These were people “….of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” (Acts 4:32-37.)

Some of the believers were very poor. To share all possessions equally ensured that no one lacked for any personal or ministry need, so each could do what was necessary to fulfill JESUS’ great commission of taking the gospel message to the world.

They cared as deeply about the work as they did for each other, according to the teachings of CHRIST, (John 15:12; Mark 12:30-31) – an essential part of their belief and a sacred principle.  No sacrifice was too great.

On the other hand, the couple in this story acted out of selfish motives.

GOD exposed their hearts to the leaders who pronounced GOD’s equal judgement upon each of them, Acts 5:5, 7-10:

Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died…. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and died.

By agreement, Ananias and Sapphira deceived their friends, and attempted to deceive their GOD. 

They made a public show of being of one heart and soul with the believers when they had only their own interests at heart. 

For their sacrilegious act of putting the Spirit of the Lord to the test, both the man and his wife suffered the same fate. Both died.

Ananias and Sapphira coveted the believers’ good reputation but were unwilling to pay the cost. They loved their comfort more than they loved GOD. They loved themselves more than they loved the people of GOD. For selfish gain, they acted on a lie.

In this story, GOD’s judgement for lying was swift and final – death without the opportunity for repentance and eternal separation from the Father.

Believers are still lying to GOD, 2,000 plus years after this event took place. 

So, why did GOD take the lives of Ananias and Sapphira but our lives aren’t taken even as we continue to try to deceive the Father?

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. Galatians 6:7

….to be continued

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our Father in Heaven, we praise YOU, our GOD and our LORD! We are grateful for your Holy Presence in our lives. We thank YOU for loving us even though YOU know our thoughts and our hearts intimately and we thank YOU for not judging us with the harshness we deserve. We ask that YOU forgive us our trespasses and cleanse us from our sin. YOURS is the glory, and the power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the name of JESUS. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

When Free Will Hurts Us

It’s a waking nightmare!

I’ve now lost count of the numbers of senseless acts of gun violence that’s happened to us this year, 2018.

It’s happened again – one dozen lives taken, plus the shooter, a total of 13, and for no reason.  

And again, people, non-Christians especially, are asking that age-old question.

Where is GOD? Why does He allow such atrocities to happen? How can GOD be good and not protect the innocent?

Places of worship and employment, schools, shopping malls and hospitals, young children and the elderly – nowhere and no one is safe.

Good, Christian people can be counted among the victims. People who love JESUS, serve faithfully, give generously to aid the suffering, pray for others and do all that they know to live the way believers should.

So why has this suffering come to us?

WHERE IS GOD?

Why does GOD not intervene when humans are about to make disastrous choices?

GOD created the human race in His image, including the ability to make choices. He gave us free will.

As we have ability to choose, we also have a responsibility to choose wisely.

The world is in its current sinful state due to the choices made by our first parents, Adam and Eve.

GOD’s righteous judgement against them for breaking His law was spiritual death and a life full of sorrow and hardship (see Genesis 3.)

All of mankind inherited the same judgement because of the fall of Eden of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

However, at the same time He pronounced His judgement, GOD offered unlimited grace and opened the door to our eventual restoration and reconciliation back to Him. He promised that a “Seed, or Offspring” of Eve’s would come and crush the author of our sin, Satan.

“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel” Genesis 3:15.

This is the first promise of the Messiah, JESUS CHRIST, the very first great act of GOD’s grace after our tragic act of rebellion.

From this point on, Scripture keeps repeating there’s but one way we could choose what is good while we’re in our current sinful state.

How can mankind in our sin nature use free will to choose what is good?

Believe that CHRIST is our Savior and accept Him into our lives as such. 

We give up our old nature inherited from our first parents and take on the new nature of a child of GOD:

But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13

This life-altering decision is our access to the power of the Holy Spirit and our true rebirth. The Holy Spirit works in and through our will to make us a new creation – to be like GOD Himself, having true righteousness and holiness.

You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

All people belong to GOD (Psalm 24:1) but only believers in CHRIST have the right to be His children (John 1:12.)

All people have free will to act out their motives and desires and all are held to account for their choices.

However, we who belong to GOD and have the Spirit of GOD living in us are less likely to make choices that bring chaos and pain on themselves and others.

“You are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:9-10

We will never completely understand how, and may not even want to believe it in times like these, but the answer to “where is GOD” is this:

GOD is still with us, still Almighty, still loving and kind and faithful, still great and wonderful. GOD still grieves with us and will never nor forsake us. GOD still cares for us; He is not far removed from our pain and our loss.

GOD hasn’t changed. He still allows us our free will – the freedom to choose.

Conclusion

For those whose loved ones are suddenly and tragically taken, no answer as to “why” is good enough to lessen their immediate suffering.

A mother whose son was a victim of the most recent gun tragedy cried out in her anguish that she wants to no “prayers and good thoughts” coming to her; she wants only gun control. My heart bleeds for her obvious torment.

But, while I too hate guns and the pain that this instrument of death has been causing the entire Nation in recent times, I know that we need something more than gun control.

We need people to have changed hearts.

With or without easy access to guns, the human heart that hasn't undergone regeneration by the Holy Spirit remains evil and wicked and can make only like choices. (Genesis 6:5; Matthew 15:19)

Over and over, the New Testament Scriptures calls for sinners to “repent” and “believe”: (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Acts 3:19).

Every call to repent is a call to use our free will to choose good over evil. It’s a call that GOD promises to answer, every time.

GOD alone is our salvation.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOU are the only wise GOD. We thank You for unlimited grace through CHRIST JESUS our Messiah, LORD and Savior. You are the GOD of all comfort, extend comfort to all who have been touched by the evil of gun violence. We ask that You give our leaders wisdom for an end to this criminal activity, and that You give our Nation peace, Your peace that is beyond understanding.  Open minds to the truth that true freedom is buried in CHRIST JESUS. Remind believers that our worldly suffering is small compared to the glory that awaits us in eternity with YOU. Father, we admit that these are hard truths to live out so we ask for Your strength daily so we don’t lose faith and give in to fear. All glory, all honor, and all praise be to YOUR NAME. All things in JESUS name.  Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Spiritual Rot of Envy and Jealousy – Our Cure

Envy and jealousy can enter the human heart when we feel unworthy, afraid or less clever than other people.

    

Believers may be the beloved children of GOD but we are also imperfect creatures who are vulnerable to such feelings.

However, the very fact of whose you are, makes it impossible for negative feelings of any kind to dominate your life.

GOD’s children have been given access to the cure for every spiritual disorder, envy and jealousy included.

The cure for our spiritual ailments is tied directly to our obedience to GOD’s WORD.

If you are sick and the doctor prescribes medicine, you know you have to take it to get well. You don’t lay it down somewhere in the house and hope that the fact that you have it will make your illness go away.

GOD gave you the remedy to cure sinful behavior. You have to act to bring about your healing just like you do when your body is ailing.

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

When you admit and confess your sin you receive GOD’s forgiveness. You accept and take His grace of healing and restoration through the blood of CHRIST and your spirit is healthy again.

Those who never admit to and confesses sinful behavior remain sin-sick.

More than that, Scripture says to ignore your Father’s cure of forgiveness and continue in behavior that offends Him is to call Him a liar.

You are denying the power of the blood of JESUS His SON to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and make you spiritually whole again.

One who continues to choose a sin-sick lifestyle must ask the question, Is GOD truly my Father and is JESUS LORD in my life? (1 John 1: 7-10)

A person who loves GOD desires to be in constant fellowship with Him.

When you live a sin-sick lifestyle, you lose the desire for fellowship with GOD and with the people of GOD.

The Father wants His children to be spiritually healthy at all times.

Why does GOD care about your spiritual health?

GOD cares because He loves you, plain and simple!

• He loved you before you were born. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” John 3:16
• He loved you before you accepted Him as Father and CHRIST JESUS as LORD and could claim the title, child of GOD. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
• And He will love you for all eternity, in CHRIST. “…. neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 38-39

GOD wants you to be spiritually whole and healthy because He loves you.

How exactly does GOD love you?

You are always going to be the object of your Father’s tender, perfect and ceaseless love. He assures you in His WORD just how He loves you:

• Relentlessly – GOD’s love is unceasing, not haphazard, fitful or occasional. He never lets up, slows down or changes His position. For I the Lord do not change; Malachi 3:6; The Lord is the everlasting God....He does not faint or grow weary... Isaiah 40:28
• Tenderly – GOD is your Father. Like any good parent He loves you and cares deeply about your welfare. He thinks good thoughts for and about you all the time. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God? They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:17
• Eternally – GOD can never love you more or less than He does at present and in every phase of your life. In your youth or in your declining years, in sickness or in health, GOD’s love for you is constant. I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. Isaiah 46:4
• Providentially – GOD’s love is equal to His goodness. Because GOD is the Sovereign ruler of the universe, His love holds with it every blessing and favor and protection from evil. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, …Jeremiah 29:11
• Uniquely – GOD’s love for you is tailor-made just for you. He’s your Creator. He knows you as an individual, even the number of hairs on your head. His love for you is intimate. He understands exactly what you need and the precise degree of all your needs. …the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31

 GOD’s love for you cannot be compared with any other and has no equal.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

Conclusion:

GOD’s will for His children here on earth is to live peaceful and abundant lives.

This is possible only when we choose His divine grace over fleshly, that negative and sinful feelings.

Envy and jealousy are not among the Father attributes so it can’t be the personality traits of His children.

Those who belong to GOD receive all the promises and benefits in His WORD, if we do what it says.  

We must remember whose we are, believe the Father and allow Him to fulfill His WORD in us.

Healing from physical ills are not promised to us but spiritual healing is.

GOD gave His SON to make this possible, every time.

And it’s impossible for GOD to lie.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father and our GOD, we thank YOU for reminding us that obedience to YOUR WORD is where our spiritual healing begins so we can enjoy fellowship with you and our brothers and sisters in CHRIST, and long life with joy added to it. We give YOU all the praise as we pray in Him who loves us and freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving His GOD and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. CHRIST JESUS our LORD! Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile