Crave Spiritual Milk

Last night at our Wednesday night bible and prayer time we read out of 1 Peter where he tells the reader to "crave spiritual milk just like a baby." The spiritual milk here is the word of God and good biblical teaching. One lady actually had an infant there and made the following analysis: She said that babies know when they are hungry and they need the momma's milk and its nutrients in order to grow. That is the same with the bible and our reading it for meaning and understanding.

I've kind of always known this and know that reading the bible is important and that we need to surround ourselves with good teaching and biblically based friendships.

This lady also added that the momma's milk changes as the baby's needs change as it grows. I know that I've read some bible passages over and over and each time I was able to apply it differently in my life or it meant something a bit different. As I thought about it I was able to make sense of it. I have poured over or have studied different passages in the bible and God is able to reveal things that I need in my life RIGHT now.

I do fully enjoy reading the bible and fully understand how important that it is in our spiritual growth. You can usually tell if someone reads the bible on a regular basis because their talk usually gravitates toward talking about what they've read. I guess it is similar to working out. If someone is chisled it is obvious that they go to the gym. If someone is a bit out of shape or heavy then it is likely that this person doesn't work out.

Spiritually speaking I think you can really see who is in the word on a regular basis. As Zig Ziglar said at our church a few Sunday's ago, "this person looks as if they are the cruise director of the Titanic." The more you are in the word I think you stress less. You treat others better. Your actions come closer to doing what Christ might do. And just like working out I don't think you become a spiritual speciman overnight.

Being a spiritually fit Christian does take time and you often need a trainer or someone who knows a bit more than you!

Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
Matthew 13
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

WOW. Short and sweet today. Imagine something worth so much to you that you would sell everything you have just to buy it. I personally wonder if either of these men had families that they had to consult? As I read verse 44 I kind of think that this would be a deceptive move in society's terms. I remember reading about a baseball card dealer who found a rare card at some boy's yard sale and bought the card for the $1 face value. This card ended up being worth thousands. Anyway.....

I would think that if you had such a great treasure you would be telling and showing everyone about it. It would be such a great thing that you couldn't bare keep it a secret from everyone. So it should be with what we have in our faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. We too will inherit the treasure called Heaven. The best thing about this is that we don't have to keep it to ourselves, we get to share it with EVERYONE!

Just as it says in 1 Timothy 2:5-6

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

I pray that we as believers truly trust in this great treasure we are given called Heaven and that we would excitedly and purposefully share our faith with ALL that we meet.

Mustard Seed and the Yeast

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast
Matthew 13:31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world."

I did a little research on this one to try to understand the meaning. Keep in mind Jesus taught a series of parables here in Matthew 13 and they all should be considered when pulling just one like this apart. The mustard seed was indeed the smallest seed in the region that one would intentionally plant in efforts to have a harvest. A seed so small would indeed grow into a bush or shrub so big that it had characteristics of a tree and it actually produced a decent amount of shade and a place for birds to rest. Similar to this is the small amount of yeast that is introduced into a fair amount of dough. Eventually it penetrates the full amount.

I guess so it is with our Christian faith and message. At the time when Jesus was teaching these parables it really wasn't okay or openly acceptable to be a follower of Christ. From this small group of dedicated followers would emerge the guys who who begin to spread the gospel throughout the region and eventually to all the world.

If you try to apply this on a personal level someone with a little bit of faith can do so much. One faithful person can impact many.

The Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying:

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."

10 The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

11 He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: " 'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The first thing Jesus did here was position himself a little bit away from the people who came to be healed and hear him speak. What a great speaker he must have been. Imagine the voice he would need to be able to teach THOUSANDS and without a microphone. I'm sure he set up his speaking area to resemble an amphitheatre.

I like how the disciples asked Jesus why he was teaching in the form of parables and Jesus then quoted scripture from Isaiah. Jesus in verse 11 hints that the parables are basically a hidden code that believers would find deeper meaning while those who weren't interested in the real message that Jesus was delivering would just think he was telling stories.

The following is an excerpt I found at http://www.jesuscentral.com/

Christianity wouldn`t be legalized until 313 by Constantine via the Edict of Milan, becoming the official religion of the entire Roman Empire less than a century later. Thus, parables would keep them safe from those who weren`t meant to hear them. For example, to the faithful, the parable of the sower contains deep spiritual meaning, helping them to get closer to God. As far as the authorities and anybody else hostile to the faith are concerned, it`s just a simple story about some guy planting seeds, and thus no big deal.

In this parable the seed(word of Jesus) falls on 4 types of ground(potential believers). For some people they will not understand the message and before anyone or this person can persue being a believer Satan takes the message away and nothing happens. Others receive the message about Jesus with joy, but since they do not have a solid foundation of understanding they soon fizzle out. The third type of person hears the message and most likely understands it, but the things of the world remain important and eventually crowd out any chance that this person has of becoming a faithful follower. The last person is ready to receive the message and apply to their life. This is the person who tries to live an obedient life that reaches many others.

The thing that I get out of this is some seeds just wont take. Some people just wont accept the message of the bible. Some hear it and quickly fall away. The question is how in depth do you go after this person. Some "rocky" ground can be turned into productive ground, but it requires a lot of work. The smart farmer finds fertile soil and spends most of his time here.

Personally I think I need to keep my own soil "good." This requires surrounding myself with other people who are rooted in "good" soil. If I start hanging around people trapped in weeds, then those weeds can easily infiltrate my productive soil. Just like my neighbor has a very weedy yard, I have to constantly work at pulling weeds on my part of the lawn that attaches to his. I have to spend more time working that small patch of lawn than I do the rest which is 10 times larger. Keeping my soil good requires daily reading of the bible and I haven't been doing that lately. It requires praying with a purpose instead of randomly and at meals. It requires that I seek out ways to serve others. It will also require seeking and finding a good friend that I can become accountability partners with.

I'm glad to be back! Bro Bill challenged me to remain faithful in presenting the word which means I have to read scripture daily. I LOVE reading the bible, but become lazy and then other things sneak in and take my time away. WEEDS!

Sunday Nov. 4th Lesson

Matthew 18:1-5 The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

Why did the disciples ask this question? Did they sit around trying to figure out a pecking order?

Why do you think Jesus used a child as a prop to answer the question?


Matthew 18:6-7 Caring Through Influence
6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!

Who is Jesus talking about when he refers to “the little ones?”
A) Could be children
B) probably adult believers who are overlooked or deprived

“Who believes in me”= most likely new believers

What are some indirect ways we could cause other believers to sin?(gossip, jokes, skip church for something) others?

Comments: I guess the disciples were looking to see who would be the most important in Heaven and Jesus used a child as a prop to get their attention. He basically said unless they could humble themselves like a child they would never understand what Heaven was all about. In my class we figured the child had to be less than 5 years old because we all have children who are really testing their limits right now. Jesus then transitions in verse 6 to most likely say that the "little ones" are really the new believers. He uses the millstone in his explanation and they knew how heavy it was and in Israel not many people knew how to swim since they didn't really have swimming friendly shores. The millstone was HEAVY and he talked about DROWING!

It seems that it is worse for the person who causes someone else to sin than for the person who actually sins.

Woe to the world-there is obviously great stresses in the world due to sin and Jesus informs us that it is expected since sin is in the world. BUT, WOE to the man who causes others to sin. In this case I say, "KILL THE MESSENGER."

Parable of the Weeds

I taught a lesson Sunday from Matthew 13. The biblical truth was : Since God is patient with the wicked and will judge them at the appropriate time, we are to be patient as well.

The Parable of the Weeds Matthew 13: 24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'
28 " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
29 " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

What a sick thing to do to someone. I asked everyone to think of a time when the sabotaged someone for the fun of it. I brought up the times we would change a friend's answer machine without her knowing it. We also once jacked up the front end of her Pontiac Sunfire and she couldn't figure out why it wouldn't go anywhere.

Why was separating the wheat from the weeds before harvest so difficult? The sprouts often looked alike and you could do severe damage to the good plants.

Farmer-Son of Man
Fields-the world
Enemy-Satan
Good seed-sons of the Kingdom, Christ's heirs
Weeds-sons fo the evil one
Harvest-the end of time, judgment day
Harvesters-the Angels

The Parable of the Weeds Explained Matthew 13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field."
37 He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

I asked why did Jesus wait until the crowds went away to explain the parable to his disciples. One member brought up that there really weren't any farmers amongst the disciples. Keep in mind the disciples also were inquisitive and asked Jesus to go deeper.

The end result is that the wees are finally separated and burned.

I asked "why is it so hard for us to wait on God's timing?" I think many people personally like it when bad things happen to bad people. We want IMMEDIATE justice.

What I take out of this lesson was to try and wait on God to do His thing. Stay the course in my own personal life and let God judge the wicked. Hard to do though!

Watch Your Mouth

I taught last Sunday and Saturday was the first time I felt about 80% in a long time. By Sunday I was feeling normal. We had 6 in bible study and our lesson was on watching what you say. The following are some verses that we discussed.....good stuff.

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

I personally like Proverbs 10:19 and think that the wise person listens more than they talk. I know it is so easy to get caught up in gossip and sometimes we are just as guilty listening to gossip even if we don't continue it. I also like James 3 and how it mentions praising God with the same mouth that we curse men. THIS SHOULD NOT BE!

I challenge you to listen more. See if you listen more than you talk. The band Switchfoot has a song with the line "Two eyes, one tongue...." It could easily have been 2 ears, one tongue.

I ask you to pray for a special friend of mine who just learned that his cancer has come back! He has a young family and could use our prayers right now!

Jesus First Miracle, John 2

Jesus Changes Water to Wine
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."
They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
Jesus Clears the Temple
12After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"
17His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me."
18Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?"
19Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."
20The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" 21But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.
23Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. 24But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

I remember a comedian talking about the power that Jesus had when he performed his first miracle. The comedian stated that Jesus could have really showed off by saying, "It's water, now it's wine. Now it's water, now wine." Basically if Jesus wanted to have fun with the people he could have changed it back and forth. I sometimes wonder if using Jesus in your comedy routine would be a bad thing.

Anyway Mary knew Jesus was about to do wonderful things and it seems that she hints to Jesus that he should do something about the wine running out. Jesus' reply seems a little odd on the surface, "Woman, why do you involve me?" "My time has not yet come." Although Jesus saves the day by keeping the wine flowing. Good wine at that!

I wonder how the story about Jesus clearing the temple applies to us today. I guess if someone is using church as a place to solely cultivate business that would be similar. Now if being genuinely involved ends up leading to business partnerships then that should be okay. I am positive that church relationships are abused for capital gains though.

Here Comes Jesus, John 1

The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.
John the Baptist Denies Being the Christ
19Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ.
21They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No."
22Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
23John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "
24Now some Pharisees who had been sent 25questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26"I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."
28This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Jesus the Lamb of God
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."
32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
Jesus' First Disciples
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"
37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"
39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.
40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."
44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.
47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."
48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." 51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

The Word Became Flesh
John seems to be talking in circles here when he talks about the Word. It is a bit confusing and hard to follow. He is basically saying that Jesus is the WORD and that Jesus has always existed. Jesus also came to live among humans and everything exists because of Jesus.

John the Baptist
I posted a few days ago about John the Baptist. Here he denies being Jesus and even quotes the scriptures in saying he is paving the way for Jesus. In a few verses later John introduces Jesus, the Messiah.

Lamb of God
I remember being in a Catholic high school and during mass they would say, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." In introducing Jesus as the Lamb of God, he is basically saying instead of sacrificing lambs to God as they have done for centuries, Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice doing away with the need to sacrifice animals.

The Callings
The rest of the chapter deals with Jesus calling disciples. These men were from many backgrounds, but many seemed to know from the scriptures that someone like Jesus would come someday so these guys were smart enough to go along. I love how Nathanael asks, "can anything good come from Nazareth?" Then Jesus gets his attention by telling him that he saw him under the fig tree before Philipp called him. That got Nathanael's attention. Jesus goes on to basically tell him, "You aint seen nothing yet......"

I guess the biggest thing from this passage is to understand that Jesus has always been since the beginning of time. Everything was made through Jesus!

Proverbs 1

Proverbs 1
Prologue: Purpose and Theme
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against Enticement
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.
11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul;
12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;
14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse"-
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves!
19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.
Warning Against Rejecting Wisdom
20 Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares;
21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech:
22 "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
23 If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.
24 But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."

A group of men from our men's retreat was challenged to read a proverb a day. This is my first post from Proverbs and I honestly can say that nothing really jumped out at me. I'll vist Proverbs 2 tomorrow and see if I am spoken to or get anything from it.

Trusting Christ, Mathew 8,9

The Man With Leprosy Mathew 8:1-3
1 When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

Jesus was teaching and preaching from his Sermon on the Mount series and large crowds could have meant as many as 5,000 people. This man with leprosy put it all on the line to approach Jesus. In this time just about any skin disease was associated as leprosy, but this guy probably had the real deal. Uncurable and like HIV of today it could take as many as 10 years to take its toll and a person with leprosy would die a slow, painful death often losing body parts along the way. The FIRST thing this guy did was acknowledge Christ for who he was, LORD, and then he knelt down to worship him. This leper could have been stoned to death for this mere act. He then says, "If you are willing...." because he KNOWS Christ can heal him, he then says, "...you can make me clean." I think this guy would have been fine either way. He would accepted whatever action Christ would have taken.

Then Jesus reaches out to the "untouchable." The unclean person who was required by law to yell, "UNCLEAN" as he approached people. Jesus touches this man and says he is willing and heals the man. IMMEDIATELY the man was healed. In verse 4 Jesus tells the man to tell nobody, but to go to the priest and offer the gift of Moses. Basically this man went before the priests to show that he had been cured of leprosy and he could then be CLEAN and enter the temple. Back then the priest would probably watch for a few weeks to make sure he was clean. Kind of like someone being in remission from cancer today, it was a wait and see effort.

In our class today we basically talked about this man's attitude and approach. He didn't say HEAL me in a selfish way. He basically said to Jesus, if it is your will, heal me! I think we fail to take into account God's grand plan when we pray for things. We selfishly pray for healings without humbly approaching God and seeking his will.

I do think Jesus still perform miracles today!

We also looked at Matthew 8:23-28 where a storm comes upon the disciples in a boat and they panic while Jesus sleeps. We also looked at Matthew 9:1-8 where Jesus is approached by men carrying a paralytic. In this case Jesus looks at the faith of the friends and then first forgives this man, and then heals him in front of the scribes, or men of the law, basically committing the act of blasphemy since only God can forgive.

I love this passage too because the man was forgiven AND healed because of someone elses faith. If you are faithful to God he is able to work in the lives of others!

Idleness, 2 Thessalonians 3

Request for Prayer
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
Warning Against Idleness
6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Special Greetings
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Probably the verse that is the most applicable to me is verse 6 where it says to "stay away from every brother who is idle." I picture a car that is in neutral possible waiting for the light to change, or just sitting there. On a hill a car in neutral would really end up rolling backwards. Eventually you'd have to hit the brake OR put it into gear and go forward, hopefully withoug killing it. To me this is the brother or sister in Christ who is not doing things that brings them closer to God. They are not necessarily being defiant, but in their lives they are no different in their actions or daily lives than non-Christians. In my bible study class last week the commentary did say how the lifestyles of Christians and non-Christians vary little. That was humbling to read for me.

The scripture says to stay away from the idle person I guess because they may lead you to being idle also. The passage does say just to stay away from them and possibly warn them. They are not the enemy, just a brother who is idle.

In my class last week we discussed how we often fail as Christians to "warn" each other as this passages says to do. Also, there is another passage that talks about confronting a brother who is outside God's will. I think this is difficult because as a society we have become "tolerant" and don't want to offend people. It's hard to bring up something because nobody is squeaky clean and the person could easily see faults, or areas of idleness in the other person.

Maybe by avoiding the controverial areas in each other's lives we as Christians have allowed our lives to mirrow those who do not know Christ.

Rebuking someone else is not easy because we all could be rebuked for something. IT could turn out to be like a "your mama" game where you keep on insulting each other.

The bible is clear when it says not to associate with the idle person.

STAND FIRM, 2 Thessalonians 2

The Man of Lawlessness
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
Stand Firm
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

The first part of this passage reminds of all the times that someone has proclaimed that they are the Messiah or that the final day is here and the big hurrah passes and they weren't the Messiah. I don't think people who are in Christ need to worry about this because I think we will know it.

I think the verse that I hold onto out of this whole passage is verse 15 where Paul tells the reader to "stand firm" and hold on to the teachings that were passed on. The more teachings we have received I think the more in tune our spirit is with God and what is the TRUTH. I've had over 30 years of teaching and about 15 years of teaching myself. The neat thing about the bible and studying it something new is revealed each time we study it. EVEN if it is a passage we have read or studied over and over.

It's good to be back!

TheMANFC

Thinking About Others, 2 Thessalonians 1

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

How often do we go out of our way just to lift someone else up? I like how Paul, along with Timothy and Silas encourage the Thessalonians by first saying that they thank God for them every day. Tonight at church the pastor said, "Hey, I prayed for you today." That made me feel pretty good. Even if you have a chance to tell someone that you've been thinking about them lately I think you need to let them know. Maybe they just need to know that they are important to someone.

I think verses 6 and 7 are valuable because they remind us that no matter what is going on in your life, God is just. He will not let any selfish or harmful act go unnoticed. Our problem is waiting on God to take care of business. We often want to follow through with the vengeance on our own. We are also told that God will bring us relief in due time.

Make sure you are constantly praying for others!

Be Self-Controlled, 1 Thessalonians 5

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Final Instructions
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

The bible never says not to drink, but it is clear that one should not drink to excess. I point to verses 6,7,8 for this. When you drink more than your limit, or even close to your limit, I think you begin to lose that "alert"ness and "self-contol." Obviously drinking can impair one's judgment and ability to drive. The warning label is right there on the beer can or alcohol bottle just as the warning for Christians is in the bible, specifically here in Thessalonians.

There is a lot of practical advice in general wrapped up in the Final Instructions: respect, regard in love, live in peace, help, encourage, be patient, try to be kind, be joyful ALWAYS(that's tough), pray continually, give thanks.

Good rules for good living!

Baptism in the Bible

Here is the outline from my message this morning that I delivered in our LifeGroup.

Baptism

Matthew 3:1-3, 11
John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "
11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

What is baptism? The actual act of baptism is when a Christian takes another new Christian who has accepted Christ as savior and does like John the Baptist did, immersing a person in water symbolizing burying the old self and coming up from the water a new person.

The Greek word for Baptism is Bapto. The example of taking a cloth and totally immersing it in bleach and then into a dye therefore cleansing it and changing it is given.

When should someone be baptized? Nowhere in the bible are infants baptised and the following scriptures clearly tie in the act of believing being followed by the act of baptism:

Acts 2:38-41 The first converts believed and were baptised that day adding 3000 people to the Christ movement.
Acts 8:36-38 Philip was witnessing to the Eunuch who felt compelled to be baptised immediately so he was baptised in what was likely someone's drinking pond.
Acts 9:18 Saul(Paul) when he got his sight back was baptised that day.
Act 10:47-48 Peter was preaching to Gentiles who were baptised that day.
Acts 16:31-33 The Jailer and his family believed and that day were baptised immediately.

What about infant baptism? Nowhere in the bible are babies or children baptised.
400 BC-Augustine came up with the idea of "original sin" which said that since Adam sinned he passed on sin to everyone else. Parents then wanted to "protect" their children and since there were worries about dunking babies they were merely sprinkled. I personally disagree with infant baptism since I feel that the act of accepting who Christ is as your savior and then being baptised as an act of obedience are inseperable. I also feel that baptism does not save you and is not necessary for salvation, but it is important to do.

Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15 Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

What did John’s baptisms symbolize? the act of repentence
What does our baptism symbolize? the visual acceptance of believing in Christ and our act of repentence
Why did Jesus get baptized?
+ to be righteous and fulfill scriptures
+ to identify with humanity's sinfulness
+ to be an example to followers
+ it announced his ministry

What was the result of Jesus’ baptism? Heaven opened up, the Spirit of God came down, God was pleased.

John was hesitant to baptise Jesus because he knew Jesus was SINLESS and didn't need to be baptised AND that Jesus was very superior to John since he was God's son.

Just Be QUIET, 1 Thessalonians 4

Living to Please God
1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
The Coming of the Lord
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

I think the most practical verses here are verses 11 and 12. It tells the reader to live a quiet life and mind your own business so anyone watching how you live might learn to respect you. I think often Christians feel that they have to always be telling others about Jesus. Evangelism does has it's place, but according to these verses you have just as great of an impact by just being quiet and making sure you are living in an upstanding way. I do think how we live our lives daily says a lot about who we are. I try to be consistent in how I live. I try to be caring and giving. I really do try to take a genuine interest in everyone that I come across. I hope that I am approachable and pray the way I live my life will lead others to Christ. I do not want to be guilty of saying one thing while doing the opposite.

Great verses!

Encouragement, 1 Thessalonians 3

1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
Timothy's Encouraging Report
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Really what stands out here to me is how much we love to receive encouraging news about someone else who has struggled. At times this news can breathe fresh life into us. If you read most of Paul's letters he is constantly validating other people and he often reminds them that he is praying for them and that he is encouraged by them.

Paul often mentions that he is being persecuted or in some type of pain, but he is never a burden to other people.

I encourage you to validate someone within the next 24 hours whether it be a face to face encounter or even better go out of your way and contact someone you have not talked to for a while.

Holy, Righteous and Blameless, 1 Thessalonians 2

Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Paul's Longing to See the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

I think I am impacted the most by verse 10 when Paul says he lived a life that was holy, righteous and blameless when he lived among the Thessalonian believers. I think Paul implies here that a spiritual leader or teacher needs to be really careful how he/she lives, especially when they are trying to impact other believers. This past Sunday I started teaching a bible class again and know that the church has expectations for my behaviors as well as me having my own raised expectations. One issue in point is the desire to go to a sports bar to watch baseball or football games or just to sit around and socialize. I think I have a responsibility to guard my credibility and character when I am teaching how much Christ can impact or change someone's life. It weighs on my mind that by seeing me at a sports bar possibly having an adult drink or even a diet Pepsi that I could possibly turn someone away from Christ.

I love how Paul genuinely longs for other believers when he is away from them. I think I have that personality also and become a bit burden when people from church are out or decide to be away from the church for a while. I'm not bothered that they aren't coming to my church, I just pray and hope that they are plugged in somewhere.

Holy: dedicated to the service of God

Blameless: free from or not deserving blame; guiltless

Righteous: acting in a moral, upright way

Faith, Hope and Love, Thessalonians 1

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith
2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Short chapter. I really do get encouragement from how Paul always tells the reader that he mentions them in his prayers. Prayer is powerful and we all know that we benefit from it when someone prays for us. Verse 5 says that "you know how we lived among you for your sake." I think this is the verse that we could apply to our lives. If we really want to impact others for Christ's sake we need to be living a life worth copying. It is not a do as I say, but do as I do way of life that Paul is talking about.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to say, "your faith in God has become known EVERYWHERE!"

You've Got Mail, Colossians 4

1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

I think we all love to get mail and just think about the Colossians who have just received this letter from Paul, who is in prison, yet full of hope and the gift of being able to encourage others. I think of soldiers who may be away from home for a year and they get a letter telling them how everyone in the family is doing. What a boost!

The most practical verses in this passage are from vs. 2-6. First of all Paul tells the reader to be devoted to prayer, be thankful and to always be watching. Prayer is listed first for a reason. It sets the tone for all else. I think we too ought to be praying that we are able to clearly share the gospel as we are called to do. Finally Paul's advice is to be wise in the way you act towards outsiders. Allow the words that come out of your mouth to be full of grace. The tongue is a powerful thing and we are called to use it in a way that builds others up.

License to Kill, Colossians 3

Rules for Holy Living
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Verse 5 says "put to death" so I guess we should KILL these things: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. If we continue to dabble in these things first of all maybe you have not "died" to your old self. If you are a Christian and if any of these things are prominent in your life I think you risk the danger of God's wrath as verse 6 says is coming.

We are also told to get rid of these things as well: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

What should be evident in our lives is: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness.

Whether you are a Christian or not if most people were filled with these the world would be a much better place to live. The sad thing is, many, if not most, Christians have not rid themselves of things we should so these things take up the space of things we should be full of.

The Book of Matthew

We started a sermon series at church on Sunday and the pastor gave us an overview of the Book of Matthew. Matthew was written around 50 A.D., about 15-20 years after Christ was crucified and rose again. Matthew was a wealthy tax collector who left the lucrative, often shady, business to follow Christ. There are many references to coins in this book also.

The Purpose of Matthew's book was to give an introduction to The Christ, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Matthew describes Jesus as Messiah and King. Mark describes him as Servant. Luke looks at Jesus as The Son of Man and John's Purpose was to present Jesus as The Son of God.

It was surprising to see that from Abraham to Christ's birth the genealogy includes both Jews and Gentiles, Kings and prostitutes and every one in between.

The book of Matthew also references old testament prophecies over 50 times, the most of any of the gospels.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted.
Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases."

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Matthew 21:1-7 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

Who is Jesus?

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
15 "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Who do YOU say Jesus is?

Freedoms of our Faith, Colossians 2

1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. 19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

21"Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"?
I think many religious people, including Christians, often put their own rules and regulations upon other people and judge them for what they do. Drinking would be one example: it is my understanding that Baptists in Europe and abroad do not frown upon drinking in itself, but do expect the person to remain in control of their actions. If someone in a European church were to get intoxicated and not be of sound judgment then there are guidelines in place for approaching that person for their conduct. Often here in our country the Baptist are looked upon as being finger pointers who do say all the things that you CAN'T DO. Possible things frowned upon: wearing jeans or shorts to church, having a tattoo, a female wearing pants, having on a ball cap in the worship service area, etc.

Each person is accountable to God and we have been given the Holy Spirit which if it is within us should be convicting us of things in our OWN lives that are contrary to what God would have us do.

I do believe that doing a certain thing for one person might be okay, but a sin for another person. I back this up with ROMANS 14:1-3


The Weak and the Strong 1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him.

The Christ Supremacy, Colossians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Supremacy of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Paul's Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Paul says in verse 6 that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing and I pray that it is growing as rapidly today. I'm not sure that today's new Christians have the drive and understanding that being a Christian means reaching as many others for Christ as possible.

I do like in the middle verses where Paul prays that the Colossians are full of: strength, endurance, patience, joy, thankfulness, growing in knowledge, living a worthy life. How practical is a prayer like that! I think we should pray these things about ourselves and others on a daily basis!

Since The Bourne series was out I thought it would be cool to post the title as The Christ Supremacy since verses 15-20 go into detail how important Christ is to the church.

I Can Do All Things..Philippians 4

1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
Exhortations
2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Thanks for Their Gifts
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Verse 4 reminds me of a hymn we sang in the Baptist church, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice......" Verse 6 is really one of those verses that require it to be put to memory: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. We are told in a few places in the bible to not worry and here we are told not to be anxious. If we can remember this verse and remember to pray in times of trial, anxiety, etc we would be much better off!

I love verse 8 because it tells us to think of things that are: true, nobel, right, pure, lovely, admirable, exellent and trustworthy. So much for even turning the TV on. What percent of our television viewing would fall into this category. Less than 10% I'm sure. That's humbling.

I do like how Paul finishes up this chapter by validating the Philippians for all that they have done for him. If we could live our lives like Paul says in verse 12 that he has learned the secret of being content with every situation, whether well fed or hungry, when having plenty or when in want.

And the last one for today is definitely another memory verse for most believers: Philipians 4:13, I can do everything(all things) through him who gives me strength. Oh how this verse has helped people through so many tough times!

Forget the Past, Philippians 3

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Paul reminds the reader that he was indeed born a Jew and was a political, religious leader who had lots of zeal. I think I like verse 13 where Paul says to forget what is behind and strain for what is ahead. Paul definitely had to forget about his past where he persecuted the church. His focus now was promoting the gospel. The biggest turn around in HISTORY!!!!!!!!!

Verse 14 encourages us to press on toward the goal. If you are a runner you know there is a finish line and a reason you are running. If you are trying to lose weight having a goal can help you keep focus and avoid temptation.

Sunday's Lesson, Hagaii 1-2

I taught Sunday for the first time in over a year and it was very rewarding. The title of the lesson was commitment and the passage dealt with the Jewish people rebuilding the temple and the message is so applicable for our lives today.


Haggai 1
A Call to Build the House of the LORD
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "
3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.
13 Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: "I am with you," declares the LORD. 14 So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius.

Haggai 2
The Promised Glory of the New House
1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."
Blessings for a Defiled People
10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai: 11 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Ask the priests what the law says: 12 If a person carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, oil or other food, does it become consecrated?' " The priests answered, "No."
13 Then Haggai said, "If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?" "Yes," the priests replied, "it becomes defiled."
14 Then Haggai said, " 'So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,' declares the LORD. 'Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.
15 " 'Now give careful thought to this from this day on—consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD's temple. 16 When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty. 17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,' declares the LORD. 18 'From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid. Give careful thought: 19 Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. " 'From this day on I will bless you.' "
Zerubbabel the LORD's Signet Ring 20 The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 "Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 " 'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Background is that the Jewish people were allowed back into Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. When they completed the foundation they were excited and celebrated their accomplishments. This worried surrounding people so the rebuilding process was strongly opposed and further attempts to rebuild the church were thwarted. Over time the opposition dwindled, yet the Jewish people were content with what they had and did not get back to the business of rebuilding the temple as the Lord had commanded.

Thus I love the message that Haggai delivers in verse 6 and I think it applies to us today:

You have planted much, but have harvested little.
You eat, but never have enough.
You drink, but never have your fill.
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

The Jewish people got comfortable in their ways and were very lethargic when it came rebuilding the temple. My church just turned 2 and in a way we are "building" a new church and at times I can see myself and the members being just like the Jews of this time. There is a consequence of losing focus of doing what God wants us to do. In verses 10 and 11 God says that he has held back many intended blessings from the people. I often wonder how many blessings I miss out on daily. God wants to give us SO MUCH only if we are obeying him.

Fortunately for the Jewish people they had Godly leaders: Haggai, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua. These leaders first obeyed, which caused the people to be faithful in obeying God. In Chapter 2 of Haggai God reminds them to "give careful thought to this from this day on..." and in verse 19 reaffirms the Jewish people for their newfound obedience when he says "from this day on I will bless you."