The Path Of Evil Men

"Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking." 

(Proverbs 24:1-2) 

We hear the word "radicalize" a lot these days. One definition is: "To "radicalize" people is to cause a shift in their beliefs that make them want to take action for social reform. Once they're radicalized, they'll want big political or social changes and work to make them happen. Personal experience is often radicalizing -- sexism, racism, poverty, and perceived injustices radicalize many people to try to change the world. The world can have a darker meaning when radicalization leads to politically motivated violence." (Vocabulary.com)

 To have a desire to change the world for good, and to pursue that change through peaceful means, is one thing. But to follow the path of evil men, who from their heart devises violence, and murder, to accomplish their mission, is uncalled for. It is evil, it is sin, and it will bring about the judgment of God.
The Islamic extremists want to shock the western world, by their horrific acts of murder. Through social media they try to radicalize young men to follow their cause.

I am so glad that the Son of God, came to me in love. He didn't say, let's bring out change through violence and murder. No, He wrapped His arms around me, and said as He did to the disciples: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)
We will love people, and help them to find their way to our loving Heavenly Father, forever. GP 

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Why Become A Christian?

 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

We may be able to think of reasons why we should become a Christian. And yes, some will think of reasons not to.

I don't feel we like to think of ourselves as sinners. We say to ourselves:
"Why, I'm a good person, I'm not an alcoholic or a drug addict. I don't treat people badly. I even go to church, and put money in the offering plate. 
If I'm not a bad person, than how can I be a sinner?"

No matter how good we think we are, we will never be good enough to satisfy God's position concerning sin. We all have had bad thoughts that have come to mind. We all have acted selfishly at one time or another. The fact is, no one is perfect except God's Son. And when we accept Him as our Savior, we take off our filthy rags of sin, and put on His garment of righteousness.

Why become a Christian? Because God loves us, and wants us to have our soul cleansed by the blood of His Son. Instead of standing before Him with the spiritual death penalty hanging over our head, He wants us to hold in our hands the free gift of eternal life with Him. God as the judge of the world, will punish sin. If we tie ourselves to it, we will perish with it. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and be free from your sin debt forever. GP

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The Greater Issue

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) 

It must be established that our eternal salvation is based on the grace of God shown to us, at the cross of Calvary, when Jesus died to pay for our sins. And in faith we accept this free gift of grace for our souls.

In our text, Jesus is teaching His disciples and us, how we should pray, and what our attitude should be towards Him and others. As we begin our Christian walk, The Lord, is working in our lives, and helping us to have a healthy relationship with Him, and with others. The greater issue in our Christian walk. is the attitude of being unforgiving.

If we forgive others, than we will be showing the right act in our Christian walk. If we don't forgive others, than we damage the relationship we have with the Lord, and with others. And instead of forgiveness shown to us, we may receive discipline from Him, as the Hebrew writer brings out in (Hebrews 12:7-11)

When we place ourselves - In Christ- We place ourselves in His Grace. And apart of that grace, is allowing Jesus to show us the right way to think, and to act. And if it means being disciplined for our unforgiving spirit, than so be it! GP

I Have A Plan For You

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 

(Jeremiah 29:11) 

What keeps you in the balance between the good times, and the bad?

We need to stand on something solid in order to secure a bright future.
This life does not guarantee such a promise. We have the frills and thrills of this life, but nothing that promises us a time of eternal joy and peace. The world just cannot deliver this kind of future package, But God can, and will.
As He made this promise to Jeremiah in our text, He makes the same promise to us. He has not left us out.

To the nation of Israel, God promised that He would restore them, if they would trust Him, and serve Him only. After being in captivity for seventy years, under the rule of Babylon, God made it possible for them to come back home to Jerusalem.

Let's face up to the fact, that if we have not accepted our Savior Jesus Christ into our lives, we are living in a hostage situation. Satan has us, and he will continue to have us, until we allow the Lord Jesus to break the chains of sin and destruction.

God has plans for us, not for evil and destruction, but for a "future and a hope" Why is it that so many people refuse to fall into God plan for their lives? I pray, that you are not one of them. Trust God, Obey His will for your life, and eternally LIVE! GP

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Life's Road

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

When we look at life, like looking in a rear-view-mirror, did we ever think that our lives would turn out the way that they have?

As a child we dreamt of having great success. Doing great things, and having great things. But when we grew up, we made decisions that led us to where we are today. Would we say, that because life did not turn out the way we thought, when we were young, that we failed.
 I don't believe so.

But there is a better path, that the Apostle Paul found through Jesus Christ. I don't think Paul ever thought, that one day, he would be serving the Lord Jesus Christ. In Philippians 3, he lays down his background and accomplishments of his former life. And maybe this is what he dreamt of being when he grew up and became a man.

But on the road to Damascus, Jesus changed his life forever. He came to look at all that was apart of his former life, as being "rubbish" in comparison to knowing and serving the Lord Jesus Christ. For him, to live was Jesus Christ. Jesus had become his whole life. And knowing that his soul was in the hands of the Lord, he knew that death would be gain.

Life doesn't always turn out the way we think it will. But accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, makes it so much better. More than we ever imagined! GP

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The Affect Of Leadership

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;" 
(Ephesians 4:11-12)

 Too often, because church leadership does not have a grip on their purpose, the church will not have a grip on it's purpose.

The Lord gave some the abilities to provide spiritual leadership (mentioned in our text) for the two-fold purpose of: To equip the saints for the work of evangelism, and secondly: to build up the body of Christ.

In order to accomplish this, there are two negative attitudes that must be done away with. The first is pride, and the other is selfishness.
These two attitudes are the devil's greatest tools for division and destruction of The Lord's church.

 Church leaders today, must have an attitude of humility, and the desire to minister to others. Their roles are not positions of power and pristige, but that of ministry. If it is true that a church will not grow beyond the affect, and workings of leadership, than it is vital that church leadership, always have the interests of the congregation be the main focus of their efforts.

The main concern of the Shepherd, is the care of his sheep! GP

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Rooted & Built Up

"...rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." 
 (Colossians 2:7)

 What makes Christianity different from the other religions?

"Christianity makes several claims that others do not. First, all other religions exhort man to reach up to God and grasp hold of Him through their own efforts. Christianity is the only religion where God reaches down to man. Second, other religions are systems of do’s and don’ts to appease God; whereas Christianity is a relationship with God. 
Third, Christianity looks to the Bible as the singular source of Truth. Finally, Christianity is based upon truly the most amazing event in all of human history—the resurrection." (gotquestions.org) 

To me the big difference is that we can have a relationship with a living person (who is not physically seen) but shows Himself in every aspect of our lives.
He lives to minister to our well-being today, preparing us for that day when He will take us home to be with Him forever.

We are to be rooted and built up in Him through faith, trusting Him for all things. And we are to be ultimately thankful for all that we have in Jesus Christ. If it were not for Him, where would we be? Today and for eternity? GP

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Enough Is Enough!

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 
(1 John 4:11) 

So far in 2016, I have seen more hate and violence, than I have love and concern for others. To say that evil is present in our socieity is an understatement. I know that there are exceptions, where love and the concern for others is seen as well. But it is very few, and far between.

It is evident that evil prevails, and it's time to turn things around. Now is the time for the church to stand up and say, "enough is enough." As John wrote in his letter (in our text) When we look around, we see the many blessings of God. To be able to be in a nation that has the freedoms and opportunities that we have, is beyond compare, to what we find in other cultures. This nation is a gift of God. It is a gift of love. And to know that God sent His Son to give us the greatest freedom of all,(freedom from sin) is the ultimate blessing.

John said, "If God loved us, we ought to love one another" Why can't we enjoy these wonderful gifts together? Why are we letting Satan take away what God wants us to have? Of all the gifts of God, love is the greatest. And love is a building virtue, not a destructive one.
It's time to love, as God loves. And we need to do it before it's too late! GP

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Teamwork!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

 I have written a lot about the fact that we are never alone. God is our keeper (Psalm 121) His eye is continually on us. But it is a wonderful blessing to join with other fellow Christians, for fellowship and support in His Kingdom. Solomon is right when he said that "two are better than one", and yes
"a threefold cord is not quickly broken." There is strength in numbers.

This week during our Vacation Bible School, I observed, people working together to have our VBS be a success. It takes a lot of planning and work.
No one could do this alone. It's the same way in life. We depend on others to help us, to not only survive, but to thrive in this challenging world.

Find someone you can pour your life into, and be thankful for those who are pouring their lives into yours. Together we can make a difference for the Lord. He is counting on to have that desire, together! GP

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More Than A Name Or A Number

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; 
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

 Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the horrific terror attack in Orlando, Florida. I have written several articles in regard to the murderous acts committed, in the time that I began The Christian Journeyman. I wish I didn't have to write any of them. But we refuse to see ourselves as a people of God, and a people of His purpose.

We are more than just a name or a number; we are persons who before we were born, were known by God. Our purpose is not to kill each other, but our purpose is to love one another, as Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us. Our purpose is to love people and to help them know Jesus, so they can have eternal hope.

Evil shows up in many areas of our society. Religion is just one of those places where Satan shows his evil presence. The answer is not in more regulation, or the right political positions, but the answer to the violence and loss of life, is in Jesus Christ.

In Him there is direction, truth, and life. (John 14:6) With Him, you are more than a name, and a number, you are a person who is loved dearly by the Savior. GP

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Who Cares?

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7)

How many times have you heard these words? "Who cares? I have heard these words used concerning many subjects. But the one that disturbs me the most is when people talk about no one caring for them. 
 "No one cares about me!" Have you ever said that? Even worse, have you really meant it?

Peter knew (after spending time with Jesus, and knowing that he failed to live up to the Lord's expectations) that Jesus cared for him. The Lord forgave him for denying Him three times, and told Him to feed His sheep. (John 21:11-19) In essence, to take care of His church.

You don't have to tell me, how people act at times. They act like they don't care about us. Plenty of times, I have been snubbed, and made to feel like I am not important to them. I have had people treat me well too. We cannot regulate how people are going to treat us. It is the human factor that we have to take into consideration.

But the Lord cares about us always. He died, for us, and He lives today to minister to our lives, in ways, we can't even imagine. So let's humble ourselves under the might hand of God, and experienced the blessings that only our true friend Jesus Christ can bestow to us, in out lives. GP 

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The Source Of Our Strength

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills--From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2) 

"A wind turbine is a device that converts the wind's kinetic energy into electrical power. 
The term appears to have been adopted from hydroelectric technology (rotary propeller). 
The technical description of a wind turbine is aerofoil-powered generator." (Wikipedia) 

The source for these generators, that I have seen if fields across the mid-west, is wind. A source outside these generators. It makes me think about the power source that I have outside myself. That is the power of "the Lord who made heaven and earth." The greatest power in the universe is my strength, and my hope.

As an eagle waits, and stretches his wings to catch a wind current, we wait for the Lord to catch us, and help us to soar above the mountains of trial and turmoil in our lives. Too many people try to fight these battles on their own, and find themselves delusional, and in deep despair. But the Psalmist is right, when he says that our God is our keeper. He will keep us from slipping into extreme destruction.

He never sleeps, because his eye is constantly on us. If we trust the Lord, and place our lives constantly in His care, we will find the blessings of His love and everlasting care! GP

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The Apostle Paul's Relationship Triangle

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 
(1 Corinthians 13:13) 

There are different illustrations of what is called: "The Relationship Triangle" The one the Apostle Paul describes, in our text, is one that not only speaks to the priority elements of a successful relationship, but to the marks of spiritual maturity.

When we are talking about the marriage relationship, "The foundational Relationship Triangle" is seeing God at the top of the triangle, and the husband and wife at the two bottom points of the triangle. A marriage cannot be a success without God being the main point person, of this relationship.

Than to complete the star formation, we can add "The Relationship Triangle" Paul speaks of in our text. He speaks of "Love" as being the supreme virtue in all of our relationships. There is no room for selfishness in any relationship. And at the next point of the triangle is "Faith." As we trust God, we must trust each other, and be faithful to each other. And than the last point of the triangle is "Hope" Hope is always focused on the positive things, concerning our relationships, and for our future together.

All of this applies to help our relationship with God, and with others, be the best that it can be. With God, and love, being the top points of these two triangles, it demonstrates what should be the most important priorities in our lives. The question is: are they? GP

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Of Us (Or) The Holy Spirit?

"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which" He said, "you have heard from Me." (Acts 1:4) 

The "Promise of the Father" is the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would come and help the apostles establish the first church in Jerusalem. They were commanded not to leave Jerusalem, They were not told to go ahead and step ahead of God. But they were told to wait for the Holy Spirit to come, to lead the way in bringing three thousand souls to the Lord on the day of Pentecost.

This is a lesson we need to learn in our churches today. We have a strong tendency to make our programs and efforts more about what we want, than what the holy Spirit directs. It is not the big spectacular programs that we plan and participate in, that make a difference in reaching people for the Lord.
They may be entertaining, but do they accomplish the evangelistic purpose they are meant to achieve?

It seems to me, that like the apostles, we are to be ready with the Word of God, to share simply, and sincerely, the message of hope, the community needs to hear. Let's wait on the Holy Spirit, to enable us, and empower us, with the Word of God, whether it is in song, or in spoken word. Instead of stepping ahead with the spectacular,

let's wait for the Holy Spirit who is the "Promise of the Father" to help us declare the simple, and powerful message of the Gospel; to a world that is lost, and walking without hope! (GP)

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The Key To Strength

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

What is the key to having spiritual strength?
The key is having faith in the Lord who goes with us, and will never leave us, or forsake us.

 In sermons I have used the illustration of a toothpick, and a spike nail.
We being like toothpicks, it is nothing for the trials of life to break us in half.
If we try to take on these severe trials by ourselves, this is what can happen.
But when you take a toothpick and place it alongside a spike nail, and try to break it, you will not have success.

The key to strength, is to align ourselves with the strength of our awesome God. When we place ourselves with Him, we will more than survive, we will thrive.

We need to remember this, when we are lying in a hospital bed, awaiting surgery, or we are going through a financial crisis, or having problems in a relationship. The great God of the universe, will never leave us, or forsake us, but will care for us, in His mighty unique ways.

Moses told the people of Israel, not to dread going into the new land, with a new leader. The God of Israel will take care of you. Will we embrace this confidence today? "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37) GP

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It's Personal

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:12) 

I am preaching on this verse of Scripture this Sunday. To say that the Christian life is a bed of roses is being delusional. The Christian life at times is a hard row to hoe.

The main reason that the Apostle Paul was willing to suffer (for the sake of His calling from the Lord) is that he had a strong personal relationship with the Lord. He knew that Jesus loved him, and that salvation was his, because He placed his faith in the Savior.

Paul knew whom he believed in. He was convinced that Jesus would guard what he entrusted to him (his soul) until the day when he would see Jesus face to face. It was evident that this was personal with Paul, as it should be with us.

It's not enough to just have a knowledge of Christianity. The heart of the matter, is a deep sincere personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowing Him as Savior, Shepherd, and friend. Is that who Jesus is to you today?

It's time to strip away all the religious thinking, and concentrate on the only true priority; and that is a lifetime relationship with the one who loved us, and gave His life up for us! GP

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Are We Ready?

"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:42) 

I don't like being critical, but when I look at our society today, I wonder: If the Lord were to come today, at this very hour, how many people would be prepared for His coming? How many people would have established a life saving relationship with the Lord?

If He would come today, He would find such immorality, such apathy and indifference. In our churches, He would find programs of entertainment, instead of evangelism. If I remember right, in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) you won't find one word mentioning entertainment as being the priority. We are not to go and entertain the nations, we are to "go and make disciples of all the nations." (v.19)

But I need to stop criticizing, and consider myself: Am I ready to meet the Lord when He comes? Am I trying to help as many people as I can, be prepared when the Lord returns? I shouldn't throw bricks, if I am living in a glass house.
I need to be a better example of one who is excited about the Lord's return.

As I wait, I need to live for Jesus, and minister the Gospel, every opportunity that comes my way. I want to be able to answer the question: "Am I ready? And I want to help many others, be able to answer confidently: "Yes, We are ready!" GP

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