First Things First

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17

After Jesus's resurrection His hopeful disciples asked, “Lord, are You now going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”(Acts 1:6). The Jews were looking for a messiah that would establish a kingdom of might, power and influence. Their priorities were not yet set on God's priorities, that sin must first be dealt with before power could ever be established.

Scripture teaches that it was God's plan before the creation of the world to deal with sin (1^st Peter 1:19, Revelation 13:8). After Adam and Eve, as the federal heads of humanity, brought sin to our race, the LORD pronounced the remedy to restore us from our fallen state back into fellowship with Himself (Genesis 3:15). He said to the serpent (Satan) that the offspring of Adam and Eve would bruise his head but he would bruise the man's heal, referencing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and crushing the head of Satan, defeating the power of sin.

Jesus became the perfect sacrifice that can turn away God's wrath from any person lost in their trespasses and sins. Anyone who believes in His atoning work on the cross will have every sin forgiven. This was God's priority, declared through the Law and the Prophets, accomplished through His Son. God's intent was not first power, but pardon. Jesus said to seek His kingdom first and His righteousness and the rest will be added (Matthew 6:33).

There are some 300 prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures many of which speak of a suffering Messiah who offers redemption. Jesus fully met all of these, showing Him to be the only One who can save us all from our sins.

He came first as a servant but will return as the long expected King to sit upon the throne of His ancestor David in all glory, power and authority. Sin and death will be vanquished and righteousness established forever. The order of God's priorities. Not power but pardon. First things first.

Ken

Foreign Hearts

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:17-18

I was once asked by my pastor to create a 'helps ministry' for our fellowship. One part of this ministry he asked of me was to assist him in doing hospital visitation to our congregants, allowing him more time for study and sermon preparation (Acts 6:3-4). Every one I visited all said, “Where's the pastor? Isn't he coming to see me? What are you doing here?” Frankly, I found such ingratitude surprising, and disappointing.

It has been my observation that people who show gratitude seem happier than those who do not. Some of the symptoms of ingratitude are anger, resentment, a critical spirit, envy, and inconsideration. Evidences of gratitude are alertness, enthusiasm, lower levels of depression, determination, attentiveness, energy, and sleep continuity.

A case in point is the story of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed. Only one had enough godly gratitude to return and thank Him for His gracious kindness. That man was from a class of people living in Israel, despised by the Jews, and divided by ethnic and racial barriers; a Samaritan. He fell down at the feet of Jesus and gave thanks to Him. Jesus was not being harsh with the man calling him a “foreigner.” He was making a point to the Jews with Him not to enslave themselves to legalistic prejudice for God can work in any heart of gratitude.

The Psalmist was consistent in his thanksgiving and gratitude to God. Is it any wonder then that at this time Israel achieved its high point in history? It's a matter of heart. Having a heart foreign to gratitude is contrary to the heart of perhaps a foreigner who is praiseworthy and thankful. Think of what you do have in your life that can be considered a blessing, no matter how insignificant you believe it to be, and thank God for it. It can become a heartfelt habit.

Don't allow ingratitude to become something foreign to you. After all, as believers passing through this life we're foreigners ourselves. Be a foreigner with a heart toward appreciativeness and grace. Foster an attitude of gratitude. It pleases our LORD and can encourage others while bringing joy and an outlook of contentment.

Ken

That Pesky Last Nerve

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2^nd Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version)

I cut my teeth on the 1611 King James Bible. For me, while newer translations can put the Word into ideas more readily understandable, there is a real loss of richness in the style, words, and descriptions of the KJV. I have been disappointed to find many English Bible versions translate the word 'sound mind' as 'self-control' or 'self-discipline.' The word in the Greek Paul uses here is sophronimos. It means sober discretion, prudence, good perspective, not given to flights of fancy. Many Bible translators found Paul's meaning to be 'sound mind.'

I have always loved that KJV translation of this verse because I found that anxieties, fears of the unforeseen, along with sinful thoughts of all kinds, left me with a mind in turmoil. I believe most of us can relate. We all need a little more sound mind.

Right now the world is laboring under the deadly threat of the Corona Virus or Covid-19. This serious disease has caused great suffering around the globe, but the media's mantra is 'If it bleeds, it leads' and pours out daily unsubstantiated information just to be the first to 'break it.' These actions prey on the public's fears, fueling anxieties and stresses. One needs a sound mind to cope with it.

In so much chaos is God there? Is He working in all this? The great twentieth century Christian theologian and apologist, A.W. Tozer, wrote, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”

Having a sound mind requires a thought process based on the inner working of the Holy Spirit. A sound mind stabilizes our inner and outer worlds. But it is more than just what we think. It defines us and reveals who we are. No thing, disease or otherwise, can stand before our God's will and power. As He works He will keep us through the storm, granting us peace and rest in a sound mind. What more could we ask or think? Take heart. To the glory of God this too shall pass and He will prevail. He offers you a sound mind through it all, relaxing the nerves, even down to that pesky last one.

Ken

The Son Has Risen!

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:5,6 (ESV)

Easter is upon us once again, the day the church has chosen to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

When most of us speak of Christ's resurrection it is with a view to the change we will experience when we meet Him in the clouds (1^st Thessalonians 4:17). But the historical event of the eye-witnessed bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead is the hub around which our Christian faith revolves. Without it our belief is futile and we should be pitied (1^st Corinthians 15:17-19).

Did you know there are 103 times in the Bible where God the Father, and God the Son tell us not to be afraid? Matthew tells us at the resurrection there was an earthquake and the appearance of heavenly beings announcing the event. The men guarding the tomb were so frightened they fell down 'as dead men' (28:4). People are still afraid of Him today. Maybe not falling down as dead men, but to the point they refuse to investigate the evidence of those who were there and wrote their accounts. Some might be afraid of negative peer pressure, of being ostracized by friends and family, physical harm, or having their unrighteous lifestyles cramped.

Today all the claimed burial sites of the historic figures of the Bible are empty, if they can even be found, and some will say “So what?”. But there is one that yet remains an empty evidence, its existence hovers at the back of the mind an ever distant perplexity that there might be something to it.

If God's word is true, and it's proved itself to be so many times over, then that nagging little voice may be telling you something you need to hear. An empty tomb or an empty heart that refuses to stay filled? If you've been whistling in the dark concerning Christ I'm here to tell you there's good news. The Son has risen. Take another look. The tomb stands empty in the Light. He is alive. All you need to do is accept Him and believe He is God's supreme sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins. That is the good news of the gospel in an empty tomb. He is not there for He has risen indeed.

Ken

Beautiful Secrets

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1^st Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)

Brass ceilings. I'm sure every believer reading this has at one time or another felt like their prayers went no higher than a brass ceiling. We've all struggled with prayer, unsure if God was even listening, let alone willing to answer. That may be your struggle right now.

Jesus taught God knows our needs even before we pray (Matthew 6:8). It isn't that He's refusing to answer us, it's that He moves in His own timing so when the answer arrives it may be perfect for us.

When we groan in our spirits in prayer, the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself, as fully God and fully man, groans for us, interceding on our behalf. (Romans 8:26-27, 8:34). What better intercessor could we have than a Divine Human Brother who lived and suffered a life of earthly adversity and sacrifice just as we do? What they hear from you are beautiful secrets. Secrets the Spirit knows and brings to God with instant intensity.

Jesus said God sees us as having more value than the sparrows He feeds, or the grass that is here today and in the fire tomorrow (Matthew 10:31, 6:30). Jesus ends by saying to make seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness your priority, then all these other things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

Who can know their thoughts except it be the spirit of that man or woman? Likewise, Who can know our needs and relay them to the Mind of God except the Mind of God?

No matter how it seems, your prayers still come up to the God of heaven known only to your mind and His. Sparrows or you? As much as He loves His creation Jesus says the greater value lies with you and your beautiful secrets. The Spirit knows every one of them and sees in them the greatest value, presenting them to the Father mind to mind.

Ken

Good Since 1956

You are My friends if you do what I command you (Jesus speaking). John 15:14

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since I was six years old. My parents made sure church was an integral part of the lives of my brother and I as we grew up. I'm happy they did for it was an experience that shaped us both for the better. One memory that has stuck with me for nearly 65 years is Brother Ray Peterson. He was our worship leader. Even though I was six, I still recall his favorite Hymn was “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis. He led us in that song every Sunday night.

Those words have never left me. The message in the refrain has remained before my mind's eye on the smiling lips of Brother Peterson as he sang;  "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey."

Through life's struggles they have been an anchor of hope for me. Trusting in the Lord always brings hope. Obeying is the action the LORD desires above all else (1^st Samuel 15:22). Obedience alleviates guilt and shame Satan uses to hammer us into discouragement and despair. There was a time in my own life when I endured my greatest crisis, and my trust was tested nearly to the breaking point. In life or perhaps death I was not sure, but I trusted He would never abandon me in either circumstance as I chose to remain obedient to His calling. The blessings of obedience brings relationship with Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, and glory to God the Father.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus. Brother Ray Peterson is with his LORD now but we will be together one bright day when the redeemed of Christ stand together (Revelation 7:9). If he's still singing that lovely song as a memorial to his salvation, I'll gladly join him. Trusting and obeying has always worked for me. It's been good for me since 1956.

Ken

Righteousness Exalting

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

 It has been said 'Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right.' I believe that most Americans are aware of the fact the America set forth by our Founders in our Constitution and Bill of Rights is currently existing on life support. America was founded on Judeo-Christian principles that shaped Western Civilization for the good. But it has come under disdain and attack by those doing their best to destroy it. Much of America's value is the belief and practice of our Providential rights, to govern ourselves as one nation under God.

Our Judeo-Christian beliefs have brought marvelous good to ourselves and the world, among them protection and liberation from tyranny, hospitals, along with superior medical care, education, technology and the sciences, freedom and free markets, health through better sanitation, protection by a strong military, and many other benefits. Slavery was opposed and ended by men and women of authentic Christian faith and courage. Thousands died, mostly white males, to achieve that ambition, surrendering any 'white privilege' they may have had to the grave. But it seems that ideal has run off the road of righteousness into a ditch of disbelief.

I grew up in an America that may not have been totally blameless in the righteous sense but the culture still strove to practice the concept. We were by no means perfect, but there were within society a conscientious and ethical esteem, that honored God and righteousness. These virtues were right-minded, respectful, and praiseworthy, affecting us both individually and society as a whole.

Righteousness exalts families, marriages, relationships, education, the economy, and the arts. It exalts the culture and heritage of a nation. How can we achieve righteousness? It can only come through Christ. He changes us when we surrender to Him and put our trust in His hands (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we do, righteouness naturally follows. 

God said to Israel if My people repent, humble themselves and seek My face I will forgive their sin and heal their land (2^nd Chronicles 7:14). This promise was given to Israel but it is for any nation that truly repents of its sins. Righteousness is America's greatest need right now. Let's get back on that road. We need God's forgiveness and renewal. Righteousness is doing what is right. Let us do what is right in God's sight according to His Word in the Holy Bible. When we do He will hear and He will heal.

Ken