Fully Persuaded

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

2 Timothy 1:12, "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am PERSUADED that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day."

Hebrews 11:13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured (PERSUADED) of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

No matter how you look at it, faith is more than just a trust or a belief. Faith, according to the word in the original language means to trust and to be persuaded to trust. Paul spoke of being persuaded about the love of God in Christ along with the faithfulness of God. In other areas he talked about moving people toward persuasion (2 Cor. 5:11 & Rom. 14:5). Are you fully persuaded?

Persuade in the English means to move by argument. What was the argument that persuaded Paul to believe that nothing would separate Him from the love of God? What was the argument that persuaded Abraham (Read Romans 4:21) to believe that what God had promised, He was able to perform? It is the argument of the grace of God!

When you and I come to an understanding of the grace of God, we can be fully persuaded as well. Grace has a powerful argument because grace is a powerful thing. Behind grace is the ability of God. Is there anything that God cannot accomplish? Is there a need in your life that cannot be met by the grace of God? Is there any sin too bad that the grace of God cannot cover? In every instance we should be fully persuaded to shout "NO!".

The argument of grace in our lives should give us the confidence in God to walk in His ways, live in His love, follow His calling, and enjoy His peace. The argument of grace moves beyond my reasoning into His capability. Areas of my life where I am unable, God is still able because my inability is never a hindrance to His ability.

I am fully persuaded...
- That my life can be better than it is today.
- That my faith can be stronger.
- That my righteousness is in Christ.
- That my sins are forgiven.
- That my future is secure.
- That my needs are met according to His riches in glory.
*And the list goes on and on.

What caused me to be persuaded in these areas? I become persuaded to truth and I walk in the truth of God's Word. I confess (come into agreement with) what God's Word says about my life. His Word is truth regardless of how I feel. As I move into agreement, something happens; my heart becomes convinced of God's Word. I am now fully persuaded.

Is there any area of life where you have a hard time believing God? Read what He has to say about it and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you into His truth. Be fully persuaded!

Labor Day Inspiration

Jesus offers rest to those who have labored under the heavy burden of religion. Who doesn't want to enter into rest?

Religion is difficult...even for those who are good at it. Religion requires a great deal of work. With all the sacrifice, traditions, and requirements; it's a wonder that more people haven't abandoned the idea of religion.

The rest that comes from Jesus is a true ceasing from all your labors. This rest is the grace of God in our lives. Only through the grace of God can we be who we are "supposed to be" and accomplish all the things we are "supposed to accomplish." It is the grace of God that declares me righteous in Christ! It is the grace of God that has completely saved me from sin! It is the grace of God that brings rest.

This labor day I want you to enjoy the rest that God offers through faith in Jesus Christ.
Admit to God that you cannot be righteous in your own effort.
Believe that Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead is enough to save you from sin and make you righteous.
Confess that Jesus is Lord in every area of your life. Only through confession can we come into agreement with what God declares to be true.

If you will do this, then you can enter into the rest that Jesus promises.

Just a Thought...

Acts 21:8, "On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him."

Philip the evangelist was originally Philip the deacon...or at least that is the way we would term him today. Originally chosen as one of the seven men who would care for the daily distribution among the saints in Acts 6. These were men of good reputation, fully of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. As you continue to read the book of Acts you will discover that it doesn't take Philip long to progress as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Stephen was another one of those men that was chosen to serve the community of believers. He was also the first person recorded as performing signs and wonders that wasn't listed as an apostle. Although there isn't any biblical record about the other 5, we find that Stephen and Philip we used greatly in the kingdom of God. Stephen became a martyr for the faith while Philip went on to be an evangelist. Both men brought great glory to God.

I'm talking about Philip today because he is a great example of what can happen when we allow the grace of God to have its perfect work in us. Philip could have been content to "serve tables" as the apostles considered it but his faith was one of progression. Don't get me wrong, it's O.K. to serve in a particular area for a number of years as long as God isn't calling you to do something greater. Far too many of us can become content to serve in our little niche - never reaching for more of God's ability. But this isn't the case in Philip's life.

Another interesting aspect of Philip's life is that he had 4 virgin daughters who prophesied. Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, felt that was something we needed to hear. We needed to know that Philip the evangelist was one of the seven and that he had 4 prophesying daughters. Why do you think God in His wisdom wanted to convey this information to us? I believe it's because God wanted us to see the enablement of grace in Philip and his family.

Here's what you need to know: As you allow the grace of God to flow into your life it will affect your family. This is especially important for the men - the spiritual leaders of the home. The Christian family needs men of grace (men of God's ability) who can be equipped and further equip their children.

When you think of an evangelist, what picture enters your mind? I wouldn't be surprised if you have the same picture as the rest of the world. Does the guy in your picture have on a blue leisure suit? A bad comb-over? Is he a larger that life figure with a booming voice and sweat pouring off of him? I was once told that I didn't "look" like a preacher. Although I'm not sure how to take it, I did say "Thanks!" The point I'm wanting to make is that we have in Acts 21 of an evangelist with a family. Here's a man with a home and four daughters. Philip was a man who experienced the grace of God in his own life and his own home.

Next Saturday, PBC will be holding our 3rd annual Ironman Conference. This is an opportunity to equip men in our church and community. The conference will start at 10am - break for lunch - and finish around 3pm. You never know...the next "Philip" may be one of those men who comes to be equipped and then equips their family to serve God as well.

Pray that you have a blessed weekend.

The Form Without the Power

2 Timothy 3:5, "having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"

Paul tells Timothy that perilous times will come. "Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Then he says, "having a form of godliness..." What?

I must say that the last words surprise me. How can we possibly have a form of godliness with all that other junk going on? Here's what I believe: It's all about the form. You can work up a form of godliness by living by the rules. You can establish a form by appearing to obey the "letter of the law". In our flesh (our ability) we can create a form of godliness. However, anytime we do this, we deny the power of God in our lives.

The grace (ability) of God in our lives disregards the form and goes straight to the source. True and genuine godliness is received from God rather than created by us. You can have a form of godliness while living an ungodly life. The emphasis that Paul is driving home is the denial of God's power in the lives of these individuals. They have denied the ability of a risen Savior, an indwelling Holy Spirit, and the ability of grace. They may look and act the part but they are not plugged into the power source.

Take a closer look at this list. If we are plugged into the source of power (the Spirit of God) and being equipped by the grace of God then we will not be unloving. To be unloving would result in us denying the grace of God in our lives. If God is truly at work in us we will not be unforgiving. To be unforgiving would mean that we are actually denying the forgiveness that has been offered to us through Christ. People that are walking in the power and ability of God are not slanderers, they are not haughty, and they actually live in direct contradiction to the list that Paul made concerning those who have a form of godliness.

Paul says "turn away"!

You should turn away from those who deny the grace (ability) of God. You should turn away from those who deny the power (Spirit) of God. You should have nothing to do with a form of godliness that denies the source of godliness. Instead, you should fellowship with those who have found their ability in grace, their power in the Spirit of God, and their praise in the One who redeemed them. Surround yourself with the people of grace and turn away from those who operate in the flesh.

I believe there is a coming revival for those who learn to operate in the grace of God. I think that God is teaching us what faith righteousness is all about. With that being said, the ones who will fight this move of God are those who seek to establish their own righteousness. In their form of godliness we will see the pride, arrogance, and lack of ability. Paul said their folly will be manifest to all. They will always be learning but never coming to the knowledge of truth. Why? Because in their form they are always resisting the truth of God.

The great need of the church in these times is learning how to rest in the grace of God. This happens when we learn to fully receive His grace.

Capturing Hearts Through Worship

One of the Hebrew words for praise is hallal. Hallal means to be clamorously foolish before the Lord. In 2 Samuel 6:21-22 we read about David's worship before the Lord as the ark was entering Jerusalem. Speaking to his wife David said, "I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes." As far as David was concerned, there was no such thing as "foolish" worship.

As my kids were preparing for school this morning, the TV was on Teen Nick. The rule in our house is that the TV doesn't come on unless the kids are fully prepared to walk out the door. In other words, breakfast has to be eaten, backpacks have to be ready, kids are fully dressed, and teeth are brushed. While I don't mind some of the early morning shows on Teen Nick, there are some videos that are played in between shows that normally cause me to turn the channel. Today we had one of those mornings. I don't know the song or the artist that was being played but the lyrics upset me. Teen programming...playing a song that says something about "going all the way tonight" with "no regrets." Is this what we want our teens singing?

Maybe you are facing the same dilemma that I face in the home. I'm raising a 10 yr. old boy and a 12 (almost 13) yr. old girl. While they normally listen to Christian music - much of it their choice - there are times we have to decide if certain secular musicians or songs are acceptable. Because my children are young, there may even be a struggle over listening to the right kind of music. We didn't struggle in our decision this morning. We just turned the channel. Period! No discussion. But what has dominated my thinking is the idea of capturing the hearts of our children for the Lord.

Modern secular music has the sound our kids want to hear, the style that our kids want to have, and all the publicity. I understand this because I am a huge fan of music. There was a time in my life when I could tell you everything you wanted to know about the most popular bands and songs. My kids have this same appreciation and thankfully they have a much stronger moral filter than I had in those days. However, even with a solid foundation and good convictions my children can still be drawn away in this area of music. How can we possibly compete?

Music is often associated with events in our life. There are certain songs that cause memories to flood my mind. What if our children learn to associate Christian music with true and genuine worship? I love the idea that when my kids hear certain songs that they see their mom or dad worshiping God with all their heart. During praise and worship at PBC, we sing a song that says "The whole is filled with your glory..." Our bass player has told me that she cannot play that song without hearing me shout. There is just something about the song and the thought that is conveyed that causes me to "hallal" - be clamorously foolish. When we sing "Days of Elijah" I find myself (at times) jumping up and down singing to the top of my lungs "There's no god like Jehovah!" Some people may think that is foolish or undignified but I'm willing to become even more undignified than this.

I want every parent in the room to pay attention to what I am saying. If we cannot allow ourselves to truly worship God through praise and worship - our kids will follow. But if we don't mind becoming clamorously foolish for the glory of God then our kids won't mind either. We need to understand that worship not only captures the heart of God but it captures the hearts of our children as well. The only way we can hope to see them drawn to music that is edifying is when they see that this music is more than music.

This is actually the problem we face in many churches. Worship becomes more about the style of music rather than the Source of life. Our kids will face the same problem. Is it going to be a choice about style or substance? Are they going to listen to what simply appeals to their ears or something that reminds them of a time that they (or their parents) were swept away by the glory of God?

I'm ready to be clamorously foolish before God!