How Can Christ's birth Change the way you live Today- John 10:9

How can the birth of Christ change the way you live today? The truth is, knowing who Jesus is can mold your character, impact your belief system, and change your lifestyle. More so it will determine your eternal destiny.

To know who Jesus is, we can begin by reading about His birth. Seven hundred years before Christ was born, the prophet Isaiah said that a virgin will give birth to a Son, whose name will be Emmanuel; Isaiah 7:14. Jesus was born of a virgin after being conceived by the Holy Spirit and angels sang to announce His arrival. All of this makes Him very exceptional.

"By Him all things were created." So Jesus did not originate at birth, but was pre-existent with the Father in heaven, and was born into the world He Himself had created.” Colossians 1:16.
One of the best ways to understand someone is to find out what he thinks about himself. Jesus said many things about who He was — He said that He is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16-17), that He and the Father are one (John 10:30), and that the Father is the One who sent Him (John 5:37). He also announced that He did not come to be served, but to serve and that He came to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). He came as a substitute payment in behalf of humanity.

Jesus also said He was the Door to Heaven (John 10:9), and in John 14:6. Jesus is exactly who He says He is. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the Bread of Life. He's the way, the truth, and the very life itself. Because, you see, in order for us to have eternal life, we must receive Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

“Jesus is a good man, a wonderful teacher, an effective preacher, a great healer, philosopher, and humanitarian; Dr. Charles F. Stanley

There is one more aspect to investigate if we really want to know who the man Jesus Christ is. Knowing the truth of who Jesus means you are confronted with a decision; Will you believe the testimony of the Scriptures and receive Him? Or will you turn your back on truth and walk away to face a hopeless eternity? At Christmas time, when you see a manger scene, remember who's lying there. His life, His death, His words about Himself, and His resurrection. Jesus is not just a baby; He is the Son of God, sitting at the Father's right hand, with all the sovereign power of the universe, and with the offer of eternal life to anyone who believes on Him.

Work Cited:

Six Ways Satan Is Steeling Christmas- Ronnie Mitchell, 2007

Who is Jesus- Dr. Charles F. Stanley, 1986

The Bible- NIV Translation

Presenting Christ The Healer in The Hospital

Having been a hospital chaplain for many years now, I've discovered that a hospital is a rigorous school and the many lessons there are to learn.

The most general lesson is what it's like to be weak and vulnerable to sickness, dependent upon others for small and basic needs. We do tend to take our strength, and freedoms granted -until we become incapable of doing basic things for ourselves. Illness involves loss of freedom and privacy.

Not to mention, in hospital time does drag. A few hours looks like eternity. There's the stress and fear of waiting for the results of tests. The magical names-POSITIVE results or and NEGATIVE results are doom. The imagination can run wild. And until we've been diagnosed we can't be treated. Nor can we come to terms with our medical problem until it has been defined.

It is at this period of uncertainty, I have tried to help my patients to place their life in God's hands and accept the outcome of the results. Psalms 46:10 has become my standards of helping patients who are under stress and in limbo of not knowing what the results of their test would turn out to be; “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Saying prayer with patients at this moment can be very difficult. Sometimes I feel guilty about not being able to say the “right words in prayer.”

It is during these moments Romans 8:26 makes sense, “When we can't put our prayers into words the Spirit inspires our groans,”… and knows what they mean. In fact a groan can be far more eloquent than many words.

Most patients don’t cope with illness as well as is expected. At times many are afraid and confused, overwhelmed with questions about suffering, and yet most don’t have the mental strength to attempt to answer them. As a hospital chaplain, I have spent my 12 years of hospital ministry in reading and reflecting on the problem of suffering, thus when I visit my patient I have the sense not to choke the poor patient with theology when what they most need is a friend to be with him, to hold their hand and to pray with them, a friend who knows when to keep silent. All they need is a friend who has all the time for them.  See my article on “Pastoral care to the dying…”

Needless to point out in these article, that I have needed a spiritual jump start from my mentor. He once told me to stop thinking I was “stronger than Christ in Gethsemane,” If Christ could weep, Matthew 27:46, who am I to be ashamed of feeling inadequate and or feeling despair? I had to learn to accept that I was human, and that that meant being empathic, weak and vulnerable.

Like other care providers in hospital, the role of a hospital chaplain is to help patients overcome the indignities of sickness. The nurses and doctors reflect and continue to show Christ's compassion for the sick. In a chaplain like in other caregivers, patient should  met The Healer, Luke 7:1-17  The Good Physician John 5:1-9.

Where Do you Look for Life Answers

Most people think that they can find wisdom or truth from other sources than Scripture. Others think that the Bible is just a book of stories, like any other books. The Bible is truly God’s WORD, we should cherish it, study it, obey it, and fully trust it. To dismiss it is to dismiss God Himself. See 2 Timothy 3:15-17

It is amazing to see and hear how people who claim to be Christians treat the Bible. Believers need to be reading Scripture. If a believer has a question about life, he or she doesn’t need to ask Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers or Magicians. One need to look in the Bible. Because if it’s something one need to know about life, it’s in the WORD of God. Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17

You might have heard people say that the Bible is very difficult to understand. I think this is a false statement.  I also think the majority of confusion in a Christian’s life can be eliminated if one will just make a habit of reading and learning the Word of God. Joshua 1:8

If one has the habit of reading God’s WORD daily, one will know what God says about the future- Jeremiah 29:11. One will know what God says about life right now Ephesians 2:8-9. One will know because everything one needs to know is in the Bible. Isaiah. 55:10-11

It doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is, the Bible is easy to understand. Wait a minute. What if the Bible has not translation in you language and that you are not able to read in other languages? All of the Bibles we have here are translations anyway, so unless you speak Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, you’ll have to read a translation. So you might as well pick one that’s in your language.

When you read the Bible, God gives you light to live by- Psalm 119:105. He gives you truth – John 17:17. He gives you understanding- 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. God grants His light to people who read His word, and it’s not complicated. The truth in the Bible is very simple. Often-times the most profound truths in life are inherently simple. So simple to understand that even a child can grasp the concept. Psalm 119:130

So it doesn’t matter if you have a degree in Divinity or if you’re some indigenous rural person in a village in the most remote part of the world, God’s Word is for you.

Don’t believe the lies our culture tells that Scripture is just a bunch of made up stories about the Israelites, morality, and the like. What is written in the Scripture is alive. You can read the same passage over and over again for a week, and it will mean something different to you every day. As we grow in our walk with God, the Bible broadens and deepens for us. 

And don’t believe it when people tell you that the Bible is hard to understand. Don’t think that only pastors and scholars can make sense of the Bible. Don’t read more into it than you think is there. The Bible is literal. Trying to make a figurative story out of a literal TRUTH is confusing. The bible is the TRUTH WORD of God. 2 Timothy 3:16. Don’t as well believe those who want you to believe that the Bible is a book containing the word of God.

When the Bible says God created the world Genesis 1:1, it means that He created the world. When the Bible says that God destroyed the world with a flood Genesis Chapter 7, it means that He destroyed the world with a flood. When the Bible says that Jonah survived three days and three nights in the belly of a giant fish Jonah 1:17, it means that really happened. It means David really killed Goliath Samuel Chapter 17. It means Elijah really called down fire on Mt. Caramel. 1 Kings 18:38.  It means Jesus really did miracles Mark 1:23-37.

The Bible is easy to understand. It’s just us who make things complicated. And if you’ve had trouble understanding Scripture before, try reading it again. And if you simply can’t understand it, find someone who you know does and ask for help. If one is a mature believer, he/she will be of help to you as both of you dig deeper into .

 

Why I Don't celebrate Halloween

Thursday morning October 31, was just a morning like other mornings with my usual daily routine. I usually wake up at 3 am every morning to do my morning devotions, "Morning Glory," and to plan on the days work. My devotions are not typical of what most of you may think. Morning Glory for me is more a time for meditation and reading the WORD of God in quitness of the morning. During my devotions I go to God with a open heart and mind, not only to talk to him but more so to listen to Him.

It is at this devotion time I come up with a theme for the day, ..start your day with God..." and multiple other inspirational, challenging and faith building themes for throughout the day. This day was unique in that the spirit reminded me that it is Halloween's celebration day. I was not receptive to the fact that I thought about Halloween, leave alone doing anything about it. As a result I screemed, " I DON"T CELBRATE HALLOWEEN." See Ephasians 5:7-12

There are many other Bible verses similar to this, but nothing that specifically warns against observing Halloween. Rather than providing an answer, the purpose of this article is to cause you to ask yourself questions and think about your convictions on this issue. 2 Corinthians 3:10.

As Christians, why are we here in this world? Are we here to live in a safe and protected environment, guarded against the evils in the world, or are we called to reach out into a world filled with dangers and be the light of Christ? Halloween brings people of the world to our door step. Halloween brings our neighbors out into the streets. I can think of various creative ways to seize this opportunity for developing new relationships and sharing my faith.

Is it possible that our negativity toward Halloween only alienates the people we seek to reach? Can we be in the world, but not of the world? Romans 12:2

Considering the pagan celebrations that were once prominent this time of year, it’s understandable why a God-fearing preacher, chaplain and born again christian might be cautious, however today’s traditions are certainly very different from the pagan practices that mark the now so called Halloween. As noted in one of my inspirational posting on social media, Halloween celebrations as  adopted by Pope Boniface IV, was set aside to honor Martyrs and saints, an idea that the church in Rome drived from early Celtic Culture. Today however the imagery, emphasis and symbols used deviate from the original initentions of the celebrations to hold christian church services of prayer, fasting and remember those departed.

Halloween's History

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.

On May 13, 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honor of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III (731–741) later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1. By the 9th century the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands, where it gradually blended with and supplanted the older Celtic rites. In 1000 A.D., the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead.

It is widely believed today that the church was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. All Souls Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils. The All Saints Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.

Credits:

Encyclopedia Britannica- 1920

Wikipidia- Not a reliable source

Catholicism  in Rome, By Bishop of Myan (Main) 1977  

The difference between a pastor and a Chaplain

Pastors and chaplains are similar in many respects. Both provide counseling and spiritual ministry to those in need. However, differences exist between the two callings. Pastors typically are associated with a specific church or parish, while chaplains are generally associated with a specific employer or agency. Chaplain employer may include but not limited to; private sector, cooperate sector, and federal or local governments. The primary differences between pastors and chaplains lie in where, how and to whom they offer spiritual pastoral and counseling care.

The title of pastor is bestowed on religious leaders in protestant churches, for example, but a pastor also may be a rabbi, priest or imam. Pastors focus on ministering to those of their own faith or those who wish to convert. Chaplains may be of any faith and typically do not discuss their personal faiths with those to whom they are ministering unless they are asked. Chaplains don’t proselyte

Although pastors may visit members of their congregation at home, in the hospital or at a nursing home, most activities are church-based. Chaplains perform their duties beyond church walls. Hospital chaplains comfort patients in their rooms or minister to the families of patients. Military chaplains may hold services in chapels while stateside or in tents when deployed to a combat zone. Prison chaplains counsel inmates and staff. Chaplains also act as a liaison between the prison and external churches. See my article on; "A pastoral reminder to spiritual leaders." 

Comparing a pastor and a chaplain involves comparing a religious leader and a spiritual leader. Religious leaders deal with the doctrines, rituals, beliefs and morality specific to their religion. Chaplains respect the right of all people to follow any religion or no religion at all. Rather than focus on religious morality, chaplains deal with the question of ethical behavior. Chaplains may counsel forgiveness as being in the person’s best interests rather than because it is a religious tenet.

Although most countries have constitutions that provides for the freedom of religion, the same also orders the separation of church and state. Chaplains do not violate that separation if the purpose of the chaplaincy is secular, such as crisis intervention, chaplain remains neutral on the subject of specific religions and chaplaincy is open to members of all religious beliefs.

Chaplains are more likely to deal with those in immediate crisis or who have experienced a recent trauma. Many chaplains are trained in crime scene and trauma scene protocols so they can venture into settings that might be off-limits to pastors. Because pastors are paid by their churches, they must satisfy the demands of their congregations; chaplains are employees of a company or agency and must satisfy the demands of their employers, which may include maintaining a low public profile or maintaining a politically correct appearance, sic.

Credits:

Jeffrey Joyner - Demand Media

Association of Professional Chaplains-APC

Texas TMC Chaplain’s Symposium -2011

From Chaplain’s Desk- A pastoral reminder to Spiritual Leaders-

Most hospitals have well-trained chaplains on staff for spiritual care of the patients, family and staff. These chaplains can be valuable allies when spiritual leaders in any community visit sick parishioners in a hospital setting. Over the years in the hospital, I have had pastors call to inquire about parishioners in the hospital and request that I visit them on their behalf.

In hospitals, Chaplains are there to assist and not interfere; therefore, it is important to contact the chaplain during the time a parishioner from your church, Temple, Mosque, is hospitalized. A person's faith and faith community can play a vital role in the recovery process. The Chaplain’s goal is to harness the power of both for healing.

Chaplains recognize that collaboration with community clergy is something important and desirable. They are there as colleagues, not competitors. The hospital chaplain is in a position to visit sick patient during times pastors and other parishioners are unable to be there. In addition, as part of the interdisciplinary team caring for the patients, the chaplain can become an advocate for addressing patient’s needs and also a liaison to both the family and the community clergy. Personally in my capacity as a hospital chaplain I double as a patient relations officer and patient advocate.

Hospital chaplains regularly join clergy in prayer for the sick parishioners, and strive to assist them as best as they can. Visiting clergy may have questions or concerns which a chaplain is often able to address and sometimes rapidly resolve. Chaplains are there to serve, and are always glad to have community clergy contact them and draw upon their expertise for the benefit of sick patient parishioners.

The chaplain serves the hospital staff as well. Everyone from physician to the person cleaning the floors can benefit from chaplains kind words, a smile, or a willingness to really listen. Like pastors in the church, rabbis in a Temple, Imams in Mosques, chaplain will allow God to work in and through them for the benefit of the patient. You may be pleasantly surprised at how many people are touched, blessed, and helped through a simple chaplain’s smile. You will be surprised how staff may confine to the hospital chaplain for spiritual guidance. My advice here is that pastors, Imams, rabbi, and parishioners among other spiritual leaders should encourage those working in hospitals to utilize the services of the chaplain.

As part of their ethical guideline, chaplains are aware that protecting the privacy of patients and the confidential information related to them has always been important.  Chaplains know that patients have the right to release or prohibit the release of information about them. Chaplains respect patient’s decision. Chaplain will not lease patient information on the phone even when the caller is claiming to be the clergy to the patient.

Once again I want to remind all spiritual leaders to encourage their parishioners who are patients in the hospital or employees of the hospital to utilize the services provided by the chaplain.

Faithfulness in worship and true obedience. Psalm 50

Every time I read Psalm 50, I am startled. In this psalm, God recognizes that the Israelites are properly offering the sacrifices God himself requires in the law. Yet he says that he doesn’t need these sacrifices.

What God wants most of all from his people is not proper religious activity, but faithfulness in worship and true obedience.

 “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God” (50:23).

It’s easier to put on a good show of religiosity than to live a life of genuine gratitude and faithfulness to God. Though we Christians aren’t offering literal sacrifices, we often focus on doing all the “right things” that show others what fine Christians we are. Yet, in private, our lives can be far from God’s intentions for us. We can look great on Sunday morning. But how do we look on Monday evening when nobody’s watching, except the Lord?

Nothing in Psalm 50 suggests that we should stop gathering with God’s people for worship or singing the songs or praying (See my previous article of Singing the Psalms) the prayers. But it does challenge us to take a good look at our whole lives.

Are we living each day for God and his purposes? Are we honoring him when we’re alone, in our daydreams, in our finances, in our secret ambitions? What really matters to God is not that we excel in religious activity, but that we offer our whole selves to him in every moment. As Jesus made it clear, our highest calling is to love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves; see Luke 10:27.
When you read Psalm 50, it’s as if you heard God say “Gotcha!” You know how hard you work to look good to others. You can put on a show of your religion. But what about you hidden thoughts? What about your daily living? Do you offer yourself to God fully, and consistently? You know the answer to this question.

May God forgive you, for all the times you live as if He weren’t there or as if He didn’t matter. May God forgive you and I for the shallowness and hypocrisy. May God help us by His Spirit, to live for Him completely, giving Him all that we have. What matters most to Him is all ours; heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we offer our whole self to Him this day and every day ahead.

Are you ever tempted to put on a religious “show” for the sake of others? When? Are you living your life with a consistent awareness of what matters most to God?

Running and Winning the Race- Hebrews 12:1-3

Yes, there will be challenges to your faith; there will be times when you will be tempted to give up your faith and quit being a believer. But what great glory it will bring to God if you keep running the race with the aim of winning! And what a great reward will await you at the finish line, as you finish focusing unto Jesus.

 Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We know from the Word of God that God will meet our needs if we go to Him and ask Him in faith. Yet in this world, we face circumstances that can cause us to stumble in our faith.  There are many problems in the world today that may make us lose the faith we have in God; the poor economy, unemployment situation, world wars, threat of terrorism, and the daily life and family issues we face; such as; divorce, infidelity, luck of finances, illnesses, and death of a loved one, among others can cause us to quit the race. But it is in these difficult times that we must aim at finishing the race of faith we first began.

During such times of difficulties, is the time for us to believe God and trust in His Word more than ever before. The Bible says in First Timothy 6:12 that we are to fight the good fight of faith. These are the times when we must stand our ground and not quit—even if it looks like we’re going downhill with no hope of return. Don’t quit! God will cause us to be victorious if we will believe His Word and not give up.

It’s one thing if you quit a race in the natural. But when we embark upon this spiritual race and we quit in the middle of it, the consequences can be extremely sobering; whether or not we stay in the race could mean life or death.

So stay in the race of faith. Yes, you may fall once or twice, or grow weak and weary in the race of faith. The devil may take you by surprise, but just because you encounter these obstacles, doesn’t mean you quite the whole race. You may come away from that race with a swollen leg and or a sweaty nose, until you learn how to stand on the Word for your victory. But just because the devil gets in a couple of good licks—maybe a right cross and a left hook, and you may be staggering a little or bouncing off the lanes, that doesn’t mean he’s won the race ahead of you.

Response to Faith: Nathaniel under a fig tree ( John 1:35-47)

Jesus’ first disciples were John the Baptist's previous followers. These were Andrew, Peter, Phillip, and Nathanael who was also known as Bartholomew.

In the Gospel according to John 1:47ff, Phillip brought Nathanael to Jesus Christ. In seeking Nathanael, Phillip asserted to him who the Lord was by saying, "We have found Him.., I refer to this as “a friend bringing his friend to Jesus.”

Nathanael's fruity attitude and personality are unveiled in the Gospel of John. Nathanael was later to become one of the Lord's disciples. However, prior to that, he was known for his hesitations and doubts. Originating from Cana of Galilee and with affirmed sorely evident prejudices against Nazareth, a town not far from his own, Nathanael skeptically said Phillip, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

To Nathanael Jesus probably would appear a man no more and no less than a son of a carpenter. If "coming out of Nazareth" formed a mental judgment on Nathaniel’s mind, most probably planted there from previous generations, "coming out of Nazareth." But his good friend Phillip's intention remained unchanged in spite of Nathaniel's skepticism.

Phillip did not preach to Nathaniel a sermon, he did not arguing, neither did he plead with him, but  just a simply versed, unadorned, ineloquent yet forceful, insisting and promising invitation to "come and see". This convinced Nathanael to seek out the Lord Jesus Christ, if not for his own sake at least for Phillip's.

You can imagine how uplifted, enriched and elevated this friendship had become through Phillip's efforts insistence on Nathanael to "come and see" Jesus Christ. Philip's care for his friend had shifted the type of their friendship from being an earthly spiritual friend willing to show him better things in this life.

Nathanael did according to Phillip's request and when the Lord Jesus Christ saw Nathanael coming towards him, Jesus could have justifiably and duly confronted Nathanael about his prejudicial, "can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Jesus simply looked beyond Nathanael's well intentioned, harmless personality traits intuitively knowing of his goodness and his pure heart. see Hebrews 12:25.

Immediately, Jesus recognized in Nathanael the admirable and desirable traits of sincerity and directness with others. "How do You know me?" was Nathanael's question to Jesus to which He replied, "I have seen you under the fig tree."

What is Nathanael doing under the fig tree to make him suddenly accept the invitation from Jesus? Was he in a spiritual struggle; was he in a prayerful contemplation asking God to show him the savior? Or was it the Lord's spiritual complexity, His heart's divinity, or simply His supernatural prior.  Was Nathanael hiding beneath the fig tree?

Reading the entire story of in this chapter, Nathanael was no stranger to the teachings of Jesus. He followed Jesus from a far and listened for hours as Jesus tough. Therefore, it was not a mental effort on the part of Nathanael but probably a heartfelt one that led him to acknowledge the Lord. Nathanael could not easily and readily believe just anyone was the Son of God. Phillip just confirmed to him what he knew.

Henceforth, Nathanael and Phillip's lives took on a new spiritual meaning and complexity and their missionary work as the first disciples of Jesus began.

Conclusion

What lesson do we learn from Nathanael's reluctance to accept Jesus as the Messiah?

We know the Lord Jesus Christ never forgot Nathanael, because in the John 21:2 we are told that Nathanael was among those whom Jesus appeared to at the Sea of Galilee after His Glorious Resurrection. Nathanael remained with the Lord Jesus Christ even to the end. AMEN

We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ may spot us even if it were under the home roofs as he did with Nathanael under a fig tree and that he will ease our life and guide us to fulfill His commandment as his followers.

Prayer

Lord, sanctify our spirits, cleanse our bodies, conduct our thoughts and purify our intentions.

Credits and Work cited

·         Commentary of the Gospel of John- Cooper Abrams

·         St. John’s Gospel - Paul S. Berge

·         Henry Matthews Commentary

·         The Bible- RSV, Kings James, and American Standard.

Strength from God during Challenging Times.Psalm 68:35: SIFA CHURCH

God wants to strengthen you. The purpose of God is to make you stronger each day you choose to walk with Him. This is a message on how you can truly live in God’s strength. God wants you to have a deep assurance that His plan is to strengthen you, no matter what the circumstances.

In these days it is a great secret to know the strength of the Lord. This strength comes to those who desire to follow after Christ. This makes it so important to walk in faith, and forsake the things that would block God's presence in your life. By confessing and turning away from any sin, the door opens for God's cleansing grace to wash through you, restoring the strength of God in your life.

Strength from the Lord. “How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee." Psalm 84:5.

 Strength is power for living, is needed by everyone in these challenging times. And God wants to give you His strength, in an abundant supply. Please note that God's ways are higher than man's ways, and God's thoughts are higher than man's thoughts according to Isaiah 55:8&9).

This is without a doubt true, when it comes to the strength of the Lord. God's ways of strengthening you are different than man's ways. God's purpose is to make you strong. The bible says the; "He is the One who gives power and strength to his people." (Psalm 68:35). God's purpose is to strengthen you, and to give you power in His ways.

The bible has commanded us, "Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might!" (Ephesians 6:10). God wants you to be strong. Strong in Him, strong in love, strong because you are filled with the Holy Spirit. You must have an unshakable confidence, that God's purpose is to make you strong in Him. When you face situations which you don't understand, or when you encounter obstacles, difficulties, or painful situations which you were not expecting, it is easy for you to lose sight of God's purposes. God's thoughts are not like our thoughts. Our thoughts can become thoughts of fear or discouragement, anger or frustration.

Thoughts like: "I'll never be able to get through this," or, "God must be punishing me for something I've done," or, "The Lord is against me," can become a part of our thinking. But God's thought is to make you strong! His will is to make you stronger, not to tear you down. You must become strong in the ways of the Lord. "The way of the Lord is strength to the upright."Prov.10:29.

Seven pointers on receiving assurance of God’s strength.

1. WAIT ON THE LORD. Isaiah 40:31, You need to spend time waiting before the Lord, thanking Him and honoring Him, and placing your situations in His hands; you need to spend significant, quality time with Him. The Spirit will surely come like the wind, to strengthen you.

 2. CALL ON THE LORD, in earnest and believing prayer: Psalm 138:3

 3. BELIEVE that it is undoubtedly God's purpose to impart strength to you, and to make you strong, no matter what the situation may look like. God's promises are clear, that the will of the Lord is to strengthen you Psalm 105:4, Isaiah 30:15.

 4. You must TURN FROM SIN, to be strengthened by the Lord. Sin is what can make you weak. The Psalmist said, "My strength has failed because of my iniquity." Psalm 31:10 NASB. You must turn from sin, and receive cleansing and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. God will help you to make a fresh start, and to leave the past behind.

5.DRAW NEAR TO THE LORD. It is the Lord Himself who is your strength. Drawing near to Him insures that His strength will dwell in you, because His presence will be near you and in you.

6.BE OF GOOD COURAGE. The Word of God says, "Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart." (Ps.27:14 KJV). If you have courage, God is able to strengthen you. You must have courage and faith when you draw near to God, knowing that it is His will to strengthen you, and to clear a path for you

7.The WORD OF GOD strengthens your faith, and builds you up. The Word of God can be relied upon, with confidence. "Strengthen me, according to Thy Word." Psalm 119:28. Meditate on, and rely upon, the Word of God. Saturate your mind and your spirit with the Word, and the promises of the Word, for your strengthening.

Conclusion

As you do these things, God will impart His strength on you. You will be strengthened to walk in victory, and walk in faith. God will show himself strong on your behalf.

Being strong as a follower of Christ does not mean pushing other people around, dominating other people, or being otherwise obnoxious. Strength from the Lord makes you strong enough to love people, strong enough to be gentle with difficult people, strong enough to do the right things at the right times, with the peace of God in your heart. It is awesome, to have the strength of His love! We must remember that the strength of love is the opposite of the strength of selfishness.

At times God's people can begin to drift, and begin to think along on their own strength. We can gradually begin to do things in our own strength, and not even realize that we are no longer walking in the strength of the Lord. That is why we must seek fresh strength from the Lord day by day and week by week.

We must seek fresh strength in prayer, the Word, and waiting upon the Lord. God's purpose is that we help others to find that same strength. When brothers or sisters in Christ, or others we love are passing through a difficult time, they need someone who can help them find strength from the Lord.

We are to pray for one another, and bear one another's burdens. Then God will use us as His instruments, to bring His strength to those who need it.

RefreshmentFor the Soul Gives Caregivers Some “ME...

 Refreshment For the Soul Gives Caregivers Some “ME TIME” Care givers at my work place, enjoyed a time of stillness on August 7 &amp...

Our Relationship with God- Mark 5:26ff

One of the reasons people tend to see faith as aOne of the reasons people tend to see faith as a religion about God instead of a relationship with God is the sense that they are not worthy of the attention of an Almighty God. 

A few months ago I had and encounter with a patient who pointed out that her problems (Sickness) are too small for God to care about. She was wondering why would God care about her while there are much more bigger problems in the world for God to look after.  How can one so great care for one so small.

Have you ever felt that sense of insignificance?  There have been times when I've gazed into the incredible expanse of the setting sun on the horizon, the stars in the sky, the large water masses of the seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers, and felt even so small and insignificant.  Even our planet is hardly a speck of dust in the bigger universe.

And yet, God is attentive to the heartache and suffering of all persons, no matter how insignificant they may seem to the world around them.

Religion can get in the way of a relationship with God.  Faith is not about rules, regulations and religion. It is about we human beings reaching out to a God who reaches out to us through Jesus Christ who reaches into the pain and anguish of our living. As a hospital chaplain I have seen so much pain, anguish, death and all in people who I believe if God never cared, none would make it from the hospital.

The good news for the people in our scripture lesson is that the barriers of health, pain, and death all fall away under the throne of God.

The woman with the flow of blood for 12 years mentioned in Mark 5:25ff, for Jairus and for the little girl who was restored to life as recorded in Luke 8:41-4 - the greatness of God and the good news of Jesus Christ eliminate all obstacles to health and life.

Shouldn’t we be grateful that Christ cares more about our wholeness and our living than he does about our religions, denominations and religious convention?

When we are in anguish and wish for the presence of Christ, we do not need to worry that we are sinners (Romans 3: 23) or that some folks would consider us to be unacceptable. Jesus cared for a woman who was a social reject and for a little girl that was not among the children of his followers. The woman was un-touchable and a little girl about to be forgotten.  How can one so Great Care for one so small?

Material Things Does not Buy a Ticket to Heaven

My first funeral to perform was in my early days in the ministry of a young but well to do man in the community. Because of his status and wealth, he had accumulated during the 45 years he lived it seems that everyone has something to say about his death.During the funeral service, there were many thoughtful eulogies that highlight his incredible life of success; stories that give in details how his passing was unfortunate and yet he and the living could not do anything to stop it; it was not under anyone’s control.
As interesting as many of those stories were, the real story that needed to be told at this point in time, is the story of how each one of us living will stand before God and gave a final account of our life; the story of how no amount of wealth and power could stop that inevitable journey that we will all make someday - Amen.

The deceased young man did indeed have a profound impact on his community, and many of those stories were certainly worth telling, but when someone with lots of wealth and influence passes away, may are the questions that go through our minds unanswered. Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. Psalm 144:4

Our lives rush by quickly, and regardless of the level of our material achievements during life on earth, death washes it all away and becomes the great equalizer.  Beyond the grave, there are no wealthy people, no celebrities, no social elite, no CEOs- God equalizes them all Matthew 5:3

In the world we live in today, we have a tendency to judge people based on their accomplishments and material success.  However, on the other hand God judges all of us equally according to his perfect standards, and we all equally fail to meet those standards.  It is only by trusting in Christ that we are made acceptable in God’s eyes Matthew 19:24

For the young man in question, with his earthly wealth and influence, he will judged in the same manner and by the same standards as the poorest of those that may have died on the same day. While I acknowledge that all of those stories about his life’s accomplishments were with good wish, let’s not forget that he had a soul, a soul whose eternal fate, good or bad, was taken away just like any other soul will, Job 1:21.

This should be a source of serious contemplation for all of us.  His death should be a sober reminder of how quickly this life goes by.  It should also remind us that we need to store up our treasures in heaven, not on earth, and that ultimately the only thing that truly matters is our relationship with God.

As the officiating pastor during this rich young man’s funeral, I did appreciate many of the incredible stories of his accomplished that were shared, but it’s all meaningless if “he gains the world, but loses his soul,” Matthew 16:26. Yet, I used the moments as a teachable moment to give many among the congregation an opportunity to search their souls and have them put there faith in Christ and not in wealth, accomplishments, firm or any material things of this world.

A New Heart, and a New Spirit- Ezekiel 36: 26, 27....

In the words of Ezekiel we find, in the one promise, this twofold blessing God bestows through His Spirit very strikingly set forth. The first is, 'I will put within you a new spirit,' that is, man's own spirit is to be renewed and quickened by the work of God's Spirit. When this has been done, then there is the second blessing, ' I will put my Spirit within you,' to dwell in that new spirit, Where God is to dwell, He must have a habitation. With Adam He had to create a body before He could breathe the spirit of life into him. In Israel the tabernacle and the temple had to be built and completed before God could come down and take possession. And just so a new heart is given, and a new spirit put within us, as the indispensable condition of God's own Spirit being given to dwell within us. 

The difference is the same we find in David's prayer. First, 'Create in me a clean heart, 0 God ! and renew a right spirit within me;' then, 'Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.' Or what is indicated in the words, 'That which is born of the spirit is spirit :' there is the Divine Spirit begetting, and the new spirit begotten by Him. So the two are also distinguished, 'God's Spirit beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God! Our spirit is the renewed regenerate spirit; dwelling in this, and yet to be distinguished from it, is God's Holy Spirit, witnessing in, with, and through it.' 

The importance of recognising this distinction can easily be perceived. We shall then be able to understand the true relation between regeneration and the indwelling of the Spirit. The former is that work of the Holy Spirit, by which He convinces us of sin, leads to repentance and faith in Christ, and imparts a new nature. Through the Spirit God thus fulfils the promise, ''I will put a new spirit within you.' The believer is now a child of God, a temple ready for the Spirit to dwellin. Where faith claims it, the second half of the promise is fulfilled as surely as the first. As long now as the believer only looks at regeneration, and the renewal wrought in his spirit, he will not come to the life of joy and strength which is meant for him. But when he accepts God's promise that there is something better than even the new nature, than the inner temple, that there is the Spirit of the Father and the Son to dwell within him, there opens up a wonderful prospect of holiness and blessedness. It becomes his one great desire to know this Holy Spirit aright, how He works and what He asks, to know how he may to the full experience His indwelling, and that revelation of the Son of God within us which it is His work to bestow. 

The question will be asked, How these two parts of the Divine promise are fulfilled ? simultaneously or successively ? The answer is very simple: From God's side the twofold gift is simultaneous. The Spirit is not divided: in giving the Spirit, God gives Himself and all He is. So it was on the day of Pentecost. The three thousand received the new spirit, with repentance and faith, and then, when they had been baptized, the Indwelling Spirit, as God's seal to their faith, on one day. Through the word of disciples, the Spirit, which had come upon them, wrought mightily on the multitude, changing disposition and heart and spirit. 

When, in the power of this new spirit working in them, they had believed and confessed, they received the baptism of Holy Spirit to abide in them. And so still in times when the Spirit of God moves mightily, and the Church is living in the power of the Spirit, the children which are begotten of her receive from the first beginnings of their Christian life the distinct conscious sealing and indwelling of the Spirit. And yet we have indications in Scripture that there may be circumstances, dependent either on the enduement of the preacher or the faith of the bears in which the two halves of the promise are not so closely linked. So it was with the believers in Samaria converted under Philip's preaching; and so too with the converts Paul met at Ephesus. In their case was repeated the experience of the apostles themselves.

We regard them as regenerate men before our Lord's death ; it was only at Pentecost that the promise was fulfilled, 'He shall be in you!' What was seen in them, just as in the Old and New Testaments,-the grace of the Spirit divided into two separate manifestations,-may still take place in our day. When, the standard of spiritual life in a Church is sickly and low, when neither in the preaching of the word nor in the testimony of believers, the glorious truth of an Indwelling Spirit is distinctly proclaimed, we must not wonder if, even where God gives His Spirit, He be known and experienced only as the Spirit of regeneration. 

His Indwelling Presence will remain a mystery. In the gift of God, the Spirit of Christ in all His fulness is bestowed once for all as an Indwelling Spirit; but He is received and possessed only as far as the faith of the believer reaches.