Beggars before the House of Bread

Micah Chapter 6

"Oh My people, what have I done you? And how have I wearied you?" (3)

Reading this just tears me up inside, all the grief and sorrow we endure, whether as Christians or otherwise, was never God's intention. God put us in a world where "the nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole...they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain." (Isaiah 11:8-9).
This world is the consequence of sin, but in a time when every shameful desire of our flesh is glorified, it is very easy to forget how filthy our souls would be without the blood of Christ by which "old things pass away." (2 Corinthians 5:17).

"With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" (6-7)

How completely different my carnal mind is from God! As if anything we can give God, or any amount of suffering would please Him! It's like we are trying to buy an island with pennies! God isn't keeping score with us, it's a battle we can never win. What does God really want?....

"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the Lord your God?" (8)

This is the heart of worship. I need to keep trusting, instead of just trying. In the name of Yeshua, I pray this congregation clings to the love of Christ alone, with hearts overflowing with a desire to preach the good news. There is an expression that we are just "one beggar leading another to where the bread is", and that sums it up beautifully. We are all so weak in our common need for God's every mercy, and I wouldn't want it any other way. ;) Keep praying and spreading the Word, it is never in vain!

Salvation is of the Lord

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." (I Peter 1:23)

It's funny, but when I think about the effect of wickedness, this is the picture that comes to mind. While it is strange to think about something most of us have heard associated with communism applied to corruption in this world, it is true when you think about it. Just like a 'little white lie' blows up into something far more malicious, sins start as something small. This is why Jesus tells us that even thinking about adultery is like actually committing it. It starts with something as simple as a thought that you think no one knows about, and then goes onto doing something secret, until something really bad has taken place (murder, adultery, pedophelia, you name it). We continue to climb fences away from our good shepherd Jesus, convinced that we are able to handle the wolves outside of them. Thankfully, Jesus is everywhere we go, and we can "come boldly to the throne of grace to find help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

I need to be closer to God in seeing how his wrath and Justice are as Perfect as His love. All the people that don't believe that hell exists have lost sight of how heaven could still remain if God lowered his standards. We all know that bad apples can ruing the whole bunch, and sin works in the same way. If God allowed sinners into His kingdom, then angels could become corrupted, and forgive me if this comes across as blasphemous (I am not trying to make this biblical, it's only conjecture!), but also have the potential to corrupt God. Fortunately He would never allow such a thing, which is why He is the true meaning of justice. Before I try and go off in some other tangent, my point is simple: we should relish the boundaries that God has given us, because corruption is everywhere in this place and we were not designed to handle it. The most sickening, dreadful, and unbearable thought is if Jesus crossed a single one of those fences and gave in to the enemy. Our salvation would be non-existent and all our hope crumpled into ash. Samson thought he had the power to overcome anything, and his 'boundary-crossing' led to his death. For the sake of God's incorruptibility, and the sake of our salvation, let us be humble in our restrictions, and trust that God has put up fences for our own good.

Our strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

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

Now that we are solid in the third week of class, I want to make sure I don't forget that I want this semester to be set apart from the others. Rather than let myself be overcome with stress and anxiety, leaving my concerns at the feet of Jesus is my primary goal. This is key if I want my relationship with Christ to not be a self-centered one. That is what our enemy does, he gets us so caught up in ourselves, in what we have or haven't done, that we begin to think we are the only one with this problem. As the author of Hebrews tells us, Jesus gave His life because He was so joyful in being at the right hand of the throne of His father, with us next to Him. I think a lot of times we become discouraged because our will is still not in submission with God's. This is not something that is easy, so don't think I am pointing the finger at anyone!

When the joy of the Lord is our strength however, our whole perspective changes. What was once a menial task can become a chance to give glory to God. I know in my years of working at dining courts, shelving books at the library, working at my dad's restaurant, and doing grueling and filthy jobs like ripping cockroach-infested carpets out, looking to God has helped prevent me from feeling low many times. Part of my original intention in coming to Indiana was my hope that my character would change for the better, and I would be more outgoing, joyful, and optimistic. While that may be so in some ways, I had to learn the hard way that going someplace new just brings all your baggage along for the ride. Which is why it is so important to not make our praise to God a conditional affair; if we are not joyful in our spirits now, we never will be, apart from the joy of the Lord imparted to us. It is my longing for all of us that our hearts are so filled with Jesus that there will be no room for discontent. Remember, worrying does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow-it empties today of its strength!

5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. 5:14 Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint 15 him with oil in the name of the Lord. 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 5:16 So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) availeth much. 17 5:17 Elijah was a human being 18 like us, and he prayed earnestly 19 that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! 5:18 Then 20 he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest. (James 5:13-20).

What is most significant about this passage to me is in verse 16: we must have 'effective, fervent prayer' in order for God to answer us. While it is true that Jesus says 'Ask anything in My name and I shall give it', if we are not born again, or "clothed in the righteousness of Christ" (Romans 5:17), then we are essentially blaspheming the name of Jesus, which of course is fruitless. It is only effective and righteous if we have accepted Christ as our savior. Even those of us who are saved, when our prayers are coming from a place of pride or waywardness, then they will not prosper. David tells us "If I regard iniquity in my heart, then the Lord will not hear" (Psalm 66:18).

But here is the most encouraging part: we are told "...prayer of A righteous man (or woman) availeth much"! We do not need to be discouraged because others around us don't see eye to eye, but look to Jesus alone for our source of righteousness. His love is so strong for us that He regards every single one of our prayers when they are molded after His will. And this is not because God is so high and mighty, but because if we are going about things in the wrong way, wouldn't God just be encouraging this if he allowed it to be fruitful? So let us keep praying, I can feel that there is revival taking place, and God is just aching to give us more. In Jesus name, selah.

He will be called Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Isaiah chapter 9

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (2)

Even in the midst of Israel's (and our) darkest days, God has still not abandoned us. When we say 'show me Jesus' we are asking to be blinded by the light. Little can prepare us for the absolute glory of His presence, for there is nothing in this world to compare it to!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder." (6)

This is how every nation should be run; submitting themselves to the glory of our King, for we should "kiss the Son, lest He be angry" (Psalms 2:11). How many leaders or rulers glorify God in this day and age, let alone come with the mentality that they should be like children, in awe of the Father who leads them every step of the way. I cannot think of one, and Obama is not even close in my book.

"The elder and the honorable, he is the head; the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail; For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed." (15-16).

I can't help but feel this is a prophetic statement to America. I'm sorry to say, but I believe Obama is a wicked man, and Americans will be severely punished for believing so callously in him. Have we forgotten that Jesus said, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)? So many believe that Obama is our hope, or that he somehow parallels MLK jr. As it is now, he has already overturned a ban on funding for abortions, is continuing a Pakistan strike policy, and there has also been issues with coverage with non-white house related press http://www.infowars.com/?p=7296 .
This is not bringing us closer to peace, but driving us from it. We should continue to pray earnestly though, for the prayers of the righteous availeth much.

"For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." (22)

Despite the evils Israel, America, and well, every other nation have committed, God has not turned from us. Although he punishes the sins of the Fathers to the third and fourth generation, He will not stop being merciful and gracious, slow to wrath, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth! It is my prayer that we not approach God with our own reasoning, but ask for His sight, that we may see how tragic it must be for Him to give everything to us and we ignore Him and run foolishly in the opposite direction. Joe's sermon today was truly powerful, and let that not cease to be our plea before our heavenly father: 'Show me Jesus!'

Do not remember the sins of my youth

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26).

This has always been one of my favorite verses, for two reasons:
1-I have always felt that I am so distant from people, even some family and friends (which really comes down to a self-centered self-esteem, which needs to be more christ-centered!). This reminds me that God is promising to unify us and take away any feelings of loneliness and insufficiency. And he has; Jesus took away the separation between jews and gentiles, the poor and the rich, the educated and the non-educated. Part of the reason I felt so welcomed at Cornerstone was because I really believe that Christ unifies all of us, regardless of what our backgrounds are. It is my prayer that we don't forget that, and keep our hearts open to brothers and sisters in need.

2-I used to always have such anger and hatred towards some people, and looking back I can't help but be disgusted by how I used to think. Even now I feel at times there is poison in my heart, and I long for God to remove it. I know that the more humble I become, the less room for anger and jealousy there is. However, I don't have the sheer hatred towards people or all consuming jealousy that I once had, and that is something I never want to forget, or take for granted. We need Jesus to consume every shadow in our heart, so darkness has no place left to reside!

Beware lest any man deceive you, after the traditions of men

Today I am having a rather difficult time adjusting to this new president thing, I just can't get over this feeling that if Obama was really about change, he would have said no to the over-the-top pretentious act that was yesterdays inauguration. It felt like a $150 million honey glazed black hole, with the procession leading us to our figurative destruction. I know that this is not the frame of mind God wants us to have, as Jesus tells us not to worry, for the "end is not by and by", but prayer is needed now more than ever. I'm reminded now why a lot of end time prophecies make many a horror movie or literary series, but rarely lead to salvation. We become so consumed by the terror of it all that we forget the light at the end of the tunnel. I forget who it was who said "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing", but as Christians we should take it to heart. When we are supposed to set the standard for righteousness through Christ Jesus, and do not, then our fate can hardly be argued (but still prayed for!).

For our bible study book this semester, Angeline, Aaron and myself picked out "Discovering your Identity; Find Yourself fully in Christ" by Charles Stanley. He is a southern pastor whose sermons I've always been touched by, and this is just the kind of book I had in mind. One which will hopefully develop the foundation in Christ that each one of our members needs or needs more of, while still giving us individual direction.

"...whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, 20:27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave 38 – 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom 39 for many.” (Matthew 20)

This verse sets up a major difference between us and Jesus; while we are so small in our power and abilities we think big, while Jesus, in his infinite wisdom and power, thinks small; namely one heart at a time. This world is always telling us "getting everything you can to find out who you are", while Jesus wants us to give up everything to find our very soul. While our ears may prick up at the use of the word "slave", we are so blind to the fact that we are already slaves to the very things in this world that fade away. Shouldn't we instead be yoked to that which is eternally good for us?

He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwells in me and I in him...

Communion part II!:

In communion according to the Talmud (the Jewish old testament), the wine which was given to represent passover was to be mixed with water to prevent it from being too strong for the children. It was known as "the pure blood of the grape". In John 19:34, we find that blood and water came from Jesus' side when he was pierced! Similarly, at the Last Supper Jesus holds up the cup and calls it the "fruit of the vine"(Matthew 26:29). Since Jesus, was conceived through the Holy Spirit, his blood did not come from his earthly parents, but our God in heaven! Thus, His blood is the "pure blood of the grape", untainted by sin.
When Adam was expelled from the garden of good and evil, he was burdened with the curse of thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). Christ also, before He was crucified, had a crown of thorns put upon His head. Much like the blows he received across His back can represent our physical healing ("By His Stripes we are Healed" Isaiah 53:5), the crown of thorns can represent our mental and emotional anguish. I don't believe this means that we will not have emotional, physical, or mental setbacks, but we are also told that it is far better to suffer righteously than for evil(I Peter 3:17).
I believe I said previously that the Israelites received manna everyday from heaven (Exodus 16:5). Jesus also says that "I am the living bread which came down from heaven...." (John 6:51). This brings me to my main point: why shouldn't we take communion everyday, or at least more often? My hope is that at least we are able to see that communion is an essential part of our lives, and just as "with the mouth confession is made to salvation" so to is communion to our bodies and mind (not that one has to take it to be saved mind you!).

By His stripes we are Healed

After taking Communion this past Saturday, I believe it is something immensely valuable and worth exploring in deeper detail. The catholic church performs it weekly, while in many Protestant churches it varies, mine took it on the first Sunday of every month. What is most interesting is that nowhere in the Word does it say how often we should take it. We do know two things of great relevance:

1- There is no set time a person should take it (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
2- You do not need an ordained minister or pastor to give it to you.

Given that information, many decide to take Communion more often, some even daily. While this may sound too much for many people, others swear by it, and claim it has healed them from many physical ailments.

On the night before the Jews began their exodus from Egypt and were to be brought into the promised land, they were given a meal known as Passover. In this meal they were to slay an unblemished lamb and sprinkle its blood on the left, right and top of their doorpost, which would protect their firstborn from death. Likewise, this blood represents the blood of Christ in our hearts, which protects us from death.
The second part of Passover has to do with the eating of the lamb, which was roasted. Many of us take for granted how great it is to have motorized transportation (ahem, Joe’s ride announcement anyone?), but imagine if we had to trek an unknown number of miles with our parents and grandparents…on foot? Now we see that eating of the lamb would have to provide great rejuvenation in order for those people to make their trek across the wilderness. This meat of course represents the body of Christ, which we too should eat often in remembrance of Him who has saved us! I hope to continue on in a little mini-series about communion, so enjoy this holiday, and reflect too on how far this country has come in electing a black president (one thing I can say is uplifting about the election!).

By His stripes we are healed

Under Levitical law before the coming of our Savior, the high priest would, on the tenth day of the seventh month, have a day of atonement, known as Yom Kippur. This was a time of national fasting and repentance, whereby two goats were brought before the high priest, both of which were to be identical (Leviticus 23:27). Two red threads were tied around their necks, and one would be offered unto the Lord, while the second would be brought to a mountain called ‘Mount of Azazel’, where it would be pushed off a cliff. There was a red marker which was nailed on the outside of the temple door, and once the goat plummeted to its death, the color supernaturally turned white.

The reason I mention this is because the three markers, the sin offering, the ‘scapegoat’, and the temple door, represent Jesus on the cross along with the two men next to him. Jesus of course represents the goat who was slain on the altar, Barnabas, the criminal who died unrepentant of his sins represents the goat who fell from the mountain, and the thief who called upon Jesus is the marker which turned from red to white. I believe this is what Isaiah is talking about when he says : “ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (1:18).
I plan on writing more about how important communion is to our growing closer to Christ, which is why I write this. I was very enthused to experience in our leader’s meeting yesterday a new humility in us to come before God and ask for guidance from Him. All of creation is longing, and we should be too. How very sad that rocks, trees, dirt, and fish could be longing ‘for His unveiling of power’ more than most of the ~6.3 billion people in this world! Just think, there is purported to be ~42% of America who is Christian; if we brought just one person to Jesus this year it would be double that, 84%! Let us remember how significant that is the next time we feel hopeless!

...what is the wise thing to do?

Before getting into the word, I have a confession/warning to make. Many times in the past I have viewed this blog as something that should be done as a matter of fact, rather than doing it with the humility necessary to get the most of God's word. I can't say enough what a disservice this is to God. He wants us to come before Him in awe, whether that's reading the word, prayer, or writing in a blog. If you just want to pay lip service, don't be satisfied, because God won't be either. I also must say that there have been times when I felt so great about myself because I had been consistent in writing, as if I somehow was better than anyone else that hasn't been. That too, is a load of a garbage and ignores the great mercy God has shown each and every one that believes and follows Him. This has got to be a time of openness, it sometimes pains me so much that we as leaders are so out of tune with each other that I just want to quit. I think about my church back home, where people pray for one another, take communion, and are just overflowing with praise. I don't believe that any body of Christ is better than another, but in each and every day Jesus should be our hero. I am not asking, but begging for each of you to keep praying that if we are not living for Christ, we are not really living. There is nothing special in any one of us that can make up for Christ not being the center of our lives, so please keep that as your goal, more than anything else. Whew. When the disciples were told to remain in Jerusalem, it was for a reason (Acts 1:8): the Holy Spirit! Not one disciple can we fish for without, it doesn't matter how hard we try.

4:1 Listen, children, 2 to a father’s instruction, 3
and pay attention so that 4 you may gain 5 discernment.
4:2 Because I give 6 you good instruction, 7
do not forsake my teaching.
4:3 When I was a son to my father, 8
a tender only child 9 before my mother,
4:4 he taught me, and he said to me:
“Let your heart lay hold of my words;
keep my commands so that 10 you will live.
4:5 Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding;
do not forget and do not turn aside from the words I speak. 11
4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, 12 and she will protect you;
love her, and she will guard you.
4:7 Wisdom is supreme 13 – so 14 acquire wisdom,
and whatever you acquire, 15 acquire understanding! 16
4:8 Esteem her highly 17 and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
4:9 She will place a fair 18 garland on your head;
she will bestow 19 a beautiful crown 20 on you.”

Christians too easily forget that wisdom is such commonsense. Many will recall the parable of the hidden treasure, the pearl, or the dragnet (Matthew 13:44-49). Living for Christ really is greater than anything else we could possibly have, and we would have little problem giving them up if we believe it. It is not something that should be torture, because we are gaining something so much greater. I don't believe it is any coincidence either that Solomon chooses to say 4:9 She will place a fair 18 garland on your head;she will bestow 19 a beautiful crown 20 on you.”, for when we accept Christ into our hearts, this 'garland of grace' is exactly what we are bestowed with.

Making disciples of the nations

19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20)

This should be our mantra as a church! I find it very interesting that Jesus chooses to use a fisherman, as one who brings souls unto the Lord. If any of you have ever taken some time to go fishing (I'm looking at you Mark o_O), then you would know that one thing it requires a great deal of is patience. Fish can be very particular, distrustful (for good reason in this case), or just not hungry. Humans work much the same way. Many scorn God from a lack of trust (maybe they were caught by false doctrine in the past, or just got "hooked", and didn't get any substance), or perhaps they just aren't in the right place at the right time. Which is why we need as many fishermen as possible; the more people that take the bait, the greater Jesus' catch will be when he comes back again!

Getting back the concept of "disciple", it is only mentioned twice, both in the book of Isaiah:

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples (Isaiah 8:16).

4 The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. 5 The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient Nor did I turn back. 6 I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting (Isaiah 50:4-6).

If there is anything that we can take away from this, it is that disciples have both the law, the ability to listen, the ability to speak in an encouraging manner, and humility in the face of adversity. All characteristics we are striving for, amen! While it is not mentioned in the New Testament that Jesus' beard was ripped out, he was beaten across his back with a whip called a flagrum, for what many estimate to be 39 blows (1 less than that stated in the Torah, the Jewish Old Testament). Isaiah of course also has many prophetic chapters detailing the coming of our King. What that translates to, is that we should see Jesus as our example of what a disciple should be! A disciple is not a part time job, but something our lives revolve around. The more we look to him, the more these characteristics will become a part of us. I know I feel like a hypocrite saying these things, especially since I missed prayer meeting last night ;(, but that does not mean I give up! I look to remember that every mistake I make is mine alone, and it is not about trying, it is about trusting. Trust is not built in a day, week, month, or even years. It is a lifelong affair, just as we trust that everyday we will be provided the oxygen, food, clothing, shelter and water we need to survive. Keep on, this is something worth fighting for!

I will hope in Him

Over break I began reading Isiaih, which is one of my favorite books from the bible. Similar to Jeremiaih, it tells of one man who dwells among a wicked and sanctimonious people. Indeed, every prophecy that Isaiah makes, from the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians, to the birth, death and resurrection of our Savior, is fulfilled. I feel this is a particularly relevant book to our present day, as many of us Americans acknowledge God with our lips, but are anything but a God fearing and loving nation. It's scary to think that some of the highest rates of husbands abusing their wives are from pastors (!).

Isaiah 8-9
8:19 35 They will say to you, “Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. 36 Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?”

This is an admonition against using such mediums that are commonplace in today's societies, from astrology (not astronomy, which is God's glorious gift to us) to fortune tellers. I still get chills when I think about the time Saul called upon a mystic to bring back Samuel from the dead.

9:6 For a child has been 15 born to us,
a son has been given to us.
He shoulders responsibility
and is called: 16
Extraordinary Strategist, 17
Mighty God, 18
Everlasting Father, 19
Prince of Peace. 20

How amazing almost 800 years before His birth, Isaiah was given these prophetic words from the mouth of our father. This chapter starts off saying "Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed." We always need to remember this hope no matter what tribulations come our way. If we wake up in the morning and are not joyful over another opportunity to praise and serve in God's kingdom, let us pray unceasingly. There is no reason to let our joy be diminished, for Jesus is the greatest thing to ever happen to this world.

9:13 The people did not return to the one who struck them,
they did not seek reconciliation 40 with the Lord who commands armies.
9:14 So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,
both the shoots and stalk 41 in one day.
9:15 The leaders and the highly respected people 42 are the head,
the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
9:16 The leaders of this nation were misleading people,
and the people being led were destroyed.

This should stand us a testimony to us today. In the midst of the hurricanes, flooding, snowstorms, tsunamis, earthquakes, we (collectively) are still convinced there is no God. Instead of seeking to pacify the One who controls all things, we continue on in our way. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). If this country placed its hope in our Savior rather than the man who is a part of the very system that is causing its downfall, there may have been a completely different outcome. As it is now, we must remain vigilant in our faith, and not let a single day go by without longing to be near our Jesus.

9:21-Despite all this, his anger does not subside,
and his hand is ready to strike again. 60

We really need to dwell on and in God's mercy. Through all of our mistakes, God is still calling and reaching out to us. He is truly longsuffering toward us, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence (2 Peter 3:9). My prayer for us is that we remember this always, that Christ died for every one of us, loving us even when our hearts rebelled.

Acts 6-7-our hearts too are judged daily in the house of God

I'm not going to dwell on my lack of consistency in blogging the last few weeks-I didn't have internet access at all last week, but I do now, so no excuses, for there is no excuses for sin either (Romans 1:19)! That is the truth of forgiveness; if we dwell on our mistakes, then we don't really believe we have been forgiven. When it comes down to it, I'm really grateful that we have this opportunity to share our spiritual lives with each other daily, and shouldn't take it for granted by not using to its full potential.

Acts is a book that we at cornerstone, as well as every church in Christ, should read from very often. In it we see in literary action that Christ is indeed the head of every church and there is no replacement. Just as a starving person will eat near anything, if we deprive ourselves of our saviour Jesus in our hearts, we can begin to wander and consume any false doctrine that comes our way. Be sober, be vigilant (I Peter 5:8)!

Chapter 7 describes the martyr Stephen's testimony before the synagogue of the freedmen (consisting of alexandrians, cyrenians, and those from Sicily and Asia). Their external reasons for doing so were to prevent changes to the law and commandments from Moses, and prevent Christ from glorifying His name. Clues within hint at something even darker however, as 6:10 states "They were not able to resist the Spirit and the wisdom by which he spoke", which tells us the Holy Spirit was so strong in him that even wicked men could not deny its power. This is why we should be reading Acts so often; we see the power of the Holy Spirit was constantly within His disciples, and people were being added daily(2:47). That is not to say we should be discouraged, but honestly ask ourselves, "How many people have come to the Lord by his using me as a vessel?" If your answer is anything like mine, it means we need to trust in the Lord more and pray for the Holy Spirit to be in us always. Being regretful and hard on ourselves will do nothing; for there is nothing within us that can save anyone regardless.

In 7:52, Stephen talks about how the fathers of the men he testified before killed the prophets who spoke about the coming of our Savior. This is something we should honestly consider; how strongly the forces of darkness are opposed to us, that the enemy of our souls seeks to snuff out the very life of those who speak His name. That does not mean we cower in fear, but acknowledge that warfare is all around us, and equip ourselves with the armor of light daily and let the Holy Spirit control our hearts. I say don't ask that the martyrdom of Christians cease, but that the gospel be preached to the very coming of Jesus Christ!

My soul longs for thee, as a deer pants for water...

In Romans 8:18-26, Paul discusses the desire we harbor in our spirit to see our bodies in peaceful matrimony with our spirit, no longer at odds. I feel that this is something we take out of context with Paul's teachings; that we are somehow supposed to condemn our bodies because of our fleshly desires. We do this in some sense falsely believing that by hating our physical selves we will somehow be able to overcome our weaknesses. Even were we able, what difference would that make if we are not relying on God? Colossians 3:20-22 tells us "..why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourself to regulations, Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, which all concern things which perish with using..."
If we are trying to overcome our sins our earthly desires on our own merit, rest assured this is not pleasing to God and profits us none. Do not even infidels try to overcome their own sins on their own (ie fasting to lose weight). We need to remember this! Sorry, I'm on a public computer and my time is running out!

Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me…

Jesus spoke these words to John the babtist in Matthew 11:4-6, around the time he was brought to prison. It seems that these words were meant to say, ‘Do not grow angry towards God because of your circumstances’. As most of you probably know, John was beheaded at the request of Herodias’s daughter (Herodias was Herod’s brother Philip’s wife). Incidentally, John was imprisoned for being politically correct-in telling Philip that it was unlawful for him to have Herodias as his wife, for she belonged to his brother (Leviticus 18:16). This is something we should keep in mind- doing the right thing will become evermore contrary to our society’s laws-and we may be persecuted in our faith for doing so.

Sticking to the point of this verse (break out the God leash! ;) ), we are far too easily offended in this society. Churches don’t talk about hell because it could ‘scare people’, we get mad at God if things don’t go our way, on our time schedule; and far too often live in a ‘if I do this, then God should do that’ type of mentality. I am not trying to say we should not live healthy, joyous lives; on the contrary, we should desire this with all of our strength! When tribulations do come however, we should endure them with thanksgiving!

“A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle” Proverbs 18:19

Holland became so liberal because they were upset their prayers for not being invaded by Hitler weren’t answered. Ted Turner turned from God in his anger when his sister died (the founder of CNN). And yet biblically we are told an entirely different story. Paul and Silas rejoiced so much when they were thrown in prison that the walls could not hold them. Joseph, when he was thrown in prison for avoiding the pharaohs wife (Genesis 39; remember our bible study on it?), then he would never have met the butler, and then put into a position of power. If this hadn’t happened, Israel may never have existed at all! Our savior Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the Joy of the Lord (Heb. 12:2).

This is something we cannot do on our own. All of us can be thankful when we are happy, but when we are angry, hurt, exhausted, etc? We need to pray for strength from God and ask for his Holy Spirit to give us a contrite and humble heart, that we may be joyous in all things. There was a pastor Greenway from Alabama (I just finished a book called “Living in the Final Chapter” by Perry Stone if you were wondering where some of this stuff came from), and when his son died after countless prayers, said “God I don’t understand but I’ll not go to hell over a mystery.” If he could endure this, then what is our excuse? If you are like me and need to be more thankful in all things, don’t get discouraged, that does nothing. Look and ask God for guidance, He is here to bless our hearts!

Psalm 131

“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty, neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things to profound for me.
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.”

What is stress? The American Heritage College Dictionary (hey, it’s all I’ve got right now!) defines it as “A state of extreme difficulty, pressure or strain.” In other words, it is from facing circumstances beyond our control. With everything in our lives that we are juggling, we easily forget that we weren’t designed to handle everything, nor were we meant to know everything. In all things the Holy Spirit should be our guide. If we are becoming overwhelmed with what we are facing, be it school, family, friends, sin, any of these things, then we should be praying. I know for myself, the more stressed I become, the less I listen to the Lord. The enemy loves to keep us running in circles, convinced that we accomplishing much when we are only draining the tank. I know it’s not easy, but I encourage everyone along with myself to make not just this semester, but the rest of our lives to be as free from stress as possible. Jesus tells us “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (I John 5:3), and we should hold this as gospel truth, Amen? As we grow more stressed, we lose our spirit of thankfulness, followed by our garments of humility, putting us in a dangerous place indeed. We need God to take his ‘super’ and put it on our ‘natural’, so keep our eyes toward our Savior, no matter what flood comes our way!

Sin is no longer alive in one who is born again!

Romans 6:-
What shall we say then? Are we to remain in sin so that grace may increase? 6:2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 6:3 Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 6:4 Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may live a new life. 1
6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be united in the likeness of his resurrection. 2 6:6 We know that 3 our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, 4 so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 6:7 (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.) 5
6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 6:9 We know 6 that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he is never going to die 7 again; death no longer has mastery over him. 6:10 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God. 6:11 So you too consider yourselves 8 dead to sin, but 9 alive to God in Christ Jesus.
6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires, 6:13 and do not present your members to sin as instruments 10 to be used for unrighteousness, 11 but present yourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead and your members to God as instruments 12 to be used for righteousness. 6:14 For sin will have no mastery over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

Being reliant on our own flesh to overcome our sins is something any Christian will tell you cannot overcome the grave. Why then do we continue to give ourselves daily report cards on our behavior, as if we are good Christians one day, and mediocre ones the next? How many of you when you were children, told yourselves, “Today I’m a good boy, but yesterday I was bad. Mom and dad didn’t love me then, but now they do! Gee, I wonder if they will tomorrow?....”
Unless you had some serious booty-beating parents, none of you, I’ll bet!

Our outlook towards our nature should be the same. “For the death he died, he died to sin once for all, but the life he lives, he lives to God.” (6:10)—so too are our trespasses. We do not overcome our sins based on what we are able to do, so why are we so hard on ourselves when we have committed sins? It is as if we caught between living under the law and obeying the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ who has made us free from the law of sin and death. God ordered Adam and Eve that they may not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for they were eating from the tree of life. And yet we try and do both, as if the tree of life was not sustenance enough! Every time we try to summon some inner will to conquer our sins, we get nowhere. In James 4:7, it does not say “Resist the devil and he will flee from you”, but “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” By just living by doctrine we are only establishing religion, not a relationship. Anyone out there can have a religion. Only those born again in Jesus Christ have a relationship with the father!

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” I Corinthians 3:16

If we continue on trying to please God in the flesh, it will never happen, because “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age..” Ephesians 6:12. When we do this we are being deceived by the enemy, because by dwelling on our sins, we are taken away from Jesus, who has freed us from them to begin with! I say this not to preach, but as someone who has been in this cycle long enough, and cannot bear to see the church of Christ be held back by lies any longer. It is deeply impressed in my heart to see Cornerstone grow, but the more we dwell on “me”, the more we will fail. Jesus is our cornerstone, and the only foundation we need.