What Is the Word of God...

When you think of the Word of God what do you think of?  Do you think of a book of over a thousand pages that only scholars can read and understand?  Do you think about how it was penned by humans and how it probably has mistakes?  Maybe it is a book of good childrens stories and has good morals to follow.  I would like to suggest looking at what the Word of God says about itself.  There are many things that the Word says about itself but in this blog lets start with the Gospel of John.  John says in his Gospel that the Word was with God and the Word was God. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1).  Later in that same chapter it says that the Word became flesh. 

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me." For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.   No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18)

Now I know that there has been some good in depth teaching on this Scripture.  All i would like to point out is that the Word of God is Jesus.  When it says that the Word came and dwelt among us it is like Jesus pitched a tent with us.  That is what the word dwelt actually means.  I like how Dr Dan Hayden puts it in his studies.

"This word skene (tent) is the very word used in the New Testament to refer to the tabernacle of God used by Israel in their early worship of God. If you remember, the tabernacle was a wooden structure with a tent pitched over the top. In the Greek New Testament therefore, the word translated “tabernacle” is skene — “the tent” (Acts 7:44; Hebrews 8:2, 5, and chapter 9). Hence, when the glory of God descended to the earth to take up residence in the midst of Israel as described in Exodus 40:34-38, it could be said that God “pitched His tent” among men. The writer of the book of Hebrews calls it “the true tent [skene] that the Lord set up” (Hebrews 8:2). The glory of God went camping with Israel as Israel wandered in the wilderness."  http://www.awordfromtheword.org/dwelt.

Dr Dan Hayden makes a good point to say that just as the tabernacle was used in desert by the Israelites Jesus came down and dwelt among us and pitched a tent. So I would like to throw this out there. If Jesus is the Word and the Word came and dwelt among us what is it that we are supposed to preach when it says to preach the word. 

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

 When you look at the Greek for Word in John 1:1 and 2 Timothy 4:2 it is the same word logos in the Greek.  Therefore we are to preach as a herald, as the greek says, Jesus.  Jesus is who we are suppose to preach.  So what is Jesus?  Jesus is so many things but focus on what Jesus did for us and keep it simple.  His death, burial and resurrection.  Our sin is gone and death has been swallowed up (1 Corinthians 15).  Preach Jesus !!!

Pray this with me....Father in the Name of Jesus i thank you that You sent Your one and only Son into the world to dwell among us.  To pitch His tent with us.  Thank You that in Your perfect will Jesus conquered death and took away our sin.  Break our hearts for the lost and please give us simple words to preach to those around us.  In Jesus Name.... Amen!

Focus on God and God Only....

The Bible challenges us to stay focused on God and Him only.  We are commanded to 'set our minds on things above' -Colossians 3 and put no gods before Him which is the first of the 10 commandments.  Throughout the Old Testament God is calling His people to stop worshiping other gods. Turn from their sin and seek the face of God. The people of God would build physical statues out of gold, wood or whatever they could find. They would put their devotion to this other god and not to the God Almighty. It is like Gods people felt like they were missing something. They never seemed to be satisfied and content. The book of Haggai 1:4-6 is a great example of idolatry. 

“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes” . 

 This describes the world we live in today. Since the beginning people have always tried to find satisfaction with other “gods”. We can see that the God of Hosts is challenging His people to trust Him and look to Him. To build His house (church), which lies in ruins and not their own house. God even says that if the people build His house first He will pour out a blessing so they will be satisfied and not have a need to feel like they have to worship other gods. All this is important for all of us who want to share the Good news with others.  If we are out worshiping other gods and following the ways of this world we will become stagnant and will miss opportunities to share the Gospel.

1 John 2:13-15 says 

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."

The worlds ways offer nothing because it is not of God.  Our flesh is never satisfied and is always wanting to bind us up to be non fruitful for the kingdom.  As the body of Christ we must kill the desires for the world and desire God Almighty more than anything.  His will be done, His kingdom advance, seek after His presence and not the world.

In the next blogs I want to talk more about these two scriptures.  Ask God to show you where there are gods in your life that are hindering you.  Ask God to show you where your love for the world is to strong.  I pray this:

Father in the Name of Jesus I pray for me and my fellow brothers and sisters to know the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  That we may walk worthy of you and bear fruit in all that we do.  Thank you Jesus that you love us and want others to come and know you.  Help us become bold and fearless to share our faith and proclaim the Gospel, in Jesus Name..... Amen

Actions Speak Louder than Words....

When you think of evangelism what goes thru your mind as a Christian or as a non believer?Should Christians not say anything at all about their faith and just try to live a quiet life?  Lets look at the Scriptures in Romans chapter 10:13-15 

 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (emphasis added).

As we live a life of loving God and loving others we know that this will make a huge impact on those who do not believe.  The Bible is clear that love is an action and not an idea or something we are supposed to talk about (1 John 3:18).  We are supposed to love as the Bible teaches us, in action and in truth.  Actions speak louder than words.  Please allow me to put this question out there to think about.  Are actions enough to cause a person to want salvation and look to Jesus, and declare that He is Lord, and believe He was raised from the dead?

Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"

Are actions enough?  I would challenge all of us to remember that we all have a story to tell.  We can all see the hand of God in our life.  Sharing how God has pulled you through challenging times.  I would also challenge you to talk to others about how Jesus has forgiving your sin and their sin, and  how everyone needs a Savior.  Pray about this and believe the Holy Spirit to give you words to speak and opportunity to speak those words.  Looking at the verses in Romans 10:13-15 we see that we called to preach the Good News to those who do not have the faith to salvation.  Our actions do speak louder than words... but our actions also empower our words when we share our faith.  

Think about what I am saying and ask God to put people on your heart to share the Gospel.  If someone comes to mind then start praying for that person or persons and believe for the right timing.  Gods heart is for the lost. So with that in mind ask God to break your heart for the lost as well.