BibleTrekToday.com

Year: 2009

  • Spiritual Direction Through a Word

    Scripture reading for November 11th: Acts 13-15

    Wouldn’t it be nice to have God just send someone to tell you what He wants you to know?  Have you ever had someone give you a word from the Lord that confirmed something the Lord had been showing you to do?  Do you believe that God knows everything and wants to share some of His knowledge with you?   These and other questions should set us thinking as we read today’s passages from Acts.  God uses people to give words of knowledge and prophesy.  Lets look at the principles for using these “words”.

    “In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,  Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.  While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”  “So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hand on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:1-3

    In this account of the early church at worship and prayer, we find that the Holy Spirit used one of the prophets or teachers to give a word to Barnabas and Saul.  This was not a directive word, but a confirming word.  Note that the Holy Spirit had already called them to this work personally previous to this time.  This word came during a time of corporate worship and the church obediently responded.  They prayed more and fasted and then laid on hands and sent them off on the ministry journey laid out for them by the Holy Spirit.  We find that God has prepared the “good works” and all we need to do is respond in obedience.  (Ephesians 2:10)

    When we get a word of knowledge or prophesy spoken over us, we must always test it in several ways.  First, does it line up with what the Lord has been saying already to us?  God doesn’t give second-hand mail!  Second, does it line up with the Word of God and purposes stated in Scripture?   Words must always agree with the written word of God or at least not be in conflict with the revealed will of God.  Next, is the Spirit in you in agreement with that word?  Do others with the Holy Spirit agree and bear witness with the word?  These tests are important before moving on a word.

    God does truly direct His children and sometimes uses others to confirm to us a word.  Mary and I experienced this when God spoke to us through two different people about having children in our old age!  One of the words was written down and our son reminded us of it years later.  It helped us confirm our direction and follow God’s leading!  May the Lord direct your life each day by His Holy Spirit!  May you learn to properly discern the will of God!

  • Gentile Pentecost

    Scripture reading for November 10th: Acts 10-12

    Have you ever struggled to understand what God is doing and wants to do?  You are in good company!  In this section of Acts, the Apostle Peter needed a vision from the Lord to help him overcome an area of prejudice that came from his Jewish upbringing and religion.  Sometimes we learn things wrong and God knows how to work with us to get us straightened out again.  Thank God for His mercy and patience!

    This story begins with a Gentile centurion named Cornelius who feared God and gave generously to those in need  as well as praying regularly.  One day, Cornelius had a vision and saw an angel of God who spoke his name plainly!  (Acts 10:3)  The angel told him that his prayers and gifts to the poor had come before the Lord and that he should send for a man named Simon Peter to come.  In the meantime, God gave a vision to Simon Peter while he was on the roof praying.  In this vision he saw a sheet with all kind of animals, reptiles, and birds of the air.  A voice told him to get up, kill, and eat!  Peter protested to the Lord that he had never eaten anything unclean.  The voice spoke a second time warning him not to call anything impure that God had made clean.  This had happened three times when the men who came from Cornelius knocked on the door. The Spirit spoke to Peter about them and told him to go with them.  Peter heard and obeyed, inviting the men in and then going with them.

    The next day, they entered the house of a Gentile, something a good Jew would never do.  Cornelius told him about his vision and why he sent for him.  He invited Peter to speak to them all the Lord would have him say.  What an open invitation!  Peter began to preach the Gospel and as he preached, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they all began to speak in tongues and praise God just like on the day of Pentecost!  Peter and all the Jews with him were amazed at what God had done and they baptized these new believers in water. Peter stayed with them a few days.

    What can we learn from this?  First, God knows how to reach people who are hungry for more!  He will work with sincere believers who have prejudice to help them with truth.  He recognized these Gentiles for their prayers, gifts to the poor and seeking of God.  Their works came before the Lord and He acted to send them a person who could help them understand Him more fully.  God is no respecter of persons.  He gave the same Holy Spirit to the Gentiles as those in that upper room on Pentecost!  What a wonderful Savior!  Spend time in prayer today seeking the Lord for clarity and new direction!  You can have a new Pentecost today!

  • Saul’s “Jesus Encounter”

    Scripture reading for November 9th: Acts 8-9

    In today’s reading we have the account of the conversion of one of the most influential people in the early days of the church.  The first 11 chapters of Acts are primarily centered around the life of Peter and his ministry to the Jews around Jerusalem.  Chapter 9 gives the account of Saul, a zealous Pharisee, who was a persecutor of the early church and was bent on protecting Judaism and eliminating disciples of Jesus.  He is spoken of first as one who gave approval of those who stoned Stephen. (Acts 8:1)  An encounter with Jesus is what Saul needed to radically change his world-view!

    “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.  He went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  As he neared Damascus, on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  So get up and go into the city and you will be told what you what you must do.” Acts 9:1-6

    Saul had been hunting down disciples, having them arrested and in some cases put to death.  As he traveled on a mission to Damascus, the Lord met him personally.  The light of glory threw Saul to the ground and blinded him.  Jesus asked him a simple question.  The question reveals that when anyone persecutes one of Jesus’ followers, He feels it personally!  Saul was also addressed by first name.  Jesus knows each person by name and knows where they are and what they are doing.  He has plans for those who will be teachable and repent.

    Thankfully, Saul repented during the period of blindness that lasted three days.  God sent a disciple named Ananias to lay hands on Saul to receive his sight back.  Ananias was initially afraid of Saul because of his reputation, but God revealed that Saul was His chosen instrument to reach the Gentiles.  (Acts 9:15-16) After he was healed and baptized, Saul began to preach the Gospel in the very synagogues that he had come initially to hunt Christians in!  What a difference an encounter with Jesus makes!

    This man’s ministry is the subject of Acts 12-28, and he tells his testimony of this Jesus encounter several times.  Saul became the Apostle Paul who would be a great missionary to the Gentiles and write 13 New Testament books.  His “Jesus encounter” is still being talked and written about over 1900 years later!  Many other “sinners” have found Christ through his testimony!  What amazing love and grace is found in our Lord!

  • Sunday Rest and Reflection:Pentecost Power!

    Dearly beloved friends,

    Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!  Another week is beginning and God’s people gather in buildings, homes, and small groups to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!  We are so blessed to know Him and love Him!  From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Jesus is being praised around the earth in every country and culture.

    However, many still do not know Him.  Over half the earth’s 6.3 billion people still have not heard of Jesus Christ. Many are lost in false religions and are entering eternity under God’s wrath.   His Church is charged with going and telling every one!  To do this Jesus sent the church the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is a person who lives in each one who is saved and has repented of sin.  He wants to fill us with “living water” and power to share that “living water” with the lost of the world.

    Many Pentecostals seem caught up with emotional experience of God and speaking in tongues and even the gifts of the Spirit.  They go from meeting to meeting craving more of God’s presence and desiring to see miracles.  This is all well and good, but misses the mark!  God gave the Holy Spirit to equip us to be His witnesses to the lost world.  He sent us to go.  He promises us that the signs and miracles will follow us as we are out doing the work of ministry and reaching the lost!  We must leave the meeting empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to reach our lost friends and family.

    Listening to God’s directing voice helps us know when to talk and when to be quiet and pray.  We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit for then we pray according to the will of God.  (Romans 8:26-28)  We build ourselves up in our faith as we pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20)  No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Father so we desperately need the Spirit for evangelism. (John 8:44, 16:8-11)  The Holy Spirit give us direction and boldness to speak and act in the face of persecution.  God has empowered His Church!

    As you attend church this Lord’s day, pray that the place where you meet will be shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit!  Ask the Lord to fill you again with the Holy Spirit!  Go into the week to fulfill God’s command to reach the lost!  Have a great week in Jesus!

    In His Love, Pastor John


  • Would You Lie to God?

    Scripture reading for November 7th: Acts 5-7

    Lying is a sin!  One of the ten commandments states that we should not give a false accusation against a neighbor! (Exodus 20:16)   God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19)  Lying causes mistrust because lies are usually found out and the person’s character is degraded by all who know the truth.  Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches!  A lying tongue hates the one it hurts!  (Proverbs 26:28)  A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9)  The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)

    The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome.  Very early in the history of the new church, Luke writes to tell us the story of a couple who told a lie that cost them very dearly.  This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-16.

    The lie that this couple told was a lie of omission.  They sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church.  The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord when they had kept some back for themselves.  Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all.  It was only wrong to lie about what they had given.  Scripture doesn’t say why they did this.  It may be that they wanted to look good and seem more dedicated than they really were.  It may be that they dedicated more than they were willing to give and decided to keep some back.  Whatever the reason, we only have the startling results!

    “Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men, but to God.””  “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)

    This happened in the same way to his wife Sapphira.  Both of them died immediately as a result of lying!  This should make each one of us think and evaluate our own hearts and giving.  We need mercy more than ever!  This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business!  Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment!  God is building a holy church without spot or wrinkle!  The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth!

  • Power to Be a Witness

    Scripture reading for November 6th: Acts 1-4

    I was saved as a young teenager in a little country Methodist Church in rural Iowa.  I gave my life to Jesus but did not know about the Holy Spirit or His work on my behalf.  I grew up, went to college, got married and began to build a family and farming business, still unaware of His presence and power.  I rededicated my life and my wife got saved in our late twenty’s and we began to hear about the Holy Spirit.  The people we were studying the Bible with were different.  They had power in their lives and were full of joy.  The talked about being filled with the Holy Spirit and we heard some of them praying in a different language.  When we visited their church, we heard a message in a different language and then an interpretation!  This was fascinating!  We even heard them singing in other languages and it sounded like heaven!

    “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

    This experience began with a promise and command from Jesus right before He ascended into heaven.  He ascended into heaven and two men dressed in white told the disciples that this same Jesus would come back in the same manner as He left them.  They were to wait for the promise of the father as Jesus had told them!  (Luke 24:49-53)  This power from on high was sent from the Father to bless the disciples and enable them to do the work of God.

    We all know what happened on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-4.  The disciples were all together in the upper room and suddenly, the wind began to blow inside their room!  Tongues of fire entered and rested on each one and they all began to speak with other tongues and glorify God.  They went out from that room speaking in other languages telling the wonderful works of God.  Peter stood up and preached and 3000 repented, were saved, baptized and told to receive this gift of the Father for power!  (Acts 2:38-41)  The church was born and powerful witnesses spread the Gospel throughout the world!

    Let me encourage you to seek the Lord for this power.  Simply ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit.  (Luke 11:9-13)  The Holy Spirit is our “helper” sent from the Father to live in those who believe on Jesus Christ.  (John 16:7-15)  He takes the Word of God and reveals it to us.  He is our Counselor.  He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.  He is with us to strengthen us and enable to be a witness.  We receive Him when we repent and are born again.  We are filled with Him when we seek the Lord Jesus for that power.  May God fill you with His Holy Spirit!  (Ephesians 5:18)

  • “Do You Love Me?”

    Scripture reading for November 5th: John 18-21

    When you are in a covenant relationship with someone, it is always good to affirm our love for that person.  We go through seasons when the relationship may be strained or drifting rather than passionately connected. We go through personal trials and attacks of Satan that seek to knock us off our vows of commitment.  Today we will consider Peter, one of Jesus’ most trusted disciples who denied Jesus three times after His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:22-27)

    We don’t know exactly how long after the resurrection that the account in John 21 takes place.  Peter and a number of the disciples had decided to go fishing in the Sea of  Tiberius (Galilee).  They fished all night and by morning had nothing to show for.  As they were approaching shore, Jesus stood there and called out to them.  They told Him that they had no fish but didn’t recognize Him as the Lord.  He told them to throw their net on the right side of the boat.  When they did, they were unable to haul their net into the boat because of the great number of fish!  John recognized Jesus at that point and told Peter it was Him.  Peter immediately jumped into the water and came to Jesus, who had built a fire with fish already cooking and some bread for the tired fishermen.  John’s account states that this was the third time Jesus appeared to them.

    After Jesus served them the meal, Jesus turned to Simon Peter and asked him a question. “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” he said, you know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)  This was repeated three times in similar fashion.  Peter’s feelings were hurt because Jesus asked him this three times. (John 21:17)  Jesus made a statement of prophecy to Peter about how he would die to glorify God and then called Peter to follow Him.

    Jesus wants us all to affirm our love for Him on a daily basis.  We can tell Him we love Him and that is well and good.  Actions also show our love for Jesus.  In Peter’s case, he was called to feed the lambs and sheep.  A shepherd must care for the animals, and a pastor is a shepherd!  Feeding lambs and sheep requires daily discipline and tender care.  We must follow the ‘Good Shepherd” in order to properly feed and care for His sheep!  They are His sheep, not ours!  Love for Jesus is demonstrated by obedience!

    A final thought concerns Peter’s death.  Tradition says that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome.  He chose that because he felt unworthy to die as his Lord Jesus had!  Peter’s life and death brought glory to God!  We must live in obedience to the Lord!  “To live is Christ, to die is gain!” (Philippians 1:21)

  • Are You Securely Attached?

    Scripture reading for November 4th: John 13-17

    Several years ago, I planted two grape vines in my back yard along the fence.  I had used these potted vines as a sermon illustration of Jesus’ teaching in John 15.  I studied grapes and found that they were one of the most widely grown crops in the world.   There are many different varieties and colors and people love to eat them fresh, as juice, or as wine.  They also need cultivation and tending to be the most fruitful and healthy.  Dead and diseased branches need trimmed off and the vines trained to grow in the arbor. The branches are not good for anything but producing fruit.  They will not make lumber but are only good for burning.

    Jesus used this great agricultural example to teach his disciples about their need to stay attached to Him!  Jesus said that He is the true vine and the disciples are branches.  If they would just “abide” in Him and allow His Word to “abide” in them, they would produce much fruit. (John 15:7)  Being a branch is all about “abiding”!  Abiding branches ask the Father for what they need, and He answers!  We must stay attached and draw our nutrients from the vine and its roots.  It doesn’t sound too hard to understand!  A branch that doesn’t remain attached is good for nothing but the fire!

    Jesus also went on to say that His Father is the gardener who tends the vine. (John 15:1) The gardener’s job is to keep the vine healthy and producing fruit.  Jesus’ Word is the means of pruning His branches.   All fruitless branches are pruned off to keep from wasting precious nutrients so that those branches that are abiding could use those nutrients to produce fruit.  Fruitful branches are pruned and trained to maximize fruit production.  God is glorified when His branches produce much fruit!  (John 15:8) Branches that produce no fruit are trimmed off and are good for nothing but the fire.  These are like people who refuse to abide in the vine and think that they can make it on their own.

    As a sermon illustration this year, I took a branch off  this grape vine.  It had grown in 4 years to nearly 20 feet long and covered a section of a wooden fence that I planted it near.  I put the branch in water and brought it to church.  One branch had 12 clusters of grapes on it and a second branch had none!  I had cut them off and after just one hour, the were already wilted.  It is amazing how quickly they die without attachment!

    The lesson for us is plain and simple.  We must stay attached to the vine and also bear fruit.  This takes a relationship with God through His Word and prayer!  He wants fruit that will last for eternity!  What a privilege to bear precious fruit for eternal life!  Are you securely attached and producing?

  • “Lazarus, Come Out!”

    Scripture reading for November 3rd: John 9-12

    My son Marshal and I visited Bethany as a part of our Bible history and geography study class that spent three weeks in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.  At Bethany one morning, we visited a place that was a probably like the tomb that Lazarus was laid in.  Marshal and I went down a narrow passageway carved out of the rock and entered the musty cave where there were some niches carved in the wall as places to lay the bodies.  The tomb was illuminated by an electric light.  After reading the Scriptures about this incident, I turned to leave first and right after I got out, I took my camera and called out, “Marshal, come out!”  I got a great picture and a real visual of what that might have looked like to those gathered around that tomb with Jesus!

    Jesus often stayed at Lazarus’ home in Bethany, less than two miles from the Temple in Jerusalem.  (John 11:18)   Lazarus had two sisters, Mary and Martha, who also loved Jesus and loved their brother.  They had sent word to Jesus that their brother was deathly sick, but Jesus purposely delayed coming.  (John 11:3-6)  When Jesus arrived, Lazarus was already dead and entombed for four days.  Martha came to meet Jesus and told Him that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died.  She also made another key statement, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:22)  Martha had faith in Jesus and His prayers!

    Jesus gave her a Word of knowledge: “Your brother will rise again.” (John 11:23)  Martha’s understanding of the resurrection had come from studying the Old Testament Scriptures.  (Possibly Daniel 12:1-3, 13)  Jesus spoke again to her prophetically, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)  This time Martha confessed that she believed that Jesus was the Christ, Son of God!  Faith comes by hearing the voice of Jesus Christ!

    Jesus went to the tomb and as He stood there, He wept! (John 11:35)  What compassion Jesus showed for this man that He loved!  The Author of Life was weeping over Lazarus swallowed by the grave and death!  He was the “resurrection and life” and was about to demonstrate the power of faith.  Jesus was deeply moved a second time and ordered the stone taken away from the mouth of the tomb.  Martha protested, but Jesus reassured her faith!  He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and helps us when our faith falters!  (John 11:40)  After thanking His Father that He always heard Him, Jesus spoke, “Lazarus, come out!” Sure enough, Lazarus came out, grave clothes and all!

    Wow!  What a loving and compassionate Savior!  We are encouraged to simply believe that whatever Jesus said or says will be heard by the Father!  He is alive and praying for us now!  Why not ask Him for what He has promised?  Listen closely; His sheep hear His voice!

  • Streams of Living Water

    Scripture reading for November 2nd: John 6-8

    Thirst is a great motivator!  When we were farming in Iowa, during the hot summers we had some jobs that made us very thirsty.  Picking up hay bales on a humid afternoon with no breeze really worked up a thirst.  The ones working in the barn out of the breeze had a “thirsty” job as well.   Another job was cutting sunflowers out of the soybean fields with a machete.  We had one farm with half-mile rows.  It would be a mile up and back.  In the hot summer sun, I would be thirsty before I got to the far end of the field.  I knew that I would have to cut my way back to the water jug.  It was a good motivator for the whole crew to work faster and make it back!

    “On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living waster will flow from within him.” “By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.  Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:39-39

    On this last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, the custom was to get two large jars of water from the pool of Siloam and pour it out as an offering before the Lord.  It was probably at this time that Jesus stood up and spoke to the crowd.  He invited those that were spiritually thirsty to come to Him.  He promised that if they would drink of His life, a life-giving stream of “living water” would flow from within them.  John interprets this prophetic word of Jesus as referring to the Holy Spirit being poured out after Jesus’ ascension.   The Holy Spirit would be a life-giving spring that would bring rivers of refreshing and life to those who would believe on Jesus and receive the Father’s blessing!

    Are you “thirsty” from your hard work and labors in this sin-filled world?   Has keeping the Law of God worn you out?  Do you need a rest and refreshing?   Jesus calls for us to come to Him for the relief we need. He was glorified  as He ascended into heaven and was seated at God’s right hand.  He poured out the Spirit on the day of Pentecost!  He alone is the source of this spring of special “living water”.  This water is obtained by faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God!  There is no other means of obtaining it!  That should motivate you to work your way back to the source and take a long drink!  Living water: there’s no other drink quite like it!