June 2011
Hebrews 12:1-4 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
After speaking about the many men and women that have received a good report through faith, looking faithfully to the heavenly city (in spite of hardships and persecutions), a word of encouragement is given. The writers tells the Hebrews that as they are surrounded by such patriarchs of faith (witnesses), they should lay aside the weights and sin that seem to so easily come upon them.
There are many times in our lives when we’re on top of things and all is going well. We feel invincible, able to leap mountains in a single bound, and feel so connected to the Lord. Then, as time may go on, we can’t seem to climb even a step on the mountain, we feel weak, and seem unable to hear anything from God. The weights of the world and life are upon us and sin croutches at our door – almost like an angry mob waiting to attack. It is at these times we feel the only option is to give up and give in – to allow whoever or whatever to have their way. It feels like it would be easier right?! Wrong.
James 1:27 – Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
The word religion above is translated from the Greek as religious worship; especially external, that which consists of ceremonies (religious discipline).1 When the word ‘religion’ comes up in much of our society today, it comes of thoughts of a rules-based life that does not lead one closer to God. At first glance, we would feel our initial thoughts were confirmed, but when we look at James’ writing, we discover something different.
A pure religion…AND undefiled before God and the Father.
There is a religious expression that is acceptable (undefiled) before God. The word undefiled is translated from the Greek as not defiled, unsoiled; free from that by which the nature of a thing is deformed and debased, or its force and vigour impaired.2 That sounds a lot like pure and acceptable…
What is a pure religion that is undefiled before God and the Father?
Genesis 2:1-2 – Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
After creating the heavens and the earth, God ended his work and rested on the seventh day. He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it for He rested all all His work.
Typically, when we speak of resting on the seventh day, many automatically go to the Sabbath in the Law of Moses and take a side for or against (as we are no longer under the Law of Moses). However, if we read Genesis, God sanctified the seventh day of rest long before the giving of His commandments to the people of Israel. The blessing of the seventh day was incorporated in the beginning.
Food is fuel for the body.
A car needs fuel to run. You can’t put any type of fuel in it. It has to be the one specifically made for the car. If you put the wrong fuel into it or any other foreign substance (i.e. sugar), the car will cease to run properly or stop running altogether.
Just as a car needs fuel to run properly, we do as well. Our bodies are made to run efficiently, but without the right nutrients, we will not function the way we were designed and will not perform well. Sadly, within America and some places around the world, people eat for taste, not for fuel.
We often eat foods for taste and don’t consider the nutrition level, and when we do, we’ll get a diet version or a low-calorie portion.
Think about some of your favorite foods. Do you eat them because they are good for you or because they taste good?
Many of us grew up learning eating habits based on the way things taste and not how good they are/are not for our bodies and our performance.
- Ice cream tastes good, but what nutritional value is in it?
- Chips and dip taste good, but what nutritional value is in it?
- Candy tastes good, but what nutritional value is in it?
- Pizza tastes good, but what nutritional value is in it? Sure, some people want a veggie pizza (to clear their conscious), but what about the sauce and bread? Have you considered that?!
- Soda – tastes good, but not good for us.
- Fast food – most of it has no nutritional value. It’s only a filler and soothes taste buds.
We live for the taste. We have been inundated with foods that are not healthy, but guess what, people that sell these items only care about your money, not your health.
May each of us be challenged and convicted to change our eating habits in order to feed our bodies only what is necessary to keep it running smooth and efficient. The next time you eat, ask yourself if that (thing) benefits or harms your health.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
How can you glorify God in your eating and drinking?
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/StephenHay
The Importance of Prayer – Dr. Young Hoon Lee (Yoido Full Gospel Church):
Prayer is ABSOLUTELY important to the life of a disciple!
Prayer is the conduit that we commune with the Lord. Through prayer we intercede for others and ask for the Lord’s will to be accomplished upon the earth.
Prayer is not something we should only do before eating, going to bed, or starting a church service. Prayer should be our life and breath before God – where our eyes are opened and our hearts are torn and mended in His presence.
Matthew 9:35-38 – And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
As Jesus went through the cities and villages teaching, preaching, and healing, he saw the multitudes. He was moved with compassion for the multitudes of people had fainted and were scattered. He noted to His disciples that the harvest is plenteous, but there are few laborers to work the harvest. Jesus told them to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.
Many times we see the multitudes of people in need. We see them in our churches, schools, communities, and abroad. We see the people with so many needs and so few resources. They are without Jesus and the help and support to sustain themselves from day to day. We see a bountiful harvest of souls.
Hebrews 12:6-13 – For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Not too many people like to be punished. As children, we dreaded the punishment that would come after getting into trouble. Sometimes the wait was long and it added to our anxiety. We didn’t want to be punished and didn’t like it before or after, but there was a definite purpose behind it. Our parents punished us because they acknowledged what we did was wrong and they were not going to allow our behavior to continue – only to get worse. They loved us.
The Lord chastises everyone He loves. He chastises us to correct our sinful behavior. He displines us and places us in situations that will allow us to grow in righteousness. He loves you.
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