At least three times in the New Testament, the evidence of one’s salvation is shown by one’s love of fellow Believers. In John 13:35 Jesus says, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love to one another.” 1 John 3:14 puts it this way, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love our brothers. He who does not love his brother is still dead.” And again in 1 John 4:20, “If a man says, ‘I love God,’ and still hates his brother, he is a liar. How can a man not love his brother, who he can see, and still love God who he cannot see.”
I can honestly say that I hate no man. God has given me a new heart which grows more like Him each day, and no matter how strongly I might disagree with another, I can find no hatred in my heart. My greatest concern for those who believe they and their loved ones are Believers is that they examine their actions in light of love for fellow Believers.
How is love played out in the life of a Believer? 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is very instructive in this matter: First, love is longsuffering. Now longsuffering means to patiently endure. One might endure hardships, trials, emotional trauma, disdain, or failure. But to continue on demonstrating kindness toward those responsible is a first sign of being changed from an unbeliever to a Believer. In other words, a Believer does not seek revenge.
Secondly, love is not envious. The Believer does not resent those who have achieved more and earned recognition for those accomplishments, rather the Genuine Believer loves the success of his brothers, and is able to truly rejoice in them, rather than secretly wish it were him receiving the accolades.
Thirdly, love is humble and does not seek denigrate others by parading its accomplishments. Humility in the Believer is recognizing that he has not achieved what he has except by the grace of Almighty God. He does not deflect praise with platitudes, but with a sincere understanding the God has somehow chosen to use him where ever he is being used. Such humility recognizes the full worth of others, and never considers his position or achievement as more essential than those of others when they are obeying and following Christ.
Fourthly, love does not behave rudely. The Genuine Believer should be known as one who demonstrates grace and mercy in his actions indicating he believes that others worth is as great as his own.
Fifthly, love is not provoked. Contemporary Believers have a lot of difficulty in this area, and it relates closely to the first characteristic of longsuffering. The provocations of the evil one are designed to get a reaction from the Believer which will destroy his witness of God’s grace. But self-control can be exercised in such circumstances by the Genuine Believer.
Sixthly, love does not harbor evil thoughts about another. The Genuine Believer confesses his evil thoughts to God and claims God’s forgiveness lest those evil thoughts give the enemy a beachhead in his life, thereby allowing him to build up a stronghold which can only be broken down by a cleansing work of God’s Holy Spirit.
Seventhly, love does not get pleasure from sin. The Genuine Believer is grieved by sin, and realizes that lasting joy comes from understanding of, and adherence to, God’s Divine Truth.
Finally, love never fails. The Believer will fail, but the love of God which constrains the Genuine Believer will prompt him to confess his failure and claim 1 John 1:9 while being reconciled to his brother.
None of us have the guarantee of a tomorrow on this earth, if one’s life does not reflect the love of Christ in his relationships and activities, it is entirely possible that it is a sign he is not genuinely converted. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day of repentance. Recognize your true condition, and turn to Christ today.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Real Christianity Equals Real Change
Genuine Christianity drastically affects the everyday activities and attitudes of those who come to God by faith in Jesus Christ. Many folk who profess Christianity seem little affected by their faith.
Matthew Chapter ten, verse 4 includes the name “Simon the Zealot” as one of Jesus’ apostles. The Zealots were a sect of Judaism which advocated the violent overthrow of the Roman imperialist rule. They were known to conceal long daggers in the folds of their clothing in order to dispatch any Roman soldier who was careless enough to become isolated from his unit. Their hatred of all things Roman was well known. But when he became a follower of Jesus Christ, his life was dramatically changed. Jesus not only gave him eternal life, but he also received the ability to forgive and love his enemies.
We are only fooling ourselves if we believe that hatred, anger, and an unforgiving spirit can be harbored in the life of a genuine Believer. The exhibition of those traits demonstrates that one has not truly been changed. Such a person will not only eventually have his attitude revealed, but will negatively impact his loved ones for generations.
God never intended for men to live their lives with such burdens upon them. He sent His Son that we might receive a new heart and thereby a new purpose and outlook on life. Should Simon continued his angry and vindictive ways toward the Roman interlopers, it would have revealed his great need of genuine conversion.
Dr. Adrian Rogers was fond of saying, “If you want to know what a man is really like, shake him up a little and see what spills out.” What spills out of you when circumstances hit you over the head, step on your toe, or rattle your preconceptions? Do you rant and rave while cursing and threatening when unpleasant situations present themselves? Such is certainly a warning that one is not where he should be in his relationship to Holy God, and might indicate that genuine salvation has never occurred.
If you are subject to such outbursts and demonstrations of anger, God has the perfect solution. He doesn’t want you to spend your life in frustrated anger. Turn to Christ and surrender your will to His and allow Him to become the Lord, or Boss, or your life. If you are already a Believer, confess your propensity to sin in this way and claim His cleansing and forgiveness according to 1 John 1:9.
Don’t wait for God to send you a personal message. This missive is His message to you. You must choose, but He will empower you to follow through on that choice, should you choose for His way.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Where Is God?
Is anything too hard for God? In Genesis 18:14, when Abraham was too old to have children, God told him, he was going to have a son. When Abraham seemed to doubt it, God asked the question, “Is anything too hard for God?”
If God is omnipotent and omniscient why doesn’t He act to quell the evil in the world? Is He too busy? Is He disinterested?
Far too many Believers are caught up in questioning God, because man looks at the events of life from an entirely different perspective than does God. Man is limited in time and space, and therefore he can’t see what God can see. God is not limited. He sees the beginning, the end, and the present all at once. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He might be dealing with the problem on an entirely different level than we’re capable of understanding.
We look at life from our puny perspective and cry out, “Where are You, God?” We can’t see Him because we look for Him with our limited understanding. “It occurs to me” never occurs to God. We look at the events don’t see Him working the way we “think” He ought to be working. I’m reminded of the young man who, while questioning God, said, “God if you’re all knowing why did you place the giant watermelon on that flimsy vine running across the ground and the tiny acorn on the huge oak tree?” Then an acorn conked him on the head when it fell, and he said, “Thank God it wasn’t a watermelon.” You see, God’s ways are far above our ways.
You and I may not understand why God is not acting the way we think He ought, but we can take comfort from Romans 8:28 which tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Listen, Dear Friend, the God who gave His only Son that you and I might have eternal life is infinitely more interested in us than we can begin to imagine. If there were ever at time when God would have been tempted to let man go his own way, it would have been at calvary. At Calvary where the innocent blood of His only begotten Son was shed. At Calvary where the perfectly sinless Christ became the very essence of sin for us. Yet Scripture reminds us, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Where is God in the midst of your trials, the world’s troubles, & your family’s fears? He’s right there. We see Him through the eyes of faith. We trust Him and believe His Word. The poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson speaks of God’s carrying us through the troubled times. Pity the one who doesn’t recognize God’s grace and mercy in his life. Everything you are and ever hope to be is owed to His abundant grace and mercy.
Where is God, Revelation 3:20 tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” If you are a Believer and cannot sense His presence, it is because you have closed the door on His Lordship in your life. Don’t spend another day in doubt and fear. Open the door of your heart, and give Him free reign. He cannot fail. He must prevail!
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
If God is omnipotent and omniscient why doesn’t He act to quell the evil in the world? Is He too busy? Is He disinterested?
Far too many Believers are caught up in questioning God, because man looks at the events of life from an entirely different perspective than does God. Man is limited in time and space, and therefore he can’t see what God can see. God is not limited. He sees the beginning, the end, and the present all at once. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. He might be dealing with the problem on an entirely different level than we’re capable of understanding.
We look at life from our puny perspective and cry out, “Where are You, God?” We can’t see Him because we look for Him with our limited understanding. “It occurs to me” never occurs to God. We look at the events don’t see Him working the way we “think” He ought to be working. I’m reminded of the young man who, while questioning God, said, “God if you’re all knowing why did you place the giant watermelon on that flimsy vine running across the ground and the tiny acorn on the huge oak tree?” Then an acorn conked him on the head when it fell, and he said, “Thank God it wasn’t a watermelon.” You see, God’s ways are far above our ways.
You and I may not understand why God is not acting the way we think He ought, but we can take comfort from Romans 8:28 which tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Listen, Dear Friend, the God who gave His only Son that you and I might have eternal life is infinitely more interested in us than we can begin to imagine. If there were ever at time when God would have been tempted to let man go his own way, it would have been at calvary. At Calvary where the innocent blood of His only begotten Son was shed. At Calvary where the perfectly sinless Christ became the very essence of sin for us. Yet Scripture reminds us, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Where is God in the midst of your trials, the world’s troubles, & your family’s fears? He’s right there. We see Him through the eyes of faith. We trust Him and believe His Word. The poem “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Stevenson speaks of God’s carrying us through the troubled times. Pity the one who doesn’t recognize God’s grace and mercy in his life. Everything you are and ever hope to be is owed to His abundant grace and mercy.
Where is God, Revelation 3:20 tells us, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” If you are a Believer and cannot sense His presence, it is because you have closed the door on His Lordship in your life. Don’t spend another day in doubt and fear. Open the door of your heart, and give Him free reign. He cannot fail. He must prevail!
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Cherished and Stored Up Anger
The older I become, the more I wish I could undo many things in my past, and I’m certain that others feel as I do. However one can never undo what has been done. He can only confess, repent, and attempt to make restitution where possible. But those acts often create in the lives of those affected opportunities to store up anger.
I’ve seen people become unhappy and bitter because they have stored up anger over perceived or actual harm. These people are unwilling to forgive, and that stored up anger begins to eat at their health while destroying relationships and opportunities. They often profess to not being angry, but their stomach is keeping score, and the tenseness they feel when the object of that anger is brought to mind can actually make them physically ill.
Scripture teaches that one should not allow the sun to go down upon his wrath, thereby giving place to the devil. You see, it becomes stored up anger, and each time it resurfaces it becomes more and more cherished, in so much that he finds it progressively more difficult to forgive the offender. When you don’t deal with your sinful anger forthrightly, you allow Satan the opportunity to destroy you, your relationships, and your testimony.
There is righteous anger that one ought have, but righteous anger is not directed toward an individual, rather it is directed toward the sin. Every preacher ought be angry over the sin which deceives and deludes his congregation, and each sermon ought have an element of anger toward that which is robbing Believers of the joy and victory in Christ which is rightly their because of His finished work on the cross.
Believers ought be angry about the sin which enslaves their loved ones and acquaintances. But, dear friends, don’t direct your anger toward the individual. Our churches would be filled with convicted, confessing, and repentant folk continually if we would only learn how to put aside that anger which we so easily justify toward others.
So how does one conquer anger? First, confess to God that you have this stored up anger and claim His loving forgiveness. Second, forgive the offender. If you will not forgive, you cannot be forgiven. Third, attempt to be reconciled to the one with whom you are angry. Reconciliation must not depend upon you.
Living anger free enables one to enjoy the life God has given. Jesus came that we might have abundant and fruitful life. Don’t allow stored up anger to rob you of the full benefits of this life. Don’t allow anger to rob you of an effective testimony for Christ.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
I’ve seen people become unhappy and bitter because they have stored up anger over perceived or actual harm. These people are unwilling to forgive, and that stored up anger begins to eat at their health while destroying relationships and opportunities. They often profess to not being angry, but their stomach is keeping score, and the tenseness they feel when the object of that anger is brought to mind can actually make them physically ill.
Scripture teaches that one should not allow the sun to go down upon his wrath, thereby giving place to the devil. You see, it becomes stored up anger, and each time it resurfaces it becomes more and more cherished, in so much that he finds it progressively more difficult to forgive the offender. When you don’t deal with your sinful anger forthrightly, you allow Satan the opportunity to destroy you, your relationships, and your testimony.
There is righteous anger that one ought have, but righteous anger is not directed toward an individual, rather it is directed toward the sin. Every preacher ought be angry over the sin which deceives and deludes his congregation, and each sermon ought have an element of anger toward that which is robbing Believers of the joy and victory in Christ which is rightly their because of His finished work on the cross.
Believers ought be angry about the sin which enslaves their loved ones and acquaintances. But, dear friends, don’t direct your anger toward the individual. Our churches would be filled with convicted, confessing, and repentant folk continually if we would only learn how to put aside that anger which we so easily justify toward others.
So how does one conquer anger? First, confess to God that you have this stored up anger and claim His loving forgiveness. Second, forgive the offender. If you will not forgive, you cannot be forgiven. Third, attempt to be reconciled to the one with whom you are angry. Reconciliation must not depend upon you.
Living anger free enables one to enjoy the life God has given. Jesus came that we might have abundant and fruitful life. Don’t allow stored up anger to rob you of the full benefits of this life. Don’t allow anger to rob you of an effective testimony for Christ.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Exercising Forgiveness Brings Freedom
I read somewhere that Karl Menninger once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day! The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Colossae, admonished the Believers there to “forebear and forgive one another, because Christ had forgiven them."
Failure to forgive makes one a slave to his unforgiveness. Bitterness rises up, and robs him of the joy and exciting anticipation of living as a Child of The King, replacing it with dread, regret, and frustration.
Jesus seemed to tie our own forgiveness of others with The Father’s forgiveness of us when He said in Mark 11:25, “And when you pray forgive, if you have anything against another, in order that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your offenses." Now that is some very heady stuff.
In Luke 14:4, Jesus said we who profess to believe in Him as Lord should not limit our forgiveness when He said that if a person sins against you seven times in a day, you must be willing to forgive.
One reason you and I have difficulty forgiving others is that we have not transferred ownership of our lives and property to God. If God owns us lock, stock, and barrel we have no standing to be angry with another for his misdeeds toward us, because it is God he is attacking. Rather than live with angry bitterness, why not allow God to set you free from the shackles of unforgiveness bondage by entreating Him to forgive you of your unforgiving spirit.
Since you are never more like Jesus than when you forgive, He will hear from heaven and bring joy and peace which surpasses all understanding.
I heard recently that justice is what we deserve, that mercy is not receiving what we deserve, and grace is receiving what we don’t deserve. Exercise grace toward those who harm, misuse, and abuse you and you will be exercising a Christ like attitude in your doings. God wants this for you, not so you miss out on life, but so that you enjoy living in this age to your maximum capacity. You are not hurting the one who you are not forgiving of. You're only hurting yourself. I've been there, and I don't want it for others.
Purpose today to forgive, even as you’ve been forgiven.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Failure to forgive makes one a slave to his unforgiveness. Bitterness rises up, and robs him of the joy and exciting anticipation of living as a Child of The King, replacing it with dread, regret, and frustration.
Jesus seemed to tie our own forgiveness of others with The Father’s forgiveness of us when He said in Mark 11:25, “And when you pray forgive, if you have anything against another, in order that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your offenses." Now that is some very heady stuff.
In Luke 14:4, Jesus said we who profess to believe in Him as Lord should not limit our forgiveness when He said that if a person sins against you seven times in a day, you must be willing to forgive.
One reason you and I have difficulty forgiving others is that we have not transferred ownership of our lives and property to God. If God owns us lock, stock, and barrel we have no standing to be angry with another for his misdeeds toward us, because it is God he is attacking. Rather than live with angry bitterness, why not allow God to set you free from the shackles of unforgiveness bondage by entreating Him to forgive you of your unforgiving spirit.
Since you are never more like Jesus than when you forgive, He will hear from heaven and bring joy and peace which surpasses all understanding.
I heard recently that justice is what we deserve, that mercy is not receiving what we deserve, and grace is receiving what we don’t deserve. Exercise grace toward those who harm, misuse, and abuse you and you will be exercising a Christ like attitude in your doings. God wants this for you, not so you miss out on life, but so that you enjoy living in this age to your maximum capacity. You are not hurting the one who you are not forgiving of. You're only hurting yourself. I've been there, and I don't want it for others.
Purpose today to forgive, even as you’ve been forgiven.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Accepting God’s Forgiveness Brings Happiness
I am so thankful that Jesus is the place of beginning again. All of us have things which we wish we could change. However, Romans 8:1 tells us, that if we are genuine Believers, “there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.”
Now that doesn't mean we'll be perfect, or that we won't be caught up in the temptations this world offers. However, when we truly confess that sin to Christ according to 1 John 1:9, we are cleansed and restored.
One of the most debilitating and harmful things in this world is self-condemnation. Christian men and women are crippled by it because they consider their past too heinous to ever be truly forgiven and restored. They live in a kind of perpetual purgatory, never enjoying the freedom which God’s forgiveness brings. This self-condemnation wrecks relationships, destroys health, and prevents real happiness.
Such people are unable to forgive because they can’t conceive of themselves having been fully forgiven. They are constantly afraid they will be “found out” and their attempts at a new life destroyed.
Scripture teaches that God doesn't condemn us, the devil can't condemn us, and we're so blessed if we enjoy the happiness which comes when we genuinely accept God's forgiveness and don't condemn ourselves.
A word of caution. The enemy will often use those you most care about to attack you because he knows that it is only through such that he has a chance of gaining ground in your life. Recognize it for what it is, and do not respond in anger to your loved ones. Examine your life to see if there is unconfessed and unrepented of sin which can give credence to the accusation. Claim 1 John 1:9 in the matter, purpose to right any wrong at the earliest opportunity, and accept God’s forgiveness. Be careful, lest an attitude of bitterness and defeatism rise up in you robbing you of the opportunity to become the person and instrument God is molding you into.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Now that doesn't mean we'll be perfect, or that we won't be caught up in the temptations this world offers. However, when we truly confess that sin to Christ according to 1 John 1:9, we are cleansed and restored.
One of the most debilitating and harmful things in this world is self-condemnation. Christian men and women are crippled by it because they consider their past too heinous to ever be truly forgiven and restored. They live in a kind of perpetual purgatory, never enjoying the freedom which God’s forgiveness brings. This self-condemnation wrecks relationships, destroys health, and prevents real happiness.
Such people are unable to forgive because they can’t conceive of themselves having been fully forgiven. They are constantly afraid they will be “found out” and their attempts at a new life destroyed.
Scripture teaches that God doesn't condemn us, the devil can't condemn us, and we're so blessed if we enjoy the happiness which comes when we genuinely accept God's forgiveness and don't condemn ourselves.
A word of caution. The enemy will often use those you most care about to attack you because he knows that it is only through such that he has a chance of gaining ground in your life. Recognize it for what it is, and do not respond in anger to your loved ones. Examine your life to see if there is unconfessed and unrepented of sin which can give credence to the accusation. Claim 1 John 1:9 in the matter, purpose to right any wrong at the earliest opportunity, and accept God’s forgiveness. Be careful, lest an attitude of bitterness and defeatism rise up in you robbing you of the opportunity to become the person and instrument God is molding you into.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thermostat Christians
Are you a thermometer Christian, or a thermostat Christian? A thermometer doesn’t change anything around it -- it just registers the temperature. It’s always going up, or down. But a thermostat regulates the surroundings and changes them when they need to be changed. Do you demonstrate the power to change things, or do you simply register the changes as circumstances mold you into the world’s likeness?
The world is filled with thermometers. One only need look at the church and note the seeming desire to conform to societal mores. “New understanding” has given us a permissiveness where professing Christians differ little from those who reject Christ. The “Come out from among them, and be separate” teachings have fallen prey to the belief that one must be “like” them in order to win them.
One should hardly be surprised at the contempt with which the world holds separatist Believers, because they are so accustomed to dealing with thermometers, that the thermostat appears extreme and cultic.
Romans 12:1,2 cautions Believers against being conformed to this world system. We are to be conformed to the image of God, by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus. When I stop to examine my own life, I’m appalled by the compromise I continue to allow in my life. Even though I desire to be a thermostat, I find myself registering the changes around me, rather than regulating them.
Lord, Help us this day to commit our ways to you in order that we might become more effective thermostats in the environment where we’ve been placed at this time.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
The world is filled with thermometers. One only need look at the church and note the seeming desire to conform to societal mores. “New understanding” has given us a permissiveness where professing Christians differ little from those who reject Christ. The “Come out from among them, and be separate” teachings have fallen prey to the belief that one must be “like” them in order to win them.
One should hardly be surprised at the contempt with which the world holds separatist Believers, because they are so accustomed to dealing with thermometers, that the thermostat appears extreme and cultic.
Romans 12:1,2 cautions Believers against being conformed to this world system. We are to be conformed to the image of God, by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus. When I stop to examine my own life, I’m appalled by the compromise I continue to allow in my life. Even though I desire to be a thermostat, I find myself registering the changes around me, rather than regulating them.
Lord, Help us this day to commit our ways to you in order that we might become more effective thermostats in the environment where we’ve been placed at this time.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Would I Serve God For Nothing?
I recently read again the story of Chippie, the parakeet. Chippie was enjoying the good life, when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum. She had just stuck the nozzle in to suck up the seeds and feathers on the bottom of the cage when the phone rang. Instinctively she turned to pick it up, and had barely begun to say, “Hello,” when–sswwwwwpppppppp! Chippie was sucked in. She gasped, let the phone drop, and switched off the vacuum. With her heart in her mouth, she unzipped the bag.
There was Chippie–alive but stunned–covered with heavy gray dust. She grabbed him and rushed to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast, and held Chippie under a torrent of cold water, as she power washed him clean. Then it dawned on her that Chippie was soaking wet and shivering. So se did what any compassionate pet owner would do; she snatched up the hair dryer and blasted him with hot air. Chippie survived, but he doesn’t talk much anymore. He just sits and stares a lot.
Job must have felt a lot like Chippie. Life was good until one day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”
Satan answered God with a question– “Does Job serve you for nothing?” Satan was accusing Job of serving God because of the blessings God had bestowed upon him. That begs the question–would I serve God for nothing? Is my followship dependent upon God’s protecting me and my family? Does it depend upon my health, wealth, position, or influence?
The hard truth is that faith cannot be proven by prosperity. Anybody can praise the Lord as long as everything is going the way they want. Even a lost person can praise God. But what if the opposite is true? What if suddenly the life is filled with tragedy that you don’t deserve? I think the New Testament commentary on this is found in Hebrews Chapter 12.
When we find ourselves in situations like Job, the first thing we need to acknowledge is that is God, and because He is God, He has the right to do what ever He chooses. Who am I, a fragile created being, to question His doings.
But I gain great comfort in knowing that God also has a reason for what He does. I might not know, or understand it this side of Glory, but I’m confident that He has a purpose. The writer of Hebrews made it clear in Chapter 12, and Job affirmed it in Job 42:2 when he said, “I know that you can do all things, and no purpose of yours can be hindered.”
The three Israelite children testified to the pagan king before they were cast into the fiery furnace, “Our God is able to deliver us, and He will, but if He doesn’t, we will still serve Him.” I pray that my followship, and yours, is not dependent upon what God is doing for us right now, but rather I pray that it is dependent upon the sure knowledge that He is able, and He will, but if He doesn’t He has a purpose beyond that which I can understand at this point, and I’m simply going to trust Him.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
There was Chippie–alive but stunned–covered with heavy gray dust. She grabbed him and rushed to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast, and held Chippie under a torrent of cold water, as she power washed him clean. Then it dawned on her that Chippie was soaking wet and shivering. So se did what any compassionate pet owner would do; she snatched up the hair dryer and blasted him with hot air. Chippie survived, but he doesn’t talk much anymore. He just sits and stares a lot.
Job must have felt a lot like Chippie. Life was good until one day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.”
Satan answered God with a question– “Does Job serve you for nothing?” Satan was accusing Job of serving God because of the blessings God had bestowed upon him. That begs the question–would I serve God for nothing? Is my followship dependent upon God’s protecting me and my family? Does it depend upon my health, wealth, position, or influence?
The hard truth is that faith cannot be proven by prosperity. Anybody can praise the Lord as long as everything is going the way they want. Even a lost person can praise God. But what if the opposite is true? What if suddenly the life is filled with tragedy that you don’t deserve? I think the New Testament commentary on this is found in Hebrews Chapter 12.
When we find ourselves in situations like Job, the first thing we need to acknowledge is that is God, and because He is God, He has the right to do what ever He chooses. Who am I, a fragile created being, to question His doings.
But I gain great comfort in knowing that God also has a reason for what He does. I might not know, or understand it this side of Glory, but I’m confident that He has a purpose. The writer of Hebrews made it clear in Chapter 12, and Job affirmed it in Job 42:2 when he said, “I know that you can do all things, and no purpose of yours can be hindered.”
The three Israelite children testified to the pagan king before they were cast into the fiery furnace, “Our God is able to deliver us, and He will, but if He doesn’t, we will still serve Him.” I pray that my followship, and yours, is not dependent upon what God is doing for us right now, but rather I pray that it is dependent upon the sure knowledge that He is able, and He will, but if He doesn’t He has a purpose beyond that which I can understand at this point, and I’m simply going to trust Him.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Another Ignominious Day
On January 23, 1972 President Nixon announced that an agreement to end the Vietnam Way had been reached. The Paris Peace Accords document was entitled "An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam.” It was officially signed on January 27. The resulting carnage inflicted on the people of South Korea by the Hanoi government paved the way for the oppressive regime, which remains one of the world’s most cruel suppressors of Christianity, to replicate the atrocities associated with North Korea and China after the Korean “Cease Fire,” and the subjugation of Eastern Europe by Russia following the implementation of “The Marshall Plan.” The sacrifice by freedom loving peoples of their brightest and bravest in that terrible war resulted in ignominious withdrawal without victory.
But, dear friends, there is a far graver ignominy facing greater Christendom in these days. The victorious shots were fired two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ defeated Satan upon Calvary’s tree by dying a victorious death, descending into the blackness of the earth, rising triumphantly on the third day, and ascending forty days later to prepare for His soon return when all peoples everywhere will acknowledge His victorious Kingship.
Yet, His followers today, often act as if they were on the losing side in that great battle. Professing Believers wring their hands at the futile attempts by the defeated enemy to subjugate them, and cower at his apparent strength, seemingly forgetting that he has already been defeated and the evidence of that defeat resides in the hearts of genuine Believers everywhere. The failure of those Believers to appropriate the power to live victoriously in this age, has resulted in the chastising hand of God upon His peoples because those whom He loves, He chastises.
It is therefore incumbent upon those of us who confess Him as Lord to discipline ourselves in light of Hebrews Chapter Twelve in the following areas:
1. Honest self-examination of conscience to uncover that with which God is displeased.
2. Earnest prayer for God’s intervention in the affairs of those who need to trust in Him, and for His guidance in our own daily doings.
3. Persistent patience as molds us into instruments capable of demonstrating the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” as our will is broken to His.
4. Consistent faith which shows the oppressors that our joy is not dependent upon external circumstances.
5. Confident expectation of the “Blessed Hope” which will eventually justify our dedication to His purposes over the temporal pleasures of this world.
6. Love for The Father must so overflow our being that the enemy of Christ and His followers is amazed by its depth, breath, width, and its durability.
From “A Word For Living” by Mike Rasberry
© 2013 Mike Rasberry
But, dear friends, there is a far graver ignominy facing greater Christendom in these days. The victorious shots were fired two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ defeated Satan upon Calvary’s tree by dying a victorious death, descending into the blackness of the earth, rising triumphantly on the third day, and ascending forty days later to prepare for His soon return when all peoples everywhere will acknowledge His victorious Kingship.
Yet, His followers today, often act as if they were on the losing side in that great battle. Professing Believers wring their hands at the futile attempts by the defeated enemy to subjugate them, and cower at his apparent strength, seemingly forgetting that he has already been defeated and the evidence of that defeat resides in the hearts of genuine Believers everywhere. The failure of those Believers to appropriate the power to live victoriously in this age, has resulted in the chastising hand of God upon His peoples because those whom He loves, He chastises.
It is therefore incumbent upon those of us who confess Him as Lord to discipline ourselves in light of Hebrews Chapter Twelve in the following areas:
1. Honest self-examination of conscience to uncover that with which God is displeased.
2. Earnest prayer for God’s intervention in the affairs of those who need to trust in Him, and for His guidance in our own daily doings.
3. Persistent patience as molds us into instruments capable of demonstrating the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” as our will is broken to His.
4. Consistent faith which shows the oppressors that our joy is not dependent upon external circumstances.
5. Confident expectation of the “Blessed Hope” which will eventually justify our dedication to His purposes over the temporal pleasures of this world.
6. Love for The Father must so overflow our being that the enemy of Christ and His followers is amazed by its depth, breath, width, and its durability.
From “A Word For Living” by Mike Rasberry
© 2013 Mike Rasberry
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Training Which is Reflected in Living
Key Point: The true test of what we know, as Believers, is not how much we understand, but how that knowledge is affecting our lives. It matters little how many verses of Scripture I’ve memorized, if I’m not honestly attempting to obey the principles I do know.
The Hebrew Believers were undergoing extreme persecution from their own people. Some were being tempted to renounce their faith and the author of Hebrews reminds them, in Chapter twelve, that they have not yet suffered martyrdom, so they really haven’t suffered much at all. He uses the analogy of a young athlete, training for the public games who submits himself to rigorous training in order to excel, as an example of how the chastening of the Lord should be received. Such training involved the willing participate often being beaten in such a way as to elicit pain by the more advanced trainer, thereby requiring the trainee to either improve or quit to avoid the harsh beatings administered by the trainer.
Certainly, some attacks are directly from the enemy, and others are given by The Father to reclaim His children when they have wandered from His way and been enticed by the dainties of this world system. But much is simply training so that the Believer might become more conformed to the will of God in Christ Jesus, and thereby more adept at being a useful instrument of God’s grace in this world.
One man has said that the most dangerous cult in America is “The Cult of Easy Living.” Contemporary Believers seem more intent on what is happening in their lives right now, than what lies ahead. We seem incapable of belaying the ease of the moment in order to prepare ourselves for a greater usefulness. In another place the Apostle Paul declared that if the best reward we have is what we receive here on this world, then we must be the most miserable of all men.
Genuine Believers deny themselves the dainties of this world in order to prepare for the coming world. By faith, they understand that there is coming a time when they’ll rest in the bosom of Jesus Christ, and even though they may be misunderstood, abused, and misused in this age; it is only temporary. After a short season, they will be transported into eternal victory.
The writer says, therefore, to not give up when those who have been close to you attack you. When those long forgotten, and seemingly buried, missteps catch you unprepared--When deliberate attacks from the enemy discombobulate your actions in an attempt to discredit you--When bad decisions pile up around you, threatening to bury you under a sea of failure–Remember those who’ve gone before, who’ve suffered even greater emotional, financial, physical, and even moral attacks. Do not surrender. As the sturdy athlete in training, step forward prepared to accept the blows the Master Trainer administers in order to be more prepared to step into the big public arena so that the world might see how Genuine Believers comport themselves in this world system. Whereby, many might come to faith in Christ by seeing such comportment.
From “A Word For Living” by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Loving God
Scripture teaches in Deuteronomy 6:5 that one is to love God with all his being. This command is repeated in the New Testament as the Great Commandment. It is not a suggested path to greater happiness in life, it is a command of God to those who would be known as His followers.
Over the years, I’ve come to love God with my whole being, but I must confess I have not always done so. For years after my conversion, even after my call to preach, I really did not love God with my whole being. Had I loved Him so, I believe I would have been a much better man, a better husband, a better father, and much better pastor.
I don’t think there was a time since my conversion that I did not have love for God, but the kind of love which put Him and His way first was missing from my life. Even today, I struggle with always doing that which honors and glorifies God, but in my younger years, the love of God did not rule my life.
I believe that much of the problem Believers face today is rooted in that same failure to love God with their whole hearts. Such love dictates one’s actions toward others and toward God. When God is loved with all one’s being, an attitude of justice toward others, generosity toward the hurting, uprightness in dealings, selfless love toward spouse and family, and life-changing worship characterizes that individual.
I wish I had learned to love God earlier in life. I pray that each one who reads this, takes time to evaluate himself in light of how much he really loves God, and commits himself to learning how to really love God by learning of Him.
From: "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Over the years, I’ve come to love God with my whole being, but I must confess I have not always done so. For years after my conversion, even after my call to preach, I really did not love God with my whole being. Had I loved Him so, I believe I would have been a much better man, a better husband, a better father, and much better pastor.
I don’t think there was a time since my conversion that I did not have love for God, but the kind of love which put Him and His way first was missing from my life. Even today, I struggle with always doing that which honors and glorifies God, but in my younger years, the love of God did not rule my life.
I believe that much of the problem Believers face today is rooted in that same failure to love God with their whole hearts. Such love dictates one’s actions toward others and toward God. When God is loved with all one’s being, an attitude of justice toward others, generosity toward the hurting, uprightness in dealings, selfless love toward spouse and family, and life-changing worship characterizes that individual.
I wish I had learned to love God earlier in life. I pray that each one who reads this, takes time to evaluate himself in light of how much he really loves God, and commits himself to learning how to really love God by learning of Him.
From: "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Making Sense of Life's Challenges
We are usually wont to consider the opposition and we face in this world as impediments placed in our path by our evil adversary, Satan. It is true that the enemy goes about as both an angel of light to distract us and as a roaring lion to strike fear into us, lest we who are Genuine Believers living as children of The King effectively communicate God’s wondrous love and grace to receptive hearts.
At other times, we might acknowledge the chastisement of God upon our lives, by saying this which has befallen me is God’s call to turn from some path I have chosen which is contrary to His revealed will for my life. Certainly Scripture points out that those who are His children will be chastened by Him as loving and redemptive correction.
There remains a third cause for the challenges of life, and one which I believe is more common than the other two. That is that God leads through such difficulties and challenges in order that we who know Him personally might grow to be more like Him, and in so growing expand our effectiveness in this world.
Scripture teaches that God led the Israelites out of Egypt by a certain way. It was a way of hardship, privation, and delay. The trip, which encompassed almost two years before they arrived at Kadesh Barnea, could have been accomplished in a fraction of the time, but God was teaching His people some things. Regrettably, they failed to apply the lessons learned and suffered the chastisement of God’s hand, and additional training.
When you and I begin to look at everything that befalls us as “God’s Will,” we will be better able to face the future knowing, with certainty, that He holds everything in His hand. Now, I’m not promoting senseless fatalism here, rather, an aggressive acceptance of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where we, by faith, trust that God is molding and making us into more useful instruments for His glory.
Certainly we must deal with the adversary. Certainly we must examine our lives to see if we conform to His plan for our lives. But, we must also accept that growth comes by the exercising of one’s muscles, and faith is grown by trusting God to lead us through the challenges of living in this world. Giving thanks in “all things” for we know that what is happening is the “will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.”
From: "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
At other times, we might acknowledge the chastisement of God upon our lives, by saying this which has befallen me is God’s call to turn from some path I have chosen which is contrary to His revealed will for my life. Certainly Scripture points out that those who are His children will be chastened by Him as loving and redemptive correction.
There remains a third cause for the challenges of life, and one which I believe is more common than the other two. That is that God leads through such difficulties and challenges in order that we who know Him personally might grow to be more like Him, and in so growing expand our effectiveness in this world.
Scripture teaches that God led the Israelites out of Egypt by a certain way. It was a way of hardship, privation, and delay. The trip, which encompassed almost two years before they arrived at Kadesh Barnea, could have been accomplished in a fraction of the time, but God was teaching His people some things. Regrettably, they failed to apply the lessons learned and suffered the chastisement of God’s hand, and additional training.
When you and I begin to look at everything that befalls us as “God’s Will,” we will be better able to face the future knowing, with certainty, that He holds everything in His hand. Now, I’m not promoting senseless fatalism here, rather, an aggressive acceptance of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 where we, by faith, trust that God is molding and making us into more useful instruments for His glory.
Certainly we must deal with the adversary. Certainly we must examine our lives to see if we conform to His plan for our lives. But, we must also accept that growth comes by the exercising of one’s muscles, and faith is grown by trusting God to lead us through the challenges of living in this world. Giving thanks in “all things” for we know that what is happening is the “will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us.”
From: "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© Mike Rasberry 2013
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Trip to China
Diane and I left home yesterday afternoon late for Jackson airport, and made it all the way to Carthage, Ms before stopping at a Walmart.
We stayed at the Ramada in Pearl, Ms Sunday Night. I learned something on this trip which I should have learned long ago, that is that you can stay at a motel and have them keep your vehicle for $10.00. That amount plus the room cost is less than parking your vehicle in long term parking, and they will deliver you to the door of the terminal and pick you up from same. Wow! Where has that been my whole life?
After taking the motel shuttle to the airport, we had the exciting experience of dealing with the technology challenged, yet highly advanced check in at the United counter in Jackson. Not sure why counter attendants are needed anymore, except that one continually needs the counter attendant to come swipe a card, apparently having a valid passport and paid up electronic ticket is not enough. :-)
Learned that we could have packed more, but would have needed another day of preparation to determine which twelve additional pounds should have been added. Diane's profound relief at discovering our baggage was not over weight was promptly allayed, as she thought of everything she had regrettably left behind, especially her boots when she discovered it is currently snowing in Yanji.
The security check in went well. However, I must remember in the future to avoid bringing a pocket full of change. I learned long ago to wear shoes with velcro rather than boots.
We have met an interesting mix of folks in this trip already. An oil company employee who lives in Vietnam, but works in Russia from Mississippi. The eleventh grade daughter of a pilot trying to get back home without missing another day of school. She is flying standby and oil company employee flies first class.
Arrived in Houston on time and had a filling breakfast, then learned that the flight from Houston to San Francisco had been delayed beyond the time for the departure from San Francisco. Oh well, we might get to go to "Fisherman's Wharf." There is only one flight from San Francisco to Beijing daily apparently.
I had planned to make a couple of extra stops on this trip, but time and finances prevented that, so perhaps we'll have an extra stop there in the city by the bay.
We arrived in San Francisco at 2:40 PM. Our flight to China was scheduled to leave at 2:50. The flight attendants could not help us get the gate assignment for our trip, but told us a United Airlines Customer Service rep would meet us at the counter when we disembarked from the aircraft. No one was there to assist us and consequently we were unable to locate our gate before the plane left the gate. It could have been frustrating, but we know that God always has a plan in what He does, and while we might not see it for a while we can be confident that we will eventually understand.
We still feel that United's negligence is responsible for the miscue, and we're going to press the issue with them to see if they'll reimburse the cost of the room. They did give us meal vouchers and we purchased some great sandwiches with the vouchers.
Later this evening we traveled to Fisherman's Wharf and enjoyed taking in some of the sights until the rain sent us scurrying back to the motel.
I would be remiss should I neglect to regale you with the exploits of our taxi driver. A baseball enthusiast, and exuberant fan of the San Francisco Giants, he attempted to educate us on
The trip back to the motel was also quite an adventure. The cable cars are not very well marked and one must know where he is going in order to use them. The driver kept saying that he would announce when we arrived at Union Station but none of us could understand what he was saying. He seemed somewhat exasperated by the passengers' continual inquiries. Several of us decided that colleges should teach a course in San Franciscese, since what he was speaking bore little resemblance to English.
At Union Station we boarded the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and returned to the airport where we caught the shuttle back to the motel.
The BART is basically a subway, but again one could ride for ever without help because the stops are poorly marked & the drivers do not speak clearly. But the trains are clean and fairly comfortable.
Resting in the knowledge that our Father is orchestrating events for His glory, we anxiously await the purpose behind this diversion, and are carefully alert lest me miss a great opportunity.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Jesus Is My Hero
Since the advent of Facebook, and other social media, has spawned a proliferation of pithy sayings about life, it was inevitable that more and more such would be posted to give Believers that feel good experience upon which the world thrives.I’m thankful when I see such posts that folks are thinking about God and His work in their lives and the world at large. However, one must be careful lest Lordship be replaced with hero worship.
Hero worship is defined as the over adulation of an individual because of his/her position, accomplishments, or talents. Heroes are people whose lives the worshipers attempt to emulate, or follow based upon external suppositions, and this is where the rub occurs with regard to Jesus as a hero.
Jesus never aspires to hero worship. Jesus demands that He be Lord of one’s life. Now “Lordship” in Biblical terms means that He have total control of one’s life. The true follower of Jesus Christ is not limited to what he/she sees on a movie screen, or hears over a CD. The true follower of Jesus Christ has a personal intimate witness of who He is living in him.
Throughout time men have attempted to live lives patterned after heroic figures. Such attempts are doomed from the outset because each individual is intrinsically different physically, mentally, and spiritually. Jesus does not want those who follow Him to look at His life and attempt to emulate it because He knows the impossibility of such a task. Rather, He makes a new creation of those who become His and writes on their minds and hearts His plan for their lives. He has provided Scripture as instruction, and His indwelling Holy Spirit as validation.
Lest you take me wrongly, let me hasten to add that it is proper and right to exalt and praise Jesus. Social media gives us ample opportunity to do so, but we need be careful that we not denigrate His Lordship while settling for a less than satisfying hero worship.
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Why I'm NOT Worried About The Election
I honestly hope President Obama is retired next month. I believe him to be a liar, manipulator, sluggard, socialist, and a money-grubbing anti-Christian spawn of Satan, who is also an instrument of Holy God. Now, lest you experience apoplexy, please understand that the President’s opponent is really not much better, he simply has financial and social policies more likely to propel America financially and morally to the high ground.
I believe this president to be the most dangerous person ever to occupy the White House. The failure of his policies should be the primary concern of every right thinking citizen; on top of which he is even money to return for another four years. Yet, none of that worries me.
I’m concerned that my grandchildren might not enjoy the freedom I enjoyed as a child and young adult as more and more policies are implemented to control every aspect of citizenry life. I’m concerned that those grandchildren might not have the opportunity to develop their talents to the capacity they’re willing to work to attain. I’m concerned that worship of God will become inhibited to the extent that political correctness police carefully guard against children being “indoctrinated” with God’s Holy Word. Yet, none of that worries me.
You see, I believe that just as God sent oppressive regimes to bring Israel to her knees, He continues that work even in this age. We’re told in Scripture that God has the hearts of kings in His hands turning them which ever way He wants, in the same way He changes the course of the meandering river. I further believe that God continues to raise up peoples to do His bidding, and when those peoples become so full of themselves that even the genuinely true Believers are weak and ineffectual in their lifestyles, He sends oppression upon them in order to drive them to their knees. Should those Believers not repent and call upon the Lord for deliverance, I believe He will turn them over to their unbelief and raise up another people to do His bidding.
You see, God’s purpose for those He raises up has always been the same. For Israel, the twofold purpose was to prepare the world for the coming Messiah, and when He arrived to recognize Him as God and King. Since Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension the twofold purpose of those He has raised up has been to make Him Lord, and prepare the world for His soon return. Israel failed. Each succeeding group has also failed.
Romanism became corrupt and split into two corrupt groups. Following the Reformation, several European nations were raised up as His instrument, but liberal theology and humanistic philosophy destroyed their motivation. America has continued to take the Good News effectively around the world because, I believe, a remnant remains faithful to Christ even during these heady days of self-indulgence.
However, that group is growing smaller almost daily and faithful saints leave this terrestrial ball to enter eternity with Jesus. Those remaining seem less and less willing to suffer in order to affect genuine revival and spiritual awakening; thereby turning the American church into a smorgasbord of lite and fluffy whimsy rather than the disciplined, dedicated, and principled power of the past.
Should God bring the ever increasing oppressiveness of governmental intrusion upon the land by retaining President Obama, we can know that America is genuinely at a crossroads between being a useful instrument of His grace, and a castoff stubbornly refusing repentance by those who claim His name. Should total oppression be necessary, I shall, like Jeremiah of old, continue to cry out for God’s people to repent and turn to God. This is not a popular position, but I believe, it the prudent position.
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
I believe this president to be the most dangerous person ever to occupy the White House. The failure of his policies should be the primary concern of every right thinking citizen; on top of which he is even money to return for another four years. Yet, none of that worries me.
I’m concerned that my grandchildren might not enjoy the freedom I enjoyed as a child and young adult as more and more policies are implemented to control every aspect of citizenry life. I’m concerned that those grandchildren might not have the opportunity to develop their talents to the capacity they’re willing to work to attain. I’m concerned that worship of God will become inhibited to the extent that political correctness police carefully guard against children being “indoctrinated” with God’s Holy Word. Yet, none of that worries me.
You see, I believe that just as God sent oppressive regimes to bring Israel to her knees, He continues that work even in this age. We’re told in Scripture that God has the hearts of kings in His hands turning them which ever way He wants, in the same way He changes the course of the meandering river. I further believe that God continues to raise up peoples to do His bidding, and when those peoples become so full of themselves that even the genuinely true Believers are weak and ineffectual in their lifestyles, He sends oppression upon them in order to drive them to their knees. Should those Believers not repent and call upon the Lord for deliverance, I believe He will turn them over to their unbelief and raise up another people to do His bidding.
You see, God’s purpose for those He raises up has always been the same. For Israel, the twofold purpose was to prepare the world for the coming Messiah, and when He arrived to recognize Him as God and King. Since Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension the twofold purpose of those He has raised up has been to make Him Lord, and prepare the world for His soon return. Israel failed. Each succeeding group has also failed.
Romanism became corrupt and split into two corrupt groups. Following the Reformation, several European nations were raised up as His instrument, but liberal theology and humanistic philosophy destroyed their motivation. America has continued to take the Good News effectively around the world because, I believe, a remnant remains faithful to Christ even during these heady days of self-indulgence.
However, that group is growing smaller almost daily and faithful saints leave this terrestrial ball to enter eternity with Jesus. Those remaining seem less and less willing to suffer in order to affect genuine revival and spiritual awakening; thereby turning the American church into a smorgasbord of lite and fluffy whimsy rather than the disciplined, dedicated, and principled power of the past.
Should God bring the ever increasing oppressiveness of governmental intrusion upon the land by retaining President Obama, we can know that America is genuinely at a crossroads between being a useful instrument of His grace, and a castoff stubbornly refusing repentance by those who claim His name. Should total oppression be necessary, I shall, like Jeremiah of old, continue to cry out for God’s people to repent and turn to God. This is not a popular position, but I believe, it the prudent position.
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
Thursday, September 06, 2012
FOOL'S PARADISE
The meaning of “Fool’s Paradise” is said to be “a false state of happiness based on false hopes.” That dear friends, is an apt description of those who rely upon this world system for their fulfillment in life. The emphasis upon obtaining an education, attaining a position of prominence, acquiring possessions, and enjoying leisure seems promise happiness and joy to the one who has them.
One needs only look at the lives of prominent to see the utter fallacy of that premise. Broken marriages, estranged children, lost fortunes, and destructive addictions attest that something more must be added to the equation in order to experience lasting happiness and joy.
One might deduce the opposite of those lofty ideals is the answer, and he too would find the road littered with the human debris of failed hopes and dreams. What then, one asks, is the answer to avoiding living in this “Fool’s Paradise?”
The answer lies in death, not the death of the physical body, but the death of the nature inherited at birth. It is a nature which inherently strives against what is best and seeks after those things perceived as giving immediate pleasure and satisfaction. A nature which drives one to indulge in that which appeals to the eye, or the touch, or to self-esteem. A nature whose goal is to bask in the fleeting happiness of a “Fool’s Paradise.”
The next logical question of course is, “How does one’s nature die without the death of the physical body?” That, my friends, is a great mystery. The answer has been sought throughout the ages by philosophers, educators, and religious leaders of every stripe. However, the mystery has been revealed in Jesus of Nazareth.
The Holy God of the universe, who created all things, and by whom all things consist, has provided a way for each of us to experience both a death of the old nature and a new birth with a new nature without experiencing physical death. How is such possible? With God all things are possible. Is anything too hard for the One who created and sustains the universe?
This death involves a voluntary recognition of one’s need brought about by a working of God in the heart of understanding. Next a realization of the utter futility of his current course as it takes him farther and farther from God’s ideal while immersing him in the “Fool’s Paradise.” A shocking understanding of complete helplessness to affect a change in his own life, elicits a cry to God for deliverance from his predicament. At which time God does a work in the heart of the individual so that he is no longer focused on living in a “Fool’s Paradise,” but rather on knowing and doing the will of God for his life.
If you remain living in a fool’s paradise until this day, you are in danger of dying a physical death without ever experiencing the mysterious new birth God affects in the life of one who comes to Him by faith. My prayer for you today is that you, too, will turn to Christ and allow Him to give you new citizenship where your name is written down in the Kingdom of Heaven for all eternity.
Jesus said in John chapter three, “Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
From "A Word For Living"
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
One needs only look at the lives of prominent to see the utter fallacy of that premise. Broken marriages, estranged children, lost fortunes, and destructive addictions attest that something more must be added to the equation in order to experience lasting happiness and joy.
One might deduce the opposite of those lofty ideals is the answer, and he too would find the road littered with the human debris of failed hopes and dreams. What then, one asks, is the answer to avoiding living in this “Fool’s Paradise?”
The answer lies in death, not the death of the physical body, but the death of the nature inherited at birth. It is a nature which inherently strives against what is best and seeks after those things perceived as giving immediate pleasure and satisfaction. A nature which drives one to indulge in that which appeals to the eye, or the touch, or to self-esteem. A nature whose goal is to bask in the fleeting happiness of a “Fool’s Paradise.”
The next logical question of course is, “How does one’s nature die without the death of the physical body?” That, my friends, is a great mystery. The answer has been sought throughout the ages by philosophers, educators, and religious leaders of every stripe. However, the mystery has been revealed in Jesus of Nazareth.
The Holy God of the universe, who created all things, and by whom all things consist, has provided a way for each of us to experience both a death of the old nature and a new birth with a new nature without experiencing physical death. How is such possible? With God all things are possible. Is anything too hard for the One who created and sustains the universe?
This death involves a voluntary recognition of one’s need brought about by a working of God in the heart of understanding. Next a realization of the utter futility of his current course as it takes him farther and farther from God’s ideal while immersing him in the “Fool’s Paradise.” A shocking understanding of complete helplessness to affect a change in his own life, elicits a cry to God for deliverance from his predicament. At which time God does a work in the heart of the individual so that he is no longer focused on living in a “Fool’s Paradise,” but rather on knowing and doing the will of God for his life.
If you remain living in a fool’s paradise until this day, you are in danger of dying a physical death without ever experiencing the mysterious new birth God affects in the life of one who comes to Him by faith. My prayer for you today is that you, too, will turn to Christ and allow Him to give you new citizenship where your name is written down in the Kingdom of Heaven for all eternity.
Jesus said in John chapter three, “Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
From "A Word For Living"
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
Tuesday, September 04, 2012
MAKING A MESS IN THE KITCHEN
I've always known, I can't cook. During the winter of 1964, I worked as a deck hand on a crew boat for Kerr McGee in the Gulf. My duties included cooking for the captain and myself. The captain weighed close to three hundred pounds and loved food. I think he lost about thirty pounds during the couple months I worked with him. I had no trouble tying the boat, navigating up river with radar, loading and offloading, or handling the locks. All that was simple. But cooking, now that was a challenge.
After I returned from Vietnam, Diane and I lived in Yuma, Arizona. I sometimes tried to prepare meals to surprise her, man was she ever surprised. :-) My very best meal was serving a can of stewed tomatoes. I could salt and pepper them with the best of folk. But everything I tried to cook was either too hard, too soft, or just plain bad.
My mother taught me how to wash dishes and insured that I could set the table, and put the dishes away, but even though my dad was a very good cook, I never achieved proficiency at it.
While living in Texas, I began smoking briskets, and I can really do a good job of that, if all one wants is meat, I'm your man. Both my sons can cook and produce some extremely tasty dishes, but I simply cannot.
About two years ago, I started out to boil some eggs-- do you realize that eggs will explode if you leave them boiling for twenty minutes or so? Well, they will. Phew! What a stinky mess!
I've learned how to heat up Diane's wonder goulash and other fine dishes, but I still seem to find some fine narrow crack through which I can really mess up. Today, I heated some pasta in the microwave, then prepared to add Picante Sauce to it. Grabbing the bottle by the handle, we use those large plastic bottles of picante, I commenced to shaking vigorously only to see foreign matter flying across the kitchen as well as landing on my person. The lid was not screwed on the bottle--probably my own oversight from a previous time I used it.
I quickly grabbed paper towels and dish rags to begin cleaning everything up, Diane was not yet home from work. I worked feverishly to remove the evidence, but I knew she would soon begin asking questions about pieces of onion, pepper, and other ingredients scattered about. Therefore, the only course open to me was to "fess up" quickly and try to turn it into a joke on me. She didn't laugh. However, she did quickly find everything I missed in my clean up.
I guess some people just can't do some things. My son-in-law doesn't know the radiator from the crankcase on a vehicle and in fact once filled one of my vehicles with water through the oil filler tube. Nah, not so funny, then. Perhaps one day my wife will laugh at my kitchen peccadilloes the same way I now laugh at David's mechanicing, then again---maybe not.
2012 Mike Rasberry
CHRIST IN MAN vs WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME
I'm sure some folk will not be happy with what
I'm about to say, but so be it. Every Genuine Believer in Christ needs
to really consider his/her vote in the upcoming election. What
possible motivation could there be for a genuine Believer to vote for
the Democrat ticket when they so clearly are promoting an agenda 180
degrees from what the Bible teaches. Choice is not choice, because the
baby has no choice, it is murder of an unborn child.
Gay marriage is not "gay" it is approval of a deviant lifestyle condemned by Scripture. Those two positions alone should be enough to dissuade any genuine Believer from voting for the democrat ticket.
Now many WILL pull the democrat lever because they perceive it is in their own best interest, or simply because President Obama is Black, or they've just always been democrats, or FDR was a democrat, or "my daddy would roll over in his grave if I voted republican."
Christians, it is NOT about us. Get over it! Our pocketbook is the least of our worries!! Perceptions about health care are only peripherally important. Losing the freedom to develop ourselves to our fullest potential by acquiescing to this "nanny state" philosophy will cost us the freedom to worship, or not.
Get over it, Christians!!! The time has come to die to self and live out the "Christ in Man" life in the political realm.
Retire Mr. OBAMA and Mr. Biden.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
FAT AND JUICY
This Morning Diane and I went into the woods and picked some blackberries. We had intended to stay for about an hour and a half, but something happened which caused our expedition to last a little longer. I kept discovering fat and juicy berries. Has that ever happened to you?
As I pondered those fat and juicy berries and their call upon me, I realized that there are many fat and juicy things in life which distract us from our purpose and schedule. I had my day planned, but those fat and juicy berries have put me far behind schedule, and some things simply will not get accomplished.
I’m convinced that God has a plan for us as we live out each day. A plan designed to grow us into a more Christlike individual, to touch the lives of others in a positive way, and to move toward the ultimate fulfillment of His purpose for our lives. The fat and juicy blackberries of life tend to distract us from His purpose, thereby causing us to play catchup in our doings. Additionally, we suffer guilt for having not accomplished what He had for us.
Those fat and juicy blackberries of life can sometimes lead us into some very thorny situations. I remarked to my wife that the best berries seemed to always be the most inaccessible requiring me to sustain scratches and pricks in order to reach them.
Too often those that appeared fat and juicy were much less so once I reached them. That, too, is the way of life as we observe the highly desirable object from a distance, only to be disappointed once it has been acquired.
As I pondered those fat and juicy berries and their call upon me, I realized that there are many fat and juicy things in life which distract us from our purpose and schedule. I had my day planned, but those fat and juicy berries have put me far behind schedule, and some things simply will not get accomplished.
I’m convinced that God has a plan for us as we live out each day. A plan designed to grow us into a more Christlike individual, to touch the lives of others in a positive way, and to move toward the ultimate fulfillment of His purpose for our lives. The fat and juicy blackberries of life tend to distract us from His purpose, thereby causing us to play catchup in our doings. Additionally, we suffer guilt for having not accomplished what He had for us.
Those fat and juicy blackberries of life can sometimes lead us into some very thorny situations. I remarked to my wife that the best berries seemed to always be the most inaccessible requiring me to sustain scratches and pricks in order to reach them.
Too often those that appeared fat and juicy were much less so once I reached them. That, too, is the way of life as we observe the highly desirable object from a distance, only to be disappointed once it has been acquired.
From "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
Friday, May 18, 2012
EMPATHY or SYMPATHY
According to all I’ve read, “Sympathy” is a feeling of care and understanding for what another is experiencing. “Empathy” is the ability to mutually share emotionally with what another is experiencing. When one sympathizes with another, he stands outside and observes with concern. When he empathizes, he gets inside the skin of another and feels from his perspective.
Too much of contemporary Christian witnessing is, I believe, sympathetically shared. We see the person’s condition, and realizing it is difficult, wish for them the better way of life which Christ alone affords. It is very easy to forget the doubt, fear, anger, frustration, and general malaise under which we labored before Christ energized us, and gave us a greater purpose in life. Consequently, we are perplexed by the failure of those to whom we witness to recognize the truth of what we’re saying, and we become resigned to the hopelessness of ever reaching them for.
When we empathize with the unsaved, we recognize their doubts. We remember the abject hopelessness of trying manipulate circumstances so as to accommodate our desires and personal dreams. We understand the sense of having tried to live the Christian life, and failing, thereby wondering if is just a pipe dream, all the while, hoping that it is true, and there is hope of real purpose and meaning.
Such empathy leads us to persevere in our attempts to show Christ to them, while praying pointedly for the Holy Spirit’s intervention in their lives. It also leads us to share more effectively God’s Good News, that they need not remain trapped in their hopeless condition, but that Christ has come, bringing with Him deliverance to those who are captive, and realize there must be more to life than what they’re experiencing.
Lord, help me this day to learn empathy, so that I might more effectively preach Your truth, and more efficiently share with those You lead across my path.
Too much of contemporary Christian witnessing is, I believe, sympathetically shared. We see the person’s condition, and realizing it is difficult, wish for them the better way of life which Christ alone affords. It is very easy to forget the doubt, fear, anger, frustration, and general malaise under which we labored before Christ energized us, and gave us a greater purpose in life. Consequently, we are perplexed by the failure of those to whom we witness to recognize the truth of what we’re saying, and we become resigned to the hopelessness of ever reaching them for.
When we empathize with the unsaved, we recognize their doubts. We remember the abject hopelessness of trying manipulate circumstances so as to accommodate our desires and personal dreams. We understand the sense of having tried to live the Christian life, and failing, thereby wondering if is just a pipe dream, all the while, hoping that it is true, and there is hope of real purpose and meaning.
Such empathy leads us to persevere in our attempts to show Christ to them, while praying pointedly for the Holy Spirit’s intervention in their lives. It also leads us to share more effectively God’s Good News, that they need not remain trapped in their hopeless condition, but that Christ has come, bringing with Him deliverance to those who are captive, and realize there must be more to life than what they’re experiencing.
Lord, help me this day to learn empathy, so that I might more effectively preach Your truth, and more efficiently share with those You lead across my path.
Taken from "A Word For Living" by Mike Rasberry
© 2012 Mike Rasberry
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