Tag: 1 corinthians

ANNIVERSARY

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

An anniversary is the commemoration or celebration of a past event that occurs annually on the same date of the year as the initial, inaugural event.  Needless to say, the simplest example would be one’s wedding anniversary.  As far as we know, this word was first used in relation to religious memorial days that venerated various saints.  These feasts were similar to those associated with Judaism when the Hebrew people gathered to worship the Lord and express their gratitude for all His work in their nation, as well as in their individual lives and families.   

This June, West Oaks Fellowship will observe her 30th anniversary.  In some ways it seems like only yesterday when a handful of young committed believers gathered in hopes of forming a new ministry in association with Westheimer Baptist Church/First Baptist West Houston.  As that aspiration quickly diminished, we came to believe that the Lord was leading us to embrace what seemed to be the next best viable option … start an independent, biblically based ministry/church/fellowship. 

There I was, 30 years old and wading out deep in unfamiliar waters with no bridge back.  Sure, I had led Sonburst (a Jesus band that I was instrumental in forming in 1972), organized and managed my own construction businesses, and served in staff positions for several ministries, but now I was truly out on my own as Christ’s undershepherd … fully responsible and accountable for His flock/people.  Yes, it was somewhat of an intimidating position; one matched only by the loss of my parents and 19 friends in our youth group at age 18 on December 26, 1972, seven months after I had graduated from high school.  Unquestionably, it was truly sink or swim, yet every time I think about those early days of this ministry, then called Grace Church, I am overwhelmed by His abundant grace, and I find myself eternally grateful for three essential elements that God had uniquely orchestrated and put in place for that day and the initial formative years of WOF:

1.    A supporting bride (Brenda) who was succeeding in her own businesses which provided us with not only the funds needed for our well-being, but resources to help underwrite this newly-born New Testament based ministry.

2.     A few godly young men (all around 30) and their wives (some singles too), who loved God, respected one another, and knew His word.  They gave consistently, sacrificially, and responsibly to the ministry of both their time and resources and each of them stepped up to provide the leadership we needed to insure that our initial steps were positioned on a sure, unshakable foundation.

3.    Then, there were all those that came without much expectation (cheap chairs   and creative uses of spaces), but with a strong desire to seek and know the Lord more intimately. Most, wholeheartedly and enthusiastically, even though perhaps nervously, embraced the vision of becoming a church patterned in accordance with the concepts found in the New Testament rather than that of any particular denomination or church entity.

Over the last 30 years, we’ve experienced innumerable blessings, been through some truly difficult seasons, and witnessed a few marked moments when one could certainly declare, “How marvelous, how wonderful is our Savior’s love for us!”  At times our tears, which have been plentiful, have been turned to rejoicing and our sorrows to hope (confident expectation in Him) and celebration.  His faithfulness has guided us through each and every dark time, caused us to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds and difficulties and yet at the same time, learn to be jubilant in the victories.  Through it all, we’ve grown stronger through the trials, becoming steadfast and unrelenting in our pursuit of genuine spiritual transformation. (See Romans 12:1-2, II Corinthians 5:17) Furthermore, scores of lasting, authentic, meaningful, Christ-centered relationships/friendships have emerged within our church body at WOF, providing biblical encouragement, acceptance, and support for one another.  (See I Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:7)  The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been affirmed as TRUTH, and God’s Word has been boldly declared with uncompromising passion in well over 3500 public presentations.  (See I Corinthians 1:22-25, II Timothy 4:1-5) 

Have you ever considered that throughout our fellowship’s history, over 15,000 songs of worship and praise, along with many of the enduring hymns of Christ’s church, have been offered in declaration of God’s character/nature and in adoration of the Lord?  (See Ephesians 5:18-21,  Colossians 3:16, Psalm 150)  How many came to know Christ, how many baptized, how many lives positively impacted and changed for His glory?  Only the Lord really knows the fruit of our labor together in this ministry, but most of us would agree, it’s been a good race!

Now let’s consider … What do the next 20 – 30 years look like?  If our Lord graciously tarries, and we haven’t joined Him in His end time conquests, then I sincerely pray that the foundation and heritage that’s been laid by all of us at WOF will continue to provide all the necessary support that’s needed for the next generation to assume and continue the work of Christ until He returns and establishes His Kingdom.

It’s been an incredible blessing and distinguished honor to serve each of you over the last 30 years.                                              

Thanks, Pastor Frank

HONOR

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Last Sunday Brenda and I were honored by the presentation of a beautiful appreciation award commemorating 30 years of service at Grace Ministries & Fellowship, now known as West Oaks Fellowship (since our relocation to Richmond Ave). I was deeply moved and humbled by your recognition of my service to this body of Christ and to our Lord.  Even though I successfully held back a public display of emotion for the purpose of moving on in that particular service, which I believed was very important, I could have wept; and certainly, I wanted to speak and express my thanks — but time would not allow.

Nonetheless, it’s difficult to adequately articulate or effectively express how grateful I am for the honor that’s been bestowed upon us by you, the congregation of West Oaks Fellowship, as well as the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He  provided this implausible opportunity and unique occasion for me to serve as His under shepherd and your lead pastor since the founding of this ministry in mid June 1985.  Unquestionably, it’s been a lifelong journey of tears, pain, and disappointments, always consistently and steadfastly outweighed by magnificent victories, immeasurable blessings, and the incomparable and unsurpassed joy of seeing our Lord at work — transforming and shaping many lives into His glorious image!   Thank you.   

The idea of honor is something distinct and significant in the lives of faithful believers when compared to that bestowed upon fellow humans by a secular society/civilization, which generally chooses to honor individuals for some form/type of human achievement.   

Similarly, Romans 13:5 instructs and encourages believers to …

Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

The Greek word translated “honor” in this text is “timeén,” pronounced “tee-may” and means to value, money paid as a tribute, to esteem (especially to the highest degree), and/or the idea of dignity itself.  However, in Hebrews 5:4 this word is used differently in reference to the honor being afforded an individual who is called out by the Lord God for a specific or unique task in His work.  In this case, Aaron is set apart for the ministry of the Hebrew priesthood. 

In Hebrews 2:9, our Lord, Jesus Christ, is rightly crowned with the highest “honor” on account of His sufferings and willingness to experience death on our behalf …

who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (See Hebrews 12:2) 

Here one sees the Lord worthy of honor as the answer to humanity’s dilemma. Christ came in the flesh so that He might suffer and die for mankind’s sin and restore us into a relationship with God that was lost as a result of our sin.  As the Lord ministered here on earth, He clearly exercised supreme authority over many aspects of creation; and then as the second/last Adam (see I Corinthians 15:45),

Jesus Christ was established with glory and honor…

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (see Ephesians 1:21)  Accordingly, today and forever, all things are … yes everything is … in “subjection under His feet! (see Ephesians 1:22)

Spiritually and biblically speaking, true honor comes from the Lord and is granted to humanity in numerous forms … children, positions of responsibility and service in His church, career and leadership opportunities in business and society, etc. In reality, humans honor other humans, but the Lord honors all humanity first through their position in creation, then distinctly and uniquely as His people!  Shall we therefore honor Him?  “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God to receive glory and honor and power.”

Just do it! — PF

RESURRECTION

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Being raised from the dead has three primary meanings in our Old and New Testament Scriptures.

1. Miraculous Healings In this usage, resurrection refers to individuals who have been brought back to life from death (resuscitated). Such raisings are recorded in: I Kings 17:20-24 (a widow’s son), II Kings 4:32-37 (the Shunammite’s son), and when a dead man’s body touches Elisha’s bones in II Kings 13:21. Mark 5:41-43 records Christ raising Jairus’ daughter, and in John 11:43-44 Lazarus comes alive after already being entombed. Peter is used by the Lord to raise Dorcas in Acts 9:40-41, and Paul ministers resurrection to Eutychus in Acts 20:9-12.  It is important to note that in each of these biblically recorded (as witnessed by many) resurrection cases, there is no suggestion or evidence that these individuals would not again experience physical death.

2. Our Lord’s Resurrection His resurrection is undeniably linked in the New Testament with victory over all the powers of both sin and death. For Paul, and us, Christ’s resurrection (as witnessed by many) is the basis for the doctrine of resurrection.

(See I Corinthians 15:12-19)

3. Human Resurrection  Many of the Greek philosophers, such as Plato, believed that an immortal soul inhabited a body, and that at death the soul left its bodily prison and soared upward to the divine spirit. In the Old Testament, we learn that “Sheol” is actually the place of the dead, a form of weakened existence.  However, it was a faithful Hebrew’s firm belief that the righteous dead would yet again see God. (See Job 19:26) Upon this expectation was laid the foundation concerning the resurrection of righteous individuals to life!

The Hebrew peoples’ concepts of the resurrection were born out of her relationship to God throughout their tumultuous history.  The prophet Isaiah seems to express a view that the wicked would face eternal separation from God, while the faithful will come to experience a bodily resurrection.  (See Isaiah 26:14 & 19)

In addition, God’s prophet Daniel announced:

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. (See Daniel 12:2)

Our New Testament scriptures consistently teach a hope (confident expectation) in a physical resurrection unto life for every genuine believer, based upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the “firstborn from the dead.” (See I Corinthians 15:12-58; Colossians 1:18; I Thessalonians 4:14-18; I Peter 1:3-5) This concept  of a physical, bodily resurrection is also expressed in terms such as a transformed body (See Philippians 3:21) and new clothing. (See II Corinthians 5:4; Revelation 6:11) The scriptures also contrast the resurrection unto life with a resurrection unto judgment. (See John 5:29; Acts 24:15)  A similar contrast also lies behind the statements in Revelation 20 about the first resurrection (which is that unto life) (See verse 5), and those who are part of the resurrection unto judgment, who ultimately face the lake of fire and the second death. (See verses 12-14)

Sadly, not all who attempted to be identified with Christ’s Church proclaimed the truth of a future resurrection.  In fact, some preached a spiritual awakening, or resurrection, that had already taken place. This view point was adopted by Hymenaeus and Philetus and later promoted by Gnostic heretics.  Needless to say they were sternly rebuked and condemned by the Apostle Paul.  (See II Timothy 2:17-19)

Do you believe in resurrection?  If so, let’s gather as genuine believers for a earnest, heartfelt, jubilant celebration on Sunday, April 16!  It’s victory over sin and death … a time for rejoicing in the precious gift of life, life abundant and everlasting, which has been bestowed upon us through faith in our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ!   Let’s do it! 

His & Yours, because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

— PF  

PRAYER & THANKSGIVING

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In Colossians 4:2, believers are instructed to:

1. “devote yourself to prayer”

2. “keep alert in it (“it” being prayer)

3. while being devoted to prayer and keeping alert in prayer, maintain “an attitude of thanksgiving” 

Being devoted to prayer simply means continuing steadfast in this everyday discipline of genuine faith. This exhortation is not as a matter of legalism, or religious ceremonial participation, but as believers who genuinely desire continuous and persistent communication with their Lord.  The Greek word used here, “proskartereíte,” clearly implies an authentic sincerity coupled with diligence. In Colossians 4:12 we learn from the example set by Epaphras, who is “always laboring earnestly for you (the church members at Colossi) in his prayers!” 

Next, one might ask, “how do I stay or keep ‘alert” in prayer?”  The Greek word, “greegoroúntes,” used in this text, literally means to watch with vigilance, or to stay awake — as one on guard duty. We all recall the account in Matthew 26:41 where the disciples fail at this very task while Christ was praying before His betrayal and illegal arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This exhortation to vigilance actually presupposes that Christians are always in danger of reducing their full commitment to the Lord, allowing themselves to be seized by things of lesser value. The focus is on this ever-threatening danger, and is extended to the ultimate consequences of spiritual negligence/laziness. 

However, I Corinthians 16:13 successfully connects all the dots in proper alignment for us:

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men (grown up- not immature babies), be strong.

Often times, even the most faithful believers may struggle with the idea of always coming before the Lord with “an attitude of thanksgiving.” The Greek word “eucharistía,” as used in this biblical text, also appears 15 other times in the New Testament where the command (actually a demand — parenesis) for thanksgiving is a basic element of spiritual communication between the Lord and His followers.  In Ephesians 5:3-4, thanksgiving is described as the unique, contrasting behavior of a committed believer when compared to that of the world and unbelievers:

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

The apostle Paul’s general advice to all dedicated Christians, no matter their particular (individual) station in life (wives, husbands, children, parents, servants, masters, etc.), is to fulfill this duty as a reliable servant of the Lord, Jesus Christ. As believers grow and mature, they come to recognize and acknowledge, that all light, power, and life come from God, and that His creatures, including humanity as His most prized creation, are continually dependent upon Him. 

Therefore, for His true followers who persevere in prayer, He promises to ever supply “all” (not just practical/material) their needs.  How many husbands and wives (men and women) actually believe it is their spiritual calling and duty to pray for strength and grace to behave, in every area of their lives, as our Lord instructed?  Or, do they fall asleep … failing to keep watch? Just as every situation or station in life has its peculiar duties, tests, trials, blessings, etc., so every situation or station needs an appointment with the Lord, through prayer with steadfast devotion, resolute alertness, and heart-felt thanksgiving! No individual can possibly fulfill the responsibilities of life without the supernatural intervention and unwavering, invincible support of the Lord, God Almighty!

So, is prayer a spiritual luxury, or is it essential for spiritual development and maturity?  Prayer is as vital to one’s spiritual health as breathing is to one’s physical health – and breathing, while certainly a privilege, is not an option or luxury! Therefore, neither is our alertness in prayer, or an untiring, relentless attitude of thanksgiving! That understanding, in and of itself, should birth abundant thanksgiving within each and every believer, not to mention all the material blessings that many in our western civilization take for granted.

After all, we have stores with food on the shelves; generally … running water, trash pick-up, and electricity; usually … fuel for our cars, career opportunities, a smorgasbord of entertainment choices, housing options, along with an abundant variety of churches, cars, clothing styles, etc., etc., etc.  As Christ’s faithful, let us consider that the New Testament scriptures repetitively prompt and coach us to offer this prevailing combination of prayer and thanksgiving to our Lord.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. I Timothy 2:1


In addition, may we never forget that God’s greatest gift, His Son, meets our greatest need, and in that alone find ourselves filled with an attitude of thanksgiving …

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” II Corinthians 9:15

Every good gift comes from Him. James 1:17

Therefore, let us unashamedly offer Jesus Christ an abundance of our thanksgiving… from Whom all blessings flow!                                                                                            

— His & Yours, PF

THE DEATH OF DEATH

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Of all the fears that grip the hearts of modern humanity, one of the greatest seems to be the personal fear of one’s impending death.  While genuine believers in Christ may not succumb as easily to these fears because of their faith and eternal hope, undoubtedly, terrorism, mass shootings, and the progress of warfare technology has contributed to the fact that many individuals are greatly troubled because death is constantly before everyone’s eyes. Someone, somewhere, in a somewhat remote office or at sea, can launch a missile that successfully finds its target from thousands of miles away, taking out a whole city block and killing thousands, and yet they still have time for a game of tennis or a round of golf after lunch. 

Killing is also more efficient than ever … someone, somewhere, sends package bombs through delivery or postal services, someone else, somewhere else, loads up a vehicle with explosives and drives it into an occupied building, someone, somewhere else, decides to take vengeance on relatives and shoots up a church on Sunday morning, someone else, somewhere else goes after fellow students, or teachers and administrators, shooting up a school, or someone, somewhere else decides to eliminate fellow human beings by shooting at hundreds from an advantageous lofty perch.  Death is aplenty everywhere, yet II Timothy 1:10 declares that our Savior, Christ Jesus, has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.    

Hebrews 2:14-15 puts it this way:

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

The obvious question then is … If death has been “abolished” and is “powerless,” why do we still die? The most palpable answer is that one dies because of sin — See Romans 5:12. Sin always leads to death …  not sickness, old age, accidents, cancer, stroke or heart attacks … as long as sin exists, death will never be very far away.

How certain is the fact of death?  So certain that there are entire industries built upon the expectation of your death. Life insurance and all funeral/burial related trades are based totally upon the undeniable theological truth:  Death reigns! (In reality, even cryonics and cloning.)   

How did Jesus Christ then render death to death?  When Christ rose from the dead, He resolutely broke the power of death.  He died just like we die, just like all humans.  According to the recorded accounts, He was really dead (the eye witness account of John 19:31-42), actually dead, fully and completely dead, not partially, or almost dead.  He was as dead as any person could be dead.  Then, from that state of death, God raised Him to life. He got up, unwrapped the face cloth around His head (See John 20:1-9), and then walked away victorious! (See Luke 24:1-7)

As a result, physical death takes on new meaning for the Christian, being simply a separation from the physical form/shell that we now live in, to await our own physical resurrection in the type of Christ’s. This is exactly what Jesus meant in John 11:25-27 when He said the following:

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.

See, there is good news from the graveyard today! There’s an empty tomb in Jerusalem’s Garden Cemetery.  It’s the former tomb of Jesus Christ, Who died and was buried (according to Hebrew tradition).  However, on Sunday morning His tomb was found to be empty by the power of God Almighty!  This is God’s good news message for all humanity!  Death could not keep Him, and that grave could not hold Him.  Understand, He is truly the Lord of life, the King immortal and eternal (See I Timothy 1:17). How did He render death to death?  He conquered death by entering the realm of death in human flesh, then marching out on Resurrection Sunday — triumphant over both sin and death! 

In Revelations 1:17-18, Jesus Himself declares:

Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 

As faithful Christians, when it concerns our own physical death, we daily align ourselves with the statement of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21-23, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better!”

Consider I Corinthians 15:54-57:

DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us (all genuine believers) the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s come together to celebrate life over death, and life over the fear of death because of Christ’s resurrection victory this Sunday morning!  

I’m looking forward to seeing you and yours (bring some friends along too).

His & Yours, because of G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

 — Pastor Frank  

JUSTIFICATION

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What is justification?  Technically speaking, many simply view justification as the act or action of showing something or proving something to be right or reasonable.  However, what’s “right” or “reasonable” has no clear objective platform to speak from because “right” and “reasonable” may vary considerably from one individual to another or from one situation to another. 

As a result, the more common definition of this word varies greatly from its biblical definition and the work that’s required to bring about spiritual or complete moral and ethical “justification.” In the context of the one true God, His Son, Jesus Christ, and spirituality as spoken of in the scriptures, justification comes from a different angle, is based upon a dissimilar foundation, and exceptionally unique to genuine, grace-based, Christianity.

According to God’s Word, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). Therefore, the universality of humanity’s sin poses a significant problem, actually an insurmountable difficulty, for any and all individuals when it comes to justification before a Holy, sinless, and righteous Lord.  All men and women are not only born in sin (Eph 2:3), but all have also committed numerous actual transgressions, which render them liable to separation from a Holy and sinless, righteous God and ultimate condemnation/judgement. Romans 3:9-20 documents this human difficulty as the universal experience of both the Greek (heathen) / Gentiles (Romans 1:18-32) and of the Jews (Romans 2:17-28; 3:9) alike.

The perfection of God’s Law requires, by necessity, its perfect observance!  Therefore, how is one’s justification, as a sinful individual, to come through the Law (Romans 3:10-11)? If anyone had truly kept the law, God could not / would not hold him/her guilty (Romans 2:12-13).  However, such obedience has never existed, except in Jesus Christ Himself. 

The modern-day notion of God being a good-natured, more or less nonchalant ruler, is conclusively not the Lord of the scriptures, nor the one Whom we love, believe, rely upon and faithfully serve. 

I Corinthians 15:3 declares, “Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.” Romans 5:6 affirms that while we, as sinful humans were helpless in our sin, “Christ died for the ungodly.” Therefore, our justification comes in/through His blood and it is in/through Him that we are saved from God’s wrath as Law-breakers. 

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.                             

Romans 5:8-10

Therefore, as a result, there is no reconciliation and no justification available to men and women except through, by, and in Christ!

Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation (full payment) in His blood through faith.      

Romans 3:24-25

Now that’s an indescribable gift, and as an act of the Almighty, can never be removed, voided, outdone, or taken away! 

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.             

Romans 5:1

 

By GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) … His & Yours,                   — Pastor Frank 

WHY ADVENT? PART 1

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The word Advent means ‘Coming’ in Latin. In reference to our This is the coming of Jesus into the world. Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. … Some people fast (don’t eat anything) during advent to help them concentrate on preparing to celebrate Jesus’s coming.

  • Embrace Change – just as the leaves change colors, reflecting the beauty of our Lord’s creation and design, so does life.  Almost every aspect of a genuine believer’s life is in a state of transformation as one’s grows spiritually, becoming more and more like Christ. (See II Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29, 12:1-2) We, as Christ’s followers, fully understand and comprehend that not all change is good.  Today, there is an awful lot of unwelcome and unwholesome change in our world. Moral and societal changes really bother us …  we see it everywhere, with almost no exceptions. On top of that, we are painfully aware that the children and youth of this era are growing up in a world far different from the one we experienced as children, youth and young adults.

Then there are those changes that impact us as individuals — children leaving home, the passing of dear friends/family members/loved ones, and even perhaps the slow, steady decline in our vitality and health. Sometimes we may even feel “outdated” at work.  But amidst all the changes, one thing, one Person, stays constant in His existence, purpose, and character … our eternal Lord! To fully embrace God’s purpose(s) in our lives genuinely requires significant, on-going modifications in one’s thinking, understanding, and actions/behavior. Therefore, as one looks upon the ever-present physical changes revealed in our world through Autumn/Fall, consider the marvelous, omnipresent work/molding Christ desires to accomplish in you.  Yield to His touch in the same way the leaves of the tree submit to His ultimate design and persistent resolve.

  • Let Go – just as the trees and grass are unable to hang on to their radiance from Spring and Summer (if rained upon and/or watered), maturing Christians must release the bonds of the past in order to fully participate in the adventures that Christ has prepared for His people to pursue and walk/live in.  (See Luke 9:62; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:8-12; Philippians 3:13-14; I Corinthians 9:24; II Timothy 1:8-11) As one observes the variations in nature brought about by Autumn/Fall, perhaps one should ask the Lord what needs to break loose, be raked up, and intentionally/purposefully and permanently discarded from one’s life!  The past only comes back to haunt us if we make provision for it, and allow it impact our spiritual lives and progress!  As a new creature in Christ, are you allowing old things, particularly those things of one’s fleshly/worldly nature, to continually fall off, pass away, die? (See II Corinthians 5:16-17) Sadly, and yes, destructively, many genuine believers are having difficulty distinguishing the difference.
  • Be Grateful – you’ll never have everything you want and/or absolutely perfect unless the desires of your heart are completely modified by the Lord, and that your definition of good and/or perfect somehow comes into alignment with God’s definition of those things in your own life. Simply put, “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” — I Timothy 6:6-9.  I’ve continually found that individuals who are content, which doesn’t mean they are lazy or lack drive to be successful, are generally grateful for whatever they have. That’s proven to be true in my experience, with those who have an abundance, as well as those that may have little, or are lacking, as defined in the eyes of our western culture. In addition, I’ve also found many who have more than they could ever use or want to be ungrateful, as well as those that have little to sulk in their want and greed. Too often the formula of greed or covetousness resulting in poverty is forgotten.  Psalm 10:3 declares, “For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire (rather than the desires being birthed and shaped by the Lord), and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord.”  Proverbs 28:22 makes it pretty clear, “A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want (poverty) will come upon him.”  While our God is certainly able to give us the desires of our heart (See Psalm 37:4-5). I suspect He is willing to do exactly that when and if our desires glorify Him and are conferring His purposes!

My prayer is that God’s Autumn/Fall 2018 will speak loudly to each of us!  –PF  

RESOLUTIONS

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As 2019 approaches, many individuals will make “New Year’s Resolutions.”  This practice originated with the Babylonians and was connected to the planting of crops in mid-March.  Promises were made to their pagan deities and in return, as the Babylonians stayed true to  their promises, the gods would bestow favor on them throughout the coming year. 

Similar practices occurred in ancient Rome, where Julius Caesar modified the calendar, establishing January 1 as the beginning of a new year. They believed their two-faced god, Janus, whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, was able to look backwards into the previous year and forward into the future.  In hopes of a good future, the Romans offered sacrifices coupled with promises of good behavior in hopes of having a blessing in the coming year.

Early on, the first day of a new year became an occasion for Christians to think about one’s past mistakes and resolve to do and be better in the future. In 1740, John Wesley, founder of Methodism, created the Covenant Renewal Service which was commonly held on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, affording worshippers the opportunity to seek the Lord’s help and favor in the coming new year. This type of service became known as watch night services throughout Protestantism in western culture.

Resolutions are a funny thing because they are usually a set of somewhat lofty goals, perhaps far-fetched ideas, things on a bucket list, or possibly a “better version of the you” that one’s hoping and praying to be in coming New Year.

Did you know that, on average, approximately 92 percent of Americans are doomed to fail at keeping their New Year’s Resolutions? One might ask, why? It’s mostly because the goals aren’t specific, measurable and/or realistic (too far-fetched to be obtainable).

As a result, some people simply don’t attempt to make New Year’s Resolutions, which is a personal choice, while others struggle to make the next year different.  While I’m in a different camp, that from a perspective of continuous modification and transformation, even on a daily basis, I’d like to share some steps I use to affect substantive modifications in my life.  

Now before you jump in, realize two things:

  1.  Effective change requires a serious, steadfast commitment!
  2. Generally, affirmative or positive change requires a step by step approach, both spiritual and practical!   

STEP 1: Where does your help come from?  Perhaps, “I can’t, but with God, nothing is impossible!” (see Zachariah 4:6, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 4:13, II Corinthians 3:4-5, Luke 1:37)

STEP 2:  Be humble and surrender your desire/will to the Lord’s purpose for your life! (see James 4:3, I Corinthians 10:31, Psalm 37:11, I Peter 5:6, I Chronicles 4:9-10)

STEP 3: Own your past, openly acknowledge sin — without excuses or attempts at human justifications! (See Psalm 32, Proverbs 28:13, I Corinthians 11:3, James 5:16)   

STEP 4: Walk in forgiveness (seeking forgiveness and forgiving others)!  (See Ephesians 4:32)   

STEP 5: Lay all your plans out before the Lord!  (See Proverbs 16:1-9, 19:20-24, 20:18, 21:5, 29:18, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Isaiah 55:8-9)  

STEP 6:  Stay connected and listen closely!  (See James 1:19, Jeremiah 33:3, I John 5:14, Proverbs 16:20, Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 5:3)

STEP 7:  Don’t shrink back, remain steadfast! (See II Timothy 1:7, Psalm 27:14, 31:24, Joshua 1:1-9, Deuteronomy 31:6)

Faithful followers of Jesus Christ live daily in anticipation of hearing and responding to the Lord’s direction.  If He has placed in your heart a need and desire to change, and you’re committed to that end, then launch the resolution.  At that point, share your objective(s) with others, become accountable, and seek wise counsel (See Proverbs 11:4) from the godly, not the worldly (See Psalm 1:1, Romans 8:8)! Satan will use the seemingly good ideas of the world to trap you in the grips of his destructive system.  He may help you change, but it won’t be anything that honors or glorifies the Lord (See Hebrews 11:6)!   

I pray you enjoy a blessed new year of godly transformation!          — PF  

FELLOWSHIP

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

WHO NEEDS IT ANYWAY?

Many believers have adopted such an attitude for various reasons, and offer numerous excuses of why they don’t or won’t fellowship with other believers.  Perhaps a biblical definition would help curve that attitude into something of authentic value. As with many things, a broader or better understanding often results in a new perspective.  

God has provided and revealed His direct thoughts through the Bible, but as time passes, some of His concepts have grown obscure in our culture and become ambiguous. We somehow manage to morph His intentions into our own comfortable practices, often discounting the true intent and purpose of His Word/Truth. The biblical concept of fellowship among Christians/Believers is one that has been especially confused within the framework of Christ’s Church!

Today, churches have fellowship halls, fellowship dinners, home fellowships and various fellowship groups, etc, etc. However, very few have actual fellowship … and yet for a Body of Christ (church) that seeks to be guided and directed in principle and practice by the New Testament, fellowship is absolutely essential.  The well-being and spiritual development of the entire body/church, as well as that of every individual participant, is directly impacted by the type and quality of fellowship one experiences in their church.

So, what is fellowship as purposed/intended by the Lord?  As one looks back into church history and digs into the original languages of the Bible, there are several significant facts that illuminate God’s projected meaning/intent for fellowship among His faithful.

The first fact concerns the meaning of the Greek root word “koinos.” This term is a prefix in ancient Greek from which our English word, “fellowship” or “koinonia” is derived. If you were to add this prefix to various words like “living,” “owning a purse,” “a dispute,” or “mother,” you would get words meaning “living in community together,” “owning a purse in common,” “a public dispute,” and “having a mother in common.” The root of the word “fellowship” means “to hold something in common.”

The Greek word “koinonia” would be commonly used to describe corporations, labor guilds, partners in a law firm, and the most intimate of marriage relationships.  Therefore, from the usage of the word, we can conclude that fellowship is a word denoting a relationship that is dependent on more than one individual . . . an interdependent relationship.

I Corinthians 1:9 states:

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Note this – the word “fellowship” is never used in the biblical text concerning a relationship between humanity and deity until after God’s Holy Spirit indwells believers, making it an exclusive post-Pentecost experience/connection/affiliation!  Initially, fellowship focused in on spiritual unity, a personal relationship as emphasized in Philemon 6, II Corinthians 13:14 and Philippians 2:1.

Nobody had to come to the disciples and other new believers on the day of Pentecost and say, “Now you need to go practice fellowship.” God’s Holy Spirit had come upon all these people and uniquely formed a bond of unity!  Their inclination (not natural, but supernatural through God’s Spirit), thanks to their new nature in Christ Jesus, was to exercise it outwardly. Acts 2:41-47 speaks clearly:

So then, those who had received his (Peter’s teaching) word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This is fellowship, not as a concept or idea, but as an action in the midst of His church! If one was to remove themselves from these activities, they would no longer be experiencing fellowship with other believers.  Fellowship was unquestionably a hallmark of Christ’s early church, yet today it’s been sadly reduced to annual potluck dinners despite the admonition of Scripture.  I John 1:6-7 presents genuine fellowship as the obvious by-product of an authentic personal relationship with Jesus Christ: 

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Let’s rediscover the truth and value of Fellowship   –PF

RESURRECTION

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Our New Testament scriptures employ two pairs of Greek terms with reference to our Lord’s resurrection: the verb, anístemi and its derivative noun, anástasis; and the verb, egeírœ, with its noun form, egersis.   The noun “egersis” occurs only once, in a reference to Christ’s victorious resurrection (Matthew 27:53). Anástasis is used, almost universally, as the noun for “resurrection” of the dead, which happens in the realm of, and in reference to, human experience!

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover, we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep – for since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

I Corinthians 15:12-22

Obviously, the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the future resurrection of believers is at the very root of our faith/beliefs.    His victory over death took the doctrine of the resurrection out of the realm of hopeful, speculative Old Testament eschatology (things to come) into present reality. Henceforth, it became fact … a genuine, historical, documented experience, the basic foundation for authentic Christianity and the promise, assurance for every true believer!

For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.  

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:5-11

On Sunday morning, April 21st, we, as believers in Christ Jesus, will gather in His name to celebrate not only His victorious, death-conquering resurrection, but also the life we now enjoy in Him — along with our promised, future resurrection in a glorified body to abide with Him forever and ever and ever and ever!

(But God) Raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6-7

Let’s celebrate Jesus … He has risen, come on and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!                                           

His & yours, because of G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

 — Pastor Frank