Tag: 1 timothy

CONSIDERATIONS FOR GIVING THANKS

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

As most believers already know, the first thanksgiving celebration was held in December of 1621.  The first winter had killed 44 of the original 102 colonists and at one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn for each person.  However, history records that an unexpected trading vessel arrived, and the early American settlers were able to swap beaver pelts for corn which provided for their severe need.  The next summer’s abundant crop brought great hope, and Governor William Bradford decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer for the colonists to express their gratitude to the Lord, which continued for three consecutive days.


These settlers openly and willfully gave thanks to God for His provision of:

1. 20 acres of cleared land.

2. Peaceful, non-hostile Indians in the region

3. The freedom they enjoyed allowing them to live openly and worship as Bible believing Christians.

4. Squanto, (A member of the Patuxet tribe, Wampanoag Confederacy. who had previously crossed the Atlantic Ocean six times, traveling with colonists to London and back) who could interpret for the 80+ friendly local Indians (who contributed to the first thanksgiving feast by bringing wild turkeys and venison).

From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision. US President, Abraham Lincoln, officially set aside the last Thursday of November, in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”  Then In 1941, Congress declared that the fourth Thursday of November should be set aside as “Thanksgiving Day”  and observed as a legal holiday.

As believers, the biblical admonitions related to the ideas of giving thanks far proceed that of our American culture and celebrated holiday.  Almost cover to cover throughout the scriptural text, one finds continued references to the idea of thanksgiving or the giving of thanks. The Israelites sang a song of thanksgiving when they were delivered from Pharaoh’s army after their crossing of the Red Sea (See Exodus 15:1-18) declaring …

The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him. The Lord  is a warrior; the Lord  is His name.

Later, the Mosaic Law set aside three times each year when the Israelites were to assemble and give thanks to the Lord for His provision and grace:

1. Unleavened Bread (also called the Feast of the Passover) — Exodus 12:15-20

2. Harvest or Pentecost —  Leviticus 23:15-21

3. Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering —  Leviticus 23:33-36

The celebrations of both Harvest and Tabernacles took place specifically in relation to God’s provision as related to certain fruit trees and crops. In addition, the book of Psalms is packed full of songs declaring thanksgiving to the Lord God for His grace to the Israelites, as a people/nation, as well as for His outpouring of blessings upon individuals. (See Psalm 36:1, 106:1; 107:1; 118:1)

As Christ’s faithful followers, we must consider these following New Testament scriptures as well, where we are consistently prompted and coached to offer God  thanksgiving:

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

For God’s greatest gift, that of His Son, which meets our greatest need, the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! — II Corinthians 9:15

Nonetheless, just like the early colonists, we have many choices in life.  There will always be those things that we can find adequate reason, or at least some personal justification to complain about (those early settlers had lost many loved ones).  However, there will also always be much to be grateful/thankful for!  As our society becomes increasingly secular, the actual “giving of thanks to God” during our annual Thanksgiving holiday is being severely neglected and generally overlooked, leaving behind only feasting with family and friends.

 I’m praying for all of us at WOF, that He might grant us much better understanding and a heart filled with genuine gratitude – not just as we approach the holiday season, but that we be found grateful/thankful every day for all of His precious gifts, both spiritual, relational, and material!  According to His Word, He is good and “every good gift comes from Him” (See James 1:17). In addition, for those that know Christ and are called according to His purpose(s), we know that He causes all things … “Everything to work together for good,” even events we would not necessarily consider good (See Romans 8:28-30).

In light of these truths, Lord please help us to become, and find us to be, grateful children who continually, openly, and unashamedly offer an abundance of thanksgiving to You … from Whom all blessings flow!

His & Yours, PF

WALK

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Yes, I walk my dog (Wof-E-Too) twice a day, morning and evening (Brenda usually goes with us in the evening), rain or shine, except on Saturday, when I do the morning, and Sunday when I do the evening.  Brenda catches Saturday night because we work late and Sunday morning because I head out to our early service and I’m usually on a tight schedule.  This has been a consistent pattern for me for many years, first with Wof-E and now with Too.  Recently, one of my doctors told me that people who walk their dogs regularly/daily live better, more productive, and even longer lives, which, while I don’t know the source of his data, certainly sounds valuable and there is plenty of data on the benefit of walking in general (dog excluded).           

As we approach 2017, going for a daily “walk” may be an excellent New Year’s resolution; however, the Apostle Paul reminds us in I Timothy 4:8 that “bodily discipline is only of little profit (which doesn’t mean no benefit), but godliness is profitable for all things.”  Therefore, I’d like to challenge you to also seriously consider another “walk” this year.     

In the Old Testament there is a very interesting Hebrew word, yeel­kuw, translated into English as “walk” in Micah 4:5.  This passage provides hope for Israel’s future restoration (including Christ’s Kingdom on earth), where two types of individuals/people are referenced.  Some “walk” after their own god while others “walk” in the name of the one true Lord God. The Hebrews must, in confident reliance, stand upon God’s promises and covenant, being steadfast in preserving and participating in continuous obedience as true and faithful worshipers of their one true Lord.  However, the nations around them, who were superior in power, military, and economic strength, as well as in numbers/population, continued to “walk” after their (own) many gods. 

Obviously the word “walk” in these passages is referring to something other than walking the dog around the block or walking for health benefits.  This “walk” is uniformly used throughout the biblical text in reference to an individual or nation’s (people group) moral and spiritual life or direction/path/lifestyle … meaning some lived in agreement with God’s statutes that guided their lives,  while others lived in accordance with different/pagan views/beliefs and lifestyles. 

Below are five clear examples of this concept from our Old Testament scriptures. 1) Genesis 5:22 – Enoch walked with God.  2) Isaiah 2:5 – The prophet issued a challenge to walk in the light of the Lord rather than in the ways of other pagan religions.  3)  II Chronicles 17:4 – Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of David and did not seek the baals.  4) Genesis 17:1 – God Almighty (El-Shaddai) challenged Abram (Abraham) to walk before Him (in His presence, in relationship with Him) and be blameless. 5)  Ezekiel 36:27 – Through His prophet, the Lord promised to put His Spirit within His people and cause them to walk according to His statutes.                     

The New Testament, also provides similar statements, affirmations, and  encouragements: 

II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

II Corinthians 10:3-4 – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”

Galatians 5:16-17 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Ephesians 4:1-3 – “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 5:8-10 – “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

Seems we may all have some more walking to do!  Would you like to have a different walk in 2017?  Perhaps a more fruitful, productive, and beneficial walk?  Based on these scriptures, and many more, I am confident that the Lord desires each of us to walk with Him.  In this new year, each of us will walk … either under the influence of deceitful, lying, pagan deities/philosophies which attempt to define life, goodness, and happiness, or in a genuine relationship with Christ as one’s Saviour, friend, and Lord. 

Will you choose to walk with HIM?  

PRAYER & THANKSGIVING

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

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  

MISSION TRIP 2017

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

“If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God!”

These are very intriguing, and even somewhat stirring words of D.L. Moody … originally a shoe salesman/trader and Sunday School teacher who grew his Chicago-based North Market Hall Sunday School to a membership of 1500 in 1863.  While Moody became primarily known throughout America and the United Kingdom as an evangelist, publisher (Moody publishers), and the founder of what is now the Moody Church (originally Chicago Avenue Church) as well as Moody Bible Institute (Chicago Bible Institute), his clearly stated desire to reach children with Christ’s gospel and educate them in the scriptures is often overlooked.

Every year, West Oaks Fellowship facilitates and underwrites a youth and young adult led outreach to all the children of Willacy County, Texas, which is one of the poorest counties in our state, aka MISSION TRIP.       

The primary objective of each year’s youth mission trip ministry is relatively  simple … introduce others to Jesus Christ (His Love, Grace, Forgiveness, and Salvation) through our Extreme ABC VBS ministry (which is not relatively simple).                      

Nonetheless, the first step in obeying Christ’s imperative command of Matthew 28:19-20 (“make disciples”) is introducing Jesus Christ and the message of His gospel to those who haven’t heard it, and/or those who haven’t fully believed!

Needless to say, I Timothy 2:3-4 provides motivation for our mission and offers continued encouragement for all those who participate in this sacrificial endeavor:

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

In addition, there are several other meaningful and spiritually significant purposes and goals of our annual mission trips to south Texas as well. 

  • Provide opportunities for youth and young adults from various ministries (not only from WOF) to participate in a meaningful, life-changing, genuine ministry experience.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

I Timothy 4:12

  • Assist in the establishment of a New Testament church ministry in this relatively unreached community where no evangelical outreach ministry or church currently exists.
  • Provide a unique opportunity for youth and young adults to serve and minister along-side youth / young adults from other churches/ministries.

Charles Spurgeon, British Baptist Pastor/Author stated:

Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in, since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation.

  • See the purposes of the Lord, Jesus Christ, accomplished as both youth, young adults, and adult believers work side–by–side … together in unity.

Missionary, author, and holocaust survivor, Corrie ten Boon put it this way, “Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good. The bricks must be cemented together.”

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing — life forever.

Psalm 113:1-3

Pastor, Author, Seminary President, Dr. John Walvoord proposed:            

The only way it is possible to have one mind is to have the mind of God derived from the unity of the Spirit of God, a unity which comes only when believers find the will of God and give themselves unselfishly and unstintingly to its fulfillment.

Now, Mission Trip 2017 is upon us!  We need the Lord’s protection, guidance, wisdom, and strength, as well as your participation, unrelenting intercessory prayer, and financial contributions (you can even help us raise additional funds by selling some raffle tickets to those outside the church too) in order to accomplish all these objectives. (We’ve enclosed some Mission Trip 2017 info along with an offering envelope as well).  

In John 17:21-23, Jesus said:

The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Please ask the Lord how you should be part of this ministry — His & Yours, PF

WHY ADVENT? PART 1

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

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  

FAITHFULNESS

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

Isn’t this the genuine life-mission of every true follower/disciple of Jesus Christ?  The word “faithfulness” appears in both the Old and New Testament biblical texts, primarily addressing two main themes:

  1. The faithfulness of God
  2. The faithfulness of God’s people  

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD can simply (perhaps overly simplified) be defined as His determined loyalty to keep His word and fulfill all His covenants. Psalm 25:10 clearly and unmistakably links our God’s faithfulness to the concepts of love and truth … “All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies” … for all those in relationship with Him.   However, His faithfulness, fully displayed in love and truth, extends far beyond those who believe — to every aspect of His creations!    Psalm 57:10 – “For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens and Your truth to the clouds.”

Our New Testament scriptures also affirm God’s continued faithfulness which is ultimately, powerfully, permanently, and finally, confirmed in Jesus Christ our Lord.  I Corinthians 1:9 declares, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Here, one sees God’s continued determined loyalty to  lovingkindness and truth through the continuation of His gracious unalterable covenants. God fully demonstrates His care for all humanity in II Corinthians 1:18-22 –

But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no.  For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us — by me and Silvanus and Timothy — was not yes and no, but is yes in Him.  For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

This pledge, of His Holy Spirit, further proves His faithfulness!

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD’S PEOPLE is also prevalent in both the Old and New Testament scriptures!  In Numbers 14:24-25 a noticeable and distinct example of faithfulness results in God’s blessings upon all of Caleb’s descendants! 

But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.

There are numerous examples of “faithfulness” like this in the biblical text that provide illustrations and patterns of this valuable attribute for our lives as authentic believers. Nonetheless, does our God’s faithfulness somehow demand a response of faithfulness from His people … those redeemed and called by His name?  That’s a question one must answer.

See, God’s prophet, Samuel spoke openly with the Lord’s people in I Samuel 12:24 –

Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

The New Testament refers to human faithfulness as a God-granted virtue/asset/quality. In Galatians 5:22 it is listed as fruit in one’s life — resulting from the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit!  I Timothy 3:11 exhorts godly women be “faithful in all things.”  Matthew and Luke both reference the concepts of the faithful servants and faithful stewards (Matthew 24:45; 25:21,23; Luke 12:42; 16:10-12; 19:17). “Faithful” here is very much role-relative; but the point of the parables is not that the Christian should allow role expectations to determine totally his or her behavior, but that one should be faithful to God and give that loyalty precedence over all others.

In I Timothy 1:12, the apostle Paul gives the reason for his appointment as “faithfulness,” according to Christ’s judgment. He also instructed Pastor Timothy to find “faithful men” and to appoint them to the role of teachers in Christ’s Church (II Timothy 2:2). However, in every one of these examples, faithfulness in a particular role meshes inseparably with faithfulness to the Lord, as is seen by the frequent addition of epistemological phrases such as “in Jesus Christ.”

Now, brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, please meditate on this one for a few days & nights …

It is a trustworthy statement: If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

II Timothy 2:11, 13

That’s our Lord!                                                         

His & Yours, PF