F4S: April 2017

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Yeah, just do it already.

Through wisdom build it.. whatever good that you're building. With clear understanding make it right -- established it. Why waste your years trying to build anything else?

Fragmal. Ich will von Ihm durch Glaube weisheit bekommen. Ich werde Fragen. "So aber jemand unter euch Weisheit mangelt, der bitte Gott, der da gibt einfältig jedermann und rücket's niemand auf, so wird sie ihm gegeben werden." Jakobus 1:5
“A wise man is strong, yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; for by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 24:5

But what is it that a fool out living in his defeat finds much too far off to reach for.. too lofty to even go for? It’s the godly type of wisdom. But couldn’t any of us simply ask and receive..to apply. Couldn’t any Joe or Jill or John or Jen ask? Sure!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Sunday, April 16, 2017

It's Easter and God's purpose won't fail. One day.. end? Nope!

He will never end.
His plan won’t. The truth won’t, eternity won’t, He won’t.. His Person 100% alive… won’t!
Christ can’t be stopped! Left that grave behind. Death is destroyed.
So many people here like calling all the shots – won’t give up chasin’ brief pleasures and what they want that’s of far lesser worth. Existing in vain. Sad! I was there before.

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:7 (while you’re at it.. read all of John in the Bible just to be edified and for the context)

Christ is alive! Are you alive?.. don’t mean just existing. You can be fully alive today. In a moment!
No worries, God is not like United Airlines.. overbooking trying to get bucks, or kickin’ people out. Draggin' out the door. He won’t cast any away. Come, humbly turn.. to Jesus in faith.
What happend at the Cross and at that empty tomb?
A lot! Redemption happened. Jesus was murdered. A buy-back took place. A physical death and a physical Resurrection. For you! 
You ain’t really your own at all. No, no.. “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13

God's Word is the only reliable guideline for living here. May I ask.. do you prayerfully spend time in the Bible?.. that's where the true story of Easter is found. Following your heart, without the leading of the Father's living Word, (Jesus or His Holy Spirit), that will only lead you to His judgement. Who wants that? And never judge Christianity by the imperfect examples that we have seen in history. Some were merely religious and lost and some were not. But judge it by Jesus Christ. Not one sin did He do. 

It should have been me.... between those two thieves. Am blessed more than I deserve really. 

Was out on my board next to a 4A surfer friend named Randy Ziglar this time of year.. and he shared the Gospel with me while we were out surfin' there in SoCal. Seeds were planted in my hard heart. Met the Lord that year -- in '77. Asked and was forgiven of all my wrongdoin's (sins) by the Lord. Didn't know my Dana Hills High School Football coach, Randy, was also the Saturday evening evangelist at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa too. That was where the Jesus' Movement was really breaking out. He knew his stuff and gave it to me straight. He lived it before me. The Lord used Randy in my life and He can bless and use you as well. Stoked-out after than, far more than before.  
“God often goes to the gutter to find the recipient for His grace. He lifts him out, washes him and transforms him - making him into a child of God fit for His kingdom. That is God’s grace.” ~ Chuck Smith
"Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking God uses only 'special' people the strong, the intelligent, the beautiful. We don't think He has a place for the rest of us. We are so wrong!" ~ Chuck Smith

Go, and go with all you've got, but don't go too far please.

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
— 
T.S. Eliot 
Neither do we go beyond our limits. I say we wisely take risks for Christ ..without going beyond. Paul did that. 
We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ. Neither do we boast beyond our limits in the labors of others. But we hope that, as your faith increases, our area of influence among you will greatly increase as well, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.”  2 Corinthians 10:15

Your thoughts can literally set the course before you -- they can completely reroute your being and family. If you let your thoughts just wander aimlessly, guess what.. your life will also wander aimlessly. Not mere PMA stuff while ignoring reality around you. But pray in Christ, and change your mind. Be pure. Go with what's so -- sure, in the Lord this is how we can also prayerfullly change the world! #Fish4peeps Facebook.com/shareJesus

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

As you know more of what's really so, you can apply it more in a way to really grow ..and really go. Yeah, really go tell others too.

"..Learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. ~ Jesus

Got some moments to read through Nehemiah? How about through chapters 8 through 10 today? In this passage what do we see?
We see the beginning of a revival as God’s people gathered, perked up their ears and really listened to God's Word being read and then explained. Both are important -- the reading and the explaining so we can understand God's main point, His sub-points and what to do with it in our world gone sideways.
In chapter 9, the people turned.. yes, they repented as they said they were sorry to God while confessed their sins. In chapter 10, the people make a corporate commitment of love.. a passionate covenant to wisely put God’s Scriptures into practice in a number of specific areas. Sure, cuz you know how too many so called believers and others too, unwisely apply the truth only to hurt others.. or drive them away from the Lord who they religiously (sadly) misrepresent.
I have found, in my own spiritual life, that the more rules I lay down for myself, the more sins I commit. The habit of regular morning and evening prayer is one which is indispensable to a believer’s life, but the prescribing of the length of prayer, and the constrained remembrance of so many persons and subjects, may gender unto bondage, and strangle prayer rather than assist it. To say I will humble myself at such a time, and rejoice at such another season, is nearly as much an affectation as when the preacher wrote in the margin of his sermon, “Cry here,” “Smile here.” Why, if the man preached from his heart, he would be sure to cry in the right place, and to smile at a suitable moment; and when the spiritual life is sound, it produces prayer at the right time, and humiliation of soul and sacred joy spring forth spontaneously, apart from rules and vows. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon, who wroteAutobiography (Banner of Truth)
The Jews made a covenant following the fervor they felt -- yes, they put their agreement in writing (9:38), spelling out the details of their commitment (10:30-39).
What's the context of Nehemiah 10? (I always say read at least 20 verses before and the 20 verses after those key verses you love for the context): Well, gobs of spiritual fervor is the context, both with joy in the Lord and sincere mourning over personal sins.
And you know personal practical application of God’s Word really needs to begin with the leaders as we see in this context (9:38-10:27) and it begins with personal holiness based on understanding of God's truth (see 10:28-29). Jesus lived it -- He exampled what He taught people. 
"COME TO ME, ALL YOU who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU and LEARN FROM ME; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30 application emphasis mine.
Wise application needs to begin with local Christian church leaders today. Let it start with us all! 
Did you notice how Nehemiah and (his assistant?) Zedekiah committed themselves first. Next to commit and sign the covenant were 21 priests, the heads of priestly households (10:2-8). Ezra’s name is not here because the head of his household was Seraiah (10:2). Then come the names of 17 heads of Levitical households (10:9-13), followed by 44 heads of leading families (10:14-27). Some of these names are identical to those on the lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7. Others represent either new families that have branched off of those from Zerubbabel’s time, or more recent arrivals from Babylon.
Here's a way to apply the truth. Believers aren't called to cloister themselves away from influencing and winning the lost to Christ, but indeed we are called to separate ourselves unto the Lord.. away from the evil influences of this world so as not to be pulled down into sin. Why head back to Egypt so to speak -- to our old worldly lifestyle that was lame?
"Malluch, Harim, Baanah. Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding.." Nehemiah 10:27-28
I say we prayerfully go to and spend time befriending unregenerate people tactfully sharing the Gospel, sure, as long as we are influencing them toward righteousness, but get away from they start to influence us towards their pet sins, or other wrongdoins.  Hey Buckeroo, this separation-idea doesn't need to be all religious or in vain, and it wasn't merely for the Old Testament Jews. The Apostle Paul also taught it to us born again gentiles as well, so that we cold by faith maintain our victory. Living all religious or backslidden like with some vice in defeat; that ain't a good witness for Christ at all! He said...
Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 nkjv
All are called to exit out of this dark corrupt worldly system, and to enter in -- on into the Kingdom of light and life in the Lord.
"For He (God) has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.." Colossians 1:13 nlt
And the point for those in Christian leadership is to wisely set a loving example for others while not compromising the truth of God's Word. We pray for a biblical revival --an authentic nation-changing awakening. And if we want to experience such ongoing spiritual revival, then we need to get practical and personal in applying God’s Word in a truly wise way.
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." ~ James (1:19-25) Like us at Facebook.com/shareJesus

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Friday came.. man, it was dark and lonely. Didn’t like it, but then came Sunday!

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. —Matthew 28:6

Is there a greater cause for celebration among us? Not really.. not even close. Think about it.. about what happened. Christ’s resurrection is the ultimate cause for celebration and every thinking person should fully get on-board with that.. with Him who is the way the truth and the life. 

He died, but didn’t stay that way! He is alive ..again. “Christ died for our sins,.. He was buried, and.. He rose again the third day” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He ascended upward after that, but Jesus has promised that He is preparing a place for us (John 14:1-4), and He will someday return. One day we will be with our risen Savior.
This is why those in His family by choice every Eastertime—in fact, every day of every year—we believers have good reason to celebrate the physical resurrection of our Savior. 
What a stoker for us – what cause for rejoicing and gratitude! “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1).
What do we see in Hebrews .. in chapter 10 verse 14? Here is what we see.. these words, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” How is this even possible? 
Paul in his letter to the church at Corinth addresses this question. Since being “good enough” through personal effort to earn salvation.. is futile (Rom. 7), only a transfer of account from a righteous person to a sinner could remedy the real problem. “He made [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). It’s now a time of grace for us as we turn from sin to the Lord. Christ’s atoning death on the cross totally appeased the serious wrath of God (Rom. 3:24-26), and His righteousness was freely attributed to us that we might be declared justified before God. It can be that way for you today

Yes, Happy Ress-day to you and yours – it’s about Calvary’s Cross, what happened on that hill, about the empty tomb and all that this hole in the ground means for us. Christ died, but is now alive!  

I pray that God blesses you and that He uses all these Christian churches in our nation to bless people, to get His Good News Gospel out during next weekend.. instead of merely a religious message of: Do good and be better (without giving the power to fulfill).
Christ is powerful and He gives cuz He really loves us. Think about Easter when He gave His life on the Cross so we could have a personal relationship with God the good Father. 

Friday came.. man, it was dark! Didn’t like it, but then came Sunday!

I feel so thankful that the word of God is still full of inspiring assurances ..yes, really good promises.. of how God will provide for His children – Christ’s born again followers. God today, He is fully aware of all our needs and the Bible clearly tells us of how God wants us daily to come to Him with every need and care or terrible fret we feel.. and with every concern that might have turned into a full-blown ugly worry.. with everything that we may have. 
Have you stopped to pray about what’s on your mind? 
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and…” 
Needs get met. Simple as that. Sure, see what God in the Bible has to say about the needs of humans, and about the trials of life that Christians face? He says a whole lot. Please see each context and meditate upon His loving faithfulness.
“I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply allyour needs according to Hisglorious riches in Christ Jesus.~ Paul, Philippians 4:19 
Genesis 9:3 - Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
Exodus 14:22 - And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (some might have been fearful, but see what happened there.)
Job 38:41 - Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?
Psalms 34:10 - The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Psalms 81:10 - I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Psalms 84:11 - For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Disappointment is His appointment for you. Remember the two guys on the Emmaus Road feellin’ so down after Christ’s death on the Cross. They felt that God had let them down. Are you downhearted and discouraged? Kurt
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

And Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)

He being Jesus can still do that stuff. The winds blow, but He loves you and has a good plan. Does an area of your life need some calm?
Good idea: Why not we today go to / take some friends to Him.. yeah, and prep for makin' it to a healthy Bible teaching Christian church (instead of to some dead / anemic / or merely religious sorta one cuz who really wants to become like that?) ..this coming Ress-day /

http://kurtwvs.tumblr.com/post/159231067313/i-personally-dont-know-anyone-else-who-could