Is God Active in Today’s World?

Just this week I heard someone say, “In today’s world God only operates through the Word.”  This wasn’t the first time I had heard this statement made.  In fact I grew up being taught that God only operated in today’s world through Scripture.  The basic question is this, “Is this an accurate portrayal of God’s role in the lives of civilization today?”  Follow me as we spend a few minutes dealing with this misunderstood doctrine.

First, this doctrine has developed through time primarily as a result of our inability or unwillingness to accurately study the teachings surrounding the Holy Spirit.  Instead of studying through to truth we have sought to explain away the Holy Spirit .  Often we have replaced the role of the Holy Spirit with the role of Scripture.  With that said, let us never underestimate the purpose or power contained though Scripture.  Scripture occupies a most important place in God’s dealing with man.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us “Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God might be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works.”  In this text is contained a sizable portion of the purpose of Scripture and It’s relation with man.  The role of Scripture is to allow us knowledge giving us the possibility of  reconciliation with God.  It then affords us necessary knowledge to support the relationship with God made possible by reconciliation.  This is an extremely important role  Scripture occupies in the lives of men.  However, the role of the written Word does not supplant the role of God in the lives of men today.

The basic question is this, “Is God active in creation today separate and apart from Scripture?”  The answer to this question must be a strong and unwavering YES!   God is active in creation today separate and apart from His written Word.  The following list is by no means an exhaustive listing of God’s activities in creation today.  It is only a beginning.  Let’s examine together the following examples of God’s power and role in His creation today:

• According to Colossians 1:17,  The Lord holds all things together.  Science so-called has taught for years that man was destroying the planet by global warming.  In the last year we have seen this concept begin to unravel.  In reality man cannot  destroy what God holds together.  All creation is held together by the Lord.  This is accomplished without the written Word.
• God’s power to hear and answer prayer is outside the confines of the written word.  At times God answers our prayer in a super-natural way.  At other times He works through His Spirit as it dwells in us.  God uses us through His Spirit to do His will.
• Today God is still in the healing business.  When an individual is healed from a sickness, they recuperate because God makes it happen.  At times God uses people gifted with the ability to bring about healing.  These ”doctors”  He uses to carry out His work.  At other times God may allow an individual to heal without any other person’s help.  God still accomplishes this feat.  Healing occurs outside the borders of Scripture.  Still, God is involved in any healing action.
• God has chosen to proclaim His message through the preaching of men.  While it is true that Scripture contains the message of salvation, God has chosen to work through men to accomplish the proclamation of His message.  As the Spirit dwells in us, He gives us the strength and ability to powerfully proclaim the message of salvation.  The power of God works through humanity by His Spirit to proclaim the way of salvation.
• God helps us make decisions in our lives.  When facing a decision in our life the natural reaction from a Christian is to pray.  Sometimes we find the answer we seek in Scripture.  At other times God will answer our prayer in some way outside the confines of Scripture. As often as not God will work through some natural event on earth to give us the answer we seek. 

If we teach that God is only active in the world today through Scripture we are limiting God.  We are  saying that God left us when He gave us the Word in its completed form.  To make this assertion is to put God in a box.  Rather than limiting God by our doctrine wouldn’t it be far better to find Truth?  Instead of limiting God in ways that fit our doctrine let’s make sure that what we teach as truth accurately portrays God.  If God isn’t there it can’t be truth. 

God is active in the world today.  The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians.  Instead of seeking  to explain away these truths let us be sure that what we teach accurately portrays the role of God in the world today.

 

Introducing Jaxon Colt Kimberly

Jaxon Colt Kimberly

Born 2:49 PM on January 28, 2010

Jax is 19 inches long and weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces.  Mother, father. and son are all doing well.  Both sets of grandparents are surviving.  Jax came into the world screaming to the top of his lungs.  It seems as if he must have taken after his dad.  Jax is Kevin and Julie’s first child.  Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.  May God prepare this child for a special work in His Kingdom.

Undeniable Truths

There aren’t many undeniable truths in the world.  There are a few things we consider to be truth that don’t fit into the truth category at all.  There are some things that can be considered truth but not to the point that it is undeniable.  There are few things in this world that can be considered undeniable truth. 

There are some things we can bank on.  Some things that absolutely do not change.  These are the truths we base our lives on.  These are the things that hold the world together.  Absolute truth allows the church a foundation to build upon.  It allows Christians a path on which we can walk as we seek to follow Christ.

Let’s consider a few principles that qualify as absolute truth:

• All Scripture is inspired by God.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness that the man of God might be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works.”  Simply put Scripture tells us how to be reconciled to God and how to maintain that relationship with God.
• Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Salvation cannot be found in any other name.  It can’t be found in Buddha, Mohammed, or even in Judaism.  Salvation can’t be found in intellectual perfection or even in perfect obedience.  Some would teach that we can behave our way to heaven.  This is a mistake.  Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.  Our only hope for salvation is trust in the name of Christ.
• We live, we die, and then the judgement.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement.”  After we die we all face God in Judgement.  It is up to us to be prepared.
• Nothing is as important as the body of Christ.   Christ purchased the church with His own blood.  Nothing is as important as the church.  It is essential that we understand that the good of the church outweighs what we want.  The value of the church is even greater than the individual Christian.  Before you bring up the parable of the one sheep gone astray consider my words.  In 30 years of preaching I have only met a few handfuls of families and individuals who would openly push their agenda over what was best for the church.  I have often seen those who would work in secret to get their way. Rarely have I known those who were openly rebellious against the church and it’s leadership.  I had rather face God in judgement with any sin than to face Him with the sin of destroying the body of Christ.

I am sure there are more concepts that qualify as undeniable truths.  However, in all honesty there aren’t that many.  The truth we have mentioned qualifies as truth we can follow as we seek to walk in the footsteps of  Jesus.

From the Front Porch

 

The past two weeks have been interesting.  I have managed to survive a bout with the flu.  We have learned we will have a new grandson by this time next week.  His name will be Jaxson Colt Kimberly.  Kevin assured me that his name sake wasn’t Colt McCoy since we are huge Alabama fans.  As fine a young man as Mr. McCoy has shown himself to be I think we could have made an exception this once.

If this weren’t enough, Arizona has become Alaska, at least around Payson.  This picture was taken from my phone while standing on my front porch.  I think I like summer time better.  How about you?

Scheming Against the Kingdom

 

The book of Acts tells us Jesus purchased the church with his blood.  No greater payment could have been made.  To lay down a life for the undeserving was the ultimate sacrifice.

The greatest accomplishments in the life of any individual are the things that are accomplished for the brotherhood of believers.  In 1 Peter 2:17 we are told  to “love the brotherhood of believers.”   To display the kind of love discussed in this verse demands we have a deep and abiding love for all those in the brotherhood of Christ.  The good of each individual Christian must be held at the highest of standards.  The welfare of the body of Christ must be the most important ideal held by the believer.  To conduct one’s self  in a way that damages this ideal or the church is an abomination before God.

Unfortunately many fail to display the respect, the love, and concern for either the body of Christ or the believers who make up that body.  The most important issue becomes making sure that one’s wants and wishes are met regardless of the cost to individual brethren, the local congregation or the church as a whole. 

God said we are in a war.  The war should be against Satan and his forces of darkness.  This is a difficult war to wage under the best of circumstances.  When this war is fought under the duress and backdrop of  those who seek to harm the church in order to accomplish personal desires it becomes almost impossible to survive such a war.  Souls will be lost. In great sadness we see brethren seeking to harm brethren.   We seek to destroy the reputation of each another.  We scheme and destroy.  Certainly this must break the heart of God.

Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud  look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”  God despises those who seek to divide His family.  God gives great warning for those whose feet are swift in running to mischief.  He condemns those who are false witnesses and speak lies.   God controls all, God knows all.  I had rather face God in judgment holding any sin  than the sin of seeking to destroy my brother in Christ.  May God never find us counted among those who scheme against the kingdom of God or it’s individual members.

What Do we Do When We Don’t Know God’s Plan For Our Life?

Times are tough in America today.  Many are without work.  Others are living in houses that they can’t afford.  Maybe as a result of your lack of work you are facing foreclosure.  How many times have you wondered, “What does God have in mind for me?”

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation that doesn’t meet our approval.  As Christians we can survive because we know God is in control.  Wouldn’t it be great if we knew what God had in mind for our lives everyday?

After we have passed through uncertain times it is easy to look back and say, “So that is what God had in mind!”  Hindsight is always twenty/twenty.  The hard part is living life when we don’t know what tomorrow holds.  How do we remain content when we don’t know the future?  Let me share the story of a man who not only did not know what God had in mind but didn’t know God.

In 2 Kings 5:1-14 we have the story of Naaman.  This man was a valiant warrior.  He was commander of king Aram’s army and was highly regarded.  Even though Naaman did not know God, he had been blessed by God.  One might have thought from this world’s standards that Naaman’s life was as good as it gets.  Unfortunately all was not well.  Naaman had leprosy.  In his day this was a certain death sentence.  Naaman didn’t know what his future held.  Even worse he didn’t know God. 

Naaman’s wife had a servant girl from Israel who knew God.  She told  her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria!  He would cure him of his leprosy.”  From the mouth of a mere servant girl Naaman got his answer.  Naaman was given hope from a certain sentence of death. 

Elisha the man of God sent for Naaman.  He was given a message from the man of God.  The message Naaman was given was hardly what he expected.  As a result we see pride and anger stand in his way.  If only He had known and trusted God.  Naaman was given a chance at life but refused to do what he  had been told to do.  It was only after this great warrior humbled himself before God that he found God’s healing hand.

This is a great story but how does it apply to us?  What  Naaman was told wasn’t what he had expected.  Still, he had an answer.  Today, how do we know what God wants from us?  How do we know God’s will for our lives? Let me share a few ideas for you to consider:

• God tells us the basics.  Spend time in Scripture.  God’s word gives us the proper direction for our lives.  He tells us how to recieve forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to Him.
• Ask God for the answer.  Prayer is a powerful tool in the life of a righteous man.  Ask God for the answer.  A good salesman always asks for the sale.  A righteous man ought always ask the master for direction.
• Never forget to listen.  It isn’t enough to ask we must also be willing to listen.  Allow God to prompt you.  God will give us the answer if we seek His guidance.  Don’t  forget to listen.
• Trust God.  When God gives you direction allow your heart to trust Him.  Naaman had his answer but because it wasn’t what he expected he almost missed the blessing.  Trust God’s direction.
• Let God use you.  We are His workmanship.  Before the world was created God had already determined great things He could accomplish through us.  It is up to us to allow God’s purpose to be worked in our lives.
• Don’t forget to consider how God has used us in the past.  There are times when we need to look at the things God has done through us.  By acknowledging what God has done in the past our faith is strengthened concerning what He will do through us in the future.
• Just do what you know to do.  God will provide the direction if we will have faith in Him.  God will work through those who are willing to allow Him to use them.  Just do what you know to do.  God will provide the direction.

What does God hold in your future and mine?  He used us yesterday.  He used us today and He will continue to use us tomorrow if we trust Him.  We may not know God’s plan for our lives but all will be fine if we just do what we know to do.  God remains in control of all things.  Trust God always.

Thanks!

I are grateful to all who visited this blog in 2009.  Thanks to all of you.  It has been trememdous.  I hope all or you will continue to read and participate in 2010. With God’s control it will be an awesome year!

Let me share a few statistics from last year.   We had more than 39,000 visitors from over 60 different countries.  This amounts to a little more than 109 visits per day.  The top post for the year was, “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” 

 All of this results from your participation.  Thank you for your time and interest.  May God bless you in 2010.

For Your Interest

I recently completed a class section on the Holy Spirit.  For those who might be interested I have posted the final class on our church website.  The address is http://www.paysonchurchofchrist.com/  The class may be found in the audio section of our website.  If this class or series is of interest to you and you wish to order a copy of this lesson or series please let me know at williamokimberly@yahoo.com.  Thanks for your time and interest.

What Can We Do To Best Serve God?

One of the things we fail to understand is the basic premise that all was created for God’s pleasure.  From the beginning of creation this has been true.  Even the creation of man was for God’s pleasure.  Man was created in the image of God in order that relationship could exist between God and man.

Satan’s intent was to change God’s original creation.  Satan appeared in the garden for this purpose.  Satan convinced Eve it was more important she please herself than please God.  This basic thought started in the garden, continued through the prophets, and continues even in the church today.  This thought has become so ingrained into our culture that man tends to abuse religion.  The question has become, “What can God do for me?” 

Let me demonstrate what I mean.  If a couple with children move to a new city, they begin to look for a congregation which has  a strong “youth program.”  I dare not condemn the concern for the children.  We need to be concerned for our children, but is this the proper trait we look for in a church?  A second couple moves to the same city.  They have no children so instead of looking for a strong “youth program” they seek a church with a strong group of young professionals.  A third family moves to this city.  They are a mature couple.  They seek a “sound church” with traditional values and direction.  This couple seeks a congregation that has a preacher presenting the same type sermons and values to which they have grown accustomed.  In similar circumstances we might make some of these same choices.  On the surface none of these choices are bad within themselves.  The problem lies with the reason we make these choices.

Initially Satan convinced Eve that it was more important that she be pleased that she please God.  This same thought has adapted with time but continues to be supplanted in the thoughts of man even today.  The prominent question shouldn’t be, “Which church meets my needs?”  The most important question ought to be, “Where can I best serve God?

When our president took office earlier this year he stated that he wanted to fundamentally change America.  If I may adapt the thought to religious matters, we must fundamentally change the way we view religion.  It isn’t what can this church or that church do for me.  The fundamental thought needs to be, “Where can I best serve the Lord.”

Friends it isn’t about what I want nor if I get my way.  We aren’t looking for churches that give us what we want.  We are looking for opportunities to bring praise and glory to God.  We are looking for a place we can best serve our Lord.  Please hear these words,  It isn’t my church it is His.  It isn’t about what meets my desire it is about what service I can offer to God.  It isn’t about getting my way, it is about finding a way to connect those who are lost with the saving grace of the saviour.  Satan fundamentally changed our views in the garden.  It is time that we allow the gospel to funamentally change things back to the way God intended.  The most important question a believer can ask is this, “What can we do to best serve God?

The Gifts of Christmas

On December 25th much of the world will stop it’s regular activities.  For a day we will come together as friends and family.  Most difficulties will stop and for a time we will enjoy the blessings of the day.  The trappings that surround this day mean the difference between success and failure for many in the business world.

How can one day mean so much to so many?  This is the day set aside to remember the birth of our Saviour!  Some would argue there is no authority to set this day aside.  Others would attempt to prove Christ’s birth could not possibly have been on this day.  Still some would deny Jesus birth altogether.  Their attempt is to take Christ out of Christmas entirely.

I have no desire to argue the authority for this day.  I don’t wish to argue if this is the correct time of the year.  There are those who are much better qualified to do so.  My intent is to list just a few of the blessings that have come to us as a result of the birth of our Messiah.  The following are certainly not all the blessings the birth of Jesus brought to us but these that follow are the true gifts of Christmas.

• The birth of Jesus brought the gift of salvation to the world.  Jesus was our sin payment.  His birth brought the hope of salvation to the world.  Without the birth of Jesus there would have been no sin payment.  If there had been no sin payment there would have been no salvation.
• The birth of Jesus brought the gift of joy to the world.  There is no joy that compares with the joy of knowing Jesus.  As a believer we have a joy that the world will never know outside of Christ.  John tells us in I John 1 that the knowledge of Jesus leaves us full of joy.
• The birth of Jesus brought the gift of assurance to the world. It is the intent of the Lord that we know with certainty our salvation.  The gift of our Lord made this assurance not only possible but certain.
• The birth of Jesus brought the gift of peace.  There is no peace that compares to being in Christ.  It brought to us a peace that passes all understanding.
• The birth of Jesus brought the gift of service.  The birth of Jesus gives us the opportunity to be reconciled back to God.  This reconciliation allows us opportunity to build relationship with the Father.  As we grow in our relationship with the Lord we are afforded the gift of service.  Our service brings glory to His name.

These are but a small sampling of the things brought to us by the birth of Jesus.  These gifts are real regardless of whether Jesus was born on December 25th or not.  They are certain with or without our perceived authorization.  These are indeed the real gifts of Christmas.