While studying Hebrews 10:24-25 (and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. NASB) I ran across this quote from Warren Wiersbe from his book "Be Confident", "It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what the believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the assembly."( pg 115) Maybe it's time that we stop taylor making churches to fit the culture and its "needs" and start declaring the unashamed Gospel. Those who want to follow can contribute to the cause by being apart of this Divine calling or they can move out of the way, stop complaining that we are not fun enough like the church down the street, and rethink their salvation experience. Because, evidently they are focused on the wrong things and wrong person. Sometimes it just has to be said.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A FATHER'S DAY MESSAGE
John 10:40 NASB
And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was first baptizing, and He was staying there.
A father's approval of us is very important. In fact that approval is so important that it can make or brake a child in life. It is also important that the child hears this approval straight from the father not just hear say that comes from others.
My dad deeply loved me I have no question. There were moments that he revealed that with a hug, word of encouragement, or a form of needed advice. But I would have given anything to have heard him personally tell me what he told others when he was proud of me as his son. Those moments were rare. I felt that my last days with dad ended much the same way as they were lived...in one form of turmoil and conflict or another.
In John chapter 10 we read of Jesus having a conflict with the Jews. He had basically put them in their place by stating three things: they were not the children of God because they were not following Him (verses 22-30); He and the Father were one (verse 30); and that the works He performed and words He spoke were from God His Father (verses 32-39). This lead them to attempt to capture Him and stone Him but it states that He eluded them. Where does He go afterwards? To a place where it all seemed to have started, the place of His baptism. Why here? What is the significance of this place? In the three Synoptic Gospels the answer is given; this was the place where His Father gave Him His public approval, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). The cool thing about this is that the Father gives this blessing long before Jesus does anything.
So fathers today start doing something that maybe your father never or rarely did. Show your loving approval for who your children are not just what they accomplish. And make sure you do it a lot and in the open. I know that James will be experiencing it a little more than I did. And if your father is still alive give him a big hug!
Please contact me with any questions or speaking engagements you may want to include me in on at StevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
A SUBSTANCE OF LIFE
JAMES 1:3
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(KJV)
Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
(NASB)
Years ago I had a friend who would not pray for patience because he felt God might bring trials into his life to produce that patience. This was all based on the King James rendering of James 1:3. In reality my friend just simply did not want to go through difficult times in life. In 1st Corinthians 13:4 Paul states that love is patient or long suffering (KJV). The point is we do not know what degree of patience, love, or faith we have unless it is first tested. The degree of those three things is found in the degree of endurance we show under trying circumstances.
Our Lord Jesus showed this best on the cross. Hebrews 12:2 states that He “…endured the cross, despising the shame,…” The greatest love was shown in great patience toward the whole human race which was crucifying Him because of their sins. Through the testing of the cross we see love demonstrated through patience because of, “…the joy set before Him…” That joy of knowing that if we place our faith and confidence in what He did on the cross for us and based on His bodily resurrection, we would spend eternity in Heaven with Him spurred Him forward. It was love and patience placed to the ultimate test because Jesus could have easily called a legion of angels to His rescue (Matthew 26:53). The key is that He did not, but suffered in our place instead.
My question is have you ever looked at what was done on the cross seeing God’s great love and mercy for you? Have you ever thought about what all Jesus went through for you (us)? Have you ever trusted Him as Savior based on that great love?
If you are a Christian please put this at the forethought of your mind today. If we really love our spouses, children (grandchildren), co-workers, neighbors, church members, ect. then we will show the same love through patience that Jesus showed to us on the cross. So go and grow in God’s good grace and in patience.
I am open for speaking engagements. If you wish to invite me for a speaking engagement please contact me atStevenSwaim@BeDevotedMinistries.com.
His Servant Together With You,
Steven Swaim
President and Founder, Be Devoted Ministries
All Bible verses quoted are from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
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