New Resources

This morning I'm pondering the great value of the Gospel message. Many don't know they have a Savior and many don't care because they haven't felt the need of one. People resign themselves to their little personal programs and 'do what they can' saying it must be enough.

That is what we have all had to do if there was no one there to help us, isn't it? We did our best and either won or lost based on that might or weakness.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed." - John 3:16-20 ESV

The Gospel changes the stakes. It changes everything. We can't say 'I am alone' anymore.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:31-39 ESV

The Gospel says, 'Because of Jesus you will never be alone. Ony believe in Him and you will never be forsaken by Heaven or condemned by the God of Heaven. Heavenly resources become your resources.'

Believers are not immune to trouble. They might experience even more potent trouble but they are not alone in trouble. They are never alone ever again. They have a Saviour. They have resources.

"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie -- just as it has taught you, abide in him." - 1 John 2:27 ESV

If we have owned this truth an anointing of liberty and security rests on us and the Holy Spirit will teach us what to do in our liberty. God will give us people and use them but it is the anointing oil that turned a man into a king and it is what takes a slave and makes him or her into a free purposeful person.

We all have circumstances that seem to hinder us and obstacles in our path. Perhaps we are confident we can deal with them and overcome. Perhaps we think, 'If I win I will be a winner.'

God claims we can be winners right now if we embrace the fact that we have a Saviour. Then we can face whatever is next in life as winners before the battle even happens and that makes all the difference.

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Walking To The Car Alone

The human experience is varied and last night I was thinking of one very specific experience... walking to the car alone... the solitary traveler. Maybe some of us rarely do this because of companionship of some kind but for others it is a very common. People carry groceries alone. They leave work alone. They leave church alone.

For a few years in Bible college I went to night school and I hung out at security between classes and walked people to their cars. It was a ministry of sorts.

It is funny what can happen going from here to there isn't it. My longtime Pastor (who is now home with God) used to warn us about losing the message in the parking lot of the Church. It is a very real danger. It might get lost in idle chatter but you can lose it all by yourself also.

"But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself;The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah." - Psalm 4:3-4 NASB

Some folks can't be alone because they can't be with themselves. Introspection is to possible in those times. Others love to be alone. Then there is the group that is often alone but doesn't want to be.

"Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the iniquities of the sons of Israel and all their transgressions in regard to all their sins; and he shall lay them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands in readiness. The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to a solitary land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness." - Leviticus 16:21-22 NASB

Jesus was the lamb who was brought to the wilderness to take a lonely journey. The sin bearer was a solitary experience. Those who carry sin today do it alone. Shame and guilt are solitary burdens.

"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." - Psalm 19:7-10 ESV

The fear of the Lord is clean. We can walk to the car in awe and there is a companionship that comes with that holy reverence. If we leave Church this way we won't lose what we received there. We can lay on our beds and not be consumed with self. God is with us.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:6-8 ESV

There are burdens we are not meant to carry. Jesus has already traveled the lonely road to Calvary bearing our sin. We make a short trip to the cross and leave our burdens there.

"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?' Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:5-8 ESV

God never leaves us. Once introduced we never walk alone. Truly we discover that we never really did. God was waiting all the while to be our life long companion.

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