Friend of God

“(Abraham) was called the friend of God.”  James 2:23.

“…I have called you friends…”  John 15:15.

It is truly amazing that God would call us His friend like He did with Abraham and like Jesus did with the disciples.  What a privilege this is to be in God’s circle of friends!  If He had not initialized this relationship, it would have been sinfully presumptuous for us to even consider such communion.

A. W. Tozer said, “But since God claims us as His friends, it is an act of unbelief to deny the offer of such a relationship.”  It is THE God of all creation who invites us to come into a loving bond and association with Himself.

When we consider and evaluate our friends, who would not want God as theirs?  He is perfect, always loves and never fails.  He knows our frame and thoughts and thus our actions and mindset will never surprise Him.  He seeks our best and desires that we live abundantly.

God wants to be your friend today and you can do that by telling Him you accept!  Perhaps you have allowed your friendship with God to wane.  He does not condemn you but craves to be with you.  Today is the day to rekindle your friendship with God, spend time with Him and listen to what He has to say.  But if you have not done so already, today is the day to accept His offer of friendship.

PD

God In The Flesh

I wonder how many people who are at present flitting about on buying sprees and making arrangements for meals, parties and celebrations actually realize the true implications of Christmas.  It would seem that many are not just misinformed about God’s grand missive to the world but are actually blind to it.

Christ, which is the English term for the Greek word Christos and the Hebrew word for Messiah, is even in the title of the holiday…CHRISTmas!  Consider the songs that are sung, the cards which are sent and the ultimate gift that was given by God…Himself.  The NT Gospel of John in the first chapter even speaks of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us.  How miraculous. Even the OT prophets spoke very powerfully of this day when God Almighty would physically enter human history.  Consider these three well known passages:

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,

and shall call His name Immanuel.”

(Isaiah 7:14 NKJV)

We celebrate the God who is present with us for Immanuel literally means, “God with us.”  He is here, He is available, He will never leave us or forsake us and we are safe.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

“And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

(Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

We celebrate the God who has power over all creation, can heal the sick, raise the dead, forgive us of our sins and has power over the grave.

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

(Micah 5:2 NKJV)

We celebrate the God who is eternal and thus always lives to intercede on our behalf and is not limited in fulfilling His promises.

It is Jesus, God in the flesh, we celebrate now but should celebrate Him every day of the year.  He came to seek and save the lost, He came to redeem sinners and He came to forgive us of our sins and give us eternal life. Jesus is the ULTIMATE GIFT and it is my prayer that you receive Him.

Merry Christmas!

PD

The Old Rugged Cross

(A Thanksgiving Thought)

OK.  I am busted.  It is not even December yet, and I could not help myself.  I admit it.  I put up Christmas lights at the church before Thanksgiving.  Perhaps it is because I love this season with all of the sights, smells, food, family and friends (not necessarily in that order). Or maybe it is because I just like the small LED lights that use a minimal amount of coal.

The sign at our church is made out of old railroad timbers and is in the shape of a cross.  As I was fixing the lights to the sign this morning, the ladder I was standing on started to wiggle.  Grabbing the horizontal beam12 feet off of the ground I was struck with this thought…”I am clinging to the Old Rugged Cross!”  Of course it reminded me of the hymn, but I was REALLY thankful for something to hold on to.

When we consider all of that which we are thankful for during this Thanksgiving week, I am thankful for many things such as my wife, my family, the Body of Christ at CCFV and for the wonderful country we live in.  That being said, I am the most thankful for God.  For it was God that loved me enough to send His only Son Jesus to this earth to live, breath, serve, and die on THE old rugged cross. The resurrection three days later proves that death lost its power and that everything Jesus had to say was valid.

Why am I thankful? Jesus is my Savior and I am forgiven! He gave me the Holy Spirit to comfort and help me live for Him.  He will never leave me or forsake me, and one day I will be with Him in Heaven forever.

Yes, I am thankful for the Old Rugged Cross, but even more so, I am thankful for the King of Kings, the Lord of Glory, Jesus Christ the Righteous, the Lamb of God who was slain for me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

PD

I just read this devotional from the Institute for Creation Research and thought you would like to read it as well.  It serves as a great reminder that we need the perspective of the Word of God in order to please Him and be good stewards over that which He has entrusted to us.

God the Owner

"The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1)
 
In communist countries, "the people" own the lands, while in capitalist countries, individuals may own "private property." Both are myths unless these are viewed as a stewardship from God. We don't really own anything, "for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out" (1 Timothy 6:7).
 
In the mineral kingdom, the most important substances are the precious metals upon which monetary standards are based, yet God makes it clear that all "the silver is mine, and the gold is mine" (Haggai 2:8). The greatest members of the plant kingdom are the mighty trees of the forest, and God reminds us that "the trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted" (Psalm 104:16). All the birds and beasts in the animal kingdom are His also. "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10).
 
Again and again God reminds us that "all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5) and even the infinite heavens belong to Him. "Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is" (Deuteronomy 10:14).
 
God has, indeed, given man "dominion . . . over all the earth" (Genesis 1:26), and Satan has, indeed, laid false claim to "all the kingdoms of the world" (Luke 4:5-6), but the fact remains that "the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Daniel 4:32).
 
Most of all, every Christian should understand that he and all he has belong to God, by both creation and blood-bought redemption. "Ye are not your own. . . . For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Next Sunday at CCFV, we will be discussing what it means to be good stewards and bear much fruit with what the Lord has placed in our care.  We would love to have you come and visit.  Our church is located at 2395 Whitefish Stage Road, just 2 miles north of Reserve in Kalispell.

God Bless!

 PD