A true friend is to be treasured. In fact, they are rare. Think about it. How many true friends do you have? Not acquaintances–real, true friends. It is during the tough times that true friendships are revealed. I think of the Psalmist who wrote: “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Most of us who have been on this earth for any length of time has experienced this very devastating discovery when we found out that those whom we thought were our friends were not.
Yesterday, I had lunch with one of my true friends. This man prays for me every day. I cannot tell you how much that means to me. When we discuss trials in our life, tears well up in his eyes. When we talk about victories, we laugh together. He is a friend who bears out the passage in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
There is no truer friend than Jesus. He is One who knows everything about us… even our deepest thoughts… and still loves us. Psalm 18:24b says, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” That friend is Jesus. When times are difficult, when it seems as if there is no hope on the horizon, Jesus is there to lift us up. He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me over the past several months, especially as I was battling bladder cancer. After 5 operations, 2 nephrostomies (tubes in my back to drain my kidney), and 7 chemo treatments, my bladder is finally free of cancer! Praise the Lord! My last “scope” showed my bladder to be in good shape.
Here is my prayer for my friends today: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26).
There is a powerful scripture in Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The devil who is like a roaring lion seeks whom he may devour, according to 1 Peter 5:8. He will give us any excuse, including seemingly spiritual ones to cull us from the protection of other believers. I want you to watch this amazing video that illustrates this danger:
The passage in Hebrews explains why we need to meet together in corporate meetings, and that explanation in one word is “encouragement.” In the KJV it is “exhortation.” The original language word “parakaleo” literally means to comfort and pray for one another. It is actually made up of two Greek words, “para,” meaning “a covering” (think of parachute), and “kaleo,” meaning “to call.”
However, two of the main reasons is found in the previous verse (24) “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” This assembling or meeting together has a distinct purpose, and we cannot ignore that.
Now we can argue that since we became a believer, we are part of the Church. True, in part. We can also argue that since two or more are gathered together in His name, we have fulfilled that duty. Also true, in part. The fact is, however, that parts of the truth is not the whole truth. The whole truth is, that God has a structure for the church, which is made up of many parts, and that is fully illustrated in God’s design for various offices and gifts in the church. (See Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-20)
I don’t have time to cover that here, but to ignore these teachings puts us and our families in great danger. Men, I call you to be courageous. Do not let your children fall victim to the devil. Lead the way! Protect! Defend! And as that video illustrates, sometimes it takes a group to do the rescuing! I promise you, you cannot do it alone!
Over the last few posts I have been discussing a wonderful passage in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This amazing scripture is loaded with life-changing statements! Today, I want to explore another section where it states: “Old things have passed away…” It would be one thing to know that you have a new beginning–a new direction and focus for your life, but some of the “edge” would be taken off if you still had to carry the burden of the past.
I remember it well… the day I accepted Christ. Even though three hundred other people had responded to the invitation that morning, I felt like I was receiving individual attention from Jesus. Why? Because I was. I could feel His presence (the Holy Spirit) transforming my life. I knew that, not only was I saved, I had received forgiveness for my sins. To illustrate that, the minister had all of us to imagine a set of barbells at our feet. Those huge weights represented our sins. Mine was much bigger than many others, because I had led a very sinful life. The minister said, “I want you to bend over and firmly grab that set of barbells, and bring it up to your knees.” Each of us bent down and lifted the imaginary weights. He then said, “Now, bring them up to your waist.” We all responded. “Now, to your shoulders.” All around, people were holding their fists near their shoulders as if they were actually holding those barbells. He said, “Now, I want you to raise that barbell representing your sins up as high as you can.” We did. “Finally,” he said, “open your hands and let Jesus remove those burdens from you!”
Oh, my goodness! Even though the whole process only symbolized what had already taken place, it is something I will never forget. I truly felt a load of 30 years of sinning removed from my life! The “old things” were passed away! Gone forever! The guilt was gone! I was truly a new creature (creation) in Christ! ALL things were new!
I hope you realize that today. If you have not accepted Christ, I encourage you to do it today! Simply say, “Jesus, I have been reading Steve’s blog about how You changed his life. I want to experience the same thing. I want you to be my Savior. I believe you are truly God’s Son, and that you died on the cross to pay my sin-debt. I accept your gift of salvation. I ask you to forgive my sins, and give me the strength I need to live for you. Thank you for saving me, Father. I pray this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.” I would like for you to do the same thing I did–imagine that set of barbells at your feet representing your sins. Raise them up, and give them to Jesus. He can and will take them.
Forgiveness is available in an on-going basis. Just read 1 John 1:9. “Old things” continue to be washed away on a daily basis. I could go on and on, but this is already a long post.
If you accepted Christ today because of reading this post, I would appreciate it if you would let me know. You can email me at satkins1@suddenlink.net.
Sometimes we take a look at our life and think, “Why is this happening to me?” Health issues, family issues, financial issues, problems at work and other worries seem to dominate our lives if we are not careful. It’s hard to remember to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Believe me, I have fought this battle many times. However, every now and then a reminder comes along that puts it all in perspective. There is a little three letter word that makes all the difference… J-O-Y. It’s why the Apostle Paul could be in prison, yet write a letter to the Philippians and talk about joy over and over again. Warren Wiersbe wrote a commentary on the book of Philippians (I have an older version), and he entitled it, “Be Joyful, It Beats Being Happy.” Happiness is based on circumstances–joy is based on a deep relationship with Christ.
Today, if you do nothing else, watch this video. I promise you, it will help you put things in perspective. Click HERE to watch it.
I haven’t forgotten about finishing up my comments on “Happy New You!” I just wanted to go ahead and get this one to you. It’s amazing.
Yours in Christ,
Steve
By the way, for those of you who are new… after watching this video, please come back here and read my blog “Month of Miracles.”
Peace… to set at one again! I love that! That’s what the word means, and that’s what Jesus gives! There is no better proof of that than when a person accepts Christ as their Savior–or as I said in my last post–”gets in the wheelbarrow.” An amazing transformation takes place when one truly becomes a believer. The passage I’ve been discussing has a wonderful promise, and I want to examine that today: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). There are five words here that go beyond explanation.
I experienced that in 1979 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina around noon. There were 800 people in the room, and one man on the stage with a Bible in his hand. I’ll not tell the whole story here, but when he gave the invitation, my wife and I responded along with about 300 other people. With a simple move of my will, answering the invitation of a wonderful Savior, I decided this would be a turning point in my life… and what a change!
Those five words are: “he is a new creation.” I have a set of books called “Barnes Notes on the Bible,” and he describes it very well:
“He (or she) has new views, new motives, new principles, new objects and plans of life. He seeks new purposes, and he lives for new ends… There is a change so deep, so clear, so entire, and so abiding, that it is proper to say, here is a new creation of God–a work of the divine power as decided and as glorious as when God create all things out of nothing.”
Wow! I mean… praise the Lord!
Please read that over again and again until it soaks in. Realize what Christ has done for you! It is no wonder that all of Heaven’s host rejoices when one sinner comes to Christ (Luke 15:10).
Talk about an extreme makeover! We can look at each of our days differently if we will simply accept what has taken place in our being. We are not the same. I don’t care what the devil tries to tell you, you belong to Jesus, and that’s it, period! Let’s put a smile on our face and begin living the “Happy New You” that Jesus intended!
Update on my surgery: Dr. Reeves was extremely happy with the results of the surgery. Even though it had been delayed over a month, the little cancer had not grown a bit. He removed it, and was so pleased that he canceled any follow-up chemo treatments. God answered prayer again… praise the Lord!
A few days ago, I began a post “Happy New You!” Today, I want to continue my thoughts on this wonderful scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17). As I have said many times as I have preached on this passage, I usually begin by saying, “This passage starts with the word, ‘therefore.’ There is a reason it is… there for. It is a summary of what has been written before–so it would be a good idea to read it.”
I love this next statement, “if anyone is in Christ.” What does it mean to be “in Christ?” Several years ago, I ran across an illustration that has really helped people understand the full meaning of this, and I want to share it with you today. I will finish up at the end of this post by telling you an experience I had relating to this illustration.
In 1855, a Frenchman named Charles Blondin came to Niagara Falls to showcase his tightrope act. One his best-known acts was to push a wheelbarrow across the 1100 feet span. He would come back across and challenge the crowd, working them into a cheering frenzy. He would say, “Do you believe I can do that again?” “Yes, yes!” cheered the crowd. Noticing a certain man nearby who was joining in with the crowd, Blondin said, “You, sir. Do you believe I can do that again?” “Yes sir, I do,” the man stated with conviction. “Then sir,” motioned Blondin, “get in the wheelbarrow.”
When the Bible tell us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, (Acts 16:31), the word “believe” goes deeper than just a “head knowledge” of something. To believe means to completely trust and surrender everything to Jesus. Too many people think that if they simply recite some pre-written magic prayer that they are saved, when in fact being saved requires complete trust.
A few years back, I preached on this subject and I could tell that God was really working on a middle-aged man in our congregation. I had just finished my message with the wheelbarrow illustration. This man’s wife was saved, but he wasn’t. I went to visit him the next day, and gave him a new Bible. They had a beautiful spot on a large bay of water, and as we sat outside, I spoke with him about salvation. I said, “Robert, (not his real name) are you ready to get into the wheelbarrow? He knew what I meant. He said, “Pastor, not just yet–I’m just not ready.” I asked him to read the Book of John and pray. He promised he would.
Two days later, my phone rang. A joyful man was on the other end. He said, “Preacher, I just wanted you to know that I got in the wheelbarrow last night!” That brought tears to my eyes, and I rejoiced with him. That was several years ago. He died recently, unexpectedly. However, there is was no doubt in my mind that he was safely in the arms of Jesus!
Are you “in Christ?” Have you truly gotten “in the wheelbarrow?” If not, I hope you will do that today. If so, then I hope you will forward this blog to someone who can benefit from it.
Pray for me, I go for another surgery tomorrow–another recurrence of cancer in my bladder. It’s okay, though. I’m squarely in the wheelbarrow.
I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! More importantly, I wish for you a “Happy New You!” Most people are making New Year’s resolutions right now… they’re going to lose weight; quit smoking; get more organized; be more generous; get their finances in order; and on and on it goes. Some, have decided to become a better person spiritually.
If you are a Christian, then there is a “catch-all” verse that can reset your “sin counter” to zero. Wow! That’s the first time I ever thought of it that way! There is a beautiful passage in 1 John 1:9 that can do just that. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” To me, that is amazing! What a wonderful Savior we have! What a promise!
HOWEVER… with grace comes responsibility. There is a condition to every promise. Notice the little teeny word “if.” Such a little word with such meaning. “IF we confess…” I looked the word “confess” up in the dictionary. Here it is: “Admit or state that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way.” Uuh! True confession is true repentance–that is, we not only admit we’ve done, we’re truly sorry for it. Paul, speaking to the folks at Corinth said in part, “your sorrow led to repentance…” Then he further explains, “For godly sorrow produces repentance…” (2 Cor. 7:9-10).
Now, I could make this post really long by explaining about Jesus being “faithful and just,” but trust me… no, trust Him–He is! You confess, and He WILL forgive, then wipe the slate clean. You have a brand new you!
What about unsaved folks? Is there a way to get a brand new you? Oh my, YES! It is the best kind! Some of you have done things in the past you have deeply regretted. Shameful things. Disgusting things. Things you hope nobody ever finds out. And, I must add another group… the goody-two-shoes who think they have never done anything wrong… I hate to say it, but these are the more difficult ones for Christ to reach, because they are relying on self-righteousness, which is a curse in itself.
Here’s your verse–it’s exciting, so pay attention: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17). This verse is deep, and I am already over 400 words, so over the next few days, I will cover how to become a HAPPY NEW YOU!
Please subscribe to this blog by entering your email address (it stays with me and is not shared with anyone). If you ever have any questions, please feel free to send me an email.
In 2005 I recorded some Christmas songs you might enjoy. Click HERE to go to that site. Also, I posted the final message in the “Name Above All” Series on Vimeo. Click HERE to watch it.
I pray that you will have a blessed Christmas and a happy, prosperous and healthy new year!
Prince of Peace. You know, I have been studying the Bible ever since I was a kid, and every now and then I stumble upon something new—at least to me. When I do, it is exciting! Today, I want to share with you one of those “discoveries.” I promise you, you are going to love it!
Isaiah prophesied some 700 years before Jesus was born that one of His names would be “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). We find in the New Testament that Jesus was the essence of peace. He said He would give us peace “not as the world gives,” but a “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
I never took Hebrew or Greek in college, but I do have a Strong’s Concordance. I also have a search function on my computer. The word “peace” occurs 318 times in the King James Version. However, 92 of those times it comes from the Greek word “eirene” (pron. “i-rah-nay”). That word can mean peace, quietness, rest—but listen to this… it also means “to set at one again!”
Do you understand what Jesus is saying here? When He gives peace, it’s like having a fresh beginning—a new start, a do-over, re-do or whatever you want to call it! That’s why it is a peace that passes all understanding! How many times have you said, “If only I could go back…?” You don’t need to go back, you just need to go to the “Prince of Peace” for a do-over. I highly recommend 1 John 1:9. It’s one of the best “do-over” verses I know of!
The New Year of 2012 is right upon us. We all like to “turn over a new leaf.” Let me make a suggestion: This year, let’s ask the Prince of Peace to give us a fresh start—set at one again!
When I come to this time of the year when we celebrate the birth of Christ, I think of many things, but one thing that is perhaps the most prevalent in the Christmas Story is His name–Jesus. Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a beautiful song about His name, and some of it went like this: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name… kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, but there’s something about that name.” (Click on the word “song” above to listen to it.)
When the angel Gabriel visited Mary in Luke 1:30-31, he said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name JESUS.” To further clarify, an angel later appeared to Joseph and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS…” Why that name? “…for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21).
That name, Jesus, is a name above all names. It is one that I have uttered over and over again–especially in the last two or three years. It is a powerful name. Acts 4:12 says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
In December of 2008, I brought three messages entitled “Name Above All.” I hope you will watch, listen and be blessed. In a few days, I will post the second message in this series. Click HERE to watch the video.
NOTE: SOMETIMES ADS APPEAR BELOW THIS POST THAT WE DO NOT ENDORSE. WE CANNOT CONTROL THESE, AND I APOLOGIZE IF ANY ARE OFFENSIVE IN ANY WAY.
True Friends
April 12, 2012A true friend is to be treasured. In fact, they are rare. Think about it. How many true friends do you have? Not acquaintances–real, true friends. It is during the tough times that true friendships are revealed. I think of the Psalmist who wrote: “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Most of us who have been on this earth for any length of time has experienced this very devastating discovery when we found out that those whom we thought were our friends were not.
Yesterday, I had lunch with one of my true friends. This man prays for me every day. I cannot tell you how much that means to me. When we discuss trials in our life, tears well up in his eyes. When we talk about victories, we laugh together. He is a friend who bears out the passage in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
There is no truer friend than Jesus. He is One who knows everything about us… even our deepest thoughts… and still loves us. Psalm 18:24b says, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” That friend is Jesus. When times are difficult, when it seems as if there is no hope on the horizon, Jesus is there to lift us up. He said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me over the past several months, especially as I was battling bladder cancer. After 5 operations, 2 nephrostomies (tubes in my back to drain my kidney), and 7 chemo treatments, my bladder is finally free of cancer! Praise the Lord! My last “scope” showed my bladder to be in good shape.
Here is my prayer for my friends today: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace!” (Numbers 6:24-26).
Posted in bladder cancer, cancer, Fellowship, Health, Hope, Life, Ministry, Scripture Commentary, Victory | 2 Comments »