Jesus is still in the life changing business.

Matthew 12:20"A bruised reed shall he not break and smoking flax shall he not quench till he sends forth judgment (justice) unto victory."

 

When most people think of Jesus, especially Pentecostals, they generally seem to think on the spectacular. The miracles, the resurrection, raising the dead, the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that...sometimes we forget though that one of the main things we should think about is the fact that Jesus is STILL in the life changing business!

May I remind you of what the Apostle Peter said in his first epistle chapter 2 verse 9 when he said "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him that called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light."

 

Our text is an OT prophecy that was spoken some 700 years before the birth of Christ. It speaks of a bruised reed that Jesus would not break and a smoking flax that he would not quench. Most, as I do, believe that this is speaking of people, and more specifically, people that have been hurt in this life, people that are about to give up, people that are about to throw in the towel.

When you think about it, there has never been a time like today where we see so many bruised, battered and broken lives. Everywhere we look we see all around us, shattered and torn lives. Remember Jesus said that "the thief comes not but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy!"

Whether it's abuse, divorce, alcohol, drugs, depression or oppression, and yes even Christians falling away from God, as we look around us we see Satan's destruction everywhere we look.

But praise God the devil may come to steal, kill and destroy, but that wasn't the end of that verse! Jesus said "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly!  I just came here to tell you tonight that Jesus Christ is still in the life changing business!

 

                                    Mephibosheth

In 2 Samuel 9 David had just ascended to the throne of Israel. He then says Is there any left of the house of Saul that I may show him kindness for Jonathans sake? In verse 3 he uses the term Kindness of God.

You see, this young man Mephibosheth was heir to the kingdom of Israel, he was the son of Jonathan, the grandson of King Saul........

David calls for him, Mephibosheth says "I am a dead dog."

But David, a type of Christ here, says "Fear not. For I will restore everything back to you that you‘ve lost.....

Mephibosheth had probably grown up thinking it was David's fault. He had probably heard all of his life, "you wouldn't be in this condition if it weren't for David! It's all David's fault!

That's how some look at God! They look at all of the brokenness in their lives and they think "this is God's fault!" They think if God was really a loving and good God he wouldn't have let these awful things happen in their lives!

But I'm here to tell you today that God is not the author of your misery! God is not the cause of your problems! God wants you to be the head and not the tail! God wants you to lend and not borrow, God wants you to be the victor and not the victim! God wants you to rise and up and declare that you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!

 

If you are bruised and battered tonight I'm telling you Jesus Christ can heal your hurts and your pains, I'm telling you that you can CAST ALL YOUR CARES on him for he cares for you! I'm telling you tonight that just like Mephibosheth, Jesus Christ will restore everything to you that Satan has stolen and then some. Jesus is still in the Life Changing business!

 

When you look at the woman in the NT that was caught in adultery, she was a wreck, bound by sin and sinful desires and judgment had been set for her, but Jesus stepped in, Jesus stepped on the scene and gave her a new life for Jesus said in John 10:10

The thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy, but I have come that you might have life and life more abundantly!

When you look at Mark 5 and see the demoniac, living in the tombs, naked, cutting himself with stones, screaming at the top of his lungs, bound by demonic power, COULD there be a more bruised and tragic life? A lost soul torn by a legion of demons! But then Jesus comes along! And when Jesus finishes with him he is found clothed, sitting, resting and in his right mind! I may not know a lot, but I know this, Jesus Christ has the power tonight to set you free! I don't care what chains of darkness have you bound, Jesus is still in the Life Changing business!

 

Is it any wonder that the prophecy from Isaiah 61 that Jesus read and fulfilled at the start of his ministry says the following.

That he would bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, open prison doors to them that are bound, give beauty for ashes, give the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the Spirit of heaviness.

 

Have many here tonight have experienced the loving hand of this great Savior? How many know tonight what I'm talking about? You know what it's like to be so down you didn't know what to do then all of a sudden he starts taking the spirit of heaviness off of your shoulders and begins to robe you with the garment of praise.  Jesus is still picking up bruised reeds and with his loving care touching them and healing them. Let's praise him tonight!

 

Jesus also said a smoking flax would he not quench. I relate that to a struggling child of God.

I'm reminded of Peter. Jesus looked at Peter and said Satan desires to sift you as wheat.

I want to remind you that we are fighting a real enemy that has a real agenda, and that is to destroy your life.

Many times we go through these trials and feel like we've lost and that we're not going to make it. We were on fire before, just like Peter was. Peter was ready to die for Jesus and before you know it the fire in his life was nearly totally extinguished. But Jesus reached out to him with love, Jesus said "I'm not gonna let you go Peter, my love for you is to strong and my mercy is to great. A smoking flax will he not quench."

 

You may be here tonight and feel like there's nothing that can be done for you. You may feel that there's no hope for you! There are hurts inside you that you feel are going to tear you apart.

Or you may be here and you used to be on fire for God, but through trials and storms in your life, your just a smoking flax and a bruised reed!

 

If you will let him, Jesus Christ will heal your broken heart! If you will let him, Jesus will allow the fire of the Holy Ghost to burn in your life again! Will you come tonight and let him touch you? 

 

 

 Where's the Scent?

"The Lord disciplines those he loves ... for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Earl Nightingale told how on one National Secretaries Day he gave his secretary flowers and she remarked how beautiful they were. She also said that she couldn't understand why they didn't have any scent.

He informed her that the flowers came from a hothouse and explained that because flowers raised in this type of environment have everything done for them, they don't have to attract insects to pollinate them. As a result, they lose their scent. In the same way fruit raised in a hothouse, because it doesn't need to attract insects to scatter its seeds, doesn't taste as good as fruit grown in its natural environment.

It's similar to the child who w anted to help a butterfly out of its cocoon by putting a slit in it and, in so doing caused it to die. He didn't realize that the struggle to get out of the cocoon is needed to strengthen the butterfly's wings, which enables it to fly.

When people do too much for us or overprotect us, especially in our early developmental years, they can do serious harm to us. And even in adulthood the problems and difficulties we have are what strengthen us, build out character, and teach us wisdom, understanding, and compassion-if we let them. This is why God disciplines those whom he loves by allowing us to go through difficult times.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to yield to your discipline and to see in all the struggles and problems of life that you are wanting me to 'grow in faith and love and every grace / might more of your salvation know / and seek more earnestly your face.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Hebrews 12:6, 10, 11 (NIV).

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THE MEASURE OF A MAN

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."(See Matthew 5:1-12).

Some years ago the Observer published an article entitled: 'How Do You Measure Up As A Man?' The article stated that some extensive research had been conducted on the 20th century standards for measuring a man. The criteria were quite interesting to say the least. They were as follows:

1. His ability to make and conserve money 2. The cost, style and age of his car 3. (This is my favorite) How much hair he has 4. His strength and size 5. The job he holds and how successful he is at it 6. What sports he likes 7. How many clubs he belongs to 8. His aggressiveness and reliability.

Jesus Christ's estimation of the measure of a man (and/or a woman) were in stark contrast. His values are as follows:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit...those who mourn...the meek...those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...the merciful...the pure in heart...the peacemakers...those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Hmm...I wonder how I measure up. Sobering thought!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to evaluate my life not on the basis of what the world or others think or say, but on what you say in your Word, the Bible. And help me to love accordingly. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

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GOD OF MINORITIES

 

"But the Lord said to Gideon, 'There are still too many men'" (Judges 7:4, NIV).

 

"It's easier to fight for one's principles," said Alfred Adler, "than to live up to them." How true. It's also easier to talk about losing weight, to think about changing my ways, and to sing about love-than to do these things. But for all who want to do more than talk, there will never be a lack of opportunities especially for those who want to serve God and be a part of his plan.

 

Jesus started Christianity with twelve ordinary men, was with them for three years, then left the task of spreading the gospel and establishing his church on earth to them. Think of it. Twelve very ordinary men!

 

As with Gideon and his tiny band of 300 "warriors," God seems to work more often than not through individuals and small groups. He'll work through you and me and our small groups, too, if we truly want him to. The wonderful thing is that God uses ordinary men and women to do extraordinary things-when they make themselves available to him and ask him to use them as a part of what he is doing in the world today.

 

May I suggest that you pray the following prayer every day for the rest of your life?

 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available. Please make me usable and use me to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in my world. Please help me to be as Christ to my family, to someone in need, and in some way to every life I touch. Today! Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

 

 

 

The teacher remarkets "I hate religion"

"Man, in this class, you'll get shot," gasped one student in amazement.

"But I'm sold on real Christianity," I responded.

"Well, what's the difference?" several chorused.

"Let me explain," he replied.

1. Know God's Purpose

True, Christianity is a religion, but people can be religious without being Christians. Christ condemned the religious Pharisees of his day because they hid their real selves behind a facade of religion and external morality.

It may sound odd, but God isn't into religion or external morality. He's into relationships, inspirational living, and reality. That is, he wants us not only to have a right relationship with him, but also with each other and with ourselves. And he wants us to be real-to see and admit what we truly are so he can help us.

Neither is it God's goal to make us good. It's to make us whole, for only to the degree that we are made whole will our actions, lifestyle, and relationships be wholesome!

 eligion tends to want to fix us from the outside in. God wants to fix us from the inside out. The first can become an impossible burden. The latter is what brings freedom. Christianity is not a set of rules and regulations. It is experiencing divine love, divine acceptance and divine forgiveness.

 It helps to realize that God isn't out to zap us for the wrongs we've done. In fact, no matter what we have ever done or have failed to do, he loves us with an everlasting love and has a wonderful purpose for our lives-for this life as well as the next! As Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."1 And again, "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."

On the outside we may look like we are doing very well, but on the inside every one of us has a major issue. Seneca, the ancient Roman philosopher, put it bluntly when he said, "We have all sinned. Some more. Some less." God's Word, the Bible agrees. It reads, "We have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard."

2 Sin, however, is not only doing harmful acts. It is anything that falls short of the standard of perfection that God envisioned for us. This includes nursing grudges and other negative emotions, pride, jealousy, mixed motives, etc. Most of us, too, are guilty of sins of omission; that is, not doing what we know we should and could do.4

 Another misconception about God is that he is out to get us or to punish us for our sins. We bring sin's punishment on ourselves because sin has its own natural consequences. If we try to break the universal law of gravity, for instance, we can't. It will break us. Neither can we break God's universal moral law. When we do, it breaks us, and besides its painful effects in this life-suffering, sorrow, sickness and spiritual death-its ultimate and tragic consequence is eternal death or separation from God.5

 

We are like a burned out or "dead" electric light bulb that cannot respond to its power source. And because we are spiritually dead, we cannot respond to God's love and power either, without his first "fixing" us. Furthermore, because of our spiritual deadness, it is impossible for anyone to save him or herself. Only God can do this. This is why all the "good works" in the world cannot make us alive to God. Only when we see and admit this, is God able to "fix" us!

 

4 Christ's Answer

 Because our sin has separated or disconnected us from God, we have been left with a God-shaped vacuum, or spiritual emptiness, within. As Augustine put it, "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you." The world's many religions are all evidence of man's endless search to find God and fill this vacuum. However, because God loved us so much, he sent his own sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our predicament.6

 Christ did this by dying on the cross in our place to pay the consequence of and ransom price for our sins-death. Thus, Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin, and he is the only way back to God and the only door into eternal life.7

 God's Word, the Bible, says, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men."8 Had there been any other way to save mankind, Christ wouldn't have had to die for us. Because he was without sin, he was the only one qualified to die for our sins.

  

5 Your Invitation

If you were found guilty of a serious crime and were condemned to death, and if offered, would you accept a free unconditional pardon?

Because of Christ's dying for us, that's what God offers us, and with it the gift of eternal life. All we need to do is to accept his pardon. Here's how to do this:

First: Confess. God's Word says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins."9

 Second: Repent. That is, we need to turn from sinful and selfish ways to follow God and his ways. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe."10 That is, we need to turn from sinful and selfish ways to follow God and his ways.

 Third: Believe. "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved,"11 declares the Word of God.

 Fourth: Receive. God also said, "To all who received him [Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."12

 Admitting our sinfulness, believing that Jesus died for our sins, inviting him into our lives as Lord and Savior, and accepting God's forgiveness is what makes us real Christians. The following prayer will help you do this:

 "Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner and am sorry for all the wrongs that I have done. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me. I invite you, Jesus, to come into my heart and life as Lord and Savior. I commit and trust my life to you. Please give me the desire to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. Thank you for dying for my sins, for your free pardon, for your gift of eternal life, and for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen." 

 

 YOUR RESPONSE: "YES, I prayed and invited Jesus Christ to come into my life to be my Savior. I want to learn more about the Christian life." To do so, click on the PASSPORT link below, fill in the form and we will send you the web address for your FREE copy of the e-article, How to Grow, to help you in your new Christian life and the web address for the "Living, Loving and Learning: Steps for Spiritual Growth" web articles-also without charge.

 

5. Here's Great Assurance

If you genuinely prayed the prayer to invite Jesus Christ into your life and truly meant it, you are now a true Christian and have the gift of a new spiritual life as well as eternal life. You are also a child of God and a member of his family.13 God promised this. Choose to accept it. Take it by faith and not feelings. Feelings change but God's Word never does.

 God's Word says, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."14

 

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A prayer to recommit your life to Jesus Christ: "Dear God, I confess that I have strayed from my first love for you and want to recommit my life and way to you. Please help me to become the man/woman/teen you want me to be and always live a life that will please you and be a witness to others of your saving grace and power. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name,   amen.

 

 

 

 

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TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:
O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 3 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

TODAY'S TOUGH QUESTION:
What are the different kinds of psalms?

There are many ways to categorize the psalms. Some focus on content (trouble or trust, praise or prayer, joy or repentance). Others emphasize the use of the psalms (public ceremonies, private prayers and so on). Still others analyze style and technique (such as parallelism and acrostics). Here are some of the general categories: (1) Hymns of praise. Many psalms were used in temple worship and some even include directions for the song leader. Many are still used today as the basis for modern hymns and praise choruses. (2) Complaints. Life is tough and many of the psalms reflect that fact. People turn to the psalms in times of distress because the psalms dare to be honest and meet them right where they are. (3) Royal or Messianic. Many psalms revolved around the king and were intended to be used for public occasions in the life of the nation of Israel. Early Christian teachers recognized that these psalms contained prophetic allusions to Christ, the King of kings. (4) Occasional. "Songs of ascent" were so named because they were sung by Israelite pilgrims as they "went up" to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. (see Psalms 120-134) Other special "occasions" often had their own psalms as well. (5) Wisdom. A few psalms illustrate the difference between human folly and godly wisdom; between sinful and righteous behavior. Some additional categories such as -- historical, repentance, curse and nature could also be listed.



TODAY'S MIRACLE:
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

TODAY'S EXAMPLE OF GOD'S LOVE:
Though King David sinned, God protected him because he repented.br>
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There is nothing that cannot be accomplished with prayer, except that which is outside God's will.
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TODAY'S PRAYER:
O Heavenly Father, we enter your throne room of grace. We are awestruck by your majesty. Father, we kneel before you as you servants, ready and willing to do your bidding. Father God, we exalt you. We adore you. You alone reign On High. There is none who compares to you. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords. All things are beneath you. The earth is but your footstool. You spoke the stars into being. You are indeed an Awesome God. Father God, we thank you for all of the guidance and direction you have provided us through your Word. We thank you Father, for providing direction in many ways, as through Proverbs and the poetry of the Psalms. Heavenly Father, we know it is good to learn and to grow each day. Thank you for providing both the means and the methods. Lord God, it is our heart's desire to know you better. Through your word you have provided us a way to do that. Heavenly Father, we want to be in your Word each day. Lead us Father, and put a desire in our hearts for more and more of you. Father God, there are many who have yet to learn of your love. We pray for those lost souls. We pray that you will place a stirring in their hearts that they would yearn for you. We pray they might find the joy we have found. In Jesus' name. Amen.