“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)

When my older brother died a few years ago, I was the only one left, or so I thought. My mom was gone and now so was my older brother, David. Then I received an unexpected phone call from an aunt who wanted to tell me something important. She said she knew where my birth father and his family lived and she thought I should know where. I was shocked to hear this news because I had understood from what my mother had told me that he had died decades before. But now I learned it wasn’t so, he was alive and living in Anderson, Indiana! After speaking with my aunt I phoned people in the Anderson phone book with my father’s last name and soon spoke to a woman with that name. I told her who my birth father was and he was her father also—she was my half sister! She told me that our father had recently died and that he had ten children living in and near Anderson. A couple of weeks later I flew to meet them. As soon as I arrived I was picked up by Greg, a half brother. The shocking thing was that he looked very much like my older brother, David, who had recently passed—the family likeness was breathtaking to me. Soon we arrived at the house where my newfound siblings were waiting to meet me. We spoke for hours and I learned so much about them and they about me. There was an amazing and immediate family connection, a kindred spirit among us that we all recognized. It was an amazing family reunion!

It’s the same with brothers and sisters in Christ!

When we receive Christ, we become born into God’s family and become fellow heirs with Jesus. We then have lots of new siblings to have fellowship with.

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” (Rom. 8:16-17 ESV)

 Therefore:

“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:21-23 ESV)

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NKJV)

Someone once asked that great motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, where he got his tremendous information that they had found so helpful in business, and he said, “Everything I teach comes directly from pages of the Bible, but I don’t tell people where I got it.”

For many years I worked in the business world and most of my clients had no idea I was also a pastor. I did my work in a Christian manner as carefully as I could, but I did not say too much about my faith (regretfully). During those years I had the opportunity to attend many business conferences and I heard many speakers talk about their success principles. Often I would hear a speaker explain a success principle and I knew it had come from the Bible even though the one giving the principle usually didn’t know it. For instance, I heard a businessman explaining the SWOT Business Principle which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, which are the four things you’re supposed to consider in building a healthy, successful, growing business.

These four things are found throughout the Bible

They are not only good business principles but they are also helpful in all other areas of your life, physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. To be healthy and achieve growth in all these areas examine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, in each one and then make adjustments to what you find as necessary. Here are some verses to consider as you do.

In everything you do search for and discover its…

·      Strengths: “Be strong and imovable.” (1 Cor. 15:58); “But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” (2 Chron. 15:7)

·      Weaknesses: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:29); “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Rom. 8:26)

·      Opportunities: “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16); “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,” (Gal. 6:10).

·      Threats: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

Therefore:

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12 KJV)

Red and black ants

I heard someone say that if you put 100 black ants and 100 red ants in a jar, they will generally ignore each other. However, if you shake the jar, the red and black ants will suddenly turn on each other and fight until the death. They don’t realize it’s the one shaking the jar who is the enemy not the different ant. I don’t know if this is true about ants but it is an example of what we do see in our world today regarding people. Many are lashing out against each other not realizing who is really “shaking the jar” so to speak - It’s country against country, race against race, neighbor against neighbor, gender against gender, political party against political party, and other endless examples. But it all boils down to the same thing, our fights at their deepest levels are really from sin and from the evil one who is behind it all.

The evil one controls the world

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 NIV)

Why can’t we just get along?

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:1-2 ESV)

“On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren, why do you injure one another?’” (Acts 7:26 

The sinful nature practices are clearly evident

“Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21 AMP)

 Therefore

“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” (Psalm 141:4)

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12)

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14 ESV)

Happy New Year!

 Last night, people all over the world held parties to celebrate the passing year and to herald in the new one. Many resolutions were made and hope and optimism was expressed everywhere for the future.

 Today is January 1st. The old year is now history and a brand new one has begun. And yes, it’s a good time to put away some old things and reflect on the new. As followers of Christ we have some wonderful promises to rejoice about.

New beginnings

A new thing

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:18 ESV) 

A future and a hope

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isa. 43:19 ESV)

New every morning

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” (Lam. 3:22-24 ESV)

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matt. 6:14 NIV)

There are many examples of forgiveness in both the old and new testaments, here are a few.

Old Testament: Esau forgave his brother Jacob, who had taken his birthright. Joseph forgave his ten brothers who had sold him into slavery. (Gen. 50:19)

New Testament: Steven, the first martyr, forgave those who were stoning him (Acts 7:60). The father of the prodigal son forgave him. (Luke 15:11-32)

Our Example

The most extraordinary example of forgiveness is from Jesus, Himself, who from the cross cried out, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do!” (Luke 23:34 KJV 2000)

Not easy but correct

It can be very difficult sometimes to forgive those who have wronged you, but it is always the right thing to do. Our example is God himself. We are to be merciful to others as He is to us!

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36 ESV)

“for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.” (Phil. 1:5 NLT)

Notice that this verse says, “from the time you first heard it.” They were immediately able to share about Christ from the beginning of their knowledge of Him!

Tell what happened to you!

You don’t have to be a great theologian to share Christ! All you need to do is tell your story. And, every Christian has their own story to tell. Someone put it this way, “Sharing your faith is like one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread!” It is really as simple as that, or should be!

The blind man could see!

The Bible tells about a blind man who was healed by Jesus and was questioned about it by some negative religious leaders. He didn’t have any religious answers for them and only told what had happened to him. It was a powerful statement that stopped their argument.

He said, “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” (John 9:25 NLT)

It’s difficult for anyone to argue against another’s real and personal experience. That’s why personal testimonials are so powerful. And, that’s why you should freely share yours. It has the potential to change lives!

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

“I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries.” (Prov. 8:20-21 ESV)

Over a hundred years ago, Dr. Russell Herman Conwell traveled the United States telling and retelling the following fantastic story.

A mad search for diamonds

“During the years when diamonds were first being discovered in Africa, a farmer was intrigued by the promise of great wealth. Only one thing stood in his way. His farm had to be sold before he could set off in search of the diamonds that would make him a wealthy man. At last the deal was done and he was free. Free to pursue his dream.

The search was long and painful. Trekking mile after weary mile across deserts and plains, through jungles and mountain passes, the farmer searched for the elusive diamonds. But none could be found.

Finally, penniless, sick, and utterly depressed, he took his own life by throwing himself into a raging river.

A strange looking stone

Back home, the man who had bought the farm carefully tilled the land. One day as he was planting a crop, he came across a strange-looking stone. Carrying it to the farmhouse, he placed it on the mantel.

A visitor to the farmer’s home saw the unusual stone over the fireplace, examined it, then turned to the new owner of the farm and said, “You have found one of the largest diamonds ever known to man.” Further investigation revealed that the entire farm was literally covered with similar magnificent stones. The farm sold by the first farmer turned out to be one of the richest, most productive diamond mines in the world.

It could have been different for him! 

After reading the above story, I thought what a difference his life would have been had he known and applied the following promise by faith.

“The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you…” (Deut. 30:9a ESV)

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Eph. 3:12 NIV)

This is a wonderful power-packed promise! Check it out a word or two at a time with defining scriptures added to clarify each part.

In Him –  “… there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12b NIV)

and through faith in Him – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  (Rom. 10:9 NIV)

we may approach God – “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NKJV)

with freedom – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1-2 NIV) “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 ESV)

and confidence – “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NASB) “For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Prov. 3:26 ESV)

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 NIV)

Go ahead and do it

While attending a business seminar, the speaker kept saying “if you do this you will be successful,” and he gave many examples of people who had achieved much success following his tried and proven business methods.

I looked around the conference room and saw that there were lots of people present. I thought, “Wow, there soon will be lots of new millionaires when they get back home and start using this great information!”

After the seminar was completed I approached the speaker to thank him for his helpful presentation. I said, “I bet you feel great having helped so many people today become more successful.” He laughed and said, “If only they would actually do what I show them, but sadly, most of them won’t! I see many of these same people repeatedly at my seminars, I tell them the same thing each time, and nothing ever changes with them! They take mountains of notes, but never do the stuff!”

It boils down to this

It does you absolutely no good to know the right information, if you fail to put it to work! 

Even though this was a secular business presentation, I know a lot of Christians exactly like this. They keep “listening and learning” but never “doing.”

Look at today’s verse again, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22 NIV).

So, where is the promise?

Simple, whenever you find a warning or command in the Bible, think about what it says and then do the positive thing that it teaches. In this case, you can avoid being deceived by obeying the following command: “Do not merely listen to the word, do what it says.”