Category: Faith Fix

 Will You Miss Your Flight? (ATP)

Matthew 7:21- 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ This verse scares me. Can you explain more about who he is talking about? If people are doing these works in Jesus name surely they are believers but Jesus is rejecting them and telling them to depart because they never knew him. They must know enough of Him to do these works? How are they able to do these things in Jesus name with out a relationship with him? When he says depart from me does that mean they are going to Hell? 

When reading scripture and trying to understand it, one very important thing to keep in mind is the need of context. In this case, it is very important to remember who Jesus was talking to. Though all scripture is written for us, not all is written to us. What I mean is, there are many things written to many people that would not as a rule apply directly to us. In these instances we can draw out the principle.

One thing all believers must remember is that God’s word sets us free, it never creates bondage. If while reading scripture we find ourselves in fear we need to do a quick test. Fear of not being good enough is never God’s way of drawing people to Himself. It is said in Romans 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” The truth of scripture teaches us no one can be good enough, this is why we needed a savior. The devil would love believers to be in fear because it will hinder them. Now, if you have fear because you know full well you are in complete disobedience, that is another story. Conviction and fear are not exactly the same thing however, so don’t be afraid.

In context Jesus is speaking to people who believed that because of their familial status (being descendants of Abraham), that they were good. It’s very similar to people in certain denominations, religions, or cults that believe that it is the only way or that they are good because they believe in the right religion. The Pharisees thought they were good because of this and because they followed the law, but Romans 3:20 tells us, “because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight…”

This part of chapter 7 is also part of a much greater body of scripture. It actually begins in chapter 5 and is known as the sermon on the mount. In this Jesus is laying out the right way to God. Among many things, He draws the distinction between people who think they are religious and those whose works speak of their relationship with God. Fast forward to chapter 7 vs 15 and He addresses His people to beware of false prophets and then goes on with the warning that your question brings up.

The truth is, you can absolutely know whether you’re going to Heaven and only the devil will tell you you’re not. But to be sure, ask some questions. Do you go to church? Do you read scripture and pray? Do you desire God’s plan for your life or are you only interested in your own? Are you correctible when you hear something from scripture that is opposite of what you do? None of these things gets anyone to heaven in of themselves, but they certainly can reveal things about your path. You don’t have to be perfect in any of these things either, but where is your heart? That’s what God really wants and that’s what all these scriptures really point us to.

Remember that the devil always tries to twist the word against us, he did it to Jesus. This is why being full of the word is so important. Reading scripture isn’t some rule that God demands, it’s the protection we have against the devil so He tells us to read. Going to church is not about spiritual brownie points, it’s about getting instruction for our help in time of need and preparing us for inevitable trial. Believers who separate themselves are the ones most susceptible to attack and that without victory.

I remind myself if this often, when religion gets complicated and works seem confusing, God keeps it simple. He gave us the easiest, most sure fire way back to Him. You want to go to Heaven but believe it or not, God wants you there more. He made the way before any of us was born and God’s way is such that a child can choose. Have faith. He made the way, He will keep it open for you.

In closing I will reiterate, it is faith pleases God. Yes faith produces works but the basis of faith is trust. Do you trust God? You should because before you knew Him, He knew you. In fact, you know Him because He chose to bring you in. If He brought you, He intends on keeping you. Trust this and trust Him. If you keep your heart pointed towards Him, nothing will separate you.

Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Afraid Of Fear (ATP)

“I have struggled with fear and anxiety for years to varying degrees. Sometimes the anxiety comes on me during times when there truly is something bad going on and it often is due to trauma I’ve experienced in the past. While my fear and anxiety is and has continued to improve I still have fear about one thing. In the story of Job he says that what he has feared the most has come true. Due to my fears I am afraid that I have set these things in motion that will cause my fears to come to pass because of what happened to Job. I am seeking the Lord for help and relying on scripture to help me through but it’s not perfected in me yet. I’m concerned now the things I’ve feared will come to pass like they did to Job.”

First let me say this, this would be a great thing to talk to your pastors about when you are dealing with it. Maybe not each and every moment, but certainly reach out. We are equipped to help people through such things, and it is a joy to do so. Don’t wait so long to get your help! Often people keep things in too long and we can’t help them if we don’t know. I am also glad that you chose to write this because many people deal with the exact same thing.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV), “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” You may have noticed that I went back to the NJKV version for this scripture not the NASB which I have been using primarily lately. Both are accurate but I think this version’s wording will help someone in your situation better. My first advice would be to spend so much time learning this scripture that whenever fear arises, this is your immediate response to it. What we have here is the basis for our faith, so follow me closely.

What we see in this scripture is what God has given and what He hasn’t. What God has given belongs to us, in all things and in every area. What He hasn’t, does not. Fear is not a fruit of the Spirit and is no more ours than cancer, or sorrow, or sin. If you are embracing fear, or fear is trying to embrace you, your first line of defense is in knowing that it is trespassing. You will have to deal with it but if you remain afraid something is going to happen, you are embracing it. You will need to speak to it, and to yourself, that fear is not what God has given you, therefore it is a lie. Fear of something that hasn’t happened is a lie.

See, when you’re afraid that your fear is going to produce something in your life, it can because that fear causes you to act in a certain way. It is not that your fear just magically makes things manifest. This is no different then if someone came up to you and said something nasty to you. I say this often, it’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we respond that does. We know that the Christian response to a person who lashes out is not to lash out back. Now, we can, but we know that a fight will ensue. God has called us to peace and we are supposed to be peace makers and responding in kind only elevates the situation. The same thing happens when we respond to fear with fear.

Fear comes upon all of mankind daily. For example, when I dealt with severe anxiety. strange things would happen to me. Once when I was walking across a field I was suddenly gripped by the fear that if I started floating away there was nothing I could do. I know what you’re thinking; that is absurd right? It is, but in the moment I was irrational and started to have a very real panic attack. Fast forward to now, I’ve learned not to embrace fear and so this type of thing is never an issue. If the thought came, I’d simply laugh it off.

So why does fear cause things to happen and why did it for Job? Fear is a doorway into negative faith. If Godly faith brings us to His blessing, ungodly fear leads us away from it. See, you think that your fear will in of itself cause the thing you fear to happen but that’s not exactly how it works. Your fear opens the door to the path for it to happen because if you embrace the fear you will continue to make decisions opening more doors, you won’t combat wrong thoughts with right actions, and then eventually, bam, you have your fear realized. In other words, fear leads you down the path of destruction. If you travel that path, no amount of word, or praying will stop you.

You must turn your thoughts to Him, remember Roman’s 12:2? You must replace your thoughts with His. Now, it’s seems you have started that path which is great but you said you weren’t perfected yet. I guess you’re in big trouble then. There’s not much that can be done for you because you’re not perfected so God’s power is useless in you. I hope those last two statements sounded ridiculous to you because they are. Look at Isaiah 41:10 (NASB), “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Do you think God said this because it just sounded good? Do you think this applies only if you act right? Absolutely not! God is upholding you despite your fear, despite your imperfections! This scripture is written only so we would know it, not so that it happens if we believe it.

God’s goodness far surpasses our failures! Go back and read that again! He tells us that we shouldn’t fear because that isn’t the nature we have anymore. Look at 1 John 4:18 (NASB), “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” Your fear persists because you are afraid that if you sit around in fear you will somehow be punished for it. God isn’t going to punish you for fear, He wants to lead you away from it! Psalms 34:4 (NASB) says, “I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

He’s taken away the reason to fear and what you’re doing is fearing fear! I do not say these things to belittle you but to point out that it is a twisted way of thinking and that the devil is trying to use the scripture against you, just like he did with Jesus. Don’t swallow it! If scripture is of God then scripture is love. If scripture is love then remember 1 John 4:18, there is no reason to fear it. Scripture is for us and helps us, if it causes us to fear, it’s been manipulated in us.

Now, I will say this, if your fear is because you are doing sinful things or blatantly refusing the Truth and living for the world, then you have reason to fear. The answer then would be to repent and stop sinning. If it’s sin you are struggling with then put it before the Lord and tell Him you know it’s wrong and you need help to stop. He will be patient as you work toward it.

Fear is bondage, as I’m sure you know. Realize that the word is not just dos and don’ts, but it is for the believer, the way to build faith. Faith is our trust, our surety, our promise! Be sure as you read God’s word to you, not afraid! His word is a blessing to freedom, Him telling you to fear no more. Yes, let God’s word change and challenge you, but don’t let let it make you fear. Be perfected in His word, which is His love, and that perfecting will be an anxiety free mind!

Isaiah 59:1 (NASB)

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not so short that it cannot save;

Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Sanctify God In Your Heart (ATP)

In I Peter 3:15 it says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” What does it mean “to sanctify the Lord God in your hearts”?

This word sanctify has much to draw out.  It means to render, to acknowledge, or to hallow  as separate from profane things, and to consecrate and dedicate (our heart) to God. This means that we need it on the inside of us that the Lord is holy, and need to be so consecrated in our hearts that we keep separate from sin and profane things in our lives. Along with this, we need to always be ready to give a defense or explanation of why this hope, we could say sanctification, is in us.

Many times nonbelievers in the world look at Christianity and think it’s all about rules. Christians are no fun because they don’t live the same way and partake of the same things. When I tell people no thank you when they offer me alcohol and express that I don’t drink, they think it’s some sort of rule that I’m trying to follow. When people find out we’re not for our teenagers dating they think we’re just too strict. When people find out we go to church three times a week they think it’s because someone makes us do it.  All this, while when in reality, it’s because we realize the sanctity of the Lord that lives on the inside. Romans 12:9 says, “….Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.” We hate sin, because God hates sin. Look at 1 John 3:9, “No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” If we truly understood that the Lord lives with us and goes wherever we go, we’d be very careful of sinning. This is sanctifying Him in our hearts. We need to be able to express why we love the Lord and live for Him, always having a defense to everyone who asks. 2 Timothy 2:21-22 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” It’s by purifying our lives that we become vessels of honor.

Let’s read John 17:15-19, which says, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.”  Notice what keeps us from evil, being sanctified by His truth! That means we hold the truth as HOLY! That means we hold ourselves as Holy. That means we glorify God in our body.

Ephesians tells us the heart of the Lord, that He loved us, His church, so much that He gave Himself up for us, as Ephesians 5:26 says, “so that He might sanctify her (the church), having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” Jesus loved us enough to give up His life to leave us with His truth which would wash us and sanctify us, as separate from profane things, and as consecrated and dedicated to God. Just as Jesus gave His life so that we could be sanctified. We give our lives in order for Him to be sanctified in return.

Mark 8:34

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée

 No Shoes, No Socks, No Service (ATP)

Who is first Corinthians written to? Why do we not follow the head covering rules today? They are a bit confusing.

Let’s look at the scriptures. 1 Corinthians 11:4-5 NASB, “Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.” Apparently, nearly all women wore head coverings in public during this time, regardless of religion but more as part of the culture. Men did not. Women seen without head coverings may have been considered morally loose, which seems strange for us now, but if we try to consider the times it will make more sense. A woman with an uncovered head might be compared to a woman wearing extremely revealing clothing in church today.

Consider this, anything that draws attention to the person instead of God, within a church service or during prayer, is already out of order. I recall visiting a church once while on vacation and this sort of thing happened there. There were a few select individuals who came into the church and even went to sing on stage and they weren’t wearing any socks or shoes. Is there anything specific in the Bible about having to wear socks or shoes? Not that I know of, but if you ask me, no socks, no shoes, no service! It made my family uncomfortable and I can imagine others might have also felt the same way. Besides this, it was a real distraction to what church is meant for. If you ask me about the message that day I couldn’t tell you one thing, but I can almost picture the moment I saw those shoeless people come in! I imagine this head covering issues was a similar idea for the time.

Just as a woman with an uncovered head seen in public in that time was considered inappropriate, a man with a covered head was also seen as inappropriate. So to answer your question, the specific head covering rules don’t apply in our culture today, but some principles can be wrought from this passage of scripture.

An important thing we have to remember with reading scripture is context, which I believe is in your question when you asked, “Who is this written to?” We have to consider, is this dealing with an issue with certain people or is this a command to all people? One thing that can help us is to ask ourselves if the direction is repeated in other scriptures. I have found that, specific things God wants us to do and build our doctrine on, He will repeat many times. Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:16, “…by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.” Paul repeats this in 2 Corinthians 13:1, “This will be the third time I am coming to you. ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.’”

As we said earlier, when we don’t have a direction for doctrine, we can look for the principle of what is said. This also is the heart of scripture. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees calling them “white washed tombs” because their practice was to follow rules but their heart was never with God. He even said in Matthew 15:8, “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.” God doesn’t just want us to follow rules, He wants us to love Him and love people. This is why Jesus said that this love is the greatest commandment.

What we can take away from this is this: 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;  to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” We should be so other people minded that we would not be able to offend others, or if we do we quickly make it right. Of course, we do so not to the point of sinning ourselves, but definitely in self sacrifice to please others.

Over all as we look at the letters to the Corinthians we understand that Paul was putting some things in order that were quite out of it.  These letters are definitely full of correction for a church that may have loved the Lord, but were unbalanced in their action. Order creates a place of peace that anyone can grow in. Christians should strive to make peace their presence for this very reason, in their homes, in their place of work, in every place that they go.

Romans 12:18 (NASB)

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée & Pastor Jeff

Victory In Jesus Or Loss With The Devil? (ATP)

“During a recent message, Pastor Jeff mentioned, “Sometimes it’s your flesh coming against you & not the devil.” Well how can we distinguish which one is coming against us?”

These are the kinds of questions “Faith Fix: Ask the Pastor” is meant for! We should, as we study or listen to sermons, have questions and seek to get them answered. I would imagine that several people who listened had this same question!

Let’s start by asking this, who is the devil? The devil, lucifer, satan, beelzebub, (I always refuse to capitalize any of his names) was an archangel, used by God, created for His glory, who rebelled against Him and was cast to the earth. He is, in some way, behind all things considered sin that happen on the earth. He hates humanity and longs to see it destroyed and thus spends his limited time on earth seeking and tempting. He is not a red creature with horns, a pitchfork, and a pointy tail ruling a place called hell. The Bible calls him “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), and he has a hoard of demons in his army. Maybe the most important thing we need to know is that he has been stripped of his power over the believer in God through Christ (Mark 16:17-18).

Of course, theologically, we could delve into a deeper understanding of who he is, but I have given a brief synopsis. I think the best way to sum up a description of him is in three words; he is a tempter (Matthew 4:3), deceiver (John 8:44), and accuser (Revelation 12:10). These are his only real “powers”. People tend to be way too devil conscious and spend too much time focused on how much “the devil is after them”.  This is a popular thing and one of his tricks. He desires what he always desired, to have humanity worship him and one way they do is by talking about his great power in their lives. These same people will hardly ever discuss the power of God. This is part of the way that he deceives.

I say all that to lay an important foundation to answer this question. Most of our New Testament instruction is directed at what we choose. The only warnings about the devil fall into the realm of not being deceived by him. In fact, Jesus went to a great length to strip him of any power and the focus of the Epistles is to crucify the flesh. We are given two weapons to deal with the devil, and as far as I know, only two. The authority of Jesus’s name and the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17). We are given a whole book of weapons dealing with our flesh!

Both of these devil weapons really involve knowledge. This is the number one way “the Truth sets us free” (John 8:31-32). What will make us sin less? The knowledge of what sin is! What will make us draw closer to God? The knowledge of who He is and the path to get to Him! What will make us better people? The knowledge of how to be a true Christian. The devil’s goal is to distract us from all these things. He learns what will entice you, and then works at presenting those opportunities. His influence over unbelievers is a huge way that he does this, and often quite effectively.

Once I was talking to an elder in the faith, a minister who I trust deeply. I was talking about an issue I was having and he said quite plainly to me, “Let’s face it, the problem is you!” Hard to hear, but I knew it was right. The issue wasn’t that the devil kept me from what I wanted, it’s that I struggled with crucifying my flesh so I could have it. Even my prayer was wrong concerning it. “Lord, I have such opposition doing…” No, I didn’t have external opposition (which is what I thought), I had internal opposition. I didn’t want to. Now I know full well that internal opposition or lack of will power can be a very, very difficult thing to overcome, but at least now I knew what the enemy was. When you know what the problem is, then you can start to fix it! Was the devil trying to tempt me? Sure he was, but that’s just noise. I know he can’t make me!

So how do we know it’s us or the devil? I’m not sure we need to! What?!? Exactly! We know he will try and tempt us. We know he will inspire others to come against us. We know his tactics! We, however, are never told to focus on him! We focus on God! Over and over the Bible tells us to be Heavenly minded, to keep our thoughts on God, to model our lives after Jesus. We are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11), but they are not our focus anymore!

What will help you stop sinning? The knowledge that sin brings forth death and leads so many right to hell! What will make you choose the right path? The knowledge that the only thing at the end of the wrong path is absolute destruction, even though there may be some pleasure along the way (Would you knowingly eat rat poison even if it was candy coated?)! What will make you witness to people? The knowledge that if you don’t they may have to spend eternity in hell! See, the Bible brings us perspective, and perspective should effect us to change.

This is the reason I hate horror movies so much. Written and produced by people who don’t know God, they certainly know the devil though they may not even understand they do. Under his inspiration they magnify the devil to God like status (isn’t that what he always wanted), get these ideas of a powerful devil into popular culture, and then because Christians spend more time focused on the world than God, they get deceived and live afraid and devil conscious!

So to cap this off, we need to understand the truth. The devil is our enemy but his power is very limited. We must learn to yield ourselves in the right direction, only to God. The Bible tells us what the works of the flesh are and that anything that draws us to embrace those is an enemy. Period. We must choose the better path and that path usually begins with dealing with our flesh.

Put into practice denying the flesh. Not living miserably without joy, but make it a practice to just tell yourself no sometimes. If you have areas you struggle with more than others (and you do because we all do), put them before God and ask Him for help. Talk positively about the power of God in Christ and how it’s working in your life. You will start to experience true transformation in that area and send the devil packing! Live with knowledge and live transformed. Keep God exalted and the devil demoted, and your focus, Heaven bound! Then and only then will you see the victory here that Jesus already paid for!

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Time For Change

Change is inevitable. Regardless of plans, change will come. Sometimes we embrace it, sometimes not so much.

I’m so glad that God saw fit for us to live in an area with such dramatic seasonal change. In western NY and Pennsylvania, we see change to the extreme and it teaches us an important lesson that many others just don’t get.

We have friends that live in Southern California and they have beautiful weather, and it’s sunny almost everyday. I have other friends who live in the South and while they see more change than in Cali, it’s still not drastic as ours. They all are perplexed by the same thing, why would anyone choose to live in the north?

This morning as I was waking up, my daughter was leaving for school. As she came in to kiss me good bye, she looked out the window and said, “Wow! The snow is so pretty!” See we just got our first real snowfall of the year. Sure, in a few months we will all be asking when this winter will end, but the change has an effect and that effect is good.

One thing we know, change is gonna come and changing seasons prepare us for greater things. They teach us to adapt. More than just adaptation though, these intense changes teach us to see the beauty in each season. Leaving nice weather is hard and so is shoveling snow. But man, try to find a place as beautiful without the gorgeous colorful leaves of fall, which wouldn’t happen if it didn’t get cold. Also, there’s not much like that first snowfall (I even love blizzards). I’ve heard so many people who have moved away for a time and come back really remember with fondness the beauty in this change.

Now that I’ve spent all this time talking about beautiful winter, let me ask you something. Do you think the intensity of the seasons was not something God planned? Further more, do you think God used seasons as a way of teaching in scripture because He couldn’t think of anything else? Friends, there’s beauty in change and to the one in faith it should be embraced. Let me prove this with a scripture. As I give you the scripture I want you to really consider it, meditate on it, with the things I’ve just said in mind.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” You could easily replace the word things with change and not be wrong in doing so. God causes all change to work for good in your life, if you are in faith. If you live in our region, which I’m assuming most of the readers of this do, you have already been prepared for the coming change in life. Winter may be upon you, and it presents its challenges, but spring will come after not too long and there will be a reset. We know this, that the change of weather gives us beautiful things (think of maple syrup)!

Yes folks, God will make change produce something sweet in your life if you let Him. Even when it’s rough, even when it’s frustrating, even when everything seems at its end, God will always come through for the one who trusts in Him. Isaiah 26:3 says so beautifully, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

When you are up to your neck in proverbial snow, look to the Lord, keep your mind stayed on Him. When it’s impossible to you is when God loves to come through and show how it’s nothing to Him. Remember this exhortation in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” Don’t let your heart be changed in the season, good or bad, but rejoice in the Lord always. Only in Him will you find peace but in Him you always will. Be blessed in this season, let your heart be lifted up, because in faith it can only do something great!

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff