Category: Faith Fix

Forgiveness (ATP)

The Bible says if we don’t forgive others we will not be forgiven. Does this affect our salvation, if so how? Do we still go to heaven if we do not forgive others and God does not forgive us?

There’s no doubt forgiveness means a lot to God. He sent Jesus to save us as an act of His ultimate forgiveness! Let’s look first at the principle you’re referring to in your question, Matthew 6:14-15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” One of the definitions of the word forgive here means, “giving up resentment.” Humanity will sin against us, time and time again, but we so often hate to let it go. Many people, like I once did, consider holding a grudge as a badge of honor! But see, God saw us at our worst and still forgave us!

Perhaps the most important understanding of what the unwillingness to forgive gets us is,  Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” After these scriptures we can go on to read (and I encourage you to do so) the rest of this passage of scripture. Jesus describes a king who went out to settle his accounts and a servant who was unable to pay the large debt he owed. That king refused to forgive the debt but surely sooner or later he had accrued his own debt that he was unable to pay. When it came time to receive mercy, he wasn’t in a place to because he was unwilling to be the giver of mercy. This sounds a lot like, Matthew 7:1-2, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

In the gospels, Jesus gave us the model prayer, meaning the prayer to model our prayers after, and forgiveness was a part of that. Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.” Psalms 86:5 reminds us, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.” The Word calls being ready to forgive, good! The Psalm here shows the essence of God’s character, His abundance of mercy! Look at the principles found in Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Now again we see this principle in, Colossians 3:12-13, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Now, let’s balance this, there’s also a false sense of forgiveness going around that often leads to abuse. We don’t allow anyone to abuse us. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you allow the same people to do the same things over and over again. We’ve also been given a brain and told to use it! God is a God of mercy,  but also of consequence. The balance is in this, if we have been abused and still carry the hate towards our abuser, it’s important to let it go. There are many people I have forgiven truly,  but they have lost their place in my life. There’s a difference. Even Jesus knew who He could keep close and who He couldn’t. We have to be willing to forgive and live in a lifestyle where we don’t dwell on what people have done to wrong us. Ultimately, our hearts need to be right about it.

Now, do I believe that God is counting all of our moments where we refuse to forgive and tallying them to see if we can come to Heaven (ultimate forgiveness) someday? No. But the understanding is this, if we aren’t merciful we don’t deserve mercy. If we aren’t loving, we don’t deserve love. If we aren’t forgiving, we don’t deserve to be forgiven. With a lifestyle that is constantly refusing to give mercy, to be loving, to be forgiving, there are things in life we will have to go through because of our unwillingness to do right. If we refuse to be forgiving and merciful people we will by default refuse to partake of the mercy and blessings of God.

Jesus said, in John 14:21, “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” Our goal should be to be doers of the Word as much as we know how, and to rely on His faithfulness and mercy as we go.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée

Pearls & Swine (ATP)

In Matthew 7:6, the Word says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and tear you in pieces,” but it is also stated in Matthew 5:42, “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” My question is where the balance is between being generous and “casting pearls before swine”?

What a wonderful question this is! Let’s dig into this.

Matthew 7:6 AMP says, “Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.” When we study Matthew 7:6, we see the heart behind what Jesus was saying. The Dake’s Bible puts it this way: Do not force truth upon rebels who reject it, or give holy things to faultfinders. In context what Jesus is talking about when He refers to dogs and swine is those who will rebel and refuse the pearls and those pearls are “Words of great value”, the instruction of the Word. Look at Proverbs 9:7-9, “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”  Trying to convince and correct a scoffer is like casting pearls to swine. Those who refuse and rebel will hate you for trying to help them. The Word says, “he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.” At some point there’s no fruit to this anymore. Some people are unwilling to change and will actually abuse you for trying. Proverbs 26:11 says it this way, “As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.” Jesus’s instruction in Matthew 7:6 is really to let that fool choose to be a fool.

In the book of Revelation Jesus says, “I am coming quickly.” Revelation 22:14-15 says, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Notice, like the Word said in Proverbs 9:9, the wise and just man will take instruction, and grow wiser. These are those who do His commandments and will have a place within His gates. These are those who will value the pearls. But we also see the “dogs” again, and notice the dogs will not be inside His gates.

Now let’s look at the next part of your question. Matthew 5:42, “Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” In context Jesus is instructing Christians to go the extra mile in their goodness and generosity to people. This giving isn’t talking about teaching and rebuking through the Word and His commandments, but is speaking more tangibly. This is a principle found in the Word over and over again. Look at John 3:16 and see the heart of God, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

God’s love was shown through giving, therefore share God’s love by giving! Look at 2 Corinthians 9:6, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself.” Finally, look at 1 John 3:17-18, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

In all these things, we must endeavor to be led by the Spirit. Romans 8:14 reminds us, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” There will be times when the Holy Spirit stirs us to keep witnessing to someone even when they seem to be swine. There are times when the Holy Spirit urges us not to give because it will not be good ground. In all things, we must follow these principles in the Word but let the Holy Spirit directs us for in specific situations.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée

Fulfilling Prayer (ATP)

When you go to pray and you just can’t not because you’re mad or don’t believe God won’t answer but because you can’t focus! You try to pray but two seconds later you lose focus. Maybe something else enters your thoughts or its just blank!! Is this a spiritual thing or mental thing?

Before I answer this question I want to ask and answer another: what is prayer? I do this because as often is with the things of God we need to ask different questions. Why would this be? The Bible says to ask and be answered, seek and you will find. This is because God desires that we know Him.

So what is prayer? Prayer, in its simplest form, is conversation with God. There are many types of prayer but in one way or another it comes down to this. Knowing this, I believe we need to change our approach. If you look at the way religion prays, you can quickly understand why we approach prayer wrong. (And I am not just talking about Christian religion.) All religions seem to have a similar approach to prayer. Jews and Buddhist monks and Muslims and even Christian denominations are similar in that when they approach God there are almost strange rituals that accompany their attempts. Notice I said attempts. Is this really what God desires? Is this what you would desire? I would point out, this is precisely the reason people (including myself) have struggled with prayer.

God loved us so much He sent us Jesus. Then to make it even more personal, He placed His Holy Spirit on the inside of us. Not next to us, not near us, but inside of us. God has revealed His desire and His character. He is a personal God and He wants to interact with us on a personal level!

The reason most people struggle in prayer is because of their approach. I have been really seeking this out in recent times and this is precisely where God keeps leading me. If we approached our spouse or friends with the same tone or sense of obligation we often do with God, we would have terrible relationships wouldn’t we? Therefore we need to approach Him differently.

First, we must believe God. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of those who DILIGENTLY SEEK Him.” Also James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” When we come this way, we start off in joy. Who wouldn’t be in joy knowing they are about to converse with their creator and He’s looking to bless them for it? When we change our way of looking at it from obligation to enjoyable conversation, we become more “into it” as many might say.

Second I say, start before you pray in His word. Any conversation with anyone is much easier when you are freshly acquainted with them. When I talk with my wife I’m almost always at ease. I know what she likes and doesn’t, I know my boundaries. We can talk in joy for hours because we KNOW each other. Similarly, we need to continually reacquaint ourselves with God and His Word because we can’t see Him. Remember what Romans 12:2 and 10:17, tell us, to be transformed by renewing our minds and that faith comes by hearing His word. We can sometimes forget that these apply as much to prayer as anything else.

Third, I’ll say this, don’t make prayer a thing. Yes there are different types of prayer and it would behoove us all to learn them. However, we need to start with just seeking Him. Sometimes I praise, sometimes I ponder. Sometimes I pray in the Spirit (tongues), sometimes I sing songs. In all I have been endeavoring to just spend time with my Heavenly Daddy! I make it personal, I get personal, I love on my God and He loves on me. I love what Smith Wigglesworth said. “I never pray more than 15 minutes but I never go more than 15 minutes without prayer.” I do my best to keep my heart, mind, and mouth continually on the Lord and in this I have found the most satisfaction and effect. God wants us to know Him on an intimate level. We need to bring the candles, our desire.

Approach God in prayer like you want Him. Desire to know God in every area of everyday. As you do, the burden of prayer will be lifted and your prayer life will become what both you and Him want it to be!

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

Do You Embrace Your Calling?

2 Peter 1:10: Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

If I said for you to embrace someone you would not just give them a little hug. To embrace is like when someone comes home from a long time away and the family meets them at the airport, then grabs them as though they will never let go.

So often, people fail to embrace the One that truly matters. In Jeremiah 29:11 we are told about God’s plan for good for us. We might not believe it if we saw it just once, except we see this is a major theme all through scripture, that is, to simply trust God. The just shall live by faith, without faith it’s impossible to please Him, and everything done apart from faith is sin. These are all wrapped up and packaged simply in the phrase, “trust God”.

The Israelites failure was in not trusting God. The Psalms urge us to trust Him again and again. “Why am I emphasizing this?” you might ask. It is because God did. Perhaps one of the Lord’s greatest desires is that His children trust Him and yet ironically, this is the very thing believers seem to struggle with. This is because many believers are not truly acquainted with what they profess to believe. They will trust tradition and denominationalism over the very Word of God!

So to the point, how does this have anything to do with making your election sure or embracing the call of God? First understand that the call of God is what He has had, is having, and will have for you to do. Second, you will never embrace what you don’t trust. If you don’t believe God has a good plan for you even in the midst of trial, you will give up on it before the fruit is ever ripened. It is the equivalent to a farmer looking at his corn in June and saying, “This doesn’t work.” He then plows his crop under before it ever had time to produce, though the ability was there all along.

Christian! Make your calling sure! It’s in the earliest stages where the amount of fruit something will produce in your life is determined. Notice i said stages and not years. Some people are Christians for years and produce almost nothing because they don’t tend to the call. If a grape farmer tries to trim his vines in August he is already too late. He will have to wait until the next season before he can again.

Embrace where God has you and what He has you to do when and where He has you do them. If you do this YOU WILL BE fruitful in life. People spend more time without because they don’t have patience when they need it and sometimes push off blessing indefinitely. Don’t be like this! Embrace God, embrace the call, and watch your life change! If you are not seeing fruit in your life it is time to consider that you might not be embracing God’s calling.

God has given us pastors along with the Holy Spirit to help us, to equip us, to ensure we will walk out what God has for us but this too we must embrace. The degree to which you embrace it is the degree to which you will fulfill it. Trust God and His methods and embrace them with your whole heart. Seek the Holy Spirit on what you can do more effectively and what things need removed from your life. Every vine needs to be pruned. A good farmer doesn’t bawk at this, they embrace it!

2 Peter 1:8 (NKJV)

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Jeff

What To Do With All This Compassion (ATP)

My heart is breaking for all that’s going on in the world, all the evil, violence, hate and torment, my heart breaks especially for children and how this world impacts them. I’m finding myself crying daily because I just feel the pain that’s going on. I don’t really watch the news either. It seems I have an overwhelming amount of empathy. Any sad story I hear brings me to tears. I know I need to pray about it and pray for these people but how do I cope with this while praying about it and not allowing it to rob from my life and joy? And at the same time, I feel so guilty having a blessed life with so much suffering in the world. There are things I desire and then I think, “but there’s children who are hungry in this world.” Maybe God is allowing these sorrows to move us?

What a wonderful description of the compassion of Jesus. As you grow more in more in Him, as you go higher in Him, you see things from a higher perspective. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The Word calls God the father of mercy and of comfort. The way you’ve been feeling is the very definition of mercy. It’s this deep compassion and a longing for help for others. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses…” Of course, remember Matthew 9:36, “…when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”

This empathy, this mercy, this compassion, that’s all godly. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that He is, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Look at Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” In these things, we must do our best to stay balanced. First, it’s not wrong to recognize, weep for, desire change for, and feel a deep love for this lost and dying world. But it is wrong to feel guilty for what the Lord has done for you. If the Lord didn’t take care of His children His Word would be lying. Try not to let what goes on around you make you question the blessings of God in your own family. Instead, take this empathy and mercy and  use it as fuel for your walk with God and ammunition against the enemy.

At the same time, not every Christian experiences this same compassion and empathy regularly. It would seem that if you’re experiencing this so deeply, the Lord has given you an assignment. Your assignment isn’t to refuse His blessing for yourself or your family, but to receive it with joy and pay it forward. Take your empathy, take that compassion of Jesus you’re experiencing and determine that while you’re on this earth, you’re going to pray for, you’re going to love, you’re going to speak hope to, you’re going to bless those who are lost, dying, hurting and broken. I love the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:33-34, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” This man had been beaten and stripped of all he had and many passed by, even many who should have had compassion, but this Samaritan stopped his own plans, put aside his own “agenda” and took care of this broken person. Many Christians are too distracted to even take on the kind of compassion Jesus has.

Your answer to these things is like you said, to pray for this world, but also to be willing to set aside your own for the sake of others. John 15:13 reminds us that, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” When you feel this empathy come on you, be excited that you can do something about it! Take joy knowing your prayers speak directly to the Lord and that He not only hears but He will answer them! Don’t let the devil rob your joy with guilt. You were saved so you could do something about these things! Isn’t that awesome?  Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Finally, look at Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Believe in your authority and believe in His power when you pray. There’s hope in that. Peace and joy come in your believing.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée

Who Is, Was, & Will Be Elijah (ATP)

Can you explain Elijah? Past present and future? He is coming back in the end times as well? What will his role be and will he come back with Jesus or before?

We first encounter Elijah in 1 Kings. He was a prophet during the reign of King Ahab. Elijah is considered one of the greatest of the prophets. It was Elijah who the Lord led by the Brook Cherith to be fed by the ravens in the time of drought. It was Elijah who was led to the widow at Zarephath and fed with the handful of flour and a little oil for many days and it didn’t run out. We see in these testimonies that as Elijah obeyed the Lord and followed His leading, he was always sustained.    This is our first introduction to Elijah and it’s important for us to see this great level of faith right out of the dugout.

Fast forward, we see the event of Elijah and the false prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, where the true God answered by fire and Elijah stood in his faith (1 Kings 18). Elijah then, at the death threat from Jezebel, flees into hiding until the Lord rebukes him in the still small voice. Elijah thought he was the only faithful servant of God left and that the whole world was against him, but there were 7,000 others who did not bow to Baal. This is another important truth we see in scripture when reading about Elijah. God always preserves a remnant of the faithful, even when we ourselves feel we are alone in our faith. Many faithful Christians have felt that way lately in this current society.

Elijah was then directed to anoint a new king over Syria and a new king over Israel, and also to anoint Elisha as a prophet in his place. Now as the Scripture goes on in 2 Kings, Elisha is closely following Elijah and we see the account of Elijah’s death. Elisha refuses to leave his side as he follows Elijah to Bethel, then to Jericho and all the prophets along the way perceive that Elijah will be taken soon. The two cross over the river Jordan and Elijah turns to Elisha and asks a very important question in, 2 Kings 2:9, “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” Elijah promised if Elisha saw him as he was taken that he would receive just as he sought.” We see the fulfillment of this request in, 2 Kings 2:11-13, “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.” Elisha’s double portion was fulfilled literally. According to Bible scholars, Elijah experienced 16 miracles, but Elisha had 32.

Now something to recognize in these Scriptures is that Elijah was taken into Heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah was taken to heaven in natural body and there’s no evidence that his natural body died.  In our human reasoning, based on human experience, we tend to struggle with this concept, but remember, God is a supernatural God meaning He can supersede natural things. Now scripture would lead us to believe that Elijah has been not only taken to Heaven without tasting death, but that he now remains in Heaven until the end. In Zechariah chapter 4, two “olive trees” are prophetically described as being at the right and the left of the Lord and called the “two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zch. 4:14) There is debate about who the other witness in Heaven is, but many believe it is either Enoch or Moses.

Skip ahead to Malachi 4:5, which says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”  Now Revelation 11:3-4 describes again these “two witnesses” and the two “olive trees” as they stand before the god of this earth for 42 months, or 3 1/2 years during the 7 year tribulation. During this time, no one has any power to defeat them, though many try. They continue to stand and testify of the Lord, until they are done and the Antichrist is allowed to defeat them. Revelation 11:7, “When they finish their testimony, the beast (antichrist) that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” The Word goes on to describe how they will be left dead for 3 1/2 days on the streets where Jesus was crucified, as the people rejoice at the way they were tormented and celebrate the Antichrist as being all powerful. People in all nations will watch, surely with Internet or Satellite images, and rejoice at this.

Many would ask why the Lord would allow the Antichrist to gain this power, but look at Revelation 11:11-12, “Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.”  Just as Jesus was crucified and rose again, ascending into a heaven as a testimony of the power of God, the ascension into heaven of these two witnesses was a testimony to the power of God! The rest of the 7 year tribulation continues after this with the final trumpet and the worst of the earths destruction.

Let’s summarize what we’ve just seen. First, who was Elijah past? He was a godly prophet, a true prophet that was a voice of standing true to the One and only God, even while others refused to. Who is Elijah present? He is in Heaven, near the throne, awaiting his final task before Jesus returns to the Earth and the devil is cast into the pits of hell once and for all. Who is Elijah future? He is one of the two witnesses who will testify of Christ as a final beck and call. Just as John the Baptist before Christ’s first appearing, Elijah will be a voice of one crying “prepare ye the way of the Lord” before Christ’s final appearing.

With all of this, remember to focus on your walk with the Lord. Yes, pursue knowledge and study to show yourselves approved unto God, but look at what the Word says in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9, “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Focus on your walk with Him, learn from those like Elijah in His Word, stay sober, stay vigilant, stay stirred and stay focused, and you’ll not only experience salvation on this earth but also in the days to come.

Be Blessed,

Pastor Renée