Mark 16.15-16; 19-20
" 15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
" 19After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
Tonight I heard a message about Hell. Hell is always an incredibly disturbing and uneasing subject, but it is one that is necessary. The most significant thing we as Christians can learn about hell is that it reminds us of the urgency of the Gospel. What does that mean? The best explanation I can think of for this was given tonight: every second 1.78 people die. Think of how many of those people never heard or rejected the Gospel. Those are frightening statistics. But statistics aside, we are faced with the unsettling reality that men, women, and even children are bound for an eternity without Christ--in eternal damnation and seperation from Christ.
As Christians, this should be our number one goal in terms of our ministry. There is a reason Jesus' final words on Earth are called "The Great Commission." Yes, what a Great Commision is ahead of us! Jesus' commands are simple, powerful, and yet force us out of a static state and into a dynamic, Christ-driven life. His commands are simple. He tells us to "[g]o into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." This is where we as Christians often get hung up. You see, we attempt to generalize this statement. We say, "Oh, that is what missionaries do," or "that is a pastor's job." Beloved, the urgency of the Gospel is not such that we can afford to believe such a lie. We all have a task in the Great Commission--a very essential part in God's plan. What does this mean? First, let me be clear that I personally do not believe this a strictly verbal preaching. As a writer, I know that my greatest furtherence of the Gospel is when I am near a keyboard or pen, not when I am next to someone. For others, it may be face-to-face interaction. For some it may be packing sacked lunches for the homeless filled with the message of the Gospel. Each of us has a spiritual gift designed to carry out the Great Commission. By these gifts we fulfill the urgency of the Gospel.
It is imperitive that we succeed. Jesus says that "[w]hoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." If we fail to carry out Jesus' mission, people really go to hell. That is a startling, difficult truth to accept. We do not like to believe that others are depending on us to hear the Gospel, but this is our command from Christ. If we fail, others may never accept Christ because they never saw the Gospel presented and they never saw the Gospel lived out. That is why the Gospel is SO urgent.
Let us begin today to carry out the Gospel in whatever ways Christ directs us. If you feel like you have not been doing a good job of this and are struggling, please come to Christ. Allow Him to help you. May the message of the Gospel not be a burden to us, but a blessing. May we have a hunger and passionate desire to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is urgent that we do. Remember, when we delay, others may be headed for a Christless eternity of eternal torment and seperation from God. We certainly shouldn't wish that on anyone except Satan and his demons. What's your choice? Will you spread the Gospel by the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Others' eternity depends on it! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Loving Your Neighbor
Matthew 22.36-40
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
As Christians we are called by God to love our neighbors. This can sometimes seem like a daunting and even impossible task. We live in a world plagued by constant hatred and bitterness of heart. We see television shows and movies where neighbors are despised, husbands and wives are constantly bickering, and children have no respect for their parents. These are symptoms that we are not loving our neighbor. I do not believe God's Church hates its neighbors. We are called by Christ to “love [our neighbors] as [ourselves.]” This command is both beautiful but also an enormous responsibility. Why does God's Word say this, and how are we to go about loving our neighbor?
We must realize that loving our neighbor is the second greatest commandment in God's eyes. This is quite a shocking revelation. Out of all the important commandments, “surely loving our neighbor should be lower on the list,” we think. In fact, this law is so significant that Jesus says “[a]ll the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” I believe the reason this commandment is so important is because our love for one another is an extension of God's love for us and our own love for God. When we treat each other with bitterness, deceit, backbiting, gossip, and even direct hatred, we are treating the reflections of God with contempt. Each person is a reflection of God in some way, for we are all in the image of God. Therefore, let us love our neighbor with the same love we love God. Depending on our relationship with Him, that may reveal something quite unsettling: is our love for God sufficient enough to cause us to love our neighbor? Jesus says for us to “[l]ove the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul and with all [our] mind.” He says that this “is the first and greatest commandment.” Beloved, we ought to love God with all of our being—our hearts, souls, and minds. When we do that, loving our neighbor will not only come easier, it will be more rewarding.
What does loving our neighbor look like, then? As with our love for God, our love for the people in our lives manifests itself in many ways. God uses our spiritual gifts and natural abilities and skills to spread His love to His children and His lost children. For some we may give food or clothing or time to the poor. For some we may comfort someone with a hug, a word of encouragement, or consistent prayer. Others may love their neighbor by inviting them to events and worship. There are literally thousands of ways which we can show our neighbor we love them. The imperative thing here is that we do everything within our abilities to love our neighbor.
Beloved, when we “love [our] neighbor as [ourselves],” the world is made better. God's love bursts through with beams of mercy and grace and demonstrates the love to the lost. Just think of how much positive change can and will result in this world when we begin treating others with love instead of bitterness and animosity. Instead of thinking that negative thought or speaking that negative word to your family, friends, coworkers, schoolmates, or complete strangers, speak or think a word of encouragement. Love your neighbor, beloved, and allow God's love to shine through you and through your neighbor. Amen!
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
As Christians we are called by God to love our neighbors. This can sometimes seem like a daunting and even impossible task. We live in a world plagued by constant hatred and bitterness of heart. We see television shows and movies where neighbors are despised, husbands and wives are constantly bickering, and children have no respect for their parents. These are symptoms that we are not loving our neighbor. I do not believe God's Church hates its neighbors. We are called by Christ to “love [our neighbors] as [ourselves.]” This command is both beautiful but also an enormous responsibility. Why does God's Word say this, and how are we to go about loving our neighbor?
We must realize that loving our neighbor is the second greatest commandment in God's eyes. This is quite a shocking revelation. Out of all the important commandments, “surely loving our neighbor should be lower on the list,” we think. In fact, this law is so significant that Jesus says “[a]ll the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” I believe the reason this commandment is so important is because our love for one another is an extension of God's love for us and our own love for God. When we treat each other with bitterness, deceit, backbiting, gossip, and even direct hatred, we are treating the reflections of God with contempt. Each person is a reflection of God in some way, for we are all in the image of God. Therefore, let us love our neighbor with the same love we love God. Depending on our relationship with Him, that may reveal something quite unsettling: is our love for God sufficient enough to cause us to love our neighbor? Jesus says for us to “[l]ove the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul and with all [our] mind.” He says that this “is the first and greatest commandment.” Beloved, we ought to love God with all of our being—our hearts, souls, and minds. When we do that, loving our neighbor will not only come easier, it will be more rewarding.
What does loving our neighbor look like, then? As with our love for God, our love for the people in our lives manifests itself in many ways. God uses our spiritual gifts and natural abilities and skills to spread His love to His children and His lost children. For some we may give food or clothing or time to the poor. For some we may comfort someone with a hug, a word of encouragement, or consistent prayer. Others may love their neighbor by inviting them to events and worship. There are literally thousands of ways which we can show our neighbor we love them. The imperative thing here is that we do everything within our abilities to love our neighbor.
Beloved, when we “love [our] neighbor as [ourselves],” the world is made better. God's love bursts through with beams of mercy and grace and demonstrates the love to the lost. Just think of how much positive change can and will result in this world when we begin treating others with love instead of bitterness and animosity. Instead of thinking that negative thought or speaking that negative word to your family, friends, coworkers, schoolmates, or complete strangers, speak or think a word of encouragement. Love your neighbor, beloved, and allow God's love to shine through you and through your neighbor. Amen!
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Guidance of God
The Guidance of God
Numbers 9.15-23
15 On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
One of the most intimate portrayals of God's love is demonstrated here in Numbers 9. Here we see God guiding the Israelites through the desert by the cloud of fire. God designed the cloud so that "whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out," and "whenever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped." Talk about a GPS! In this text is a direct presentation of God's clear and intimate guidance of His people.
There are some who believe God's will to be too mysterious to recognize, and they live their life based on luck and superstition. We know that as Christians, however, God guides us just like He did the Israelites. We must be alert, however, if we are to see God's will for our lives. Notice the repetitiveness in these verses--I believe the writer here is trying to emphasize something significant--the Israelites obeyed God. They listened and watched for the pillar of fire to guide them through the desert. It was 'at the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out." The Israelites "obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with His command through Moses."
As Christians, you and I have a duty to listen and look out for God's will for our lives. In everything we do we should ask whether our actions are pleasing to the Lord and if they are in accordance to His will. Of course, this leads to an powerful conclusion--we must pray. If we are to allow God to direct us into His will, we must be totally submissive to His will and intimate with Him. How does a husband expect to know his wife's needs if he doesn't know her intimately? Or how does a student learn from a mentor if he does not develop a personal bond with him? Our relationship strengthen our guidance, for they inform us to the expectations of our guiders. God is our guider and our provider. With Him we see the pillars of fire He places all throughout our lives. They may be apparently strange coincidences, deep convictions of the Holy Spirit, or the subtle whisper of Christ's voice through the Holy Spirit. Whatever the method, God will get through to us directly and clearly when we focus our attention on Him.
I pray that we will be a people of God who look and listen for God's direction in our lives. If you are not being that person, ask God to help you. Oh, what wonderful things could be done if we only listened to God's will in every way! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Numbers 9.15-23
15 On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the LORD's command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD's order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD's command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out. They obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with his command through Moses.
One of the most intimate portrayals of God's love is demonstrated here in Numbers 9. Here we see God guiding the Israelites through the desert by the cloud of fire. God designed the cloud so that "whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out," and "whenever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped." Talk about a GPS! In this text is a direct presentation of God's clear and intimate guidance of His people.
There are some who believe God's will to be too mysterious to recognize, and they live their life based on luck and superstition. We know that as Christians, however, God guides us just like He did the Israelites. We must be alert, however, if we are to see God's will for our lives. Notice the repetitiveness in these verses--I believe the writer here is trying to emphasize something significant--the Israelites obeyed God. They listened and watched for the pillar of fire to guide them through the desert. It was 'at the LORD's command they encamped, and at the LORD's command they set out." The Israelites "obeyed the LORD's order, in accordance with His command through Moses."
As Christians, you and I have a duty to listen and look out for God's will for our lives. In everything we do we should ask whether our actions are pleasing to the Lord and if they are in accordance to His will. Of course, this leads to an powerful conclusion--we must pray. If we are to allow God to direct us into His will, we must be totally submissive to His will and intimate with Him. How does a husband expect to know his wife's needs if he doesn't know her intimately? Or how does a student learn from a mentor if he does not develop a personal bond with him? Our relationship strengthen our guidance, for they inform us to the expectations of our guiders. God is our guider and our provider. With Him we see the pillars of fire He places all throughout our lives. They may be apparently strange coincidences, deep convictions of the Holy Spirit, or the subtle whisper of Christ's voice through the Holy Spirit. Whatever the method, God will get through to us directly and clearly when we focus our attention on Him.
I pray that we will be a people of God who look and listen for God's direction in our lives. If you are not being that person, ask God to help you. Oh, what wonderful things could be done if we only listened to God's will in every way! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Worship in Spirit and in Truth
John 4.23-24
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
This morning God laid something on my heart. This verse, John 4.24, came to mind. It was further supported by the testimony of one of our brothers at our church. He spoke about his mission trip to Paraguay where he and fellow workers worshipped outside. They did not worship in a church building, but he said it did not matter because they were worshipping "in spirit and in truth." Beloved, that ought to be the attitude of God's Church. WE are the church. So many times we hear that the church building is God's house, but it is really you and I who are God's house. You see, Jesus' message to the Samaritan woman at the well proves this. She tells Jesus that "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem" (John 3.20). The woman's attitude was not much different than ours. Humans have an odd fixation with buildings and relics. The Samaritan woman still had the mindset that worship must be in a central location. Christ's message is that "a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." It does not matter where we worship, what we wear to worship, the type of music we sing in worship--the holiness and reverence exists in each believer in Christ.
This is earth-shattering. This breaks nearly every tradition that Western society has laid out in terms of religion. But this reflects so well the attitude of Jesus--worship God with your heart, not with your vain traditions. Beloved, when you worship, realize that God lives inside of you and is being reflected out of you. This radically changes our perception of life in a very good way! This means that we can worship God anywhere! Not merely on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights(although it is crucial to communally worship), but we can and should have our own worship service every day! Those people, Jesus says, 'are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Beloved, as Christians may we allow Christ to shine through our heart. If we are having a bad day, we are afraid, angry, upset, or are just in need of comfort, we can know that Jesus is right there with us. How do we know? He tells us in Scripture that "the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Jesus lives within us, and we should worship Him in such a way. That does not mean we worship ourselves, but it does mean that our worship should flow out of us because Christ flows out of us. This does not mean it does not take effort to choose to worship, but it does mean that worship is a natural, healthy expression of our love to the Father.
Are you worshipping God in spirit and in truth, beloved? Or do you believe worship only means sitting in a pew and singing antiquated hymns? Certainly that can be an experience of worship, and many of us rather enjoy those hymns and pews. Worshipping in spirit and in truth, however, means that we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. However that expression comes out as worship, whether through organ or electric guitar, suit and tie or jeans and a t-shirt, let us remember the real reason we worship--we thank God for all He does for us. Jesus died on the Cross--that is something to celebrate! Worship each day, communal and individual, to give God the glory. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
This morning God laid something on my heart. This verse, John 4.24, came to mind. It was further supported by the testimony of one of our brothers at our church. He spoke about his mission trip to Paraguay where he and fellow workers worshipped outside. They did not worship in a church building, but he said it did not matter because they were worshipping "in spirit and in truth." Beloved, that ought to be the attitude of God's Church. WE are the church. So many times we hear that the church building is God's house, but it is really you and I who are God's house. You see, Jesus' message to the Samaritan woman at the well proves this. She tells Jesus that "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem" (John 3.20). The woman's attitude was not much different than ours. Humans have an odd fixation with buildings and relics. The Samaritan woman still had the mindset that worship must be in a central location. Christ's message is that "a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth." It does not matter where we worship, what we wear to worship, the type of music we sing in worship--the holiness and reverence exists in each believer in Christ.
This is earth-shattering. This breaks nearly every tradition that Western society has laid out in terms of religion. But this reflects so well the attitude of Jesus--worship God with your heart, not with your vain traditions. Beloved, when you worship, realize that God lives inside of you and is being reflected out of you. This radically changes our perception of life in a very good way! This means that we can worship God anywhere! Not merely on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights(although it is crucial to communally worship), but we can and should have our own worship service every day! Those people, Jesus says, 'are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks."
Beloved, as Christians may we allow Christ to shine through our heart. If we are having a bad day, we are afraid, angry, upset, or are just in need of comfort, we can know that Jesus is right there with us. How do we know? He tells us in Scripture that "the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Jesus lives within us, and we should worship Him in such a way. That does not mean we worship ourselves, but it does mean that our worship should flow out of us because Christ flows out of us. This does not mean it does not take effort to choose to worship, but it does mean that worship is a natural, healthy expression of our love to the Father.
Are you worshipping God in spirit and in truth, beloved? Or do you believe worship only means sitting in a pew and singing antiquated hymns? Certainly that can be an experience of worship, and many of us rather enjoy those hymns and pews. Worshipping in spirit and in truth, however, means that we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us. However that expression comes out as worship, whether through organ or electric guitar, suit and tie or jeans and a t-shirt, let us remember the real reason we worship--we thank God for all He does for us. Jesus died on the Cross--that is something to celebrate! Worship each day, communal and individual, to give God the glory. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Garbage Disposal
Garbage Disposal
James 1.19-21
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
It is almost always difficult for us to accept that we have garbage in our lives. I do not merely mean that we recognize our imperfections and flaws, but that we do not actually take the steps to correct them. You see, that is the difficult thing about Christianity. Jesus says in Matthew 15.11 that "[w]hat goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean." It is a painful, gruesome process to purge sin from our hearts. It's easier to just keep things the way they are. That is not what God's Word instructs us to do, however. James says in James 1.21 that we should "get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in [us], which can save [us]." Most of us do not think to actively work to purge sin from our hearts. That is likely because we have misinterpreted what Christ's removal of sin means. You see, we are correct in that Christ is the only one who can remove sin from us, but we are certainly in the wrong if we believe this is a background, involuntary process such as the beating of a heart, that requires no input or effort on our part.
No, if we are to be cleansed, we must actively seek it. We must say, "Lord, what is it that is hindering me from you? What evil in my heart needs to be removed?" When we do that, the Holy Spirit will convict us of wrong in our attitudes, words, and deeds. Let me be clear, however, that this removal does not somehow remove sin in the sense of being forgiven from sin. Yes, the sin of the world was removed by Christ's death and resurrection, but we can actively choose to participate in it even as believers. Yes, Christ forgives us(He's already forgiven us even for the sins we haven't yet committed), but that does not mean we should wait until our lives fall apart to discover how the sin in our hearts is rotting us and causing spiritual decay and neglect.
The Lord will clean us in a number of ways, but we must ask Him for help. We must be honest with ourselves and admit what we know is in our hearts. We should reflect on the state of our spirit each day to see if we are pleasing the Lord. 2 Corinthians 13.5 says for us to "[e]xamine [ourselves] to see whether [we] are in the faith; test [ourselves]. Do [we] not realize that Christ Jesus is in [us]--unless, of course, [we] fail the test?" Beloved, spend each day asking God how your heart can be cleansed. This can occur through prayer, the active, continual study of God's Word, fellowship with others, and an honest evaluation of our hearts. If your heart needs cleansing today, come to the Great Maid--the one who has wiped all our spots away. Allow Jesus to cleanse your heart today! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
James 1.19-21
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
It is almost always difficult for us to accept that we have garbage in our lives. I do not merely mean that we recognize our imperfections and flaws, but that we do not actually take the steps to correct them. You see, that is the difficult thing about Christianity. Jesus says in Matthew 15.11 that "[w]hat goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean." It is a painful, gruesome process to purge sin from our hearts. It's easier to just keep things the way they are. That is not what God's Word instructs us to do, however. James says in James 1.21 that we should "get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in [us], which can save [us]." Most of us do not think to actively work to purge sin from our hearts. That is likely because we have misinterpreted what Christ's removal of sin means. You see, we are correct in that Christ is the only one who can remove sin from us, but we are certainly in the wrong if we believe this is a background, involuntary process such as the beating of a heart, that requires no input or effort on our part.
No, if we are to be cleansed, we must actively seek it. We must say, "Lord, what is it that is hindering me from you? What evil in my heart needs to be removed?" When we do that, the Holy Spirit will convict us of wrong in our attitudes, words, and deeds. Let me be clear, however, that this removal does not somehow remove sin in the sense of being forgiven from sin. Yes, the sin of the world was removed by Christ's death and resurrection, but we can actively choose to participate in it even as believers. Yes, Christ forgives us(He's already forgiven us even for the sins we haven't yet committed), but that does not mean we should wait until our lives fall apart to discover how the sin in our hearts is rotting us and causing spiritual decay and neglect.
The Lord will clean us in a number of ways, but we must ask Him for help. We must be honest with ourselves and admit what we know is in our hearts. We should reflect on the state of our spirit each day to see if we are pleasing the Lord. 2 Corinthians 13.5 says for us to "[e]xamine [ourselves] to see whether [we] are in the faith; test [ourselves]. Do [we] not realize that Christ Jesus is in [us]--unless, of course, [we] fail the test?" Beloved, spend each day asking God how your heart can be cleansed. This can occur through prayer, the active, continual study of God's Word, fellowship with others, and an honest evaluation of our hearts. If your heart needs cleansing today, come to the Great Maid--the one who has wiped all our spots away. Allow Jesus to cleanse your heart today! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Longing After Sin
Genesis 19.24-26
" 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."
Do you long after sin? That's a tough, brutal question, but it is a question we all should ask ourselves as followers of Christ. We should be careful to examine our hearts so that we can purge our sinful nature of the things that displease the Lord. Unfortunately, many of us do long after sin. Beloved, it is so easy to do. There are so many things in sin that are so easy to return to. Men know that sexual pleasure is just a click or a magazine away, and society has invaded television, magazines, billboards, and radio with sexual enticement. Likewise, our consumerist culture lures in women to lust for shopping extravaganzas, million dollar houses, and unrealistic expectations about their bodies. Yes, sin is rampant in our culture, and it is so easy to turn to. This is nothing new; we like to think that our culture is unique in its wickedness, but as Genesis 19 shows us, we are not.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates how a wicked, perverse, and sinful people ultimately fall into God's judgment. Yet even those whom God spares can fall into the allure of such a place. In Genesis 19, we see that God spares Lot's family from the "burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah." Unfortunately, we learn that "Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Many people question why this is so. What's the big deal about looking back? Yet again we see the failure of the English Biblical translations. A quick look into the Hebrew intent of verse 26 reveals to us that the phrase "looked back" actually means this: "to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care -- (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see" (http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/5027.htm). Do you understand what was actually going on here? Lot's wife was not looking back simply to see the impressive view--she was longing for the sinful place. Her heart was still filled with the sinful nature.
Beloved, I wonder how many of us long after sin? How many times do we look back? "It's just a quick peek," we say. That is exactly how Satan wants us to think. You see, sin rarely overtakes us by force--it uses subtle subterfuge. It may seem to start out harmless enough, but soon we want more and more until it consumes us completely. We become, in essence, "a pillar of salt." What good is a pillar of salt? Nothing! It is stagnant, speechless, unloving, and is only used for the devourment of others. With that in mind, beloved, let us NEVER long after sin. Search your heart! What's inside? Is Christ prevailing or is sin secretly ruling the kingdom of your heart? If so, ask Christ for forgiveness. Ask Christ to consume your heart. Ask for the endurance and strength to resist the sinful nature and to cling on to Christ. In order for that to happen, we must kill the flesh. Paul says in Galatians 2.19 that " [he has] been crucified with Christ and [he] no longer [lives], but Christ lives in [him]." Beloved, put away the flesh and put on Christ! Let the Holy Spirit search your heart and clean it. Jesus will purge the sinfulness in you and replace it with the holiness of God! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
" 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."
Do you long after sin? That's a tough, brutal question, but it is a question we all should ask ourselves as followers of Christ. We should be careful to examine our hearts so that we can purge our sinful nature of the things that displease the Lord. Unfortunately, many of us do long after sin. Beloved, it is so easy to do. There are so many things in sin that are so easy to return to. Men know that sexual pleasure is just a click or a magazine away, and society has invaded television, magazines, billboards, and radio with sexual enticement. Likewise, our consumerist culture lures in women to lust for shopping extravaganzas, million dollar houses, and unrealistic expectations about their bodies. Yes, sin is rampant in our culture, and it is so easy to turn to. This is nothing new; we like to think that our culture is unique in its wickedness, but as Genesis 19 shows us, we are not.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah demonstrates how a wicked, perverse, and sinful people ultimately fall into God's judgment. Yet even those whom God spares can fall into the allure of such a place. In Genesis 19, we see that God spares Lot's family from the "burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah." Unfortunately, we learn that "Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." Many people question why this is so. What's the big deal about looking back? Yet again we see the failure of the English Biblical translations. A quick look into the Hebrew intent of verse 26 reveals to us that the phrase "looked back" actually means this: "to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care -- (cause to) behold, consider, look (down), regard, have respect, see" (http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/5027.htm). Do you understand what was actually going on here? Lot's wife was not looking back simply to see the impressive view--she was longing for the sinful place. Her heart was still filled with the sinful nature.
Beloved, I wonder how many of us long after sin? How many times do we look back? "It's just a quick peek," we say. That is exactly how Satan wants us to think. You see, sin rarely overtakes us by force--it uses subtle subterfuge. It may seem to start out harmless enough, but soon we want more and more until it consumes us completely. We become, in essence, "a pillar of salt." What good is a pillar of salt? Nothing! It is stagnant, speechless, unloving, and is only used for the devourment of others. With that in mind, beloved, let us NEVER long after sin. Search your heart! What's inside? Is Christ prevailing or is sin secretly ruling the kingdom of your heart? If so, ask Christ for forgiveness. Ask Christ to consume your heart. Ask for the endurance and strength to resist the sinful nature and to cling on to Christ. In order for that to happen, we must kill the flesh. Paul says in Galatians 2.19 that " [he has] been crucified with Christ and [he] no longer [lives], but Christ lives in [him]." Beloved, put away the flesh and put on Christ! Let the Holy Spirit search your heart and clean it. Jesus will purge the sinfulness in you and replace it with the holiness of God! Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
After God's Own Heart
Psalm 24.3-6
"3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob."
1 Samuel 13.14b
"...the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people."
I always marveled at the fact that David went down in history as "a man after [the LORD's] own heart." There's simply something special about that phrase. It immediately makes one desire that same relationship with God, and rightly so. Beloved, I believe the most important priority we have here on this Earth is to seek after God's own heart. We don't just want God to be someone there when we get into trouble or who we half-heartedly talk to on Sunday mornings or when our children ask us to pray with them. We want ALL of God. Such a relationship is mirrored in the male and female. When we really begin to develop a relationship with someone, we slowly begin to desire all of them--even their flaws and imperfections. We want them to be a part of our lives in every way, and we wish to know everything about them.
It's no different with God. In fact, it's a superior love! But how would such a relationship appear? The Psalmist lays it out here in Psalm 24. He makes a query as to "who may ascend the hill of the LORD" and "who may stand in His holy place?" So how do we get to God? How do we see Him in the fullest and truest possible form? That is what the Psalmist wants to know. His solution is simple and yet beautiful. We can be in unity and communion with the Lord when we "[have] clean hands and a pure heart." See the connection between seeking God and growing in a relationship in Him? King David certainly saw the connection. He lived day by day seeking after God with all of his heart and all of his life, listening to Him and consulting Him in almost everything he did. Oh, how we could learn to do this!
Beloved, I hope you are seeking after God's heart. Seek Him as the greatest treasure in your life, and you will not be disappointed. Jesus says that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6.21). Christ died so that we might live in communion and eternal life with Him. What a treasure! Seek that treasure today by building a firm relationship with God. Keep working at it, and I promise God will help you along. He wants to have a deep and personal relationship with you, but relationships go two ways. Tell Jesus you want to seek Him, and He will come running to meet you right where you are. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
"3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob."
1 Samuel 13.14b
"...the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people."
I always marveled at the fact that David went down in history as "a man after [the LORD's] own heart." There's simply something special about that phrase. It immediately makes one desire that same relationship with God, and rightly so. Beloved, I believe the most important priority we have here on this Earth is to seek after God's own heart. We don't just want God to be someone there when we get into trouble or who we half-heartedly talk to on Sunday mornings or when our children ask us to pray with them. We want ALL of God. Such a relationship is mirrored in the male and female. When we really begin to develop a relationship with someone, we slowly begin to desire all of them--even their flaws and imperfections. We want them to be a part of our lives in every way, and we wish to know everything about them.
It's no different with God. In fact, it's a superior love! But how would such a relationship appear? The Psalmist lays it out here in Psalm 24. He makes a query as to "who may ascend the hill of the LORD" and "who may stand in His holy place?" So how do we get to God? How do we see Him in the fullest and truest possible form? That is what the Psalmist wants to know. His solution is simple and yet beautiful. We can be in unity and communion with the Lord when we "[have] clean hands and a pure heart." See the connection between seeking God and growing in a relationship in Him? King David certainly saw the connection. He lived day by day seeking after God with all of his heart and all of his life, listening to Him and consulting Him in almost everything he did. Oh, how we could learn to do this!
Beloved, I hope you are seeking after God's heart. Seek Him as the greatest treasure in your life, and you will not be disappointed. Jesus says that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6.21). Christ died so that we might live in communion and eternal life with Him. What a treasure! Seek that treasure today by building a firm relationship with God. Keep working at it, and I promise God will help you along. He wants to have a deep and personal relationship with you, but relationships go two ways. Tell Jesus you want to seek Him, and He will come running to meet you right where you are. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Step Onto the Water
Matthew 14.25-31
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
The account of Jesus walking on the water is one of the most spectacular to us as humans. Walking on the water is just something people do not normally do. The disciples reacted the same way you or I would have reacted, stating that Jesus "walking on the lake" was simply "a ghost" and then "[cry] out in fear." But Jesus never attempts to confuse us--he states plainly that it is, in fact, Him. Just like you or me, however, sometimes we still doubt. Peter asks Jesus to "tell [Peter] to come to [Jesus] on the water." Now, here is where I believe the most crucial part of the story is: it is not Jesus walking on the water, but the result of it. Christ's miracles always have a purpose that will lead to some outcome to glorify God--both the Old and New Testaments demonstrate this. Peter's objective is to walk on the water with Christ. This is his literal "leap of faith."
I'm afraid you and I have problems stepping out onto the water with Jesus. What has Christ called us to do that we are reluctant to act upon? It's probably not literally walking on the water, but it may be comforting a friend, presenting the Gospel to someone, donating money or possessions or time to someone in need. You see, Christ asks us all to step out onto the water in some form or another. That is where faith comes in. How will we react to faith? Will we look towards Christ and not doubt, acting according to His will and the guidance of His footsteps? Or will we be like Peter, and "when [we see] the wind, [be] afraid and [begin] to sink." We must trust God! Remember that Jesus' outcome for us is always beneficial both for the Father's Kingdom and our benefit--usually spiritual growth. We must not doubt, for Christ has shown us He is there to catch us when we fall. We see that when Peter fell, "Jesus reached out His hand and caught [Peter]." So we should trust Jesus! When we doubt, Jesus asks us the same question He asked Peter: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Trust in Jesus today. Step out onto the water in whatever ocean or lake He tells you to go. It may be a simple pond such as "Tell them you love them" or it may be as vast an ocean as "Spread the Gospel in spite of persecution." Whatever the case, Christ will not lead us astray. Trust in Him today to lead you across the water. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
The account of Jesus walking on the water is one of the most spectacular to us as humans. Walking on the water is just something people do not normally do. The disciples reacted the same way you or I would have reacted, stating that Jesus "walking on the lake" was simply "a ghost" and then "[cry] out in fear." But Jesus never attempts to confuse us--he states plainly that it is, in fact, Him. Just like you or me, however, sometimes we still doubt. Peter asks Jesus to "tell [Peter] to come to [Jesus] on the water." Now, here is where I believe the most crucial part of the story is: it is not Jesus walking on the water, but the result of it. Christ's miracles always have a purpose that will lead to some outcome to glorify God--both the Old and New Testaments demonstrate this. Peter's objective is to walk on the water with Christ. This is his literal "leap of faith."
I'm afraid you and I have problems stepping out onto the water with Jesus. What has Christ called us to do that we are reluctant to act upon? It's probably not literally walking on the water, but it may be comforting a friend, presenting the Gospel to someone, donating money or possessions or time to someone in need. You see, Christ asks us all to step out onto the water in some form or another. That is where faith comes in. How will we react to faith? Will we look towards Christ and not doubt, acting according to His will and the guidance of His footsteps? Or will we be like Peter, and "when [we see] the wind, [be] afraid and [begin] to sink." We must trust God! Remember that Jesus' outcome for us is always beneficial both for the Father's Kingdom and our benefit--usually spiritual growth. We must not doubt, for Christ has shown us He is there to catch us when we fall. We see that when Peter fell, "Jesus reached out His hand and caught [Peter]." So we should trust Jesus! When we doubt, Jesus asks us the same question He asked Peter: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Trust in Jesus today. Step out onto the water in whatever ocean or lake He tells you to go. It may be a simple pond such as "Tell them you love them" or it may be as vast an ocean as "Spread the Gospel in spite of persecution." Whatever the case, Christ will not lead us astray. Trust in Him today to lead you across the water. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Goodness in Man
John 16.13-15
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
One need not look very far into human history to notice something--man, at his very nature, is a cruel and evil corruption of creation. This probably comes as a shock to most of us, since we live in an age of humanism that tells us man is basically good and loving. Perhaps in respect to the law of the land that is true--most people will not steal, commit adultery, murder, etc. In this regard, man still has retained at least a tiny fraction of his obedience to the moral law. However, for thousands of years man has proven again and again that he is in rebellion against his Maker. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God, we have been rebelling ever since, and our punishment has kept coming ever since. Don't let this dishearten you, however. Thankfully, God saw the hopelessness of man and provided a way out--a way to turn Man from his wickedness and into His marvelous light. God provided a way to make man good. I do not just mean good in a relative sense, as in, "It is good you came." Rather, I mean good in the sense that "God's sacrifice for mankind was very good." It is the sort of good that restores man with His Maker, and enables harmony between the two of them.
What guides this goodness? The Holy Spirit, of course. Jesus yields to us special insight here in John 16 regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit. He says that "when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide [us] into all truth." This, beloved, is the secret to bringing out the goodness of man--the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There are few things more comforting than the fact that the Holy Spirit is right here with us, guiding us in truth. Even as I speak, I speak not of my own words, but in the navigation of the Spirit. And as you go throughout your day and live your life, the Holy Spirit will convict you of things you ought not to be doing, and guide you into what you ought to be doing. The reason He guides us into goodness is because He "bring[s] glory to [Christ] by taking from what is [Christ's] and making it known to [us]." Ever been overwhelmed with unexplained compassion, guilt, or joy? It's not just your emotions--it is Christ living in you and working through you. This is a great mystery, but Jesus Himself tells us it is true, and we are inclined to believe Him. Well then, if Christ is working within us, then ought not we to do good? Of course we will! Goodness reflects itself in our words and deeds. Faith with works is produced. It is evidence of our salvation, not the salvation itself. These words and deeds will bring goodness into the world. They will spread the Gospel, spread joy, hope, and love to a lost world desperately seeking compassion.
Beloved, are you allowing the love of God to flow through you? Is it producing goodness in you? Listen to the Holy Spirit today. Allow Him to "guide you into all truth." This is a day-by-day event. Each day Christ progresses us so that we learn a little more and can listen a little more to the Holy Spirit. As you go throughout your day today, let the Holy Spirit guide your words and actions. Let it bring forth goodness in your life that demonstrates itself unto others. Pray that God will touch your heart today in each and every way possible. Pray He will touch the heart of others, so that they will be softened to hear and respond to the Gospel. That is the greatest goodness we can give to the lost: eternal life with Jesus. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.
One need not look very far into human history to notice something--man, at his very nature, is a cruel and evil corruption of creation. This probably comes as a shock to most of us, since we live in an age of humanism that tells us man is basically good and loving. Perhaps in respect to the law of the land that is true--most people will not steal, commit adultery, murder, etc. In this regard, man still has retained at least a tiny fraction of his obedience to the moral law. However, for thousands of years man has proven again and again that he is in rebellion against his Maker. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God, we have been rebelling ever since, and our punishment has kept coming ever since. Don't let this dishearten you, however. Thankfully, God saw the hopelessness of man and provided a way out--a way to turn Man from his wickedness and into His marvelous light. God provided a way to make man good. I do not just mean good in a relative sense, as in, "It is good you came." Rather, I mean good in the sense that "God's sacrifice for mankind was very good." It is the sort of good that restores man with His Maker, and enables harmony between the two of them.
What guides this goodness? The Holy Spirit, of course. Jesus yields to us special insight here in John 16 regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit. He says that "when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide [us] into all truth." This, beloved, is the secret to bringing out the goodness of man--the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There are few things more comforting than the fact that the Holy Spirit is right here with us, guiding us in truth. Even as I speak, I speak not of my own words, but in the navigation of the Spirit. And as you go throughout your day and live your life, the Holy Spirit will convict you of things you ought not to be doing, and guide you into what you ought to be doing. The reason He guides us into goodness is because He "bring[s] glory to [Christ] by taking from what is [Christ's] and making it known to [us]." Ever been overwhelmed with unexplained compassion, guilt, or joy? It's not just your emotions--it is Christ living in you and working through you. This is a great mystery, but Jesus Himself tells us it is true, and we are inclined to believe Him. Well then, if Christ is working within us, then ought not we to do good? Of course we will! Goodness reflects itself in our words and deeds. Faith with works is produced. It is evidence of our salvation, not the salvation itself. These words and deeds will bring goodness into the world. They will spread the Gospel, spread joy, hope, and love to a lost world desperately seeking compassion.
Beloved, are you allowing the love of God to flow through you? Is it producing goodness in you? Listen to the Holy Spirit today. Allow Him to "guide you into all truth." This is a day-by-day event. Each day Christ progresses us so that we learn a little more and can listen a little more to the Holy Spirit. As you go throughout your day today, let the Holy Spirit guide your words and actions. Let it bring forth goodness in your life that demonstrates itself unto others. Pray that God will touch your heart today in each and every way possible. Pray He will touch the heart of others, so that they will be softened to hear and respond to the Gospel. That is the greatest goodness we can give to the lost: eternal life with Jesus. Amen.
With love in Christ,
Austin Aldrich
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