PBM January 2013

January 2013

“Chummin’ for saints until the nets are full” Matthew 4:19

Well dear saints, as you can see, we are still here and God is still seated on His throne!  So what does this mean for you and me?  It means the same thing it did in 2012 and in 35 A.D. 

 As we have been going through the Book of Acts, a view has been coming into focus and one which I was not looking for!  Jesus did not entrust His ministry to independent believers.  Throughout His time with the apostles and even up to Him going to be with the Father, He established a spiritual family.  He used words such as “brothers” and “sisters” to convey this idea.  Paul instructed the new church to gather together in fellowship.  Christians need each other, especially in times of trial.  Do we respond with love when one of the saints falter or is hit with a hardship? 

⁵ If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.  2 Corinthians 2:5-8 NIV

“It only takes one person’s example of love, faith and courage to inspire and unite others to do likewise”.  B.B.S.

Now as we move on in Acts, we come to Philip traveling to Samaria to preach.  He is doing just what Jesus had instructed the disciples to do.  ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Is there someone whom you hate, don’t like or hold something against because in the past they wronged you or someone who is close to you?  Has some other clan taken your land?  Or, could it be that they are just the wrong race, religion or physical size?  The Jews considered the Samaritans to be half-breeds and worse, that they were religiously perverted.  To express their hatred for Samaritans, Jews traveling to Galilee would avoid Samaria by crossing over the Jordan River, thus going out of their way to avoid the Samaritans.  Philip did something crazy!  He chose to go to the other side of the tracks.  Why?  He went to the other side of the tracks because God’s spirit was creating a loving fellowship of believers out of hatred.  The formation of the Samaritan Church shows us that the Holy Spirit is telling us that there is no room in His church for “us” and “them” stuff!

Sometimes we have to become uncomfortable to become useful.  We may not want to experience it, but discomfort may just be the best thing for us because God is working through our pain.  Instead of telling God why you can’t do something that He has asked of you, ask Him to show you the way to do it.

⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. ⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. ⁶ When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. ⁷ For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.  Acts 8:4-8

As a result of hearing the message which Philip brought to the Samaritans, there was “great joy in the city”.  Don’t we wish that those words could be said about us?  That we brought joy to others?  Joy is a theme throughout the pages of Acts.

             Joy in the Book of Acts:
^2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, NIV
 ^5:41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
^8:8So there was great joy in that city. 
^8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing
^11:23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts
^12:14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
^13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
^13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
^14:17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
^15:3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.
^15:31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.
^16:34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing 

Mother Teresa once said, “One filled with joy preaches without preaching”.

I am challenged daily to give to others what Christ has given to me.  In doing this, I remind myself of this:  Jesus, Others, You.

Many years ago, I was a young man filled with pain and hatred.  Yes, I was a racist.  I even dressed and spoke like one.  What broke the chains that kept my heart in bondage to Satan, was when I was yet a sinner (Nazi), Christ came and died for me.  A “Jew” died for me and took on all my sins that I had committed and that I would commit in the future. Even as I was walking in a doctrine of hate, Jesus came to me with the message of love, grace and mercy.

Philip grew up hearing all about the Samaritans; how they were half-breeds and perverted.  He was told not to talk to them, nor to help them.  He grew up hearing the names people used to describe a Samaritan.  At some point in time, Philip heard the message of Love given to him and decided to break the chains of hatred and unforgiveness to become more Christ-like to the world around him.  He brought with him, great joy!  As we read His word, does it change our heart?  Do we choose to act on that conviction or push it aside ‘til another day?  Do we thank Jesus for forgiving us as we show no forgiveness to others?  Do we think that this is okay with the Father?

In this season of walking with Christ, there are songs which bring more meaning to my life.  Currently there is a song called:             Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave which really ministers to me. (The writer asked that I enclose the words to the song which is a copyright infringement and so I couldn’t include it.  The words can be found via the internet. Barb).                                  

My brothers and sister, the world is still here.  We still have time as long as the sun shines brightly.  Love those who are unlovable; reach out to the person eating across from you.  Take our Church to the streets.  Please.  I beg you to forgive with no chains attached.  I was a Nazi, but Christ came to me.  I sinned in His house and yet He has loved me through a long restoration.  Stop talking about it.  Start doing it.  Can we please live in love and forgiveness and break the chains that bond us to bitterness?

Church, the reason for Phish Bowl Ministries is to encourage everyone to love the people in your own phish bowl with the message of Christ’s love for them; to meet their needs, to show them a life changing relationship with Jesus through your walk.  This is done by studying God’s word verse by verse, prayer, and fellowship.  My fellow saints I pray for you and love you.  Remember that it is a Spirit-filled life journey to understand God.  There is soul healing in God’s loving word and in the Church of the Messiah’s Misfits.  Remember my chains as I remember yours.  Watch!  Hold fast in the faith.  Be brave and be strong to the end.  Let all you do, be done in love.

 

Semper fidelis!   1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

Phish Bowl Ministries An Outreach of Calvary Chapel Loveland 276 East 29th St Loveland, CO   80538