J.A. Matteson
Never is your obedience to God carried out in a vacuum where others remain unaffected. "When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem" (Acts 21:12). Your going about your day pursuing a particular course of action when the Spirit intervenes to alter your course. Clearly the impression is to not complete the action you planned, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov. 16:9). The correction of direction may come gradually as a check in your spirit or abruptly as an unmistakable red flag of danger if you continue ahead. Stop immediately when the prompting comes and inquire intently in order to know what the mind of Christ is directing you to do. Our obedience is always for a testimony of Jesus Christ, a furtherance of the gospel. It is at this pivotal juncture that the Spirit of God applies the Word of God to your circumstances by bringing to your remembrance what he has previously said. Until now a particular statement from God's word may have been abstract, but now with crystal clarity you know without any degree of uncertainty God is applying it to your present circumstance. You further recognize in that moment that obedience will likely invoke the displeasure of those around you, but disobedience is not an option. Compelled by the Spirit you alter your course, following the lead of the Spirit regardless of the cost personally. Most around you will not understand because the promoting is intensely personal, a word spoken to your heart alone. Some will reason you are out of your mind. Some will harbor displeasure because your obedience cost them something they felt entitled to, generally your obedience will impact their sense of entitlement with regard to power, money, security, reputation, position or status. But with your obedience the Spirit also whispers the sweet words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:14).
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Lay Open Your Heart
J.A. Matteson
Beware of believing self-imposed characterizations of God not supported by scripture which may develop in response to your presuppositions of God's essence. "He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong" (Mk. 12:27). The spiritually fatal error for the Sadducees was not their error, per se, but their unrepentant blindness to the truth when their error was revealed to them. Jesus did not condemn the Sadducees for their reverence of scripture, nor did he chasten them for their study of it. Rather it was their biased interpretation of divine revelation, forcing it to fit their presuppositions that Christ rebuked. There are both explicit and implicit truths in scripture, and apart from the guidance of Holy Spirit it is impossible to accurately interpret and apply it, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from your Law" (Ps. 119:18). Beware of the dogmatism rooted in immature spiritual bias to support your preconceived notion of the person and work of Jesus Christ. If we are to avoid the error of the Sadducees we must come to the scripture humbly, confessing our tendency to bias, beseeching the Lord to illumine our minds to the truth of his word, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Cor. 13:12). The transformation and salvation of Saul on the road to Damascus illustrates how a hard misguided heart, rebuked by God, ought to respond in broken humble repentance, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4). Until this moment Saul presumed he was doing God's work by ravaging Christians. Awakened to his error Saul turned to God in repentance and faith. On the other hand the Sadducees were hardened in their unbelief. Be willing to lay open your heart before God and invite him to search you and your understanding of him, to correct innacurate presuppositions you may hold as to his person and work. And when the fog lifts, followed by the blazing light of his glory, remember to thank him for the treasure he has shared with you, "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to a God except this foreigner?'" (Lk. 17:15:18).
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Beware of believing self-imposed characterizations of God not supported by scripture which may develop in response to your presuppositions of God's essence. "He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong" (Mk. 12:27). The spiritually fatal error for the Sadducees was not their error, per se, but their unrepentant blindness to the truth when their error was revealed to them. Jesus did not condemn the Sadducees for their reverence of scripture, nor did he chasten them for their study of it. Rather it was their biased interpretation of divine revelation, forcing it to fit their presuppositions that Christ rebuked. There are both explicit and implicit truths in scripture, and apart from the guidance of Holy Spirit it is impossible to accurately interpret and apply it, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from your Law" (Ps. 119:18). Beware of the dogmatism rooted in immature spiritual bias to support your preconceived notion of the person and work of Jesus Christ. If we are to avoid the error of the Sadducees we must come to the scripture humbly, confessing our tendency to bias, beseeching the Lord to illumine our minds to the truth of his word, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known" (1 Cor. 13:12). The transformation and salvation of Saul on the road to Damascus illustrates how a hard misguided heart, rebuked by God, ought to respond in broken humble repentance, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Acts 9:4). Until this moment Saul presumed he was doing God's work by ravaging Christians. Awakened to his error Saul turned to God in repentance and faith. On the other hand the Sadducees were hardened in their unbelief. Be willing to lay open your heart before God and invite him to search you and your understanding of him, to correct innacurate presuppositions you may hold as to his person and work. And when the fog lifts, followed by the blazing light of his glory, remember to thank him for the treasure he has shared with you, "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were there not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to a God except this foreigner?'" (Lk. 17:15:18).
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
The Danger of Comparison
J.A. Matteson
Unless I forsake my sense of entitlement I cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am a fraud. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mk. 8:34). The demands of discipleship are absolute, death to my will is replaced with singular devotion to God's will for my life. We become distracted by what God is doing in the life of other disciples and our misplaced focus inhibits our obedience to God's path for us. Forget about what God has purposed for others, you must follow Jesus. Peter was rebuked for comparing his path to John's, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (Jn. 21:22). Ultimately the destination for all disciples is the same, Calvary. The path to that destination is also the same, self-denial; but the providential outworking of the journey is different. As a disciple of Jesus Christ I must die daily to the inward tendency of self-preservation and self-determination until all I see is Calvary. And God has an infinite variety of providential experiences to test my resolve to carry my cross of self-denial, following Jesus to Calvary. The danger of comparison and the reason for Jesus's rebuke to Peter is because it breeds an entitlement mindset of coveting another's path that we perceive as more desirable than our own. The only thing in this life we are entitled to is death; grace affords every moment of mortal existence. It is good to plan and anticipate the morrow as long as our anticipated endeavors are submitted to God for him to intervene as he chooses. Be alert, therefore, to providences that appear to threaten your sense of entitlement, these are the narrow paths and gates leading to your personal Calvary God has designed to test your faith. To the extent we recognize them and submit to them is the degree to which we have forsaken our life in order that we might find true life. At the dawn of each day let our thoughts of be Jesus, and let us greet every providence throughout the day with childlike trust that our heavenly father is lovingly giving opportunity for us to demonstrate our love and obedience to him by willingly pursing Jesus en route to Calvary.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Unless I forsake my sense of entitlement I cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ, I am a fraud. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mk. 8:34). The demands of discipleship are absolute, death to my will is replaced with singular devotion to God's will for my life. We become distracted by what God is doing in the life of other disciples and our misplaced focus inhibits our obedience to God's path for us. Forget about what God has purposed for others, you must follow Jesus. Peter was rebuked for comparing his path to John's, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (Jn. 21:22). Ultimately the destination for all disciples is the same, Calvary. The path to that destination is also the same, self-denial; but the providential outworking of the journey is different. As a disciple of Jesus Christ I must die daily to the inward tendency of self-preservation and self-determination until all I see is Calvary. And God has an infinite variety of providential experiences to test my resolve to carry my cross of self-denial, following Jesus to Calvary. The danger of comparison and the reason for Jesus's rebuke to Peter is because it breeds an entitlement mindset of coveting another's path that we perceive as more desirable than our own. The only thing in this life we are entitled to is death; grace affords every moment of mortal existence. It is good to plan and anticipate the morrow as long as our anticipated endeavors are submitted to God for him to intervene as he chooses. Be alert, therefore, to providences that appear to threaten your sense of entitlement, these are the narrow paths and gates leading to your personal Calvary God has designed to test your faith. To the extent we recognize them and submit to them is the degree to which we have forsaken our life in order that we might find true life. At the dawn of each day let our thoughts of be Jesus, and let us greet every providence throughout the day with childlike trust that our heavenly father is lovingly giving opportunity for us to demonstrate our love and obedience to him by willingly pursing Jesus en route to Calvary.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Spiritual Progress
J.A. Matteson
Woe or weal, how you respond to divine truth is determinative of either spiritual progress or squandered opportunity. "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Mk. 4:24). The depth and richness of the soul of your heart is evidenced by its harvest of fruitfulness. Beware of the three impediments to your progress and contend mightily against them so that your fruitfulness may be overflowing to the praise of God. The devil seeks to deceive to you, "Did God really say....?" (Gen. 3:1), implanting doubt into your heart by blaspheming the faithfulness of God. The world system, under satan's control, will lie to you, "Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, 'The LORD will deliver us'" (2 Kgs. 18:32). Your own sin nature will seduce you to conclude God is not reasonable as you contemplate his directives; this is not sin leading to damnation, but sin retarding spiritual growth, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Heb. 12:1). Greeting each day with our spiritual eyes wide open, expecting the continual onslaught from these thee foes will go a long way in preventing us from being caught unawares. We must not leave our bedroom without first putting on the full armour of God. Should we venture out into the day without it we will most certainly fail to stand by applying the spiritual truth the Lord has graciously revealed to us. On the other hand, when we first clothe ourselves with God's armour, with an alert mind of anticipating battle beyond the door, God is able to make us stand, and in our standing He will disclose deeper things into the nature of His person and His kingdom.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Woe or weal, how you respond to divine truth is determinative of either spiritual progress or squandered opportunity. "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Mk. 4:24). The depth and richness of the soul of your heart is evidenced by its harvest of fruitfulness. Beware of the three impediments to your progress and contend mightily against them so that your fruitfulness may be overflowing to the praise of God. The devil seeks to deceive to you, "Did God really say....?" (Gen. 3:1), implanting doubt into your heart by blaspheming the faithfulness of God. The world system, under satan's control, will lie to you, "Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, 'The LORD will deliver us'" (2 Kgs. 18:32). Your own sin nature will seduce you to conclude God is not reasonable as you contemplate his directives; this is not sin leading to damnation, but sin retarding spiritual growth, "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Heb. 12:1). Greeting each day with our spiritual eyes wide open, expecting the continual onslaught from these thee foes will go a long way in preventing us from being caught unawares. We must not leave our bedroom without first putting on the full armour of God. Should we venture out into the day without it we will most certainly fail to stand by applying the spiritual truth the Lord has graciously revealed to us. On the other hand, when we first clothe ourselves with God's armour, with an alert mind of anticipating battle beyond the door, God is able to make us stand, and in our standing He will disclose deeper things into the nature of His person and His kingdom.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Friday, February 20, 2015
The Soul in Desperation
J.A. Matteson
The inward condition of our heart is manifest by the outward display of our deeds. "And when Jesus saw their faith...." (Mk. 2:5). As the writer to the Hebrews noted, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Saving faith compels the soul in desperation to pursue its object, namely, Jesus Christ. Saving faith disregards social norms and is happy to undergo scorn and humiliation before men if it means being in the presence of the Savior. Blessed is the soul that hungers to be in the presence of Jesus, for he will be satisfied. Blessed is the soul that is convinced Jesus will cleanse his sinful heart, forgiving his sin, for he will find rest. Blessed is the person who is a fool for Jesus, living for the approval of God and not man, for he will walk with God. Beloved, the ache within your heart to pursue Jesus in desperation is by grace and is the gift of salvation. Your desperate acts to come to Jesus may not be understood by the world, they may even be ridiculed, but they are precious to the Savior of your soul. Cast off, therefore, the restraints that hinder you, allow your desperation to be seen by men, and thereby glorify your Father in heaven.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
The inward condition of our heart is manifest by the outward display of our deeds. "And when Jesus saw their faith...." (Mk. 2:5). As the writer to the Hebrews noted, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Saving faith compels the soul in desperation to pursue its object, namely, Jesus Christ. Saving faith disregards social norms and is happy to undergo scorn and humiliation before men if it means being in the presence of the Savior. Blessed is the soul that hungers to be in the presence of Jesus, for he will be satisfied. Blessed is the soul that is convinced Jesus will cleanse his sinful heart, forgiving his sin, for he will find rest. Blessed is the person who is a fool for Jesus, living for the approval of God and not man, for he will walk with God. Beloved, the ache within your heart to pursue Jesus in desperation is by grace and is the gift of salvation. Your desperate acts to come to Jesus may not be understood by the world, they may even be ridiculed, but they are precious to the Savior of your soul. Cast off, therefore, the restraints that hinder you, allow your desperation to be seen by men, and thereby glorify your Father in heaven.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Remembering His Words
J.A. Matteson
When we are with Jesus he shares divine insights into our weaknesses. "And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus...." (Matt. 26:75). Our heart is deceitfully wicked and cannot be trusted to direct us correctly (Jer. 17:9). To believers, conviction of sin happens as a result of spending time with the Lord, when the beauty of his person is revealed through the holy scriptures to our minds, when he later brings to our remembrance that which he shared with us. Be careful never to allow idols of the heart to supplant your daily time with the Lord Jesus, for if we do not spend time with him we cannot hear from him, and if we are not hearing from him we may find ourselves is a foreign land with hardened hearts wallowing in the mire (Heb. 3:13). Peter was with Jesus and heard intimate insights into the weakness of his sinful nature. The night of his betrayal Peter was self-deceived, being ignorant and proud, completely unaware of the power of his sinful nature to derail his best intentions to obey unto death his Lord. But in his moment of weakness and betrayal Peter remembered the saying of Jesus. Beloved, maintain a tender heart toward the Lord through daily communion with him, reading and meditating upon his word and remaining in a perpetual state of prayerfulness all day (Ps. 119:11; 1 Thess. 5:17). By doing so the Lord will bring to your remembrance his sayings, keeping you from sin or leading you to repentance if you do sin (Jude 24; 1 Jn. 1:9-10). Come to the fount of blessings, taste of the sweetness of his companionship, for none can compare to his everlasting kindness, mercy, love and grace (Ps. 34:8). By knowing him and being known by him, how could we ever give our hearts to another?
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 4:8
When we are with Jesus he shares divine insights into our weaknesses. "And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus...." (Matt. 26:75). Our heart is deceitfully wicked and cannot be trusted to direct us correctly (Jer. 17:9). To believers, conviction of sin happens as a result of spending time with the Lord, when the beauty of his person is revealed through the holy scriptures to our minds, when he later brings to our remembrance that which he shared with us. Be careful never to allow idols of the heart to supplant your daily time with the Lord Jesus, for if we do not spend time with him we cannot hear from him, and if we are not hearing from him we may find ourselves is a foreign land with hardened hearts wallowing in the mire (Heb. 3:13). Peter was with Jesus and heard intimate insights into the weakness of his sinful nature. The night of his betrayal Peter was self-deceived, being ignorant and proud, completely unaware of the power of his sinful nature to derail his best intentions to obey unto death his Lord. But in his moment of weakness and betrayal Peter remembered the saying of Jesus. Beloved, maintain a tender heart toward the Lord through daily communion with him, reading and meditating upon his word and remaining in a perpetual state of prayerfulness all day (Ps. 119:11; 1 Thess. 5:17). By doing so the Lord will bring to your remembrance his sayings, keeping you from sin or leading you to repentance if you do sin (Jude 24; 1 Jn. 1:9-10). Come to the fount of blessings, taste of the sweetness of his companionship, for none can compare to his everlasting kindness, mercy, love and grace (Ps. 34:8). By knowing him and being known by him, how could we ever give our hearts to another?
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 4:8
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
The Call
J.A. Matteson
If you are in Jesus Christ it is the result of His calling you by name; to be a child of God is to be known by God, called unto holiness and His purpose. "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel...." (Ex. 35:30-34). If you are called of God it is for the purpose of glorifying Him by serving others. Never has a saint been called into perpetual isolation, a city on a hill cannot be hid nor a light hidden in a closet. Observe the call of God: first, Bezlel knew he had been called, "...he was filled with the Spirit of God." We cannot serve Him unless we are encountered by Him and gifted with endowments suitable for His purposes. Second, Bezalel was burdened to replicate himself through others called of God in order that the work of God might be accomplished, "And he was inspired to teach...." The apostle Paul highlights this pattern in discipleship, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). When God saves a person it is for the purpose that he might Be and Do. The doing is a function of being. Consider your calling, your passions, skills, abilities, and spiritual endowments. In what way are these being employed to Gods glory and the benefit of others called? The church of God cannot reach the world for God unless workers are brought into His harvest and equipped for service. That is the calling and responsibility of every follower of Jesus Christ.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
If you are in Jesus Christ it is the result of His calling you by name; to be a child of God is to be known by God, called unto holiness and His purpose. "See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel...." (Ex. 35:30-34). If you are called of God it is for the purpose of glorifying Him by serving others. Never has a saint been called into perpetual isolation, a city on a hill cannot be hid nor a light hidden in a closet. Observe the call of God: first, Bezlel knew he had been called, "...he was filled with the Spirit of God." We cannot serve Him unless we are encountered by Him and gifted with endowments suitable for His purposes. Second, Bezalel was burdened to replicate himself through others called of God in order that the work of God might be accomplished, "And he was inspired to teach...." The apostle Paul highlights this pattern in discipleship, "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). When God saves a person it is for the purpose that he might Be and Do. The doing is a function of being. Consider your calling, your passions, skills, abilities, and spiritual endowments. In what way are these being employed to Gods glory and the benefit of others called? The church of God cannot reach the world for God unless workers are brought into His harvest and equipped for service. That is the calling and responsibility of every follower of Jesus Christ.
Copyright (c) 2015 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
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