FREEDOM: 4 Obstacles that Block True Rest

Part 1 of 2

Whenever I am away from my wife overnight, I have a hard time sleeping.  I just lie there, staring at the ceiling, wishing I would go to sleep.  If I were to travel more often, it would be vital that I learn to rest no matter where I am!  Since surgery, I have had to learn to deal with pain and sleeping during recovery.  Pain can definitely affect a person’s ability to rest!

Rest is so important for strong health, physically and spiritually!  For the believer, it is vital that we learn to rest in the Lord!

In Psalm 23:2 it says, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures…”  This is an interesting phrase – and it is helpful to have a better understanding of sheep to fully comprehend this phrase from Psalm 23.

Consider some background about sheep:

It is almost impossible for sheep to lie down unless four requirements are met:

1.     First, they must be free from fear.

2.     Second, they must be free from friction with others of their kind

3.     Third, they must be free of pests (flies, parasites).

4.     Fourth, they must be free from hunger.

Unless all four requirements are fulfilled, they simply cannot rest!

What is interesting is that it is only the shepherd who can provide release from these anxieties.  It all depends upon the diligence of the owner, as to whether his flock is free of disturbing influences.  It is the shepherd who makes it possible for the sheep to lie down, to rest, to relax, to be content, quiet, and flourishing!  So, let us look at these four obstacles that block true rest.

1.     Freedom from Fear

In looking for freedom from fear we must understand that sheep are somewhat defenseless.

A shepherd tells the story of a friend coming over for a visit and happened to bring her small Pekingese dog.  The dog simply hopped out of the car upon arrival.  The shepherd's herd of 200 sheep, that had been lying in the nearby pasture peacefully, all jumped to their feet and ran to a far portion of the pasture.

Sheep have little or no means of self-defense.  They are helpless, timid, feeble creatures whose only recourse is to run. Countless shepherds could tell stories of how their herd had been attacked during the night by a wild animal.  One spoke of such an attack in his early years and so from then on, he slept with a rifle and flashlight by his bed.  What this one shepherd came to realize was that nothing so quieted and reassured the sheep as to see him in the field.  The presence of their master, owner, and protector put them at ease as nothing else could do!

There is no substitute for the keen awareness that the Good Shepherd is present!  So, before you run in self-defense to anger, or to self-pity, or to verbal/physical attack mode, or to seclusion – remind yourself of your ever present Good Shepherd.   

II Timothy 1:7 directs us to understanding what position the Lord has given us.  It is important to know that “a sound mind” has the idea of a mind at ease—or at peace—not perturbed or harassed or obsessed with fear and foreboding for the future. 

Hebrews 13:5, 8 reminds us that our Good Shepherd will never leave us…and He is always the same!

Proverbs 15:3 reveals that the Good Shepherd sees the good and the bad. 

Psalm 16:11 declares that the presence of our Good Shepherd is connected to the fulness of our joy and pleasures for evermore.

Exodus 33:14 triumphantly reassures us that our Good Shepherd’s presence will give rest.    

Living in the reality of the Good Shepherd’s presence will bring freedom from fear...and rest will follow!

2.     Free of Rivalries

Another thing I have come to understand about sheep is that there is an established order of dominance or status within the group of sheep.  With chickens it is referred to as “pecking order,” with cattle it is called “horning order,” and with sheep it is called, “butting order.” A sheep maintains their status of prominence in the herd by butting or driving other ewes or lambs away from the best grazing or favorite bedgrounds. However, whenever the owner (master) comes into view and his presence attracts their attention, the sheep quickly forget their foolish rivalries and stop their fighting!

We can often find ourselves choosing a battle that simply isn’t important enough to fight someone over.  At the beginning of the battle, we believe we have secured the moral high ground – that is why we “go to war” with another believer.  However, too many “righteous battles” are actually struggles for dominance and preferences.  Notice that the sheep fight over prominence. What calms the battle?  When the one who is chief among them (the shepherd) comes into view, all fighting ceases. 

True rest is not possible when battles rage among your relationships. 

Examine your battles.  Ask yourself these 4 key questions:

• In this conflict, does my spirit look like Jesus? 

  In other words, how I am handling this battle and how do I talk about it to others...do I look more like the fruit of the Spirit or the lusts of the flesh? Standing up for an important spiritual cause cannot be defended with fleshly means.  Spiritual battles with fleshly means will only cause greater problems, guilty conscience, misery, and failure.

• Would I continue my battle if Jesus were visibly present?

• What about my battles would I not want to answer to God for if I came face to face with Him today?

• In one sentence, what do I think this battle is about?

  Is the battle about core doctrine or opinions?  Is that something I need to stand my ground on?

 To sum up this hindrance to real rest, CHOOSE BATTLES that do not distract me from the mission God gave me, but instead they lift up God’s mission for me. FIGHT BATTLES in a way that does not damage my relationship with God.

To be able to truly rest in the Lord we too must be free from fear and rivalries (contention among ourselves).  Keep your MIND purposely tuned and your eyes sharply fixed on the Good Shepherd – the only One who can bring real rest!

SATISFIED: 2 Roots of Contentment

There are many things we will look to for satisfaction and contentment...and they aren’t necessarily evil things.

• A good day’s work

• A well-prepared meal

• Accomplishing a long sought after goal

• A nice car, house, or clothes

• A family that is at peace

• A job that is fulfilling and rewarding

We could list many other things, but the point is none of these things offer the satisfaction and contentment that we really desire! In fact, people will often think they have found the contentment they so long for in any number of things, but after a short period of time they are restless once again!  Where is the source of that true satisfaction and contentment that lasts? 

The hymn writer put it this way:

All my life long I had panted; for a draught, from some clear spring, That I hoped would quench the burning; of the thirst I felt within

Feeding on the husks around me, till my strength was almost gone. Longed my soul for something better, only still to hunger on.

Poor I was, and sought for riches, something that would satisfy, But the dust I gathered round me, only mocked my soul’s sad cry.

Hallelujah! I have found Him! Whom my soul so long has craved! Jesus satisfies my longings. Through His blood I now am saved.

 The hymn writer put it that way and the Psalmist puts it this way: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want!

The Scope of the Phrase

The phrase “I shall not want” is a very bold statement indeed!  We could read this passage with this understanding, “Since the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!”

What exactly is meant in saying, “I shall not want?” There is a much broader meaning than we would first imagine.  Yes, the main concept is that of not lacking in proper care or management. However, a second emphasis is the idea of being utterly contented in the Good Shepherd’s care and consequently not craving or desiring anything more.

I remember when our last child, Mark, no longer had a pacifier.  When he went to bed at night there is one thing that he found great security in: his soft green blanket.  No other blanket would do.  It had to be that blanket.  He didn’t look for another blanket; he didn’t want another blanket.  He wanted his green blanket.

It is the same with the one who sees the Lord as His shepherd – none other will do!  He looks for no other, and no other can replace His shepherd – when that shepherd is the Lord!

The History Behind the Phrase

Now consider David’s history, which gives significant context to this phrase, “I shall not want.”  This is really a strange statement for David to make, humanly speaking, if we think purely in physical and material needs.  Think about these historical facts…

• He had been hunted like an animal by Saul

• He had been hunted as well by his own son

• He had known intense deprivation and poverty

• He had experienced hardship and anguish of spirit 

Here is a key understanding: “lack of need.”  It is absurd to assert on the basis of this statement that the child of God, the sheep in the Shepherd’s care, will never experience lack of need. In fact, Job, Elijah, John the Baptist, and our Lord Himself all experienced great personal deprivation and adversity. The Lord Himself, while on this earth, said, “In this world ye shall have tribulation—but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world!”  (Jn. 16:33)

Here is another key understanding: The assertion that if a man or woman is prospering materially is a significant mark of the blessing of God upon their lives – is simply not certain.  It could be true (Job after his trial of faith) …or it could be false (the rich man of Luke 12 who needed to build bigger barns).

Revelation 3:17, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked…”

Mark 10:21 – Jesus made clear to the rich young ruler who wished to become His follower as well, “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor…and come…follow me.” 

In other words, based on the teachings of the Bible we can only conclude that David was not referring to material or physical poverty when he made the statement, “I shall not want.”

We need to take a good hard look at our lives and realize that the Lord may choose to entrust to us hardships (experiencing lack of wealth or material benefits), but we are to remember that this time is merely a brief interlude.  Yet in the midst of that hardship the believer can still say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” How is that possible?

The Significance of the Phrase

To grasp the significance of this simple statement, it is necessary to understand the difference between belonging to the good Shepherd or an imposter. It is the Good Shepherd who will care for you and meet your needs…but be careful to distinguish between what is comfortable and what is good for me…make certain to understand the difference between needs and wants, as well… and don’t forget the difference between unwanted pressure (but needed) and too much pressure. My needs and what is good for me — these are those that the Good Shepherd will keep in good supply!

Each year on the fourth of July the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Company sponsors a hot dog eating contest. In 2013 Joey Chestnut won the competition for the seventh year in a row, setting a new record by eating 69 hot dogs and buns in just ten minutes. The second runner up “only” managed to eat 51. According to news reports, Chestnut received a prize of $10,000 for his eating performance and consumed over 20,000 calories during his eating spree.

 Few of us are in danger of eating seventy hot dogs in one day, let alone nearly seven a minute for ten minutes straight. And yet we live in a world where “enough” is never enough. Many people devote their lives to acquiring wealth and possessions, living with a focus only on the temporal. As a result, rather than living in contentment, they live in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction. They struggle to get the latest and biggest and newest toys and rarely enjoy a moment of peace. (Source: Forbes.com, July 4, 2013)

2 ROOTS OF CONTENTMENT

1.     Relationship. 

Our connection with Jesus must be understood as more than mere religion or a connection with a perfect supernatural being.  There must be genuine relationship with God…and as with every relationship, we must “exercise” the relationship to keep it in good condition.

2.     Reflection.

Our mind is a major player on the journey to contentment.  The reason is: our mind fuels our hearts, and our hearts fuel our choices…and choices form our character.  The root is in the mind.  If we spend our time reflecting on lies, we will find ourselves horribly discontent!  Consider these 6 possible lies in our lives:

 …that sin isn’t that big of a deal

Jesus died for my sin.  It is a big deal.

 …everyone is doing it

Elijah had the same thought process.  God corrected Elijah and said he had 100’s of prophets still faithful to Him.

…this choice is who I am…deal with it

It is true that our flesh is natural; however, the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are commanded to be Spirit-filled (Eph. 5:18).  Spirit-filled looks like: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).

…more money would make me happy

Money is needed to for daily living; however, the love of money is the root of all evil (I Tim. 6:10) and no where in scripture does it declare that if you want to be happy, get more money.  It does say, however, “the joy of the LORD is my strength,” (Neh. 8:10) and that it is God who fills us with joy and peace (Rom. 15:13).

…the Bible is out of date or incorrect

The Bible is God’s Word.  God is eternal.  Perfect.  For the Bible to be incorrect would mean God is incorrect.

…worshipping God with other believers in a local church setting is optional

The local church is God’s idea.  The New Testament is written to local churches.  God gave qualifications for church leadership (pastors and deacons) and instructions for church families.  God gave commands for us not to forsake the “assembling of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:24) and with that assembling to stir each other up towards love and good works (Heb. 10:24).  To say church is optional, would mean to say whatever God says is optional (if I deem it so).

 The one who is able to say, “Since the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want,” has willingly placed himself under God’s care and he knows it!  He has entrusted himself to Christ’s control and found contentment!

the Shepherd & His sheep: 5 Key Questions about your Shepherd

Brad never lacked for anything growing up.  If he wanted it, his father would buy it for him.  His father loved him, but his father also required he work a job in high school.  Brad heard more than once, “It builds character.”   

Brad had an attitude problem.  He thought he knew best…at least better than his 49-year-old father.  After all, he was 17! So, when Brad turned 18 he no longer hid his feelings.  He rebelled in bold fashion and told his father he couldn’t tell him what to do any more.  Brad, much like the prodigal son, explored the ways of the world.  He tried…EVERYTHING.  He eventually found the love of his life.  They got married and he settled down.  After a couple of years, Brad became a father himself.  That first moment he held that new baby in his arms he felt excitement, pride, fear, joy, and anxiety all at the same time.  He was suddenly horrified and humbled as to how he had treated his father…he wanted to return home…but he struggled with whether or not his father would welcome him in his home.   

Brad finally decided to visit his father … with his wife and child.  Much to his surprise, Brad’s father greeted him with tears of joy.  He told Brad that he had prayed for this day since the day he left home. 

We must live with the recognition that we belong to the Lord…my loving, protecting, calming Shepherd! 

How is it the Lord is MY Shepherd? 

John 10: 11, 14 -- As the Good Shepherd, two phrases come to mind: 

• PURE SACRIFICE - the LORD laid down His life for His sheep 

• CHILD-LIKE TRUST: the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd…and follow Him. 

The Bible reminds us — We are all like sheep.  

Sheep tend to wander. Isaiah 53:6 – When sheep wander, they are prone to drown, fall off cliffs, and succumb to their dangerous enemies. 

We tend to wander as well (Hebrews 2:1)! To be clear, when we wander, we are rebelling against the Lord’s commands…we are wandering away from a relationship with the Shepherd.  As a result, we attempt to face our enemies on our own.   

Sheep don’t tend to last long when away from the protective care of their shepherd.  Does not this give us a fresh view of Proverbs 14:12? 

Sheep tend towards fear and confusion.  They are even known to follow one another off a cliff…blindly following each other.  Sound familiar?  Our default setting is often set on fear & confusion follows!  Think about it:  the unexpected bill…our introduction to COVID…lots of change in society…our adult child’s choices…insecurity at work…etc.  We, like sheep, tend toward fear. 

Because of these tendencies, a shepherd needed to be prepared to lay down his life for the sheep.  The shepherd would have to battle wild animals. David demonstrated this very reality in I Samuel 17:34-35. 

Do you see how humbling it is for scripture to compare humanity to sheep?  Do you see how amazing it is that the LORD is our Shepherd?!! 

With all of this, meditate on our Shepherd… 

His POSITION: Creator/Protector

My Shepherd is able to protect me.  It is He who brought me into being and no one is better able to understand or care for me. 

When a child is sick, he usually wants Mommy to take care of him.  No one cares for him like Mommy! Who could better care for/protect/understand me than my heavenly Father, the Creator! Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 11:3. 

His Choice: Redeemer 

My Shepherd laid down His life for me.  He has bought me back at the incredible price of His own life and shed blood. This is genuine, unfiltered love.  

In a company, if a man owns 75% of the stock of the company he has more say in the company.  It is his right because He has made the most investment financially!  Our Lord has not only earned such a position as our shepherd – it is His right to be our shepherd as He so chooses!  We belong to Him.

His Interest: Sustainer

He literally lays Himself out for us continually. 

• Interceding for us (Romans 8:26-27, 34) 

• Guiding us by His Spirit (Isaiah 58:11; John 16:13)  

• Working on our behalf to ensure that we will benefit from His care  

• Ps. 23:2-6---the entire poem goes on to recount the manner in which our Good Shepherd spares no pains for the welfare of His sheep… 

v. 2-He is my contentment and rest 

v. 3-He is my pathfinder 

v. 4-He is my protection and guide 

v. 5-He is my provision 

v.6-He is all this all my days and forever more! 

 Recognize the position we have in Christ as believers!  Our shepherd is THE Good Shepherd!  Consider the scene of a shepherd who should never have been allowed to tend to sheep.  His flock is always thin, weak, and riddled with disease.  Then consider another shepherd who cared for his flock in the next pasture.  This shepherd guarded his flock from disease and fed them well.  Their pasture was green and lush!  Imagine how the first flock described, if they could talk, would come over to the fence and say, “Oh, to be free from this awful owner!”  This is the picture of people throughout the world who have not known what it is to belong to the Good Shepherd…and then they suffer instead under sin and Satan. 

Sometimes those whose shepherd is the Lord, take such grand care for granted! 

5 Key Questions about Your Shepherd: 

1. Do you belong to Him? 

2. Do you really recognize His right to you?

3. Do you respond to His authority and acknowledge His ownership? 

4. Do you find complete rest and freedom in a relationship with the Good Shepherd? 

5. Do you sense purpose and deep contentment because you are under His direction?  

If so, then you too can proclaim along with David, “The Lord is My Shepherd!”  If your answer is no, then I urge you to reevaluate your relationship with the Good Shepherd! My own way, or the way of reason, does not lead to the root of joy or peace.  Only Jesus is pure joy and true peace.  Are you struggling with relationships?  Are you struggling with anger or discontentment?  Are you struggling with unresolved conflicts?  Are you struggling with enjoying the life you are living?   

The struggle is not automatically removed, but the solution is always found in Jesus! So, run to Christ. 

7 Descriptions of the GREAT SHEPHERD

The scene is an outside basketball court at the neighborhood park. A group of teenagers are gathering to play a game of pickup basketball. Two captains are chosen and to begin choosing their teams from the group of boys who made their way to the park the first name that is called is James. The other team captain immediately says, “that’s not fair.”  Everyone on the court is now hoping that the first captain chooses them… Everyone wants to be on James’ team.

Why? If James were like every other teenage boy on the court, it would not have been that big of a deal. If James were like me or you, no one would have been begging to be on our team. But what if “James” was just a last name?  You see, in high school, when my friends and I would play a sport we would call each other by our last name. It would sound like, “hey Holloway over here!” Or, “hey Holloway shot it!”  So, what if Jimmy was the name all the guys in the neighborhood called Lebron. And what if Lebron grew up to be known as Lebron James, basketball star of the decade? 

You see, everyone wants to be on Lebron James team because they know who Lebron James is… They know how strong his basketball abilities are… They know he can pretty much outplay anyone on the court. His high school friends knew they would win the game with “James” on their team!

So, we need to ask ourselves a question, “what keeps us from having the same kind of confidence and rest in Jesus?”

We must willingly turn to trust the great Shepherd!

“The LORD is my shepherd”

David wrote this Psalm from the perspective of having been a shepherd himself.… from the perspective of the care of a shepherd… from the prespective of the watchful eye of a shepherd. Consider David’s life for just a moment…

• David was a shepherd.  He was the son of a shepherd as well.  He would later be called the “Shepherd King.”

•  What unique and grand things do we know about David?

-A warrior

-Defeated Goliath

-He became King of Israel

-He was called a man after God’s own heart

-He was a musician

-He was broken over his sin with Bathsheba once confronted

-He was brave (shepherds have to be)

• What negative things do we know about David?

  -He was a murderer

  -He was an adulterer

  -He tried to hide his sin for a time (getting Bathsheba’s husband to spend the night with his wife during battle)

When I went to college and had to eat college food for the first time – nothing compared to my mom’s cooking.  I came home skinny and mom spent the whole Christmas vacation trying to fatten my up for another semester!

I knew my mom’s cooking…I longed for my mom’s cooking…nothing else would suffice!  The more we know our Savior and who He truly is – nothing else will do!

 Deuteronomy 4:39 -- There is none else — nothing comes close to comparison!

 7 descriptions of the GREAT SHEPHERD!  

                        Romans 2:2 – He is justice

                        Isaiah 6:3 – He is Holy

                        Hebrews 6:18 – He is truth

                        Psalm 103:17 – He is mercy

                        Romans 5:1, 2 – He is grace

                        Romans 8:28 – He is sovereign

                        I Corinthians 8:6 – He alone is God! 

I can remember going through a math and science class during my fifth-grade year of elementary school.  They were very hard and I was frustrated!  I couldn’t comprehend how to figure out the assignments.  I was literally to the point of tears.  I didn’t understand it…I didn’t want to understand it…I just wanted it all to go away.  However, the classes didn’t go away -- and I eventually started seeing what I couldn’t see before. My teacher knew what I need it to further prepare me for college and continued to press me to complete the course. That pathway of resistance eventually bore the fruit of greater strength.

• When do you and I truly start seeing our great Shepherd for who He is…during and/or after trials.

• When are we prone to lose sight of who our great Shepherd truly is?…during comfortable times.

How should we then view those difficult days?  With those classes I thought my teacher had it in for me…that she or he was laughing with delight at home thinking of how miserable we all were in trying to do the homework.  In reality, the teacher was at home praying and hoping we would all understand the problems and get an A!

Your hard times do not mean Jesus has forgotten you! Your hard times do not mean Jesus doesn’t love you or that he is not helping you! Sometimes the great, good Shepherd allows difficulty to accomplish something even better in our lives.

“remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.”

Charles Spurgeon

The Lord doesn’t delight in my struggle, but the struggle is necessary to build spiritual muscle and character to be useable in the master’s hand!  The Shepherd wants to use you!  The Lord wanted to use Jonah.  He wanted to use David, and He wants to use you!  Turn to the great Shepherd and trust His incomparable care for you!

Purposeful Victory: 5 Guards Against Spiritual Wandering

Have you ever talked with someone with divided attention?  Frustrating, right?  You are in mid-sentence and they engage someone else in conversation.  Although not purposeful, I know I have done this to others.  I am sure most of us have done this at some point and time.  You see, there is so much going on around us, that we are easily distracted from the task at hand.  To combat this, we would need to be purposeful. 

We can do the same thing with our relationship with the Lord!  There is much around us … much that is appealing … much that seems harmless and catches our eye.  However, it is harmful when it gets us off mission.  When something or someone gets us off the God-given mission of our calling, the mission of our marriage, the mission of our family, the mission of pursuing unity, or the mission of bringing glory to God, the mission of the gospel – IT IS HARMFUL!

We must keep our eyes -- our heart and mind -- on the mission.

Purposely Impossible (Judges 7:3-12)

• Go home if you want (22,000 leave & 10,000 stay…v. 3)

• Drink like a dog and go home (9,700 sent home…v. 6)

• Left with 300… against unnumbered multitudes (sands of the sea – v. 12)

• Numbers diminished to guard against pride (v. 2b)

Purposely Encouraged (in a dream) (Judges 7:9-10, 13)

Take a moment to read the Bible verses above. Did you notice the first thing Gideon did after God allowed him to hear the dream? He worshipped. The man who struggled with doubt and with the illogical being presented as logical — stopped what he was doing and worshipped God. Gideon was so encouraged by God’s encouragement that he worshipped the Lord God of Israel.

Purposely Ran (God fought for them) (Judges 7:19-22a)

Purposely Turned Away (Judges 8:33-35)

They forgot God after Gideon’s death – and worshipped false gods again. This incredible story of victory does not have a happy ending! After the greatest victories, we will often have great defeat because we became distracted from the mission.

Marla Runyan gave her all to qualify for the Olympic Games in 1996, but her best time finished short of the mark to make the United States team. Undeterred by that failure, she returned in 2000 and made the team for the Sydney Olympics. Her eighth-place finish in the 1,500-meter race was the best finish ever for a United States woman runner. The thing that makes Runyan’s accomplishments even more remarkable is that she is legally blind. She is the first legally blind athlete to ever qualify for and compete in the Olympic Games. After her Olympic career was over, she switched to running marathons and in 2002 posted the second fastest debut marathon time ever by an American woman.

Runyan can only see shapes and blurs, but she says that her lack of vision is actually an asset—she just focuses on the finish line in front of her rather than looking around to see what the other runners are doing. Not having visual distractions helps her compete and win her races. The same thing can be true in our lives. There will always be things that try to pull us away from what we should be focused on doing. Many times these will be good things, but we must be willing to set them aside and stay focused on what is most important.  (Source: USA Track and Field)

5 Guards against spiritual distractions…

1-Reveal your weaknesses (Ask God - Ps. 139:23-24… Be honest with God – Prov. 28:13)

2-Remind yourself of the finish line every day (devotions – Ps. 119:11; Phil. 3:14; II Tim. 2:15)

3-Rehearse your training regimen regularly (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; 119:105 – Bible memory)

4-Rely on your coach (God’s grace: it’s how you started-Eph. 2:8; it’s how you continue – Rom. 5:1-2; it’s how you improve/prayer – Heb. 4:16 ; it’s all you need – II Cor. 12:9)

5-Remember your coach is watching (live in the reality of God’s presence-Prov. 15:3; Ex. 33:14)

The writer of Hebrews said, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2). No matter what is going on around us, Jesus never changes. As long as we focus on Him, we will stay on course. 

The Gospel Life: What does gospel living look like?

What does your everyday life look like? Sleep, food, work, family, church, community, and leisure time is what fills the average person's week...but what kind of impact are you making on this world as a Christian? Afterall, the impact the church will have on the world has impact that will last forever!

Jesus believing, Bible preaching, God loving people must live the GOSPEL LIFE. This begins with…

GOSPEL RECEIVING.

Acts 9:1-7. Acts 9 relates the true account of Saul’s conversion. He was bold, antagonistic, oppressive…and then cam Jesus. everything changed when he met Jesus! Do you remember the day you came to Jesus? Share your gospel story with someone. Relive the day you embraced God's saving grace -- and never loose sight of that day again.

You don't have a personal gospel story yet? Discover YOUR gospel story. Click Here.

Romans 10:9-10, 13.

When you come to Jesus...everything changes!

·       Your sin changes from unforgiven to forgiven!

·       Your future changes from hopeless to amazing!

·       Your “here and now” changes from selfishness to God focused and Others Minded!

·       Your hate and bitterness changes to love and forgiveness

·       Your helplessness changes to the promises of God.

GOSPEL LIVING.

Col. 1:9-12; I Pet. 1:15; 2:21.

Gospel living flows out of gospel receiving. The gospel is God’s holiness & justice, God’s love & mercy, and God’s forgiveness.

Believer — gospel living looks like the gospel!

The gospel life isn’t mere fire insurance. It is transformational for the present AND total perfection for the future. However, sometimes in our imperfect condition, our living doesn’t look like the gospel. Sometimes, our living looks more like selfishness, fearful, proud, and/or contentious.

Has the Lord revealed the need of gospel living in your life recently? What has God taught you recently that has drawn you back to a strong gospel living?

I pray we can move forward together with gospel living:

1.     Love for God

2.     Love for others

3.     Mercy for others

4.     Striving for unity and not nurturing discord or discontent

5.     All to the glory of God!

...without gospel living, we will never live the reality of gospel investing.

Gospel Investing.

John 1:29-30; Acts 9:27; Matthew 28:19

• Gospel investing is the only investment that yields unending gains!

• Gospel investing is made with gospel living deposits.

• You cannot invest the gospel effectively without living the gospel by God's grace.

May we all embrace gospel life living.

Revival Meeting with Evangelist Morris Gleiser

You can find the first recording of these special services here: September 27 Revival with Morris Gleiser. You will find several others services with Evangelist Morris Gleiser on the same YouTube channel — Reset 2 Reach. You may find clicking on this YouTube channel’s playlists and finding the “Evangelist Ministry” playlist an easier way to find all the messages from this revival. This playlist includes our time with Evangelist Jeremy Frazor and Morris Gleiser.

My Redeemer: 3 Things My Redeemer Must Be

David Harrell wrote a book telling the story of his father, Edgar Harrell. Edgar was one of the survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the last US ship sunk by enemy contact in WW2. 600 men were stranded in the water for five days - many with only a life vest - all facing thirst, hunger, injuries, dehydration and sharks. They all came face to face with fear and their own mortality.   Edgar testifies of those days alone in the ocean, "Clearly there were no atheists in the water that day. Gone was that attitude of pride that deceives men into thinking that there is no God, or if there is, they don't need Him. When a man is confronted with death, it is the face of Almighty God he sees, not his own. We were all acutely aware of our Creator during those days and nights."  (Source: David Harrell, “Out of the Depths,” Xulon Press, 2005, 112-113). 

On that horrible day, no one could save his fellow soldier...no one could even save themselves!  They were all in the same position – helpless.  They all needed someone to save them.  We all need a kinsman redeemer…but there is only one that will do! 

Boaz now buys back (redeems) Elimelech’s property and his son’s family line in marrying Ruth.  

We end this account of hardship, loss, poverty, and waiting -- with this incredible account of redemption!  Ruth’s property is redeemed.  Ruth’s husband’s family line is redeemed.  Then there is this:  The Lord lifts Ruth up and includes her in the line of the Messiah (James 4:10)!  Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of David. Ruth & Boaz’s son was Obed.  Obed’s son was Jesse.  Jesse’s son was David.  Ruth 4:21-22. 

Consider this – the outcast Moabite widow, Ruth, is in the Messianic genealogy!  Matthew 1:5.  Everything changes with redemption!  Redemption means to deliver by paying a price, to free from bondage. Take a look at the theme of redemption and Jesus Christ: 

• Matthew 20:28 - The death of Jesus Christ is the payment of the ransom for the one in bondage. 

• Col. 1:14 – Christ’s work on the cross is stated as redemption 

• Luke 2:30, 38 – (Simeon & Anna) Christ was looked to for redemption 

• Heb. 9:12 – Christ obtained redemption for us 

Redemption is key to God’s eternal purposes for mankind. 

Psalm 103:4, “He "redeemeth thy life from destruction."  This theme of REDEMPTION is dealt within the OT and NT over 150 times!  Redemption’s teaching in short: 

• Mankind is hopelessly enslaved to sin…needing another to pay the price for our freedom. 

• Christ paid mankind’s ransom with His blood 

• Ransom was paid to God, not Satan.  Satan does not have a legal claim against the sinner.  

God’s mercy & love ransoms man from God’s justice! 

How important is this “redemption plan” to God? 

• The goal of Christ’s incarnation was the redemption of man (Gal. 4:4, 5).  

• He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity." (Titus 2:14). 

•  It carried life and death consequences!  …for Christ and mankind!! 

The outcome of redemption: The price for our eternal freedom was huge.  It could never be repaid.  It was literally priceless!  So, glorify God with everything you have and everything you are. (I Cor. 6:20) 

The end picture of Redemption: Heaven.  Face to face with our Redeemer for all eternity. We will have new bodies in heaven.  Our human bodies are described in the Bible as perishable, dishonorable, and weak – all due to sin (I Cor. 15:42-53).  Our glorified bodies will be the opposite: imperishable, honorable, and powerful.  Our bodies will no longer be “natural” bodies, but they will be “spiritual” bodies.  They will be like that of Jesus’ resurrected body (John 20:19, 26; Lk. 24:39; 40-43). With that said, our bodies will no longer suffer from sickness, death, cold, heat, thirst, or hunger.  Praise God for His mighty redemption! 

Do you know your kinsman redeemer? 

3 things your kinsman redeemer must be to be the real deal: 

•  The Kinsman Redeemer must be a near kinsman 

Gal. 4:4-5 (Jesus is your kinsman redeemer) 

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” 

• The Kinsman Redeemer must be willing to redeem 

John 3:16; I Tim. 2:4, “Who will have all men to saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 

II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 

Nepalese fighters in Borneo known as Gurkhas were asked if they would be willing to jump from airplanes into combat against the Indonesians. The Gurkhas didn’t clearly understand what was involved, but they bravely said they would do it, asking only that the plane fly slowly over a swampy area and no higher than 100 feet. When they were told that the parachutes would not have time to open at that height, the Gurkhas replied, “Oh, you didn’t mention parachutes before!”  (Source: One Crowded Hour, Tim Bowden) 

No matter our resources, no matter how poor, or sinful, or rebellious we are before God…He was willing to die in our place! 

• Kinsman Redeemer must be able to redeem 

II Cor. 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 

A man in Ireland was convicted of his sin and was on the verge of trusting Christ when the devil raised the oft-repeated objection: “If you believe, it won’t last. What about tomorrow?” The worker dealing with him pointed to a water mill nearby. “What turns that wheel today?” 

“The stream.” 

“What will turn it tomorrow?” 

“The stream.” 

“And the days after?” 

“The stream.” The man was led to see that there was abundant grace to save, keep, and meet all his needs. 

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (Source: Will’s Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 10: Hebrews - James, Harold E. Will) 

He is able to deliver thee, He is able to deliver thee. Tho by sin oppressed, come to Him for rest. My God is able to deliver thee.

Have you accepted your kinsman Redeemer’s offer?  Then praise God for the One who saved you from hopelessness and helplessness!  Have you not yet found your kinsman Redeemer?  Then call out to Him today.  He is waiting for you...His gift of redemption is still offered to you today!  

Redemption: 3 Life Changing Truths to Never Forget

One of the first explorers who sailed to South America went around a cape on a stormy sea. His ship threatened to go to pieces; so he called the place the Cape of Storms. But Vasco da Gama, who came later, changed the name to the Cape of Good Hope, for he saw ahead of him the jewels and treasures of India. You can call this a life of storms if you wish. But if you can see the glorious redemption of eternity ahead of you, you can call it what it is only in Christ—a life of good hope.  (Source: the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College).

Only Jesus Christ can redeem you.  Rejoice in the glorious hope we have in Jesus!

Opportunities

The gate – Boaz has gone to where the action is.  It is also harvest season, so the other kinsman would be passing by; this was also where the court house was located. So, Boaz has now seen right where he needs to be to take actions just as he promised.

“Ho such an one” & get the leaders as well to sit.  This would indicate 10 elders would also be at this meeting.   It was a very busy harvest time, but this request for a meeting is communication to the leaders that something else important has come up. 

In a Berlin art gallery is a painting by German painter Adolf Menzel (1815-1905). However, it was only partially finished. Menzel intended to show Fredrick the Great speaking with some of his generals. So, Menzel painted generals and the background and chose to leave the king until last. Menzel was able to develop an outline of Fredrick in charcoal, but he died prior to finishing.

Many Christians come to end of life without ever having put Christ into his proper place...on the throne in their hearts.  (Source: Karl Laney, Marching Orders, p. 45.)

Boaz was in a busy harvest season; however, the business of kinsman redeemer is a higher priority for him. Where do your priorities lie?  Do they lie with your busy schedule, your long “to-do” list?  Or do they lie first with the business of redemption?

Choices

Boaz presents the choice of land needing to be redeemed (curious these men haven’t come to this need earlier. Boaz brings this to their attention. Boaz’s Uncle says yes to redeem the land.

Boaz presents the choice of redeeming Ruth as well. This additional piece of information exposes where the Uncle’s true priorities lay. the Uncle says no, because it would jeopardize his own children’s inheritance.

Think of the Uncle in this account as the one who represents the “law”.  The law cannot save us.  We can also think of Boaz as the true redeemer.  Only the true redeemer is willing and able to save!  Only the true redeemer can:

• …save from the penalty, power, and presence of sin!

• …save you from your sin because He knows all about your sin and still cannot love you any more than He does right now!

• …take your judgement in your place

• …die in your place

• …defeat sin, death, and hell in one bold move and rise from the dead

Reject the counterfeit gospel of good works (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)!  Come to Jesus and LIVE!!

Excitement

Boaz accepts the position of the kinsman redeemer.

“The Old Testament law provided a way through which an inheritance that had been lost could be redeemed through a kinsman-redeemer. If a man through poverty was forced to mortgage his property, and then was unable to meet the payment on the date of maturity of the mortgage, then the man holding the mortgage could hold the land until the year of jubilee (which came every fifty years), at which time it reverted automatically to its former owner. But before this date a kinsman-redeemer, the nearest male blood relation could go into the civil court and by payment, recover the land for his relative. If the relation had died without an heir, then it became the duty of the kinsman-redeemer to marry his widow, and raise up the name of his brother.

In completing the transaction whereby the inheritance was redeemed and Ruth became his wife, an interesting old custom was observed. The account says: "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe" (Ruth 4:1, 8). Boaz took off his sandal and gave it to the owner of the mortgage as evidence of completing his act of redemption. This custom was usual in the transfer of inheritances. (Source: Background Info from Customs and Bible Manners)

Boaz gives his shoe for the business transaction. 

• Remember, the Uncle represents the law.  The law will never get us into heaven.  Nothing is wrong with the law…something is wrong with mankind!

• Boaz has to take off his shoe because he will redeem the land and the young foreign widow. The law will never enable us to walk all over heaven…we need the one true redeemer!

Can you imagine the excitement of Boaz at this point?  Can you imagine Ruth’s last instruction (”sit still”) waiting for this uncertain situation to play out in real time?  There was no shortage of excitement that day for the kinsman redeemer redeemed the land and the young woman Ruth!  I’m sure that was a story they told their children and grandchildren the rest of their lives… “the day of redemption.”

Take time to rejoice in your day of redemption and share with someone this week!

3 Life Changing Truths to Never Forget

1.       Never Forget WHO saved you. 

It was God that sent HIS son for you (Jn. 3:16-18).  It was God who loved you.  It was God that showed His love for you while you were still an unforgiven, dirty, rotten sinner (Rms. 5:8; I. Jn. 4:10).  It was God with which you were enemies (Rms. 8:7-8)!  It was Jesus who suffered for you (Jn. 19; I Pet. 2:21; I Jn. 3:16).

2.       Never Forget WHY He saved you

God saved you from everlasting judgment in hell because He is love (I Jn. 4:8)!

God saved you from everlasting judgment in hell because He needed to satisfy His own perfect justice and continue to show His love for you. 

God saved you to offer forgiveness of sin…making possible a home in heaven through His sacrifice for you!  Simply stated?  God. Loves You.  Even after all you have done, thought, and said – Jesus loves YOU! (Rms. 5:8; I Jn. 4:19)

3.       Never forget FROM WHAT He saved you. 

God saved you from everlasting fire (Matt. 13:42; 18:8). 

God saved you from weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41-42).

God saved you from complete darkness (Matt. 8:12).

God saved you from a lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 19:20).

God saved you from eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46).

You do not deserve your sin debt to be paid in full.  You and I deserve this horrible judgment for our rebellion against God; HOWEVER, God intervened and sent His son, Jesus!

Never lose the joy of, the thankfulness for, & the motivation of your salvation – God loves you more than you can imagine.

God's Waiting Room: 3 Goals While Waiting on God

The waiting room of a doctor’s office or emergency room is usually not a place where most of us want to be spending time.  We all understand the reasons too!  First of all, we don’t like the waiting room because we are not feeling well (or a loved one is not feeling well).  No one likes to be sick.  Second of all, we don’t like the waiting room because we are anxious to hear the diagnosis and the prescribed solution.  We do not want to wait to start feeling better!  We want solutions…now!  Waiting. Is. Hard.

When I was a teenager, my family was in a car accident and we all had to go to the ER.  When we arrived, we signed in and were told to take a seat in the beloved waiting room.  We were sore, my brother had a large laceration on his back, some had stiff necks, and we were all a little shook up…but nonetheless, we waited – and waited – for our turn with a doctor. 

While we waited two elderly women came into the waiting room.  One of them told the woman behind the desk that their doctor thought her sister was having a heart attack and they needed to head off to the ER immediately.  The woman behind the desk received the information unphased.  She then pushed the clipboard towards them, asked them to sign in and have a seat in the waiting room.  After those ladies sat down, a teenage boy came through the doors with his father.  The boy was bleeding and looked like he was in significant pain.  The woman once again recited her mantra like a person working at an amusement park as a tour guide…mindlessly directing the crowds.

Outrageous!  Right?  We sometimes feel like that when we are waiting for God to work, don’t we?!  Frustrated.  Maybe resentful or angry.  Sometimes depressed or mournful…and sometimes even in pain!  We ask ourselves -- what is taking so long?!  The reality is, we truly don’t know what to do while waiting…and that is what drives us to do what we shouldn’t, while waiting on God.  Disciples of Jesus, we must understand that God’s best intentions & actions are at work – and He deserves His people to actively wait on Him.

Ruth 3:18

Ruth now had the hard job… “sit still!”  Naomi assures Ruth that Boaz will not stop until he has completed the job.  Ruth’s whole direction of life is in the balance – and she now has to wait to hear what the outcomes of Boaz’s conversation with a closer relative will be.  Hours will feel like days…and a day will feel like weeks!

Don’t miss this…Ruth’s waiting must be understood as active trust!  She cannot sit around and embrace anxiety over something she has absolutely no control over.  That would drive her crazy!  She must now trust the one true God! 

• Ruth must trust the same God that led her to Naomi back in Moab…

• The same God whom she declared would be her God…

• The same God who provided for her needs with gleaning laws that were well established well before she came on the scene…

• The same God who brought her to the fields of a near kinsman without her knowing it…

…and the same God who stirred Boaz’s heart to love her --- is the same God she continues to actively trust right now. 

Ruth has a rich, brief history of trusting the God of Israel.  This will comfort her heart to actively trust God yet again.

Disciples of Jesus — consider the history you have with the one true God.  In times of waiting on Him, rehearse His faithfulness to you. Go back to the beginning of your “God relationship timeline” …rehearse in detail the gospel. Rehearse the day you accepted God’s saving grace…be specific!

Amy Carmichael, missionary to India wrote, “Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace…If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is.”  (Ps. 46:10)

We live in an impatient society.

“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort.” G. Campbell Morgan explains what waiting for God means? (Source: The Westminster Pulpit, G. Campbell Morgan)

3 Goals for Those Waiting on the Lord

ACTIVITY:

Waiting for God means, first, activity under command.  Stay busy doing what you know God wants you to do! Stay on mission!  The following Bible verses remind us of our mission; like, gospel giving, gospel living, gospel investing, loving others, sacrificing for others, living holy lives, and doing it all for the glory of God. Matt. 28:19-20; I Jn. 3:16; 4:11; I Pet. 1:15; I Cor. 10:31

READY TO GO:

This is a readiness for any new command that may come.  Do not put your stakes too deep in the ground…always be ready to move when God makes it clear that the waiting is over. This requires a teachable spirit & a simple trust in God! (Ps. 119:66; Ps. 121:1-2; Prov. 29:25)

DISCIPLINE:

This is the ability to do nothing until the command is given. Do not take over the Holy Spirit’s position of guide. The temptation is strong to say, “This is taking too long!  Forget this – I’ll just do it my way!!”  Stay disciplined and wait for God.  You will never regret waiting on God…His timing is impeccable!   Remember during your time of chaos that God has thoughts of peace for you!  (Jer. 29:11; I Cor. 14:33)

We must trust the Lord and stand our ground when all is quiet.  The Lord is working behind the scenes!

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Stay on Mission

Be Ready to Move

Don’t rush ahead of God