There Is Only One Good News

Galatians 1

6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.

10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

So many people hear the Good News and then leave for a denominational church. It boggles my mind. How can anyone who has heard the Whole Gospel then settle for a partial gospel? I have dear friends who have done this. They leave because they like the music over here better, or because there is some non-essential that is being taught that better suits their tastes. I know that my saying these things won’t make some people including some friends very happy, but I am not trying to win the approval of people. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. May I please the Lord always by preaching and teaching the One True Gospel.

Salvation is Here

Isaiah 12

1 In that day you will sing:

“I will praise you, O Lord!

You were angry with me, but not any more.

Now you comfort me.

2 See, God has come to save me.

I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The Lord God is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.”

Much of what we have read so far in Isaiah is quite frankly depressing. Judah and Israel have both gone far astray, and God’s wrath is pouring down upon them. God’s people have prostituted themselves with idol worship, and have rejected the One True God. Isaiah has been given the unenviable task of telling those stubborn people what awaits them at the Hand of God. However, even in the midst of “lowering the boom,” Isaiah finds time for praise because he knows that God’s Salvation is coming. Even when times look dark and foreboding, I will praise my Lord because Salvation is Here!

Praise God No Matter What

Psalm 56

1 O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

3 But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4 I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

David wrote this psalm when the Philistines had seized him at Gath. In the midst of having been seized by his enemies, David praises God! What an awesome reminder following the sermon we heard from Ernie Miller at VCC today about the need for us to praise God in all circumstances. No matter what!

Don't think like everyone else

Isaiah 8

11 The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does.

On this September 11th, I am reminded that God has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. On this day, when America remembers the worst terrorist attack in this nation’s history, I also want to remember that the attack of the evil one is relentless. I do not want to lower my guard, even for one second. God is good, and He is doing great things (as witnessed by two more baptisms for VCC today). Even so, satan prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. May I never let up in my warning to other Christ followers to stay alert. May I never cease to give God praise, to call upon the Name of the Lord, and to be faithful to His call upon my life. May I never be found guilty of thinking like everyone else does, but instead, may my thoughts be the thoughts of God, and God alone!

Send Me

Isaiah 6

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

May this be the attitude of my heart always. Lord, send me where You want me to go to spread Your message to those You want to hear it. I am Yours, oh God, so do with me as You see fit.

Not Swayed By Foolishness of this Word

Isaiah 5

20 What sorrow for those who say

that evil is good and good is evil,

that dark is light and light is dark,

that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes

and think themselves so clever.

Psalm 53

1 Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

These passages mirror one another in sentiment this morning. So many foolish people out there who think they have it all figured out. They think themselves so clever, when in reality they are simply fools! May I never be swayed by them, and may I keep my eyes focused on Christ always. May I shine the light of Jesus in a community darkened by sin, and may people who are around me for any length of time see the love of Jesus working in and through my life.

No Matter What

Psalm 52

9 I will praise you forever, O God,

for what you have done.

I will trust in your good name

in the presence of your faithful people.

No matter what! Psalm 52 is filled with lots of stuff that isn’t exactly of the praise variety, but it ends with verse 9 doing just that: praising God. I will praise God no matter what. It doesn’t matter what circumstances I may find myself in. It doesn’t matter who the people I am with, what matters is that my life is lived out in such a manner as to give God praise always. There are plenty of good times, and not-so-good times in this life, but God is good. All the time. He is worthy of my praise both with my lips and with my life!