Blessed by God

Numbers 6:24-26 "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." His promise, "The Lord bless you." God commanded the Old Testament Priest to pronounce this blessing upon His people. This implies God's promise to keep it. Every divine promise is built on the following strong foundations. God's justice and holiness which do not permit Him to deceive. God's grace and goodness which do not permit Him to forget. God's truth which does not permit Him to change and God's power which enables Him to accomplish it. (see Romans 4:21). He promises us His protection. "And keep you." Our protection lies not in the strength of our hold on God, but in the strength of God's hold on us. "Let me no more my comfort draw from my frail grasp on thee; In this alone rejoice with awe-Thy mighty grasp of me." His presence, "The Lord make his face shine upon you." We do not worship an impersonal ideal, a bloodless "Supreme Being," for in Christ we discover that God has a face and on that face is a smile. We must desire the Lord's presence more than the Lord's presents. The Giver is more important than any of His gifts. His personality, "And be gracious unto you." God will never let you down, He'll never let you off, and He'll never let you go. "His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto man, for out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again." His pleasure, "The Lord lift up his countenance upon you." We are privileged to proclaim the Gospel of the glory of God. We learn in the Scriptures "It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). God is no less God in the hard seasons of life. We used to sing "His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me." His peace, "And give you peace." Peace is God's gift. Man made peace, manufactured outside of God's plan, is as phony as a plastic carnation. Samson thought he found peace sleeping in the lap of Delilah, but he awoke to reality (Judges 16:19). What is peace? It is calmness when the trails press, it's a confidence that God knows best, it's a gentleness that's unperturbed, it's a quiet trust as on we plod, it's a sweet reliance on our God. Are you receiving God's blessings today? Receiving His blessings begins with receiving Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Quotes to Ponder

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from the evil one" (II Thessalonians 3:3). Have you ever had someone promise you something, you believed them with all your heart and they didn't keep their promise? If you have lived very long at all, that has happened to you. However there is One who will not let you down, He is "Faithful", He keeps his Word, He is still to be believed in, as One Who is faithful to His promises (I Thess. 5:24). God will establish us and keep us from the evil one. We will comes under attack but in Christ we will come through the attack victorious. Have you noticed Paul seemed to live under attack. At the time Paul penned the above verse he was under attack, but he turns his attention to his readers in order to express his assurance of their being established in the faith, and their preservation from the evil one. When we are under attack we need to pray for others that would do tremendous damage to Satan's kingdom. I would encourage you to have some prayer targets ready, and when the enemy attacks you go to prayer. The enemies of the cross are real, the church has come under their scourge in every generation. Many unbelievers are content to simply ignore the gospel, and tolerate those who love the Lord. However there are unreasonable and violent individuals who are driven to persecute those who claim the name of Jesus. Paul himself was just one of those individuals who persecuted the church. Yet God in His mercy saved him and used him to write over half of the New Testament. As humans we tend to place our affections on the wrong things. We are driven by what we love, and we are prone to love idols. John Calvin said "The heart is a factory that makes idols." God desires to keep us from the evil one. He will reveal the hidden things in our hearts if we ask Him to bring everything that is hidden to light. The enemy is quick to work through open doors we give him through unrepentant sin in our lives. We read "Be angry and sin not, don't let the sun go down on your wrath, neither give place to the devil." The Greek word place is "Topos." We get the word topography or ground from this word. Unresolved anger and bitterness gives "Ground" to the devil. As we progress in our relationship with Jesus He will make clear to us those things that hinder our walk with Him. God will be faithful to bring up a cherished sin, a point of pride, a wrong attitude or something in our lives that is stunting our spiritual growth. This is our time for repentance and tearing down idols. This is part of God's plan to establish us in the faith. You can be rest assured He is doing His part, are you doing your part? Below are some quotes that are worth pondering. Enjoy. "Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to Heaven." - Samuel Rutherford "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." - Abraham Lincoln "We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to learn that it is God shaking them." - Charles West "A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." - John Shedd "The next time you are called to suffer, pay attention. It may be the closest you'll ever get to God." - Max Lucado "If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?" - Stephen Levine. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Cheap Grace

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (I John 2:1) Have you ever met a "Christian" who claimed they didn't sin? I know a fellow who said he had not sinned in 20 years. One day he backed into a persons' car in a parking lot. He drove away from the damaged vehicle without leaving a note. Several days later, he admitted to himself "That was sin." He blew a 20 year no sinning streak. The truth is this gentleman had been very boastful and arrogant about his "Sinlessness". He constantly ridiculed his wife and was critical of his children. He was living in a fantasy world and the only person he was fooling was himself. Many believer practice "Cheap grace" this means they live as though God ignores or condones their sins. However Scriptural forgiveness is real, that means our sin is real and must be dealt with. We can't ignore it, we can't deny it, that's not grace, its a lie. Cheap grace means living without the demand of obedience upon us. When we disregard obedience to God then nothing can be labeled as "Sinful". No act is clearly right or wrong, this means there is no need of forgiveness. In the verse above John reminds us that we fall short of keeping God's commands. He also reminds us that where there is forgiveness available, it follows that certain actions whether thoughts, words or deeds, can be dealt with only when one confesses and is forgiven (I John 1:9-10). Cheap grace is grace minus obedience, which in essence is no grace at all. In this passage John is casting a glance at those who have left the church, for they undoubtedly claimed to know God. He is saying here that obedience is the manifestation or evidence of knowing God. Obeying God's commands does not require perfect obedience, if by perfect we mean living without sinning. Obedience points to the consistency of our discipleship, not to individual acts taken in isolation. Obedience is our response to a living God and not a check list of rules. God gives us the direction of obedience, its "Walking in the light," as striving to conform our character to that of God. Knowledge of God always expresses itself in obedience, and obedience is always measured by concrete actions. Jesus' obedience was made manifest in the ultimate sacrifice of His life on the cross. The child who knows his parents well also knows their expectations well. The child who loves and respects her parents, honors their expectations. The idea that knowledge of God expresses itself in obedience has its roots in the Old Testament. The prophets especially spoke of knowing God, though more often they rebuked the people for not knowing God (Jer. 9:6). A lack of knowing God did not imply intellectual inadequacy, but rather moral failure to a lack of faithfulness and obedience. Are you walking with the Lord in the light of His Word? Are you obeying the light He gives you? In discipleship nearness is likeness, are you walking close enough to Him that His character is beginning to rub off on you? Have you learned that grace isn't cheap? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Running to Win

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). I had a professor in Seminary who would say "Its always to soon to quit." Those words were spoken in a time when the average stay of a pastor was under two years. The above passage says the same thing, Don't quit, its too soon to quit, persevere, keep on keeping on. The Lord is telling us to stay confident in Him. Things don't have to go our way, we can be assured they are going His way. That's what really matters in the end. We find real comfort in the Lord's command to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Prov. 3:5). The word "Trust" means to fall flat on your face before. The word indicates a total trust which would not in anyway rely on self, resources, other people, or cleaver schemes. Our trust is to be in Him alone. When we fall flat on our face before Him we are saying I surrender everything to You. I give you total control of my life, my future, my finances, my relationships, my possessions, my health, and every other aspect of my life. Then watch Him work, for its all about Him. He is God and I am not. Ya know, I can write about this a whole lot easier than I can live it. That is why I need to actively do things that will keep me close to the Lord. Like what things you may ask? Well like prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with other believers, attending church, and obeying God. He never moves over but I have a tendency to do so. The song writer said "Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love." In His grace He is faithful to keep on calling me back to fellowship with Himself. I will be the first to acknowledge that it can be hard to stay focused when life begins to crumble. Staying confident when it seem like our life dreams have evaporated can really be tough. Those are the times we must pray for strength, and exercise faith in the God who is too wise to make a mistake. These times are designed by Him to deepen our dependency and strengthen our resolve to follow Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Do You Glory or Growl

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). The Christian life is not made up of pie in the sky platitudes which have little or no meaning in the real world. When we are told to "Rejoice in our sufferings." we can indeed rejoice in our sufferings. The rejoicing is not considered in the sufferings themselves but in their effects. One effect of suffering is patience. Patience is the habit of endurance, and Christian patience implies submission to the will of God (James 1:3). As we grow spiritually we come to realize that sufferings themselves are an honor and blessing. This idea is often expressed in the Scriptures. Our Lord says, "Blessed are those who mourn" (Matt. 5:4). "Blessed are those who are persecuted" (Matt. 5:10). The apostles left the Jewish council "rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name" (Acts 5:41). Peter calls on believers to rejoice when they participate in Christ's sufferings and pronounces them happy when they are insulted for his sake (I Peter 4:13,14). And Paul says, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" (that is, my sufferings). "For Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses," he says, "In insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties' (II Cor. 12: 9-10). This is not irrational or fanatical. We do not glory in suffering as such, or for its own sake, but because of what the Bible teaches. We are to consider it an honor to suffer for our Lord. We rejoice in being given the opportunity of showing His power in our support and deliverance. Suffering is one means of our sanctification and preparation for usefulness here and for heaven hereafter. A Biblical attitude toward suffering really sets the Christian apart from the world. The power to rejoice comes from omnipotent grace that we receive by trusting in God's promises. "Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality." The "Grace of God" was given to them. That grace produced an indomitable joy in a great test of affliction. And that joy in affliction overflowed in love. Grace doesn't work like magic, it works through truth. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free from complaining and from a critical spirit. Paul never asked us to be stoical about suffering. However the pressures of life have a way of developing endurance in us, and this endurance can be exercised only when we are placed under pressure. The very trails we so dread are used by God to strengthen us. Paul is not saying we should merely pretend to be happy. Christianity is never phony. When it come to suffering do you glory or growl? Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

On Fire For God

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ( Phil. 3:13-14).Paul says he is determined to "Press on toward the goal." To press gives us the picture of going on the track of something, like the hounds pursuing the fox. This was his lifelong commitment, it gripped his heart and guided his life. David Livingstone, pioneer medical missionary to Africa upon returning to Great Britain was asked, "Where do you want to go now?" Without hesitation, like the good Christian pioneer he was, Livingstone replied "I am ready to go anywhere provided it be forward." When we speak of our acceptance with God, we are complete in Christ, as soon as we believe. The work of Christ on our behalf is has been finished, but the work of the Holy Spirit in us is not complete. The work of the Holy Spirit goes on from day by day. The Scriptures speak of our new birth lives in the context of progress. Nearly every term used to describe the believer speaks of growth and change. We are plants in the Lord's field, but we are sown so we may grow. We are born into the family of God, where there are babes, little children, etc. We are pilgrims, warriors, wrestlers. These terms connote the very opposite of idleness. Here are a few quotes on zeal that might stimulate us to ponder what it means in our personal life to truly press on toward the goal."It's easier to cool down a fanatic than warm up a corpse." Brother Andrew"Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God." William Carey" As well a chariot without its steeds, a sun without its beams, a heaven without its joy, as a man of God without zeal." C.H. Spurgeon"I cared not when or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could gain souls for Christ." David Brained"It is better to wear out than to rust out." Richard Cumberland"A zealous man in religion is a man of one thing. He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God." J.C. RyleWe need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers, when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God." Vance Havner" One live coal may set a whole stack on fire." John TrappGet on fire for God and men will come and see you burn." John WesleyO Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian." George Whitefield"Zeal is like fire; in the chimney it is one of the best servants, but out of the chimney it is one of the worst masters." Thomas Brooks The church of Jesus Christ needs to take a hard look at what she is reading and singing. There has been quite a bit of trite fluff (as well as some great books and songs) produced in recent years. Certainly we need books and songs that lift up our Lord and glorify Him. We also need songs and Christian books that speak of total surrender, humility, repentance, sacrifice and fervent prayer. We need to sing and talk about holiness, the fullness of the Holy Spirit and Christian love. We so often live shallow Christian lives, and wonder why we are always in spiritual crisis. Could it be due to our retarded spiritual growth? Maybe we have forgotten that the prize is Christ likeness. We must remember the works that assure maximum productivity in Christ. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5). The year was 1023, and the competing track teams of Scotland and France were neck and neck. But among the events remaining was the 440. As the runners, clad in traditional 1920s white, came to the first turn, they were bunched tight, shoulder to shoulder, when one of them was pushed to the ground and off the track. For a second he was down, and then up again, running (though twenty meters behind), his knees high, his head back, flying. As the leaders sprinted toward the finish line, he emerged ahead to win. It was a famous win, immortalized in the movie Chariots of Fire. What would most runners have done? Most would have waved a fist, dusted themselves off, and watched the outcome. Perhaps there would have been a few words exchanged after the race. But the athlete in question was beyond the ordinary. It was as if he had been reading this passage "Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I focus all my energy on the race; and seeing the goal, I fly to the finish." (Hughes, R. K: The Fellowship of the Gospel. Crossway Books). Years ago, a group of Englishmen tried to conquer Mt. Everest. They pressed on against cold, wind, blizzards, and avalanches. when they came within 2,000 feet of the peak, they set up camp. Two men, Mallory and Irvine, eagerly pressed on, expecting to return in about 16 hours. They never returned. The official record said simply" "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit." Whatever the obstacles in our lives, let's keep pressing on. At life's end, may it be said of each one of us "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit." When the pressure is on, press on. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Finish the Job

Have you ever had a huge project to do and do you remember how great you felt when it was completed? Years ago I had the privilege of starting a church. We as a church body were given several acres of prime land and I became the general contractor for the new church building. I remember the excitement of helping with the construction of that new building. And I well remember the joy of completing the job. Jesus came to earth to do the work of the Father. This work included His death on the cross. In His Great High Priestly prayer Jesus said "I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do" (John 17:4). Jesus completed every task the Father told him to do in His earthly ministry. Jesus said He brought "Glory" to the Father by completing the work the Father had given Him to do. Paul comments on our life after salvation when he wrote "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". (Ephesians 2:10). We, like Christ glorify our Father when we obediently do the good works He has prepared for us. We don't have to read the Bible very long before many of these good works come to light. We are to "love God and our neighbor". We are to "Do good unto all people, especially those of the household of faith" . We are to "Give to the poor and care for widows and orphans". As we walk in fellowship with the Lord, He will open our spiritual eyes and show us what He wants us to do. We all have an important place of service in His Church. We as Christians should be actively involved in a solid Bible teaching local church. We must develop a consistent prayer life, read the Bible and meditate on the Scriptures. We will find that knowing the Lord's will comes easy when we are walking in intimate fellowship with Him. I don't believe it's hard to miss the will of God, I believe its impossible to miss His will when we are seeking Him. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.