Category: Busyness

Prepare for Reward in Heaven

6/16/2019

I wake up and look at my phone checking emails, sports scores and news. Before I know it, I’m obsessed with my “to-do” list. My mind becomes cluttered with scheduled meetings, family obligations, errands to run, and people to call or visit. Unfortunately, this describes some days.

We grow up consumed with efficiency. We crowd many activities into a day. If we aren’t careful, it’s tempting to equate multitasking and busyness with success. Marriages break up when a spouse makes family second to work and personal accomplishments.

Our busyness not only hurts us physically, mentally, and emotionally, but also spiritually. It weakens physical health, robs the soul of peace, and prevents ministry to others. More importantly, we lose reward in heaven. Let’s look at Luke 6 for perspective and a way out of this treadmill.

1. Believe in Sabbath rest for refreshment
The Pharisees questioned why Jesus and His disciples picked and ate grain that violated he Sabbath. Jesus said when David and his companions were hungry, they ate consecrated bread reserved for priests alone. "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"
(Luke 6:1-5). God designed the Sabbath for physical and spiritual refreshment.

2. Use rest to be equipped for ministry
When Jesus healed a man to restore his withered hand, He said to the Pharisees, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?" (Luke 6:6-11). God designed the Sabbath for ministry in helping others.

3. Spend extended time with God for strategic impact
Jesus spent a whole night on the mountain praying to God. He chose twelve to be His apostles. Many disciples and people were healed of their diseases and unclean spirits (Luke 6:12-19). Spend much time in prayer for effective healing ministries.

4. Employ humble attitudes for reward in heaven
Jesus said to be poor, hungry, and weep to experience the kingdom of God, satisfaction, and laughter. People received great reward in heaven when men hated, ostracized, cast insults and spurned their name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man (Luke 6:20-26). Embrace humility, endure lack of earthly resources, and tolerate insults because of your faith to experience God’s kingdom and reward in heaven.

5. Show mercy to difficult people for reward in heaven
Love enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, and treat others the way you want to be treated for great reward in heaven as sons of the Most High. Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Don't judge or condemn, but pardon. Give and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:27-38). Show mercy and kindness to difficult people who mistreat you.

6. Speak from a God-centered heart
A blind man can't guide a blind man. Take the log out of your own eye so you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Good trees produce good fruit. Bad trees produce bad fruit. A man speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:39-45). Good speech flows from a heart reconciled to God.

7. Ground yourself in God’s word
Everyone who comes to God, hears His words, and acts upon them is like a man who builds his house upon the rock. It's able to withstand floods. The one who didn't act upon God's word is like a man whose house collapsed and suffered ruin without a foundation (Luke 6:46-49). Obey God's word to stay grounded in life’s storms.

Action Steps:
1. Set a time each day to unwind from the busyness of life. Get out of the house, take a walk, or spend time in a park away from your cell phone, computer and technology to hear God speak to you.

2. Make it daily habit so this time becomes the highlight of your day.

3. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you for ministry to others.

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How to Regain Purpose and Hope

4/29/2019

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Our mission agency, Christ For the City Int’l, spent a day serving during our bi-annual board meetings. During lunch, I sat down next to a man eating alone. I asked, “How’s your day going?”

After an awkward pause, he opened up. I sensed a melancholy spirit. He said his wife of 34 years died in his arms four years ago. She was the love of his life with a “beautiful spirit inside and out.”

This man turned to alcohol and his life spiraled out of control. He remarried, but temporarily lost touch with his second wife. I prayed out loud. Tears seeped out of his eyes. This man once had been a deacon in an evangelical church, but now seemed to have lost all hope.

How do we lose purpose and hope? How do we regain it?

We find a clue in Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness, mentioned three times (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-12). He was led by the Spirit and tempted by the devil. The first was self-gratification (lust of the flesh). If you’re the Son of God, meet the physical need by turning stones into bread. Jesus, like us, need God’s word to withstand the temptation (Matthew 4:1-4).

The second temptation was self-promotion (lust of the eyes). The devil had Jesus stand on the highest point of the temple and throw Himself down. The devil twisted Scripture. Jesus said not to put God to the test (Matthew 4:5-7).

The third temptation was self-exaltation (boastful pride of life). The devil showed all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor so Jesus would worship him. Jesus said to worship and serve God only (Matthew 4:8-11).

Before the temptations, Jesus had a mountain top experience--heaven was opened, saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and heard an affirming voice of unconditional love from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17). When things go well and you feel blessed, beware the devil will blast you with chaos, confusion, and criticism.

After the temptations, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Jesus told Peter. Andrew, James, and John to follow Him to become fishers of men. (Matthew 4:17-22). The devil doesn’t want you to share the gospel or disciple others.

On the encouraging side, angels, ministering spirits to serve believers, helped Jesus and will attend to you (Mark 1:12-13; Hebrews 1:14).

If we resist temptation, share our faith and begin discipling others, evil forces will come against us. We must walk in Christ’s authority and drive out evil spirits (Mark 1:21-28).

Because we’re in a spiritual battle, we must fight with the spiritual weapons of prayer and God’s word.

It’s important we follow the example of Jesus and pray, preferably early in the morning (Mark 1:35).

The devil is crafty and leaves us until an opportune time. He knows our weaknesses. In Jesus’ case, everyone praised Him as the word got around (Luke 4:13-15). Seeking the praise of others may prevent us from sharing the gospel and discipling others.

Don’t love the world, which include the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and boastful pride of life. Those who do God’s will live forever (1 John 2:15-17).

The greatest purpose and hope we have in life are to follow Jesus in catching men for Him.

To read past blogs, go to https://www.markpomeroy.com/

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How to Reign with Christ and Shepherd the Nations (Insights in NT)

6/11/2013

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A person reigns with Christ and shepherds the nations by:
1. Walk in Christ's love doing first works
2. Endure suffering, poverty and persecution
3. Obey teaching from whole counsel of God
4. Be pure without compromise or idolatry
5. Walk in Christ's victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence
6. Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God
7. Listen to Jesus' voice for zealous service and fervent prayer

Walk in Christ's Love Doing First Works for Real Living
Christ knew the deeds, hard work and perseverance of the church in Ephesus. It could not tolerate wicked men and tested those who claimed to be apostles that were found false. They did not grow weary enduring hardships for His name. They must repent of forsaking their first love and do the things they did at first. Otherwise, Christ would remove the lampstand from its place if they did not repent. He was pleased they hated the practices of the Nicolaitans. By overcoming, He would give the right to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God (Rev. 2:1-7). Walk in Christ's love doing works you did at first for real living.

Endure Suffering, Poverty and Persecution to Receive Crown of Life
Christ considered Smyrna rich in their afflictions and poverty. He knew the slander of a synagogue of Satan who said they were Jews, but were not. Christ told them not to fear suffering as the devil would put some in prison to be tested and persecuted for ten days. He would give them the crown of life if they were faithful, even to death. Those who overcame would not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:8-11). Endure suffering, poverty and persecution to receive the crown of life.

Obey Teaching From Whole Counsel of God to Receive Provision and Blessing
Christ knew Pergamum lived where Satan had his throne, yet remained true to His name without renouncing their faith. They were to repent because some held the teaching of the Nicolaitans and others held to Balaam's teaching who taught Balak to entice Israel to sin by eating foods sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. He would fight against them with the sword of His mouth. Those who overcame would be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who received it (Rev. 2:12-17). Obey teaching from whole counsel of God to receive provision and blessing.

Be Pure Without Compromise and Idolatry for Reigning and Shepherding to Receive Christ as Reward
Christ knew Thyatira's deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. Their later works were greater than those done at first. However, they tolerated Jezebel who misled His servants into sexual immorality and eating foods sacrificed to idols. Because she was unwilling to repent of her immorality, Christ put her on a bed of suffering. Those who committed adultery with her would suffer intensely unless they repented of her ways. Others who did not hold onto her teaching or learned Satan's deep secrets would have no other burden. Those who overcame and did His will to the end would have authority over the nations by ruling with an iron scepter and given the morning star (Rev. 2:18-29). Be pure without compromise or idolatry for reigning with Him and shepherding the nations to receive Christ as your reward.

Walk in Christ's Victory to Overcome Busyness and Over-Confidence for His Acceptance
Christ knew Sardis' deeds and their reputation of being alive, but really dead. He commanded them to wake up and strengthen what remained and near death for their deeds were not found complete in God's sight. They were to obey and repent after remembering what they received and heard. If they did not wake up, He would come like a thief. A few worthy people did not soil their clothes and walked with Him. Overcomers were dressed in white with their names never erased from the book of life. Christ would acknowledge His name before His Father and angels (Rev. 3:1-6). Walk in Christ's victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence for His acceptance.

Embrace Evangelistic Opportunities Relying On God to Gain Stability and Honor
What Jesus opened no one could shut and what He shut no one could open. He placed an open door before them that no one could shut. He knew they had little strength, but they kept His word and did not deny His name. He made those of Satan's synagogue who claimed to be Jews but lied to fall down at their feet and acknowledge God loved them. Because they kept His command to endure patiently, He kept them from the hour of trial to test those on the earth. Because He was coming soon, they were to hold on to what they had so no one would take their crown. He made overcomers a pillar in His temple and wrote on them God's name and the name of the city of His God, the new Jerusalem, which would come down out of heaven from Him. He would write on him His new name (Rev. 3:7-13).
Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God to gain stability and honor from Him.

Listen to Jesus' Voice for Zealous Service and Fervent Prayer to Sit on His Throne
Christ knew that since Laodicea's deeds were neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, He would spit them out of His mouth. By acquiring wealth, they considered themselves rich without needs. Christ said they failed to realize their wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked state. He counseled them to buy from Him gold refined in fire to become rich, white clothes to wear so they could cover their shameful nakedness and eye salve so they could see. Because Christ rebuked and disciplined those He loved, they should be earnest and repent. If anyone heard His voice and opened the door, He would go in and eat with him and he with Him. Overcomes had the right to sit with Christ on His throne like He did with His Father on His throne (Rev. 3:14-22). Listen to Jesus' voice for zealous service and fervent prayer so you can sit on His throne.

Ask God to enable you to reign with Christ and shepherd the nations as you walk in Christ's love, endure suffering, be pure, walk in His victory, embrace evangelistic opportunities and listen to His voice for zealous service and fervent prayer.

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Contend Earnestly for the Faith (Insights in NT)

6/7/2013

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Those who contend earnestly for the faith do not turn God's grace into license of immorality, submit to God's authority, wary of people serving themselves and seeking personal advantage, remember that scoffers cause divisions, build their holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and minister to doubters, deceived and corrupted for His glory.

Contend Earnestly for the Faith
Jude urged them to contend for the faith entrusted to believers because certain condemned and godless men secretly slipped in among them. They changed God's grace into a license for immorality and denied Jesus Christ as Sovereign and Lord. He reminded them that the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt and destroyed those who did not believe. He bound angels in eternal chains for judgment who abandoned their positions of authority. Sodom and Gomorrah served as an example of suffering eternal fire because of sexual immorality and perversion (Jude 1-7). Contend earnestly for the faith and do not turn God's grace into license for immorality.

Submit to God's Authority Rejecting Deadness, Profiteering and Covetousness
Dreamers polluted their bodies, rejected authority and slandered heavenly beings. The archangel Michael said, "The Lord rebuke you," when he disputed with the devil about Moses' body. Like unreasoning animals, these things destroyed men who spoke abusively against whatever they did not understand. They took the way of Cain, rushed for profit into Balaam's error and destroyed in Korah's rebellion (Jude 8-11). Submit to God's authority rejecting dead religion, profiteering and covetousness.

Wary of People Serving Themselves and Constantly Busy
As blemishes in their love feasts, they were shepherds who fed themselves, clouds without rain blown along by the wind, and twice-dead, uprooted autumn trees without fruit. They were wild waves of the sea foaming up their shame and wandering stars for whom the blackest darkness had been reserved forever (Jude 12-13). Beware of people serving themselves who seek fads, constantly busy and spiritually dead on their way to hell.

Know God Judges Those Seeking Personal Advantage
Enoch prophesied that the Lord was coming with thousands of His holy ones to judge and convict all ungodly acts and harsh words ungodly sinners spoke against Him. There men were grumblers and faultfinders who followed their evil desires. They boasted about themselves and flattered others for their own advantage (Jude 14-16). Know God judges grumbling, faultfinding, boasting and flattery seeking personal advantage.

Remember Scoffers Cause Divisions
Remember that the apostles foretold scoffers who followed their own ungodly desires in the last days. They divided them by following their natural instincts without the Spirit (Jude 17-19). Remember scoffers who follow their instincts without the Holy Spirit cause divisions.

Build Your Holy Faith and Pray in Holy Spirit
They should build themselves in their most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. They kept themselves in God's love and waited for the mercy of their Lord Jesus Christ bringing eternal life (Jude 20-21). Build your holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit and stay in God's love waiting for Christ's mercy to eternal life.

Minister to Doubters, Deceived and Corrupted
They showed mercy to the doubting, snatched and saved others from the fire, and showed mercy mixed with fear hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. God kept them from falling and presented them before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy for His glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ their Lord (Jude 22-25). Minister appropriately to doubters, deceived and corrupted for God's glory.

Answer the following questions to determine if you are contending earnestly for the faith:
1. Are you studying God's word so you don't turn His grace into license for immorality?
2. Do you submit to God's authority rejecting dead religion, profiteering land covetousness?
3. Do you serve others and busy in God's kingdom program?
4. Do you avoid grumbling and faultfinding that seek personal advantage?
5. Do you pursue unity working the power of the Holy Spirit?
6. Are you building your holy faith by meditating in God's word, praying in the Holy Spirit and staying in God's love?
7. Are you ministering appropriately to doubters, deceived and corrupted people?

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Are You Living in the Mask of the False Self? (Insights in NT)

9/18/2011

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Are you living in the mask of the false self? Think about the difference between the false and true self. The false self seeks security and significance by what it HAS, what it DOES and what others THINK of it. It finds its identity in the self it portrays to others through performance. One achieves this identity by pretense and is maintained through its own effort and control. The false self wears a mask so no one can see the "real you." Jesus' modeled the true self beginning with His first miracle in the wedding feast of Cana.

The true self seeks security and significance by being deeply loved by God. Its fulfillment is found by surrender to God. Identity comes from who it is and what it is becoming-in Christ. Instead of its own efforts and control, it is maintained by grace.

Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana. When Jesus' mother said the wine was gone, He replied His hour hadn't come yet. Jesus told the servants to fill the waterpots with water, draw some out and take it to the headwaiter. He learned the water became wine after tasting it. The headwaiter said to the bridegroom that every man serves the good wine first but he kept the good wine until now. This was Jesus' first sign where He manifested His glory and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:1-11). Those who experience Jesus' resurrection power reject performance and instead follow His instructions and see miracles in the ordinary events of life.

Jesus stayed a few days with His mother, brothers and disciples in Capernaum (John 2:12). Those who experience Jesus' resurrection power reject busyness and instead pursue a quality relationship with Him.

Jesus drove out the animals and money-changers seated in the temple during Passover in Jerusalem. He poured out the coins, overturned the tables and told those selling the doves to stop making His Father's house a house of merchandise. His disciples remembered it was written, "Zeal for Thy house will consume Me." When the Jews asked for a sign showing He did these things, Jesus said "destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews said the temple took 46 years to build and wondered how Jesus would raise it up in three days. Knowing He spoke of His body being the temple, His disciples believed the Scripture when Jesus was raised from the dead (John 2:13-22). Those who experience Jesus' resurrection power reject personal agendas and instead have concern for the poor and His kingdom purposes.

Many believed in Jesus' name by seeing His signs at the Passover. He didn't entrust Himself to them for He knew all men. Jesus didn't need anyone to bear witness concerning man because He knew what was in man (John 2:23-25). Those who experience Jesus' resurrection power reject unrealistic expectations and instead set realistic boundaries.

Answer the following questions to determine if you operating in Holy Spirit power of the true self or in the flesh of the false self:
1. Are you spiritually open, aware, "connected", receptive (true self) and growing or are you spiritually unaware, skeptical, closed, scornful and uninterested (false self)?
2. Are you genuine, honest, open and direct (true self) or dishonest, indirect, sly and controlling (false self)?
3. Are you compassionate, kind and forgiving (true self) or blaming, critical and bigoted (false self)?
4. Are you able to judge who to distrust and to trust with what (true self) or have difficulty discerning who to trust with what (false self)?

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Prepare for Reward in Heaven

How to Regain Purpose and Hope

How to Reign with Christ and Shepherd the Nations (Insights in NT)

Contend Earnestly for the Faith (Insights in NT)

Are You Living in the Mask of the False Self? (Insights in NT)

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