No “Accidents” / Only “Incidents”

There are no “accidents” in the lives of Christians, only “incidents.” They are designed to give us an opportunity to display before other believers and non-believers the “Fruit of the Spirit” which is Christlikeness (Galatians 5:22, 23). Question – will we pass or fail the test that is given to us? Will we demonstrate our “agape” love for God and earn “The Crown of Life” (James 1:12)?

James, the Lord’s half-brother (Matthew 13:35), wrote these words to Jewish Christians who were experiencing severe hardships and trials in life (James 1). The Apostle Paul wrote, “…all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said, “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2). But such suffering is not worth comparing to the glory that shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Since we who are Gentile Christians are one with Jewish Christians (Galatians 3:28, 29), we can apply these words to ourselves too (Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). BTW – The Church has NOT replaced Israel. God is not finished with the Jewish nation. (See 1 Corinthians 10:32; Romans 11). [1]

Profiting from Trials

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Perspective of Rich and Poor

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Loving God Under Trials

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin [lawlessness – 1 John 3:4]; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Qualities Needed in Trials

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Doers—Not Hearers Only

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Lessons

What valuable lessons do you believe God is trying to teach you through your trials? Write them down on a sheet of paper or in your journal. Share them with a few people to encourage and edify them (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Let God develop His character (the “Fruit of the Spirit”) through you so others can learn more about your God. This is a way for believers to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Help

We’re here to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] Replacement Theology – https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html

Gospel – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/the-bad-news-the-good-news/

Scripture taken from the New King James Version

Copyright c. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

My Shameful Past

When the devil reminds me of my sins (lawless behavior) and SHAMEFUL PAST, I remind him of his PAINFUL FUTURE in the lake of fire forever (Matthew 25:41).

“Everyone is a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.” – Mark Twain. Think about that. Isn’t it true of you? It is of me. But God, Who is omniscient, knows everything about us and nothing is hidden from Him (Isaiah 46:10; John 2:24, 25). And yet He loved us (John 3:16).

My friend, you and I don’t have to join the devil in the lake of fire. We can be judicially forgiven when we place our faith and trust in Christ alone, Who died for our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). If you’ve never done this, believe on Him now. “Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1; See James 4:14). There are no more opportunities to be saved from the lake of fire once you’re dead. No reincarnation either.

We are NOT saved by our good works, or by our faith PLUS our good works lest we should boast (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5). Man’s religions require good works for salvation.

Once we’ve been saved and received God’s gift of eternal life / God’s quality of life (John 1:12; 3:16, 5:24)), we can begin to do good works for the glory of God and for the good of others (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 6:10).

By our good works we demonstrate to others that we belong to God and are a part of His family rather than the devil’s family (James 1:22; 2:18-20; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8-10). If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If not, why?

I, like many others, am very thankful for the words to this song:

Calvary covers it all,
My past with its sin and stain;
My guilt and despair
Jesus took on Him there,
And Calvary covers it all. [1]

By Ethel Taylor

The Apostle John wrote, “My little children [Christians], these things I write to you, so that you may not [keep on sinning]. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation (satisfaction) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (1 John 2:1, 2).

We, as Christians, don’t have to keep on sinning (acting lawlessly). God has “made a way of escape” for His children so we don’t yield to sinful temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). We can live victoriously over our three spiritual enemies: the devil, the present world system, and our own sin natures. Learn more below. [2]

Sinners, Saved By Grace

Even though you’ve been saved, do you sometimes feel like God couldn’t possibly use you because you continue to sin periodically? Remember:

~ Noah was a drunk

~ Abraham was too old

~ Isaac was a daydreamer

~ Jacob was a liar

~ Leah was ugly

~ Joseph was abused

~ Moses had a stuttering problem 

~ Gideon was afraid

~ Samson had long hair and was a womanizer

~ Rahab was a prostitute

~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young

~ David was an adulterer and a murderer

~ Elijah was suicidal

~ Isaiah preached naked

~ Jonah ran from God

~ Naomi was a widow

~ Job went bankrupt

~ John the Baptist ate bugs

~ Peter denied Christ

~ The disciples fell asleep while praying

~ Martha worried about everything

~ The Samaritan woman was divorced (more than once)

~ Zacchaeus was too small

~ Paul was too religious

~ Timothy had an ulcer

~ Lazarus was dead!

When we sin as Christians, we need to confess our sins to God our Father, and then claim His family forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13). We don’t lose our salvation when we sin (John 10:28, 29; Philippians 1:6); We lose our family fellowship (1 John 1:6, 7).

With God’s help, let’s become F.A.T.F.R.E.E. Christians. Take the test. (Click below.) [3]

We’ll only be here for just a little while longer (2 Timothy 4:6; James 4:14; 2 Peter 1:12-15) to assist those who are teachable, willing to change, and grow (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). Contact us if you have questions and/or comments. Please let us know if this or other articles or talks have helped you. We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

Other articles, which may be of interest to you, can be found at www.kelseypeach.wordpress.com. Some of our talks can be found on Youtube or on our Facebook page.

[1] Calvary Covers It All https://wordwisehymns.com/2013/06/19/calvary-covers-it-all/

[2] Victorious Living: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/tested-and-tried-daily/

[3] F.A.T.F.R.E.E. Test: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/the-f-a-t-f-r-e-e-test/

The Enemy Within

Christians have three spiritual enemies: The devil, the present world system, and their own sinful nature. Believe it or not, we are our own worst enemy. Some teach that the Christian loses his sin nature when he gets saved. Not true. “If we say that we have no sin [nature], we deceive ourselves, and the truth [regarding the sin nature] is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

The Apostle Paul tells us about the struggle he had with his sinful nature (Romans 7:15-25). When it got in a fight with his new nature from God (2 Peter 1:3, 4), his sin nature always won. While his new nature wanted to do what was right, he ended up doing what was sinful.

But when he learned how to “walk by means of the Spirit” and let Him fight his sin nature, he would gain the victory over the “works of the flesh” which are perversions of good things (Romans 8:1; ff; Galatians 5:16-25).

William Barclay points out that  “Immorality, impurity, licentiousness are perversions of the sexual instinct which is in itself a lovely thing and part of love.  Idolatry is a perversion of worship and was an aid to worship.  Sorcery is a perversion of the use of the healing drugs in medicine.  Envy, jealousy, and strife are perversions of the noble ambition and desire to do well which can spur to greatness.  Enmity and anger are the perversion of that righteous indignation without which the passion for good cannot exist.  Dissension and the party spirit are a perversion of the devotion to the principle which can produce the martyr.  Drunkenness and carousing are the perversion of the happy joy of social fellowship and of the things which men can happily and legitimately enjoy.  Beauty is turned to ugliness.  Sin takes the raw material of potential goodness and turns it into the material of evil.” [1]

When we, as Christians, yield ourselves to God the Holy Spirit and He takes charge of our lives (Romans 6:11-14; 12:1, 2), He not only kills our sinful lusts / desires, but He also produces in us the “Fruit of the Spirit” which is Christlikeness: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23). These qualities need to be demonstrated at the right time, toward the right objects, and for the right reasons (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Example: It’s possible for a “Spirit filled” believer (Ephesians 5:18) to misdirect “agape” love toward the world system rather than back toward God and His children (1 John 2:15-17; 3:16, 17).

We all have a sinful nature that is like “The Trojan Horse.” It can cause havoc in our lives. If you’d like to learn more about it, click on the link below. [1]

We’re here to help unbelievers learn about the true and living God-man, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who can deliver us from the “Lake of Fire” and take us to heaven (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46; John 3:16, 18), [2] and to assist Christians mature in the faith (2 Peter 3:18). If you have questions and/or comments, we can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] The Trojan Horse: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2011/07/04/the-trojan-horse/

[2] Gospel Presentations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZvwylOL6L4

“The Bad News & The Good News”

“Songs To Calm The Weary Soul”

In these troubled times, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, can enjoy “peace with God” and the “peace of God” (Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:6, 7). They are the ones who have placed their faith and trust in Him alone, as the One Who died for their sins, was buried, and Who rose again bodily on the third day (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). Have you done this yet? If not, why not right now? Need spiritual help? Contact us.

In the “Hall of Faith” (Hebrews11) you will find many Old Testament believers who were miraculously delivered by God from harmful or difficult situations. But you will also find other believers who weren’t delivered and yet endured without denying the Lord. [1]

Think about this – “God delivers us from all our sicknesses except the last one which will lead to our physical death.” It is a general rule that all men die once (Hebrews 9:27; See Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23). Some didn’t and some won’t die (Enoch – Genesis 5:21-24; Elijah – 2 Kings 2:1, 11; Christians who are alive at the Rapture – 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

But there are different judgments of men’s works which will take place at different times. The Lord Jesus Christ, the omniscient God-man, will be the “Righteous Judge” Who will determine each one’s sentence (John 5:22; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 20:11-15). He will determine the degree of enjoyment that believers will have in the next life, or the degree of suffering that unbelievers will experience in the next life (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:11-15).

To encourage and uplift fellow believers who may be suffering, Christians over the centuries have written songs, perhaps from their own life experiences, to calm the troubled souls (emotions) of other believers (See 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Here are a couple of them:

“God Leads Us Along”

In shady, green pastures so rich and so sweet

God leads His dear children along
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet

God leads His dear children along

Some through the water, some through the flood

Some through the fire, but all through the blood

And some through great sorrow, but God gives the song

In the night season and all the day long. [2]

Furthermore

God hath not promised skies always blue, / Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain, / Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God hath promised strength for the day, / Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above, / Unfailing sympathy, undying love. [3]

Jews vs Christians

The Jews, living under the “Mosaic Law,” could generally expect health and wealth if they were obedient; Disobedient Jews faced a curse (Deuteronomy 28). Christians (believers from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture) who live godly lives, can/should expect to be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12; John 16:1-4, 33). But “…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). The “Crown of Life” awaits Christians who resist sinful temptations even up to the point of death (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

One More Thing. Don’t try to claim promises that weren’t given to you or you could be very disappointed and get angry at God when you shouldn’t be. [4] Beware of the “Health, Wealth, and Happiness Preachers” who proclaim a different Gospel and a different Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3, 4, 13-15). “Your Best Life Now” is true for unbelievers who face an eternity without Christ in the Lake of Fire (Mathew 25:30, 41, 46). The Christian’s best life is yet future when we see Christ face to face at the Rapture (1 John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Perhaps Today!

Help. We’re here to offer assistance to those who are teachable, willing to change, and then grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 3:18). Over the years, we’ve been through some “raging rivers” and on “rugged mountain paths.” But we’ve been comforted by God through His Word and some of His people, and so we want to extend God’s comfort to you if you long for it (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). Ask about “Barnabas Notes.”

We can be reached here or through our website: www.kelseypeach.com.

If this has been a help and encouragement to you, please LIKE and SHARE it with others. To receive future articles as they come out, click on “Follow.”

[1] John Foxe’s – Book Of Martyrs. https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/foxs-book-of-martyrs/

[2] “God Leads Us Along” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMU0G7pTeLo

[3] “God Has Not Promised” – https://www.youtube.com/watch

[4] Promises. https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/promises-for-christians-to-claim-2/

“Lusts – Good & Bad”

Whenever we hear the word “lust,” most people think it’s always a bad thing. It may surprise you to know that “A lust (Greek = epithumia) is simply a strong desire that can be self induced or externally implanted into a Christian’s mind. A sense of guilt results when a believer does not realize a lust is a thought, not sin.” – Dr. H. L. Schafer. [1]

Scripture

“Sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires [lusts] and enticed. Then, when desire [lust] has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death” (James 1:13-15).

Good Lusts

Numerous passages in the New Testament contain the term lust with a good or commendable meaning. Consider these passages:

Righteous prophets didn’t sin when they desired (lusted) to see those things which the people of Christ’s day saw. (See Matthew 13:17).

Christ Himself lusted without sinning. He said, “With desire (lust) I have desired (lusted) to eat this Passover with you” (Luke 22:15).

The Holy Spirit lusts (has a strong desire) against the flesh/sin nature (Galatians 5:17).

The Apostle Paul lusted (desired) to depart to be with Christ (Philippians 1:23).

A bishop (Pastor) can lust (have a strong desire) to be an overseer of God’s people (1 Timothy 3:1).

Angels lust (have a strong desire) to look into the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 1:11, 12).

Bad Lusts

“Bad lusts are cravings or strong, uninvited desires that become part of a person’s thinking. These lusts are desires that are contrary to righteousness. They can enter into the Christian’s thoughts from any of the three [spiritual] enemies.” – Dr. H. L. Schafer.

It’s vital that we identify the source from which the sinful lusts are coming so that we can use the Scriptural means to overcome them. The Christian must counter each spiritual enemy God’s way or suffer defeat. Not all temptations come from the devil.

Hopefully, the following information will assist believers (not unsaved people) to live victoriously over the strong desires that come from the devil, our own sin nature, and the present world system.

To become a Christian one needs to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ alone, who died for our sins…and rose again bodily on the third day (Acts 16:31; 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). Unbelievers are children of the devil. He lulls most of them to sleep (John 8:44; 1 John 3:9, 10; 5:19). But he also has some mature sons of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).

Lusts From Our Spiritual Enemies

Here are 14 lusts (strong desires) that come from the devil: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/spiritual-warfare/

Here are the lusts (strong desires) that come from our sin nature as listed in Galatians 5:19-21. https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/book-burning/ https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/our-perverted-sin-nature/

Here is some information about the present world system that was devised by the devil to control certain works of the flesh (sin nature) and a summary of how to overcome all three enemies: https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/tested-and-tried-daily/

We Don’t Have To Sin

God has made it possible for Christians not to sin. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4).

When We Sin – What?

God doesn’t want His children to sin (act lawlessly). But when we sin, as we will from time to time, what should we do to make things right with God and others? https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2017/12/01/when-we-sin-what/

Helpful Books

To help Christians live victoriously over their three spiritual enemies, and to prevent needless chastening and scourging from our Heavenly Father (Hebrews 12:5-11), we recommend that you secure the following books and study them for yourself:

[1] Dr. H. L. Schafer, “Maturing In Christ” https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781609578381&HC_ISBN=

Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, “He That Is Spiritual” https://www.amazon.com/s?k=he+that+is+spiritual+chafer&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Help

We’re here to assist those who are teachable and willing to change and grow spiritually (2 Timothy 2:2, 15; 3:16, 17). We can be reached through our website: www.kelseypeach.com. Please SHARE this with others who desire to live a life that pleases God. Click on “Follow” to receive future articles as they come out.

Scripture verses taken from the New King James Version.

Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.