Monthly Archive for March, 2010

Cell Phone vs. Bible

by Jonas Harley | March 30, 2010

I came across this short and very challenging comparision that quickly grabbed my attention . . .

What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the Text?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency?

Makes you stop and think, “Where are my priorities?” 

God says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. WHY? “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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God’s Seal of Authenticity!

by Jonas Harley | March 23, 2010

Before the invention of instant communication – when all messages were sent by hand – a king would place his seal on his messages. This seal would function as a sign to the recipient that the message was authentic. In other words, that it really came from the king and not someone else. However, in order for this system to work, the seal needed to be unusual, easily recognizable by others, and exclusive only to the king.

Did you know that God used a “seal” that was unusual, easily recognizable by others, and exclusive only to Him to authenticate His messages? They are better known as miracles! A miracle is a special act of God that interrupts the normal course of events. In other words, it cannot be explained by natural laws (i.e. gravity), natural forces, or anything else in the physical universe. 

The Bible states in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”This is a great verse and certainly brings much joy and peace to my heart knowing that God does forgive sin! Allow me to take a few minutes of your time to biblically prove to you how you can know this inward reality (and others) indeed does take place.

Turn to Mark 2:1-12. In this passage Jesus heals a paralytic man (you know, the one where his buddies lower him through the roof). Notice in verse 5 where Jesus forgives this man’s sins because of his faith. Then the scribes become very intellectual (“…reasoning in their hearts.”) and skeptical which caused them to inwardly question Jesus about His power and authority to forgive sins. Doesn’t that sound familiar? People today are always questioning and doubting God and His Word.

Here is where it gets good and the thrust of this post…verse 9-11…Jesus ”pulls out” His unusual, easily recognizable, and exclusive  ”seal” to prove to the crowd (and to us today) that He indeed does have the power to forgive sin by immediately and completely healing this man from his condition (v.12). Wow! Amen!

Last summer, I received an autograph baseball by Justin Upton (Arizona Diamondbacks) in the mail and along with it came a letter of authenticity to prove to me and others that his signature is genuine! I don’t have to waste any time doubting or questioning the validity of this autograph. Furthermore, when you turn the baseball over there is an unusual, easily recognizable, and exclusive hologram sticker with a code that coordinates with the letter. What more proof do I need? Its the real deal!     

In the same manner, although I can’t physically see my sins washed away, or the Holy Spirit empowering me to do His work , or the grace of God comforting me in a time of trial I can rest assure that these inward invisible realities do happen because of this awesome miracle that took place in Mark 2. Becaues Jesus Christ had the power to heal this man I know He has the power to forgive my sins today!

Every miracle you read about in Scripture is God’s way of authenticating His Truth to us!

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Overcoming the Fear of Man! (Part 2)

by Jonas Harley | March 16, 2010

What I absolutely love about studying and preaching the Bible is that God gives me solutions to my sinful condition. For example, I am a planner and organizer I love having all my “ducks in a row” and know where I’m going. So it is very easy, even natural, for me to live by sight. But God says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 that He wants me to live by faith! So that is a sinful problem. I feel more comfortable living by sight than by faith, because that means I’m in control and have say in my destiny. However, because God loves me and knows all about my fallen condition He gives me the solution in Hebrews 11 about living by faith and how to do it. Do you see what I mean? For every area of sin that you and I have, God has a biblical solution that we must apply into our daily living.

With that being said, in my last post, Obeying the Fear of Man, I listed several items that take place when you are more concerned about what other people think about you rather than what God thinks. This is sin and greatly hinders your spiritual influence to the people around you. So what is God’s solution to having victory over the fear of man (commonly known as peer pressure)?

Turn back to Proverbs 29:25. It states, “…but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”  What does that mean?

In order to biblically overcome the fear of man you must focus on placing your trust in the Lord. The root of this sin is a lack of complete dependence (trust) in God alone. Because you are designed to place your trust into something or someone, by default you will seek to please man, hence why you obey the fear of man (peer pressure) at school, work, church, etc. How do I know that?

In Hebrew poetry a statement that is made in the first line is then repeated, expanded, or contrasted in the second line. Also known as Hebrew parallelisms. In this verse we have an antithetical parallelism, which simply means the two statements contrast each other. Therefore, this means a fearful person that is consumed with what others think does not trust God. Here is the biblical solution… 

1) Biblically overcoming the fear of man is possible! God wants and longs for you to place your trust in Him by (1) knowing that ungodly fear does not come from Him (2 Timothy 1:7). Being consumed with what other people think is not something God wants you to be concerned about. This is ungodly fear. (2) Acknowledge that only God can provide true security (Ephesians 1:6). The word “safe” means to be set on high, exalted, in a safe place, to be unreachable by others.

The summer of 2008 my wife and I vacationed in the Philadelphia area and we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell for the very first time. When we approached the Liberty Bell I noticed the it was carefully roped off, under careful watch by surveillance cameras, and well-protected by security guards. The bell was set on high and truly safe. This the picture God wants you to understand when you place your trust in Him! Security in the Lord removes the intimidation of man. As a Christian you are accepted in God’s eyes (Ephesians 1:6), why do you want or need man’s approval? 

Finally, (3) focus on pleasing God in every area of your life instead of pleasing your peers. When your trust is in the Lord you are now FREE from the bondage of acceptance! You are now FREE from the fear of man! God now has your full attention on Him (Psalm 118:8).

2) Biblically overcoming the fear of man is promising! Notice how this verse is stated, “…but whoso [whoever, anyone, any Christian can do this! You qualify!] putteth [places; puts] his trust [confidence] in the Lord shall [will] be safe [secure; set on high].”  Wow! This is a timeless and eternal promise directly out of Scripture.

You can biblically overcome the fear of man by placing your complete dependence in the Lord. One exercise I encourage you to perform is to look up several verses on trust and apply them. I will get you started…Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 9:10; Psalm 34:8.  Let me know what you find and learn!

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Obeying the Fear of Man! (Part 1)

by Jonas Harley | March 9, 2010

Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

Culture today is very good at minimizing and redefining sin to be more acceptable. For example,

  • Culture calls it “alcoholism,” God calls it “drunkenness.”
  • Culture calls it “sleeping around,” God calls it “fornication.”
  • Culture calls it “affairs/cheating,” God calls it “adultery.”
  • Culture calls it “oppositional defiance,” God calls it “disobedience to authority.”
  • Culture calls it “peer pressure,” God calls it “fear of man.” This is the topic I want to address in this post.

The fear of man is powerfully influencing how you live your life.

Obeying the fear of man is common. Yeah! You are not alone when it comes to living in the fear of man. In the Bible times, Peter struggled with the fear of man (Gal. 2:11-13), I struggle with the fear of man, and I know you do too. The word “fear” in this verse means “to tremble, to be afraid, insecure/ intimidated.” In other words, you are so consumed with wanting people to accept and like you.    

Obeying the fear of man is controlling. The word “snare” carries the idea of trapping with bait. You desire so much for people to like you that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get people to accept and like you. The Bible clearly calls this a trap. Are you trapped in the fear of man?

Here is a brief list on how the fear of man can and will control you…

1) The fear of Man hinders your soul-winning. Many of you are so consumed with what people think. You tend to overlook the need to tell them about Christ in fear of being labeled as a weird Christian, Bible-thumper, Jesus freak, etc.

2) The fear of Man hinders your service in the local church. If your peers do not get involved you will not either. You wait to see if others “sign up” first then decide.  

3) The fear of man hinders your stand for God. You hesitate to take a stand for God at school, work, or elsewhere because standing up for something means people will reject, disagree, or make fun of you.

4) The fear of man hinders your separation from the world. Living in the fear of man causes you to be more concerned about what the world/culture thinks than what God commands.   

5) The fear of man hinders your spiritual growth. If you are always giving attention to what man thinks you will never put your focus on growing spiritually.   

6) The fear of man hinders you from submitting to God’s will. When living in obedience to the fear of man you are not concerned about submitting yourself to God’s perfect will.

7) The fear of man hinders you from being sold out for God. Many times you wait to see how committed your peers are going to be and then base your commitment level on that.

Do you really want to live the rest of your life in the fear of man?

One commentator said, “He who is swayed by the opinions of his fellow men, rather than by God’s word, will be betrayed into innumerable sins and errors, which will prove a snare to his soul.”

Stay tuned for Part 2, Overcoming the fear of man.

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