Covenant Leads to Relationship

Covenant Leads to Relationship

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Hebrews 7:22 (NKJV): “by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.”

God relates to His people through covenants.  A covenant is greater than a promise.  It is a bonding. A covenant is a bond in which each of those involved in the matter say, “Everything I have is yours.”  Covenant is total commitment.  In covenant with God, even though we are not totally committed to Him, He is totally committed to us. 

God’s covenants with us are for our benefit.  The purpose of God’s covenant is to bring abundant life.  The apostle John quotes our Savior, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11 NKJV)  In God’s covenants, we are assured of guidance, protection and provision. 

What do we have to give to Him as our part of the covenant?  Paul wrote to the church in Rome, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)  We are to give Him ourselves in holiness, allowing Him to transform our thinking so that we can demonstrate to the world the transforming, overcoming relationship that results from walking in covenant with our God.

In addition, because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, Christians become participants in the covenants the Lord made beginning with Adam, continuing with Noah, Abraham and the nation of Israel. Today many teach “replacement theology” which says that the Lord no longer deals with Israel and that the Church has replaced Israel in the economy of God.  However, the Word does not support that thesis.  Christians do not replace Israel in God’s covenant.  Paul was adamant, “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew.  (Romans 11:1-2aNKJV)

Paul continues, “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in." (Romans 11:16-19 NKJV)  

Because much of the Church has denied our Old Testament heritage, we often do not understand the deeper truths of our relationship with our Redeemer.  God's covenant with Israel is the root that supports His covenant with Christians.

Sometimes our confusion is the result of flawed grammar.  Let’s examine Hebrews 8:7-8 NKJV). “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah-- .”   Because the pronoun “they” is plural and the noun “covenant” is singular, the writer of Hebrews is not saying that the covenant itself was faulty, but that the people of Israel and Judah were faulty.  The weakness of the Old Covenant was not in the Covenant itself but in the weakness and inability of man. The reason the Old Covenant didn't "work" was because the people did not continue in God’s covenant.

Because the people did not fully embrace the covenant, God, in His mercy, gave us a strengthened covenant that would enable mankind to walk according to His promises. 

The author of Hebrews continues by quoting the prophet Jeremiah, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. (Hebrews 8:10 NKJV) 

The laws of God are still the same, the difference is that they are not etched in stone; they are written on the hearts of those who accept the sacrifice of Jesus as the pathway to covenant with God the Father.  We are transformed by the renewing of our minds.  How does that transformation come about?

Hundreds of years before the cross, Ezekiel prophesied, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV)

On Pentecost, ten days after Jesus’ ascension, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4 NKJV) 

The Holy Spirit came to indwell God’s people.  Because of the Holy Spirit within, we grow in grace and knowledge, we are transformed; we become the covenant people of our God.  All believers are in the transformation process.  

Paul affirmed, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV) Covenant Christianity is a relationship with God Whose Spirit indwells us.

Patience, Patience, Patience

Patience, Patience, Patience

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Father God, we come before you eager to learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Today, Lord, our desire is to learn the importance of patiently enduring difficult times and circumstances.  Amen

First, let us consider Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

We often grow weary and discouraged when we are facing difficult times and difficult circumstances.  In our weariness and discouragement, we must learn to wait patiently upon our Lord. It is in waiting for Him that our strength and courage are renewed.  It is in waiting patiently for Him that we find the hope to continue.

In our own strength, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).  

Remember Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV:)
^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control.”

We must remember that, as Christians, the Holy Spirit of God lives within us.  Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is already present in our lives. Patience, a fruit of the Spirit, is already within us.   It is important for us to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives and to empower us to walk in that fruit.   

Accepting that God loves us and always wants the best for us brings joy and peace into our lives.  It is in that love, joy and peace that we develop patience.  

Patience requires that we stand firmly in our faith in spite of hardship, injuries, or offense.  Patience is calmness in the face of suffering and discomfort. Patience is good-natured tolerance of difficult times and difficult circumstances.  A good nature is built upon God’s love, joy and peace. 

 Before we can show patience to other people, we must first learn to be patient with our Lord.  Many times, God asks us to wait patiently before Him as He works in us and through us.  

The Bible has much to say about patience.  Let’s consider the following scriptures.  Ask the Holy Spirit to plant these words deeply into your spirit:

Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.
(Ephesians 4:2)

Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
(Proverbs 15:18)

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.
(Romans 12:12)

I waited patiently for the Lord’s help;
then he listened to me and heard my cry.
(Psalm 40:1)

The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,
So it is best for us to wait in patience—to wait for Him to save us—
And it is best to learn this patience in our youth.
(Lamentations 3:25-27)

We must learn to walk in God’s patience. Then we can agree with Job, “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10 NKJV).

When we are tested with difficult times and difficult circumstances, may we practice patience and come forth as gold.

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Doing What Is Right

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for Doing What Is Right

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Matthew 5:10-12 (NKJV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

            We are witnessing persecution of Christians all over the world.  Some of us have and are currently experiencing personal persecution.  We must remember that our Lord told us that in this world we would have tribulation, but that we should not fear because He has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

However, when we feel the onslaught of the world against us, we must seriously ask ourselves, “Am I experiencing condemnation because I have been doing the right thing?  Are others against me because I am doing what Jesus would do? 

Or, have I been self-righteous, legalistic and/or condeming?  Am I unforgiving?”   When our actions portray these attitudes, people around us perceive that our God, likewise, is self-righteous, condemning and unforgiving. We all quote John 3:16, but few of us are aware of John 3:17-18:   

John 3:16-18 (NKJV) ^“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

            Because God desires to bring salvation rather than condemnation to the world, and because condemnation is the result of not believing that Jesus paid the price for our sins, our focus should be on sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and His salvation which includes deliverance from sinful practices.  Those who do not know and have not experienced the power of salvation in their lives do not understand the loving deliverance that comes from a relationship with our Lord. Our desire must be to share God’s deliverance rather than simply to speak condemnation.  Remember Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinth:  1 Corinthians 2:2-5 (NKJV) “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”  Our call is to bring the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. 

            Like Jesus, we are to be “Isaiah 61” Christians:  Isaiah 61:1 (NKJV) "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”  

           The Spirit of the Lord is not upon us to condemn, to judge, and to complain.  

            In the world, we must stand for truth, justice, morality and freedom.  We must also plan our stance with Paul’s admonition to the Church at Corinth:  1 Corinthians 40 (NKJV) “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 

            We can expect persecution in the world.  However, when we are persecuted for righteousness, for doing things the right way, for doing things decently and in order, we are promised a blessing.

Characteristics of a Christian Soldier

Characteristics of a Christian Soldier

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

2 Timothy 2: 1-3

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.

2 Samuel 23:2-39 and 1 Chronicles 11:10-47 list the mighty men of valor who graced the ranks of David’s army.  Because we know little about them, we might be lead to ask, “What are the characteristics of the valiant?  Are these the same characteristics that God seeks to develop in His people that we might be mighty ones of valor in the current age and in the coming ages.”  Perhaps we can gain some insight by considering the meanings of their names.

We find the first of the mighty men described in 2 Samuel: 23:8: “These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time.”  

What does his name tell us about his character?

Josheb--“sat in the seat”

Basshebeth—“resting” (derived from Sabbath)

Tachmonite—“one who is wise”

Adino—“his adorned one”

Eznite—“he lifted up his spear”

In 1 Chronicles 11:11, he is called “Jashobeam, the son of a Hachonite” and is said to have killed 300 men at one time.

 

Jashobeam: “he who sits among the people” or “he to whom the people return:

Hachonite: the same as Tachmonite—“one who is wise.

What can we deduce about this valiant warrior who was the leader of the captains in the army of David? 

Perhaps, he is one adorned in the robe of His King, the robe of righteousness, the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 61:3.)  He sits in his seat, his designated place, among the people.  Notice that he is not seated on a throne.  He sits among the people.  He does not struggle because he rests on the promises of his Lord. Because of his God-given wisdom (James 1:5), others return to him.    

When Deborah was judging Israel, the people came to her.  She did not have to go to them. (Judges 4:5) As Christians, we are to exhibit such wisdom that people will seek us out.

The Christian warrior is Eznite who lifted his spear and routed the enemy.  We ask, “What is our weapon?”

The answer is, “The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17b).

What a mighty weapon we have! 

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Revelation 1:16: “In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.”

We must use our weapon under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 12:11-12:  "Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.''

We live in difficult times.  Our Christian faith is under attack.  However, soldiers in obedience to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords are issued the spiritual armor of truth, righteousness, peace, faith and a salvation which includes deliverance, healing and victory (Ephesians 5).

Never forget that we have the most powerful weapon and our leader is King of King and Lord of Lords.  In Him, we can be mighty in battle.

Engaging in Political Dialogue

Engaging in Political Dialogue
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The season for political debate has begun.  While we are blessed with the freedom to engage in political dialogue, biblically speaking, our dialogue must be done decently and in order.  Those with whom we disagree are also created in the image of God and are worthy of our respect even if they don't respect us.  

One of the fundamental rules in dealing with offensive argumentation is never to stoop to the level of the adversary.  Simply put, don't argue with a fool.

2 Timothy 2:23:  "Don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights." ( NLT)
  
Proverbs 26:4:  "Do not answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are." ( NLT)

 Proverbs 10:15: "Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster."

Mark Twain:  "Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

 "Insults are the last resort of insecure people with a crumbling position trying to appear confident." (Wisdom Quotes)

In viable, vibrant dialogue, we must discuss issues, not personalities.  We must defend our positions with readily variable facts and not hearsay. Sometimes the best strategy is either to change the subject, to remain silent or to walk away.

Maintain a Distance

Maintain a Distance

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We know, both from the Word of God and from personal experience, that we should maintain a distance from situations and people who may lead us into temptation and sin. However, that is not the only distance we should maintain. As they were entering the Promised Land, the Lord cautioned Joshua and the Israelites to maintain a distance from the Ark of the Covenant so that they could more clearly see the path they were to follow.

Joshua 3: 1-4 “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; and they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.''

Our nation has not passed this way before.  As believers who walk in faith, we must stand back a bit and withhold our judgement of both good and evil until we have a better perspective.  This is not a time for impulsive reaction. 

Even while mainstream media and talk show participants react in fear and the resulting anger, we cannot respond out of our own fear and anger. We must maintain a distance from ungodly emotional response.  Jesus said that He would establish His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.  It is time for us to stand back, to pray for those who despitefully use us, for those who persecute us for His name’s sake (Matthew 5:44). It is time to maintain a distance in order to watch what the Lord is doing. 

It is also time for us to follow Joshua’s addition instruction: “And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you'' (Joshua 3:5).

To sanctify is to set apart for the purposes of God.  Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

To sanctify ourselves, we must, in spite of the situation and those around us, act justly even when others do not.  We must desire and pray for the mercy of God in our lives and in the lives of others. We must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and allow Him to lift us up (James 4:10).

It is time for us to sanctify ourselves, to maintain a holy distance, and to watch what the Lord has done, is doing and will continue to do.

These Are the Days of Elijah

These Are the Days of Elijah

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Remember the song “These Are the Days of Elijah” by Robin Mark? The Lord has again taken me on a journey through the lyrics of the song and through the life of Elijah. Elijah was a confronter. He confronted Ahab and Jezebel. He confronted the worshipers of Baal. His confrontations caused him anguish, depression and even despair. But, in spite of the pain, he demonstrated the power of El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty, over the demonic spirit of Baal.

Elijah means “my God is Yahweh (Jehovah).” Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Robin Mark composed the lyric that has worshippers declaring 16 times consecutively “There’s no God like Jehovah”. Not Baal, not Buddha, not Vishnu, not Allah. There’s no God like Jehovah.

We are living today in a world that parallels that of Elijah. In about 935 B.C., the kingdom of Israel split. The northern kingdom of ten tribes became Israel; the southern kingdom, Judea, consisted mainly of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

A nation divided is a nation weakened. We live in a divided nation. The division is greater than legitimate differences of opinion that can and must be discussed and resolved. Fed by the vitriol of a disenchanted media, the differences of opinion have escalated into animosity and violence. American has not become an ethnic melting pot. We have not all repented of and/or forgiven the atrocities of our history. We are a divided and, therefore, a weakened, nation.

Jesus warned in Matthew 12:25: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

The Old Testament prophets of God had continually warned the people to repent of their sins, particularly of their idolatry and to return to the Lord. During the time of Elijah, under the leadership of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, many Israelites had embraced the worship of Baal and Asherah. The worship included ritual sexual acts, temple prostitution and even the sacrifice of children, particularly first-born children.

The anti-biblical culture of the world today has embraced and encouraged the same practices.

The Lord Jehovah cautioned the Israelites before they went into the Promised Land: Deuteronomy 12:29-32: "When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, `How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' "You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.”

We must understand that the commandments of the Lord are meant to lead us into the abundant life. God has not placed them as obstacles to thwart our happiness.

In the behaviors of the worldly culture today, we see the idolatry of the ancients. I “googled” the search phrase, “idolatry in America.” I found several lists outlining what Americans worship. The following appeared on more than one list:

Self

Money

Sex

Beauty

Comfort

When we examine the list closely, we realize that only one false god exists—self. The others exist only to undergird #1.

It was the idolization of self that caused Lucifer to be driven from heaven. ““I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14).

Idolatry seeks to win favor, control, happiness for oneself by appealing to the forces of nature, the unregenerated conscience of man, or the appetites of those in power.

Robin Mark’s lyrics call out to believers, “Still we are the voice in the desert crying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.”

What is the way of the Lord?

Matthew 22:37-39: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

When we love Jehovah God with all our heart, we will come to love who we are in Him and then we can love others. In love, the division is healed.

The idolater looks into the mirror as says, “I am awesome because of who I am, what I have done, and what I plan to do.”

God speaks into the heart and says, “My child, you are awesome because I created you in My image, because I have declared you righteous in Jesus Christ, because I have given you a future and a hope.” In His love, the division in our heart is healed.

Let’s declare His word. There is no god like Jehovah!