CHARACTER QUALITY # 50 Optimistic

          I believe this is one of the 50 most important blogs I have written in the past year.  I believe some Christians are glass half empty type people and don’t want to hear this message.  I believe every Christian needs to hear this message.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,   2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,   4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

          If that does not produce in you and me optimism – then we are like a prisoner in a dungeon with shackles, a blindfold and no light, food or water.  This text fits well with my life verse that provides me great optimism: John 8:32 You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

William Carrey is the Father of modern Missions who  went through every tragedy imaginable yet had great optimism for God’s work.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having "hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favorable or hopeful view." The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning "best." Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, ultimately means one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation.

I believe God wants the very best for us.  I believe God is working for the very best for us.  I believe God can make a diamond out of coal.  Rom 8:26-29    In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but

the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

          How can anyone who believes these things be anything but optimistic.  Jesus is the way the truth and the life – he is our source of optimism.  He is why I don’t have to bemoan circumstances (sometimes I fail) but I shouldn’t and most of the time I don’t because He who is in me is Greater than her who is in the world.

          Expect Great things form God.  Attempt Great things for God.”

          What are expecting form God?  What are attempting for God?  Decide and be optimistic that God with you will see it come to pass.

From the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper

CHARACTER QUALITY # 49 Consistent

Who in scripture is an example of consistency?

Enoch – He walked with God and was not.

          Methuselah lived 969 years his grandfather Jared lived 962 years.  Methuselah’s father only lived 365 years yet he lived the longest.  Gen 5:21-24 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

Why would God do that?  Because Enoch must have lived a very consistent life following after the ways of God.

Job – all calamity came upon him, he stayed consistent in his resolve that God is faithful.

Having been consistent before God:  Job 42:10-11  After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Daniel – would consistently pray to God

Would not bow to the King.  But the lions bowed down to Daniel.

Shardrach, Meshach, Abednego – Faithful to the NEAR end

Daniel 3:16-18   Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Joseph – he never wavered from his beliefs and morals.

He accepted his condition whether in prison or seated at the right hand of the King.  He did not change his beliefs or personality or mood based on circumstance.  God blessed him for that.

Peter was the antithesis of consistency.

He walked on water – he fell into the water.  He used his sword in the garden to protect Jesus, he lied about knowing Jesus in the courtyard.

2/3                                                                                                                            09-11-18

Paul was not well loved until he got older and mellowed.

As to emotions, he too was the antithesis of consistency – as too evangelism there was no turning to the right or the left.  Acts 20:24 I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.  BUT, if he was in a bad mood, everyone knew it.

Do you know Christians who come into a room and drain the energy right out of the light sockets?  But they are not always that way…sometimes they are really up and enjoyable.  They have a mini bi-polar personality with their emotions.

          Do you know people who are consistent – that no matter how good or bad things are for them, you can still count on them to do a job and do it with a sense of peace and even keel as to their emotions?  How much better that is.  All Christians should work at having consistent emotions – that doesn’t mean never hurting or laughing or feeling discouraged.  It simply means, having a grounded sense about your faith in Christ that keeps you from living your emotions out in a way that it affects others around you.

          My pastor – Rev. Hitch was this kind of man – I saw him on bad days and he rarely let that affect others.  I said rarely – he was human – we all have a breaking point – but for many that breaking point comes weekly or daily instead of yearly or more.

Hebrews 5:11-14

          We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Today’s Text……………Acts 2:36-47

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."   When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call."  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

          Acts 2:42    They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Christian character is developed by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives through the study of God's Word. We study the Bible to learn about the kind of character God desires in His people.

Christian character is developed by allowing iron to sharpen iron – to have fellowship with brothers and sisters who will prod you on to a greater, more consistent life in Christ.

Christian character is developed by allowing worship to usher you into the throne room of God with great consistency – not just when you get in trouble.

Christian character is developed by having prayer as consistent a part of your life as breathing.  Eph 6:18  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

“Be Consistent in four things. No, five!”

STUDY, FELLOWSHIP, WORSHIP, PRAYER --- SERVICE

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  (They Served and people came to Christ)

Consistency is a key ingredient to being obedient to God, defeating sin in our lives, and putting on Christ-like qualities.

"No one can win a race with intermittent effort. Christ likeness cannot be reached with that kind of effort either—it is an ongoing pursuit. So Paul says, "Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained" (Phil. 3:16). The Greek verb translated "keep living" refers to walking in line. Just as a runner must stay in his lane and keep up the same effort until he reaches the finish, you must stay in line spiritually and keep moving forward toward the goal of Christ likeness."                              - John MacArthur

From the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper

CHARACTER QUALITY # 48 Belief

Scripture:                                              

Romans 8:28-39

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28-39

 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  How do we know God works all things for the good?  Doesn’t seem like it.  CONDITION: we love him and are called according to his purpose.  What does that mean?

29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.  Who was predestined?  Those God foreknew – knew before they came into being.  Who would that be? Everyone. Everyone is predetermined to be called, justified, glorified – but not everyone accepts that calling, justification, glorification.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Do you believe when bad/evil things happen in your life?  That is the true test of faith.  Everyone can believe in a God when things are going well.  But introduce a life threatening illness, a spouse who packed their bags and left without warning, your job position eliminated after 22 years, a fire that consumes your house, having loved ones in the Twin Towers on 9-11-2001.  Do you still believe in God then?

          If you do, what is it you believe about God?  In those moments do you see God as your protector, as a loving father?  Or as a judge and wrath filled God?

THE NICENE CREED:

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.  He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Prayer

Would you pray for someone now – who needs healing, financial help, relationship restoration, salvation, spiritual strength or any other need?  Would you pray believing God for the answer?  What do you believe about God?

From the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper

CHARACTER QUALITY # 47 Unity

Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!  2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.  3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Lesson From The Bees

One bee always seems ready to feed another bee, sometimes even one of a different colony. Mutual feeding among bees, who are very social insects, is the order of their existence. The workers feed the helpless queen who cannot feed herself. They feed the drones during their period of usefulness in the hive. Of course they feed the young. They seem to enjoy the social act.

Bees cluster together for warmth in cold weather and fan their wings to cool the hive in hot weather, thus working for one another’s comfort.

          When swarming time comes, bee scouts take out to find suitable quarters where the new colony can establish itself. These scouts report back to the group, executing a dance (as they also do to report honey) by which they convey the location of the prospective home to the colony. As more than one scout goes prospecting and reports back, the bees appear to entertain the findings of all scouts and at last the entire assembly seems to reach a common conclusion on a choice. Thereupon they all take wing in what is called a swarm.

During the last Supper Jesus prays a beautiful prayer for the disciples.  How they are one with Jesus and how he loves them and will protect them. How he is one with the Father and they are one with him.  It is a beautiful prayer.  The prayer continues but takes a turn – this is the continuation of that prayer:

John 17:20-23

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

teteleiwuenoi eis en = that they may be "having been perfected – in - one”

The perfect tense indicates a permanent state as the final goal and result.  In other words, our unity with one another and with Christ is not to be hit or miss, rather constant and unending.

Unity does not mean conformity.  It does not mean we always agree on everything.  What unity does mean is that we have the same purpose – the same goal – the same belief – the same direction.  I might think it is better to go on the lower windy path and you might think it is better to go on the higher straight path but we are going in the same direction – reaching for the same goal – that people may know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

By our unity with the church past present and future, there may be a unity that defies logic – that cannot exist by human will alone – that our unity is a byproduct of our individual relationships with Jesus.  Jesus is saying, when the world sees this, they can then find salvation.  If the church is not in unity, the world will pass us by without a second glance except to ridicule us.

Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Do you know your brothers and sisters – Carol Jean Edwards blessed my heart at the church picnic – I asked a group of long-timers to introduce themselves to people they don’t know and I caught her doing it – an example of striving for unity.

 “STRANGERS” TOO LONG

Privates Henry Pauch and Steve Obeda, inducted at Fort Sheridan, Ill., came to a camp in Texas, in the same troop movement. For two months they were in the same platoon and slept in bunks not far apart. Then they exchanged addresses. One lived at 2533 South Troy Street, Chicago, and the other at 2541, same street, same city. They were close neighbors, but strangers for thirteen years – then got acquainted so far from home.

 Colossians 3:12-14

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

The Lonely Hill

The cross stood on a lonely hill, And He was lonely, too,

The day they nailed Him to the cross         To die for me and you.

The sins of every one of us Lay heavy on His heart,

Yet He was not afraid to die For He had done His part.

Around Him all was loneliness, For few would stand Him by.

Ah, let it not be all in vain He suffered so to die.

If you will listen when He comes And knocks upon your door,

Then let Him in, so that He won’t Be lonely any more.

The cross is right before you now at this place he does abide,

Memento of that blessed day When He was crucified.

Come to the lonely hill again, And stand once more to pray

That all the world may know His love through unity of His church on this communion Day.

Form the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper