"Greatest Christmas Gift, Jesus." Episode Three of The Calvary Chapel Devine Digital Devotion.Thank you for listening to Pastor Michael Petit from Calvary Chapel Devine, Texas. We hope you enjoy our podcast, Sunday and Wednesday Teachings. You can get more information from calvarydevine.org

Joel 2:13 "Rend your Heart." Pastor Michael Petit on Episode Two of The Calvary Chapel Devine Digital Devotion. Thank you for listening to Pastor Michael Petit from Calvary Chapel Devine, Texas. We hope you enjoy our podcast, Sunday and Wednesday Teachings. You can get more information from calvarydevine.org

Today's Reading;
Joel 2:11-13 NKJV
The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? [12] “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” [13] So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Daniel 4:1-2 
King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you! [2] It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me.

The FINAL chapter of King Nebuchadnezzar’s life? At least in the Book of Daniel. 30 years have passed since the fiery furnace incident in chapter 3. Daniel is now in his mid-50’s and Nebuchadnezzar is approaching 70. He had ruled Babylon for nearly 35 years. By this time, his enemies have all been defeated such that he rules the largest kingdom in the history of the world. The royal treasury is bursting at the seams, and he has completed several impressive building projects. In short, these are the golden years of his reign.

If I was to ask you what the most important day of your life? Wedding day, Birth of a child & being cancer free? In this world the greatest thing that happens is when someone decides to repent, give their heart to Jesus and to accept him as their personnel Lord and Savior. That’s the greatest thing that somewhere in this world someone will repent, believe in Jesus, and ask Christ into their heart. We are living in such dark time of Covid, politics or climate we are in today. It’s an afterthought. 30 years from now it will be you belong to Jesus.

In Chapter four we get a personal letter from King Nebuchadnezzar and his testimony. 
If I asked you to share your testimony today? Could you? 

Mark 16:15 ESV
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Preparing Your Personal Testimony
Sharing how you came to know God personally is one of the most powerful ways you can help friends grasp how much God loves us.

If someone asked you to share today, you might find it challenging to explain how you came to believe in God, or what he means to you?

Five Principals for Sharing the Gospel (S.H.A.R.E.)
by Lloyd Pulley from Calvary Chapel Old Bridge

Be Sensitive to the Spirit
How many times do you struggle to make something happen, but when you stop to pray, the Holy Spirit gives you the perfect solution and your task is accomplished in no time?

Being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit is critical when sharing the gospel with others. By listening to His prompting we can be led in what to say – and not to say – to someone who doesn’t know Him.

Humbly Build a Bridge
At my college there was this green grassy area called “the mall” where students hung out, studied, played Frisbee, and so on.

Often there’d be someone standing out on the mall sharing the gospel by yelling at passersby telling them that they were going to hell. I never once saw someone stop and talk to the yeller and say, “Oh you are right. I’ll go ahead and become a Christian now.”

When we approach people with humility and respect, they are more receptive to what we have to say. People want to know that you, and Jesus, genuinely care about them.

Jesus treated the Samaritan woman in John 4 with respect and, in turn, she and her entire community became believers.

Arouse Interest
In a world where so many are busy, tired and hurting, it won’t take much to arouse interest. People want to know that the things in their lives matter to another human being.

When you take time to talk to others, opening a door to share the gospel, take a genuine interest in them and they will take interest in what you have to say.

Reveal Sin
Today, pointing out sin is not PC and equals disrespect and being unloving. I am an emotions-based person, so the idea that someone could feel disrespected or unloved based on my words or actions is devastating. At the same time, this isn’t about me.

I am a sinner saved by grace, so talking about someone’s sin isn’t about pointing and condemning – it’s about extending the Christ’s freedom to that person. It’s telling them that the junk they struggle with – sin – doesn’t have to be an ongoing struggle.

Explain the Plan of Salvation
When sharing the gospel with others, you may never get to a point of explaining the plan of salvation to them. If you do, stick to the simplicity of the truth. Often people have questions like “Why does God allow cancer or war?” While those are good questions, they are a distraction from the point of your conversation. 
(Everyday Conversations, Eternal Impact by Lloyd Pulley)

Romans 10:13-15 
[13] For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." [14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

Someone has to go out and share the good news, share your testimony today. Can I please share this with you when sharing your testimony, you’re your past, keep it brief and don’t glorify the sin and they spend way too much time on you then about God. Testimony is not about you. It’s about what God has done for you. Who’s the star of the testimony God. Keep it simple. I know when I first share it was off the cuff it was about me. But I learn how to write it out. 

The Book of Daniel Chapter Four is an amazing chapter, we get the testimony of Babylonian King who is now a new believer in God and His testimony is included in the Bible. Something very important that King Nebuchadnezzar says he wants "all peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth to know the Most High God." We should have that same priority in our life to share Christ with as many people as possible everyday. You can share to all peoples, nations and languages today because of technology. We have no excuse. This Christmas and New year's you will run into to so many family members, friends and people in the county to share Christ. So many are hurting today and looking for answers, you have the answer, Jesus. 

God Bless, 
Pastor Michael Petit. 

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.

This past weekend I was so blessed to see the body of Christ working together as each person from Calvary Chapel Devine & Grace Calvary Chapel Youth served the community of Devine during the Cactus Fest.  The love shown to all that came to visit the Kid's Corner was a blessing. The church had begun the process back in September preparing for the Cactus Fest. We got to help during the setup on Thursday and into Sunday. That would never happen without the body of Christ working together in love. We got to serve others earnestly from a pure heart. It actually requires our life to be purified by the Word of God and actually apply in our daily lives .  
​
Purified your souls: Hagnizo in the greek means to make clean, i.e. (figuratively) sanctify (ceremonially or morally):—purify (self).

Nehemiah 13:7-9  and came to Jerusalem, and I then discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

Having purified your souls. It’s a verb to so we should be continually cleansing the temple. 

 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth. How will you purify your souls? By your obedience to the truth! Objectively the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ and respecting the duties of man. Subjectively the natural tendency in the way you apply truth as a personal quality in your everyday life. 


​So, do you purify your souls by your obedience to the truth so you can love one another? The word sincere “without hypocrisy” A brotherly love which is Philadelphia. 

Psalm 55:21 ESV
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.


The love that we share with each other, and with a lost world, must be generated by the Holy Spirit that’s why we purify our souls in obedience to the truth daily. It is a constant power in our lives, and not something that we turn on and off like a radio. But also, next love one another is agape which is godlike sacrificial love not expecting anything in return.  We share brotherly love because we are brothers and sisters in Christ and have likenesses. We share agape love because we belong to God and therefore can overlook differences.

1 Peter 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

This love is also an earnestly or fervent love, and this is an athletic term that means “striving with all of one’s energy.” 

Matthew 22:36-40 English Standard Version (ESV)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

1 Timothy 1:5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Finally, the love God requires of us, for which we are to strive, is a lasting love which never fails. 

John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 
Philippians 2:1-4 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant [5] or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

1 John 4:7 ESV
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Love is something we have to work at, just as football player works out during the offseason and the season to get better at his skills for the game. Christian love is not a feeling; it is a matter of the will. We show love to others when we treat them the same way God treats us. I want to thank each of you for displaying this love not only to each other in the church but also to the City of Devine and Community that came and visited us during the Cactus Fest. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of, see the Lord work in each life and seeing God being glorified in the process. 

God Bless 
Pastor Michael 

Daniel 3:12 
There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

When is it right for me to stand for the Lord and against the rule or authority of men?

We come to the Book of Daniel in Chapter Three. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow the golden statue made by the King Nebuchadnezzar. The king had commanded them to worship and bow to the statue. The King was asking them to do something that went against God. 

Exodus 20:1-6 ESV
And God spoke all these words, saying, [2] “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. [3] “You shall have no other gods before me. [4] “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. [5] You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, [6] but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

He’s forcing that on them to worship him. It’s incredible constraint to put this on others. It goes completely goes against God’s commandment. How many other Jewish exiles are there that actually bowed? The commandment is very clear, and I love the stance that is made by these young men is so important. How many of us are doing the same being defiant and standing rejecting God? Maybe you reject the bible because you think it has errors, you reject the bible because it isn’t relevant to our time, you reject that Satan is real, you reject a literal heaven & hell, you reject moral stance the Bible takes on marriage. Many followers of Christ believe these things in our culture many have built large statues or idols in defiance of God and his word in their own life. 

But wait then you read in the Book of Romans 13. that we are be subject to the governing authorities. 

Romans 13:1-5 ESV
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, [4] for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. [5] Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.
 
“The closer God is to a government and its citizens, the more ordered the society will be. The further God is from a government and its citizens, the more chaotic the society will become.” Dr. Tony Evans 

So, when do I stand? 

Today everyone wants to fight over everything. Political divide, Medical Mandates, Social issues, School Boards it seems like all of it is just a reason to argue and being defiant. But when is right to stand? I have had conversations about medical mandates and vaccines quite often this past month. What is a conviction from the Lord, and do I have a conviction from the Lord? 

Romans 13:5 ESV
Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

I love the way Warren explains this piece of scripture. 

“Any citizen can obey the law because of fear of punishment, but a Christian ought to obey because of conscience. Of course, if the government interferes with conscience, then the Christian must obey God rather than human authority.” 
Warren Wiersbe 

We can always find examples in scripture.

The king of Egypt wanted to kill all the Hebrew son’s that were born and thrown into the Nile. 

Exodus 1:15-22 ESV
Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah (Ship-prah) and the other Puah, [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. [18] So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” [19] The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. [21] And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. [22] Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

They didn’t follow the order from the king of Egypt because it goes directly against the law of God. Midwives “Fear God” and didn’t do it but let the male children live. Sadly, this past election we saw many vote in a way that was driven by emotions and feelings towards a candidate. Christians actually choose to vote for someone that was for abortions or supporting the LBGTQ community both going against the Word of God. We are called to stand for the Lord. Not bow down to our emotions and feelings and political pressure. We need to answer the question are we seeking first the kingdom of God? 

Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Many of us have been running on emotions and making decisions in haste. I know during 2020 I had to stop myself I was arguing over every mandate and causing division, I wasn’t really trying to be a peacemaker. I was fueled by too much news, politics chaos, and medical mess. It was driving my day. Your probably thinking wait you’re a Christian that shouldn’t be happening, your right, but it did. Repentance was necessary. I turned off the news and social networks. I remembered a verse when I first came to Christ that really stuck with me and help me focus properly. 

Colossians 3:1-2 ESV
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

So we set out heart and minds on the things from above and seek the things from above we place Christ and we filter the world through the lens of scripture. Lord will let us know when it is time to stand. 

The Apostle Peter stood before the council knowing they could be killed for sharing about Jesus, yet they kept doing it. 

Acts 5:27-33 ESV
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, [28] saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” [29] But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. [30] The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. [31] God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. [32] And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” [33] When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

“We must obey God rather than men.” Powerful statement. 

Finally in the Book of Esther. Mordecai emphasized that Esther being in the palace was not an accident, for she had “come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”

Esther 4:14 ESV
 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

We see three men standing against a king and here Esther answering the call to knowing the circumstances were dire and they may be killed in the process. God will give us opportunities to stand and yet some will choose to bow, but it doesn’t stop the Lord’s plan. God will find someone else to come off the bench and, in the game, if you will not. God’s plans go forward. God wants us to be a part of it, but if not, God will move on to someone else. In the Book of Mark, the Gentile woman says the two words we all need to say when the Lord calls on us to stand “Yes Lord” if you say no Lord, He isn’t your Lord. 

Mark 7:28 ESV
But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.”

Church I believe we have much to stand for today. Remember a conviction is something that God places on your heart and you must obey. I always look to obey the authorities over me and respect the offices they hold, but if goes against the Word of God or against something the Lord has placed on my conscience or my heart then I must obey God rather than men. I hope this helps bring some understanding to this topic. Just trust God, Fear God rather than Men and obey God rather than men. 

God Bless 
Pastor Michael Petit 

Do you have an appointed time with the Lord daily? 

Daniel 2:16 ESV
And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

Back Story: The King wanted his dream interpreted and the wise men (worshipped demonic false gods) couldn’t tell the king the dream and now the king has called for the all the wise men to be killed. 

Daniel 2:12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.

Daniel was forced and taken during the exile was appointed to be a wise man but he was a man of God. Daniel was included in those to be killed. Yet Daniel a young men fourteen or fifteen years of age shows his spiritual maturity by asking for an appointed time with the king. He knew only God could interpret the dream.  Another thing that is so cool about chapter two in the midst of this turmoil Daniel grabs his friends to seek the Lord that night. 

Daniel 2:17-18 ESV
Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, [18] and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

We need help, God never attended us to go it alone. How awesome is it to have strong Godly brothers and sisters that will seek an answer from the Lord alongside of you? We need and should be there for each other. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. [10] For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

We are not supposed to go it alone. Sadly, prayer isn’t a priority for many. We need to initiate prayer. For me if I like stop the conversation before we see goodbye and I say let us prayer about that. We need to be that way in this church. To often we will say I’ll pray for you, and we will forget. 

Appointed Time: Daniel made time to seek the Lord. It was something that he had to have learned and put in to practice on a daily basis. We should have the same discipline as well. 

Daniel 2:16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

It takes time to wait on God. We live in a very instant world. We want answers immediately, unfortunately that is what google has done to us. Also, we do not know how to be quiet and wait to listen for the Lord’s answer. We are rushing and not willing to sit and listen to the Lord. 

Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope.

This is not the waiting on hopeless resignation but of hopeful anticipation, for each new day brings new blessings from His hand. Longer you wait and linger the louder it will be as you hear from him. Spend at least 15-20 minutes a day but the more you can the louder he gets. Wait quietly and listen. 

Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; [23] they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” [25] The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. [26] It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Less talking, we may spend a lot of time in prayer but are we listening. Are we zoning out? 

1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV
And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. [13] And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

So as your waiting do understand, seeking the presence of the Lord, do you understand who it is your spending time seeking?  

Revelation 4:2-8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

The worship to the Lord never ceases, I am guilty of rushing in sometimes and when I read this verse, I realize just how much I take this for grant. Do give the Lord your leftovers. Linger, patiently wait to hear from God. Answer may not come quickly but are you willing to wait?

Church I know it isn’t easy to wait.  I mean we are impatient people. We can order stuff and have same day deliver from Amazon. We have been spoiled; we really do not know what it is to patiently wait for things. I tell you when you have an appointed time with Jesus it changes my day. Spend time daily in his word, meditating on his word, seeking to hear from him and in prayer. Your relationship will change in very radical way. You want to hear from the Lord read his word, you want an answer sit and be ready to listen. Linger don’t rush away. 

God Bless 
​Pastor Michael 

I remember as a kid when Sally Field won her Oscar, in her speech she said, "You like me, you really like me." 

I am afraid in the world we are in today with the lure of Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and YouTube many Pastors and followers of Christ have spent much time wanting to be liked, read, and watched. 

Luke 6:26 ESV
"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Do we win people to Christ? 

 We have to be careful when we place ourselves into a position of being liked or loved. Then they look to you before the Lord. Trust me we have some narcissistic pastors in the pulpit. It is more about them then God’s truth and His son Jesus. When we are trying to be liked or loved, then you may worry about offended someone with the truth, you start thinking I just want to love them all the time. I told the church I will offend at some point because it is the word of God that convicts or reproofs. It is not done in hurtful or harmful way. I know I will say something that will ruffle your feathers, because I know my Senior Pastor did to me from the pulpit. Not done in harmful way just the word of God getting to marrow of the bone. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Whose approval are you looking for Man’s or God’s?

In this culture today many seek the approval of man. They are more afraid of being cancelled then share truth. Pastor Ken Graves had great quote about cancel culture, Marxism and progressive Christianity, He said; 

“Woe to unto you if not canceled. Woe unto you if your still popular in a world who hates Christ.”
Pastor Ken Graves 

What Pastor Ken Graves was discussing is how many Progressive Pastors are trying to recast Jesus. We are seeing a growing number of pastors accepting a lot of these wrong unbiblical teachings because they don't want to lose popularity or not be loved. We have to be careful because it easy to create a mass media, celebrity filled, social network pastor today. They stress about saying certain things about marriage, gender, race, or homosexuality because it might get them canceled even the though the bible clearly states the truth on each subject. 

Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

We have to share truth and what is truth? It is the word of God. Our society is pulling further and further away from the truth. 

“The Further a society drifts from the truth, the more they will hate those who speak it.” George Orwell

Pilate feared man, he was threatened by the Jews and his fear of Caesar caused him to release Barabbas over Jesus because he feared man. 

John 19:12 
From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

Church I hope you realize the importance sharing the truth of God’s word in today’s culture. We will speak truth they may hate, persecute, or cancel you but we need to hold fast to Christ. Remember the culture may drift further and further away from truth but we need to stand firm in it. Be wary of those pastors that want to be like, loved or fame seekers because they are seeking approval of man not God. 

God bless, 
Pastor Michael Petit 

I was reading this past week about the decline of a biblical worldview in Christianity. [i]Overall, the current research revealed that only 9% of all American adults have a biblical worldview. The scary part of this is that most youth have established their worldview by age thirteen and over their twenty’s it is set.

[ii]Here are a few notable findings among practicing Christians:
61% agree with ideas rooted in New Spirituality.
54% resonate with postmodernist views.
36% accept ideas associated with Marxism.
29% believe ideas based on secularism.

Colossians 2:8 ESV
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

What is a biblical worldview?
A biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. When you believe the Bible is entirely true, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do. Someone with a biblical worldview believes his primary reason for existence is to love and serve God.
 
 
[iii]Do you have a biblical worldview?
Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:

Do absolute moral truths exist?

Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?

Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?

Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it today?

Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
Is Satan real?

Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?

Did you answer yes to these?
Only 9 percent of “born- again” believers did.

Why the decline? 

One major reason for the decline is the parents or parent is not establishing a biblical worldview in the home. Many do not see their parent living it out in their faith, or in the marriage or the home. Notice in Deuteronomy 6:5-6 The Lord is dealing the individual person-parent first. These words shall be on your heart first and then teach them to your children. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. [8] You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. [9] You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.


Teach them diligently.

We know the schools; media and the community are teaching them diligently wrong. If you will not teach your child, they will, or Satan will. Honestly, I was so guilty of this before Christ, I expected the school to raise my child and teach them. Once I became I believer and I learned about planned parenthood, socialism, LGBTQ, and other religions (Buddhism meditation or Hinduism yoga) being taught to my kids and it was wrong. We had to establish a godly example in the home. I also needed to be willing to teach why I believe so strongly on issues of the world, especially the ones that went against the word of God. I needed to be a walking, talking billboard for Jesus as husband, father, and man in my home and outside the home. I would live my life based on that truth. We have to engage our kids, teach them diligently. That word in the Hebrew means to pierce or to sharpen. We will do a disservice to our kids if we do not sharpen them in Christ. We need to prepare them for this world, we live in. Trust me it will push and challenge those godly views constantly and if they are not grounded in Jesus they will begin to struggle in what they believe.

What is the Churches responsibility?

Yes, the church has responsibility especially in children’s ministry, youth, and young adult’s ministry to establish that biblical worldview as the ministry meets. But the biggest issue is the parents or parent living it out in the home? We all have a responsibility as Christians through discipleship and I know it is something we will establish as we begin to teach the Book of Daniel over the next few weeks. The first six chapters of the Book of Daniel will establish our biblical worldview, especially in this time we are living in today. The bible is extremely relevant to the times we live in. So, teach it to them diligently, we as a church normally get a child or youth once or twice a week. The school gets them five days a week and you have them all the time. Look for biblical teaching moments with them.
When I was reading about this it was alarming, I discussed it with my wife, we talked about what changes we need to make in our life as we spend time sewing into our grandchildren.  As a pastor it really made think how we can establish a strong foundation for church goers and parents. We pray it is lived out at home. We want good soil, with deep roots, built up in Christ. How is your soil? How is your kids’ soil? Full of weeds or hard Texas ground. The world (weeds) will choke out the word if your not careful. 

Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, [7] rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Let us teach them diligently and walk in Jesus not just at church but live out your faith at home in your marriages and with your family. Deep roots, strong foundation and strong biblical worldview for the whole family and church.
God Bless,
Pastor Michael Petit
 
 


[i] Changes in worldview among Christians over the past 13 years. Barna Group. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.barna.com/research/barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years/.

[ii] Changes in worldview among Christians over the past 13 years. Barna Group. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.barna.com/research/barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years/.

[iii] Changes in worldview among Christians over the past 13 years. Barna Group. (n.d.). Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://www.barna.com/research/barna-survey-examines-changes-in-worldview-among-christians-over-the-past-13-years/.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love,

I remember before Christ a song by the Black-Eyed Peas called  "Where is Love?" in the song there is a line that says "Can you practice what you are preaching'?", it is really true the church needs to start practicing what they preach, especially when it comes to love. We have seen so much divide in our nation but even in the church today. Love is what the followers of Christ are supposed to be known by, yet most are known by their political parties, social justice, or medical mandates issues.  The love being described in Galatians 5:22 as it speaks about  "Agape" love it is a love that gives and expects nothing in return. It is sacrificial Agape unconquerable love of Christ. Sacrificial love you can't do it in your flesh, but in the Holy Spirit.  ​Fruit of the Spirit meaning we walk in the Spirit. Fruit of the Spirit is Love, love doesn't parade itself love isn't puffed up. 
 
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  

Love is what we should be known by, but we get so wrapped in division of current events, social or political division and it bleeds into the church. Sadly we have many that have much knowledge of  theology and scripture but can not practically apply love in their marriage, family or even church. In the Book of John 13:35, Jesus reminds us to be His disciples, we must love one another. 

John 13:35 ESV
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 Jesus reminds us we can not do anything apart from him in the Book of John 15:5, Fruit doesn't grow over night. We need our dependence to be on Jesus. 
 
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
 
The Fruit of the Spirit is bond by love, but most of us are just clanging cymbals as we divide the church further and further, cause we speak not with love, you may have great knowledge and faith but without love it is nothing but noise. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,[a] but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[b] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Most of us know 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 as wedding verses but the chapter is discussing the importance of agape love in our daily walks.  

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

What if you were to place your name where the word love (agape) is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7? Like Mike is patient and kind. I am? Mike does not envy or boast? Mike does not insist on its own way? Changes the way we look at that verse. Pastor Chuck Smith suggested that and I agree when I read it that way I realize Mike needs some work. Maybe I am that noisy clang or cymbal at times cause the love I express isn't from the fruit of the Spirit "Agape love". Maybe I expect something in return. You naturally only love those that love you back. Agape love allows you to love those that deserve love the least.  Jesus was asked about the great commandment and it is no surprise it dealt with love. 

Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.  After reading this scripture, have you totally surrendered your life to Love God and love one another?

So as a follower of Christ you have no excuse to not love. Lord provides all of us plenty of opportunity to practice love everyday. First, we are to Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind, love your neighbor, love your wife as Christ loved the church and even if your not getting along with your spouse, family member, friends or co-workers then love your enemies. No excuse. 

Just remember fruit trees take time to grow. Never came by a apple tree that produced fruit on day one. No, it's the natural byproduct over time, good soil, water and over time it produces fruit. Same with us we tend the soil and water it with the word of God, keep the weeds out (the world and sin) and we live in obedience to the Lord. We are to be an example of Love, but Agape Love. For believers the Apostle Paul gave Timothy some great wisdom in 1 Timothy 4. We are to be the example and as he list each thing love is listed, it is to be practiced in our daily relationship with the Lord. 

1 Timothy 4:11-12 Command and teach these things. [12] Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 

My prayer:
Lord please help us grow in obedience and that we would be known by our love for one another, our love for our neighbors, love for enemies and most of all to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. 

Amen 
​God Bless 
Michael Petit