Rusty Kuhn's Blog, page 13
March 14, 2014
A Great Reward
“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 NASB
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith is, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 then gives us several testimonies of individuals that faced a variety of circumstances in their lives. They all had one great attribute in common, “For by it, (faith), the men of old gained approval.” (Hebrews 11:2).
When we have faith in God we must have full assurance that He is. Alongside this assurance we need to have full conviction the He is with us if we are His children. An amazing truth that we often overlook is when Jesus was conceived we were reminded of who He is; He is Emanuel, God with us. Another amazing fact that is often overlooked is the words of Jesus just prior to His ascension, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” From His conception to His ascension He has promised to be with us. However we must believe with assurance and conviction; that is faith.
Although the bible assures us that God will be with us, the Word of God also tells us time and time again to seek Him. This particular verse tells us that God rewards those who seek Him. As Christians our lives are powerless without the presence of God. We should seek Him from the time we wake up in the morning to the time we lay our head down at night. We should even desire to dream about Him. It is only through the presence of God within our lives that we have true victory in life. However, we don’t seek victory, or blessings, or gifts, or power, or wisdom, or might, or anything else within our lives. What then do week seek? We seek Him. God has promised us a reward when we seek Him. What is the reward? He is our reward! He is all we need! He is victory, He is the ultimate blessing and the giver of blessings, He is the greatest gift and the giver of great gifts, He is power, He is wisdom, He is might, He is anything and everything we will ever need. When we seek Him we are rewarded with Him. What a great reward! Rusty Kuhn
Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith is, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 then gives us several testimonies of individuals that faced a variety of circumstances in their lives. They all had one great attribute in common, “For by it, (faith), the men of old gained approval.” (Hebrews 11:2).
When we have faith in God we must have full assurance that He is. Alongside this assurance we need to have full conviction the He is with us if we are His children. An amazing truth that we often overlook is when Jesus was conceived we were reminded of who He is; He is Emanuel, God with us. Another amazing fact that is often overlooked is the words of Jesus just prior to His ascension, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” From His conception to His ascension He has promised to be with us. However we must believe with assurance and conviction; that is faith.
Although the bible assures us that God will be with us, the Word of God also tells us time and time again to seek Him. This particular verse tells us that God rewards those who seek Him. As Christians our lives are powerless without the presence of God. We should seek Him from the time we wake up in the morning to the time we lay our head down at night. We should even desire to dream about Him. It is only through the presence of God within our lives that we have true victory in life. However, we don’t seek victory, or blessings, or gifts, or power, or wisdom, or might, or anything else within our lives. What then do week seek? We seek Him. God has promised us a reward when we seek Him. What is the reward? He is our reward! He is all we need! He is victory, He is the ultimate blessing and the giver of blessings, He is the greatest gift and the giver of great gifts, He is power, He is wisdom, He is might, He is anything and everything we will ever need. When we seek Him we are rewarded with Him. What a great reward! Rusty Kuhn
March 12, 2014
Fasting and the Work of the Church Go Hand in Hand
Fasting and the Work of the Church Go Hand in Hand
“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3
I often hear pastors and minister fuss that they can’t get their congregation to move out of the pews and into the community for the sake of the gospel. I must admit I have grumbled those same complaints more than a time or two myself. However, we often fail to realize the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and not a physical one. We are only effective in winning a spiritual battle if we fight the battle with spiritual weapons of warfare. Fasting and praying is one of the greatest spiritual tools God has given to us.
Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we look out into our world it doesn’t take long to understand just how plentifully full the fields are with the lost who need to be harvested with the power of the gospel. Yet, we are often left disappointed when we see so few doing the work of the Lord. God has clearly called all Christians to share the gospel. Unfortunately most Christians have never shared the gospel with anyone. Jesus said that we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into the field, in other words, Jesus is telling us to fight this battle with spiritual weapon of prayer.
We see in this text of scripture the church at Antioch praying and fasting. While they were praying and fasting the bible says that “the Holy Spirit said.” It isn’t coincidental that the church was seeking God through prayer and fasting and then heard from Him. In fact this should be the norm, just as the church seeking God through prayer and fasting should be the norm.
When the Holy Spirit spoke He told them to, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They prayed to the Lord of the harvest and God answered by sending out workers into the harvest field. God was calling Barnabas and Saul, (Paul), to go out into the world and preach the gospel to the lost.
Before sending Barnabas and Saul into the mission field the church at Antioch prayed and fasted once again for their newly appointed missionaries. Notice that they didn’t send them out into the fields of spiritual war to fight the battle alone. Although Barnabas and Saul were sent out and the others remained, the church was spiritually in the mission field fighting the spiritual battle as partners in the trenches of spiritual war with them. The church continued to fight the fight with them by praying and fasting. Through the power of prayer and fasting we can stand alongside missionaries, pastors, and evangelists all over the world; even if they are on the opposite side of the world at the time-far it is a spiritual battle.
When Paul went out into the mission field and preached the gospel, many were saved. He formed churches and trained leaders who would help lead the church so he could go into other cities and do the same. The new believers needed a church to help them grow in their walk with the Lord. At the same time there were still many lost people in those cities that needed to hear the gospel. These cities were now the spiritual responsibility of the new churches.
Paul knew what an enormous task the churches had in reaching their community and training new believers. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting. Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Are we reaching our communities, cities, counties, states, and nation with the gospel? Are we praying? Are we fasting? Lost people are not simply caught up in a philosophical thought that is contrary to the gospel; they are in spiritual bondage. Before we can change their philosophical view, we need to call upon the Lord of the harvest to transform and change their spiritual condition through the power of the gospel. Once they have accepted the gospel they are spiritually teachable and ready for the church to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. It begins with prayer and fasting, it continues with prayer and fasting, and it ends with prayer and fasting. Rusty Kuhn
“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Acts 13:1-3
I often hear pastors and minister fuss that they can’t get their congregation to move out of the pews and into the community for the sake of the gospel. I must admit I have grumbled those same complaints more than a time or two myself. However, we often fail to realize the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and not a physical one. We are only effective in winning a spiritual battle if we fight the battle with spiritual weapons of warfare. Fasting and praying is one of the greatest spiritual tools God has given to us.
Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. As we look out into our world it doesn’t take long to understand just how plentifully full the fields are with the lost who need to be harvested with the power of the gospel. Yet, we are often left disappointed when we see so few doing the work of the Lord. God has clearly called all Christians to share the gospel. Unfortunately most Christians have never shared the gospel with anyone. Jesus said that we are to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would send workers into the field, in other words, Jesus is telling us to fight this battle with spiritual weapon of prayer.
We see in this text of scripture the church at Antioch praying and fasting. While they were praying and fasting the bible says that “the Holy Spirit said.” It isn’t coincidental that the church was seeking God through prayer and fasting and then heard from Him. In fact this should be the norm, just as the church seeking God through prayer and fasting should be the norm.
When the Holy Spirit spoke He told them to, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” They prayed to the Lord of the harvest and God answered by sending out workers into the harvest field. God was calling Barnabas and Saul, (Paul), to go out into the world and preach the gospel to the lost.
Before sending Barnabas and Saul into the mission field the church at Antioch prayed and fasted once again for their newly appointed missionaries. Notice that they didn’t send them out into the fields of spiritual war to fight the battle alone. Although Barnabas and Saul were sent out and the others remained, the church was spiritually in the mission field fighting the spiritual battle as partners in the trenches of spiritual war with them. The church continued to fight the fight with them by praying and fasting. Through the power of prayer and fasting we can stand alongside missionaries, pastors, and evangelists all over the world; even if they are on the opposite side of the world at the time-far it is a spiritual battle.
When Paul went out into the mission field and preached the gospel, many were saved. He formed churches and trained leaders who would help lead the church so he could go into other cities and do the same. The new believers needed a church to help them grow in their walk with the Lord. At the same time there were still many lost people in those cities that needed to hear the gospel. These cities were now the spiritual responsibility of the new churches.
Paul knew what an enormous task the churches had in reaching their community and training new believers. He also knew the power of prayer and fasting. Acts 14:23 says, “When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Are we reaching our communities, cities, counties, states, and nation with the gospel? Are we praying? Are we fasting? Lost people are not simply caught up in a philosophical thought that is contrary to the gospel; they are in spiritual bondage. Before we can change their philosophical view, we need to call upon the Lord of the harvest to transform and change their spiritual condition through the power of the gospel. Once they have accepted the gospel they are spiritually teachable and ready for the church to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded. It begins with prayer and fasting, it continues with prayer and fasting, and it ends with prayer and fasting. Rusty Kuhn
March 10, 2014
In Pursuit of God’s Righteousness
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 NASB
In the previous chapter Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Now we find here Jesus saying, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men.” However the emphasis is, “to be noticed by them.” If our heart is the applause and the approval of men then we have received our reward in full. What reward is that? The applause and the approval of men.
Clearly God wants us to live out a righteous life as a walking witness to His wondrous love and grace. However, we must ask ourselves, “Are we living a life that points other to Jesus or are we living a life that points others to ourselves?” If we are seeking glory for ourselves we dishonor God and have no reward. We must remember Lucifer was cast out of heaven for trying to steal God’s glory, and that God has clearly said, “I will not share My glory with another.” However, if we chose to live a life of righteousness in light of God’s mercy and grace for the purpose of pointing others to Him, our eternal reward will be great. Paul said in II Timothy 4:8, “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
We must also remember that when we live a life in pursuit of God the world will often reject us and possibly persecute us. We do not intentionally try to stand in contrast to the world for the sake of provoking it, for that is another form of self-righteousness. In reality no one is attracted to self righteousness and everyone will reject it. It is probably one of the greatest stumbling blocks to the Christian world today. We are to live a life in accordance to God’s standards. God’s ways are not our ways and therefore will contradict the ways of the world. I am a sinner saved by grace therefore the righteousness that I pursues is not my own, I have none; it is God’s, and God’s alone. God has called me to holiness because He is holy and I simply invite the world to join me in my pursuit of Him. Will you join me?
In the previous chapter Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Now we find here Jesus saying, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men.” However the emphasis is, “to be noticed by them.” If our heart is the applause and the approval of men then we have received our reward in full. What reward is that? The applause and the approval of men.
Clearly God wants us to live out a righteous life as a walking witness to His wondrous love and grace. However, we must ask ourselves, “Are we living a life that points other to Jesus or are we living a life that points others to ourselves?” If we are seeking glory for ourselves we dishonor God and have no reward. We must remember Lucifer was cast out of heaven for trying to steal God’s glory, and that God has clearly said, “I will not share My glory with another.” However, if we chose to live a life of righteousness in light of God’s mercy and grace for the purpose of pointing others to Him, our eternal reward will be great. Paul said in II Timothy 4:8, “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
We must also remember that when we live a life in pursuit of God the world will often reject us and possibly persecute us. We do not intentionally try to stand in contrast to the world for the sake of provoking it, for that is another form of self-righteousness. In reality no one is attracted to self righteousness and everyone will reject it. It is probably one of the greatest stumbling blocks to the Christian world today. We are to live a life in accordance to God’s standards. God’s ways are not our ways and therefore will contradict the ways of the world. I am a sinner saved by grace therefore the righteousness that I pursues is not my own, I have none; it is God’s, and God’s alone. God has called me to holiness because He is holy and I simply invite the world to join me in my pursuit of Him. Will you join me?
March 5, 2014
Prayer and Fasting
“And He told them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Mark 9:29 HCSB
Today in the Catholic tradition marks the first day of lent. Lent is recognized by Catholics all over the world by going to their churches and having an ash cross marked on their foreheads. This day is called Ash Wednesday. Lent is a forty day period of fasting that starts forty six days before Easter, symbolizing the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying. I am not a Catholic, nor do I participate in their traditions such as lent or Ash Wednesday. However, fasting is clearly expected of all Christians.
The bible does not give us a mandate to fast and pray for any certain length of time. The bible does however give us several examples of people praying and fasting. Ester fasted for three days, Israel fasted for seven days, Daniel fasted for three weeks, and Moses, Elijah, and Jesus fasted for forty days. Nor does the bible give us a prescribed method of fasting. We find in the bible absolute fasts, (no food or water), partial fasts, vegetable fasts, and even fasts from sexual relations. There are a multitude of examples in both the Old and New Testaments.
Fasting is clearly not a spiritual diet. It is for the sole purpose of seeking God for a singularly specific reason. It is a time of demonstration to God of how serious we are for the need in which we are praying and seeking God for. It is a time when we are willing to deny ourselves and seek God.
In this text of scripture we find a father who has a son that is demon possessed. The demon that has possessed him is trying to destroy him. While Jesus was up on the mountain the father brought his boy to the disciples for them to cast the demon out. Jesus had already given the disciples authority to cast demons out and they rejoiced that the demons were subject to them in Jesus name. (Luke 10:1-20). However, they could not cast this demon out. Jesus came down off of the mountain in the midst of their failure to cast the demon out of the boy. Jesus with no trouble at all cast the demon out. Later that night the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast this demon out. Jesus then said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
Clearly in the New Testament church fasting and praying was a regular part of life. Not so much today is it? If have preached on fasting plenty of times only to be told by people who have been in church their whole lives that this was the first time they have heard a sermon on fasting. What a shame. Could it be that our prayers are not being answered because we sling shot quickie prayers to the throne of God thinking that is sufficient? Are we not willing to deny ourselves for the purpose of modern day fathers and mothers who stand at the feet of the church looking and longing for a move of God on behalf of their children of whom Satan and his demons are trying to destroy. Will we not fast for their sake or even the sake of our own children, churches, community, and nation? Or are we too consumed with us?
Jesus gave us very specific instructions for fasting in Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus said in this text, “When you fast”, as if it is an expectation from Him. Will you join me in praying and fasting for our children, churches, communities, and nation? They stand in great need. The good news is, we have a great God!
Rusty Kuhn
Today in the Catholic tradition marks the first day of lent. Lent is recognized by Catholics all over the world by going to their churches and having an ash cross marked on their foreheads. This day is called Ash Wednesday. Lent is a forty day period of fasting that starts forty six days before Easter, symbolizing the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness fasting and praying. I am not a Catholic, nor do I participate in their traditions such as lent or Ash Wednesday. However, fasting is clearly expected of all Christians.
The bible does not give us a mandate to fast and pray for any certain length of time. The bible does however give us several examples of people praying and fasting. Ester fasted for three days, Israel fasted for seven days, Daniel fasted for three weeks, and Moses, Elijah, and Jesus fasted for forty days. Nor does the bible give us a prescribed method of fasting. We find in the bible absolute fasts, (no food or water), partial fasts, vegetable fasts, and even fasts from sexual relations. There are a multitude of examples in both the Old and New Testaments.
Fasting is clearly not a spiritual diet. It is for the sole purpose of seeking God for a singularly specific reason. It is a time of demonstration to God of how serious we are for the need in which we are praying and seeking God for. It is a time when we are willing to deny ourselves and seek God.
In this text of scripture we find a father who has a son that is demon possessed. The demon that has possessed him is trying to destroy him. While Jesus was up on the mountain the father brought his boy to the disciples for them to cast the demon out. Jesus had already given the disciples authority to cast demons out and they rejoiced that the demons were subject to them in Jesus name. (Luke 10:1-20). However, they could not cast this demon out. Jesus came down off of the mountain in the midst of their failure to cast the demon out of the boy. Jesus with no trouble at all cast the demon out. Later that night the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast this demon out. Jesus then said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
Clearly in the New Testament church fasting and praying was a regular part of life. Not so much today is it? If have preached on fasting plenty of times only to be told by people who have been in church their whole lives that this was the first time they have heard a sermon on fasting. What a shame. Could it be that our prayers are not being answered because we sling shot quickie prayers to the throne of God thinking that is sufficient? Are we not willing to deny ourselves for the purpose of modern day fathers and mothers who stand at the feet of the church looking and longing for a move of God on behalf of their children of whom Satan and his demons are trying to destroy. Will we not fast for their sake or even the sake of our own children, churches, community, and nation? Or are we too consumed with us?
Jesus gave us very specific instructions for fasting in Matthew 6:16-18. Jesus said in this text, “When you fast”, as if it is an expectation from Him. Will you join me in praying and fasting for our children, churches, communities, and nation? They stand in great need. The good news is, we have a great God!
Rusty Kuhn
March 4, 2014
A Sweet Aroma
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.” II Corinthians 2:14-16 NASB
This scripture reminds us of the fact that when we follow Jesus, God, “always leads us in triumph in Christ.” Regardless of what we face in this life we will always have victory. This scripture doesn’t teach us that bad things will never happen to those who follow Christ. Rather, it teaches us that God will get us through whatever life throws at us and allow us to have the victory. However, the victory only comes through a wholehearted pursuit of Jesus within our lives. On the other hand, pursuing our own plans, goals, and desires will certainly lead to disaster.
When we live for Christ, not only are we blessed and led to triumph, God manifests the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ through us. This sweet fragrance first becomes a fragrance to God. When we come to know Christ as our Savior and then led into triumph through Christ it manifests a sweet fragrance before the very throne of God and blesses God Himself. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved and led to victory in Christ. (Luke 15:7). God our Father, who loves us and has sacrificed for us, certainly rejoices.
Not only are we a pleasing fragrance unto God, we are a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ to those who are being saved through accepting the gospel message of Christ and therefore give their lives to Him, and to those who are perishing because they have rejected the gospel. We are not responsible for those who reject or those who accept. That is a personal decision on their part. However, we are fully responsible as to whether or not we will live in pursuit of Jesus where the sweet aroma of Christ will then be manifest from within us so that the world can have the opportunity to inhale that sweet aroma and therefore have the opportunity to make the choice. How then do you choose to smell in the stench of this world today? I chose to smell like Christ. Rusty Kuhn
This scripture reminds us of the fact that when we follow Jesus, God, “always leads us in triumph in Christ.” Regardless of what we face in this life we will always have victory. This scripture doesn’t teach us that bad things will never happen to those who follow Christ. Rather, it teaches us that God will get us through whatever life throws at us and allow us to have the victory. However, the victory only comes through a wholehearted pursuit of Jesus within our lives. On the other hand, pursuing our own plans, goals, and desires will certainly lead to disaster.
When we live for Christ, not only are we blessed and led to triumph, God manifests the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ through us. This sweet fragrance first becomes a fragrance to God. When we come to know Christ as our Savior and then led into triumph through Christ it manifests a sweet fragrance before the very throne of God and blesses God Himself. Heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved and led to victory in Christ. (Luke 15:7). God our Father, who loves us and has sacrificed for us, certainly rejoices.
Not only are we a pleasing fragrance unto God, we are a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ to those who are being saved through accepting the gospel message of Christ and therefore give their lives to Him, and to those who are perishing because they have rejected the gospel. We are not responsible for those who reject or those who accept. That is a personal decision on their part. However, we are fully responsible as to whether or not we will live in pursuit of Jesus where the sweet aroma of Christ will then be manifest from within us so that the world can have the opportunity to inhale that sweet aroma and therefore have the opportunity to make the choice. How then do you choose to smell in the stench of this world today? I chose to smell like Christ. Rusty Kuhn
March 3, 2014
Reflections of Glory
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18 NASB
Paul reminded the church of Corinth of Moses who caught a glimpse of the glory of God. The reflection of God’s glory caused Moses face to shine. Because of the hardness of the peoples heart Moses had to wear a veil over his face to hide the glory of God illuming from him. Paul also said that this veil remains in the hearts of men to this day and is only removed whenever a person turns to the Lord.
As Christians we are to be living reflectors of the glory of God. We are not to veil or hide the glory of God within us. Nor are we to use the Lord to bring glory to ourselves. We are to let His light shine from within us for the world to see and therefore be drawn to the Him.
In order for us to be a clear and bright reflection of God’s glory we need to be transformed from the fleshly man to the spiritual man. When we walk more in the flesh and less in the Spirit we are dim and dull reflectors of God’s glory. However, when we are full of the Spirit and have denied the flesh God’s glory shines bright. We should desire the glory of God to shine so bright within us it blinds the world from all else.
How then are we to be transformed into His image from glory to glory? The Word of God promises us if we seek God we will find Him. God has given to us several methods of seeking Him and finding Him such as, the bible, prayer, church, and service. All of these are wonderful ways God has given to us to discover His person, fall in love with Him, and then become like Him. These tools are not tools for salvation; they are tools for those who are already saved to seek Jesus all the more. The only means of salvation is to repent of your sins, and trust in the Lord by faith to save you from and forgive you of your sins. Once we are saved we use these tools to grow in our walk with Him, to draw closer to Him and more like Him.
Every believer should spend time daily in God’s Word, and in prayer, and to take every opportunity to be active in the church and in service unto the Lord. However, we need to be careful in not allowing these spiritual acts to become fleshly. When these acts become tedious acts of legalistic works that we do because we feel as though we have to, they are meaningless and far less beneficial. However, when we spend time in the bible, in prayer, and in church for the singular purpose of seeking God our service of Him will then be anointed with the glory of God. Our love and passion for Him will grow immensely and our service of Him will be as natural as breathing. Then the world will not see us and be greatly disappointed; they will see the glory of God and be very satisfied. Rusty Kuhn
Paul reminded the church of Corinth of Moses who caught a glimpse of the glory of God. The reflection of God’s glory caused Moses face to shine. Because of the hardness of the peoples heart Moses had to wear a veil over his face to hide the glory of God illuming from him. Paul also said that this veil remains in the hearts of men to this day and is only removed whenever a person turns to the Lord.
As Christians we are to be living reflectors of the glory of God. We are not to veil or hide the glory of God within us. Nor are we to use the Lord to bring glory to ourselves. We are to let His light shine from within us for the world to see and therefore be drawn to the Him.
In order for us to be a clear and bright reflection of God’s glory we need to be transformed from the fleshly man to the spiritual man. When we walk more in the flesh and less in the Spirit we are dim and dull reflectors of God’s glory. However, when we are full of the Spirit and have denied the flesh God’s glory shines bright. We should desire the glory of God to shine so bright within us it blinds the world from all else.
How then are we to be transformed into His image from glory to glory? The Word of God promises us if we seek God we will find Him. God has given to us several methods of seeking Him and finding Him such as, the bible, prayer, church, and service. All of these are wonderful ways God has given to us to discover His person, fall in love with Him, and then become like Him. These tools are not tools for salvation; they are tools for those who are already saved to seek Jesus all the more. The only means of salvation is to repent of your sins, and trust in the Lord by faith to save you from and forgive you of your sins. Once we are saved we use these tools to grow in our walk with Him, to draw closer to Him and more like Him.
Every believer should spend time daily in God’s Word, and in prayer, and to take every opportunity to be active in the church and in service unto the Lord. However, we need to be careful in not allowing these spiritual acts to become fleshly. When these acts become tedious acts of legalistic works that we do because we feel as though we have to, they are meaningless and far less beneficial. However, when we spend time in the bible, in prayer, and in church for the singular purpose of seeking God our service of Him will then be anointed with the glory of God. Our love and passion for Him will grow immensely and our service of Him will be as natural as breathing. Then the world will not see us and be greatly disappointed; they will see the glory of God and be very satisfied. Rusty Kuhn
February 28, 2014
Ambassadors For Christ
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us” II Corinthians 5:20 NASBRusty Kuhn
Clearly all Christians are called to ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is an individual living in a foreign land representing the interests of their own nation. Their goal should always be what the best interest for their nation is and how to progress the interests of their nation. The nationality of all Christians, regardless of their location, is the Kingdom of God and Jesus is our King. As ambassadors for Christ our goal should always be, what the best interest of Christ is.
When King Solomon was praying to the Lord in the dedication of the temple he asked of God to look not just upon them but also on the foreigner who would pray to God, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel” (II Chronicles 6:33). God’s heart has always been that all of His creation would turn to Him and trust in Him. The temple was a testimony of the power and the presence of God in the midst of His people.
Today through Christ the New Testament teaches us that our bodies are now the Temple of God. (II Corinthians 6:19). God chooses to reside in us today through His Spirit for the same reasons He chose to reside in the Temple amongst the nation of Israel, so that the lost people of the world may know Him through His presence within us. As an ambassador we do not promote our own agenda, or our own plans, or even our own ideas. Everything we do points to the one of whom we represent.
As Christians we are in this world but are not of this world. We are foreigners in a foreign land. This world is naturally hostile toward the things of God yet we are called to represent God in this hostile world. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” When we simply try to blend in with the world and not allow Christ to shine through us we not only dishonor the Lord, we also do this world an injustice.
The world thinks that their way of living is perfectly fine, that they are on the right track, and they have everything figured out. However, they will never find peace, joy or any sense of contentment in what this world has to offer. I believe that God has put a natural void in the heart of every man that longs for God and cannot be filled by anything else. When the people of the world see the joy, the peace, and the sense of satisfaction within the lives of Christians they are then confronted with the realization that something is missing in their lives.
When we are ambassadors for Christ sharing the marvelous light of Christ we welcome the foreigner who has come to realize how brutal this world has treated him; the foreigner who is ready to give up his citizenship to this world and become a citizen of God. The church has now become the embassy welcoming him as a refugee-but more than that. Now that he has transferred his citizenship, he is a fellow citizen of the Kingdom of God-a brother in Christ. Apart from the ambassadors for Christ how would the foreigner ever know of Jesus marvelous light, how would he know he is welcome, how would he ever become a brother? He would be left to his doom.
Clearly all Christians are called to ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is an individual living in a foreign land representing the interests of their own nation. Their goal should always be what the best interest for their nation is and how to progress the interests of their nation. The nationality of all Christians, regardless of their location, is the Kingdom of God and Jesus is our King. As ambassadors for Christ our goal should always be, what the best interest of Christ is.
When King Solomon was praying to the Lord in the dedication of the temple he asked of God to look not just upon them but also on the foreigner who would pray to God, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel” (II Chronicles 6:33). God’s heart has always been that all of His creation would turn to Him and trust in Him. The temple was a testimony of the power and the presence of God in the midst of His people.
Today through Christ the New Testament teaches us that our bodies are now the Temple of God. (II Corinthians 6:19). God chooses to reside in us today through His Spirit for the same reasons He chose to reside in the Temple amongst the nation of Israel, so that the lost people of the world may know Him through His presence within us. As an ambassador we do not promote our own agenda, or our own plans, or even our own ideas. Everything we do points to the one of whom we represent.
As Christians we are in this world but are not of this world. We are foreigners in a foreign land. This world is naturally hostile toward the things of God yet we are called to represent God in this hostile world. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” When we simply try to blend in with the world and not allow Christ to shine through us we not only dishonor the Lord, we also do this world an injustice.
The world thinks that their way of living is perfectly fine, that they are on the right track, and they have everything figured out. However, they will never find peace, joy or any sense of contentment in what this world has to offer. I believe that God has put a natural void in the heart of every man that longs for God and cannot be filled by anything else. When the people of the world see the joy, the peace, and the sense of satisfaction within the lives of Christians they are then confronted with the realization that something is missing in their lives.
When we are ambassadors for Christ sharing the marvelous light of Christ we welcome the foreigner who has come to realize how brutal this world has treated him; the foreigner who is ready to give up his citizenship to this world and become a citizen of God. The church has now become the embassy welcoming him as a refugee-but more than that. Now that he has transferred his citizenship, he is a fellow citizen of the Kingdom of God-a brother in Christ. Apart from the ambassadors for Christ how would the foreigner ever know of Jesus marvelous light, how would he know he is welcome, how would he ever become a brother? He would be left to his doom.
February 27, 2014
Praying Powerfully Through our Mediator
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 NASB
As a result of our saving relationship with Jesus Christ the bible teaches that all believers have direct access to the throne of God. (Hebrews 4:16). James 5:16 tells us that, “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” We have no righteousness of our own. However, those who have trusted in Christ as their savior have a righteousness that is found in Him. (Romans 3:22). As we lift up or voice to God we are also encouraged with the great news that Jesus is the mediator between God and man. (I Timothy 2:5). So what does all of this mean? It simply means that through Christ we have direct access to the throne of the Father. The righteousness that is found in Christ is a perfect righteousness; therefore the prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much. Our prayers through Christ are powerful.
Have you ever been told or even thought to yourself that someone is too far gone? As I stood at the graveside of my mother I tried to give the pastor who just finished preaching her funeral some money for his time and effort. He graciously declined but upon my persistence he said to me if I really wanted to give the money then I should come to church that Sunday and put it in the offering plate. I agreed and began to walk away. He then grabbed my arm to turn me back around and spoke these words to me, “Rusty I’m going to pray for you until you turn your life over to Jesus.” At that time in my life I was a drug addict that was consumed with anger, rage, hatred and bitterness. Not only was I a drug addict, I also considered myself to be an atheist. As he spoke those words to me I shrugged it off like it was nothing. Fifty-six day later I accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord over my life. We are never too far gone and there is great power in prayer; if we pray. Rusty Kuhn
As a result of our saving relationship with Jesus Christ the bible teaches that all believers have direct access to the throne of God. (Hebrews 4:16). James 5:16 tells us that, “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” We have no righteousness of our own. However, those who have trusted in Christ as their savior have a righteousness that is found in Him. (Romans 3:22). As we lift up or voice to God we are also encouraged with the great news that Jesus is the mediator between God and man. (I Timothy 2:5). So what does all of this mean? It simply means that through Christ we have direct access to the throne of the Father. The righteousness that is found in Christ is a perfect righteousness; therefore the prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much. Our prayers through Christ are powerful.
Have you ever been told or even thought to yourself that someone is too far gone? As I stood at the graveside of my mother I tried to give the pastor who just finished preaching her funeral some money for his time and effort. He graciously declined but upon my persistence he said to me if I really wanted to give the money then I should come to church that Sunday and put it in the offering plate. I agreed and began to walk away. He then grabbed my arm to turn me back around and spoke these words to me, “Rusty I’m going to pray for you until you turn your life over to Jesus.” At that time in my life I was a drug addict that was consumed with anger, rage, hatred and bitterness. Not only was I a drug addict, I also considered myself to be an atheist. As he spoke those words to me I shrugged it off like it was nothing. Fifty-six day later I accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord over my life. We are never too far gone and there is great power in prayer; if we pray. Rusty Kuhn
February 26, 2014
A Royal Priesthood
The more we understand the Gospel the more we understand that the good news of God keeps getting better and better. The bible clearly teaches that God has saved us even though we are unworthy, and that He has called us into a calling that is set aside for His purpose; a calling of which He will provide our every need. Those two glorious gifts are worthy of our uttermost dedication and service to God, but that is not the end of the good news. As we continue to search the scriptures we find that through Christ, God has adopted us as His very own children and that we have become joint heirs in Christ Jesus. The bible says in Romans 8:14-17 “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Paul called himself many times in scripture a “bond-servant of Christ.”A bond-servant is a willing servant. God has not called us to serve Him as His unwilling slaves. He has called us to serve Him as His child.
As the good news continues to get better and better we understand more of who God is and who we are because of Him. Jesus is not just royalty He is the King of Kings. Because we are adopted sons and daughters of God and joint heirs in Christ Jesus God has allowed us to join in the blessings of being a part of His royal family. In Christ we are royalty. Peter says of those who are a part of the family of God in I Peter 2:9, 10, “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” He calls us a “Royal Priesthood.”
In this text of scripture all believers are called priests. This doctrine is called the priesthood of the believer. Some would argue that being a priest is for a select few. However, the Word of God clearly teaches that whoever has accepted Jesus Christ’s work of salvation has then been adopted into the family of God and now is a priest of God.
A priest has many roles and responsibilities. However, they can all be summed up into one main purpose. A priest is to represent mankind to God. One of the greatest ways that believers can represent mankind to God is to pray for them. God expects His people who are called by His name to pray. Jesus is our High Priest. We see Him many times in the gospels praying for His disciples. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 1:3, that he thanks God for him, as he mentions him in his prayers.
As the priest of God serving mankind on behalf of God we should have a great burden for the lost and hurting. Many times I pray asking God to give me the compassion of Jesus. The compassion that calls out with a broken heart as Jesus did in Matthew 23:37 as He said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” Despite the wickedness of their ways Jesus still loved them and desperately desired to see them repent and turn to His saving grace. With this same heart of compassion we are called to cry out to the Father with a broken heart on behalf of the lost condition of this world. I dare say that the bulk of our prayer should be directed to praying for the redemption of the wretched. I also dare to say, if we started praying in this manner we will see revival. Reclaiming the Land: God's Formula for Revival
As the good news continues to get better and better we understand more of who God is and who we are because of Him. Jesus is not just royalty He is the King of Kings. Because we are adopted sons and daughters of God and joint heirs in Christ Jesus God has allowed us to join in the blessings of being a part of His royal family. In Christ we are royalty. Peter says of those who are a part of the family of God in I Peter 2:9, 10, “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” He calls us a “Royal Priesthood.”
In this text of scripture all believers are called priests. This doctrine is called the priesthood of the believer. Some would argue that being a priest is for a select few. However, the Word of God clearly teaches that whoever has accepted Jesus Christ’s work of salvation has then been adopted into the family of God and now is a priest of God.
A priest has many roles and responsibilities. However, they can all be summed up into one main purpose. A priest is to represent mankind to God. One of the greatest ways that believers can represent mankind to God is to pray for them. God expects His people who are called by His name to pray. Jesus is our High Priest. We see Him many times in the gospels praying for His disciples. Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 1:3, that he thanks God for him, as he mentions him in his prayers.
As the priest of God serving mankind on behalf of God we should have a great burden for the lost and hurting. Many times I pray asking God to give me the compassion of Jesus. The compassion that calls out with a broken heart as Jesus did in Matthew 23:37 as He said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” Despite the wickedness of their ways Jesus still loved them and desperately desired to see them repent and turn to His saving grace. With this same heart of compassion we are called to cry out to the Father with a broken heart on behalf of the lost condition of this world. I dare say that the bulk of our prayer should be directed to praying for the redemption of the wretched. I also dare to say, if we started praying in this manner we will see revival. Reclaiming the Land: God's Formula for Revival
February 25, 2014
By the Mercies of God
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 NASB
One of the difficulties we often have is understanding how totally depraved we are apart from Christ. We often think that we are deserving of the gifts and the blessings of God. However, the Word of God says in Isaiah 64:6 “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Our righteousness is the best we can give and it alone is not enough. The bible also says in Ephesians 2:3 “by nature we are children of wrath.” The word of God gives a very bleak picture of the nature of man. Every man, woman, and child that has ever lived upon this earth has made a conscience choice at some point in their lives to rebel and sin against God. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
The bible also tells us that God requires death as the payment of our sins. (Romans 6:23). Death had to be paid as a penalty of sin, but praise be to God that I Corinthians 15:3 tells us, “Christ died for our sins.” We should have paid the penalty of our sins but Jesus stood in our place. Although we have turned our back on Him time after time, God loved us enough to send His Son to become sin for us. II Corinthians 5:21 say, “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Due to this great sacrifice John said in I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” No one is worthy of this great gift of sacrifice. We deserve death and hell, yet God gives us grace by giving us His Son.
With this grace in mind Paul said in Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” He is urging us because of the mercy of God to give ourselves entirely to Himself as a living and holy sacrifice. God doesn’t want dead sacrifices. He desires living sacrifices that are set apart for His own purposes. If we truly understand the mercies of God and the great grace that God has bestowed upon us we would have no problem serving Him. The mercies of God have purchased us from sin, death, and hell, and reconciled us into a right relationship with Him. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” Ephesians 2:4
Because of the mercies of God I will gladly surrender myself to Him in full submission. Because of the mercies of God I will gladly serve Him with full sincerity counting it an honor. Because of the mercies of God I will gladly give my life as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. Rusty Kuhn
One of the difficulties we often have is understanding how totally depraved we are apart from Christ. We often think that we are deserving of the gifts and the blessings of God. However, the Word of God says in Isaiah 64:6 “Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Our righteousness is the best we can give and it alone is not enough. The bible also says in Ephesians 2:3 “by nature we are children of wrath.” The word of God gives a very bleak picture of the nature of man. Every man, woman, and child that has ever lived upon this earth has made a conscience choice at some point in their lives to rebel and sin against God. Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
The bible also tells us that God requires death as the payment of our sins. (Romans 6:23). Death had to be paid as a penalty of sin, but praise be to God that I Corinthians 15:3 tells us, “Christ died for our sins.” We should have paid the penalty of our sins but Jesus stood in our place. Although we have turned our back on Him time after time, God loved us enough to send His Son to become sin for us. II Corinthians 5:21 say, “He (God) made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Due to this great sacrifice John said in I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” No one is worthy of this great gift of sacrifice. We deserve death and hell, yet God gives us grace by giving us His Son.
With this grace in mind Paul said in Romans 12:1, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” He is urging us because of the mercy of God to give ourselves entirely to Himself as a living and holy sacrifice. God doesn’t want dead sacrifices. He desires living sacrifices that are set apart for His own purposes. If we truly understand the mercies of God and the great grace that God has bestowed upon us we would have no problem serving Him. The mercies of God have purchased us from sin, death, and hell, and reconciled us into a right relationship with Him. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” Ephesians 2:4
Because of the mercies of God I will gladly surrender myself to Him in full submission. Because of the mercies of God I will gladly serve Him with full sincerity counting it an honor. Because of the mercies of God I will gladly give my life as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God. Rusty Kuhn
