Day 4 "Jesus Paid the Price"

“HE WILL RETURN SOON FOR HE SAID HE WOULD; DO YOU SEE THE SIGNS?” Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matt. 2:1-2) The passage has been made famous by the nativity scenes, plays, and stories that have been told all over the world regarding Christ’s birth and traditionally celebrated as Christmas. Now would be a good time for me to make it clear that it is not my desire to crush anyone’s perception or understanding of the birth of Christ; however, I may unfortunately be the first to tell you our traditions have truly inaccurately depicted these events. The truth is the wise men or Majai, which means in loose terms astrologers, arrived when Jesus was about two years old, and He had long since moved out of the manger. It is also more likely than not what the Majai had seen was not a star that continued to remain in the sky, but rather a comet or some other terrestrial event that was a sign which they had long since been waiting for, possibly even generations. You see, for generations before the birth of the Messiah had been foretold, we see prophecy upon prophecy (Zechariah 9:9 for example) that foretells these events. Wouldn’t it make since, if the Lord were providing signs through men, He would also have foretold this to the Majai; after all, where would God have His chalkboard? The Majai came because of what had been foretold; they came to worship the King, and can you imagine how surprised they were when they realized no one else had recognized the fulfillment of prophecy? I would imagine they expected to see great fanfare and celebration. After all, the deliverer had come–people should be rejoicing and excited about their future, but no, they were not; they were rather continuing on as if nothing had changed. How could they be excited about a King born in a manger, running around in diapers, living in a common home with common parents? But, you see, they didn’t know the truth. They had not heard the prophecies or read the scrolls; they only knew what they were told, and far too many had no desire to seek out the truth. Much like the story we have all been told and the pictures seared in our mind from what we have seen and believed regarding the wise men, we simply accept things for what they appear to be. After all, why would anyone lie? Now, mind you, I do not want to make a big deal about the story of the wise men; however, I do challenge each and every reader of this passage and these writings: “Are you looking at the signs? Are you seeing the fulfillment of prophecy? Are you preparing the way for your King in your heart and in your mind? Or, will you, like many of the people of Jesus’ time, be caught not knowing, not recognizing, and not participating in the joyous celebration of His return?” MY PRAYER Father, I pray we would not miss the signs of the fulfillment of prophecy. May we be found ready and waiting at the return of our Savior Jesus Christ, Your Son. It is in His name we pray these things. Amen.

Known By Your Fruit

“IT IS BETTER TO BE UNKNOWN THAN TO BE KNOWN FOR UNFRUITFUL WORKS.” Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:18-21). Joseph and Mary, at the time being spoken of, are in the one-year betrothal period prior to living together and consummating their marriage. Mary is living at home with her parents, and Joseph, more than likely, is preparing their future home. Upon hearing of Mary’s pregnancy, the natural and lawful course of action would be for Joseph to publicly announce Mary’s unfaithfulness, which would more than likely lead to her death by stoning, according to Mosaic Law. Yet on his own, prior to the angelic visitation, Joseph displays his true character by purposing to keep Mary’s condition silent, an action that displays Joseph’s deep love and affection for Mary. It is possible Joseph was considering a quiet divorce from Mary; however, this was, of course, not to be so as an angel appeared to explain the need for this union to take place. Ever since the writing of this story, there have been countless efforts to extol the virtues and qualities of Mary. She was obviously a very special woman to be chosen by God to bear His child, but what about Joseph? Here is a man who, by all worldly accounts, has been shamed by his bride. Mary, by worldly accounts, has been unfaithful or at the very least surrendered herself to Joseph, both of which are culturally shameful acts on her part. Yet he remains by her side. The fact is Joseph, by his actions, has shown himself to be a Godly, faithful, and compassionate man–one determined by God to be worthy of rearing and providing for His Son. Little is said of Joseph in the Bible, and over the years, many have speculated about the character of this man. However, by his actions, he has shown himself to be a man of God, a man willing to be publicly humiliated for the sake of mankind. I would suggest Joseph is a man many of us would do well to emulate, and I look forward to the day when I can shake his hand or whatever it is we will do in heaven. To be a person of few words, faithful, humble, and unassuming is an admirable goal for each and every one of us. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I could stand to be a little more like this man. MY PRAYER Father, I do ask that You would help me to be short on words, long on thought, and capable of trusting You in all things, and I ask for these attributes in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A Man Named Jesus

There Was A Man Named Jesus A little over 2000 years ago, a man arrived upon the scene of the world, a man who caused quite a stir with everyone He came into contact with. He was a simple man. He was a wanderer with no home. He was a philosopher, a rebel, and a troublemaker—or was He something more? Many wondered; many followed Him to know more, to witness what He would do next or even simply to be near Him. Thousands were drawn to Him. Did they know why, or were they simply curious? Who was this man? He claimed to be the Son of God. He claimed God sent him here for us, to set us free. Free from what, many wondered? Was it freedom from the tyranny of rulers or to crush our foes? No, this Jesus came to set us free from ourselves, from this world, and ultimately from death. He didn't come to judge; He came to be judged. He didn't come to punish; He came to take on our punishment. He didn't come to destroy rulers and nations; He came to teach us of our Father in heaven and show us the way to peace for eternity. He did not come to bind us in the chains of law; He came to set man free! He took nothing and gave all. He did not require love and obedience but rather taught us of love that leads to obedience. His name was Jesus, and He gave us His all. For centuries, His coming had been foretold. He came just as we were told He would. The prophets of old described Him, spoke of His deeds, and from whose line of which He would come, and it all came true. He was no surprise. He performed miracles that only God could do. He raised the dead, healed the sick, and, most of all, He set the captives free, free from the torment of their evil actions and ways. He brought hope to the hopeless, strength to the weary, peace to the fearful, and joy to the sorrowful. He required little and gave it all! For this He was beaten beyond recognition, tormented and tortured by man, hung upon a tree, humiliated, and left to die. This was how we thanked Him for all He gave, and yet even still He loves us. Why? He loves us because God sent Him to show us love—love that knows no bounds—real and unconditional love. Love that went on to defeat death, not just for Jesus, but for all who would ever believe in and follow Him; a love that would lead to eternal life without pain or sorrow, toil, or anguish—eternal peace. This is love. Do you receive this love? Do you believe, will you believe? Will you be set free from the bondage of failures, pain, and missing the mark? Haven't you made enough mistakes in your life yet? Why not stop now, turn around, and make things right? Come to Jesus! Just as it was foretold of His coming before, it has been foretold He is coming soon to gather those who believe, to give us our reward. Don't miss out. There are no second chances, no more warnings. He is coming soon. Call on Jesus and be set free. Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Navarre

Danger Will Robinson

"Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" To this day, I remember a phrase from a '60s TV show that obviously had a long-lasting impact upon my mind. It was from the show "Lost in Space." There was a robot that was a companion to young Will Robinson, and at times it would sense danger and foreboding and cry out "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" As with myself and many of the youth of my day, we often repeated this phrase at any sign of danger, and even unto this day, when my senses are up and I recognize a foreboding feeling within my spirit, that phrase races through my mind. Where does this sense come from? This sense of danger and foreboding are truly gifts from God; we have been provided this feeling in order to protect us from falling into the trappings of the enemy or those who seek to cause us harm (Romans 2:14). After the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the Lord sent to us the Holy Spirit to reinforce these senses and to provide us with an additional ability not of our own to recognize and avoid the trappings of sin and deception. However, in order to be aware and able to be under this influence, we must desire to know right from wrong and not only desire; we must also be willing to make the tough decisions and sacrifices required to avoid these pitfalls. The denying of our flesh, the standing for truth, the act of living what we know to be true—as opposed to living and making decisions based upon outside influences, opinion, or popularity—this is how we avoid danger. In the following and obeying of the Spirit, we avoid danger and pitfalls, yet in the process of satisfying our flesh, we move forward, unaware or uncaring of dangers and pitfalls, allowing ourselves to be tossed to and fro. While many believe this is acceptable and simply an act of ignorance or out of a desire to be all things to all men in order that they may know God, I say to you, "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" In our ever-changing world we see the manifestation of both complacency regarding morality and the desire to be accepted being played out on a daily basis. We see people like me, those who cry out warnings and consequences of such actions, becoming few and far between. The pain and frustration associated with seeing the danger that lies ahead of someone and doing all you can to prevent it, more often than not to no avail, are beyond description. The hurt from being misunderstood, being labeled as judgmental, not accepting, or more could, without the help and strength of the Holy Spirit, make one run to the hills, find a tree for shade, and simply give up; yet something drives us on. While the "Lost in Space" robot was incapable of emotion and love, out of its sense of duty and programming it would cry out when danger was near, not concerned about popularity or standing but simply knowing danger was nearby, and a warning must be sounded! We prophets and leaders of today cry out not only out of duty and love; we cry out because of the calling and passion God has placed within us for His children; children who more often than not will not listen. The desires and passions of the human body have become so intent on rebelling against God that truth is no longer the barometer; no, it has been replaced by acceptance and popularity; all signs of the last days before the return of Christ (2 Timothy 3). Today, I send out a warning, a word from the Word; a word to help some avoid the resulting consequences of their actions and disobedience. This word is in the book of Romans, chapter 1, verse 32. After speaking of the vile things people choose to do, acts of the flesh God hates and will judge, Paul finishes with this warning: "that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Paul, in the inspired Word of our God, is telling us that those who know sin to be sin and those who allow and approve of others who practice rebellion against God will be judged just as those who are rebelling. Do you see this? Do you get it? I recently read of a very well-known pastor who, along with another so-called pastor, performed the wedding of his homosexual son to his same-sex partner. Do you think God ordained this? I am not banging on homosexuality; let's go further. If I sell or endorse pornography, alcohol, or any behavior or act of rebellion that is against God's Word, I am just as guilty as those who openly rebel. If you claim to be a believer, you are told not to endorse, support, or show in any way approval or acceptance of behavior that is contrary to the Word of God. Those are not my words; they are His, our God's! If you need more Scripture to back up what I am claiming, here are a few: Romans 2:2, Ephesians 5:11–12, and Jude 1. No, it is not acceptable to God to stand by and watch sin run rampant. It is not okay to let your brother die and not come against that that is killing him. This, my friend, is not judgment, and the excuse of "judge not" will not work. You see, we are not to judge unless there are two or more witnesses, yet when people openly flaunt their rebellion against God there are many witnesses, and judgment has already befallen them. Yes, there is grace. Yes, there is repentance; hence, there is the hope of salvation, and "there but by the grace of God go I." "Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!" Do not accept those things that are against God on behalf of God for He does not accept them, and you who do will be judged, just as those who do them. Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Navarre

Do You Have What It Takes?

Do You Have What It Takes? The question is, "Do you have what it takes to be a true disciple of Christ?" Are you willing to lay it all down, trust God, and turn your back on the world? The first twelve chosen disciples of Christ were all men who had walked away from their worldly possessions, comforts, families, livelihoods, and more, simply upon the request of a man filled with the Spirit. They knew there was something special about Him. They suspected He was the Messiah, but had no convincing proof—they only believed and had faith. While this may sound simplistic, it is a reality and one that we, as His disciples, should remember when we are attempting to determine if God is calling us to a task. We have at our disposal far more understanding and truth than those first twelve men. We now have history, the Epistles, the Holy Spirit, the crucifixion, resurrection, and more, all things they did not have knowledge of or had experienced at the time of their heeding the call. All too often, much more often than not, when we speak with people about their calling, we hear far more excuses as to why not than we do reasons to fulfill the call on their life. It is often that I will hear someone say, "I just want God to use me" or "I just need to hear from the Lord what He wants" or "God hasn't told me yet" and thousands more reasons or excuses not to give up what they have in order to be used. The reality is folks that God requires sacrifice in order to bless the works of man's hands. No, I am not saying God wants more blood; what I am saying is "God rewards those who diligently seek Him." Nothing of great value comes without a cost, and to be used by the God of all creation is something of great value, is it not? By the way, if your answer is no, then there is no need to read on; that is, unless you desire to learn more. We are currently in the midst of one of the greatest transitions of all time in this world. We are preparing for the return of Christ; what will He find us doing? Will it be His work, or will we still be praying to find out what His work is when He has already told us what we are to be doing? Jesus made it clear to all that we, as believers, have two very definitive roles: to love and to make disciples (to spread the gospel). John 15 and 16, Matthew 28, Mark 16: these are just a few of the Scriptures where Jesus tells us our role on earth and our responsibility. So go do it! But Gene, I have family, I have a job, my home, and you don't understand how difficult it is. What about my grandkids? First of all, the disciples left all of that and more, and secondly, so have my wife and I. So have many thousands of other families. Am I saying every Christian is called to move away? Absolutely not, but for those of you who say you're seeking God and wanting all He has to offer and that you desire with all your heart to serve Him, you already have your answer—go! The cost of being a disciple is to let go of everything in this world that entangles us. It may be we love money, comfort, sports, our jobs, or even family more than we love or desire to serve God. It's not about moving away and being a missionary (yet many are called to do so); it is, again, about turning away from the world. I can tell you of many instances where people called by God to great things have received gifts, received confirmations, used their gifts, and had people call and offer money or travel, all things they were praying for, and say, "I am waiting to hear from God what to do." Or better yet, "Well, God told me to do this" and then days or weeks later say, "God told me to wait." Then comes the "I'm not sure what He wants," and then comes "I'm not ready," and years go by, and the circle continues on. Can I say this? God does not change His mind. God is not confused. God is definitive; the devil is "the author of confusion." Can we stop blaming God for our lack of conviction and faith to step out? God is not the one hesitating or confusing things, and all we are doing is tainting the reputation of our Savior and ourselves. If you have what it takes, take up your bed and follow Jesus. If you don't, stop talking about it and stay where you are. I know this sounds harsh, but be honest with yourself; you and those who love you will be much happier. Being a true disciple of Christ truly does come at a cost. Jesus did not say the rules would change after He was resurrected and ascended to heaven; no, He said, ‘if you love the world more than Me, you cannot follow Me' (Matthew 16:24). Sometimes we just need to hear the truth in love in order to make a move we already know we should be making. Do you have what it takes—what it takes to be a true disciple, to reap a disciple's reward? Only you can make that decision. Only you can make the sacrifice. You won't be the first, and those of us who have would say it has been worth every cost! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Ministries, Navarre, FL outreachman@gmail.com

The Cancer of Unforgiveness

The Unforgiving Servant. I don't know if it is because I have lived over 56 years on this planet or if it has more to do with my personality. More than likely it is a combination of both that have brought me to this latest consideration. Once again, I find myself at the receiving end of anger and bitterness from someone I trusted and loved. My first reaction is one of justice. I begin to list all of the reasons I should be angry and all of the reasons this person should be repentant, and like most, I begin to puff myself up and become hard. You see, it is a natural human defense strategy; the action we tend to take when we feel attacked or violated. The reality is we humans don't like to be wrong or wronged, yet both actions are taking place on a rather consistent basis in the lives of most people. Now, for the sake of discussion, I am writing this from the perspective of a believer, as one who, biblically speaking, has little or no right to be offended, especially by another brother or sister in Christ. This morning I was reading in Matthew 18:21–35, the parable of the unforgiving servant. As the story goes, a man owed great debt to a king. The king, in doing what he had the right to do, was planning on having the man, his wife, and children sold into slavery to pay the debt, something he had every legal right to do. The man who owed the debt pleaded for mercy, and as the king had compassion, he forgave the man the debt. This man did not only receive compassion he did not deserve, but his debt was paid in full. He was forgiven because the king valued the man and his family more than he valued justice and money. The man whose debt was forgiven, however, did not learn from this lesson, and he began to deal harshly and not have compassion on those who owed him. He beat them, threatened them, and threw them in prison. He valued what he felt he was owed more than the people—he had no compassion. The king, hearing the news, took the man into custody and tortured until he paid what he owed. I read this and think of how many times I myself, being forgiven of all of my indebtedness to the Lord, have forgotten His grace and mercy and attacked others who have offended or attacked me. Am I suddenly placing a lower value upon man than my own feelings, reputation, monies, my pride, and more? Did not God send His Son Jesus to pay the greatest price for all mankind? The answer, of course, is yes, and when we devalue people by holding grudges, making judgments, listening to gossip, making assumptions, judging intentions of the heart, are we not the same as this unforgiving man of whom Jesus spoke? This section of Scripture ends with these words of warning to us: "So my Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." When the Lord makes a promise, He keeps it. His words never change, and His promises are true. The reality is, when we fail to have compassion on those we feel have offended us or owe us a debt, we are promised that God will do the same to us! Yes, I struggle with forgiveness at times. I struggle with people who barely know me making assumptions. I struggle with unfounded accusations about my integrity. I struggle with people taking my words out of context. I struggle with being misunderstood. I struggle with hanging on to my righteous indignation for wrongs done to my family or me. Need I go on? Yes, these and more are things most of us struggle with at one time or another in our lives; we are not alone in our battle with the flesh. The answer to this challenge, while sounding simplistic, is far more difficult in action. If you're on the giving end of an offense, ask forgiveness; if on the receiving end, forgive and move on. Yes, maybe you need to talk it through, but when doing so remember the intention is not to be right or justified—it is for the relationship to be restored! Let me end with these final questions. Truly, why are you angry? Can you not trust God to bring righteous judgment? Does God need your help correcting anyone else? What if you were in their position? And lastly, maybe you should pray for your offender, could be they have been deceived into believing a lie, and maybe, just maybe, they need Jesus too. Pastor Gene Burroughs, Missio Dei Navarre

Time Rolls On

As with those who have gone before us, we live in new and changing times: days that are not as yesterday and will tomorrow be new—days of change. Since the beginning of time, man has been in an ever-progressive forward motion toward reunification with our creator. In the times when we have turned away, even the smallest remnant, He has intervened and turned us back, back to a place of forward motion toward eternity with Him. As with any journey, there is an end: a completed state in the human condition that end is either departure from this world or the meeting of Christ face-to-face at His return. Up until recent times, the chances of one seeing the return of Christ were slim at best. The world was simply not in the state of immorality and decay that the Bible predicts before the return of our Savior. However, today, at ever increasing speed, we rush toward that day: the day Christ returns for His bride. The reality is that He could return any day now. No, I am making no predictions nor will I ever regarding knowing the time or day of His return. I will, however, point you to the Scriptures and allow them to speak for themselves as they reveal the time of His return. In Matthew 24:36–44, Jesus describes the condition of the world prior to His return. Study of this and related passages, better known as eschatology, will reveal that we are, indeed, for the first time ever, at a place in time where the conditions of His return are daily being met and reinforced. This is an exciting time for those who truly believe, a fearful time for those who profess belief yet have not separated themselves from the world, and for those who do not believe, there are daily fewer rules and barriers for their morality. The decline of mankind's moral boundaries can easily be compared to those of the times of Noah, and compromise and tolerance have become the most dangerous words and actions of our time. The foundational truths of our nation have eroded to the point that so few know the truth they have simply accepted the most popular believe as truth. As I look upon the past, the fallen kingdoms and defeated nations, the reality is truly quite clear, this reality that mankind, left unchecked, will inevitably destroy itself through the need for immediate gratification, satisfaction, power, and pleasure. Are we there again today? You be the judge. Ponder these things and arrive at your own answer. Abortion: Every day there are an average of 3,288 abortions, or babies murdered. What is a baby? A baby is the product of sexual union between a man and a woman. An abortion, or murder of a child, is the result (more often than not) of two people who have broken God's moral laws and produced life; life they do not want to be responsible for. The result—murder! This practice is no longer called murder in the United States and is more accepted than not, and the realm of influence and accessibility is growing daily. Does this sound godly? Gay marriage: The practice of homosexuality in the U.S., while clearly defined in the Bible as being sinful and unnatural behavior, is now even being accepted in many denominations. Does God change His mind? I think not. Pornography: The porn industry will generate just over $13 billion dollars in revenue this year in the United States of America alone. The sanctity of marriage and monogamous relationships cannot coexist in a home where pornography is allowed. One or the other of the partners will always feel violated or unable to satisfy their partner. Married men and women involved in pornography are robbing their spouses of true intimacy; a practice that will lead to some form of separation. Does this sound like a moral practice, something acceptable to God? Sexual slavery: The lure for elicit sexual gratification has led to the abduction of an estimated 300,000 teens in America for use in the $9.5 billion-dollar-per-year U.S. sex trade, let alone in the world where there have been an estimated 24 million people abducted for sexual slavery! Does this sound like a nation or world based upon the moral statutes of a Holy God? I choose not to go on today; after all, who can stand more depressing news than this in one day? The reality and my reason for writing is this: wake up, America! You cannot see the coming of the Lord if your head is stuck in the sand! If we are looking up, we are looking unto our God whose return is and must be soon. What will you say when all done in the dark is exposed? What argument will you offer to a Holy God for your acceptance and endorsement of the sins of mankind? You say you don't endorse sin? I say if you speak not against something when asked, then you speak for it. Folks, we have at our fingertips the cure for this insanity. We have the truth of the blood of the Lamb, slain for our sins and transgressions—the Redeemer of all mankind. We must stand up for the truth and spread the truth in love, the truth that "Jesus Paid the Price." His death and resurrection are our only hope, and He is coming soon! Pastor Gene Burroughs, Author, "Jesus Paid the Price"