Not your own…God’s

Not your own…God’s
by Pete Berardi

When we are children we are completely and totally dependent upon our parents for everything. As infants we unequivocally would perish if our Mother and Father did not feed us and provide us shelter. As we grow older, our dependence slowly fades. Perhaps as teenagers we may be able to feed ourselves but could not afford our own shelter. Then as we become adults, we are totally and completely independent of our parents. There is nothing wrong with being independent. I think it is shameful for one to “mooch” off their parents if they are too lazy to make it on their own. I will say this however. Society has pushed us to become independent and be “on our own”. The Bible has something to say about this.

While the word “own” appears close to 600 times in the Bible, it appears close to 50 times in the book of Proverbs. I want to examine a few of these verses and how it relates to the contrast of “our own” way of thinking and God’s way of thinking. I think you will agree with the wisest of the wise Solomon, the author of the book of Proverbs, that most if not all of the time, our thinking is moving in the opposite direction of God’s thinking.

I have gleaned several verses from the book of Proverbs. Please read them and think about them. Meditate on them. Memorize them if you could.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Can you see how a man’s understanding is so clearly described as being contradictory to God? Do not lean on your own understand but trust in the LORD. Do not be wise in the way you see things, but fear the LORD. Do not always think that you are right but listen to counsel (God).

Here are a few more:

Proverbs 21;2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

In the preceding verses, Solomon is reminding us that we can be blinded by our own selves. It is easy to think that we are always right. It’s called being wise in our own conceit (Proverbs 26:16). In Proverbs 23:4 he even asks us to cease from our own wisdom. Can’t you see how powerful that is? The book of Jeremiah tells us that the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Can’t you see God’s love in these verses and how he is trying to protect you from yourself?

Power

Power
by Pete Berardi

When one thinks of the word power, many definitions can come to mind. Physical power makes objects move, allows us to communicate, and provides us with many of life’s conveniences. Political power is held by men and women in “high places” and allows them to make laws and change the course of a nation. People on this earth seek power in their personal relationships, in their job, and in some cases in their own lives. Power, in a nutshell, gives people control over one thing or another no matter how big or small.

But is this really power? The word power occurs almost 300 times in the whole Bible. It is outside the scope of this article to speak of every verse. However, by looking at what Jesus said about power, we can obtain great insight into what power really is. Throughout each of the gospels Jesus uses the word power only five times. This author will use the book of Matthew to examine the word power and how it was used in the words and teachings of Jesus.

One of the first mentions of power is being able to forgive sins.

Matthew 10: 9 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

The next instance of the word power describes it as being able to heal.

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

In three other verses Jesus speaks of the power of God. He refers to God as having power and actually being power. Also, when he was resurrected, he spoke of being given all power in heaven and in earth.

My point is this. People here on earth have lost the idea of what the use of power should be. Although Jesus had all the power of God, he did not use it for selfish means. He used it to forgive sins and to heal. As I think about it, was there any other reason for Jesus to be here? That is what Jesus did, he forgave sins and healed people of their diseases. In my opinion, this is what true power is. We, as children of God, have the power to indirectly do both. By bringing the truth to all men by preaching gospel, men can be healed and their sins can be forgiven. There is no higher purpose and no better use of power.

The Building

The Building
by Pete Berardi

There is only one thing on this earth that is perfect. Jesus is that thing. He was born of the Holy Spirit and lived a sinless life. No man has or ever will again accomplish this. And yet this was not of him, but of his Father. Jesus, yet a man, was God made flesh. People are not perfect. While we are his children we have faults and are sinful creatures. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He is the pathway for his children to salvation. By having faith in him we are saved.

In the Old Testament David wanted to show his appreciation to God by building him a house. He felt so in debt to God for delivering him from his enemies that he promised God that he would make him a beautiful house. While it was not God’s will for David to build him a house, Solomon, David’s son, did. Has God delivered you? Do you want to show your appreciation to God? Wouldn’t you like to give God a gift for Father’s Day, such as a great big house?

God’s children need to stick together. We may not be perfect however we are all that we have here on this earth. Through Jesus we are brothers and fellowcitizens of the house of God (Ephesians 2: 19). Jesus is the foundation, the cornerstone, which his house is built on. Each of us cannot live on our own. We cannot support ourselves. We are all part of God’s house. Together we are the building; the holy temple of the Lord. Through God’s Spirit we are put together in order to give God a house.

This is our gift to the Lord. By obeying him and sticking with the church and treating them as brothers and sisters we are building God a house. Sometimes it is not easy. People have other priorities and unfortunately sometimes you are not one of them. However, with a little patience, faith and prayer, we can learn to live as one body. God wants to build a kingdom and he needs you to do it. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen ( Ephesians 3:21).

The Head of the Corner

The Head of the Corner
by Pete Berardi

When Jesus came to this earth he was coming unto his own. He created the earth and was coming to provide his people a way to salvation. The prophecies spoke much about this “messiah”. They were expecting to be saved from the Roman Empire. They were expecting a strong and mighty king to whisk them away and solve all their problems. Jesus did solve problems and he was a mighty King, however he was still rejected.

Consider the verse in Matthew 21:42

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

This verse is a direct quote from Psalms 118: 22. It speaks about how Jesus was rejected by his own people. In John 1:10 the Bible says:

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and world knew him not.

Salvation is a spiritual thing and not a carnal or worldly thing. Much like then, today people are looking for a solution to their problems. The Bible is preached to many who come to churches looking for answers. However, when people are told of God’s plan and his commandments, they reject him. They feel they know better than God. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. He cares about the person’s heart and soul. Jesus can provide the greatest answer of all, eternal life.

While money, material possessions, and the “right relationships” might solve carnal problems, they certainly will not solve spiritual problems. By placing our trust in God, we can be assured that our heart will be kept and our soul will be safe. Jesus, while not looking very promising to people of his time as well as today, is the real answer. Jesus is the Head of the Corner. Any builder will tell you that the head of corner is what is holding the whole house together.

Make Jesus the head of the corner of your life and whatever trials and tribulations may fall upon your house, it will sustain. Jesus is the only thing that will truly solve problems because he solves them permanently. The life we live here on earth is definitely not permanent but is only temporary. Do not reject the one thing that can give you peace and joy in this life and eternal life.

Behold, there went out a sower to sow

Behold, there went out a sower to sow
by Pete Berardi

In Mark Chapter 4 Jesus tells the parable of the sower. This is a very popular and powerful parable. Unlike many of Jesus’ parables, this one is explained and interpreted by Jesus. It is made clear for us that the seed is the word of God. Some seed fell on stony ground, some fell on thorns and some fell on good soil. For readers that are not familiar with the story, the passage occurs in all four gospels. I have elected to take the passage in Mark 4.

Preachers are sowers of the word. There are many people that have the belief that when it comes preaching the word of God, persuasion is in order. I do not have that belief. A few years ago, I had a brief but prosperous sales career. Persuasion was my life. My sales skills were honed through gaining knowledge and experience. I can unequivocally say that persuading and preaching are not the same thing at all.

When one persuades, he attempts to learn how another one thinks first. He then uses that information to strategically present his audience with information in a manner that will seem irresistible to the hearer. When he receives objections he then tries to overcome these objections and “shove the product down the person’s throat”. Although there are many salesmen that only sell based on need, there are more that sell to make money. Often times the customer’s best interests are not in mind, and the salesmen wants the customer to buy the product whether he needs it or not. Because of quotas and salary, manipulation techniques are not only welcomed but taught.

Preaching is not that way at all. When professing the gospel, it is really the Holy Spirit that is doing the work. While sharing the good news with someone, it is best to just tell the truth with hope that it falls on open ears and an open mind. The Bible states that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). The Bible also states that the word that goes forth out of God’s mouth shall not return unto him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto he sent it (Isaiah 55:11). This is the attitude that we should have when professing the gospel to someone. We should say the truth, preach the word and hope that God will use it to save this person. Pray Hard and Trust.