Friday, February 10, 2017

The Way of Life


We all have those stories from when we were so sure we were right and no one could convince us otherwise! Often, after we “crashed and burned” we still defended our logic even through the “I told you so.” Some things are too important to wait until it’s too late.
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25
All men struggle with the attitude that he or she is right and is under no obligation to listen to parents, leaders or even God. Unfortunately, the nature of man is fallen and destined only to eternal death without outside intervention. Education, culture, and the values of society direct the feelings and the will of most and with all of their learning and experience man’s ways remain the ways of death. He attempts to live forever while continuing on the road of self-destruction. The problem lies not in an unwillingness to change but in an unwillingness to receive instruction and reproof from the One Giver and Sustainer of life, the Truth, the God of the Bible.
 “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” Proverbs 10:17
The way of life freely offered to all who will receive instruction and obey. The self-destructive lifestyles and the hopelessness in which many live every day would soon pass if only they would receive and apply the instruction of God. 

Friday, January 13, 2017

CONQUERING FEAR

Fear is natural. Fear wants to take control when we realize that we are not in control, and that our safety and lifestyles are also dependent on decisions of others.
1John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
Scripture shows how to have victory over fear. Although fear is natural, we have a supernatural God that loves us. Upon receiving the gift of salvation, every believer also receives the Holy Spirit of the supernatural God, and He is Love.
Fear twists us until we are tied in knots by terrifying feelings of impending disaster. This fear is torment, anguish, pain and misery; and completely unnecessary!

God says that we do not need to live in fear and His perfect love is the answer to debilitating fear. Yet fear blocks our way to victorious love. So how do we get to the other side of fear where love can obtain victory?
Faith – Knowing and believing the God of love, through Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love.]"

Friday, November 11, 2016

New Hallelujah!

"Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.” Psalms 149:1, 5

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Lifting up the name of the Lord God of the Universe is our duty and privilege. As saints of God (believers), we are to “be joyful in glory”. Literally, be so moved and influenced by the glory, grace and majesty of our God that we praise with exuberance and excitement. In church or out in the mission field of life we should be known for praise.
Notice that our song is to be a new song. Some would say that this means no evidence of anything of the old life or experiences before Christ. Yet those life experiences, feelings and understanding weight our praise. The truth is also old and unchanging, we must not ignore that in our new song.

I believe our praise is to be ever new and fresh, not some vain repetition of a cold and distant relationship. Praise is about our heart, our emotions, and an active relationship with our Savior! When our heart is right, we can praise with words and songs of old and yet those words and songs will not always allow us to express as fully or naturally as we would like great praise in our own language of love. God has made us unique and brought us through some distinctive life experiences. As we grow, our worship and praise should grow but never old or stale. Every day may our praise be new.

Friday, July 8, 2016

TRUTH with GRACE in LOVE

The death of an innocent life at the hands of another is always extremely sad and entirely unnecessary. Whether that life be black or white, civilian or peace officer, an unborn child or an aged saint, life is a gift from God and should be respected and treasured. Such a loss is always enormous to those who are close or can identify in some significant way.
The difficulty begins with unique life experiences that cannot be expressed in a way that will allow the hearer to be changed and impacted to the same degree as the one experiencing it. The result is that you will never be able to truly comprehend the depth of the hurt, fear and pain of another. When commenting on something that has touched a person at one of those deep emotional wounds, you cannot even imagine how much your careless and thoughtless words can hurt and enrage. For example, those never suffering sexual abuse can ever really know the depth of the injury or the impact it has on every relationship for the rest of their life. Many have suffered great injustices because of their religious beliefs or their cultural background that you may think you understand yet, cannot truly know the toll that fear can take. In the same way, those who have never suffered from the very real racism that is rampant in our society cannot comprehend never feeling safe and secure in public.
It is critical then, that we as Believers in Jesus Christ always speak with compassion and consideration.
We are told to speak the TRUTH not opinionated commentary.
We are to do so with GRACE seeking to bless even the undeserving.
And to do it with LOVE, real heartfelt compassion and concern for every living soul.
Strive always to be the hands and lips of our loving God NOT the destructive and divisive ones of the great destroyer, Satan himself.
Love one another as God has loved you,

Jay Cubbison

Friday, April 1, 2016

LEGACY

 “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” 1Thessalonians 1:5
Do we really think enough about how our behavior impacts those around us? The Apostle Paul wrote that those in the church at Thessalonica knew what kind of people his team were. They had witnessed attitudes and actions in many different conditions and stresses while they were with them and that testimony should not only linger but inspire faithful and courageous living for Christ; then and now.
I am reminded of another Paul, my wife’s father, whose testimony in the factory must have been significant. Several years after his retirement and sometime in the year after his death a former co-worker visited our church and asked if it was Paul Boise’s church. He told us that Paul had spoken to him many times through the years about Christ. Even though he had been deeply religious, he now realized that he wanted what Paul had. We lead him to Jesus and he and his family were saved!  Remember, people are watching, who will your legacy inspire?