The Joy (Hebrews 12:2)

Motive is a key factor in a persons life. What we do does not necessarily reveal what we really are, but what motivates us reveals the deepest things about us. 

Jesus had a choice as to whether or not he would pay the price for our redemption. There could have been multiple reasons why he chose to bear and endure the terribleness of the cross, but one reason for certain was because of the joy that was set before him. 

The Scriptures do not exactly define what the joy was, but I like to believe that he was able to look into the far distant future and see the fellowship that we, as redeemed sinners, could have with him and the father. Without the cross, all that joy would have been lost. Joy greater than that of the shepherd with the lost sheep, the woman with the lost coin, and the father with the lost son. It is a joy of complete fullness with the absence of any sorrow. This is what moved Jesus: his deepest love and desire for the father, for us and the joy that we could share.

What Is Stopping You? (Matthew 21:32)

What does it take?  In order to be or do something, it usually requires some preliminary steps or skills.  To run, you first need to walk.  To read, you must memorize and recognize letters, their sounds and words.  But what about something like believing.  What does that take?

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.  (Matthew 21:32)

It appears that repentance affects a person's ability to believe.  It seems that when the publicans and harlots had their lives changed as a result of John's message, those who witnessed it should have then recognized John as a man from God.  Yielding to that truth would then have caused the listeners to accept and believe John's message and how it pertained to their lives.  By repenting, they would have enabled themselves to believe.

Repentance continues to be a major aspect of the believer's life both before and after salvation.  In salvation, man must repent and believe what God had said about him and his sinful condition.  Once man recognizes and yields to this, his entire attitude about himself, his condition and his ability to save himself will be changed.  He then can believe the gospel.  Again, repenting enables a person to believe.

Repentance continues to affect us after salvation.  As we face trials and difficulties, our hearts have a tendency to have fear and sometimes even doubt about the goodness of God.  It is only when we allow God's word to turn our hearts around and accept the truth of passages such as Romans 8:28, that we then again can believe and trust the Lord.

What action of repentance do you need to do in order to help you believe and trust God?


Please visit my new podcast site at the address below.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/anthony-fuscos-podcast/id1020952778

His Face Is Not Hid (Psalm 22:24)

At times, life can be very difficult.  Not just for a few people, but everybody on the planet.  Health issues, financial strains, domestic upheavals, death, enemies, violent crimes or any other negative experience cause difficulty for our lives. What makes those times even more difficult is the mental struggle that we endure until the difficulty ends.

Many during these times turn their focus towards God.  They either focus on him for help or question his holiness.  The Psalmist faced a similar situation, but maintain integrity in his faith by recognizing that even when it seems that God is not responding, he does not look down on our affliction and hears our prayer.

For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. (Psalms 22:24)

Regardless of how circumstances may appear, God is attentive to us and our problems.  By his sovereignty, he will accomplish his intended purposes and afterwards bring deliverance.  Victory for us is not so much deliverance from the trial, but more so in the battle that occurs in our hearts.  We must trust or have faith in the goodness and holiness of God and not allow the enemies' accusations to abide in our hearts.  This battle will not be easy, but by truth from God's word and fellowship in prayer, the battle can be won.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

https://www.createspace.com/4441566

To view other posts or to receive this blog by email, sign up at     drafusco.wordpress.com

Protect or Provide (Psalm 97:10-11)

Why did a loving God let this happen?  How many times have people made this statement?  I ask myself, "Why are they even asking such a question?"  I guess some time along their lives they were told and concluded that God would keep evil from happening to them.  Oh, what a wonderful thought, but is it true?  I am sorry to say and also glad to say that it is not true.  Think of the biblical examples that oppose this view: Abel, Adam and Eve (death of a son), Esau, Joseph, Dinah, Tamar (raped), David, the victims of Eli's sons, and Israel as a nation.  In fact, run down the list in Hebrews 11 and you must conclude that God had never promised to keep evil from happening to us.  

In order for him to protect us from all evil, he would need to control every human being.  That was not his plan.  He gave angels their free will and one third of them kept not their first estate, but instead followed Lucifer.  God has given man a free will and that decision is a major factor in his plan.  Because man has a free will and that free will is a vital aspect of a God's plan, he rarely intervenes in the actions of men.  On occasions when God has intervened, we call them miracles.

What God did promise was that he would deliver our soul from that evil.  God did not promise to stop people from doing harm to us or to keep harm from coming into our lives.  What he promises is that whatever occurs, he will provide for us what we need so that our soul would be delivered from every evil.  Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous,and gladness for the upright in heart. (Psalms 97:10-11)

For the righteous, there is one thing that we can be most confident: God will sow into our hearts that which we need so that our souls will be preserved, guarded or protected from being overcome by evil.  He may not stop the problem from occurring like we desire, but he will stop the problem from destroying us.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

https://www.createspace.com/4441566

To view other posts or to receive this blog by email, sign up at     drafusco.wordpress.com

Deliverance (Psalm 91:15)

It seems that everybody I know is going through some type of difficult time in their lives.  If they are not currently in such a situation, they will soon be entering another.  Some think that as children of God, we should be exempt from such problems.  Unfortunately they are wrong.  Some may wonder where God is while we are alone toiling in the mire of life.  Others seek him for deliverance from their trials.  Sadly to say, many become angry with God when their deliverance does not come.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (Psalms 91:15)

From this famous passage, God states that when we call upon him, he will be with us in the trouble.  It is his presence that delivers us.  When God delivers us from the trial, he strips the trial from us.  Other forms of the word for deliver also mean to equip or present strength.  God may not deliver you from the trial, but his presence will definitely deliver you through it.

As you face trials, you would be best to call out to God for his presence and strength in the trial.  In the end, some form of deliverance will come.

If you would like to read more of these thoughts in a hard copy format, my new book is now available at the link below.

https://www.createspace.com/4441566

To view other posts or to receive this blog by email, sign up at     drafusco.wordpress.com