Author: Samuel Burger

Revelation 21:1-8

Everything is in decay and is aging. Weeds and thorns are demonstrations of the effects of sin. Hospitals, war, political corruption, hate, persecution, and a myriad of vices are a result of sin. All of us are tempted and must choose to submit to the Holy Spirit every day as we war against the flesh and evil spirits (Gal. 5:22-23; James 1:12; Eph. 6:11-14.) We don’t need to look far to tell that this world is broken. However, a New Testament writer gave us details on our hope as believers in Jesus Christ.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:6-8).”

1. A Universal Reality. Rev. 21:1-2.

A new universe will be created. Peter predicted this old world would disappear (2 Pet. 3:10-13). Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass away (Luke 21:33).

2. A Relational Reality. Rev. 21:3.

We will have a closer, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. We can draw near to Him now but will be in perfection as we dine with Him.

3. A Holistic Reality. Rev. 21:4.

We will never get sick again. We will never be sad. We will be in perfect peace. No medicine will exist. We will be made whole.

4. A Verified Reality. Rev. 21:5-7.

God is the only one who can fully guarantee His promises. He can self-verify what will happen. We don’t need to fact-check Him.

5. A Sad Reality. Rev. 21:8.

If you don’t know Christ as your personal Savior, it’ll be a sad reality for you. God has given us grace through His Son Jesus Christ. If we repent and believe in Him as the only way to heaven, we will be saved from the wrath to come. God loves you, and He sent His Son to die for you. Will you receive Him today?

The Future Glory of God

What makes the New Jerusalem so unique? Because the glory of God will be there. Revelation 21:11, 23. In Scripture, the glory of God has been associated with brightness and lightning. When God revealed Himself in the Old Testament, it was more than an exhibition of His majestic appearance. The glory of God is the revelation of His character and nature (Exodus 34:6-7).

In the New Testament, Jesus was the greatest revelation of the glory of God (John 1:14). He gave the disciples a glimpse of His future glory on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9). Believers will share in His glory as they endure suffering (Romans 8:17-18). Believers cannot add any glory to God but can glorify God in their actions (Matthew 5:16). But let’s dive deeper into the holy city, New Jerusalem.

1. The glory of God is demonstrated in His covenant with Israel.

“Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west (Rev. 21:12-13).”

2. The glory of God is demonstrated in His covenant with the church.

“Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev. 21:14).”

3. The glory of God is demonstrated in the design and dimensions of the New Jerusalem.

“The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass (Rev. 21:16-21). “

The future glory of God will be fully displayed. Are you assured that you will experience His glory in the future? You will be saved if you repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). You can choose to do this today. Why wait?

Often, the intellectual quotient is emphasized over the emotional quotient. A subject of concern is our constant reactivity to what happens to us rather than responding in a responsible way.

If we are always impulsive and quick in our reactions, we may be lead by emotions rather than a thoughtful process of how to respond.

This is not to say emotions are inherently bad. Emotions are given to us by God. However, they are only signals that reveal something deeper. You must process your emotions in a healthy way.

Questions to ask:

—Why am I feeling this way?

—Why do I feel this way when I am in similar situations? Am I on repeat?

—Why do I react when others say or do something in particular?

Be proactive over reactive. Lead yourself as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Romans chapter five teaches us the reality of inherited sin. In Adam, all of have sinned. In one sense, we are sinners not because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.

On the flip side, when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we become the righteousness of God. In Christ, we are spiritually alive.

Many of us have said, “I wished Adam would not have sinned in the Garden of Eden.” However, in the mind of God, redemption was the central point of His focus. Our redemptive state is greater than the innocent state. It was in God’s mind to make us a new creation.

We gain more in Jesus Christ than we ever lost in Adam. Our position in Christ is not that we are declared innocent, we are actually declared the righteousness of God. In Christ, we are better than innocent, we are blessed with the imputed righteousness of God (Romans 4:6).

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19).

What is Gossip?

A gossiper is a person who has privileged information about people and proceeds to reveal that information to those who have no business knowing it.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 26:20:

“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”

Whenever we are tempted to gossip or entertain gossip from someone else, we must be cautious. We must have conversations that are productive and helpful, not divisive and judgmental.

Someone shared a story with me about another person who called him and wanted to know the details about another person’s marital issues. He said, “You called the wrong person. I’m not going to talk about it.”

Although it’s important to help people who reach out to us, we must be careful of repeating things to others, especially if it has nothing to do with them. If you request prayer for someone, be careful of the words you say because what you share may not be permissive. It’s best to be short as possible.

Additionally, be careful of oversharing with too many people. Although you need transparency and authenticity in your relationships, you must understand that a public platform is not the place to do that. Information can be twisted, and unfortunately, some may leverage that information for their selfish desires.

Father, I pray all of us will use wisdom in our relationships and guard against gossip that is unproductive. Help us Lord to respect the privacy of others and be courteous in our dealings. Help us to pray for them. If we have an ought against anyone, help us go to the source instead of everyone else. In Jesus name, Amen.

Many, if not all of us, have experienced disappointments. Disappointment can lead to discouragement and discouragement can lead to despair. Our disappointments can abound, but we must elevate our perspective.

How we handle our disappointments affects us in the long run. The race of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. We must keep our focus on the Author and the Finisher of our faith. Through the difficulties and hardships, we must keep the example of Christ in our main view.

Many of us have been so disappointed in what life has brought us. In fact, the disappointments looms in our central gaze. Things didn’t quite go our way. We keep doing the right thing and still don’t see the results.

However, we are in the race of faith which requires a sustained and continual effort to follow the example of Christ who endured hostility and sacrificed himself for the salvation of those who would come to him.

If we read through Scriptures, we will find that many people walked through disappointments. If we don’t take our disappointments and unfulfilled expectations to the Lord, we will decline into discouragement and despair.

God is also sanctifying us and getting us in spiritual shape. He’s forming us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The olive must be crushed before the oil can be produced. Always remember that there is a greater purpose that God is fulfilling in our lives whether we are conscious of it or not. How we respond means everything. Let’s run the race of faith with a steady pace.

Friday’s disappointment is Sunday’s empty tomb!

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

Part of our mission at Chestuee is to reach the lost. As a result, we want God’s church to grow in numbers. We desire healthy growth that is conversion growth.

Sometimes leaving a church to go to another church is a good thing, especially if they are preaching heresy. Or of the family or individual has to move out of town because of career change. However, God’s church doesn’t actually grow through transfer growth.

For example, a fisherman does not drive his boat to another man’s boat and ask for his fish that is already caught. It would defeat the purpose of fishing.

We ought to seek conversion growth that leads to continual discipleship. Conversion growth is not the same as transfer growth. It’s important that we remember that.

Not all transfer growth is bad. However, some transfer growth can consist of bitter people who bring unresolved issues to another church. They are often looking for a church that fits their preferences and style rather than a place to serve. When you look for another church, make sure it’s the right reason.

The point is that we ought to be focused on reaching those far from God.

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4:19-20)

Peter and Andrew were casting their net into the sea when Jesus called them to follow Him. These professional fishermen dropped what they were doing to follow Christ. They were still going to fish but they were going to be fishers of men.

Soul-winning is a worthy endeavor. In fact, it’s a command from God rooted in the Great Commission. Bringing someone to Christ is a calling for all believers in Christ.

The call of Christ is the same for us today. We are called to persuade others by the help of the Holy Spirit. It’s not by coercion or manipulation but by a passionate intent to win others to Christ.

Let’s go fishing!

Joshua 1:8

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

“How to succeed and be prosperous”

For context, Moses has died, who was the leader of the Hebrew people. God has appointed Joshua to lead the people into the promised land. There would be formidable enemies and difficulties, but God gave Joshua commands and promises that would help them in this conquest and keep them from idolatry. If Joshua is going to succeed and be prosperous, he will need to trust and obey God.

If we are going to see prosperity and success, it will be associated with the word of God. As we memorize and meditate on the commands and promises of God, they are impressed on our hearts to affect our behavior. The word of God is living and mighty in operation (Hebrews 4:12).

As we begin to immerse ourselves into God’s word, we will be successful and prosperous. We will become more like Christ in our thoughts, attitude, and behavior. But let’s not forget that meditation and obedience to the word of God will always keep us from going left or right—it keeps us aligned with God’s will. Obeying God is true success and prosperity.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20

“Four commands and a promise”

Today’s verses reveal the delegated responsibility of the church of Jesus Christ. Christ, who completed His perfect work through His birth, life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension has elected the church to steward His ministry under His sovereign rule.

1. He commands us to go. We are called to go into society and culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Lord has called us to be outward focused. We are sent just like Christ was sent by the Father to save people from their sins. We must promote a mindset that reaches others rather than focusing on church invitation alone.

2. He commands us to make disciples. We are called to train others to do the work of the ministry and to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Each believer is to help others grow spiritually through knowledge and obedience of the word of God. We must engage with one another and stir one another to good works.

3. He commands us to baptize disciples. Baptism is water immersion symbolic and representative of the work of Christ. It is a reflection of our saving position in Him.

4. He commands us to teach others to obey the commands of Christ. The thrust of this command is to propel other disciples into lifelong obedience to God. It’s not just teaching the Bible; it’s teaching them how to obey the Bible. Discipleship is fully engaging with the call of God in service to others and the spiritual disciplines such as prayer and evangelism.

5. He gives us the promise of His eternal presence. Through the power of God’s presence, we can accomplish the mission set before us. We are not on our own. God is with us to change the hearts of others and bring into repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

All of us should pray to be committed and obedient disciples. This is the work of each individual—to help others become more like Christ and train them to help others become more like Christ.

“Father, help us cooperate together to make disciples for you. Help us rightly divide the word of truth so that others may know you and they will, in turn, help others to know you. Help us Holy Spirit, in Jesus name. Amen

Revelation 19:1

“After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!”

“Seeing things from a different perspective”

Today’s verse reveals to us the reasons we worship God. The kingdom of the Antichrist is destroyed and righteous judgment has already been poured out. God has judged true and righteously (Rev. 19:2). The host of heaven joins together to praise God.

In fact, there is a command given which is called “Hallelujah!” Four times this word is used in this passage of Scripture and it is not mentioned anywhere else. It seems that it is a special word reserved for such a special time when God will set up His kingdom here on earth and the elimination of the presence of sin. The word simply means “an adoring exclamation.” This word is so special that it contains the name of God. We worship God for three reasons:

1. Because of who He is (Verse 1, 6, 11, 13, 16)

2. Because of what He has done (Verse 2).

3. Because of what He will do (Verse 3, 15, 20, 21).

The Cherohala Skyway provides a wonderful view. Me and my wife have taken a few trips up there and the sunset is great. It’s a view that you can’t have when you are below the mountain. That’s what worship does. When we worship, we have a larger view of the work of God. We tend to see things a little differently because we are worshipping God. When we worship, we are on a higher plane. We have a different perspective. So let’s remember to offer a Hallelujah to our God.

Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

This week’s verse reminds us that we have sinned and continue to fall short of the glory of God. This verse ought to produce two things in us.

1. Humility

As sinful beings, our tendency is to break all of God’s commandments. Paul said that “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10). “There is none who does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:12c). God, in His love, sent His Son to die for our sins and to accept us into His kingdom. This ought to humble us because God accepts us not just as we are, but in spite of what we are.

Another reason why this verse teaches us to be humble—we are no better than anyone else. Therefore, we should be poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) and be like the tax collector in Luke 18:13–“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”.

2. Thankfulness

We ought to be thankful for God’s law that exposes our inability to achieve our own righteousness. No matter how hard we try. We are not saved by keeping the law. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are accepted and changed.

The high standard of the law has subjected us to sin. But praise be to God, grace came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Now, the Holy Spirit lives through us, who are born again, to accomplish His will. (John 3:7.)

Let’s remember to remain humble and boast in the work of Jesus Christ. Let’s keep a heart of gratitude for God who changed us and saved us according to the power of His love and might. He still loves us and works through us in spite of our flaws and failures.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

“The Danger of Pride”

Our verse for today reveals to us the danger of pride. Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” We might could say that pride is the root of the works of the flesh. Pride is more than an action, it’s a stance or a condition of opposition toward God.

This was a primary issue with the Corinthian church to whom Paul is writing. There were factions within the church and they placed prominence to spiritual gifts rather than love (1 Corinthians 1:10; 13:1-3). The church was leaning toward trust in themselves rather than selfless service to God and others.

Thus, Paul gives an Old Testament example of the children of Israel in the same chapter of today’s verse. They had too much confidence in themselves. As a result, they fell in the wilderness and succumbed to idol worship.

All of us are not immune to temptation and we must be on guard against the lures of the world and our tendency to obey the lusts of the flesh. We must remain humble and take heed to God and fully rely on Him in prayer so that we will not fall like the children of Israel did in the wilderness.

And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS
AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS
OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:5)

“One Way, Not Many Ways”

The Bible predicts a formation of a one world religion that will coexist with the future Antichrist. All religions will form into one religion and will become the basis for unification. The basis of unification will not be political and economical. Everyone will unify under the deception of Satan and the Antichrist.

Babylon began in Genesis chapter 11 with the Tower of Babel and religions were formed out of the mother who is Babylon. In the end, all the descendants, that is, religions, will come back to the mother who is the source of all spiritual adultery and idolatry.

The whole reason for this syncretistic religion is to usurp the authority of God and to steal worship from God. The Bible teaches us that this one world religion will be destroyed by the Antichrist Himself and will attempt to form the eighth world empire to oppose God (Revelation 17:11). The result will be that the Lamb of God will not allow this to happen and will set up the kingdom of God which will be no end (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 17:14).

Although the name described in our weekly verse is not specific, it is descriptive of the global religion that will deceive the masses. Let’s be reminded today there is only one way to heaven (John 14:6). Jesus described it as the narrow way (Matthew 7:14). The exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal life. All we need to do is admit we are sinners, believe in Jesus Christ, and confess our sins to Him and ask Him to save us.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way,the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:5-6)

Jesus makes a bold claim in response to Thomas’ question. The question demonstrates what everyone is asking. The question may not be asked with the exact words of Thomas, but the question reflects the deep longing of each individual. All of us have a God-sized hole in our soul that only God the Father can fill.

We have tried to fill the God-sized hole with worldly pleasures, other religions, and even with others. Let’s face it: there is no substitute that can satisfy the deep longing of the human soul.

Jesus is the Way to a personal relationship with God the Father. He is the Truth about God the Father. He is the Giver of eternal life. Only a life submitted to Christ and the purposes of God can bring peace and hope to the restless soul.

“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Saint Augustine

Pastor Samuel

“How to overcome temptation”

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Our Lord gave us an effective way to overcome temptation. Our verse for this week encourages us to watch and pray so that we will not fall into temptation. All of us are tempted in this life. Our flesh is weak and pulls us away from what is most important—a life of ongoing prayer. The key is to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God through watchful praying.

For context, Christ was close to facing the greatest trial ever known in history—His total suffering for the sins of the world. The disciples who were with Christ fell asleep as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. Christ took the opportunity to teach the disciples to be vigilant and sober. Our Lord who was about to go through the most excruciating experience ever known in history, took the time to teach His disciples to always watch and pray.

Let’s learn from Christ who took the time to teach us a spiritual principle to overcome temptation. If we are to walk in victory, we must follow our Lord’s example. We must learn the discipline of relational prayer that will keep us awake from the lures of the many temptations we face everyday.

Other verses for meditation.

-1 Corinthians 16:13
-Colossians 4:2
-Thessalonians 5:6
-1 Peter 5:8

Genesis 1:27-28 (http://biblehub.com/genesis/1-27.htm)
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The purpose of the family is to reflect the purpose of God in the world. What is the purpose of God in the world? The purpose of God is to save the lost and disciple the saved. The purpose of the family is to make disciples of one another. It’s not only the responsibility of the church but of parents.

Today’s verses reminds us that family serves as a picture of missions. When raising our family, we should keep the perspective of missions. Missions do not start in another country or even in our community, it begins with a focus on discipling our family.

As we are following the command of procreation, let’s not forget the value and responsibility of training our children and honoring our covenantal commitment to our spouse. Fulfilling the Great Commission begins with our first priority, marriage and family.

Although we have needs met through marriage and family, the purpose runs deeper. Marriage and family are missional mechanisms through which the character of God is reflected as a witness to others and our family becomes the primary focus of discipleship and training. They are even channels for our sanctification and spiritual growth. When someone asks you why you have a family and why you married your spouse, bring it
back to the purpose God originated.

Pastor Samuel

John 14:3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The Scriptures are peppered with an overall theme of the second coming of Christ. This week’s verse brings awakening to the present and hope for the future.

The second coming brings awakening to the fact of how we live. Are we living in light of the second coming? Are we serving Christ and others? Are we loving others with our words and actions? Are we sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ? The more we focus on the promise of Christ’s return, the more we yield to the motivation of the Holy Spirit to live in obedience.

The second coming of Christ also gives us hope for the future. When Christ returns, He will make all things new. When Christ descended the first time, He died for our sins and was raised for our justification. The first coming dealt with paying the penalty for sin and the second coming deals with the removal of the sin’s presence.

I heard a story of a small town who got news that their town would eventually be flooded out of existence due to the construction of a hydroelectric dam. The town was falling apart between the announcement and until the day when it was flooded. One asked a resident, “Why aren’t the residents keeping this town up?” The resident replied, “Where there is no faith in the future, there is no work in the present.”