The Doing Has Done Been Did at Calvary!: by Mary Ann Paxton-Brock

The Doing Has Done Been Did at Calvary!
by Mary Ann Paxton-Brock

This is great news my friends and should have you shoutin’! The doing has done been did at Calvary — now it is simply a matter of faith. That is what is required of us – to have faith, to believe. (John 3:16). Everything we have need of Christ has taken care of on the Cross. Our flesh, our sinful nature desires to and has need of finding resolution to our own problems. (Romans 7). The need to do so has been embedded within us since the fall of man. When man fell we took on a role which God never intended for us to take. We instantly became seperated from our Creator; God. Part of this role is that we desire to do something to get something. Our flesh never does anything unless it gets something in return. There is no good thing within us without Christ. (Romans 7). Now some would argue this point with me. I have heard many say, “I don’t do things to get something! I’m a good person. I enjoy helping others.” Without Christ our flesh is in control and never does anything without seeking to get something in return. It may be recognition, it may be love, it may be to obtain friends etc, etc. How many of you work? Now how many of you would do it for free? How many of you go grocery shopping? Now how many of you give your money to the cashier and leave empty handed? We all expect certain end results. Aren’t you glad today that God does not expect anything from us except to believe? To just believe. Due to the fall we have left our reliance on God and placed that reliance on self. Our flesh not only attempts to resolve our problems – it actually desires to do so. Our flesh will always be in opposition to God. (Galations 5:17). Sin has brought to man a desire to not need God. Many of us spend the majority of our lives trying to do everything on our own only to fail time after time after time.

Once we realize our need for a Savior we still rely on our flesh. We think we can do something to earn our salvation. We hear the world say, “There must be another way to God”. No, there is only one way and that way is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary! He suffered a horrible death, the death of a criminal so that you and I could be set free from the bondage of sin and death. And if you were the only person on the planet He still would have went to the Cross just for you! THAT is our precious, loving Savior! We then think we can earn our righteousness by being good enough. There is nothing good within us – we can never be “good enough”. Our flesh is always saying “do, do, do” while the Holy Spirit is saying “believe, believe, believe”. Once we are Born Again we quickly realize a battle is going on – one we never expereinced before. It is a battle between our flesh and our spirit. Our first reaction – even after being Born Again because we are still in fact human – is to think we can overcome our flesh through “doing”. Doing what? Well, you fill in the blank………………………….. reading your Bible more, praying more, fasting more, praying 3 hours a day instead of 2 etc, etc, etc. We find ourselves doing more, more, more until we are overcome by exhaustion with no peace and no joy. Is this the will of God? Far from it my friends, far from it. If this is where you find yourself today then let me say it again; the doing has done been did at Calvary! Now simply believe. Yes, it is that simple! God does not want us to be His little circus monkeys jumping through one hoop after another. No, no, no. Simple faith is what is required. Simple, childlike faith. Do you believe in what Christ did for you at the Cross? Do you believe that was enough? Once you do you will experience true peace and joy. You will also receive the revelation of what the Cross truely means. It is far more than a tree, a wooden beam. The Cross is everything! It is eternal life. God’s love for you is so very great. He sent His very own Son to die in your place so you could regain what sin stole – a right relationship with God our Father. When Jesus died on the Cross we died In Him! Think about that! (Romans 6). When we believe and place our faith In Christ God views us as having died with Christ! That is good news! Now, here’s some gooder news (as my daughter would say). When Christ rose again we rose with Him in newness of life! We still have a sin nature but are now equipped to obtain victory over it! How? Believe. Place your faith daily in what Christ did for you at the Cross! It was enough! That should give you a sense of freedom you have never felt before! Now hear me – put on your listening ears — There is not one thing you can do that the Son of God was not able to do! It is finished and it was enough! Glory to God! We died, we rose and we are seated In Him at the right hand of our Father! As believers we feel a sense of unbelonging here. And we should! We don’t belong here – we belong in Heaven and soon, yes, very soon we will go there and see our King and spend all of Eternity In His presence!

God Has No Abandonment Issues! By Mary Paxton Brock

Isaiah 54:10‘For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed,’ saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

There are times we will go through where we feel as though God has left us to struggle through life on our own.  There are times when we cry out to Him and feel as though our cries fall on deaf ears.  There are times we pray and wait for many days, months, years for an answer that seems to never come.  There are times of discouragement where all we have the strength to do is cry.  This is the reality of our human existence.

HOWEVER; my friends- this is where faith comes in.  God promises us in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave us, He will never forsake us.  Matthew 6:8  ‘Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.’  Take heed to these words – understanding that God is always with us.  He cares for us.  He is always aware of what is happening and what we need.  Place your faith In Him, look to the Cross on a daily basis.  When the enemy tells you the condition of your situation, remind him of your position In Christ!  We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7). Remember the only thing God promises to leave us is peace (which comes through His Holy Spirit).

Praise Him today!  He hears, He knows, He undersands, He loves and He has help on the way!

Showing Love to an Unloving Church: by Mary Paxton Brock

 

I’ve noticed a trend within the church that bothers me immensely. It is the trend of “bashing”. It could also be labeled “nitpicking”. I recently read a survey that was conducted. 469 people who used to attend church were asked why they stopped. The 3^rd and 4^th reasons were that the people within the church were hypocritical and judgmental. The 9^th reason was that the church was run by a clique of people and discouraged involvement of those not in the clique. This ought not be brothers and sisters. Let’s keep in mind that of those surveyed many were most likely Born Again believers yet due to the harshness of other believers they stopped attending church. To me, that is incredibly sad. I, like many of you have been treated poorly at church. Being shunned, talked about, pointed at is a horrible thing to go through and honestly made me want to never step foot in church again as well. On more than one occasion the thought has run through my mind, “Lord, I just don’t need this”. I have often questioned myself. Why do I keep going week after week just to be treated so badly?
The answer to this question is found in Matthew 5:10 & 11. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” And this is why I go. It is a privilege to stand with the many great men and women of God who have walked before me, and currently walk alongside me, to suffer for the sake of righteousness; for the sake of what is right and true. For these are the things which we are required to think on. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” and if we do we are promised in verse 9 that we will have peace. I like the notes in the Expositor’s Study Bible for Matthew 5:10. It states, “those who operated from the realm of self-righteousness will persecute those who trust in God’s Righteousness”. We must remember that the Cross of Christ is an offence to the world and to most of the churches for that matter. (Galatians 5:11) Anytime we choose God’s path of Righteousness (the Cross) we are taking our eyes off from the church and placing them onto the Cross. Church people don’t like that. They want you to “need” them. Many pastor’s don’t even want you to know the Word of God for yourselves. If you do, they lose control over you. You don’t even need to take a Bible to many churches today. They put the words up on a screen. How do you know they are the right words? The Bible tells us we need to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
Being that the Cross of Christ is an offence to many and if you chose to follow the Cross alone then you must be prepared to be shunned, treated poorly and even run out of the church. So how are we prepared? By knowing in Him who we have believed. (2 Timothy 1:12), by knowing His precious Word (Proverbs 10:14 “Wise men lay up knowledge“), by showing love to those who persecute us and by ever placing our faith into the finished work; the finished work of the Cross. God didn’t do anything half way – it is a finished work. It isn’t the Cross + anything else. It is ONLY the Cross. Therein is where all victory lies. And therein is where our reward lies. We are promised in Revelation 3:21 that “To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne”. Glory!
Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.” Again, the notes in the Expositor’s Study Bible say, “Those who love to stir up the failing of others, while hiding their own, show that their hearts are filled with hatred.” So we know that we will be hated as believers. We know that many will try to cause us to stumble, to fail. But we have a promise from our Father in Psalm 68:1 that God WILL arise and His enemies WILL be scattered, and those who hate Him will flee before Him. People must either bow before God or flee from Him. Those who hate are those who will flee. All the while it is our responsibility to show love to an unloving church. Let not our love “wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). When we truly love the Father and know His love for us then it will be easier to show love to others. John 15:12 &13 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Regardless of past hurts we must love each other. Afterall, if God can forgive us, wretched sinners that we are then surely we can forgive and show love to everyone, even those who are “unlovable”. Let us not give up on each other. Do not give up on church. Do not do what Hebrews 10:25 warns us against – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The time is short brothers and sisters and we need each other. Now is not the time to be a lone ranger. Let us work together to win as many souls to the Lord as we can for at any moment that trump is going to sound and we will be accountable for the way we used our time on this earth.

Pondering the heritage of the United States of America: by Mary Paxton Brock

Pondering the heritage of the United States of America

Wondering how we went from this:

 

The Mayflower Compact

 

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

 

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

 

to this:

 

Quotes from Barak Obama—-

 

“Whatever we once were, we’re no longer a Christian nation.”

 

“America does not presume to know what is best for everyone”

 

“As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam.”

 

“In America, there’s a failure to appreciate Europe’s leading role in the world.”

 

“The United States will be willing to acknowledge past errors where those errors have been made.”

 

“Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.”

 

“The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn’t. But she is a typical white person….”

 

“My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect.”

 

“The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

 

“…I’ve got two daughters. 9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals. But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

 

“It’s not surprising, then, they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”

 

“America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”

 

http://boycottliberalism.com/Barack-Obama-Anti-American-quotes.htm

The Elijah Myth: by Mary Paxton Brock

The Elijah Myth

One of the first questions a couple faces when discovering infertility is, “Why am I the only one facing this?  Why is everyone else having children?”

Elijah was a faithful servant but he became discouraged and was blinded to the fact that he was not alone.  In 1 Kings 19: 14-18 we read of Elijah complaining to God saying, “and I, even only I, am left”.  God had to point out to Elijah that he had 7,000 other servants in Israel.  He was not alone.  But  it sure felt that way to Elijah in the midst of his discouragement.

There are 5 to 10 million couples facing infertility.  That is roughly 1 out of every 6 couples.  Trust me, we are not alone and more importantly than that, we need to know that we need each other and to place our trust in the Great Comforter, God.

Strength While Waiting

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

Isaiah 40:29

“But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. “

Isaiah 41:10

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4:13

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

Psalm 27:14

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him…”

Psalm 37:7

“Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

Isaiah 26:4

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.”

Lamentations 3:25

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.”

Psalm 31:24

“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: He is our help and our shield.”

Psalm 33:20

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble.”

Psalm 37:39

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:26

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalm 18:2

Editors Note:  Mary has a ministry to those struggling with infertility. Her blog, Threads4hope, will be linked to this site shortly.

Empty Arms —- Heavy Load: by Mary Paxton Brock

Empty Arms —- Heavy Load

It is so easy to become discouraged at times; especially during times like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day when it seems as though everyone else is joyously celebrating their parenthood and you are not quite sure where that leaves you and where you “fit in”. Discouragement comes when our prayers go seemingly unanswered. Every moment that passes without an answer is more painful than the last. This is the moment when we have to be careful; the moment we need to protect our hearts, protect our spirit with the Word of God. This is the moment where fear begins to creep in and faith begins to slip away. It is at this place where we begin to focus solely on our hearts desire; our destination and take our eyes off Christ and the destination that He has already laid out for our lives. Don’t let Satan strip you of your faith and allow you to shift your focus off Christ. God has already determined your future and has only good things planned for you if you hold steady and faint not.

Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

Psalm 119:169

Editors Note:  Mary has a ministry to those struggling with infertility. Her blog, Threads4hope, will be linked to this site shortly.