Pastor Goforth

I must become Less because I’m a Friend

March 26th, 2024
The idea of being a “friend of God” is something that I have longed for and striven toward for most of my life.

Do we ever get “jealous” of the attention given Jesus? Of course not – well – not that we would admit. In John 3, John the Baptist has been active on a mission for God, but ever since he baptized Jesus, Jesus is starting to get the attention. v26, his followers say, “that man, who was WITH you on the other side of the Jordan… well, he is baptizing and everyone is going to HIM”.

Such a real and funny incident. They meant well, they wanted the best for John. And John says, “a man can receive only what is given him from Heaven… I am not the Christ (I am) the friend who attends to the bridegroom… waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears (his) voice. The joy is mine and is now complete.”

A lot of wonderful truth there. When people forget my name and know and love Jesus, my joy is complete, my job is fulfilled.

John 15:15 – Jesus says, “I no longer call you servants… I have called you friends… I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit.” That usage of philos for “friend” is the same word John used. The idea of a friend of the bridegroom. The “groomsman”, if you will, had the job of 1) going to the potential bride and asking for her hand in marriage for the groom 2) to make arrangements for the wedding.

I am a friend of God

Abraham’s relationship with God caught my attention when I was a teenager trying to serve the Lord, Preach, and share Jesus.

In Isaiah 41:8, God calls Abraham his “friend”. In 2 Chronicles 20:7, Jehoshaphat prays, “are you not our God… of Abraham, your friend”

Why? How?

James 2:23 says “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called, ‘God’s Friend’”. James is explaining that, yes, “legally” our justification is by faith in the work of Christ, but it is shown, it is proven, by our actions. It isn’t either or, Salvation is by Faith, but the Works should follow and prove our faith.

Genesis 15, God had given Abram a promise, more than 20 years earlier of his blessing, a family, a land, blessing the world. But a lot had happened since then, Abram had failed the Lord in many ways, and the promise hadn’t come and Abram thought, “maybe I missed my chance, maybe the deal isn’t still on.” God takes him outside his tent, points to the stars in a cloudless night and says “If you can count the stars, you can count my fulfillment of my promise to you.”

Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed God and he credited to him as righteousness”

And here, the true friendship begins to take flight. God says “I brought you from Us… to give you the Land” Friendship is in believing God, trusting, and doing what he says. Then in chapter 17 at 99, God changes his name from “exalted Father” Abram – to “Father of a Multitude” Abraham.

In Genesis 18, God reveals that fulfillment is coming for this 100 year old childless Father. And it is this interaction that has inspired me since I was a teenager. God promises the child, which is crazy by the way, he’s 100, wife is 90. But then in v17 The Lord (Jesus) and two angels are there and about to go down to Sodom and destroy it because of it’s wickedness and the three from Heaven have a conversation, “Should I hid this thing I’m about to do from Abraham?”

Abraham was close enough to God that IF God was going to move and he didn’t want Abraham to know, he would have to hide it. My prayer has been, “Lord I want to be close enough to you that if you move near me, you will have to hide it or I will know. My desire is for his desire, my mission for his mission, my passion be his passion.

Knowing God is always then about doing. Abraham was immediately then concerned about the people in Sodom, which to me is evidence of a shared heart of God. Even if God is bringing judgment, he isn’t happy about it, he desires repentance and blessing. Abraham intercedes for any who might be faithful / righteous. He finally gets down to “Lord if there are Ten, will you withhold judgment? The Lord agrees, but as it turns out, only four – Lot, his wife, and two daughters leave, and even his wife looked back.

But I want to be a close, perceptive friend of God.

And so back to John the Baptist in John 3:30. He says that as a friend – “He must increase, I must decrease… The one from above is above all. The one from earth speaks earthly things. The one from God speaks God’s words”. Then v35 “the Father loves the Son and has given all thing into his hands. The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on them

I want to be a friend of God.
- A Friend hides IN the Son
- A Friend Tells about the Son
- A Friend Obeys the Son
- A Friend stays close to the Son so he hears the Father, points to the Son, and receives the blessing of the overflow of all that comes to the Son.
I just want to be a Friend of the Son.

Finishing with Abraham – Hebrews 11:8-10 tells us what a Friend does by Faith
- when called – obeyed and set out
- went through did not know where – Oh the Destination was WITH not Where – not a Place – the Destination is always WITH Jesus
- stayed a foreigner – this earth is not my home
- was an heir of the promise
- looked forward to the fulfillment in Heaven – a Friend of God isn’t a friend of the world – not even in the good sense, this earth is temporary
I want to be a Friend of God – Ultimately I want to just be “That Guy who told me about Jesus – Just a Friend of Jesus.
Arise Shine – Isaiah 60:1

March 20th, 2024
Somehow it looks like this Post I wrote in April never got out of my Draft Box… So Bonus of TWO Posts Today

The latter third of the book of Isaiah is amazing. Isaiah has moved forward, in prophesy. He addresses the coming of the Messiah as a sacrifice and then to the time of the end yet to come.

We get a picture of the inclusive work that will bring people from all nations into the Kingdom of God. We see the New Heaven and the New Earth, peace reigning, the time of the millennia and eternity to follow.

In Isaiah 66:1 God says, Heaven is my throne, the earth is my footstool. Then v2 I look favorably on this person, the one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word. Wow

Back in chapter 59 he describes the world they were living in that we can relate to and our need for God.
- 59:10 says we grope along a wall like the blind… are like dead among the healthy
- v11 salvation is far from us
- v15 truth is missing… there is no justice
- v16 he saw there was no one, he was amazed (appalled) that no one interceded (so) HIS OWN HAND BROUGHT SALVATION!
- v17 He is armed in the Armor of God
- v20 the Redeemer will come
Then he makes a covenant in v21 My Spirit and my Words will not depart from your mouth… forever

What should we be doing in a world like this, with promises like that? Well I’m glad you asked

60:1 – Arise Shine – for your light has come – the Glory of the Lord shines over you

Come on now

Yes Darkness covers the earth v2 says BUT – BUT – The Lord will Shine

Darkness is not the end nor in control – The Light WILL Shine – Glory Will Appear

Now, before I get too far, God doesn’t say to us, “In these dark days MAKE a light.” or “Be a Light” or “Buy some light”

NO God says, “GET UP – ARISE – qum=stand up. People of God – get up, take a place, and then.

SHINE – that word ur = Flame, Fire, Light. Oh I seem to remember Jesus saying “you are the light of the world a city on a hill” And Revelation 1 shows Jesus walking among the lampstands – we aren’t light source but we are the light SHINERS – we are light Fixtures. We just hold The I AM who Is the Light – Jesus is the Light –

So Arise and Shine – the Light has already come. Yes, there is darkness – but don’t waste too much time telling darkness that it is dark, just shine light. We seem so busy cursing darkness when we need to shine light.
- v3 – Nations will come to your light – people looking for light will come if we will shine light
- v4 – Raise your eyes and look around – If we will just LOOK for the opportunities it is there sons and daughters of God
- v5 Then you will see – and do what? – be radiant – MY GOODNESS. If more people of God would see then radiate light instead of rejecting darkness – radiate light. Instead of fighting and scoffing – radiate light. And v5 continues – your heart will tremble and rejoice
If you read on through chapter 60 as all of these latter chapters are hitting peaks of prophesy with many ages and eras between them fulfilling and leading to Heaven in vv19-20 when there is no longer the need of the Sun or the Moon as light because the Lord is our Light in Eternity. All the people will be righteous and v22 peaks, the least will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation – WHY

– I Am the Lord and I will Accomplish it quickly in its time.

OH that doesn’t mean “quickly” as in tomorrow necessarily, but when God does it, it will happen quickly.

What must WE do in Dark Days? – Arise Shine

What must we do in a world that needs answers? Arise Shine

If we have seen the Light, have the Light, what must we do? Arise Shine

Oh and notice the very next verse is 61:1 and it circles back around to the work of the Lord Jesus, the Christ

The Spirit of the Lord is on me to bring good news, healing for the brokenhearted, liberty, freedom – to proclaim the year of the Lord’s Favor

Arise Shine for the Light has Come
Faithful To The Vision Acts 26:19

March 12th, 2024
Oswald Chambers says, “It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the Vision” (MyUtmostForHisHighest 3/11)

Often we clearly hear God, but find the actuality of the action hard, so we adjust.

Paul is giving his personal testimony to King Agrippa and Governor Festus in Acts 26. Paul talks about meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. God doesn’t always give a “life call” at the Salvation Call, but he does here. I say, “Salvation Call” because this was the day Paul recognized and received it, but certainly God was speaking to Paul all of his life. He had been studying the Scripture and anticipating the Messiah, then when Jesus came and Paul heard of Him, at first he rejected.

But this day, he heard and part of the Salvation Call was the Mission declared and the Vision to be strived toward.
- The Vision was a People of God, not just Israel, but from every nation.
There was here a Vision, a Mission, and Promised Provision.

God’s Kingdom was for everyone who would believe. That wasn’t new. Israel was to be a light. Zechariah prophesied that other nations would come and say, “Let us go with you…” That’s always been what God was doing, his vision, to be fully experienced in Heaven “every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne” (Rev7:9)

The Mission for Paul then was to be a “servant and a witness of what you have and will see” v17 He was called to the Gentiles v18 I’m sending you to them to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light from the power of satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.“

That was his mission in the Vision of God. His mission was not just to go to the ends of the earth and rescue the people of Israel and point them to their Messiah, but to go and bring IN the rest of the world.

The Mission was hard – “Ok Lord, I think I misheard you… I got beat up and left for dead, let’s adjust this.” NO – If we heard God, then God knew the challenges and always makes Provision for His Vision and our Mission in it.

v16 So get up and Stand on your feet I have appeared for this purpose to appoint you

In our service to the Lord there are always “God parts” and “Our Parts”. Get Up and Stand… with the understood, “GO” – I’m sending you to them

Henry Blackaby said, “you can’t STAY where you are and GO with God”

My “go” and your “go” may be different, but when God says “go” – he is always saying “come WITH me” and we can’t stay where we are, as we are.

Then the Provision – Then his Provision – “I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles”. Your people and the Gentiles – often the battle is internal and external in the Mission for the Vision.

v19 So then, I was not disobedient to the Heavenly Vision.

Disobedience can be passive or Aggressive, omission or commission; if we fail to go when he sent or fail to do what he says, both are disobedience.

Paul says, instead of disobedience, I preached in Damascus first… then Jerusalem… all Judea, and to the Gentiles.

What did he preach? v20 Repent and Turn to God – do works worthy of repentance. Too often we make repentance easy, less than actual repentance. Repentance is an “About Face” – and it is TOWARD GOD – not toward me. We aren’t asking people to become like us, but to come to Jesus and allow him to be Lord and transform us into his image.

Matthew 3:8 Produce fruit consistent with Repentance

That Message got Paul in trouble – v21 for this reason the Jews tried to kill me

And yet… Provision – v21 to this day I have had help from God, and I stand and testify.

And as he was saying all of this, Festus (Roman Governor / Gentile) Shouted: You’re out of your mind Paul! Ha! Even a non-Christian says, “you’re nuts”. But Paul quickly responds with a NO – “I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment
- The Message of Repentance toward God is always Truth
- If you are following the Plan of God for the Purpose of God in the Power of God to the Praise of God, the only crazy thing is not to position ourselves on our feet Doing That
“The Only way to be obedient to the heavenly Vision is to give “Our Utmost for His Highest” – that’s what Oswald Chambers says in this namesake devotion. He continues, “by continually and resolutely recalling the vision… though it tarry, wait for it… live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself. We get so practical that we forget the vision”

We are often so focused on “have we checked the box?” “Is it here yet?” “I don’t see it.”

No, what is the Vision? What is our Mission? Do THAT and seeing will come in due time! The seeing is in the doing and will come into being long before we notice it.
I Did Not Hesitate to Proclaim Anything Profitable – Acts 20:20

March 5th, 2024
Paul is heading to Jerusalem to deal with dissension and report what God is doing in his Acts 1:8 work to the ends of the earth – as God had ordained him to the Gentiles. He testifies about his message, mission, mandate, and his understanding about what this means. As you read on:
- I testified to Jew and Greeks about Repentance toward God and Faith in Jesus
- I am compelled by the Spirit – that’s his mandate. And he points out that he doesn’t know all that will happen but knows that chains and afflictions are coming
- v25 I know that none of you will ever see me again
So he was heading to Jerusalem didn’t have time to go to Ephesus – but had called for the Elders from there to come and meet with him. And he is giving them these final in person words. Yes he will write the church later while in his first imprisonment – but he’s speaking to the elders face to face.

He declares his innocence regarding anything that may happen to them. Meaning that he had been faithful to proclaim the Gospel of Peace and Truth. He didn’t paint a rose garden, but declared God’s Glory and the reality of following him.

Then in v36, how real and touching, he knelt down and prayed… v37 many tears were shed by everyone… 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Wow – so real and personal. This separated them in the ministry but not in the heart.

It was so hard, Luke says in 21:1, after we tore ourselves away… we set sail.

As you read all of this and the rest of the chapters in Acts that Luke wrote regarding Paul – we must recognize how connected to the Spirit Paul was. He never moved until God said, “move”, but also he never stayed when God Said “GO”.

He knew hard times were coming and yet God kept some of the “specifics” from him, just for his own peace, for the sake of saving from concern.

I think when we read this, the depth of what happened, and how long, and hard, we sometimes miss. He wasn’t taking a flight, he was taking a boat. He wasn’t being simply questioned, but being falsely accused. He spent years in this part of journey and finds then that he is going to get a major prayer answered. He’s going to finally get to preach in Rome!

But sometimes God answers our prayers differently than we expected. After a couple of years in jail in Jerusalem and Caesarea, then another months long boat trip, and a shipwreck in Malta, three months of delay even. And yet did you know that Paul, along the way, shipwrecked, changed that little island forever? My wife and I spent 10 days in Malta. That little island 2000 years later is perhaps the most “churched” population in the world regarding % of attendance. We were there before COVID, but at the time stats said between 75-90% attending some Christian Service weekly.

Then Paul gets to Rome and he is detained in House Arrest for 2 years, but was able to preach, teach, witness, and reach countless people in Rome with the Gospel.

So, what did Paul always do? What is he encouraging these Elders to Do? Read these verses in Acts 20
- Not Hesitate to Proclaim and Teach what is Profitable.
- Do not Avoid Declaring the Whole Plan of God
- Be On Guard for Yourselves and the Flock
- Shepherd the Church of God – which HE purchased with his own blood. Let me point out that we must not ever forget the WE did not BUY and we do not OWN the Church – Jesus bought it and He Owns it. Yes it is “my church” I’m a part and I have a responsibility but it belongs to Jesus
- Wolves are coming and they are brutal – we know this and we watch out – but watch more closely in these days
- Men will Rise up From Among You – we know that the “evil wolves” are out there but we don’t expect the “good ones” to be “bad” – There is a good book by Marshall Shelley “Well Intentioned Dragons” that talks about dealing with problem people in the church. And I would add yes some have “good intentions” but are still problems. And others have BAD intentions and are problems. Be on the Alert
- They – wolves and men rising up – will Distort the Truth – so we need to keep telling the truth and retelling the truth
- They – will Lure disciples into following them. We must keep pointing people to following Jesus – not us – only us following Jesus.
- Be On the Alert
- Be Committed to God and The Word of Grace – which is Able to Build You Up – Give You An Inheritance – Be careful again – grace is graceful all the way through – and our Inheritance isn’t here – our building up should be within and in the name of Jesus
We don’t know all of where the journey will take us -but the Lord is leading – I can’t help but think of our Good Shepherd and Psalm 23. He is with us, preparing all for us, with us in danger and when enemies surround, shadows cover, he is with us. But His House is our destination, and Goodness Follows us. Oh don’t miss that – the Path isn’t always “good” but Goodness and Mercy FOLLOW us all the days of this life – until FOREVER is our HOME with Him.
Be Courageous

February 28th, 2024
John 16:25-33

Ok so Jesus is in that night before his crucifixion interaction with his disciples. They don’t know what’s coming – even though he has told them many times that he is going to suffer, die, and be resurrected.

We know that Jesus has done most of his teaching through parables – so maybe when he spoke plainly – they were still trying to get the object lesson. So many he didn’t mean he was going to ACTUALLY DIE…

Let me say that we should always assume that Jesus is trying to tell us something ACTUALLY – and unless there is reason to believe it is figurative – then assume it is literal and even then it is a figurative explanation of a Literal Thing.

Jesus said “I’m the Gate to the Sheep” and so yes he isn’t a door with hinges and a lock, made of wood or steel, but he IS the only way in. So it’s a figurative picture but a literal reality.

In the previous verses Jesus tells them “Listen life is going to get tough. They are going to kick you out of the synagogues and think they are doing a ‘service to God’.”

He said “but they haven’t known the Father.” He said “I’m telling you this so when it happens you will remember, he told us.”

Then he tells them that the Holy Spirit, a Counselor, is coming to be with them and encourage and teach them.

He says, ”in a little while you won’t see me, then in a little while you WILL see me”

That totally blew their mind… and he called them on it, asking why this so worried them… life was going to get tough, but sorrow will turn to joy – just like when a couple is expecting a baby there are tough times but after the birth there is joy!

So, he says you will have sorrow, but joy is coming.

Now look and read with me vv 25-28

John 16:25–33 (CSB) — 25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 On that day you will ask in my name, and I am not telling you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” …

Man… what is Jesus talking about?

Well, they think they have finally heard something they can connect with…

29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language.

Ok Jesus … you’ve taken this out of theory and into practicality … out of Spiritual and into the Personal.

“Now you speak plainly…”

30 Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”

Now we KNOW – that you know EVERYTHING and don’t need anyone to question you.

“By this we believe that you came from God…”

Really?

Jesus says…

31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe?

If we NOW Believe… won’t that make a difference?

If you believe it is plain.

If you believe that Jesus KNOWS Everything

If you believe that we don’t need to QUESTION Him

If you believe he comes from God…

Then Stop Questioning – Start Doing – Put your focus on where we are heading.

DO you? Do You BELIEVE?

In other words … Let me See it?

32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

When we Understand Jesus… Then the Hard Work Comes

An Hour has Come… When Jesus is PLAIN… Tells us how we should live… we better get with it.

What are some “Plain Things” that Jesus says that we don’t do? Let’s get a list… make your own list and check yourself on how you are following what you know is plain.

Jesus is going to tell them, in Acts 1 to GO… and Be Witnesses… Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the Ends of the Earth. He’s going to tell them… Stay right here until you receive the Holy Spirit… But once they Received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 then it’s time to what? Be happy and have a worship service?

No – GO

An hour is coming and has come when you will be scattered… and leave me alone

When Jesus was arrested and tried, and put on the cross – they all ran away, all except John. Maybe they weren’t as ready as they thought

Jesus had told Peter in Luke 22 – “I’m praying that your faith will not fail… when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” – Sometimes we fail to be as strong as we think we are – but Jesus is still praying and making provision for the other side of the challenge.

Peter thought he could go to jail or even die for Jesus – And truth is he DID on both accounts… but in the meantime, Jesus was encouraging and praying strength for him because it was going to come differently than he thought and great things were going to happen along the way.

Jesus DOES know everything and he knows where we will fail and is waiting to pick us back up and get us busy

He said “In Me… you may have peace… you WILL have Suffering…” but

What’s the Proper Response to Knowledge, Suffering, and Peace?

Be COURAGEOUS –

What is Courage?

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ― Nelson Mandela

And before him…

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Courage is doing the right thing in the MIDST of Fear

Courage is not giving in to Fear but Getting Passed it

Courage is not being misdirected by fear, but maintaining our effort toward our purpose.

He doesn’t tell us to understand Courage

He doesn’t tell us to teach about it

He doesn’t tell us to explain it

He tells us to BE –

What’s the famous quote of Shakespeare – “to Be or Not to Be that is the question” – he was talking about LIVING or NOT Living. It’s a quote regarding taking one’s own life or living in it. That is not for us, that is not the understanding of Being. To Be or Not to Be in Life is God’s decision… but HOW we live… Be…

www.grammarly.com – says “The irregular verb to be is the most complicated of all the English verbs—and it just so happens to be the most used, too. The to be verbs are am, are, is, was, and were, along with the bare infinitive be, the present participle being, and the past participle been.”

Grammarly goes on to explain

The verb to be means to exist (I am here), to occur (The meeting is Tuesday), or to have the characteristics of something (She was a quiet child). It is the most common verb in English, partly because of its additional uses in grammar: to be verbs can be auxiliary verbs that help create other tenses or linking verbs that help describe the subject of a sentence.

BE –
- Present – am, is, are,
- Past – was, were
- Past Participle – been
- Present Participle – being
- Future – Will Be
- Possibility – Can Be, Should Be, Might Be Must Be,
- Negative – are not, was never, will not be, is not, cannot be,
Jesus says, if you know me – if you believe me, if you understand where I’m from and where I am going – thus where you are going, why you exist…

Be COURAGEOUS!

Why?

I can’t do this… How can I be Courageous?

Jesus says, I Have Conquered the World!
- All you see
- All you face
- All you will experience
Jesus has WON

And yet with Jesus – sometimes “winning” is NOT the Absence of Difficulty – Difficulty is sometimes part of the path

Winning for him is not the absence of Pain

Winning is not the absence of what looks like defeat

The CROSS was coming – suffering, pain, appearance of losing, coming

What’s the Opposite of Being Courageous?
- Paralyzed by Fear
- Hiding instead of facing it
- Being disconnected with God’s purpose
It is not a lack of fear or even failure…It is Perseverance, Patience, Persistence

Knowing that Victory is won, I’m just not living IN it, yet the Celebration has already begun.

Oh and By the way… As Soon as Jesus says all of these things

John 17:1 continues Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven and said, “Father the hour has come. Glory your Son so that the Son may glorify you…”

Being Courageous is about knowing Jesus, Believing in His Purposes, Following Him and Letting him Lift you Up to the Place where YOU can Lift HIM Up.
The Light of the World – Lord of the Darkness

February 13th, 2024
In Exodus 20 the Lord had summoned Moses to Mt. Sinai and vv1-17 are the “Ten Commandments”. The people couldn’t go on the mountain, but they, “witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded with smoke. When they saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.” And their response in v19 was “you speak to us and we will listen, but don’t let God speak to us or we will die.”

Certainly, when God speaks it can be frightening. but Moses says, “don’t be afraid… the Lord has come to test you so that you will fear him and will not sin” v20.

Now, what follows that got my attention today v21, “the people remained at a distance as Moses approached the TOTAL DARKNESS where God was.”

TOTAL Darkness – Total DARKNESS – that is the absence of photons that create light. The absence of radiant qualities – that made me on a short run down a rabbit hole on the internet and to a physics forum – no that’s not my normal surfing place, but I ended up there. Many would say that ultimately it’s impossible for there to be “total darkness” because the waves, like radio waves, could come and go, and space between, not show much of anything but still would be light, and wouldn’t ever be fully absent. They even said that if you “went into space and put your head in a box, there would be some radiation in the air, some light, and even when not your brain may fill in the gap and you ‘see things’.

So – Darkness – even total darkness – I would add that God is there. That’s what Moses experienced.

In Genesis 1:2, “the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of watery depth, and the Spirit of God was hovering over… and God said, ‘Let There Be Light.’”

Sometimes in “darkness” we are praying for God to “show up” but he is THERE we just aren’t experiencing it or seeing him, hearing him.

Moses went into the darkness, because God was there. Darkness is only bad if God doesn’t want us there.

Isaiah 45 is a powerful passage. God is speaking.
- 45:3 –“I give you the treasures of darkness and riches from the secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD (YHWH)
- 6-7 From the rising of the sun to it’s setting… there is no one but me. I am the LORD and there is no other. I FORM the Light and Create Darkness… success and disaster”
WAIT – is God doing bad things? Dark Things? No – God does not evil, but he is in all and however we define it, he is on the throne in all things. He is the Maker, the Potter, we are just the clay.

Many would take some of those statements and say that God is the “CAUSEATION” of all things good and bad, and I think we are overreading. God is talking to us using our words and saying, YOU may define it as light or dark, you may define it as success or disaster, but I am busy doing something and it can be GOOD. The whole intent of these passage is to talk about Salvation and the Way that people come to God.

Isaiah 45 continues in
- vv14-15 saying that from non-believing people groups will come many who draw near the people of God and believe and find salvation, in the light and dark, success and failure as God moves.
- v19 I have not spoken in secret somehow in the land of darkness… a wasteland… I speak righteously declares what is right”
It’s as if God is saying, “Darkness” is not dark – Silence is not silent, wasteland is not wasted, I am speaking, I am revealing, I am moving.
- v21 … There is no other God but me a righteous God and Savior there is no one but me.
Then comes the blessed Isaiah 45:22
- Turn to Me and be saved ALL THE EARTH for I am God and there is no other.
Darkness is still an opportunity for God to shine Light and us to See and Believe and Be Saved.

It seems that those would be and in reality physicists are right in saying there is no true darkness. There is not absence of light, as they say that even when there is no light, our brains make up the difference and start “seeing things.”

Back to the Mountain – Moses walks into the Total Darkness (araphel = deep darkness, thick cloud, thick gloom)
- Exodus 20:22 Then the Lord told Moses, ‘this is what you are to say’”
He gives some keys to hold on to in the darkness
1. You have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven – We have seen, we have heard, so do the last thing that we know God said to do. Believe what you have seen and heard, and know the source it is from God, from Heaven
2. Do not make false gods – my my, whatever we worship, invest our time in, is the determiner of our calendar, defines our treasures, rules our decision making is in danger or in reality of being our god – false god, even expensive god, but in reality, is just a man-made god without power.
3. make an altar for me – that is worship me – confess your sin to me and confess me as Lord, true God, Savior, King.
4. Know that I will COME to you, Bless you in every place where I cause my name to be remembered – Oh my, the presence of God is always the place where God Comes and Blesses – whether Dark or Light, Loud or Silent – Remember there Who God is, remember What, How, and Why he is and in the Darkness is Light
The Sacrificial Altar of Service

February 6th, 2024
Philippians is a favorite letter of Paul for me. Paul is there in confinement in a rented apartment as a result of his service to the Lord. He writes letters of encouragement not really knowing what the future holds.

Philippians 2 is laying out the example of Christ and almost daring us to follow. The underlying word is Submission which by very definition means that someone or something else matters more than me

Philippians 2:5 says Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus. He existed for eternity but didn’t hold on to his position if it meant losing his passionate loving relationship with mankind. So, He emptied himself… became a servant. He was obediently humble and did so to the point of death… death on the cross.

Why? Because v3 says we are to do nothing out of conceit or selfish ambition, but humility considering others as more important than self… the interest of others is the driving force of service.

v12 – therefore… work out your salvation with fear and trembling. This is not talking about gaining our salvation, but about living IN our salvation. We are saved for a purpose.

v14 do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure… faultless in a crooked and perverted generation. The crooked thing, the perverted thing is when we become selfish, self-centered, it is never what was intended for us.

So v15 continues YOU Shine like Stars in the world.

Hey – here is the encouragement – you and I don’t have to be the greatest fanciest diamonds, but any diamond shines in a pile of dirt.

How do we shine? v16 holding firm to the word – Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is Living and Active… able to judge the thoughts and intentions. Obedience and Submission to the Word is our definer and the light that makes us shine. Compare this… while we shine like stars in a perverted generation, they still are not my truth, not my comparison, It’s the Word of God that is our standard.

And So, as I serve selflessly focused on the eternal and the needs of others, I can v16b boast in the day of Christ that I didn’t waste my time. I didn’t serve for nothing. I didn’t run or labor in vain.

Then if it just stopped right there – eyes on eternity, serving today, shining like stars / diamonds in the midst of dirt – well that would be enough… I can make it, just keep on serving…

But Paul doesn’t stop there and that’s not what caught my attention today – because the reality already shown by example of Christ is that SERVICE might not just lead to inconvenience –

v17 Even If – Even If I am Poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith

Sacrifice is the potential of Submission and Service

KJV renders it If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith

Paul had a purpose and that was to see faith take flight in the lives of others. Why did Jesus empty himself, submit, become obedient, become like us as a servant? To Die on the cross for our Faith, for our Sins.

Oswald Chambers says “I want to CHOOSE the SCENERY of my own Sacrifice. I want to have the right people watching me and saying ‘well done’”

Oh my isn’t that honest? We want to serve where we want, how we want, who we want to serve… But Paul says EVEN IF I am emptied, poured out as a drink offering

There is some unique things about drink offerings
1. It was emptied, useless for anything else – nothing to show, nothing in it for the offerer. When that drink offering was poured over the sacrificial offering it disappeared as steam and was gone. Many other food offerings were enjoyed by the people or by the priests but this offering was only offered and gone
2. It was always a celebration – not a sacrifice of suffering or sadness. Paul wasn’t sad about this, it was a celebration of God and for the faith of others whom he served
3. The Vessels (Exodus 25:29) used for drink offering were pure gold. The idea then is that I seek to be a pure vessel, and then in celebration am poured out. No one else may ever know or credit me for the work. So when you go back to vv14-15 and see him cautioning against grumbling and arguing and the like – he is saying those things sully our pure gold vessel.
So it is a service given for your faith and Even IF I am Poured Out – what does Paul say? I AM GLAD AND REJOICE with all of you

This isn’t a “woe is me” – it is the Joy of the Lord. I’ve often said, “Happiness is about what happens to us, but Joy is about what is INSIDE of You.”

So, Paul says, I’ve brought my golden vessel full of Heavenly Wine meant to be nothing more me, all for you, all for the Lord; in celebration I will pour it out and get nothing for myself.

v18 In the same way you should also be glad and rejoice with me

As servants in Submission to the Lord for the Faith of others, we are just Lead Worshipers celebrating the Submission and Service of Christ for us and calling others to join us in the Celebration. Others may not know we were here, but faith of others will remain.

When Ignatius was arrested in 110AD for following the Way of Christ. He was condemned to die by Lions in the Colosseum. They say that when the Lion Cage was opened, he reached out his hand toward the first lion and said, “Today I Begin to be a Christian”

Even If…
“I Heard A Voice Speaking to Me in Aramaic” Acts 25:14

January 29th, 2024

Jesus had spoken to Saul in many ways his whole life. He spoke to him in creation – Romans 1:19-20. He spoke to him while he was raised under the Jewish Law. In Galatians 3:24 he says the Law was a tutor, a guardian until Christ came. It was designed to bring us to and recognize the Messiah. God spoke to Paul through the Prophets. Paul had seen it, and heard it in the lives and testimony of the followers of Jesus he had persecuted. He was there when Stephen, the deacon, preached in Acts 7. That deacon schooled them that day to understand all God was doing. The Leaders stoned Stephen. Paul saw the way he died, in dignity for Christ, and with a message of Forgiveness when he died.

And yet Acts 8 begins saying Saul agreed with putting him to death and Saul was ravaging the church… house to house… drag off men and women and put them in prison.

Every one of these things was part of God leading Saul to Repentance.

Then on the road to Damascus – Paul tells Agrippa an Felix – I was terribly enraged at them… tried to make them Blaspheme (reject Jesus as Son) v12 under those circumstances… with authority and a commission

This is His Testimony… I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun… we all fell on the ground v14 And I Heard a Voice Speaking to me in Aramaic

This spoke to me differently today.

Paul was educated, wise, metropolitan if you will. He spoke at least three languages – Greek, Hebrew, and his heart language, Aramaic.

Jesus too would have used all of these languages. And when he strikes Saul down, he could have spoke to the World Man and Roman Citizen, Paul. He could have spoken to the Religious Scholar and Leader, Saul. But he doesn’t.

Hebrew was now the most common of the spoken languages of the Jewish people. But when Jesus speaks to him here, he speaks in Aramaic. I believe it grabbed Saul’s heartstrings. He was already dazed and amazed by the light – but now this great power is not speaking the Civil Power Language. Nor is he speaking the Religious Authority Language. He wasn’t speaking in the Commission of the Temple or Rome but was actually calling in a simple, familiar voice, a common voice.

Jesus asks why are you persecuting me? It is hard to kick against the goads.

I often imagined Jesus speaking forcefully and authoritatively here, but no, I think it was gentle. I compare this to Paul sharing his testimony in Acts 21 and 22, as he was accused of bringing Greeks into the Temple. He wanted to defend himself. They thought in Acts 21:38 that he was an Egyptian who led a revolt with 4,000 assassins. And notice in 21:40 he motioned with his hands… there was a great hush, he addressed them in Aramaic… and v22:2 says, when they heard he was addressing in Aramaic, they become even quieter.

Hmm, where did Paul learn this tactic? It’s how Jesus spoke to him. Jesus was getting Saul’s heart to pay attention and his ears to hear.

So in Acts 21&22 Paul gives a testimony they can understand – Just as Jesus spoke in a gentle way he could understand.

I was once sharing Jesus in El Salvador with some fishermen along the Lempa River. These guys were spear fishermen. They used hand made spear guns. I asked them if I could hold their spear gun. It was loaded, but they allowed me. And I explained to them about our pescados, our sins. I told them that pescado /sin was a word that was an archery term – describing missing the target. I was speaking to them in a way they could understand, and they were paying attention, kept telling me cuidado – “be careful” – my point exactly, but they just didn’t want me to fire it. But they listened to this gringo speaking in a way they could understand in their hearts.

Jesus spoke to Saul in Aramaic. Paul’s testimony was shared who knows how many times. But we have the story recorded 3 times. We have Luke’s Historical Account in Acts 9. Then we have two records of him sharing his testimony in Acts 21/22 and then before Agrippa and Felix.

Only here in Acts 26 does it use another phrase that Jesus used with Saul – why do you kick against the goads. I believe Paul sed it here for an important reason. Jesus was saying “Saul, I’ve been trying to get you to go in the right direction all of your life, but you are fighting me, and it’s only hurting you. Creation spoke, The Law spoke, Prophets spoke, The Witnesses spoke, and so I have blinded you – so now I’m speaking gently to you in your heart language – stop fighting me – let’s clean up the wounds and come follow me. I have a purpose for you, I have a new commission I am appointing you to.”

Paul, in his testimony, I believe was saying to Agrippa, “stop fighting the revelation, the pressing of God. God has given you a position but he has better things for you.

Almost is the KJV way of rendering Agrippa’s response. The CSB says are you going to persuade me to become a Christians so easily? To which Paul says “I don’t care if it’s easy or hard, I just want you and all who hear to become like me, a follower of Jesus.”

My point in this discussion is that Paul does something simple and repeatable here as he shares his testimony. He shares 1) Life Before Christ 2) How he came to know Christ 3) his Life after Christ and 4) Invites them to Believe and Come as well.

If you are a follower of Jesus, I encourage you to write down on one or two pages your testimony Life Before, How you Came, and What has Happened since you met Jesus. Be Passionate, Be Perceptive of the audience, Be Patient – then leave it to the Lord.

Finally, if you do not have anything to write down perhaps God has brought you to this moment – confess your sin, believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and follow him right now.
God’s Zeal Intersecting with Mine

January 17th, 2024
Oh My how God Moves… Galatians 1 Paul is writing a letter to an “overzealous” church and he tells his testimony upfront.

v11 I want you to know… the Gospel… is not of human origin… it came by a Revelation of Jesus Christ

I was raised in a Pastor’s home. I was born while my Dad was in seminary in New Orleans. I started preaching when I was 13 years old. I didn’t take the normal route to be a Pastor that most do. I have often told people that I spent 18 years in the “James Goforth Sr. Seminary”.

What I love and appreciate most about my Dad the preacher – besides his passion for the ministry and love for people – was that he never taught me a theological construct, he taught me read, love, and preach with full assurance of faith in the Word of God.

God says what he means and means what he says. So, when I started preaching as a teenager, I was never trying to prove a theological opinion or point, but was reading, believing, explaining, and teaching the Word of God.

I didn’t go the normal school route either – my Bachelor’s degree is in music, because I needed to learn more as that was going to play an important part in my ministry. I had been singing my whole life, but not studying it like I had the Preaching side. All along the way, I was studying and preaching God’s word.

Paul was in “church” all his life from the Jewish Side of things. All his life he had the best teaching v13 he said you have heard my former way of life… I intensely persecuted God’s Church… v14 I was advanced in Judaism beyond my contemporaries… I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors

v15 but when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son IN me, so that I could preach him…

I then heard Paul in Romans 2:4 saying God’s kindness leads us to repentance

Paul understood that God had always known who would – Paul included – who would respond and believe and so God always had a plan for Paul. Did God cause Paul to do Bad things? No – Was God making provision in all things? YES.

So, WHEN – God always knows When – when God was pleased… to reveal the Son IN me… I love that choice of words here IN – the TO came earlier – then came the IN.

God revealed Himself TO Paul from without in many ways. I think every Christian Paul persecuted was a testimony outside. I think when he held the coats as men stoned Stephen and Paul watched him die Gracefully – it messed Paul up. He got even MORE Zealous…

But then ONE DAY – on the road to Damascus the Lord Blinded Him and opened his eyes, ears, and heart.

God had a plan… v16 so that I could preach him among the Gentiles. I did not consult with anyone 17 I did not go to Jerusalem to… the Apostles instead I came to Arabia … v18 After three years…

I often say that Paul spent 3 years in “Seminary” in Arabia with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, in the Will of the Father. He went a different way.

I can relate – I started preaching young, went to College, got a degree in music, then turned down a Seminary Scholarship to “Jerusalem” (Southwestern Seminary) I had a family, had a desire for ministry and God said “Go” so I went. I was preaching, leading worship, youth camps, speaking in schools, performing concerts – after 8 years doing that I became a church plant pastor and 28 years later, I’m still doing that.

I didn’t go the regular route because God had other plans

Paul didn’t go the regular route, but God had plans and a call for him and God prepared him through it all for what he was going to do. Would Paul tell others to do it that way? Probably not. Is there anything wrong with Seminary or a “traditional route”? No, I love those endeavors and have encouraged and led others to do that. But it still comes down to following God and doing the work.

I preached at a Baptist College years ago, was introduced simply as Pastor Jim Goforth – afterwards a Vice President took me to lunch and asked, “Did you get your Doctorate from Southwestern?” I said, “what makes you think I have a Doctorate from Southwestern?” He said, “I just heard you preach and I know you have a Doctorate and that it’s from Southwestern.” I thanked him for the compliment but told him… No I don’t have one, but I work and study hard.

Galatians is all about Paul saying, “there are many good things to do, but it still all comes down to Jesus.

v18 After the Lord had prepared him in Arabia, he says I did go to Jerusalem to get to know Peter and stayed with him for 15 days… (and) James, the Lord’s brother… 21 afterward I went to Syria and Cilicia I remained personally unknown to the Judean Churches that are in Christ… 23 They simply kept hearing he who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy 24 and they Glorified God because of me.

The Thread here is not Paul bragging on his route, or prescribing it for anyone else. That’s not my thread either. The Thread here is:
- God is the Source of the Gospel
- Jesus is the Savior seeking and saving
- He is the Sender to the places in his plan
- God is the subject of the Glory we give and that we desire others to give, even if we are never known or remembered.
Would I have mapped it out differently? Yep – I often had zealous plans that were interrupted by the Zeal of God

Was God at work in all of it? Yes

I once sang the National Anthem at a Professional Baseball Game – 40,000 people there. It was fun. The next day someone said to me, “yesterday a guy sang the national anthem at the game and he looked a lot like you.” I said, “well actually that WAS me.” ”No, he was a really big guy.” I said, “well the screen was large, but that was me”. ”No, that wasn’t you – that was some other guy, but he was really good.” ”Well, Ok They announced my name, that was me”, puzzled look… then, “no that wasn’t you, that guy was a pro”.

Ok

Does anyone know my name? A few, but I’m more concerned if they know the Lord. That’s what I’ve been trying to do all my life.

Every now and then I get a contact from someone, and they ask, “are you the same Jim Goforth who…” and they list some concert, or some speaking engagement or some thing… and I say, “yeah that was me”. And they say “we were there, and we followed Jesus, and we still are…” or “we are in the ministry”… or “Glory to God!”

And that’s the thing that makes me smile and it’s all worthwhile
Do You Know Me?

January 10th, 2024
John 14:9 Jesus says, “How long have I been with you and yet you have not known me?”

I read that Monday morning, and immediately mindful then of the end of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:20 I am with you always to the end of the age”

I am guilty too often of just wanting information and directions and Jesus says, “I am with you… come with me… watch me… follow me.“ This verse in John 14 is part of a larger discussion. Jesus is about to die, and then after rising from the dead, he will ascend to the Father and send The Holy Spirit. And so here he says, “I go to prepare a place for you… you know the way…” and Thomas says, “we don’t know where… how can we know the way?” And Philip says, “Show us the Father… that’s enough” and Jesus’ response to both of these confused followers is, “Look at ME” – “I AM the Way, I AM the Truth, I AM the Life… If you have seen ME, you have SEEN the Father… Believe in ME.“

Certainly Jesus gives us instruction and direction but generally and truly he is always with us. So he says, “Follow ME… Go with me… take my hand… Look… and Believe… Do what I am doing.”

v12 the one who believes will do the works that I do… even greater things than these

v15 if you love me you will keep my commands

v16 I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever

v21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me… loved by the Father… I will reveal myself to him.

Do you see the correlation? JESUS is the answer we seek. He is the power, he is the direction, he is reality. We follow him, we know him, we receive him, and we find, way, truth, life, revelation.

And so, the Lynchpin is Love and Faith. Henry Blackaby said we don’t have obedience issues, we have LOVE issues. I would then add that we have also faith issues then.
- What are you hearing God say as you enter this new year?
- Are you just looking for Direction or God’s Presence? Go WITH Him
- Knowledge comes as we see HE is what we seek
- Take some time to stop, look, listen, take his hand, and go with Jesus
As we enter a new year, I hear Jesus – who I have known as Savior for 54 years – say, “how long have I been with you… do you know me?” And I would honestly answer, “yes Lord, I know you “; and He would respond, “I know you do – but do you love me, do you believe in me – in ACTION not just in Knowledge?”