Author Archives: Jason Paul

Pastor, Author, Host of the "Abiding in the Faith" podcast

Inspirational People, Unbelievable Events, Divinely Orchestrated

By Jason Sykora

The following story is inspired by real people and real events. There are times in a Christians life where God will divinely orchestrate events to work things together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose. This is their story.

There were no chocolates on this Valentine’s Day of 2001, and thirteen-year-old Alyssa found herself in an unfamiliar place. She walked into a glassed-in area where people participated in prayer and worship. As Alyssa continued to walk past the congregation, she went to a spiral staircase that led up to an apartment. Once she reached the top of the stairs, she noticed a giant cross in the middle of the room. The Kitchen was on the left, and the main bedroom was on the right. As Alyssa turned to look through the windows to see the street, she suddenly woke up and realized she was dreaming. Today was the day when her family was going to board a plane headed toward Berlin, Germany.

A year prior, Alyssa’s dad left with a team of missionaries to scope out an area to plant a church, and now the time had arrived, Alyssa’s family began boarding the plane. Anxiety and fear gripped them, but they were excited to see what God had in store for them. While waiting for the plane to take off, Alyssa noticed that her dad had pulled out his Bible. She saw his anxiety and fear turn to praise as he read his daily devotions. God confirmed and reminded him of His great power and love and why they were headed to Germany.

Once they arrived, they were not planning on coming back. They sold everything and intended to live as full-time missionaries. However, God had other plans. The family arrived without financial support and had to make a living as tent makers. Luckily Alyssa’s dad was able to secure a job at a medical facility, or so he thought. Alyssa watched as her dad came home and told his wife that there were legal issues with the implementation of the job and that the job was canceled. Within moments, her mom and dad got on their knees to pray, and God answered them. Alyssa’s dad received a letter that even though they did not have a job, the organization that sent them would sponsor them so they could apply for a visa.

The challenge now was to find an apartment for a family of five. Apartments were smaller because they did not make apartments to house a family of that size, so finding a place was difficult. Alyssa’s family came to a community center that housed an apartment. Alyssa got goosebumps when her family first saw the site; the apartment was identical to Alyssa’s dreams before she left for Berlin. Her parents told the relocation person they didn’t need to look anymore because this was the place. However, the church is particular about who gets the apartment, and they became 1 of eight families trying to secure the living quarters. Once again, Alyssa’s parents got on their knees and prayed to God that they would receive the apartment. Realizing that God had given Alyssa the dream as confirmation that the apartment was theirs, they still prayed and asked God to provide.  

A week later, the couple received confirmation that they got the apartment above the church. Alyssa’s family now had a place to live, secure visas, and were now on to finding a job to support them while the church plant began. Having no income except for his 401K, Alyssa’s dad met a guy to teach English. He worked as much as possible to support his family while the church was being planted.  

Time after time, Alyssa would see her parents on their knees, praying that God would sustain them through this process. Alyssa witnessed her parents become godly witnesses to those around them as they relied on God. Even the pastor of the church that was below their apartment questioned if their faith was genuine, and it was. The church plant became established and was up and running. Then it was time to head home.

As Alyssa’s family began to board the plane to return home, Alyssa’s parents were thankful for the sovereignty of God. They had released everything and completely surrendered to him. God had divinely orchestrated the events to receive credit for the work, and Alyssa’s parents praised him for all he did.

About the Author

Jason is an author, pastor, and host of the Abiding in the Faith podcast. Abiding in the Faith ministries exists to make God known and to help strengthen a person’s walk with the Lord through application from Bible Study. To Know More, go to http://www.abidinginthefaith.org.

The Abiding in the Faith Podcast can be heard of all major podcasting platforms. https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/jN3NOcrD1wb

The Perfect Offering

Are you having trouble feeling forgiven today? Many Christians still carry a burden of guilt, forgetting that Jesus made it possible to be forgiven and have the proper standing before the Father.  Christ has already dealt with your guilt, so you do not have to. In today’s study, the author of Hebrews will tell us why Jesus became the perfect offering and how his offering made it so we can have complete forgiveness. Find out more by tuning into the abiding in the faith podcast to learn more.    

Purified

Summary

Jesus went to the cross to purify you, so we can live a pure life. In today’s episode, we are continuing with our Bible study in the book of Hebrews as we learn how we can become spiritually purified.  

Transcription

New Year. New You. Same God – A ministry moment

The start of a new year causes us to make new years resolutions. Most new years resolutions fail, but we have a God that will never fail us. What resolution will you make this year? Tune into the Abiding in the Faith podcast to listen, or go to http://www.abidinginthefaith.org

The Joy of Christmas

By Pastor Jason Paul

The Joy of Christmas is everywhere around us. Many words and phrases come to mind around Christmas time. We hear words like joy and peace and phrases like joy to the world, Merry Christmas, O Holy night, Peace on Earth, and Happy Holidays. Lately, I have been thinking about the word joy. What is the true meaning of joy around this time of year? How does a person experience joy during this Christmas season? Christmas can be a time of blessing and happiness or sadness because of lost loved ones or loneliness. But even if you find yourself in either category, you can still experience joy around Christmas.

The word joy is defined as an emotion evoked by well-being, success, or experiencing good fortune. Is the joy of Christmas found in shopping or when we get together for a holiday meal? Are we experiencing the joy of Christmas when we unwrap our presents or when a loved one unwraps theirs? Or maybe you find yourself where the joy of Christmas is stolen from you, and you would love to experience the joy of Christmas once again.

Recently, two of my daughters participated in a dance recital, and one of the songs they danced to was titled “Where are you Christmas?” Maybe you remember that song? It was a power ballad written and recorded for the movie “How the Grinch stole Christmas.” As you listen to the song’s lyrics, you experience a roller coaster of emotions from the perspective of someone looking back on Christmas. You share the joy of Christmas from a young age. Then the joy you once had around Christmas becomes lost as time goes on. Finally, the joy of Christmas becomes real again when you remember the love you felt at Christmas. A love that turns into joy and fills your heart. The songwriter says, “the joy of Christmas stays inside us and fills every heart with love.”      

Is the joy of Christmas found in love? In one word: Yes. Christmas is when joy came into the world as a baby; his name is Jesus. Because God so loved the world that He gave his only Son to bring joy into the lives of those who seek him. Christmas is when God can show up and fill you with joy, expectedly or unexpectedly. Mary and Joseph experienced the joy of holding the newborn baby when Jesus was born. The shepherds experienced joy when they saw Jesus for the first time. The joy of Christmas can be found when you expect it or when you least expect it. Christmas is still a time when you can expect to find joy, just as Mary and Joseph did when they were expecting the birth of Jesus.  

Expectant Joy

The angel Gabriel delivered the good news to Mary that she would give birth to the Messiah. For nine months, Mary and Joseph were expecting the entrance of Jesus to come into the world as a baby. In Luke 2:1-7, we read the story of Jesus’s birth. “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So, all went to be registered, everyone to his city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)

When Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph were filled with joy. Just as new parents expecting their first baby or child from adoption experience the joy of welcoming a child. For Mary and Joseph, on the first Christmas, they found joy in welcoming their firstborn Son into the world. Just like children who are joyfully unwrapping presents on Christmas morning with their parents gleaming with joy. Mary and Joseph received a gift from God, the same gift that anyone can receive today. Will you accept the joy that only Jesus can offer this Christmas season? No matter where you find yourself this Christmas, expect to find joy in the little things even when you least expect them.       

Unexpectant Joy

The joy of Christmas can also be found when unexpected. As with the case of the Shepherds who watched their flock by night.  

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:8-20 NKJV)

The shepherds unexpectedly found joy when they confirmed the angel’s message as they met Jesus for the first time. The shepherds knew about the birth of the Messiah but did not know the child until they met him. When they met Jesus for the first time, they were unexpectedly filled with joy and made it known to their friends and family.

Maybe you know the Christmas story but do not know Jesus because you have not met him yet. Just like the shepherds knew about the coming Messiah, they did not know Jesus until they met him. The joy of Christmas is found when you meet and enter fellowship with Jesus Christ. Jesus will bring true joy into your life, and when the joy of Christmas may seem stolen, you can find expectant joy in Jesus.

As you meet Jesus for the first or the 100th time, Jesus wants to fill your heart with love. The joy of Christmas comes from knowing Jesus on a relationship level. Will you accept the free gift of Salvation that only Jesus can provide this Christmas season? When you accept Jesus into your heart, He will stay with you and fill your heart with joy and love.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NLT)

To learn more about knowing God, go to www.abidinginthefaith.org and click on the know God button. Find us on Facebook at Abiding in the Faith.

God bless everyone this Christmas Season.    

A Ministry Moment: I have set the Lord always before me, or do I?

A Christian can unintentionally set their sights on their current circumstances instead of the Lord. In today’s ministry moment, Pastor Jason will be looking at Psalm 16 to learn how David was able to set the Lord before him during times of busyness. What steps did he take, and what can we learn from him? Tune in today to find out more.   

A Cleansed Conscience

Summary

Is your conscience bothered by something you have done wrong? If so, tune in to find out who can cleanse your conscience. In today’s study of Hebrews 9, Pastor Jason will look at that and how the old system of worship was a shadow of things to come.    

Transcription

Whenever I am on Facebook, I will come across cartoon illustrations. One of these cartoon illustrations depicted one sock having a conversation with another sock. A sock approaches another sock in tears. He begins to present to the other sock a flyer looking for his missing soul mate. The sock says to the other, “Don’t worry, we have a search team looking for them.” In the background, we see an illustration of a dryer with two socks looking for the missing. Maybe we will never find those missing socks, but what do we do with the one left? One option is to use the odd socks to create artwork. Well, that is what my brother-in-law did.  

My Brother-in-law is a successful artist who lives in New York. As an artist, he creates impressive art that illustrates the times of the culture to make a positive statement. He once collected a bunch of mismatched socks from the family to create his artwork. Those leftover socks were used to create an illustration that is now hanging on someone’s wall.   

As we have been studying the book of Hebrews, the author of Hebrews has been using illustrations to point his listeners back to Jesus. These Jewish believers were facing persecution for following Jesus. Some were thinking of returning to the old way to the old regulations and temple worship instead of embracing their newly acquired freedom under the new covenant. So, the author has been reminding them that following Jesus is worth it and that the old regulations and temple worship were but a shadow of things to come. In chapter 9, verses 1-10, the author will focus on the temple worship of the first covenant, why it was an illustration for us today, and how to have a cleansed conscience.    

The author, in his letter, knew that his Hebrew listeners were knowledgeable about temple worship and would not go into the specifics of how each piece of furniture was used. Our study for today will look at each component of temple worship and how Jesus fulfilled each one, beginning with the house that contained the furniture, the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle

The tabernacle of the Old Testament was a place of worship, Like a church building today. In The book of Exodus, we read that God gave Moses directions on how to build a mobile worship tent they could pack up and take with them on their journey to the promised land. These directions were precise and had to be followed 100% with no deviation. The reason is that the tabernacle had to be the correct representation of the tabernacle in heaven.

The Hebrew counterpart of the Greek word Tabernacle means “dwelling place.” God commanded the people to build this royal tent to become his dwelling place. The tabernacle would become where the people could go and focus their worship on the Lord. God would dwell with his people within the tabernacle system.

Under the new covenant, God lives in the hearts of all Christians alive in Jesus Christ. I love Paul’s response to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, when he said, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.      

God is not contained in a temple. If you believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Holy Spirit dwells in you.

The Lampstands

The lampstands in the temple were lit every morning and every evening by the priest. These lamps were kept lit to signify to the people that the presence of the Lord was among them.

When Jesus walked among the people, he told them that He was the light of the world. “Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)”. Jesus, the Son of God, became the light of the world. As Christians, we are the salt and light of the world because of what Christ has done for us. Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, which gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14-16).

The Bread

The table of consecrated bread was a thank-you offering, a symbol of God’s daily provisions. Twelve loaves of bread were placed on the table each week in the Holy Place, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. When Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray, he said, “give us this day our daily bread,” as a reminder to the disciples that God will provide daily for their needs. As believers in Christ, we can confidently approach God and ask him to provide for our daily needs. After this, Jesus teaches his disciples not to worry. In Matthew 6, beginning in verse 31, Jesus says, “so don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Jesus is also the bread of life. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (John 6:35 NLT)

The Altar

The gold altar of incense. This golden altar was placed in front of the ark of the covenant, and incense was burned to symbolize the prayers of the people rising fragrantly to God.

Under the new covenant, the prayer of the righteous is a pleasant aroma rising to God. David understood this when he wrote Psalm 141, saying, “accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering” (Vs.2).

Not only do our prayers rise fragrantly to God, but when we live for Christ, our lives are like a Christ-like fragrance that rises to God. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that “our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) The answer to this rhetorical question is no one but God is adequate to save.

The Ark

The Ark of the covenant was a chest overlaid in gold and contained the covenant symbols, and the contents served as reminders for the nation of Israel of what God had done.

The first item was a gold jar that contained mana. Mana was the heavenly food that God provided for the nation of Israel every morning to feed the families. The Bible describes manna as a white coriander seed that tasted like honey wafers. People would go out every day to collect these flakes and make meals. The manna was placed into the jar to preserve it for future generations. That was, they could see the food God had provided Israel in the wilderness when God set them free from slavery in Egypt.     

The second item was Aaron’s staff. The Lord had commanded Moses in Numbers 17, to bring twelve staffs into the tabernacle with each leader’s name imprinted on them from each tribe of Israel. Moses had to place the twelve staff in front of the ark of the covenant. God told Moses that buds would sprout on the staff belonging to the tribe that God chose to approach the Ark of the Covenant. Moses obeyed the Lord, and the next day Moses collected the staff from God’s presence. Moses found that Aaron’s staff representing the tribe of Levi had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds! Aaron’s staff reminded the people that God had chosen the tribe of Levi to be his priests.

Then the third item was the stone tablets Moses received from the Lord on the mountain. These tablets had the ten commandments inscribed onto them, and these ten chief covenant stipulations were what he required of Israel. These tablets served as a reminder for the nation and reminded them of God’s top ten.

We all need reminders, don’t we? Reminders of what God has done for us in the past. These reminders allow us to reflect on God’s provisions and the grace he has shown us. I know of people who keep a prayer journal to record prayers and God’s answers to their prayers. Some record those moments in a journal, where God shows up in their lives in unexpected ways. Moments where God delivers them out of a difficult situation or when he blesses them. I enjoy keeping a journal because I can pass these God moments down to my children and future generations.      

The Atonement Cover  

On the top of the ark of the covenant lies the atonement cover, otherwise known as the mercy seat. Once a year, the High priest would go into the Most Holy Place and approach the ark of the covenant. Once he approached the ark, he would sprinkle the blood of a special sin offering on the atonement cover to make atonement for the people’s sins. This special moment allowed the temple to stay holy, and the Lord would remain among his people.

The atonement cover served as God’s throne in the tabernacle. When the High Priest would approach the ark, he would see the presence of God hovering over the cover in the form of a cloud. The cloud was a visible manifestation of God’s presence and was called God’s Glory. On the left and right of the cloud were two carvings of angelic cherubim. The cherubim served as God’s royal attendants, with their wings shielding the area where his presence was manifested.

Imagine being that High Priest on the day of atonement. As you enter the Most Holy Place, you see the ark of God’s covenant in front of you. As you approach the ark with a sin offering, you see God’s presence and a cloud manifested over the ark sandwiched between the cherubim. Just think of the awe that you would be experiencing as you see a cloud that is not moving and is stationed right in front of you. Then you remind yourself that you are not just approaching a cloud but God himself. How cool is that!

Under the Old System of worship, a person would offer a sacrifice for their sins, and their conscience was cleansed until they sinned again. Time after time, a person under the old system would have to make continuous sacrifices to clear the conscience of their sins committed towards God. 

Under the new covenant, Jesus shed his blood to make atonement for the people’s sins on the cross. The tabernacle and the temple had a curtain separating the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn into two pieces from the top down—signifying that God accepted Jesus’s atoning sacrifice and made it so everyone could now approach God.

How to have a cleansed conscience

Jesus became our High Priest and is now sitting next to God in heaven, and he is advocating for you and me. When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we come into a relationship with God, who will forgive us of our sins and cleanse our conscience with the lamb’s blood. Our relationship with God is not based on external regulations but Christ himself.  

The Bible says that one day everyone will approach God and stand before him in judgment. God will judge what we did with our lives here on earth. When people place their faith in Jesus, they receive eternal life with him in heaven. On that day of judgment, a Christian will stand before God, and Jesus will look at you and say, this is my guy; this is my gal. These are the ones that I have atoned for, and you have given me, and he will welcome you into heaven. Then some have not placed their faith in Jesus. You, too, will stand before God in heaven, but his answer will be different. When Jesus looks at you, he will say that he did not know you and to leave his presence.   

If you want a cleansed conscience and have not made that choice to place your faith in Jesus Christ, then today is a great day to do so. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. If you want to get ready to meet the Lord and spend eternity in heaven, if you’re going to stand before God and have Jesus look at you with a loving glance and say to you that is my guy, my gal. Then go to abidinginthefaith.org and click on the know God button to learn how.

Two covenants, one meaningful relationship

What are the seven qualities of a meaningful relationship? In today’s study from the Book of Hebrews, we will learn about these seven qualities and how two covenants were initiated from one meaningful relationship.

How to draw near to God

How do we draw near to God? If you have ever asked yourself this question, you have come to the right place. Pastor Jason is back in the book of Hebrews in the series “The completed picture.” He will answer that question during our study today on the Abiding in the Faith podcast.

Re-Equipped for Battle

Summary

What does being equipped with God’s armor look like in 2022? In the last episode in our summer mini-series called “Re-equipped,” Pastor Jason will look at how we can be re-equipped with God’s armor and used in a believer’s life.    

Transcription