The person who desires to live an unshakable, spirit filled life, one that is resilient against the tumultuous nature of the times which exist in today’s world, must build his life upon a firm foundation. As Christians, we should inherently recognize in order to be successful in this endeavor, our lives need to be built up and anchored in God’s word. When we study the Bible and actively seek to apply its precepts and principles to life, we will develop the proper spirit necessary to achieve this goal. As the wise man Solomon said, “The spirit of a man shall sustain his infirmity, but a wounded spirit who shall bear.” In other words, when your spirit is right, you will be able to handle the difficulties and adversity that life may hurl at you. Of course the antithesis to this is, when you do not have a proper spirit, you will fall apart in the time of trouble.
There are many voices in the public square advocating a multitude of philosophies, all of them competing to get our attention and seeking to shape our lives and how we perceive the world around us. However, as the adopted sons and daughters of the living God, it is His voice speaking to our hearts that is most important. And God’s voice will only be properly heard when our spirit is right within us. The peculiar thing here is, we attain this right spirit by earnestly seeking God’s face. As King David beseeched the Lord in Psalms 51:”Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me”.
I have been the pastor of the same church for close to 30 years, and during this time I have dealt with quite a few people. Some have had wonderful spirits, and this was always quite obvious just by the manner in which they carried themselves. It was equally evident these dear souls were attuned to hearing God’s voice. Unfortunately, I have also dealt with some whose actions and countenance betrayed a wrong spirit, and they themselves and those around them suffered because of it. I am sad to say, I would question upon what foundation they were building, and how well their spirit would sustain them in difficult times.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Why not stop today, bow your head and ask God to give you a proper spirit so that you would more clearly hear His voice.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Be An Encourager!
The ability to encourage others is a rare gift. Those of us who grew up in a home with a positive parent or who have met someone who encouraged us need to thank the Lord. Henry Ford said, “The ability to encourage others is one of life’s greatest assets.”
Fortunately, Ford knew firsthand the power of encouragement. Ford had drawn a picture of his newly built engine for Thomas Edison. Henry Ford endured much criticism and ridicule in regard to his gas generated motor car. Most engineers believed that electrical cars would be the mode of transportation.
One night at a dinner Ford was explaining his invention to Edison. After explaining it Edison slammed his fist on the table and said, “That’s the thing young man”. In later years Henry Ford said, “The thump of that fist on the table was worth worlds to me.” That is the power of encouragement! To those who work for us, to our families, just a fit word can change destiny.
Perhaps today you will be allowed to lift up, encourage, and help someone through the power of an encouraging word. Don’t pass up the opportunity. Where would we be if Edison hadn’t put his fist on that table!
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
He is Risen!
The name and escapades of Harry Houdini are familiar to most of us. He was a magician whose claim to fame was especially associated with spectacular escapes from what would seem to be impossible situations. It is said that he laughed at locks and sneered at fetters, and that he had the flexibility of an eel and the lives of a cat.
Those who desired to challenge his capabilities manufactured all types of contraptions in an attempt to incarcerate him. He was sealed in a coffin and sewn into canvas bags; secured with iron chains and locks; they even locked him in a milk can. But every time he escaped. They sealed him in a beer barrel only to see him set himself free. They even put him in a maximum security prison but somehow old Harry still managed to work his way to freedom.
Harry was so confident in his own talents that he had told his wife if there was any way to come back after death, he would find it. He actually informed her he would try to make contact with her on the anniversary of his death. Then in October of 1926 old man death laid his hands on Harry Houdini and put him in a grave. For the next ten years, his wife kept a light burning over his portrait, expecting the great master would find a way to escape the clutches of the grim reaper! But at the end of those 10 years, she despondently turned the light out. She had come to realize Death had Houdini, and this time he wasn’t going to escape.
Death also laid its hands on Jesus. Death put Him in a rock hewn tomb, which was then further affirmed by the seal of the Roman government. But, despite these “official” pronouncements, on the 3rd day Jesus stirred Himself, and He arose, victorious over Death! He left behind the grave clothes that were wrapped around His lifeless body, and He arose! The stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away, but not so much as to let Jesus out; no, it was moved to show the disciples He was no longer swallowed up by Death, but that He had triumphed over Death!
Easter is the greatest time for believers. As the Apostle Paul clearly emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15, it is the salient point upon which Christianity is established, and provided the early Christians the impetus to “turn the world upside down”, as they proclaimed “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”
I trust that, as a Christian, your life was changed because of the resurrection. And I trust that the truth of the risen Christ lives all year long in your heart. Jesus did what no other could do, not even the great Houdini; He triumphed over Death. This is the foundational hope of the Christian faith, for as the scriptures say, “because He lives, we also shall live”.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Those who desired to challenge his capabilities manufactured all types of contraptions in an attempt to incarcerate him. He was sealed in a coffin and sewn into canvas bags; secured with iron chains and locks; they even locked him in a milk can. But every time he escaped. They sealed him in a beer barrel only to see him set himself free. They even put him in a maximum security prison but somehow old Harry still managed to work his way to freedom.
Harry was so confident in his own talents that he had told his wife if there was any way to come back after death, he would find it. He actually informed her he would try to make contact with her on the anniversary of his death. Then in October of 1926 old man death laid his hands on Harry Houdini and put him in a grave. For the next ten years, his wife kept a light burning over his portrait, expecting the great master would find a way to escape the clutches of the grim reaper! But at the end of those 10 years, she despondently turned the light out. She had come to realize Death had Houdini, and this time he wasn’t going to escape.
Death also laid its hands on Jesus. Death put Him in a rock hewn tomb, which was then further affirmed by the seal of the Roman government. But, despite these “official” pronouncements, on the 3rd day Jesus stirred Himself, and He arose, victorious over Death! He left behind the grave clothes that were wrapped around His lifeless body, and He arose! The stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away, but not so much as to let Jesus out; no, it was moved to show the disciples He was no longer swallowed up by Death, but that He had triumphed over Death!
Easter is the greatest time for believers. As the Apostle Paul clearly emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15, it is the salient point upon which Christianity is established, and provided the early Christians the impetus to “turn the world upside down”, as they proclaimed “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”
I trust that, as a Christian, your life was changed because of the resurrection. And I trust that the truth of the risen Christ lives all year long in your heart. Jesus did what no other could do, not even the great Houdini; He triumphed over Death. This is the foundational hope of the Christian faith, for as the scriptures say, “because He lives, we also shall live”.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Thursday, March 29, 2012
God is Love
Four times in the New Testament the expression “This is a faithful saying" is utilized as an introduction to underscore the trustworthy nature of the ensuing statement. The first time we encounter this is in regard to Christ’s singular purpose in coming to earth. Timothy 1:15 tells us: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”. (Note: Paul was identifying himself with the phrase “of whom I am chief”, but I have no doubt that any and all of us would certainly admit we also fit the bill!). This would seem to be the most important truth that has ever reached the human ear or been entrusted by the human heart of man; that Jesus Christ, son of God, became incarnate, lived a sinless life, suffered, died, was buried, but rose again, and by His grace saves mankind from their sins.
This is the great picture, the wondrous manifestation, of God’s love in composite form. In the fourth chapter of his first letter, John emphatically declares “God is love”, not just once, but twice! For centuries, theologians have wrestled with precisely how this attribute of the divine nature is revealed in our mortal realm. Unfortunately, we often develop misperceptions regarding God’s love, tending to distort it according to our human situation. We often equate our individual well-being, whether it is wealth or a good doctor’s report, as an indication of God’s love. But the true, objective demonstration of God’s love was exhibited through Jesus Christ’s willingness to descend from the throne of deity to the depths of this world’s depravity, from heavens adoration to earth’s abomination, from heavens glory to earth’s gory. God’s love was abundantly revealed not through mere words, but through deliberate and selfless action. As one songwriter put it:
What condescension, bringing us salvation
That in the dead of night
Not one faint hope in sight
God, glorious and tender, laid aside His splendor
Stooping to woe, to win, my soul.
“God is love”, three words packed with theological ramifications. But the economy of God’s love can be distilled down to this basic formula: We are all sinners. We need a savior. Jesus Christ embodied God’s love in action, and became that Savior. It’s that simple.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
This is the great picture, the wondrous manifestation, of God’s love in composite form. In the fourth chapter of his first letter, John emphatically declares “God is love”, not just once, but twice! For centuries, theologians have wrestled with precisely how this attribute of the divine nature is revealed in our mortal realm. Unfortunately, we often develop misperceptions regarding God’s love, tending to distort it according to our human situation. We often equate our individual well-being, whether it is wealth or a good doctor’s report, as an indication of God’s love. But the true, objective demonstration of God’s love was exhibited through Jesus Christ’s willingness to descend from the throne of deity to the depths of this world’s depravity, from heavens adoration to earth’s abomination, from heavens glory to earth’s gory. God’s love was abundantly revealed not through mere words, but through deliberate and selfless action. As one songwriter put it:
What condescension, bringing us salvation
That in the dead of night
Not one faint hope in sight
God, glorious and tender, laid aside His splendor
Stooping to woe, to win, my soul.
“God is love”, three words packed with theological ramifications. But the economy of God’s love can be distilled down to this basic formula: We are all sinners. We need a savior. Jesus Christ embodied God’s love in action, and became that Savior. It’s that simple.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Sacred Vocations
As Moses marveled incredulously at the burning bush in the wilderness, God spoke to him. Imagine, Moses actually heard the voice of the omnipotent, omniscient, all sovereign God Himself, and quite understandably, the prophet would never be the same. God had spoken and Moses would obey.
It is not difficult, based on this and other similar stories from the Bible of God’s direct interactions with specific individuals, to derive the notion that God is only concerned with the pursuits of those who are engaged in full-time service (i.e. preachers and missionaries), and that He doesn’t waste His time on the more mundane activities of your “average, everyday Christian”. But nothing could be further from the truth. God is interested in each and every one of us. We are, after all, made in His image, and He does intend for each of us to have a purpose in life to fulfill to His glory, whether it be as a preacher or as a farmer.
On that note, I’ve heard the story of a farmer who left it all one day to go to seminary and become a minister. Shortly after he began his studies, he realized it was going to be a real struggle. Grades down and growing discouraged, he went to see the Dean. The Dean asked him what had motivated him to decide to leave farming and become a minister. He responded “I was in the field one day and had a vision. Two clouds in the sky had formed the initials P.C. I took it as a sign that God was telling me to “preach Christ”, so off to school I went”. The Dean told him that being a farmer was just as important as being a preacher. He then said “Did you ever think that perhaps the initials in the sky meant “plow corn”?
We were designed to work (see Genesis 2:15 if you doubt this!), to take dominion over all areas of the life we have been given, and commanded to be good and faithful stewards. Directly in keeping with this mandate, what we do for a livelihood should be done in earnest. These words from the essay “Why Work?” by Dorothy Sayers seem most appropriate:
"I ask that [work] should be looked upon—not as a necessary drudgery to be undergone for the purpose of making money, but as a way of life in which the nature of man should find its proper exercise and delight and so fulfill itself to the glory of God. That it should, in fact, be thought of as a creative activity undertaken for the love of the work itself; and that man, made in God’s image, should make things, as God makes them, for the sake of doing well a thing that is well worth doing."
Regardless of our life’s vocation, every Christian should be of the mind that all ground is sacred ground. Whether a doctor, a lawyer, and yes, a farmer or a preacher, all these when performed with the proper motivation, are sacred to God.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
It is not difficult, based on this and other similar stories from the Bible of God’s direct interactions with specific individuals, to derive the notion that God is only concerned with the pursuits of those who are engaged in full-time service (i.e. preachers and missionaries), and that He doesn’t waste His time on the more mundane activities of your “average, everyday Christian”. But nothing could be further from the truth. God is interested in each and every one of us. We are, after all, made in His image, and He does intend for each of us to have a purpose in life to fulfill to His glory, whether it be as a preacher or as a farmer.
On that note, I’ve heard the story of a farmer who left it all one day to go to seminary and become a minister. Shortly after he began his studies, he realized it was going to be a real struggle. Grades down and growing discouraged, he went to see the Dean. The Dean asked him what had motivated him to decide to leave farming and become a minister. He responded “I was in the field one day and had a vision. Two clouds in the sky had formed the initials P.C. I took it as a sign that God was telling me to “preach Christ”, so off to school I went”. The Dean told him that being a farmer was just as important as being a preacher. He then said “Did you ever think that perhaps the initials in the sky meant “plow corn”?
We were designed to work (see Genesis 2:15 if you doubt this!), to take dominion over all areas of the life we have been given, and commanded to be good and faithful stewards. Directly in keeping with this mandate, what we do for a livelihood should be done in earnest. These words from the essay “Why Work?” by Dorothy Sayers seem most appropriate:
"I ask that [work] should be looked upon—not as a necessary drudgery to be undergone for the purpose of making money, but as a way of life in which the nature of man should find its proper exercise and delight and so fulfill itself to the glory of God. That it should, in fact, be thought of as a creative activity undertaken for the love of the work itself; and that man, made in God’s image, should make things, as God makes them, for the sake of doing well a thing that is well worth doing."
Regardless of our life’s vocation, every Christian should be of the mind that all ground is sacred ground. Whether a doctor, a lawyer, and yes, a farmer or a preacher, all these when performed with the proper motivation, are sacred to God.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Monday, March 5, 2012
Spring Cleaning
I recently read of a woman at home doing some spring cleaning when the telephone rang. In going to answer it she tripped on a scatter rug and grasping for something to hold onto seized the telephone table. It fell over with a crash, knocking the receiver off the hook. As it fell it hit the family dog, who leaped up howling and barking. The women’s three year old son, startled by the noise, broke out into loud screams. The woman mumbled some words. She finally managed to pick up the receiver and lift it to her ear just in time to hear her husband’s voice on the other end say, “Nobody said hello yet but I’m positive I have the right number.”
Spring is right around the corner. It's time to clean out the dirt, dust and debris and thank the Lord the winter is past.
Farmers will soon be planting and breaking up the fallow ground in hopes of a good harvest in the fall. Spiritually speaking, we all need to clean up different things in our lives. Over time we allow things to go unchecked. As the old time preachers would say “an unguarded heart is a double weakness.”
It could possibly be a habit that needs to be escorted out of our lives. Possibly a relationship we have allowed to go sour. A debt we need to pay to God or perhaps a rekindling of our love for God. It is time to open up the windows of our hearts and clean up what has been idle. We do not enjoy living in a dirty house. The reality TV program “Hoarders” shocks us when we see people holding onto junk that clutters and accumulates, leaving no place to live. Spiritually we have to remove that which hinders and hurts us.
The Bible says,” Little foxes spoil the vine”. Let’s remove that which hinders us and hurts us. There is nothing like the freshness of spring!
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Spring is right around the corner. It's time to clean out the dirt, dust and debris and thank the Lord the winter is past.
Farmers will soon be planting and breaking up the fallow ground in hopes of a good harvest in the fall. Spiritually speaking, we all need to clean up different things in our lives. Over time we allow things to go unchecked. As the old time preachers would say “an unguarded heart is a double weakness.”
It could possibly be a habit that needs to be escorted out of our lives. Possibly a relationship we have allowed to go sour. A debt we need to pay to God or perhaps a rekindling of our love for God. It is time to open up the windows of our hearts and clean up what has been idle. We do not enjoy living in a dirty house. The reality TV program “Hoarders” shocks us when we see people holding onto junk that clutters and accumulates, leaving no place to live. Spiritually we have to remove that which hinders and hurts us.
The Bible says,” Little foxes spoil the vine”. Let’s remove that which hinders us and hurts us. There is nothing like the freshness of spring!
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Are you facing a giant today?
Most of us remember these familiar lines from a popular children’s story:
“Fee Fi Fo Fum
I smell the blood of an Englishman
Be he alive or be he dead
I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.”
The lines actually come from an old English fairy tale “Jack and the Giant Killer”. The story begins with the words, “When King Arthur reigned, there lived near lands’ end of England, in the country of Cornwall, a farmer who had an only son called Jack.” Shortly thereafter follows a rather comprehensive description of a huge giant named Comoran, which includes the detailed measurements of his massive frame: Eighteen feet tall and 3 yards about the waist! He was notorious for terrorizing the people of Cornwall, and had done so for a long time. With no end in sight to his rampaging deeds, the locals were in complete despair. Enter Jack, who comes to the rescue, and through a combination of courage and cunning, kills the giant Comoran, and seizes his treasure, thus earning himself the nickname “Jack the Giant killer”.
The Bible relates a very similar encounter from centuries ago about a young boy named David who valiantly stood against a menacing giant named Goliath. But point in fact is, this is a true story, an actual historic event, not a fairy tale. In an old edition of the monthly periodical “The Prairie Overcomer” an article appeared which contained within it a thesis stating the reason for David’s victory: that Goliath suffered from “tunnel vision”, and David won the battle that day as Jack the Giant Killer had done in the fairy tale, through superior knowledge, skill and agility. I would have to respectfully, but totally disagree. The Bible clearly states, and I am certain David himself would concur, that he was victorious because the Lord was with him.
In each of our lives there are times when “giants” may appear. Most often these are not necessarily physical in nature, but relational, emotional and spiritual. But they are no less imposing, no less foreboding, and they are just as threatening to our well being. But unlike fairy tales, the secret to confronting and defeating the seemingly unconquerable giants in life is the Lord. Victory is not in us, but in Him, as David would surely attest.
What giant do you face today? All things are possible to him that believeth. Put your faith, not in yourself, but in God and you will become a giant killer. You may not secure an earthly treasure like Jack, but you will have joy unspeakable, and peace that passes understanding.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
“Fee Fi Fo Fum
I smell the blood of an Englishman
Be he alive or be he dead
I’ll grind his bones to make my bread.”
The lines actually come from an old English fairy tale “Jack and the Giant Killer”. The story begins with the words, “When King Arthur reigned, there lived near lands’ end of England, in the country of Cornwall, a farmer who had an only son called Jack.” Shortly thereafter follows a rather comprehensive description of a huge giant named Comoran, which includes the detailed measurements of his massive frame: Eighteen feet tall and 3 yards about the waist! He was notorious for terrorizing the people of Cornwall, and had done so for a long time. With no end in sight to his rampaging deeds, the locals were in complete despair. Enter Jack, who comes to the rescue, and through a combination of courage and cunning, kills the giant Comoran, and seizes his treasure, thus earning himself the nickname “Jack the Giant killer”.
The Bible relates a very similar encounter from centuries ago about a young boy named David who valiantly stood against a menacing giant named Goliath. But point in fact is, this is a true story, an actual historic event, not a fairy tale. In an old edition of the monthly periodical “The Prairie Overcomer” an article appeared which contained within it a thesis stating the reason for David’s victory: that Goliath suffered from “tunnel vision”, and David won the battle that day as Jack the Giant Killer had done in the fairy tale, through superior knowledge, skill and agility. I would have to respectfully, but totally disagree. The Bible clearly states, and I am certain David himself would concur, that he was victorious because the Lord was with him.
In each of our lives there are times when “giants” may appear. Most often these are not necessarily physical in nature, but relational, emotional and spiritual. But they are no less imposing, no less foreboding, and they are just as threatening to our well being. But unlike fairy tales, the secret to confronting and defeating the seemingly unconquerable giants in life is the Lord. Victory is not in us, but in Him, as David would surely attest.
What giant do you face today? All things are possible to him that believeth. Put your faith, not in yourself, but in God and you will become a giant killer. You may not secure an earthly treasure like Jack, but you will have joy unspeakable, and peace that passes understanding.
See ya Sunday!
Pastor
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