Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Pastor's Ponderings, April 27, 2021

Let’s Value God’s Fame and Fortune

We just completed the 2021 Oscar ceremony.  It seems the awards could be merit-based but according to Alissa Wilkinson, who wrote an article in the Feb 21, 2019,Vox magazine entitled, “How To Win An Oscar”, the campaign trail for the Academy Awards is expensive, exhausting, and not really about the movie. She further wrote, “For the past 20 years or so, Hollywood studios and production companies have hired strategists and consultants to run Oscar campaigns, spending millions of dollars to catch the attention of the right voters who could help push their films to victory.” Millions of dollars for a gold-plated statue worth about $400.  

 

We must not forget that the world’s wealth will soon pass away (Proverbs 23:5). The Bible says that we should focus on heavenly treasures that cannot be destroyed or stolen (Matthew 6:19-21).  Moreover, the Bible says that the Lord gives wealth without painful toil (Proverbs 10:22).  The Lord wants us to know that we have great heavenly rewards that will last eternally (Matthew 5:12a). 

 

How many but the most dedicated movie fan will remember the names of the Best Actor and Actress for more than a few years.  This is temporary fame and fortune.  But like Abraham in the Bible, we are striving for an eternal kingdom that is not built by human hands and whose street is paved with real gold (Hebrews 11:10, Revelation 21:21).  Others may have their names written in the archives of Hollywood history, but we are looking to having our names written in heaven (Luke 10:20). Since only what we do for Christ will last, let us value God’s fame and fortune.

 

Proverbs 23:5

New International Version

5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle

 

Matthew 6:19-21

New International Version

25 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 

20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

Proverbs 10:22

New International Version

22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

 

Matthew 5:12a

New International Version

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, ….

 

Hebrews 11:10

New International Version

10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

 

Revelation 21:21

New International Version

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

Luke 10:20

New International Version

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

 


 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Pastor's Ponderings, April 21, 2021

Let’s Trust God

 

Hope Yen and Jonathan Matisse, in the April 18, 2021 U.S. News, wrote an article by entitled, “Half Of U.S. Adults Have Now Received At Least 1 COVID-19 Shot.” This is astonishing statistic to hear that in such a short period of time half of adults have put their trust in health providers  and voluntarily submitted to a new vaccine.  Most of us didn't really know what was in the vaccine, how it was produced, or how it may affect us individually, but we literally put our life in the hands of strangers hoping for the best.

 

The dictionary defines trust as a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”  Just like many will trust in these well-meaning strangers in the medical and public health community we should definitely trust the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God tells us that we should trust the Lord with all of our hearts and rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).  


In spite of the challenges of our tumultuous times, God promised to keep us in peace if we trust in Him (Isaiah 26:3). It is amazing how many will trust their education, resources,  friends, abilities, or institutions over trusting God. Resources may dry up, friends may leave, one’s abilities may be insufficient, and institutions have failed. Despite what others may trust or have confidence, those who love the Lord can trust Him (Psalm 20:7).

 

In the Bible, the Ruler of the Universe makes us all an offer to test Him.  He says that if we get close to Him, He will become close to us (James 4:8). We can believe that He will do what He said that He would do.  For example, in the matter of giving, He says if we would obey Him in our giving that He would tremendously bless us (Malachi 3:10).  Let us decide to believe Him, rely on Him and have confidence in Him.  Let us decide to trust Him always and He will faithfully bless us.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

 

Isaiah 26:3

New International Version

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

 

Psalm 20:7

New International Version

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

 

James 4:8 

New International Version

8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

 

Malachi 3:10

New International Version

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.


 

 

 

 

 

Monday, April 12, 2021

Pastor's Ponderings, April 12, 2021

Giving Ourselves To God

 

William McDowell wrote a song entitled, “Give Myself Away”.  Some of the lyrics are, “Here I am, here I stand. Lord, my life is in your hands, Lord. I'm longing to see Your desires revealed in me. I give myself away.”  The concept of giving something away without a thought for what you can gain in return is contrary to worldly thinking.  We live in a culture that is focused on gaining attention for oneself, making sure our needs are met first and looking out for number one.  Often the first question is, what is in it for me?

 

The Bible tells us that God wants us to give ourselves totally to Him so that He can use us (Romans 12:1).  We are blessed when we realize that we are not our own, but we are God’s property, and we are to use our lives for Him (Psalm 100:3).  The Bible further tells us that if we give ourselves to Him willingly and with obedience, we will be rewarded (Isaiah 1:19). 

 

Having given ourselves to God, He gives us His benefits of peace, joy, prosperity (Psalm 68:19). He promised that we are blessed in whatever we do on the earth (Psalm 1:1, 3) and that we have eternal life in Him (John 3:15).  In His word, God tells us He wants the best for us in our health and that all would go well with us (3 John 2). Therefore, let us joyfully give ourselves totally to God.

 

Romans 12:1
New International Version

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

 

Psalm 100:3

New International Version

3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 

Isaiah 1:19

New International Version

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

 

Psalm 68:19

New King James Version

19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

 

Psalm 1:1, 3

New International Version

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

 

John 3:15

New International Version

15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

 

3 John 2

New International Version

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.


 

 

 

 

Monday, April 5, 2021

Pastor's Ponderings, April 5, 2021

Winning With Christ

On Resurrection Sunday, all over the world many celebrated Jesus Christ’s emergence from the tomb and his victory over death and the grave.  Just like Christ rose from the dead, the whole world seems to be coming forth albeit, in fits and starts, from the COVID-19 virus. Mary Papenfuss in the April 4, 2021 Huffington Post wrote an article entitled, U.S. Gives A Record 4 Million Vaccinations In 24 Hours. “There’s no doubt the vaccine is going to win out,” vowed Dr. Anthony Fauci.  

 

While we may eventually win against COVID-19 and its variants, we are certainly winning with Christ.  The Bible says that we are His children (Romans 8:17).  He declares that He give us riches and adds no sorrow with them (Proverbs 10:22).  Just like the children of Israel are blessed, we who seek the Lord are also considered Abraham’s descendants and are blessed (Galatians 3:29).  While the vaccine may eventually win, God always causes us to triumph (2 Corinthians 2:14a).  Although this pandemic has taken many Christians, we know through that we have eternal life with Christ (1 John 5:13).  We can confidently declare that whatsoever the righteous do shall prosper (Psalm 1:1, 3).

 

This is a challenging time, and we are in a race to vaccinate as many as will agree to and can be vaccinated while trying to reach herd immunity. But God says to immunize ourselves against the powerful evil spirits of the world, we need His armor and His weapons and most of all Him inside of us.  Let us all make the decision to beat the evil of this world by walking close to the winner overall, Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:17

New International Version

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

 

Proverbs 10:22
New King James Version

22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

 

Galatians 3:29

New International Version

29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

2 Corinthians 2:14a

New King James Version

14a Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,….

 

1 John 5:13

New International Version

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

 

Psalm 1:1, 3

New International Version

1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.