Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, November 30, 2022

We Were Born To Accomplish 

Miles Munroe, OBE was a Bahamian evangelist and ordained minister, avid professor of the Kingdom of God, author, speaker, and leadership consultant.  He wrote, “You weren't born just to live a life and to die; you were born to accomplish something specifically. Matter of fact, success is making it to the end of your purpose; that is success... Success is not just existing. Success is making it to the end of why you were born.” 

 

Have you ever asked why you were born?  The Bible says that we are to work God’s work (John 9:4).  When Jesus’ parents lost Him, they found Him with the priests in the Temple. Jesus declared to them that He had to be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49).  What did Jesus say about His own purpose? He said that He came to seek and save those who are lost from God (Luke 19:10).

 

It is not a good use of time to pine away for the mistakes of the past, to be paralyzed by the challenges of the present, and to fantasize about the future.  If we don’t know our purpose, we should go back to our Father.  We were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) to seek His will, His way, and His word (Matthew 6:33, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

 

If you need guidance and wisdom, the Bible says we should ask God who will let us know our purpose (James 1:5).  Let us not waste another moment spinning our wheels, sitting by the dock of the bay, or bemoaning our fate. Now is the time to fulfill the purpose that God has for us.  Let us learn our purpose and bring it about.

 

John 9:4

New International Version

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

 

Luke 2:49
New King James Version

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

 

Luke 19:10

New International Version

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

 

Genesis 1:27

New International Version

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

 

Matthew 6:33

New International Version

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

New International Version

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land

 

James 1:5

New International Version

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.


 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 25, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, November 25, 2022

God Wants Us Healed


The American Medication Association website had an article entitled, “Trends in health care spending.”  The article indicated that health spending in the U.S. increased by 9.7% in 2020 to $4.1 trillion.  Sickness and disease have a major impact upon our lives.  However, we must know our Lord wants us healed (Psalm 147:3, Matthew 8:17).  He does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9).

 

The Bible says that during His earthly journey, Jesus’ suffering was for our healing (Isaiah 53:5).  He wants us healthy (3 John 2).  He told the Israelites that He is the God that heals (Exodus 15:26). The evil one has a far different agenda to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) while Jesus wants an abundant life for us in Him.

 

While many are never healed, we must know the will of God.  The Bible declares that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  The Bible says that if any among you are sick, we should call for the spiritual leaders.  They will pray, anoint them with oil and the prayer of faith will restore them (James 5:14-15).  Believers should lay their hands on the sick and they will recover (Mark 16:18b).

 

We are in a dire healthcare crisis.  The plague of COVID-19 and its long term effects, heart disease, diabetes and others seem intractable. The Bible says the heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16b).  Now is the time to pray to God who is the healer, who wants us healed and wants us to share with the world that our health is in God.

 

Psalm 147:3

New International Version
3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds

 

Matthew 8:17

New International Version

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

 

2 Peter 3:9

New International Version

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

 

Isaiah 53:5

New International Version

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 

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.

 

Exodus 15:26

New International Version

26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

 

John 10:10

New International Version

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 

Proverbs 18:21

Amplified Bible

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

James 5:14-15

Amplified Bible

14 Is anyone among you sick? He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 
15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

 

Mark 16:18b

New International Version

18 … they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

 

James 5:16b

Amplified Bible

16 … The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, November 19, 2022

God Presides Over Our Leaders

 

We are blessed to live in a country that allows civil liberties and free political participation.  Laurenz Gehrke wrote an article in the January 22, 2020 Politico, entitled, Democracy ‘in retreat’ globally, report warns.    The article further warned that, “The Democracy Index for 2019 found that democratic backsliding across the world has led to the worst score since the index was first produced in 2006, with only 5.7 percent of the global population living in what could be considered a “full democracy.”

 

Much of the media for the last few months has focused on who will oversee the United States of America’s destiny.  In the recent election, the expected results did not go as expected.  Upsets abounded and predictions were inaccurate. No doubt we will see surprises over the next few months as we make further political decisions.

 

Will we focus on the future, on past candidates or will we decide that as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord? (Joshua 24:15). It is important that people choose their leaders in our democracy, but we must understand that God is totally in charge.  He raises some and puts down others (Psalm 75:6-7).  He controls even the hearts of our leaders (Proverbs 21:1).

 

What should those who love the Lord do during the ebbs and flows of politics?  We should pray for all people, especially those in authority so that we can live quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:1-3).  As God leads us, we should be good citizens and make our opinions known through support, organizing, voting but most of all making intercession for wisdom for those above. God wants us to ask Him for wisdom, but we must remember our Father is in charge.

 

Joshua 24:15

New International Version

15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

 

Psalm 75:6-7

New International Version

6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another

 

Proverbs 21:1

New International Version

1 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

 

1 Timothy 2:1-3

New International Version

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 
for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 11, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, November 11, 2022

We Have Already Won The Eternal Lottery!

 

Amelia Josephson wrote an article in the October 2, 2022, SmartAsset website entitled, “The Economics of the Lottery in the U.S.” She wrote, “In 2021, Americans spent $105.26 billion on lottery tickets, making it the most popular form of gambling. That’s more than the total spending on music, books, sports teams, movies, and video games combined.”

 

Clearly the American public enjoys taking chances with a very low possibility of winning.  But God wants everyone to know that we all have a guaranteed chance of winning with Him.  In fact, he already paid the price of His Son so that we don’t have to risk our assets (John 3:16).  He has already given us everything that pertains unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Unlike the lottery, He gives riches and adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22).  

 

We don’t have to go to the store for a lottery ticket and treasure it until the winnings are announced.  He has promised us a mansion in heaven (John 14:2).  We have residence in a city that man’s hands have not created and the street of God’s city is paved with gold (Revelation 21:21).

Let’s not worry about winnings that perish. We have the promise of eternal life to enjoy Him and to worship Him always. Remember we are eternal winners with God!

 

John 3:16

New International Version

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

2 Peter 1:3

New International Version

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

 

Proverbs 10:22

New International Version

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

 

John 14:2

King James Version

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

 

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.


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 4, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, November 4, 2022

God’s Joy Is Our Strength

 

What brings you joy today?  Is it your career, your family, your resources, contacts, education or is it the God of your salvation? Today, we have another opportunity in which to enjoy and encourage ourselves. We have much to be thankful for and to be happy about, but we tend to focus on the bad things, the failures, disappointments, discouragements, detours, and distractions.  

 

The Bible says we should rejoice (Philippians 4:4).  This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).  Some may say that we are being cockeyed optimists. We should be realistic.  They say our enemies are about to launch nuclear weapons. They declare our country is headed toward a Handmaid's Tale’s dystopian future.  This is not to say that people are not suffering horribly because of man’s inhumanity to man.  But God is still good.

 

Leona Von Brethorst wrote the lyrics to, “I Will Enter His Gates.”  Some of the lyrics are, “I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise. I will say this is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice for He has made me glad. 

 

Today let us remind everyone that God oversees our world. His joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). God commands us to rejoice and be very glad even when we are being attacked (Matthew 5:12). Let us all rejoice in Him today. .

 

Philippians 4:4

New International Version

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

 

Psalm 118:24

King James Version

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

Nehemiah 8:10

New International Version

10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

 

Matthew 5:12

New International Version

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.