Pastor's Ponderings February 17, 2014

Victory with Jesus Christ

We are in the full swing of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. It is amazing watching all of the skilled athletes at the top of their game striving for medals. We are all watching as they smile in victory or grimace in defeat. Regardless of the outcome, we are proud of these talented few who have made it to the Olympics.

Meanwhile, there are others athletes at home that may have decided for one reason or another that they could not spend the time or energy required to reach that level of success. It may not have seemed worth the cost of sacrificing one’s life just for the temporary glory of competing on the world’s stage.

While we may not be as talented as those competing in Sochi or as willing to put forth the effort, there is another important arena and an honor with your name on it! The Judgment Seat of Christ is where we all must give an account of our lives to Christ. This is where we get our crowns for good service to God. Did we take the easy way? Did we just do enough to get to heaven? Did we strive and do everything that we could to please our Savior?

 The Bible speaks of several crowns that will be given:^[1]

·  The Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25), is a special crown given for faithfulness

·  The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19; Philippians. 4:1) is for sharing the Gospel, follow-up, and ministry to others

·  The Crown of Life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) for enduring trials and overcoming temptation.

·  The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy. 4:8) is given for faithfulness to use our gifts and opportunities in the service of the Lord and for loving His appearing.

·  The Crown of Glory (1 Peter. 5:4) is for pastors for their faithfulness in completing their responsibilities in shepherding the people.

We are so very happy for all of those who participated in the Olympics and all of those who prepared through the trials, but most of all, we want to get our crowns at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We are looking for Jesus to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23). 

Please comment below and share how you decided that, most of all, you wanted God’s rewards and encourage others to look for and work toward God’s eternal crowns of victory.

2 Corinthians 5:9-11
New International Version (NIV) 
9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 
11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

Revelation 22:12

New International Version (NIV) 
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Matthew 25:23 (NIV) 

New International Version (NIV) 
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

---

[1] https://bible.org/article/doctrine-rewards-judgment-seat-bema-christ

Pastor's Ponderings, February 10, 2014

Laziness

Robert Heinlein, a popular and influential author of science fiction, in the book, Time Enough for Love wrote, “Progress doesn't come from early risers— progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.”  Another person wrote, “Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now.” There is something very gratifying about the lazy days and lazy ways.  These are times when one has nothing to do and all of the day to do it. 

However, the Bible calls lazy people sluggards and it is clear that God is not pleased with them.  In a passage in Proverbs, the author concludes that because of laziness, ^“poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 24:34 NIV).”  Moreover, in the Parable of the Talents, a man is very pleased with how his industrious servants had increased his money and rewards them with more authority, but tells his other servants to punish the servant who simply hid the man’s money in the ground and refused to work to invest it (Matthew 25:14-30).  

It is easy to take the lazy way or the easy way.  But I believe that God is calling for people to be industrious and accomplish His goals during our lifetime.  The Bible says diligent people shall serve kings (Proverbs 22:29).  “Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor (Proverbs 12:24 NIV).”

It is really important that we daily dedicate ourselves to diligently doing what God has called us to do this year because a sluggard’s appetite is never filled and God wants His children to be fully satisfied (Proverbs 13:4). Let us aim to be fully satisfied today.

Please comment below and share how you have made a decision to follow His direction diligently and were blessed when you could have been lazy, and encourage others to be diligent about God’s direction in their life.

Proverbs 24:30-34

New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
³¹ thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins.
³² I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
³³ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
³⁴ and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 13:4

New International Version (NIV)

4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Pastor's Pondering, February 3, 2014

Casting Down Our Nets

During the recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama spoke about the US economy stating, "But average wages have barely budged. Inequality has deepened. Upward mobility has stalled. The cold, hard fact is that even in the midst of recovery, too many Americans are working more than ever just to get by - let alone get ahead. And too many still aren't working at all." These financial challenges are evident from stories that we hear from those around us and perhaps even from our own lives.

During the biblical times, Simon Peter and his companions also faced trying times. As fishermen, their livelihood depended on having a good harvest. Unfortunately they had worked all night and had been unsuccessful. But Jesus told them to try again and when they did, they were very successful (Luke 5:4-9a).

Many of us have tried various strategies to get ahead. We have moved to new cities, tried new jobs, or started new businesses but still have not prospered. But Simon Peter said something that we all should consider, "... But because you say so, I will let down the nets (Luke 5:5)."

Speaking to God in prayer is important for our financial blessings (Matthew 21:22). This is the year to say, in spite of our failures or missed opportunities, because Jesus said so, we ought to follow His direction and we will be blessed. Your prosperity may come from going to another bank to finance your business, it may be to return to community college for training, it may be to ask for a promotion at your current job, or whatever the Lord Jesus tells us to do.

Please comment below and share how you have made a decision to follow His direction and were financially blessed and encourage others to become prosperous by praying to and listening from God.

Luke 5:4-9a

New International Version (NIV)

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,…

Matthew 21:22
New International Version (NIV)

22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Pastor's Ponderings, January 27, 2014

I need you Lord!

The famous singer, Barbara Streisand, sang a line, “People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” As popular culture continues to explore extrovert vs. introvert personalities, there is still a push for us to constantly seek the companionship of each other for fulfillment. However, I believe Jesus Christ would want us to value His companionship more than any other relationship in the world. People who know that they need Christ are the most blessed in the world.   

In the 91^st Psalm, David speaks of God’s protection and the value of spending time alone with Him. As a leader of the Israelite army, he could easily have put his faith and dependence on the men that fought with him. Instead, David put his trust in God knowing that He was all he needed. David spent time in God’s presence, getting to know Him, and understanding His character. The more time he spent with Him, the more his need for God became evident and essential.

Although, it is good to have people around you that are supportive and loving, it is so much more important to have our supportive and loving Lord and Saviour. There is something wonderful about time spent alone with Him.  We can talk with Him knowing that He will help us in any situation (Psalm 46:1). He will comfort us, assure us, and protect us even in perilous times (Psalm 23:4).

On this week, let us be like David, and make a decision to spend quality, one on one time with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. When we spend time with him we realize how much we need him and can not live without Him!

Please comment below and share how your time with God has allowed you to realize how much you need Him.

Matthew 6:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Psalm 91:1

New International Version (NIV)

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 23:4

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Pastor's Pondering, January 21, 2014

Fighting Battles

Conflict, arguments, or physical fights are not usually what many of us go looking for and often times we avoid at all costs. Some of us would rather work on consensus building and problem solving while fiercely avoiding confrontation.  We adhere to the scripture, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1) to avoid situations like the 71 year old man that recently killed another after an escalation from texting in a movie theater.

Although we are admonished to steer clear of those battles with each other, we are however, encouraged to fight our spiritual battle. If you have given your life to Christ, God has won the battle over your soul but the Devil wants to make sure your days on earth are a living hell. He wants you to feel defeated, rejected, doomed and unworthy. God promised that he would give you peace, joy and meet all of your needs but the Devil wants you to believe his lie. This is a battle for your life!

Fortunately, we don’t have to fight using conventional weapons. Our weapons are truth, righteousness, faith, peace, prayer, and the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). These weapons are divinely powerful to fight against the evil that is in the world (2 Corinthians 10:4). This is not the time for compromise or a consensual arrangement with evil. We have to commit ourselves to prayer, studying His word, obedience to His word, and becoming more like our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  This is how we fight the good fight of faith  (2 Timothy 6:12).

In this fresh New Year, let us decide that we are going to fight the good fight by doing what God tells us to do, living like God tells us to live, and learning exactly what God wants us to do in our life. Let this year be the year that we fight on the Lord’s side by being obedient to Him.

Please comment below and share how you have fought spiritual battles by being obedient to God and encourage others in their battles.

2 Chronicles 20:17
New International Version (NIV)
¹⁷  You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5
New International Version (NIV)
³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
 ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Ephesians 6:10-20

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Pastor's Ponderings January 13, 2014

Procrastination

My dear mother used to say, “Procrastination is a thief of time.”  We have all heard similar sayings such as, “Don’t put off tomorrow the things that you can do today” or “Tomorrow never comes.”  I believe one of the tactics used by the devil is to encourage us to waste our time on trivial things and put off important things until later.  Short term gratification is often prioritized over future benefits and procrastination sets in. 

Naturally, we have all been in this position.  We say, “I can look for that job tomorrow,” or “I can look into starting a business when I am older,” or “I’ll start eating right and exercising next week,” or “Maybe I will say hello to that man or woman when I get a better opportunity.” Unfortunately, that opportunity may never come.

In Luke 12, the parable of the rich fool teaches a primary lesson about covetousness and a secondary lesson about procrastination. The rich man had great resources and instead of sharing them with others, he decided to build bigger barns for himself.  He said to himself, “…Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” (Luke 12:19).  He put off having a personal relationship with God who then said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" (Luke 12:20)

Have you put off the critical things in life and spent your time on the unimportant or have you used all of your time to the best of your ability?  God wants you to use every moment to best glorify Him by fulfilling our purpose. Since we will never know when we will run out of a future to procrastinate in, let’s ask God to give us motivation, direction, and courage to live out our purpose on earth.

Please comment below how you did not procrastinate in spite of the temptation but you pressed on and accomplished your tasks in a timely manner.  Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

Luke 12:15-20 (NIV)
¹⁵ Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

¹⁶ And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
¹⁸ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. ¹⁹ And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

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.

Pastor's Ponderings, January 6, 2014

Unfinished Business

Since I was a young child, I have always loved science fiction.  Stories of adventures in faraway planets and future inventions fascinated me.  One of my favorite authors was Isaac Asimov, one of the Grandfathers of science fiction and author of the famous I, Robot series. Although admired for years, I was saddened to discover his disturbing quote, “Properly read, the Bible is the most potent force for atheism ever conceived.” To hear that one of the authors for which I had devoted many a quiet evening never grasped the wonder of the Gospel was heartbreaking. 

As a young man, I was not able to share the Gospel with Dr. Asimov, but how many have been within my reach and I have not shared? How many of us have close friends, associates, and even relatives who have no idea of the great sacrifice Christ made for all of us?  People will go in and out of our lives without knowing what we believe, why we believe it, or even see evidence of our faith in the way we live our life.

Since he passed over twenty years ago, there is no way to be certain that Dr. Asimov knew of Christ’s love personally, but we can allow God to use us to share with those who are still around. It may not be politically correct to be a Christian these days, but in a world that is in desperate need of love, it is time we tell the greatest love story ever told.

Do you have a personal relationship with Christ and have asked Him to be your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9, 10)? If so, let’s not have any unfinished business this year and look for opportunities to share the Good News that God loved us, Christ died for us and He wants us to be a part of His family.

Please share your personal love story or how you were able to share it with others below. If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, please open your heart to him today and let us know!

2 Timothy 3:14-17
New International Version (NIV)
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 
15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Romans 10:9-10
New International Version (NIV)
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

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