Pastor's Pondering, March 17, 2014

What makes you angry?

I am not talking about mildly annoyed, a bit irritated, or somewhat disturbed.  I am talking about screaming, jumping up and down, throwing fragile objects about and terrifying your neighbors.

What really makes you angry? Is it the massive killings by those who justify themselves as good religious people? Is it the “clean upstanding citizens” by day that financially support human sex trafficking by night? Is it the repeated event of a young person killed because they appeared threatening but were unarmed? Or is it someone close to you who lied, cheated or abused you?

Throughout history anger has led to some horrible events and monumental successes. In the Bible, Cain got angry and ended up murdering his brother Abel (Genesis 4:5, 8). In the US, a generation was angry and started the Civil Rights Movement. What mattered was not that they were angry, but the actions they took once they became angry. Scripture says to be angry but not to sin and to not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26).

As Christians, we should be angry about sin, not compromise with it, and not go along with it. It is time to get angry about injustice, racism, bullying, and anything that is contrary to God’s word. God says that He is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11). Jesus was not indifferent to injustice; He called the religious leaders whitewashed tombs (Matthew 23:27) and beat the temple money changers out of His Father's House (Matthew 21:12, 13).

As often as you experience these feelings of anger, we must realize that there is a constant spiritual battle going on that we cannot see (Ephesians 6:12). Let us focus our anger on the devil whose main job is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Let us put on our spiritual fighting gear, God’s armor, so that we can stand firm against the strategies of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). Let us pray for those who use and abuse us (Luke 6:28). When we are faced with egregious sin, let us not act on our own, but seek God who will lead us and direct us in how we should proceed (Proverbs 3:6).

Please comment below and share how you have been angry against that which God is angry. Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

Genesis 4:5, 8
New International Version (NIV)
5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Ephesians 4:26
New International Version (NIV)
26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

Psalm 7:11
King James Version (KJV)
11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Matthew 23:27
New International Version (NIV)
27“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Matthew 21:12, 13
New International Version (NIV)
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
13 “It is written,” he said to them,“‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ”

Ephesians 6:11-12
New International Version (NIV)
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.

John 10:10
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

Pastor's Ponderings, March 10, 2014

Passionately in Love

On February 25, 2004, Ash Wednesday, Mel Gibson released the box office hit, “The Passion of the Christ” which recounts the last twelve hours of Jesus Christ before He died on the Cross.  The dictionary defines passion as “any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.”  As I think back on this movie, I think about the compelling emotion that Jesus Christ felt when He went to the cross.  In most of the movie versions I have seen, the actor portraying Jesus did not seem particularly happy to go to the cross. Because of what awaited him when he fulfilled his purpose, the Bible says Jesus was filled with joy on the way to the cross (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).

In Psalm 27, King David was passionate about God.  In spite of all of his many accomplishments and of all that he could have asked from God, he only wanted one thing. He wanted the privilege of staying in the house of the Lord, looking at the beauty of God and seeking Him (Psalm 27:4). 

What are you passionately in love with today?  Is it your job, your family, your future, your resources or are you passionate in love with God?  Are you delighting in the Lord (Psalm 37:4)? When the scribes asked Jesus about the most important commandment, Jesus said there is no greater commandment than loving God and loving people (Mark 12:29-31).

Please comment below and share how you have been passionately in love with God. Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

Hebrews 12:2
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne

Psalm 27:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

Mark 12:29-31
New International Version (NIV)
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Pastor's Ponderings, March 3, 2014

Trust

I began this blog last August thanking God for my victory over prostate cancer.  It has been over two years since I was anesthetized and the cancer successfully removed.  Well, once again, I am undergoing another surgery and this time it is for kidney stones.  It is easy to say outpatient surgery.  It makes one feel a lot better but the truth is that I will again have a general anesthetic and be totally unconscious.

I will have to trust the doctor, this nice stranger, whom I just met a few months ago.  I will have to believe that he will do everything in his power to eliminate my problem.  But thank God, I do not have to put my trust in him alone; I have the privilege to totally trust God who is in charge of my doctor.  I do not have to rely on my own understanding of the operation (Proverbs 3:5).

In Psalm 56, David was fleeing from King Saul and sought refuge among the Philistines (Psalm 56:10, 11). He must have been desperate because you may recall that David had killed the champion of the Philistines, Goliath.  Needless to say, David was not welcomed with open arms but he trusted in God (1 Samuel 21:10-12). 

Today you may be involved with problems and you do not know whom to trust.  Let me recommend my friend, my Saviour, and the One in whom I have trusted for most of my life, Jesus Christ.  If you have trust issues, He can solve them.  If you have been betrayed, be assured that He is for you (Psalm 56:9). If you feel you are alone, He will never leave you nor will He forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). 

Please comment below and share how you trusted God in your life.  Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

Proverbs 3:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Psalm 56:10, 11
New International Version (NIV)
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.

Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Pastor's Pondering, February 24, 2014

Peace

Last week we wrote about the Winter Olympics at Sochi, Russia.  Sadly, while the world watched these awesome displays of athletic prowess, people were dying in the Ukraine.  The fighting groups threatened civil war before a fragile peace was established.  This conflict is only symptomatic of the countless wars being fought all over the world.  Rebel groups are vying for power, while historical regimes try to keep control.

It is agonizing knowing that while people are looking for a peaceful coexistence, others are looking to impose their will and they do not care how many people are destroyed to establish their rule. This should not surprise us.  Jesus tells us that in the world we are going to always have trouble, but we have peace in Him (John 16:33).

In Mark 4, Jesus was with the disciples in a boat (Mark 4:35-41).  While He slept, the wind and the rains arose and the ship was in danger of capsizing.  Terrified, the disciples awoke Jesus, and asked Him if He cared that they were about to die. Jesus said the words that have resonated down through the centuries, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:39) and the wind stopped blowing and everything was calm.

You may be involved in terrible situations.  You may feel that you are surrounded by enemies and destructive forces are about to defeat you.  Do not worry about a thing because He has overcome the world’s destruction.  We can find peace in Him because He will keep us in His perfect peace if we keep our mind fixed and focused upon Him (Isaiah 26:3).  Let us ask God to give us His peace that passes all of our understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Please comment below and share how you allowed God’s peace to rule your life.  Your comments may bless others to follow your example.

John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 26:3
New Century Version (NCV)
3 You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you.

Philippians 4:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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.”