Pastor's Ponderings, May 19, 2014

Spring Cleaning Time!

There is always something refreshing about spring-cleaning. We rake our lawns, clean out our basement, remove cobwebs and empty our garages. We also discover things that we have misplaced during the winter and discard items that are no longer important to us.

This is also a good time for evaluating our relationship with God and other people.  This is a time to look into the word of God so that we can be more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).  We do not want to be like people who see junk, soiled items, and non-working things in their lives and do nothing about them (James 1:22-24).

While you are busy spring-cleaning your natural homes, please do not forget your spiritual homes.  God is coming back for a church without a spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27).  It is time to evaluate whether we have wrong relationships, things in our lives we have swept under the rug and refused to discard, or indulgences we know we should give up.

The change in season prompts us to clean house in our lives and put on those things that please God (Romans 13:12).  The book of Ephesians says that we should put on the new self by adding such characteristics as kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:24, 32).

Let us start this season without the weights of our past and with a determination that our relationship with God is of utmost importance!

Please comment below with any spring-cleaning tips.

2 Corinthians 3:18

New International Version (NIV)

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

James 1:22-24

New International Version (NIV)

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Ephesians 5:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Romans 13:12

New International Version (NIV)

12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 4:24, 32

New International Version (NIV)

24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Pastor's Ponderings, May 12, 2014

God’s “Help Wanted” Sign

There are mixed feelings about the newly released unemployment rate in this country. Are we really better off or have people stopped looking for jobs? Are we so discouraged by the financial state of our nation that it is not worth it anymore to keep trying? Although, political commentaries argue about these concepts, the heavenly job market has not faltered.  God's kingdom is open for business and He is looking for a few good workers to carry out His mission (Luke 10:2).

The heavenly job market started with Adam in the Garden of Eden. He was given a job to do, but he was distracted and when God came looking for him, he was hiding (Genesis 3:8).

In the book of Ezekiel, God was lamenting the fact that His priests were not doing their job. They were hurting His people and then lying about His own words.  The people were unkind to each other and He looked for someone who would pray to Him for the people. However, He found no one to prevent destruction upon the land (Ezekiel 22:26-31).

Thank God for Isaiah who saw a vision of God, a voice cried, … “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Today God is still looking for people to pray, to intercede for our nation and our world, to serve the poor, pray for the sick, to lay hands on the sick, and spread the gospel.  He is still looking for someone that He can depend upon to do His will in spite of challenges, ridicule, loneliness, or personal sacrifices. He is still employing workers for His harvest and the benefits are fantastic (Psalm 68:19, 103:2-5)!

Will you answer God’s "Help Wanted " sign today?

Please comment below and share how you decided to work for God.  You may help someone who is hearing God’s voice to work for Him.

Luke 10:2

New International Version (NIV)
2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

Ezekiel 22:26-31
New International Version (NIV)
26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain.
28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations. They say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says’—when the Lord has not spoken.
29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.
30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Psalm 68:19 
19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.

Pastor's Pondering, May 5, 2014

Let Us Be Joyful In His Wisdom

Lately I have begun to consider my life.  How should I live it? What kind of example am I to my church, my family, or my friends? Is it more important for me to have creature comforts or should I be more concerned with how I can help others?

David wrote in the Psalms that in all of our getting during our life, we should get wisdom (Proverbs 4:7, Psalm 90:12).  While our days may be full of trouble (Job 14:1), we ought to desire most of all that our ways please God (Colossians 1:9, 10).  We ought to live our lives so that we can say at the end of the day that this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). 

While we live, we should be happy because of the wisdom and understanding that we received from God (Proverbs 3:13).  If we don’t have God’s wisdom, He is willing to give it to us (James 1:5).

Please comment below and share how you learned to be happy and have joy in God’s wisdom.  You may help someone who is confused about his or her life’s direction.

Proverbs 4:7

New International Version (NIV)

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom


Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Psalm 90:12

New International Version (NIV)

12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Job 14:1

New International Version (NIV)

14 Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.

Colossians 1:9, 10

King James Version (KJV)

9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Psalm 118:24

New King James Version (NKJV)

24 This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Proverbs 3:13

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding

James 1:5

Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 28, 2014

Looks Can Be Deceiving

“It is better to look good than to feel good,” said Billy Crystal's Saturday Night Live character. Are we more concerned about how we appear to be rather than how we really are inside? 

Recently I was somewhat distracted in my car and almost hit a pedestrian.  He was visibly upset and slapped my car.  I apologized but when I drove away, I thought about another response I could have made.  I could have jumped out of my car and started a scene. But immediately the thought came to me that someone on that busy street might have called out to me and said, “Hello, Pastor Fair,” right in the middle of the confrontation.  The thought that made me repent later was, “Was I more concerned about how I looked than how I was?” 

The prophet Samuel was sent to anoint King David and focused on the external looks of the candidates but God spoke to him and said that He looks on people’s hearts (1 Samuel 16:7).  Jesus followed up in the New Testament and said some people are like beautiful gravestones but house dead men’s bones (Matthew 23:27).

We do not want to just look like people of God.  We want to be people of God on the inside and outside. Let us strive to make sure that we are representing Christ on the outside and allow Him to create something beautiful on the inside (Psalms 51:10). Since God lives within, He can help us deny ourselves and fight our flesh (Galatians 2:20, 1 John 4:4).

Please comment below and tell how you decided to let Christ live through you so that the Christ inside was evident in your actions outside. It may help someone who is struggling with his or her walk with Him.

1 Samuel 16:7

New International Version (NIV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

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.

Psalm 51:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Galatians 2:20

New International Version (NIV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 John 4:4

New International Version (NIV)

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 21, 2014

Thank God For Our Heritage!

Recently I attended a sermon by Dr. Bill Winston who preached an inspiring message.  One of his points was about the heritage of those that love God.  I had been very familiar with the scripture that God owns the universe and everything in it (Psalm 24:1).  However, Dr. Winston reminded the listeners that God has already given the earth to mankind (Psalm 115:16).  It is ours; we do not have to make a deal to get what we deserve.

Stories you may hear about people successfully bargaining with the devil for a desired item or outcome are lies.  He does not have it to give.  He simply has a world system that he unsuccessfully tried to sell to Jesus (Luke 4:5-8). 

We have been given something unimaginably greater.  It is God’s pleasure to give the saints His kingdom (Luke 12:32).  Since we are heirs and joint heirs with Christ Jesus (Romans 8:17), we do not have to make side deals with the devil to get prosperity, fame, or fortune.

Today when you feel that you have been defeated in life, remember that God has given you the earth and His kingdom.  We have been everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  We do not have to worship the devil to get temporary goodies, we have blessings now and in the world to come because we simply cannot be defeated by the devil, his lies, or his activities (Isaiah 54:17).  We have a great heritage in Christ.

Please comment below and tell how you decided to appreciate your heritage with Christ. It may help someone who needs to know what they have in Christ.

Psalm 24:1

New International Version (NIV)

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

Psalm 115:16

New International Version (NIV)

16 The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.

Luke 4:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.
7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”

8 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’

Luke 12:32

King James Version (KJV)

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom

Isaiah 54:17

New International Version (NIV)

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the Lord.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 14, 2014

Living Lives Before the Lord

A couple of years ago, I attended a lecture by Dr. Don Colbert, M.D., who spoke about God’s plans for living.  He said God had two plans; Plan A and Plan B.  Plan A is living your life for 120 years or longer; Moses and Abraham had Plan A (Deuteronomy 34:7), (Genesis 25:7).  There is also Plan B; this plan is for a lifespan of seventy or eighty years (Psalm 90:10).  Most people focus on the second plan.  But whatever the length of our lives, short or long, …yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, 
for they quickly pass, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10).

How then should we live our lives?  Should we be totally consumed with our daily obstacles, our money, our relationships, and our possessions?  The Bible says the pagan or the ungodly folks are consumed with seeking after these things but God knows what we need and promised to supply all of our need (Philippians 4:19).

Nevertheless, He simply wants us to have the right priorities (Matthew 6:32-34) and to have the correct perspective about the things of the world (1 Corinthians 7:31). David was the king over Israel but he decided that he would rather be a simple doorkeeper for God than live a life among the wicked (Psalm 84:10).

This week when life seems overwhelming and when you feel you don’t have a moment to hear yourself think, pause and think about God.  Make Him your priority and everything else will fall into place.

Please comment below and tell how you decided to live your life before the Lord. It may help someone who needs to have the right priorities in their life.

Philippians 4:19

New International Version (NIV)

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 6:32-34

New International Version (NIV)

32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1 Corinthians 7:31

Amplified Bible (AMP)

31 And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life] as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.

Psalm 84:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 7, 2014

Let not your heart be troubled

Since the middle of the sixties, when my brothers and I were leaving our childhood home and going away to college, we always knew that in spite of everything going on in our lives, we could always return home if needed.  We were all devastated when my mother passed away the same year when the Twin Towers were attacked. But we could still go home anytime and see our father. There was food, warmth, security, and the comfort of reliving the memories of our youth. 

That security blanket vanished when our father passed.  Sadly, we can truly never go back home.  But thank God, He has prepared a home for us that we never have to leave.  We can stay surrounded in His love knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) because we can dwell in His shelter (Psalm 91:1) and are seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

When Jesus was comforting his disciples because of His soon departure He told them that He was preparing a place for them (John 14:1-3).  No worries, no bills, no hatred, no problems; just a continued eternal relationship with Him.  Today let us remember that we do not have to worry about our temporary problems; we have an eternal home in heaven with Christ Jesus.

Please comment below and tell how you decided not to let your heart be troubled because of your place with Him.  It may help someone who is being troubled.

Hebrews 13:5

New International Version (NIV)

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake 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.

Ephesians 2:6

New International Version (NIV)

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

John 14:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.