Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, June 22, 2022

Let’s Choose God’s Way

 

John Lubbock was an English banker, Liberal politician, philanthropist, scientist, and polymath. He wrote“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”  To a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  It is difficult for a hammer to see anything from the perspective of a drill, or a hacksaw, or sandpaper.  When we think of the political upheavals worldwide between well-meaning people who think their viewpoint is correct and that their opponents need to be terminated, we need to turn to the Bible and see what God says.

No matter how one believes, there is a correct way. Many ways seem right but they end in death (Proverbs 14:12).  God wants our ways to please Him.  He says that He will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our life’s path (Psalm 119:105).  But He promises that if we choose the correct way that He will make our enemies peaceful with us (Proverbs 16:7). If we choose His way, He says it will also bring life to us and our children (Deuteronomy 30:19).

People of good will are having a hard time accepting or even understanding their political opponents.  It is hard when the arguments on all sides seem to make sense.  There is one’s own way, the world’s way, and God’s way. Ask God for wisdom so that you may choose God’s way (James 1:5).  He promises that He has a good plan for our future (Jeremiah 29:11). All things will work together for the good of those who love the Lord and who are called according to His promise (Romans 8:28).  Let us choose God’s way today.

Proverbs 14:12
New International Version

12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

 

Psalm 119:105

New International Version

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

 

Proverbs 16:7

New International Version

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.

 

Deuteronomy 30:19

New International Version

19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

 

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.

 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Romans 8:28

New International Version

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, June 17, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, June 17, 2022

Committed Or Merely Involved


There is a classic story of commitment involving farm animals. “A pig and a hen sharing the same barnyard heard about a church’s program to feed the hungry. The pig and the hen discussed how they could help. The hen said, “I’ve got it! We’ll provide bacon and eggs for the church to feed the hungry.” The pig thought about the suggestion and said, “There’s only thing wrong with your bacon and eggs idea. For you, it only requires a contribution, but from me, it will mean total commitment!”

How committed are we to the things of God? He loved us so much that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).  Are we only interested in involving ourselves with God when we are desperate and cornered with no way out or are we totally committed to Him?   Are we praising and worshipping God when things are going well with us or can we passionately praise Him when the judge rules against us, when the doctor just shakes his head, or when the banker tells us has been denied?

The Bible tells us that true worship means that we are to give our bodies totally to God (Romans 12:1).  We commit ourselves to allowing Him to set our priorities, plans, and purposes.  We cannot be people who love the Lord on Sundays but give the rest of the week to things that have no eternal importance.  If we have vacillating allegiances, we should expect nothing from God (James 1:6-8). Only what we do for Christ will last. When the last hymn has been sung, the last praise has been rung, and the last prayers have been prayed, we want to say that it was all for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  

Yolanda Adams sings, “Is Your All On the Altar?”   Some of the lyrics are “Is your all on the altar of sacrifice? Is it laid? Your heart does the Spirit control? Now, you can only, you can only be blessed and have peace and sweet rest after you have yielded unto the Lord your body and your soul.”  Let us give ourselves totally to Him and receive His peace and sweet rest. 

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.

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.

 

James 1:6-8

New International Version

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 
That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 
Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.



 

 

 

 

 

Monday, June 6, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, June 6, 2022

Let’s Praise The Lord!

Russ Taff wrote the song, “Praise the Lord.”  Some of the lyrics are, “When you're up against a struggle, that shatters all your dreams and your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan's manifested schemes and you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fear, don't let the faith you're standing in seem to disappear. Praise the Lord, He will work through those who praise Him.”

 

The 23rd Psalm comforts us during the trials and challenges of life.  The author writes, “The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1).  If we appreciate that powerful scripture, it establishes who God is, who we are, and what He does in our life.  We can therefore thank Him, praise Him, and adore Him for who He is.  

 

When we look at the Creator of the universe and when we remember what He has brought us through, protected us from, and directed us to, we can look to Him who began our faith and increased it (Hebrews 12:2).  If there is confusion in our minds, illness in our bodies, lack in our income, or challenges in our relationships, we can still look unto the One who can do anything but fail (Luke 18:27, Ephesians 3:20-21).  

 

Some may still declare that their situation is unique and bleak or they have done so many bad things that they have no hope.  But the Bible asks a powerful question. “Is there anything too hard for God?” (Jeremiah 32:27).  The sustainer of the universe, keeper of heaven and earth, and the One who holds the past, present, and future in His hands has got your back  He has you.  Let us just praise, appreciate, and love Him who loves us thoroughly, completely, and eternally.

 

Psalm 23:1

Common English Bible

1 The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.

 

Hebrews 12:2

New International Version

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

Luke 18:27

New International Version

27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

 

Ephesians 3:20-21

New International Version

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

Jeremiah 32:27

New International Version

27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?