Pastor's Ponderings, September 20, 2021

Nothing Is Impossible With God

 

Howard Fendrich with the Associated Press wrote a September 12, 2021 article entitled, “Britain’s Emma Raducanu, 18, Wins U.S. Open.”  She was ranked 150^th and who until three months ago had never played in a professional tour-level event.  Having defeated Leylah Annie Fernanez of Canada for the title, the article went on to say, “And now? She will rise into the Women’s Tennis Association’s top 25. She earned $2.5 million. She is famous in Britain and the world over. She is now, and forever, a Grand Slam champion.”

 

Just like this teenager won this impressive title, God wants us to know that He can do anything, and nothing shall be impossible for us (Luke 1:37).  He wants us to turn to Him to meet our needs (Philippians 4:19). God is more than enough to calm our fears, solve our problems and provide for us in these challenging times. When the world says something is impossible, we can ask for God’s help (Philippians 4:13).  In the Bible, when demons constantly threw a young man into fire, his father asked Jesus to help him “if He could.”  Jesus replied that everything is possible for those who believe (Mark 9:21-23).

 

Is it possible that we have limited God’s authority, power, and miracles in our lives because we believe the world system which says something cannot be accomplished? Since the world has been challenged by climate change, constant wars, and calamities on every hand, now is the time for us to ask God for His divine intervention. Nothing is impossible with God.

 

Luke 1:37

New King James Version

37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”

 

Philippians 4:19

New International Version

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

 

Philippians 4:13

New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

Mark 9:21-23

New International Version

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 
22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, September 9, 2021

God Wants To Answer Our Questions

In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ivermectin tablets are approved by the Federal Drug Administration to treat people afflicted with parasitic worms but not for the virus. Ryan Grenoble wrote an article in September 6, 2021,  U.S. News entitled, “Arkansas Inmates Say They Were Given Ivermectin For COVID-19 Without Their Consent.”  One of the inmates said, “I asked what are they, and they’d just tell me vitamins.”  To make things even more confusing, “a judge ruled Monday that an Ohio hospital cannot be forced to give a patient ivermectin for Covid-19, reversing an earlier decision that ordered it to administer this parasite medication which has not been approved to treat the disease.” 

 

In this time of confusing information, many are making life and death decisions based on how they see things, the opinions of random strangers rather than generally acceptable scientific standards.  For example, the scientific community suggests masks may help us during this pandemic when others tell us that forcing masks is an attack on freedom.  Perfectly reasonable people seem to be saying perfectly unreasonable things.  

 

This is a time of great anxiety when desperate times are leading to desperate measures.  What should those who love the Lord do when even the experts disagree? The Bible suggests that in all our getting, we should get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). God tells us that He is the final answer since He is the source of knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).  But many of us do not ask God, and therefore we do not have our answers (James 4:2b). Those who really want answers from God would do well to heed the scriptures.  Through prayer, we should continue to ask God and we will receive, continue to seek and we will find, and continue to knock and the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7).  Now is the time to seek our benevolent God’s final answer for our lives (James 1:5).  God is waiting to answer our questions for these important decisions.

 

Proverbs 4:7

New King James Version

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

 

Proverbs 2:6

New International Version

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

 

James 4:2b

New International Version

2 … You do not have because you do not ask God.

 

Matthew 7:7

Amplified Bible

7 “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.

 

James 1:5

Amplified Bible

5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, September 1, 2021

How To Stop Wars

 

President Biden recently announced that the United States has ended its long war in Afghanistan. Sanjana Karanth wrote an article in World News, entitled, “Last U.S. Planes Leave Kabul, Ending 20-Year War In Afghanistan.”  It is astounding that it took 20 years to end this war. Many lives were lost, millions were made homeless, and the pain inflicted from this war will live on.  

 

The war in Afghanistan may dominate the headlines today, but all over the world, there are constant stories of wars, fighting, refugees and atrocities.  What is the cause of the constant conflict? The Bible says that wars come from the conflict within us (James 4:1). The scriptures suggest that to avoid wars, we need to ask God to help supply our needs (James 4:2).  

 

The Bible says that before the end of the earth arrives, we will hear about wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6).  It will not stop.  What should the child of God do about the depressing litany of conflicts? First, knowing that the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy, we must submit ourselves to God’s will, word, and authority to defeat evil (James 4:7). Second, with God on our side (Romans 8:31), we must resist being involved with and escalating conflicts.  Third, we can pray against the evil forces that bring about disputes (Philippians 4:13).

 

It is true that we are not all world leaders who can forcefully put down wars and fighting, but in our small corner of the world, we can allow God to use us to be examples of peacefully living a life for God.  Since we are books that the world reads, let His peace keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:7) and then we can then act like God would have us act.

 

James 4:1, 2

New International Version

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 
2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

 

Matthew 24:6

New International Version

6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

 

James 4:7

New International Version

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

 

Romans 8:31

New International Version

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

 

Philippians 4:13

New International Version

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

 

Philippians 4:7

New International Version

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Pastor's Ponderings, August 26, 2021

God Wants Us To Ask Him About COVID-19

Jane Greenhalgh wrote the article in the July 21, 2021 NPR, entitled, “The Coronavirus Crisis, U.S. Life Expectancy Fell By 1.5 Years In 2020, The Biggest Drop Since WWII.”  The article went on to indicate that African Americans and U.S. Hispanics life expectancy declined about three years all due to COVID-19.

 

Truly the world faces a dilemma.  Do we listen to our scientists who say we should follow scientific evidence and get a vaccine to lessen the effects of COVID-19?  We may also reasonably decide that we know better than these learned individuals and take the information for saving our lives from the internet, friends, or conspiracy theorists.  Another option is that we should pray for God’s wisdom for receiving the vaccine.  

 

There were similar dilemmas in the Bible.  In the book of Kings, a worshipper of Baal, Jezebel, had married the King of Israel, Ahab.  She influenced him and many in the nation to worship Baal rather than God.  As a result, the land suffered a drought. The local prophet, Elijah, challenged the people concerning their choice of who to worship, God or Baal.  He asked, “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21.)

 

Joshua, the leader of the Israelites also asked a similar question concerning their choice of worship, God or their former gods in Egypt.  He commanded, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15).  He chose to follow God.

 

Today we can ask God should we get vaccinated, should we wear masks and social distance, or should we just take our chances and see how things work out.  If we ask God, He promised that He would give us His wisdom (James 1:5-7).  The Bible says that He hears us when we ask according to His will and that we would receive the answer that we are looking for (1 John 5:14-15).  Let us ask God and the Almighty God of the universes promises that He will answer.  Let us ask Him today.

 

1 Kings 18:21

New International Version

21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

But the people said nothing.

 

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.”

 

James 1:5-7

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. 
6 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.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

 

1 John 5:14-15

New International Version

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 
15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 16, 2021

God Wants To Save Us For Real

In the August 15, 2021, Huffington Post, Nina Golgowski wrote an article entitled, “Thousands Of Fake Vaccine Cards Seized On Way To New Orleans From China: Feds”  The article went on to indicate that “buying, selling or using a counterfeit COVID-19 vaccination card that features an official government agency seal can result in a fine and up to five years in prison.”  These people would rather pay for a pretend vaccination card that can help no one rather than simply get a real vaccination that can help anyone.

 

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, as of May 6, 2021, COVID-19 has caused 6.9 million deaths globally, more than double what official reports show.  Truly the world is being attacked by an implacable foe, yet the Bible declares that Jesus is in us, and He is greater than any opponent in the world (1 John 4:4).

 

Yet the Bible declares that our God wants us to really be in health (3 John 2).  He wants the best for us and not a counterfeit.  Jesus went to the Cross so that we could triumph over the works of deceit, distraction, disappointment that the devil brings.  God wants us to really live and prosper in everything that we do (Psalm 1:3).  

 

We can rejoice knowing we don’t have to have a fake victory, but we can have total victory in Christ.  If we are willing and obedient, we can enjoy the land’s goods for real (Isaiah 1:19). Let us be confident in the true and living Savior and know that He can save us completely for real.         

 

1 John 4:4

New International Version

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.

 

3 John 2

New King James Version

2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

 

Psalm 1:3

New International Version

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

 

Isaiah 1:19

New International Version

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 13, 2021

Let Us Choose To Serve God

Michelle Boorstein wrote an article in the July 8, 2021, Huffington Post, entitled, “New study shows dramatic gap in religious diversity between the Southeast and much of the country.”   One of the conclusions of the article were that those who had no religious affiliation in the U.S. had increased significantly. She wrote, “The PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute) survey found the unaffiliated are becoming a much larger part of both parties, the Democrats in particular. Between 2006 and 2020, the percent of Republicans who say they are unaffiliated went from 4 to 13 percent. The percent of Democrats went from 9 to 23 percent.”      

 

Many are choosing not to choose.  They do not want to be affiliated with any organized religion.  But not to choose God is to choose the world’s system.  Joshua warned the children of Israel that they must choose God or idols (Joshua 24:15).  Not to choose to align themselves with God is a valid choice but the Bible says that there is a way that seems right, but it ends in death (Proverbs 14:12).  The book of Revelation demonstrates that God does not prefer the middle ground.  He says that because some are neither hot nor cold, He would reject them with disgust (Revelation 3:15, 16).

 

At some point in our lives, we will have to decide whether we are believers or non-believers.  Those who reject the chance to serve God in this life risk the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).  God suggests that we should not stop assembling ourselves (Hebrews 10:25) and He promised that if two or three are gathered in His Name, even virtually, He would be there in their midst (Matthew 18:20). Let us choose to serve God as we assemble for Him.

 

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.”

 

Proverbs 14:12

New International Version

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

                  

Revelation 3:15, 16

Amplified Bible

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are [a]neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. 
16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

 

Revelation 21:8

New International Version

8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Hebrews 10:25

New International Version

25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

Matthew 18:20

New International Version

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 4, 2021

When In Doubt, Ask God

Nina Golgowski, in the August 1, 2021 U.S. News, wrote an article entitled, “Father Of 5 Dies Of COVID After Texting ‘I Should Have Gotten The D__n Vaccine.’ Jessica DuPreez said that her fiancé, Michael Freedy, wanted to wait until the vaccine had been available for a year before getting it. Many times, we will wait too late to take advantage of opportunities to avoid devastation.

 

The Bible says that God wants us to know something about our future (John 16:13).  The Bible says that God wants to be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Psalm 119:105). God wants us to be wise.  He says that the prudent will take refuge from danger (Proverbs 27:12). God wants us to walk in wisdom and if we don’t know what we should do, He doesn’t want us to have doubts but to ask Him about the direction we should take in life (James 1:5-7).  Many have made their own life choices without consulting God and have suffered long--lasting consequences.

 

We live in a world with myriad choices of where to go, what to do, who to associate with and how to establish our priorities.  We can seek the accepted sources of world’s wisdom such as religion, academia, the media, or politics.  One can find some success when basing your decisions on these means.  But the Bible suggests that we should seek the Lord, pray to Him, read His word, and entreat Him to be Lord of our lives.  He has been waiting all our lives to lead us into His truths.  Let Him guide us during these troubling times.

 

John 16:13

New International Version

13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

 

Psalm 119:105

New International Version

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

 

Proverbs 27:12

New International Version

12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

 

James 1:5-7

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. 
6 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. 
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.