Pastor's Ponderings, September 23, 2023

Our God Benefits Us Greatly

 

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention website, “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”  As the actor Dick Van Dyke said, “When people ask my secret to staying youthful at an age when getting up and down from your chair on your own is considered an accomplishment, you know what I tell them? 'Keep moving.'"

 

The benefits of physical activity are undeniable, and we should attempt to incorporate regular physical activity into our lives.  But most importantly we must put God in our lives because He really gives us great benefits that will help us now and eternally (Psalm 68:19).  He gives us everything that we need for our lives (2 Peter 1:3).  But can God really give us all that we need? He said that He would supply all our needs not according to the limitations of the world but according to His unlimited and eternal riches (Philippians 4:19). Furthermore, the Bible says that His goodness and mercy will follow us for all our lives (Psalm 23:6).

 

We are the apple of God’s eye, and He wants the best for us in every area of our lives.  We can continue to look to Him who is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).  We should enjoy His help and tell others that while other benefits will eventually end, we can enjoy the joy of His presence forever. Truly, He benefits us greatly.  

 

Psalm 68:19

New King James Version

19 Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah

 

2 Peter 1:3

New International Version

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

 

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.

 

Psalm 23:6

New International Version

6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

 

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.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, September 16, 2023

Tragedies May Come But God Reigns 

According to the September 14, 2023 Associated Press, “Flooding death toll soars to 11,300 in Libya’s coastal city of Derna, aid group says.” 

“In comments to the Saudi-owned Al Arabia television station on Thursday, Derna Mayor Abdel-Moneim al-Ghaithi said the tally could climb to 20,000 given the number of neighborhoods that were washed out.”  Without warning, it seems the local dams collapsed and whole villages were washed out to sea.

 

We are still reeling from the earthquake catastrophe in Morocco and the over 52,000 deaths in the Ukraine war.  Despite this worldwide horror, we must still stand up and declare and decree that this is the day that the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).  Our God reigns despite looming and ongoing strikes, indicted politicians, and the drug cartels dealing death blows at home and abroad.  

 

When the world asks how an Omniscient and Loving God could allow these disasters, we can ask God for wisdom about how to share His love and comfort. We can declare and decree that our God still loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son for us (John 3:16).

 

Despite that world’s challenges, we are convinced that nothing or no one will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). We can suffer, cry, sympathize and empathize with those who have been hit by the vagaries of life or who have lost their lives altogether.  Despite what comes or what goes, all things work together for the good for those who love the Lord and who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  God is still on the throne.

 

Psalm 118:24

New International Version

24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

 

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 8:38-39

New International Version

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 

39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

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.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, September 11, 2023

What Man Can Conceive, Man Can Achieve

One of the first known versions of this saying was by the prominent social reformer and socialist Robert Owen. He wrote, “man can conceive what man can achieve.” Others have written various versions of this saying which implies that our achievements are only limited by what we can imagine. 

 

When mankind began to build the Tower of Babel, God Himself came down to see their work and declared, “nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:4-6). Perhaps we have limited ourselves when God wants us to do the exploits which are unattainable by human means, while saying that nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20).  The Bible says that we have not even conceived of the things that God wants for His children (Corinthians 2:9).  God can do immeasurably more than we can ask for or even think about (Ephesians 3:20).

 

It might be that when the evil one tempted Eve in the Garden by saying, “Did God say?” he directed her view away from the eternal, abundant, and limitless life in God. Today, God has given us each the measure of faith (Romans 12:3) with which one can ask for anything.  Some may ask for healing for a headache when God wants to heal cancer.  Some may give monthly to the impoverished in other countries.  This is commendable but pales in comparison to God wanting to give us knowledge of witty inventions to bring prosperity, water, and fruitfulness to the dry lands.

 

Let us ask God for His wisdom to fulfill our limitless potential in Him. He wants to expand our territory and extend our tents.  Let us use the unlimited mind of Christ, think His thoughts, and allow Him to use us to bring Heaven down to earth and walk in His authority to destroy the works of the evil one.  What great thing can you conceive and allow God to work with you to achieve?

 

Genesis 11:4-6

New International Version
4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 
6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

 

Matthew 17:20

New International Version

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

Corinthians 2:9

New International Version

9 However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—

 

Ephesians 3:20

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,

 

Romans 12:3

King James Version

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, September 2, 2023

Let Us Allow The World To See Christ In Us

 

On August 13, 2023, my dear Aunt Alice Brown transitioned into the eternal presence of Jesus Christ.  She would have been 97 on September 3^rd. She was eagerly looking forward to reaching 100 having outlived two husbands, four children and three grandchildren.  Despite her many challenges in life, disappointments, and losses, she did not dwell on the negative. She seemed to be a woman that had the mind of Christ.  

 

She allowed the peace of God to guard her heart, meditating on things of God (Philippians 4:7, 8) and declared and decreed the word of God (Job 22:28). Truly, she was a woman who forgot those things that were behind and pressed towards her heavenly home with Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:13-14).

 

While listening to her eulogy and all the testimonials to her life, I was struck by legacy she leaves behind of being thankful in every circumstance. Her life example showed us all how that when He lives in you, you become more and more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)? Do people see us in our good times and our bad times exhibiting holiness or temporarily showing our evil sides?   If we want to be spread the good news of our Savior, we should be careful of our bait.

 

Acting in self, attacking others, engaging in juicy gossip or any other sin will not help lead others to a relationship with Christ.  Let us resolve to live so that others can see Christ in us and decide that they want to follow the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Let us truly be living examples of Christ.

 

Philippians 4:7-8

New International Version

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

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

Job 22:28

New International Version

28 What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.

 

Philippians 3:13-14

New International Version

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

New King James Version

2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 19, 2023

Let Us Press Toward God’s Finish Line

 

On Aug 27, 2022, I was blessed to run the ten-mile race at the 2022 Crim Festival of Races in Flint Michigan.  It was grueling, intense, and tiring and I was thrilled to see the finish line in the distance.  Suddenly, I forgot about my pain, exhaustion, and felt I had the power to eagerly finish.  I had this burst of energy and began running vigorously to complete the race.  My granddaughter, Kyra, later proclaimed, “Papa, you were running!”

 

We are all in the race of our lives.  However, the Bible tells us to press toward that which is ahead of us in Christ and to forget that which is behind us (Philippians 3:13, 14). During the Crim, I was trying to get a medal that I had finished. But those who love the Lord are looking for an eternal prize of life in heaven (Ephesians 2:6), living in an divine mansion that was not made with human hands (2 Corinthians 5:1) and to dwell in the presence of the Lord forever (Psalm 27:4).

 

We are all in the race of our spiritual lives, but we don’t run aimlessly for God but we discipline ourselves in living for Him, in studying His word, in meditating His commands, in seeking His face and delighting ourselves in Him (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  We are all looking for Him at the finish line saying, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord” (Matthew 25:21).  Let us forget our struggles and joyfully press toward God’s finish line in Him.

Philippians 3:13, 14

New International Version

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

Ephesians 2:6

New International Version

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

 

2 Corinthians 5:1

New International Version

5 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

 

Psalm 27:4

New International Version

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.

 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

New International Version

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 

27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others,  I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 

Matthew 25:21

King James Version

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 12, 2023

Let Us Give Ourselves To God’s Work

 

Martin Luther King once said, “If you have not discovered something you are willing to die for, then you are not fit to live.”  Jesus laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16).  You may not be called to sacrifice your physical life but greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).

 

My fellow pastor is currently being attacked because of his faith and commitment to the things of God.  However, he is still unmovable in his resolve to serve God. We must ask ourselves, “If this pastor is willing to risk his life, for what cause am I even willing to lay down my creature comforts?  For example, can I sacrifice cable to send money for starving children at home and abroad?

 

We might ask ourselves, “Can I spend an afternoon entertaining the child of a single parent? Could I spend an hour stopping at a nursing home to visit the aged whose offspring have left them alone.”  Instead of complaining about the infighting of our political system, have I involved myself by at least praying for those who have rule over us and clearly sharing my civic concerns with them?

 

Can we sacrifice our time, resources, and efforts for another? We may not be called like the prophets of old and the martyrs of the present to lay down our lives for others but let us at least sacrifice to help others.  The Bible tells that how we treat the least of us, we are doing it to our Savior.  Let us ask God for wisdom to guide us in our help to others.

  

1 John 3:16

New International Version

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

 

John 15:13

King James Version

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Matthew 25:40

New International Version

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

Pastor's Ponderings, August 5, 2023

This is a reprint of Pastor's Ponderings from August 6, 2018.  These words are still important as we deal with each other in an increasingly hostile world.

Let’s Speak Kindly To Each Other

In the play, The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare wrote, “The quality of mercy is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”  It is amazing how many people choose to ignore these blessings. From vicious tweets, sexist body shaming, and angry conspiratorial lies to everyday humiliating insults, few seem to want to be left out of these hurtful attacks.  

But the Bible says that goodness and mercy shall follow us all of our lives (Psalm 23:6).  God says the merciful are blessed because they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7).  Showing mercy is part of the basic requirements of God, which is to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Coming before God in the Day of Judgment, we cannot expect to be applauded for how often we made others cry. The Bible says we are to lift others up with what we say (Ephesians 4:29). Furthermore, we are to treat others, as we would like to be treated.  

This week let us carefully consider our written and spoken words and decide whether we would like to receive them from others.  God said that vengeance is His alone and He will repay those attacks (Romans 12:19). Instead of escalating hurtful comments and raging threats, let us take advice of the Bible and remember that a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1).

Psalm 23:6
King James Version (KJV)

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Matthew 5:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Micah 6:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? He requires us to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Ephesians 4:29
Amplified Bible (AMP)

29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

Romans 12:19
New International Version (NIV)

19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Proverbs 15:1
New International Version (NIV)

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.