Pastor's Ponderings, May 26, 2015

Don’t Forget To Encourage Others

I am once again preparing to “pace” a 3.1 mile race.  I will run at a certain pace and encourage those who are running with me.  I will let them know that they can do it if this senior citizen can do it!  This morning I continued my training, posted my results, and received support and encouragement from my family. 

It always feels great when getting positive support from others and it is a shame that we do not do more of it.   When others get promoted, get a nicer home, buy a better car, or are smiling more, do we congratulate them or are we angry because we are not the center of attention?

The Bible instructs us to encourage one and another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  This is very important because we all need lifting up in various areas of our lives from time to time.  For example, we may be strong in public speaking while a friend of ours is strong in providing mentoring.  We can support and help each other in our various weak areas.  The Bible says that our good words to our hearers are like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11)

This week, encourage someone and don’t be shocked when a great smile breaks forth from them and a joyful feeling breaks forth inside of you!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
New International Version (NIV)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Romans 15:1
New International Version (NIV)

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Proverbs 25:11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, May 18, 2015

What Stands Between You and Your Purpose?

The Miami Mass Choir sings, “What God has for me is for me.” This is very inspirational implying that what God has planned for us will come forth. But sometimes it does not seem to happen. What stops us from reaching our goals?  Is it our fear, our anxiety, past experiences, other people, or lack of self-esteem? 

The Bible is clear about God’s purpose for our lives, which is to bring Him praise and glory and to obey Him (Isaiah 43:7, Ecclesiastes 12:13). Paul asked the Galatians in the Bible, “Who hindered thee?” (Galatians 5:7).  He answered his question by saying anything that distracts us from His truth such as fear, doubt, or unbelief will hinder us from reaching God’s purpose in our lives (Galatians 5:9). 

He has already given us everything we need for a good life (2 Peter 1:3).  He says that we can do anything through Jesus (Philippians 4:13).  

What is your purpose?  What is His time line for you?  Redeem your time, make it count, fight the good fight, press toward His standard and declare that what God has for you is for you and you will not allow fear, doubt, or unbelief to get you to not obey God’s word and you will reach your purpose in Him.

Isaiah 43:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made

Ecclesiastes 12:13

New International Version

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Galatians 5:7, 9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?

9 A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].

2 Peter 1:3

New International Version (NIV)

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 4:13
New International Version (NIV)

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

Pastor's Ponderings, May 11, 2015

What Is On Your Mind?

In the 1995 movie, Batman Forever, Edward Nygma and Bruce Wayne have a conversation.

Mr. Wayne asks, “Mr. Nygma, you’ll forgive me for being rude, but what exactly is on your mind?” 

Mr. Nygma replies, “Precisely. What’s on all of our minds? Brainwaves!” 

In reality, whatever is on our minds can be a source of strength or failure. If we keep our minds upon the challenges of the day, our moods, our thoughts, and our actions will follow them.  If our team wins, if our company’s profits are up, if we graduate on time or if things generally go our way, our thoughts are upbeat, happy, and joyful.  If things do not go our way, our thoughts are filled with despair and frustration.

However, the Bible says that if we keep our minds on God, He will keep us in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Those of us who love the Lord do not have to allow circumstances to determine our attitudes.  We are in this world but not of it and do not have to let tragic events or outstanding successes determine our joy, our peace, or our relationship with our Savior. 

Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher, wrote, “Everything changes and nothing stands still”. Thank God that He never changes (Hebrews 13:8).  We can put our confidence, our peace, and our future in His hands and He will keep us in His perfect peace when we keep our mind on Him and His words for us.

Isaiah 26:3
Amplified Bible (AMP),

3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You

Hebrews 13:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Pastor's Ponderings, May 4, 2015

Be Still and Know That He is God

On April 19, 2015, Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American man living in Baltimore, Maryland, died in police custody. As a result, riots broke out in a number of large cities and talking heads presented wildly differing explanations about the cause of the unrest. Depending on one’s political persuasion, one can say the main cause was the political-economic system, Mr. Gray’s fault, or simply a random unpredictable set of events. 

The Bible says that there is a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  We can scream, cry, point fingers and blame people, places, and things or we can say that this is God’s day and in spite of the extraordinary events, we will rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118:24). 

This is not to say that we are to hide our heads in the sand by staying away from political discussions.  However, those who love the Lord must ask Him what should we do (Proverbs 3:5, 6).  Should we march carrying signs, write letters, petition our leaders, or should we begin to seriously and simply pray, thank God for His guidance, and rejoice because of what He is doing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)? 

Paul Washer wrote, “Live on your knees. Anything that can be accomplished without prayer is not worth pursuing." In these confusing times, let us continue to pray to our God, thanking Him and rejoicing in Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
New International Version (NIV)

3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:

Psalm 118:24
New International Version (NIV)

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

Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
New International Version (NIV)

16 Rejoice always,
17 pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 27, 2015

When Terror Comes

CNN reported that a major earthquake in Nepal, a country in Southeast Asia, killed over 4000 people on Saturday, April 25, 2015.  With no warning, thousands lost their lives.  The anguish, the terror, and the suffering are unimaginable and many across the world are rushing to help the survivors and restore the land.

When we hear of terrible tragedies like this, we are reminded that the bible states that tragic events will happen (Luke 21:11).  We can sigh and quietly thank God that we avoided this catastrophe but what happens if something like that happens in our neighborhood?  Would we be casual and dismiss it as simply, “An Act of God” or would we fall to our knees with a sudden epiphany that, “Yes, it can happen here”?

We cannot know when the next tragedy will strike, but we do know who can control those events.  God wants us to approach Him unpretentiously, stop being disobedient to His commands, and begin to pray to Him.  We can ask Him what we should do so that we can live our lives in safety.  He promised that if we would do that, He would heal our lands and fix whatever needs fixing (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Let those who love the Lord turn to Him before the next tragedy strikes and not have to wait until we are in its midst.

Luke 21:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 20, 2015

God Is Our Healer

According to the LA Times, some former opponents of the Affordable Care Act are changing their minds about the law since millions of Americans now depend upon it.  Whether the law is good or bad, whether the Supreme Court will soon rule and millions will lose coverage, it is important to note that God is very concerned about our health (Jeremiah 8:21-22).  Apparently He approves of good healthcare and Colossians 4:14 refers to Apostle Luke as the beloved physician.

We must know, however, that God is the great physician. He is the only one that can send His word for healing (Psalm 107:19-20).  Medical workers are vessels to be used by God and they are a great blessing, but He is our ultimate healer.

We also have a responsibility for our health and we are admonished to treat our bodies as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19).  While health leaders generally accept that health is comprised of behavioral, genetic, social, and environmental factors, we know that the greatest determinant of health is our Father in Heaven. 

The good news is that God wants us healthy. When people are passionately debating whether or not people deserve healthcare, Christians should remember who is our source of healing.  We do not have to get upset and angry during the current healthcare struggle since a cheerful heart is our good medicine (Proverbs 17:22).  Thank God that He has never changed His mind about our health.

Jeremiah 8:21-22

New International Version (NIV)

21 Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me.

22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?

Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?

Psalm 107:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them: he rescued them from the grave.

Proverbs 4:21-22

New International Version (NIV)

21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;

22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.

Proverbs 17:22
New International Version (NIV)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Pastor's Ponderings, April 13, 2015

Politicians May Announce But God Anoints

From now until the election in November 2016, we are in for a tumultuous time of billion dollar spending, persuasive arguments, hurtful insults, political demonstrations, and endless commercials attempting to persuade voters that this or that candidate is all that is standing between major catastrophe and us.  This political season reminds us of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If” where he admonishes us to keep our heads when all around us are losing theirs. The back and forth can be good fun for some, deadly serious business for others, but we must consider what God is telling us. 

In the book of Timothy, many political voices may be aptly described as controversial, quarrelsome, malicious and even using religious teachings to make their points (1 Timothy 6:3-5).  This book goes on to say godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).  We must focus on the things that are important such as God, His word, and His will and not simply on a relentless pursuit of power and finances (1 Timothy 6:9, 10). 

During this political season when God has seemingly been relegated to the back seat, let us remember that He is the only one that promotes and He is the only one that directs our leaders (Psalm 75:6-7).  Let us pray for all of those in the political arena that they agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching (1 Timothy 6:3).

1 Timothy 6:3-6, 9, 10

New International Version (NIV)

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions
5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Psalm 75:6-7
New International Version (NIV)

6 No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves.

7 It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.