Pastor's Ponderings, August 26, 2019

Living Our Best Life

A CW network program, “My Last Days” showcased brave participants living their final days as best as they could.  One of these awesome individuals, Claire Lucia Wineland, said, "Death is inevitable, but living a life that we are proud of, that is something we can control." Although she passed a week after a double lung transplant on August 26, 2018, her humor, her strong resolve, and her calmness in the face of possible death lives on.  

In the Bible, Paul shared a great perspective on his last days.  He said that he was torn between wanting to go with God and also wanting to stay to labor with those who love the Lord on this Earth (Philippians 1:22-24).  He was appreciating his current life with Christ, but knowing that he had something great waiting for him in heaven (Philippians 1:21). But in the end, he said that he had kept his faith, had finished his course and now was looking forward to receiving his reward (2 Timothy 4:7-8).  

In the Bible, Peter said it a little differently. He said he wanted only to fulfill the will of God in spite of life’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:1-2).  Like Peter, Martin Luther King said, “I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land...”  

Whatever we do, let us live our lives so that God will be well pleased. This is our duty; obeying His will and pleasing God in everything we do.

Philippians 1:22-24
New International Version (NIV)

22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Philippians 1:21
New International Version (NIV)

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

2 Timothy 4:7-8
New International Version (NIV)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

1 Peter 4:1-2
New International Version (NIV)

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 

2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Pastor's Ponderings, August 19, 2019

God Loves Us Without Reservation

“Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.”  This is the title of a song dating back to slavery in America.  The song expressed pain and despair and demonstrates the hopelessness of a child who has been torn from her or his parents.  This song comes to mind when we heard about the article written by Mary Papenfuss in the August 17, 2019, Huffington Post.  The article was entitled, “Mississippi ICE Raids Separate Mom From Her Breastfeeding Baby Girl.”  The agony of the mother and the confusion of the child needing to be together must be overwhelming.

Just as that mother desperately wants to be with her child, God really wants to be with His children. God gave His only Son, Jesus, because of His love for us (John 3:16). Jesus went to die on the Cross-not because of obligation, but for the joy of it (Hebrews 12:2).  There is no love greater than to give one’s life for one’s friends (John 15:13). Even though we disobey, disrespect, and dishonor Him to follow our own minds (Luke 22:15), He still loves us.

Many around the country are working tirelessly to reunite families such as this one.   Although we pray that this mother will be reunited with her child, we know that despite what happens, her love for her child will never end.  Just like her love will never stop, God’s love for us will never stop.  He said that He would never leave us or forsake us even though we go through horrible times (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalms 23:4).  God still loves us. 

John 3:16
New International Version (NIV)
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.

Hebrews 12:2
New International Version (NIV)

2 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.

John 15:13
New International Version (NIV)

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Luke 22:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 23:4
New International Version (NIV)

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Pastor's Pondering, August 12, 2019

Let Us Choose God Since He First Chose Us

On Thursday, August 8, 2019, Mayor Mike Duggan announced that our daughter, Denise Fair, has been appointed to be the Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Detroit.  Our family and her friends and co-workers have poured out their support of the Mayor’s choice and wished her the best for her appointment.  As her parents, my wife and I are especially pleased how the Lord has blessed the Mayor to select her out of many qualified candidates. 

It is good to know that she has been selected, but it is greater to know that He has chosen all of those who love the Lord (Ephesians 1:4).  We have been delivered from the power of darkness and are now in the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13).  One day we will stand before the throne of God and will hear, “Well done, the good and faithful servant.”  

King David wrote that he just wanted to be with God (Psalm 27:4) and would rather be simply a doorkeeper in God’s house than be with those who did not love Him (Psalm 84:10).  We are now left with a life changing choice.  The Bible tells us to choose whom we will serve.  The Children of Israel’s leader, Joshua, concluded that he and his house would serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).  Since God has chosen us before the world was begun, let us choose to love, serve, and obey Him all of our days.

Ephesians 1:4
New International Version (NIV)

4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…

Colossians 1:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

Psalm 27:4
New International Version (NIV)

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.

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.

Joshua 24:15
International Version (NIV)

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.”

Pastor's Ponderings, August 5, 2019

When Life Suddenly Changes

During this past week on July 28, 2019, I felt a sudden severe pain in my side. I thought it was a recurrence of kidney stones and went into the emergency room to confirm my diagnosis. Instead the ER doctor said I would need surgery today. Emergency surgery. 

Still reeling from this information, one might imagine my shock when the surgeon came in next and unemotionally informed me, “In a half an hour we are taking you to the operating room.”

It was great to have a praying wife right there who prayed and assured me things would be fine.  God blessed the surgeon, her staff, and the surgery. I am healing well although my plans to run a ten-mile race at the end of the month have sadly faded away.

We have to know that God will help us when life suddenly falls apart. When the enemy comes in our lives, He promised that He would overwhelm that enemy (Isaiah 59:19b).  When we are confused and stumbling about, God promised that He would be a lamp unto our feet and a light into our path (Psalm 119:105). We should fear no evil because He is with us (Psalm 23:4). He further promised to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is our guiding light that will direct us into a safe path.  He will keep those of us in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Things can suddenly change for us, our plane of life can suddenly go into a tailspin, but if we know where our true help comes from, we can be confident that our God will not waver, our heavenly mindset will not shake and God’s peace will rule our lives.  Man is of a few days and full of trouble (Job 14:1), but God has promised us that if we look to Him, He is a very present help even in the midst of any calamity (Psalm 46:1).

Isaiah 59:19b
Amplified Bible (AMP)

19…For He will come in like a narrow, rushing stream

Which the breath of the Lord drives [overwhelming the enemy].

Psalm 119:105
New International Version (NIV)

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

Psalm 23:4
New International Version (NIV)

4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me

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.”

Isaiah 26:3
New International Version (NIV)

3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.

Job 14:1
New International Version (NIV)

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

Psalm 46:1
New International Version (NIV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Pastor's Ponderings, July 29, 2019

God Does Everything For His Purposes and Our Good

The author, Shannon L. Alder, wrote,  “There are no coincidences in life. What person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose, even if they caused you harm. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time we get with people, or the outcomes from their choices. However, if you turn it over to God he promises that you will see the big picture in the hereafter. Nothing is too small to be a mistake.”

When you think about all of the people that you have met, your interactions with them and how they may have helped or hurt you, it all may seem to be unconnected to each other.  However, the Bible says that God is in charge of everything in life, no matter how small or large (Isaiah 46:9-10).

There is something reassuring knowing that our universe is not a random jumbled up mixture of serendipitous events (Matthew 10:29, 30). We can be extremely happy and confident knowing that the God of the universes is still concerned about our feelings, our concerns, and our problems (Romans 8:28). We don’t need to be discouraged because we don’t know what is going on in our lives.

He wants us to fulfill His higher purposes for us and He will send people into our lives, send us to places, and allow things to challenge us so that we can do what He wants us to do (Psalm 139:16).  He has the master plan because He is the master planner.

Today, let us go about our daily tasks prayerfully and humbly, but confidently and happily before Him knowing that He has everything under His divine control. 

Isaiah 46:9-10

New International Version (NIV)

9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Matthew 10:29, 30

New International Version (NIV) 

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.

30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

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.

Psalm 139:16

New International Version (NIV)

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Pastor's Ponderings, July 22, 2019

As Eternity Approaches, Let Us Rejoice

It’s Almost Midnight is a song sung by Bishop Richard White, which has some powerful lyrics. “It’s almost midnight; the cry is about to be made. Behold the bridegroom cometh, have you any oil, are you saved? It’s almost midnight; the master is on his way, He just might come tomorrow. He just might come today.”  This moving song points to the importance of preparing for Jesus Christ’s return to earth for those who love Him  

Many people are overly concerned about their self-esteem, prosperity, health, wealth, and their physical and mental well-being rather than where their soul will spend in eternity. In spite of our success or failure in life, we are given one time to die and after that there is the Judgment (Hebrews 9:27).  

However, God wants us to know that there is good news for us.  He advises us to seek Him and His kingdom first and everything that we need will be added to us (Matthew 6:33).  If we obey His word, He will bless us (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2).  If we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us our heart’s desires (Psalm 37:4).  

He further advises us to set our affection upon things in heaven rather than things on the earth which shall soon pass away (Colossians 3:1, 2). Finally, if we lose something earthly that we hold dear because of God, He will bless us a hundredfold in this life and give us eternal life after we leave this earth (Mark 10:29, 30).

God wants us to enjoy our life’s journey when we put our full faith, confidence, and trust in Him.  He will lead, guide, and protect us in this life and He will have His angels to keep us in all of our ways (Psalms 91:10, 11).  But most importantly, we must remember to keep our eyes on the heavenly prize in Christ Jesus so that we can rejoice before Him throughout eternity (Philippians 3:13b-14).

Hebrews 9:27
New International Version (NIV)

27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Matthew 6:33
New International Version (NIV)

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Deuteronomy 28:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)

1 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 

2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:

Psalm 37:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Colossians 3:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Mark 10:29, 30
New International Version (NIV)

29“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel
30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

Psalm 91:10, 11
New International Version (NIV)

10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

Philippians 3:13b, 14
New International Version (NIV)

13 …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.

Pastor's Ponderings, July 15, 2019

All Groups Become One In Christ

In the 1961 musical West Side Story, one of the classic songs was, “The Jet Song.”  Some of the lyrics were, “When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette to your last dyin’ day.” Much of today’s sentiments around political group identity seem to be gleaned from these divisive lyrics. Factions have dug in, battle lines have hardened, and former friends cannot even communicate across the vast wastelands of lies, obfuscations, deceptions, and slanted arguments.

Where does this conflict come from?  The Bible says that the infighting does not come from our external circumstances, but they originate in our inner sinful desires (James 4:1, 2).  We must turn our focus to God and away from this world system, which promotes ungodly desires. 

We have to remember that we are not of this or that group.  We are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we must continue to put away bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander and malice (Ephesians 4:31). We are in Christ and because God has already forgiven us, we turn from our various group differences and treat each other with kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). Today, we are no longer “Jets;” we are one in Christ.

James 4:1, 2
New International Version (NIV)

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.

2 Corinthians 5:17
New International Version (NIV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Ephesians 4:31, 32
New International Version (NIV)

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.