Pastor's Pondering, June 22, 2023

Let Us Follow God Rather Than Ourselves

 

Recently we were driving to Detroit and our GPS system suddenly announced that we were to immediately get off at the next exit.  Naturally I decided I knew more than the GPS system, so I continued driving on the highway.  As soon as we had gone past that exit, I realized that there was a huge traffic back up.  Obviously, the system knew more than I had known but then it directed me to get off at the next exit.  Humbled, I followed its leadings and only was a few minutes late to my destination.

 

How many times when we hear the leading of the Lord through circumstances, people, or an inner feeling have we decided that we know best and decided to follow our own understanding?  The  Bible clearly tells us not to follow our own way (Proverbs 3:6) but He will command His angels to guard you in our ways (Psalm 91:11 ).  There is a way that seems right, but it ends in separation from God (Proverbs 14:12).  He wants to be our director, guide, comforter, and keeper.  He really knows the paths of our lives and wants us to end up well (Jeremiah 29:11).  

 

God really cares for us and wants us to only go through those things that will help us.  Minister Herb Willis, a preacher in our church, recently brought an excellent message about the storms in life that God will send to perfect, protect, and correct us for our victory. Today let us resolve to trust Him with all our hearts and allow Him to take care of our life’s direction.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version

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

 

Psalm 91:11

New International Version

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

 

Proverbs 14:12

New International Version

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

 

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.

 

Pastor's Pondering, June 17, 2023

God Solves Our Problems

 

In the June 2023 BBC website, an article was written entitled, Ukraine war: Putin confirms first nuclear weapons moved to Belarus.  The article went on to say that “Russia's president told a forum they would only be used if Russia's territory or state was threatened.”  We just avoided a U.S. government shutdown which could have cost billions while our health is threatened by smoke from Canadian wildfires. Challenges just keep coming on all sides.

 

It is like when one runs from danger and another danger destroys him (Amos 5:19). It is the trick of the evil one to pull us away from God and to distract us so that we will not confess what He has promised us (Hebrews 10:22-23).  He promised that nothing that comes against will be successful (Isaiah 54:17). He promised to never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  He promised us deliverance in our lives (Daniel 3:17).

 

If the evil one can keep us focused on his distractions, his tricks, or his obstacles, we will not look to Jesus who began and perfects our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  We must remember that everything that is a problem in our lives has already been solved by God.  Let us let Him be our problem solver.

 

Amos 5:19

Amplified Bible

19 It is as if a man runs from a lion [escaping one danger], And a bear meets him [so he dies anyway], Or goes home, and leans with his hand against the wall And a snake bites him.

 

Hebrews 10:22-23

New International Version

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

 

Isaiah 54:17

New International Version

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.

 

Hebrews 13:5

New International Version

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.”

 

Daniel 3:17

New International Version

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

 

Hebrews 12:2

New International Version

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.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, June 10, 2023

We Are In God’s Royal Family

The problem of race and ethnic divisions in America permeates much of our political, economic, and social discussions.  “And a new Pew Research poll reflects that, with a majority of Americans — 60 percent — saying that the election of Donald Trump has led to worse race relations in the United States.” Formerly rational people are now reduced to screaming their positions and producing “more heat than light” when they are in discussions about race and ethnic divisions.

While man spends an inordinate amount of time looking at outward appearances, ethnic groups, or skin color, God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).   When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we became covered in Christ.  Those surface distinctions were incorporated under “you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:27-28).”   

Yes, there has been and continues to be hatred, ignorance, mistreatment and abuse. It comes from the place inside of us that has not been submitted to God. He instead would have us look to Him for our needs and not fight and quarrel with others (James 4:1, 2).   

Let us look to the future when those who love the Lord will all be gathered together in the New Heaven in our white robes washed in Jesus’ blood and praising God. We will not be discussing what divides us, but we will be focused on our Savior, Christ Jesus (Revelation 7:9, 10). Thank God, in spite of our divisions, we are His chosen people, His royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9)!

1 Samuel 16:7 
New International Version (NIV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Galatians 3:27-28
New International Version (NIV)

27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

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.

Revelation 7:9, 10
New International Version (NIV)

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

1 Peter 2:9
New International Version (NIV)

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

 

Pastor's Pondering, June 2, 2023

Through Him We Win

Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Crusade Choir sang, “Ninety-Nine and a Half.”  Some of the lyrics are, “Lord I'm runnin', tryin' to make a hundred, ninety-nine and a half won't do. On my knees every day, Lord please hear me when I pray. Please forgive me when I stumble, Lord, I wanna be in that number.”  Thank God that we don’t have to worry, be upset, or be anxious. It is no longer us trying to make it to heaven through our own efforts, but our simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and we are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

 

It is the trick of the evil one to get us to fret that we are not good enough to meet God’s standards. That is correct, we will never be good enough in our own strength.  But the Bible tells us that it is no longer ourselves, but that Christ lives inside of us (Galatians 2:20).  He is greater than any of our tendencies, habits, perversions, or sins.  He promises to forgive us and cleanse us from our disobedience when we tell Him about them and ask for His forgiveness.

 

Throughout the Bible we are told repeatedly to fear not. Our Father cares for us; we are worth so much to Him (Matthew 10:29, 31).  He does not want any to go into an eternity without Him; He is waiting for our invitation to Him into our life (2 Peter 3:9).  While many seem to have no regard for themselves, their fellow citizens, or God, we can take solace in knowing that God cares for us, loves us, and wants us to live with Him eternally (Ephesians 2:6).  He certainly wants us to win with Him.

 

Romans 10:9-10

New Life Version

9 If you say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved from the punishment of sin.

10 When we believe in our hearts, we are made right with God. We tell with our mouth how we were saved from the punishment of sin

 

Galatians 2:20

New Life Version

20 I have been put up on the cross to die with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I now live in this body, I live by putting my trust in the Son of God. He was the One Who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

Matthew 10:29, 31

New Life Version

29 Are not two small birds sold for a very small piece of money? And yet not one of the birds falls to the earth without your Father knowing it.
31 So do not be afraid. You are more important than many small birds.

 

2 Peter 3:9

New Life Version

9 The Lord is not slow about keeping His promise as some people think. He is waiting for you. The Lord does not want any person to be punished forever. He wants all people to be sorry for their sins and turn from 

them.

 

Ephesians 2:6

New Life Version

6 God raised us up from death when He raised up Christ Jesus. He has given us a place with Christ in the heavens.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, May 27, 2023

Our God Is Ready To Defend Us

 

Yuras Karmanau, in the May 25, 2023 Associated Press, wrote an article entitled, “Russia Signs Deal To Deploy Tactical Nuclear Weapons In Belarus.”  The article went on to say that it was, “a move widely seen as a warning to the West as it stepped up military support for Ukraine.”  A nuclear war would be horrible. Further, Aristos Georgiou also wrote an article in the September 14, 2022 Newsweek, entitled, “Nuclear War Simulator Shows What War With Russia Would Look Like.”  This article indicated, “A simulation shows how a nuclear war between Russia and NATO could potentially play out in a horrific scenario that would result in the deaths of millions of people around the world within hours.”

 

Satan is alive and wants mass destruction.  He comes to kill, steal, and to destroy (John 10:10a). Nevertheless, the Bible tells those who love the Lord that we are not to let our hearts be troubled (John 14:1). Despite the terror of nuclear war, the resultant number of deaths and rampant plagues, we are to set our minds on things above in the heavenly places rather than on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).  We are not to be conformed to the world’s fear of the future (Romans 12:2) but to look only to Jesus who helps our faith (Hebrews 12:2a).  

 

Those who love the Lord don’t have to fear nuclear bombs.  This is not to say that we will never have any destruction in our lives but our protection, peace, and power are in Him (Isaiah 41:10).  We can rest in His love, presence, and comfort.  He is the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  While the world runs away at the first sign of trouble, God promised that He will deliver us from all our troubles since He is a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).  

 

Let us not be afraid.  We don’t have to be afraid of the terror, the destruction, the plagues, or missiles (Psalm 91:5-7).  No weapon that is formed against those who love the Lord (Isaiah 54:17) shall be effective.  God stands ready to defeat our enemies and defend us.

 

John 10:10a

New International Version

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…

 

John 14:1

New International Version

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

 

Colossians 3:2

New International Version

2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 

Romans 12:2

New International Version

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

 

Hebrews 12:2a

Amplified Bible

2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], …

 

Isaiah 41:10

New International Version

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

Psalm 46:1 

New International Version

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

 

Psalm 91:5-7

New International Version

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,

but it will not come near you.

 

Isaiah 54:17

New International Version

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,”declares the Lord.

 

Pastor's Ponderings, April 14, 2023

Confused? Choose God’s Direction

 

Grace Hauck wrote an article in USA TODAY on April 10, 2023 entitled, 100 days into 2023, Louisville attack marks nation's 146th mass shooting and 15th mass killing.   Ryan Nobles, Kyle Stewart, Scott Wong and Rose Horowitch wrote an article in a March 29, 2023, ABC News website. The news article reported that Tim Burchett, a Republican from Tennessee, pronounced of school shootings: ‘We’re not gonna fix it.’

 

In the United States of America, an intense political battle rages for those who believe the Second Amendment of the Constitution gives everyone rights to carry all kinds of guns. Proponents on all sides of the argument believe they have the moral high ground.  Their angry voices seem to be a warning sign of future physical battles. 

 

But the Bible says that if any lack wisdom, let him ask of God who will give that wisdom (James 1:5).  Who is asking the Lord about the availability of guns? The Bible tells those who love the Lord to seek His face, turn from their ways and He will hear from heaven and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  

 

We have heard much from those who are knowledgeable, gifted, and wise in our land.  Now we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts and not lean to our own personal understanding (Proverbs 3:5). The Bible says that if we look to God in all our ways, He will direct our path (Proverbs 3:6). 

 

It seems easy when we are only listening to our own hearts about the way forward.  Let’s try God’s way.  When God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31).  God is waiting for us to trust Him alone.  Let us sincerely ask God for His wisdom and obey when we hear from Him. 

 

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.

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

New International Version

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.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version

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.

 

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?

 

Pastor's Ponderings, April 8, 2023

The Resurrection of Jesus Can Change Your Life

 

On April 7, 2023, we celebrated Good Friday when over 2000 years ago, Jesus went to the Cross for our sins.  He died and spent three days in the grave.  We look forward to Sunday, Resurrection Day when we celebrate His rising from the dead and declaring that all power is in His hands (Matthew 28:18).  Because of His pain and suffering on the Cross, we have the right to walk victoriously in life.

 

What does this mean for us?  Is His resurrection only useful for church sermons, feel good moments or does His life mean something for us in 2023?  For those who believe the Bible, He lived then but most importantly He lives now.  His death, burial and Resurrection was not simply a legend like the fables, mythology, and empty doctrines of the past, but He is a living God who lives in us (1 John 4:4). The leaders of other religions are still in their graves, but Jesus went into the grave, established His authority over the underworld and now lives through those who love Him (1 Corinthians 6:19).

 

Our mission today and every day is to tell everyone that the Resurrection weekend is real, is life-changing and Jesus wants to transform our lives for the better.  Since He is for us, He is more than the whole world against us (Romans 8:31).  Because of what He suffered we can face our todays and our tomorrows with hope, joy and peace knowing that the eternal God is real.  We can ask Him for anything in His will and He said that will do it for us (1 John 5:14-15).  Let us celebrate this time of blessings and tell others that He wants to do the same for everyone.

 

Matthew 28:18

New International Version

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

 

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.

 

1 Corinthians 6:19
New International Version

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

 

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?

 

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.