Pastor's Ponderings, August 1, 2016

We Are God’s Persons Of Interest

One of my favorite television shows was called Person of Interest, which focused on a former CIA agent who is hired by a billionaire to prevent impending violent crimes predicted by “the Machine.” 

The Machine was a mass-surveillance computer system, which identified people who could be a possible crime victim or wrongdoer.

While it is obviously was a fantasy, there are some familiar elements for those who love God.  There are the agents who willingly risk their lives in service of mankind.  They are obedient to every direction from this unseen entity without question and seek no personal reward other than knowing they did a good job.  Amazingly they get shot, stabbed, beat up, and get in major car accidents, but almost always manage to survive. One of the comments made early in the show was that everyone thought they were dead so they could be in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16, 18). 

Just like the billionaire and the gang of former killers, we are converted sinners sent into the world to work God’s work while we live (John 9:4).  Unlike the Machine of the television show, we have God living inside of us who directs us to intervene in other’s lives through prayer, healing, encouragement, giving, and other miraculous works to change lives for the better (Colossians 2:9). We believers are empowered and directed to cast out evil spirits and heal the sick when we lay our hands on them (Mark 16:17, 18).  Furthermore, as members of Christ’s body, we are to carry on His mission of winning those who don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ to a personal relationship with Him (Luke 19:10).

That television show has ended and no doubt the actors are auditioning for new acting roles, but those who love God must work until their day is done. We are to let His will be done in us as obedient children so that one day our Father will say that our work was done well and now we can live with Him forever. 

John 17:16, 18
New International Version (NIV)
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

John 9:4
New International Version (NIV)
4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

Colossians 2:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

Mark 16:17, 18
New International Version (NIV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Luke 19:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Pastor's Ponderings, July 25, 2016

We Can Trust God For His Protection

In March 2014, the world was transfixed on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 traveling from Malaysia to China, which had gone missing, and later pieces of the plane were found. Disturbingly, an article in the New York magazine, July 22, 2016 was entitled, “MH370 Pilot Flew a Suicide Route on His Home Simulator Closely Matching Final Flight inferring that the pilot himself had deliberately crashed the plane. Furthermore, an article in Aviation Service Magazine in December 2013 reported that since the mid-1970s, air-crash investigations discovered eight others in which intentional actions by a pilot or co-pilot to bring down an aircraft were either confirmed or suspected.

Although flying is the safest kind of transportation, Karen Clarke Sheard most accurately sings, “The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God.”  What is the will of God for your life?  Where does He want you to be and what does He want you to do? God wants us to stay in, settle ourselves in and live under His protection (Psalm 91:1, 3).  While terrorists of all stripes and all types of grievances are planning new and different type of terror inducing activities, we have to remember that God promises to cover us (Psalm 91:4).  He reminds us in the Bible that we are not to put trust in human beings (Psalm 118:8).

We must put our total trust in the One that can truly deliver, protect, and guide us during our lives. While, some may rely on their good luck charms, their own resources or other people to protect them in this increasingly uncertain world, those who love the Lord will make a far better choice.  They will totally rely on the One that is the source of everything (Psalm 20:7). Let us confidently trust God for our protection today.

Psalm 91:1, 3, 4
New International Version (NIV)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Psalm 118:8
New International Version (NIV)

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.

Psalm 20:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God

Pastor's Ponderings, July 18, 2016

It Is Time For Choosing God’s Wisdom

Our Congress has slipped to 11% approval ratings. The leading candidates for President have historically high unfavorable ratings, which would have cast them aside in the past. However, they are actually winning with the voting population. Alexander Mancel wrote, “Facts don’t matter when it comes to politics according to a new scientific study.” Is it possible that God is giving us the leaders that we wanted, but not what He wanted?  What happens when we have righteous leaders?  The Bible says the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2). 

In the Bible, the children of Israel wanted to be like every other nation and have an earthly king that they could see.  But they had been chosen by God to bring forth Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15). It was not enough for them to recognize God and His laws.  They wanted a king to lead them like all of the other nations.  God told His prophet Samuel that they were not rejecting him but they were rejecting the source of everything, God Himself (1 Chronicles 29:14, 1 Samuel 8:5-7).

Thank God for our political process, but I believe that God wants those who love the Lord to really pray that God would give us leaders who are concerned about God’s commandments and would lead us with knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15). If there ever was a time to pray for those in authority and that God would influence the heart of our leaders and give them His wisdom, I believe that time is now.

We desperately need God’s wisdom about choosing our leaders.  He said He would give it to us generously and would not blame us or rebuke us for asking Him (James 1:5).  Let us not forget to pray for God’s wisdom for leaders during this crucial time.

Proverbs 29:2
King James Version (KJV)

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

1 Timothy 6:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

1 Chronicles 29:14
New International Version (NIV)

14 … Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Samuel 8:5-7
New International Version (NIV)

5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.
7 And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

Jeremiah 3:15
New International Version (NIV)

15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

James 1:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)

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, July 11, 2016

Who Is On the Lord’s Side?

In the New York Times, July 9, 2016, Jack Healy and Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote, “people in interviews across the country … felt mired in bloodshed and blame, and … it was fracturing along racial and ideological lines into angry camps of liberals against conservatives, Black Lives Matter against Blue Lives Matter, protesters against the police. Whose side were you on? Which victims did you mourn?”

African American men were killed while being videotaped and police officers were slain during a peaceful protest.  All sides are declaring they have the moral high ground and that any opposing views are wrong.  Major differences have come into sharp relief. Those who love the Lord may find themselves in an emotional upheaval.  Who is wrong, who is right and what should we do next?

In the Bible, the children of Israel had just left Egypt after 400 years of slavery and decided to ignore God who had delivered them and they built a Golden Calf to worship.  When Moses who had been receiving the word from God came down from the mountain (Exodus 32:15, 16), he found them naked and partying.  He asked the simple question, “Who is on the Lord's side?” (Exodus 32:25, 26).

Our nation is wringing their hands and asking why and seeking a quick fix to our intractable problems.  People feel they are justified in doing what is right in their own eyes.  However, we must ask ourselves who is on God’s side?  Who is seeking the face of God in these trying times?  Our answer is not in endless panel discussions, self-serving negotiations, or new laws and regulations.

In the midst of this chaos, I believe God is reminding us that the solution is in Him.  If we would humble ourselves and pray and stop our evil ways and seek Him, He would hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our troubled land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  Let us turn to God and receive His divine wisdom.  We tried the rest, now let us try the best.

Exodus 32:15, 16
New International Version (NIV)

15 Moses turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back.
16 The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets

Exodus 32:25, 26

King James Version (KJV)
25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

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.