“Lord, Teach Us How To Pray”
This was the request by Jesus’ disciples before His death and resurrection. Jesus responded with what is best known as “The Lord’s Prayer”, a prayer that most of us (and even non-Christians) can recite from memory.
Matthew 6: 9-13KJV, as follows:
“Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us no into temptation, but deliver us from evil (or “the evil one”). For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever, and ever. Amen.”
Too often Christians over the centuries have believed this prayer must be prayed verbatim, almost as if its exact words were intended by Christ to be prayed repeatedly, just exactly as He spoke them, in order to invoke the power of God. However, our Lord did not instruct His disciples (or us) that we must pray His exact words In order to pray properly, or suggest that verbatim repetition of His words had some super-natural power or significance, in and of themselves. In fact, a closer look at the Scripture (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)very specifically quotes Jesus’ response as saying: “After, or in this manner,
pray . . .”.
Most modern translations now refer to this as “The Model Prayer”, recognizing that Jesus was giving us an outline or format for things we should always include in our prayers to the Father, not a mandatory word-for-word script. There is certainly nothing wrong with reciting the Lord’s Prayer verbatim, so long as you are not just speaking His words by rote, without thinking about 1: - who you are praying to, or 2:- the actual meaning and significance of the words you are praying.
I have found it very helpful to break this down into its’ key component elements:
(1) “Our Father who art in Heaven” – We are praying directly to our Heavenly Father who loves us. (2) “Hallowed Be Thy Name” – The name (names really) of God are powerful and Holy: “The Great I Am”, “Yahweh”, “The Creator”, “the Eternal God”, and the Great Provider of all good things we have and need. We should be in awe of the Living, All Powerful, All Knowing, Perfect,, Infinite, and Eternal God, to whom we are praying. (3) “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done on earth as it is in Heaven”. While God invites us to pray for our needs and the desires of or hearts, He wants us to always recognize, and desire, His Will above all else, even our most heartfelt wants and desires. (4) “Give us this day our daily bread” – asking God to provide for our essential needs, to provide the things we require each day in order to do His Will. (5) “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Forgiveness of each other is a command, not a request or an option. Since He gave His Son’s life (blood and body) to forgive us, we must forgive others. (See: Matt.6:14-15 if you doubt this). (6) …And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” I personally feel a better rendering is “help” or “empower” us to resisttemptation, since God never directly tempts anyone (that’s satan’s tactic).
By focusing on these key elements, you can use whatever words you feel best express these concepts and your needs and make you feel closer to our Father, and add whatever other things you wish to lift up to the Lord for His grace, mercy, healing, guidance, wisdom, and love, in your own words, and thoughts.
I encourage you to try this and see if it deepens your prayers, as it has mine, and keeps me more focused on who God is, and what He thinks is most important for us to pray.
God Bless,
John Adams
Friday, September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 27, 2018
"When God Is Silent"
Psalm 109:1 "Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!"
God's silence is one of the most powerful things you can ever experience. God's silence is deafening. God has been silent. For the 400 years leading up to the birth of Christ, God did not speak to man. That, in and of itself, screams at me. Silence is powerful and often speaks volumes. Silence can be a spiritual discipline. God asks us to be quiet, to be still, and in doing so, to know Him.
There is a reason the words peace and quiet are used together. Abortion is graphically described as the "silent scream". At the end of the 31st chapter of Job, it says "The words of Job are ended"... and he had a lot to say. Let me share a story from one of my study bibles. "During World War II, a young Jewish girl in the Warsaw ghetto of Poland managed to escape and hide in a cave. Tragically, she died shortly before the Allied Army liberated the prisoners. But before she died, she scratched some very powerful words on the wall, "I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when not feeling it. And I believe in God even when he is silent."
Her last statement comes very close to describing the kind of challenges Job faced and we sometimes face today. When hearing no word from God, Job, endured his most incredible suffering. Silence is a prominent theme in the book of Job. Job had nothing left to say. His three friends were finally silent too... and God was silent. Just like the Psalmist feared. Just like we should fear. Sometimes in the silence, we can learn so much.
Quietly,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 109:1 "Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!"
God's silence is one of the most powerful things you can ever experience. God's silence is deafening. God has been silent. For the 400 years leading up to the birth of Christ, God did not speak to man. That, in and of itself, screams at me. Silence is powerful and often speaks volumes. Silence can be a spiritual discipline. God asks us to be quiet, to be still, and in doing so, to know Him.
There is a reason the words peace and quiet are used together. Abortion is graphically described as the "silent scream". At the end of the 31st chapter of Job, it says "The words of Job are ended"... and he had a lot to say. Let me share a story from one of my study bibles. "During World War II, a young Jewish girl in the Warsaw ghetto of Poland managed to escape and hide in a cave. Tragically, she died shortly before the Allied Army liberated the prisoners. But before she died, she scratched some very powerful words on the wall, "I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when not feeling it. And I believe in God even when he is silent."
Her last statement comes very close to describing the kind of challenges Job faced and we sometimes face today. When hearing no word from God, Job, endured his most incredible suffering. Silence is a prominent theme in the book of Job. Job had nothing left to say. His three friends were finally silent too... and God was silent. Just like the Psalmist feared. Just like we should fear. Sometimes in the silence, we can learn so much.
Quietly,
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
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Tuesday, September 25, 2018
If you wait for Me, I will renew your strength.
by www.365promises.com
Isaiah 40:31 (WEB)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.
When we think of waiting, whether it is waiting in a car for a friend, waiting in a doctor's office for an appointment, or waiting in a check out line, we might tend to think of waiting as being a time of inactivity or passivity. After all, while we are waiting, we aren't actually doing anything... or are we?
When we wait for somebody or something, we are actually in a posture of submission to somebody or something. For example, if you are waiting in a car for a friend, you have positioned yourself to be vulnerable to however long your friend takes to come into the car. When you are waiting in a doctor's office, you have given the doctor and his/her staff the power to choose who is next in line for their appointment.
While we may see waiting as inactive, it is actually the opposite in many cases. For me, a self-described 'type A personality', waiting can be very difficult at times. The longer I wait, the more I begin to scream on the inside for something to happen! For me, waiting isn't passive or inactive, waiting is one of the most active things I can do.
In today's promise, we read that if we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. When we choose to humble ourselves before Almighty God and acknowledge that it is His will and direction that we are looking for, we are positioning ourselves to wait for Him to give us the guidance we are looking for. When we wait on Him, we are honoring Him and choosing not to 'lean to our own understanding' as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Waiting on the Lord is one of the most active things we can do. It can be difficult at times because we are not in control of when and where God will move. We simply wait for Him to do what He wants to do, but the promise that we have today is that when we wait for Him, He will be faithful to renew our strength!
by www.365promises.com
Isaiah 40:31 (WEB)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.
When we think of waiting, whether it is waiting in a car for a friend, waiting in a doctor's office for an appointment, or waiting in a check out line, we might tend to think of waiting as being a time of inactivity or passivity. After all, while we are waiting, we aren't actually doing anything... or are we?
When we wait for somebody or something, we are actually in a posture of submission to somebody or something. For example, if you are waiting in a car for a friend, you have positioned yourself to be vulnerable to however long your friend takes to come into the car. When you are waiting in a doctor's office, you have given the doctor and his/her staff the power to choose who is next in line for their appointment.
While we may see waiting as inactive, it is actually the opposite in many cases. For me, a self-described 'type A personality', waiting can be very difficult at times. The longer I wait, the more I begin to scream on the inside for something to happen! For me, waiting isn't passive or inactive, waiting is one of the most active things I can do.
In today's promise, we read that if we wait on the Lord, He will renew our strength. When we choose to humble ourselves before Almighty God and acknowledge that it is His will and direction that we are looking for, we are positioning ourselves to wait for Him to give us the guidance we are looking for. When we wait on Him, we are honoring Him and choosing not to 'lean to our own understanding' as mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Waiting on the Lord is one of the most active things we can do. It can be difficult at times because we are not in control of when and where God will move. We simply wait for Him to do what He wants to do, but the promise that we have today is that when we wait for Him, He will be faithful to renew our strength!
Friday, September 21, 2018
“When I Say I Am A Christian, I am saying what?”
It’s that time again when I’m responsible for weekend Council duties, which means it’s my time to share a devotional for Friday and other duties on Sunday. It just so happens that what I am about to share simply fell in my lap, so to speak, as often seems to be the case when it’s my time. So, while watching the news, I’m browsing through one of the many stacks of catalogs that I’ve received, (yes, I’m a catalog shopper), and the following happened upon me. I thought at the time that this would be a perfect message to share for my next devotional. For those of you who will be reading this, I’m sure you’ve said, rather heartfelt and emphatically, countless times that you are “a Christian”. What that means to you and how others might perceive what it means, can be quite different. So, I’ll share the following, which was inscribed on a plaque that I found quite interesting. The editing, with correct punctuation, and the Scripture verses are my only addition. For every verse I found, which I thought spoke to the message, there’d be hundreds more, for which you are encouraged to research on your own. I hope when I say that “I am a Christian”, the world sees that I am exemplifying Christ, our Lord.
“WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN” PLAQUE
When I say I am a Christian, I’m not shouting I’ve been saved! I’m whispering, I get lost sometimes. That’s why I choose this way. (1) Luke 19:10; When I say I am a Christian, I don’t speak with human pride. I’m confessing that I stumble, needing God to be my guide. (2) Psalm 56:13; When I say I am a Christian, I’m not trying to be strong. I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on. (3) Phil.4:13; When I say I am a Christian, I’m not bragging of success. I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot pay the debt. (4) James 2:5; When I say I am a Christian, I don’t think I know it all. I submit to my confusion, asking humbly to be taught. (5) Hebrews 12:11; When I say I am a Christian, I’m not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are all too visible, but God believes I’m worth it. (6) 2Cor 3:5; When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartache. That’s why I seek God’s name. (7) John 8:12; When I say I am a Christian, I do not wish to judge. I have no authority. I only know I’m loved. (8) Romans:5-8.
(1) For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10; (2) For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God in the Light of Life. Psalm 56:13; (3) I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13; (4) Listen my dear brothers and sisters; Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom He promised those who love Him. James 2:5; (5) For by the grace given me I say to every one of you, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3; (6) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2Cor 3:5; (7) When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world…” John 8:12; (8) But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
Have a very blessings-filled weekend and week to follow. We invite and welcome you to join us Sundays at Grace Harbor for Adult Bible Study at 9:00 a.m., where the Book of James (Chapter 5) is currently the study, and Sunday Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.
Love In Him, Charlotte Adams
Thursday, September 20, 2018
"Beneficial Renderings"
Psalm 116:12 "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?"
We should all answer this question. I know it has convicted me today. As for David, he shares some of his benefits before this verse and what he will render after this verse. He speaks of God's grace, compassion, preservation, rescue, comfort, and strength to name a few. I know these in my life also. As for His response, he says he will do the following.
Call on the Lord's name
Lift up the cup of salvation
Pay his vows to the Lord
Be the Lord's servant
Offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
Praise the Lord
Consider your benefits today and plan a response. If you are having a hard time with words, use David's. After all, he was after God's own heart, and shouldn't we be? Of course. Praise the Lord! (That one was easy, now on to the rest of the list.)
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 116:12 "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me?"
We should all answer this question. I know it has convicted me today. As for David, he shares some of his benefits before this verse and what he will render after this verse. He speaks of God's grace, compassion, preservation, rescue, comfort, and strength to name a few. I know these in my life also. As for His response, he says he will do the following.
Call on the Lord's name
Lift up the cup of salvation
Pay his vows to the Lord
Be the Lord's servant
Offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
Praise the Lord
Consider your benefits today and plan a response. If you are having a hard time with words, use David's. After all, he was after God's own heart, and shouldn't we be? Of course. Praise the Lord! (That one was easy, now on to the rest of the list.)
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
"Lest We Offend Them"
Matthew 17:27
"Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
If you really want to make trouble, start by coming between anybody and their money or their right to it. Here in Matthew and also in a number of passages Jesus is being "set up" by the powers that be, trying to trap Him into breaking the Law. Jesus decides to miraculously pay the "temple tax" in order to settle the foolish matter. Knowing a little bit about the heart of man, the corruption of legalism and the way evil systems function... I am surprised that coin from the mouth of the fish wasn't taxed, or a bribe offered, or a claim from the rightful owner of the coin filed.
Whether it is the government, the community, the business, the family, the church or an individual, when it comes to the ownership or right to money, there can be trouble. Nevertheless, as Jesus said, when possible, do not offend over money. The love of it is a root of trouble.
So glad He owns it all. He has paid for me and you, so we do not need to trouble so much over money. But we do. God, I pray you make us better stewards of Your resources.
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Matthew 17:27
"Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you."
If you really want to make trouble, start by coming between anybody and their money or their right to it. Here in Matthew and also in a number of passages Jesus is being "set up" by the powers that be, trying to trap Him into breaking the Law. Jesus decides to miraculously pay the "temple tax" in order to settle the foolish matter. Knowing a little bit about the heart of man, the corruption of legalism and the way evil systems function... I am surprised that coin from the mouth of the fish wasn't taxed, or a bribe offered, or a claim from the rightful owner of the coin filed.
Whether it is the government, the community, the business, the family, the church or an individual, when it comes to the ownership or right to money, there can be trouble. Nevertheless, as Jesus said, when possible, do not offend over money. The love of it is a root of trouble.
So glad He owns it all. He has paid for me and you, so we do not need to trouble so much over money. But we do. God, I pray you make us better stewards of Your resources.
In His Service,
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
"Firstfruits"
Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."
• Don't have stuff that can't honor Him.
• Give to God and His work first before you spend it all.
• Be honest with yourself about your giving, tithing, and generosity. Like you know that God knows what you do with your resources.
• Plenty is about needs, not wants.
• Overflow is more to share, not more to spend on yourself.
• There is a joy in new wine that is refreshing in a way we do not give enough to appreciate.
• Be accountable to God.
Honor the LORD with all you have and are.
Convicted, join me... Pastor Fred
Proverbs 3:9-10
"Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."
• Don't have stuff that can't honor Him.
• Give to God and His work first before you spend it all.
• Be honest with yourself about your giving, tithing, and generosity. Like you know that God knows what you do with your resources.
• Plenty is about needs, not wants.
• Overflow is more to share, not more to spend on yourself.
• There is a joy in new wine that is refreshing in a way we do not give enough to appreciate.
• Be accountable to God.
Honor the LORD with all you have and are.
Convicted, join me... Pastor Fred
Monday, September 17, 2018
"Not Losing Heart"
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day-by-day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
I must keep reminding myself that I do not see things from God's perspective as much as I know I should. My afflictions are lighter than I make them. God has a plan and I am part of it. These temporary distractions are just that. Temporary and tempting, and distracting, not at all what I should focus on. In the eternal picture, I can wait on the Lord. I can trust His Word. I can keep on praying. I can celebrate today. I am blessed to be a blessing, being renewed as I go.
In His Grip,
Pastor Fred
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day-by-day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
I must keep reminding myself that I do not see things from God's perspective as much as I know I should. My afflictions are lighter than I make them. God has a plan and I am part of it. These temporary distractions are just that. Temporary and tempting, and distracting, not at all what I should focus on. In the eternal picture, I can wait on the Lord. I can trust His Word. I can keep on praying. I can celebrate today. I am blessed to be a blessing, being renewed as I go.
In His Grip,
Pastor Fred
Friday, September 14, 2018
“I Will Remember”
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:20-23, NIV
These last few weeks for me have been very busy, but when Tuesday, September 11th came I took time to remember all those who we lost and loved and the families that were left behind.
Every time this part of the year comes around I feel anger, bitterness, and sorrow but then I remember that God has this all in His control for He will never fail us.
I also remember how the Country embraced God at that horrific time in our history, but it all seems to have faded away that as long as there is no crisis going on then there is no need for God.
I know that without Him in my everyday life and struggles I would not be able to do everything that needs to be done. If I make a mistake which I will, I can remember that tomorrow starts a new day.
Always remember that God is your hope, He has compassion and He will always be faithful to you even when we may not.
In His love always
Vicky Tucker
I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:20-23, NIV
These last few weeks for me have been very busy, but when Tuesday, September 11th came I took time to remember all those who we lost and loved and the families that were left behind.
Every time this part of the year comes around I feel anger, bitterness, and sorrow but then I remember that God has this all in His control for He will never fail us.
I also remember how the Country embraced God at that horrific time in our history, but it all seems to have faded away that as long as there is no crisis going on then there is no need for God.
I know that without Him in my everyday life and struggles I would not be able to do everything that needs to be done. If I make a mistake which I will, I can remember that tomorrow starts a new day.
Always remember that God is your hope, He has compassion and He will always be faithful to you even when we may not.
In His love always
Vicky Tucker
Thursday, September 13, 2018
| "Many Things And Me" Luke 10:38-42 "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.' And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Oh my, need to hear this today. There is a time to serve and a time to be served. A time to just listen to His Word intently. A time not to complain. Not easy to order our priorities. Serving is sometimes a distraction from Him. Oh, l get it. I know there have been times when l was so distracted by "many things". Too many things. Oh Lord, help me with this. Help me not to miss the "good parts". Help me not to be a distraction from the "good parts" with my excessive serving. Help me serve you by not serving. Help me be more aware of what you are doing and not so aware of what I think I need to do. In His Service, Pastor Fred |
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
"Living By The Spirit"
Roman's 8:12-13 "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
All true believers in Jesus Christ have the Spirit of God living in them. That doesn't mean that we automatically do what brings life. We each still have a fleshly nature we can choose to follow, and choosing to live according to that nature leads to death. We also can be living according to the flesh even when we are trying to do what is right, if we are seeking to obey God in our own strength.
Only depending on the Spirit of God living in us to put to death the deeds of our bodies, gives us the strength that leads to life. Living by the flesh leads to death. Living by the Spirit preserves our lives. We sometimes die slowly spiritually, not just physically. We must constantly ask ourselves if we are living by the Spirit or not. If we need to ask too often, we may already know. I use the words "In Him" often as a good reminder of this.
In Him,
Pastor Fred
All true believers in Jesus Christ have the Spirit of God living in them. That doesn't mean that we automatically do what brings life. We each still have a fleshly nature we can choose to follow, and choosing to live according to that nature leads to death. We also can be living according to the flesh even when we are trying to do what is right, if we are seeking to obey God in our own strength.
Only depending on the Spirit of God living in us to put to death the deeds of our bodies, gives us the strength that leads to life. Living by the flesh leads to death. Living by the Spirit preserves our lives. We sometimes die slowly spiritually, not just physically. We must constantly ask ourselves if we are living by the Spirit or not. If we need to ask too often, we may already know. I use the words "In Him" often as a good reminder of this.
In Him,
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
In "Exile"
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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
These are familiar verses to many of us, but in light of the construction and work happening at Grace Harbor I think they are particularly poignant. First the context of these verses. The instruction was given to those in exile from their home, in a strange place. What is stranger than worship center in the parking lot?? Sometimes I feel like we are in "exile".
Prior to these verses the prophet declaring the word the Lord had given him told them:
1. Keep up business as usual- marry, plant crops etc. - we need to keep up God's work- it is not on hold just because the building is.
2. Don't listen to negativity- this is not from God.
3. Even though it seems like a long time (70 years in their case) he WILL restore them again.
After this he gives them the verses above - He has plans to make them prosper even in exile.
I am looking forward to all the prosperity- I hope you are.
In Him
Angie Wahl
Jeremiah 29:11-13
These are familiar verses to many of us, but in light of the construction and work happening at Grace Harbor I think they are particularly poignant. First the context of these verses. The instruction was given to those in exile from their home, in a strange place. What is stranger than worship center in the parking lot?? Sometimes I feel like we are in "exile".
Prior to these verses the prophet declaring the word the Lord had given him told them:
1. Keep up business as usual- marry, plant crops etc. - we need to keep up God's work- it is not on hold just because the building is.
2. Don't listen to negativity- this is not from God.
3. Even though it seems like a long time (70 years in their case) he WILL restore them again.
After this he gives them the verses above - He has plans to make them prosper even in exile.
I am looking forward to all the prosperity- I hope you are.
In Him
Angie Wahl
Friday, September 7, 2018
"Perplexed By Jesus"
Luke 9:7-9
"Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him, and he was perplexed, because it had been said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. Herod said, 'John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?' So he sought to see Him."
Herod's arrogance, self-absorption, and evilness drips from his words. Luke's sharing of this connective passage of scripture nestled between the sending out of the Apostles with power and authority and the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 is curiously overlooked. Lots of such verses are overlooked because they do not contain doctrine or teaching. Yet, as it is with all scripture it is rich with illustration and is the truth.
So, what can we glean from this? Herod has no idea who Jesus is. He also totally underestimates Christ's power and authority. Many people today still do the same thing. They write off Jesus or mock His claims. Remember, the Herods have been doing everything feasible, including killing babies to keep a Messiah from interrupting their reign. It does not end well for them. Resisting God or blowing off His relevance does not deal with the ultimate truth. You can behead as many as you possibly can and the gospel will not be deterred. Herod or anybody else throughout all history, have all died and all those today will too. Yet God reigns forever.
Do not be dismayed by blowhards, despots, dictators or the notoriously famous or powerful. They all and we all will answer to God, one way or the other. He will judge and every knee will bow. Don't take my word for it, read His Word. God is Who He says He is. Period. So join me in putting all the naysayers and "know it alls" in perspective. God is sovereign, trusting that gives me tremendous peace.
Pastor Fred
"Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him, and he was perplexed, because it had been said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen. Herod said, 'John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?' So he sought to see Him."
Herod's arrogance, self-absorption, and evilness drips from his words. Luke's sharing of this connective passage of scripture nestled between the sending out of the Apostles with power and authority and the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 is curiously overlooked. Lots of such verses are overlooked because they do not contain doctrine or teaching. Yet, as it is with all scripture it is rich with illustration and is the truth.
So, what can we glean from this? Herod has no idea who Jesus is. He also totally underestimates Christ's power and authority. Many people today still do the same thing. They write off Jesus or mock His claims. Remember, the Herods have been doing everything feasible, including killing babies to keep a Messiah from interrupting their reign. It does not end well for them. Resisting God or blowing off His relevance does not deal with the ultimate truth. You can behead as many as you possibly can and the gospel will not be deterred. Herod or anybody else throughout all history, have all died and all those today will too. Yet God reigns forever.
Do not be dismayed by blowhards, despots, dictators or the notoriously famous or powerful. They all and we all will answer to God, one way or the other. He will judge and every knee will bow. Don't take my word for it, read His Word. God is Who He says He is. Period. So join me in putting all the naysayers and "know it alls" in perspective. God is sovereign, trusting that gives me tremendous peace.
Pastor Fred
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
"To You O Lord"
Psalm 101:1 "I will sing of mercy and justice; To you, O Lord, I will sing praises."
Today I will sing praises to The LORD. I will sing of His mercy and His justice. Indeed, He is merciful and just. Only He is worthy of such praise. He is perfectly just and merciful. We can aspire to be merciful and just, but we will come up short. Our fallenness and our old sin nature tempt us to be unjust and merciless. We succumb to our weaknesses to rush to judgement and withhold mercy. We lack the love and wisdom to be both merciful and just.
We are inclined too often to think the worst or to blindly trust, making us susceptible to being fooled or being self-righteous. God cannot be fooled nor can He be self-righteous. He is righteous and all-wise. So we praise Him, seek Him and need Him desperately in all assessments. We should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things stalled be added unto us. (Matthew 16:33). Lord, lead me in Your ways. Help me be wise, just and merciful.
In His Word,
Pastor Fred
Psalm 101:1 "I will sing of mercy and justice; To you, O Lord, I will sing praises."
Today I will sing praises to The LORD. I will sing of His mercy and His justice. Indeed, He is merciful and just. Only He is worthy of such praise. He is perfectly just and merciful. We can aspire to be merciful and just, but we will come up short. Our fallenness and our old sin nature tempt us to be unjust and merciless. We succumb to our weaknesses to rush to judgement and withhold mercy. We lack the love and wisdom to be both merciful and just.
We are inclined too often to think the worst or to blindly trust, making us susceptible to being fooled or being self-righteous. God cannot be fooled nor can He be self-righteous. He is righteous and all-wise. So we praise Him, seek Him and need Him desperately in all assessments. We should seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things stalled be added unto us. (Matthew 16:33). Lord, lead me in Your ways. Help me be wise, just and merciful.
In His Word,
Pastor Fred
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
"Biblical Similes"
Isaiah 18:4 "For so the Lord said to me, I will take my rest, and I will look from my dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
To answer the rhetorical question of the worship song, "Who is like the Lord? Uh, nobody. God's perspective is above and beyond all others. He has a perfect view, literally. When He steps back from His work, He sees it like it is. He knows and understands what He sees. His similes are perfect illustrations. God is sovereign over the affairs of history and is never caught off guard by what takes place. God's people can take comfort in a world marked by chaos and turmoil by trusting in the God Who is seated above it all. When He looks down it is totally clear; like the heat of sunshine and completely calming; like the low-lying dew in harvest. He doesn't break a sweat or need to squint. Eyes wide open and cool as can be He sees it all. These are perfect similes like every Word out of the mouth of God. God speaks more often than we listen or hear. Shhhh... can you see what He sees?
In His Word,
Pastor Fred
Isaiah 18:4 "For so the Lord said to me, I will take my rest, and I will look from my dwelling place like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
To answer the rhetorical question of the worship song, "Who is like the Lord? Uh, nobody. God's perspective is above and beyond all others. He has a perfect view, literally. When He steps back from His work, He sees it like it is. He knows and understands what He sees. His similes are perfect illustrations. God is sovereign over the affairs of history and is never caught off guard by what takes place. God's people can take comfort in a world marked by chaos and turmoil by trusting in the God Who is seated above it all. When He looks down it is totally clear; like the heat of sunshine and completely calming; like the low-lying dew in harvest. He doesn't break a sweat or need to squint. Eyes wide open and cool as can be He sees it all. These are perfect similes like every Word out of the mouth of God. God speaks more often than we listen or hear. Shhhh... can you see what He sees?
In His Word,
Pastor Fred
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