I am persuaded that so many of the things that trouble us would simply cease to be issues if we would learn to be people of thanksgiving. Not that problems aren't real; but being thankful for our blessings enables us to keep our troubles in proper perspective.
An old song of the Church has a great message along these lines:
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings, name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
I want you to know that I am not simply spouting theory. I have been walking with the Lord for 36 years, and I have encountered some significant storms during this time. I know, from experience, that we can dwell on the problems, the hurts and disappointments, and the discouragement will deepen: or, we can choose to recount all that the Lord has done for us, such as saving us from hell, meeting our needs on a daily basis, and preparing a place for us in His eternal Heaven, and the cares of life will seem to diminish in their weightiness.
It comes down to choices. We can praise or we can complain! One makes the burdens lighter while the other adds to our woes.
My encouragement? "In everything give thanks..."
God bless.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Faith And Raging Rivers
Recently, as I was preparing to preach, the Lord turned my thoughts to Joshua chapter 4. This is where we find the account of Israel finally crossing over the Jordan river to begin to lay claim to the land of promise.
A few things are worthy of note here:
First, a definite act of faith would be required if they were to realize the promise of God. Remember that the previous generation of Israelites had come to this same point, only to allow their lack of faith to defeat them. As a result, the wandered in the wilderness for 40 years!
Secondly, there will always be a challenge to our faith decisions! At the time that they were to cross over Jordan, the river was at flood tide! The waters were raging and swirling in what must have been a very intimidating fashion! They would not be able to wait until the water level subsided because God had called them to cross over at this particular time!
Thirdly, as the feet of the priests, who were carrying the Ark of the covenant, touched the waters, only then did the waters part! It is when we cast ourselves without reservation upon the Lord and commit to obedience to His commands, that we are positioned to see His glory show forth!
Our time is NOW! We must not continually relegate all plans to some uncertain future time! Even as I write these words I am persuaded that the Lord will take this message to someone who is standing on the banks of a raging river, knowing that the Lord is calling them to step in, yet the fear factor is hindering!
Please receive this: If the Lord has called you, He will sustain and provide n marvelous ways! Faith, true, Bible faith, will always carry us beyond our own abilities so that we may experience His divine activity in our behalf!
Be bold in the Lord and see His glory, as you bravely walk into the very thing that would hinder you from His best for your life!
God bless.
A few things are worthy of note here:
First, a definite act of faith would be required if they were to realize the promise of God. Remember that the previous generation of Israelites had come to this same point, only to allow their lack of faith to defeat them. As a result, the wandered in the wilderness for 40 years!
Secondly, there will always be a challenge to our faith decisions! At the time that they were to cross over Jordan, the river was at flood tide! The waters were raging and swirling in what must have been a very intimidating fashion! They would not be able to wait until the water level subsided because God had called them to cross over at this particular time!
Thirdly, as the feet of the priests, who were carrying the Ark of the covenant, touched the waters, only then did the waters part! It is when we cast ourselves without reservation upon the Lord and commit to obedience to His commands, that we are positioned to see His glory show forth!
Our time is NOW! We must not continually relegate all plans to some uncertain future time! Even as I write these words I am persuaded that the Lord will take this message to someone who is standing on the banks of a raging river, knowing that the Lord is calling them to step in, yet the fear factor is hindering!
Please receive this: If the Lord has called you, He will sustain and provide n marvelous ways! Faith, true, Bible faith, will always carry us beyond our own abilities so that we may experience His divine activity in our behalf!
Be bold in the Lord and see His glory, as you bravely walk into the very thing that would hinder you from His best for your life!
God bless.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Giving Thanks
1 Thess. 5:18 says that we are to "In everything give thanks...". This doesn't come naturally, we have to cultivate this mindset. Our tendency is to be happy in good times and to gripe and complain when things aren't going our way.
A Biblical world-view will help us to obey this Scriptural admonition. The Bible plainly tells us that we are pilgrims & sojourners here. We are not to become too attached to this world or it's ways. In fact, the Bible tells us that "all that is seen is temporal...".
If we will take hold of the truth that God has promised to work all things together for our eternal good, then we can give thanks, even if we do not understand what is going on. This is the essence of faith: Trusting God!
I want to encourage you to something that I did a few years ago; begin a "Thanksgiving Journal". Each day, take time to reflect upon the goodness of God, and ask Him to help you to see the reality of His working in your life. Or, as an old song says, "Count Your Blessings.".
You will soon find that, indeed, it is possible to "in everything give thanks.".
God bless.
A Biblical world-view will help us to obey this Scriptural admonition. The Bible plainly tells us that we are pilgrims & sojourners here. We are not to become too attached to this world or it's ways. In fact, the Bible tells us that "all that is seen is temporal...".
If we will take hold of the truth that God has promised to work all things together for our eternal good, then we can give thanks, even if we do not understand what is going on. This is the essence of faith: Trusting God!
I want to encourage you to something that I did a few years ago; begin a "Thanksgiving Journal". Each day, take time to reflect upon the goodness of God, and ask Him to help you to see the reality of His working in your life. Or, as an old song says, "Count Your Blessings.".
You will soon find that, indeed, it is possible to "in everything give thanks.".
God bless.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
At The Cross
I think that Christians need to live "near the cross". By that I mean that we ought never to forget the price that was paid for our redemption.
I have found in my personal walk with the Lord that as we live in the shadow of the cross we are able to see how terrible sin truly is. It is as we stray from the cross that sin becomes enticing, and we begin to rationalize that "maybe it's not really so bad" to indulge is things that are questionable.
We must remember that sin is what necessitated the need for Jesus, the pure Lamb of God, becoming a sin offering, shedding His life's blood, in order that we might have a hope of missing our just penalty of damnation, and being adopted into the family of God.
The cross is not just some "lucky charm" to ward off evil; nor is it simply a figure to adorn religious places: it is, rather, a symbol of the great love of God- a love so tremendous that He was compelled to take upon Himself the form of a servant and come to bear that old rugged cross up Calvary's slope, and there, to be crucified upon it as a sacrifice for our souls!
"Jesus, keep me near the cross..."
God bless.
I have found in my personal walk with the Lord that as we live in the shadow of the cross we are able to see how terrible sin truly is. It is as we stray from the cross that sin becomes enticing, and we begin to rationalize that "maybe it's not really so bad" to indulge is things that are questionable.
We must remember that sin is what necessitated the need for Jesus, the pure Lamb of God, becoming a sin offering, shedding His life's blood, in order that we might have a hope of missing our just penalty of damnation, and being adopted into the family of God.
The cross is not just some "lucky charm" to ward off evil; nor is it simply a figure to adorn religious places: it is, rather, a symbol of the great love of God- a love so tremendous that He was compelled to take upon Himself the form of a servant and come to bear that old rugged cross up Calvary's slope, and there, to be crucified upon it as a sacrifice for our souls!
"Jesus, keep me near the cross..."
God bless.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Crossing Over
I recently received the news that a dear lady, who had been a part of the congregation that I pastored for 15 years, had passed away. It seems that she died in her sleep, and was discovered by her son.
Every time that I hear an account such as this I am reminded that life is brief! We are here but for a season, then we cross over into eternity. And, this is an experience common to all of humanity.
This also causes me to reaffirm that, when all is said and done, there is but one thing that truly matters: Is my name inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life? Have I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior?
I am confident that this dear lady is now in the presence of the Lord. We will soon gather to pay respects and comfort the survivors, but there will be some there who will be gripped by a sense of finality and hopelessness.
The good news is, that because of Jesus Christ, we can extend a hope unto them that this separation need not be final! There can, and will, be a great reunion for all those who have embraced faith in the Lord, and who have been saved by His grace.
Funny how such words cease to be scoffed at in times such as this. I believe that this is because God has set eternity in the heart of man, and the passing of a loved one stirs up this reality.
How is it with your heart today? Do you know Him? Have you been born again?
If not, then why not today?
God bless.
Every time that I hear an account such as this I am reminded that life is brief! We are here but for a season, then we cross over into eternity. And, this is an experience common to all of humanity.
This also causes me to reaffirm that, when all is said and done, there is but one thing that truly matters: Is my name inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life? Have I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior?
I am confident that this dear lady is now in the presence of the Lord. We will soon gather to pay respects and comfort the survivors, but there will be some there who will be gripped by a sense of finality and hopelessness.
The good news is, that because of Jesus Christ, we can extend a hope unto them that this separation need not be final! There can, and will, be a great reunion for all those who have embraced faith in the Lord, and who have been saved by His grace.
Funny how such words cease to be scoffed at in times such as this. I believe that this is because God has set eternity in the heart of man, and the passing of a loved one stirs up this reality.
How is it with your heart today? Do you know Him? Have you been born again?
If not, then why not today?
God bless.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Seasons
As I look at of my back door this morning I can see trees in various stages of foliage loss. Just a few weeks ago all was a luscious green.
Here in Indiana the seasons can be striking in their diversity.
Life is much that way. We are told in the book of Ecclesiastes that there are seasons for different events of life: We are born, we die- and, in between, there are many different events that are common to most lives.
The important thing is that we always realize that God is n control! If we have truly yielded our lives in to His hands than He is watching over us regardless of the season! And, He has promised that all will ultimately work together for our eternal good.
Faith will trust in this and refuse to be swayed from steadfastness as we journey through the various seasons of life!
The great news is that we are rushing toward eternity, and once we make that great transition, it will be one continual season of righteousness, peace and joy in His unobstructed presence!
Until then, may we learn to enjoy the seasons with all of the diverse experiences that they bring our way.
God bless.
Here in Indiana the seasons can be striking in their diversity.
Life is much that way. We are told in the book of Ecclesiastes that there are seasons for different events of life: We are born, we die- and, in between, there are many different events that are common to most lives.
The important thing is that we always realize that God is n control! If we have truly yielded our lives in to His hands than He is watching over us regardless of the season! And, He has promised that all will ultimately work together for our eternal good.
Faith will trust in this and refuse to be swayed from steadfastness as we journey through the various seasons of life!
The great news is that we are rushing toward eternity, and once we make that great transition, it will be one continual season of righteousness, peace and joy in His unobstructed presence!
Until then, may we learn to enjoy the seasons with all of the diverse experiences that they bring our way.
God bless.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Between
Between the flu and traveling out of state, I haven't posted in a few days. But I lived through the flu, and I returned safely from the trip, so, I thought I'd try to get regular in posting again.
As I think about being "between", I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's statement to the Philippians about being in a "state betwixt two.". He had a desire to go to be with the Lord, but he knew that his course had not yet been completed, and that the church needed his teaching and encouragement.
Should not that be the sentiment of each one of us? We have our heart established in heaven, but there is a great work to be done here in this world.
I believe that this is the way in which the Lord would have us to live: Fully committed to the "Great Commission", yet longing for the trumpet of the Lord to herald His coming!
May His blessings overflow in your life as you pursue His purpose for your life.
God bless
As I think about being "between", I am reminded of the Apostle Paul's statement to the Philippians about being in a "state betwixt two.". He had a desire to go to be with the Lord, but he knew that his course had not yet been completed, and that the church needed his teaching and encouragement.
Should not that be the sentiment of each one of us? We have our heart established in heaven, but there is a great work to be done here in this world.
I believe that this is the way in which the Lord would have us to live: Fully committed to the "Great Commission", yet longing for the trumpet of the Lord to herald His coming!
May His blessings overflow in your life as you pursue His purpose for your life.
God bless
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