Sep 2009
The Master Carpenter
27/09/09 22:23
While Jesus was growing up in Nazareth, He became a
carpenter under the watchful eye of His father,
Joseph. Joseph was a carpenter by trade and there
isn’t any reason to think the Jesus grew up to
become otherwise. The gospel of Mark records that
while Jesus was in His own hometown (this is after He
began His ministry) the people took offense at Him
because of some of the things He was saying and
doing. They wondered where He got the wisdom that
they saw Him possess. “How could this be? He
was just a carpenter, we know His family?”
It really is neat that Jesus was a carpenter, because carpenters build things. Carpenters build houses. And this Master Carpenter is building God’s house, the Church and He is still at work today. Jesus told us that, “We need not let our hearts be troubled. Since we believed in God, we could believe in Him.” He went on to say that He was going back to Heaven to prepare a place for us and that one day He would be back to receive us back to Himself, so where He was, we would be also. Over the years many of us have believed that Jesus was up in Heaven just busy as a beaver planning and measuring, hammering and sawing and all around building a house for us to inhabit. But this is somewhat an error in thinking and can actually hinder the Christian’s growth into the things of God.
Yes, Jesus is up in Heaven, sitting at the Right hand of the Father and ever-living to make intercession for us. (Heb.7:25) but, He isn’t up there with a tool belt strapped around His waist and a hammer in His hand! In fact, the “carpentry” that He is doing isn’t being done in Heaven, it is being done here on earth. The cutting, the shaping, the forming, all of that is being done here and now. Remember that Peter told us that we are like living stones, being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us the same thing in other words: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
There is a little passage in 1Kings 6:7 that hints of what I am saying here. When Solomon built the Temple only blocks dressed at the quarry were used. No hammer, chisel, or any other iron tool could be heard at the Temple site, while it was being built. In other words, the stones were cut, shaped and formed where they were found. They were shaped to fit together with the other stones that would become one of the most magnificent buildings that ever existed. Solomon planned and prepared this Temple in Jerusalem and the stones and timbers were brought in as far away as Lebanon.
God is right now forming us and fashioning us to not only prepare us for our eternal dwelling with Him, but also to fit together with others who belong to this wonderful House. It is very necessary for us to allow Christ to “cut away,” to “set the plumb line,” to form us and fashion us now, where He has found us. He can use anyone, from anywhere and in any condition. He is the Master Carpenter who is right now, building His House, hewing out its pillars and preparing His table. Soon He will call from the highest point, “Come, all has been made ready. Blessed are all who are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!”
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
It really is neat that Jesus was a carpenter, because carpenters build things. Carpenters build houses. And this Master Carpenter is building God’s house, the Church and He is still at work today. Jesus told us that, “We need not let our hearts be troubled. Since we believed in God, we could believe in Him.” He went on to say that He was going back to Heaven to prepare a place for us and that one day He would be back to receive us back to Himself, so where He was, we would be also. Over the years many of us have believed that Jesus was up in Heaven just busy as a beaver planning and measuring, hammering and sawing and all around building a house for us to inhabit. But this is somewhat an error in thinking and can actually hinder the Christian’s growth into the things of God.
Yes, Jesus is up in Heaven, sitting at the Right hand of the Father and ever-living to make intercession for us. (Heb.7:25) but, He isn’t up there with a tool belt strapped around His waist and a hammer in His hand! In fact, the “carpentry” that He is doing isn’t being done in Heaven, it is being done here on earth. The cutting, the shaping, the forming, all of that is being done here and now. Remember that Peter told us that we are like living stones, being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us the same thing in other words: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22
There is a little passage in 1Kings 6:7 that hints of what I am saying here. When Solomon built the Temple only blocks dressed at the quarry were used. No hammer, chisel, or any other iron tool could be heard at the Temple site, while it was being built. In other words, the stones were cut, shaped and formed where they were found. They were shaped to fit together with the other stones that would become one of the most magnificent buildings that ever existed. Solomon planned and prepared this Temple in Jerusalem and the stones and timbers were brought in as far away as Lebanon.
God is right now forming us and fashioning us to not only prepare us for our eternal dwelling with Him, but also to fit together with others who belong to this wonderful House. It is very necessary for us to allow Christ to “cut away,” to “set the plumb line,” to form us and fashion us now, where He has found us. He can use anyone, from anywhere and in any condition. He is the Master Carpenter who is right now, building His House, hewing out its pillars and preparing His table. Soon He will call from the highest point, “Come, all has been made ready. Blessed are all who are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!”
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
|
PRE-FORGIVEN!
20/09/09 19:13
While getting the mail
the other morning and just glancing through the stack
of envelopes, there was one that caught my eye in
particular. It had written on the front in big, bold,
blue letters: “YOU’VE BEEN PRE-FORGIVEN
–Open to find out how.”
My first thought was that we had received material from some Christian ministry or something. Wrong. It was an advertisement from a major auto insurance company. They wanted to sell me their insurance! In other words; I could be forgiven at the right price! So, doesn’t that void their statement altogether? Don’t I have to pay before they will consider forgiving me?
I opened the letter just to see what they had to say. Good news, my insurance premiums will not go up even after my first accident. I would like to see the fine print on that clause. “Okay, we’ll give you one accident, but after that… you have to understand, we need to make money in order to stay in business.” I am so thankful that I was pre-forgiven, not just for my first sin, but all my sins!
Could you imagine if God said to you, “Okay, We’ll forgive that first offense but every offense after that, you are going to have to pay for.” If God came to me with that offer I’d say, “That’s bunk!” And then He would say, “Well, there’s your second offense.” The company tells me that if I join them they will forgive me before anything happens. Then they say parenthetically, “If only all of life were like that.” Go figure.
If I am wrong, somebody needs to correct me, but isn’t the idea of purchasing insurance to possess some financial assurance in case I have an accident? These folks are telling me that I’m going to get into one and I need to be with them because, well –they have already pre-forgiven me! Then there’s the MINOR VIOLATION FORGIVENESS. Give me a break! I would like to know what they consider minor. And what if I had more than one minor violation? Oh, they’ll forgive me for parking in a tow-away zone, but not if I park in a handicap zone. I can be forgiven at four miles an hour over the speed limit, but at five, I’m going to pay.
Finally, they try to get my business by offering, “On my side –rewards!” where I can customize my coverage to meet my particular needs. Wait a minute. I still have to pay for these customized coverages don’t I? Then, why are they telling me they are rewards?
You know what? Christianity still offers the best insurance policy. We have been forgiven since the foundations of the earth and not only has Jesus Christ forgiven the first sin, He has forgiven all sin, every one of them! He has forgiven the minor sins (those sins that you know you did yourself ) And those major sins, those same sins that you did –but this time it was somebody else. There is no premium to pay to get this forgiveness.
The premium has already been paid and besides, you and I couldn’t make enough money to even attempt to purchase this insurance. And that’s another thing; it’s not insurance that I’m looking for. I’m looking for assurance! Insurance guarantees me in case of loss, this makes me think that I’m okay for right now. Assurance let’s me know that I am forgiven –because I have already suffered loss. God’s plan for the salvation of man is perfect and the price was the life of His Son, Jesus. He paid the Premium and our account was settled long ago!
And the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin!
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
My first thought was that we had received material from some Christian ministry or something. Wrong. It was an advertisement from a major auto insurance company. They wanted to sell me their insurance! In other words; I could be forgiven at the right price! So, doesn’t that void their statement altogether? Don’t I have to pay before they will consider forgiving me?
I opened the letter just to see what they had to say. Good news, my insurance premiums will not go up even after my first accident. I would like to see the fine print on that clause. “Okay, we’ll give you one accident, but after that… you have to understand, we need to make money in order to stay in business.” I am so thankful that I was pre-forgiven, not just for my first sin, but all my sins!
Could you imagine if God said to you, “Okay, We’ll forgive that first offense but every offense after that, you are going to have to pay for.” If God came to me with that offer I’d say, “That’s bunk!” And then He would say, “Well, there’s your second offense.” The company tells me that if I join them they will forgive me before anything happens. Then they say parenthetically, “If only all of life were like that.” Go figure.
If I am wrong, somebody needs to correct me, but isn’t the idea of purchasing insurance to possess some financial assurance in case I have an accident? These folks are telling me that I’m going to get into one and I need to be with them because, well –they have already pre-forgiven me! Then there’s the MINOR VIOLATION FORGIVENESS. Give me a break! I would like to know what they consider minor. And what if I had more than one minor violation? Oh, they’ll forgive me for parking in a tow-away zone, but not if I park in a handicap zone. I can be forgiven at four miles an hour over the speed limit, but at five, I’m going to pay.
Finally, they try to get my business by offering, “On my side –rewards!” where I can customize my coverage to meet my particular needs. Wait a minute. I still have to pay for these customized coverages don’t I? Then, why are they telling me they are rewards?
You know what? Christianity still offers the best insurance policy. We have been forgiven since the foundations of the earth and not only has Jesus Christ forgiven the first sin, He has forgiven all sin, every one of them! He has forgiven the minor sins (those sins that you know you did yourself ) And those major sins, those same sins that you did –but this time it was somebody else. There is no premium to pay to get this forgiveness.
The premium has already been paid and besides, you and I couldn’t make enough money to even attempt to purchase this insurance. And that’s another thing; it’s not insurance that I’m looking for. I’m looking for assurance! Insurance guarantees me in case of loss, this makes me think that I’m okay for right now. Assurance let’s me know that I am forgiven –because I have already suffered loss. God’s plan for the salvation of man is perfect and the price was the life of His Son, Jesus. He paid the Premium and our account was settled long ago!
And the Blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin!
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
Psalm 23
13/09/09 18:18
The Lord recently
awakened me out of a deep sleep and the only thing
that was on my mind was David’s 23rd psalm. It
is a psalm of great confidence and assurance with the
last verse proclaiming David’s hope of dwelling
in the house of the Lord forever. I have had this
psalm memorized for years. And when I had my stroke
three years ago, this was the psalm that I continued
to try and quote in order to keep my mind and speech
in working order.
It wasn’t funny then, but I am sure that if we heard a tape of me trying to quote that psalm back then we would all have a pretty good laugh, mixed with tears, of course. Strokes are nothing to laugh about and I don’t mean to belittle them in anyway, but I do recall beginning the 23rd Psalm saying, “The Lord is my fishing boat…” then, “Therrr fisher umm Lrrrd is…” I rejoice in that His merciful Hand was upon me and I have fully recovered. So, you can see that when I awoke the other day trying to quote this same psalm and not getting it exactly right (as you will see) I was just a little concerned! Well, anyway, I got up grabbing pad and paper and went down stairs. The first couple of verses came right away, it was like God started me off.
The Lord may or may not be my Shepherd,
Therefore, I still in some ways want.
He suggests that I lie down in green pastures
And I simply refuse to be beside still waters
Does He really need to restore my soul?
I walk in paths of righteousness for my own reputation
Yea, though I walk through the valley of doubt and pain,
I will not fear, for it is the circumstances I’ll blame.
Where is the table that He is supposed to prepare for me?
And it is really money and false hopes that comfort me.
Thou sprinkle my head with oil, my cup is cracked and broken.
Surely goodness and mercy shall flee me all the days of my life,
And I shall stand outside of the house of the Lord forever.
I know what you’re thinking, “Man, that’s ugly!” And you are right. But that is exactly what life is like for those who hold to a postmodern philosophy. It would behoove each one of us to determine to live our lives above this sort of paradigm. Riches will prove worthless in the day of tribulation.
Christians can rise above their circumstances. And God says that He is able to save us completely when we come to Him through Jesus Christ. If God be for you –who then, can be against you? Everyone, at some time had lived in this world without God and without hope. But God, in His rich mercy, though we were dead in our sins, made us alive in Christ Jesus. In accordance with His great love for us, He has accepted us into the Beloved and we are now living with both God and hope. Let us take to heart the words of St. Paul, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
It wasn’t funny then, but I am sure that if we heard a tape of me trying to quote that psalm back then we would all have a pretty good laugh, mixed with tears, of course. Strokes are nothing to laugh about and I don’t mean to belittle them in anyway, but I do recall beginning the 23rd Psalm saying, “The Lord is my fishing boat…” then, “Therrr fisher umm Lrrrd is…” I rejoice in that His merciful Hand was upon me and I have fully recovered. So, you can see that when I awoke the other day trying to quote this same psalm and not getting it exactly right (as you will see) I was just a little concerned! Well, anyway, I got up grabbing pad and paper and went down stairs. The first couple of verses came right away, it was like God started me off.
The Lord may or may not be my Shepherd,
Therefore, I still in some ways want.
He suggests that I lie down in green pastures
And I simply refuse to be beside still waters
Does He really need to restore my soul?
I walk in paths of righteousness for my own reputation
Yea, though I walk through the valley of doubt and pain,
I will not fear, for it is the circumstances I’ll blame.
Where is the table that He is supposed to prepare for me?
And it is really money and false hopes that comfort me.
Thou sprinkle my head with oil, my cup is cracked and broken.
Surely goodness and mercy shall flee me all the days of my life,
And I shall stand outside of the house of the Lord forever.
I know what you’re thinking, “Man, that’s ugly!” And you are right. But that is exactly what life is like for those who hold to a postmodern philosophy. It would behoove each one of us to determine to live our lives above this sort of paradigm. Riches will prove worthless in the day of tribulation.
Christians can rise above their circumstances. And God says that He is able to save us completely when we come to Him through Jesus Christ. If God be for you –who then, can be against you? Everyone, at some time had lived in this world without God and without hope. But God, in His rich mercy, though we were dead in our sins, made us alive in Christ Jesus. In accordance with His great love for us, He has accepted us into the Beloved and we are now living with both God and hope. Let us take to heart the words of St. Paul, “Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
A Clean Garage
06/09/09 12:35
A clean garage means
the tools are in their place. Yes! Years ago I spent
a lot of time hanging tools and placing shelves in
just the right place. I needed to be able to know
where each tool was when I needed it. And after many
hours of painstaking planning and engineering, I
completed the workman’s garage. I was so proud
of myself. I was ready to take on any job; yes
sir-ree, no job was too big! I was ready because I
knew where my tools were!
But, soon after a number of small jobs, my garage was a mess and I couldn’t find a tool to save my life. Jobs take longer when you have to take time to look for the right tool. I can get very exasperated when I can’t find what I need for the job. I need to have a place for every tool and every tool in its place –or else I’m lost!
The advantages of having a clean garage are too numerous to list here but the number one thing is that of knowing that my tools are where they are suppose to be and that they are ready to be put to work.
Can you see where I am going here? We, as the body of Christ, are all tools in the Lord’s hand. Paul tells us that we are all the Body of Christ. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body…Now the body is not made up of one part but of many…But in fact God arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” 1Cor.12:12-18 Do you see the analogy?
God arranged the parts of the Body just as He wanted them to be just like I cleaned the garage and put the tools where I needed them to be. I know the analogy is a little rough, but you get the picture, don’t you? You see, God has each of us right where He wants us and we should be all the more careful to be where He has placed us. He has some of us in our prayer closets, some of us on the mission field and some of us evangelizing on the street corner.
We all should be ready for God to use us wherever He sees fit. When the Church is functioning, as she should be, God is able to get things done as He desires. But what happens when some of His “tools” aren’t where they’re supposed to be? What if some of His “tools” are out in the world when they are suppose to be in the Kingdom? How many opportunities are missed because God’s house is messier than my garage? I think God could get more things done in the world if He didn’t have to spend so much time cleaning His house!
Each of us is a part of His house; of His Body, and each of us is where He wants us to be. Then we grow and God places us here and He places us there. We meet this need and we take care of that responsibility, just as He directs us. And as we grow, we take on bigger jobs and more responsibilities. We serve as He leads. Our biggest responsibility is to make sure that our “house” is clean for when our Lord calls us to service.
Does He need you to pray? Maybe He needs for you to speak to your neighbor. Are you shining a good clear light? Is your salt nice and savory? It behooves every one us, no matter where God has us in the body, to be able to function in the liberty that an intimate walk with His Spirit offers. So let us throw off everything that hinders and the sine that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross –God’s Tool, for the salvation of all mankind!
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim
But, soon after a number of small jobs, my garage was a mess and I couldn’t find a tool to save my life. Jobs take longer when you have to take time to look for the right tool. I can get very exasperated when I can’t find what I need for the job. I need to have a place for every tool and every tool in its place –or else I’m lost!
The advantages of having a clean garage are too numerous to list here but the number one thing is that of knowing that my tools are where they are suppose to be and that they are ready to be put to work.
Can you see where I am going here? We, as the body of Christ, are all tools in the Lord’s hand. Paul tells us that we are all the Body of Christ. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body…Now the body is not made up of one part but of many…But in fact God arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” 1Cor.12:12-18 Do you see the analogy?
God arranged the parts of the Body just as He wanted them to be just like I cleaned the garage and put the tools where I needed them to be. I know the analogy is a little rough, but you get the picture, don’t you? You see, God has each of us right where He wants us and we should be all the more careful to be where He has placed us. He has some of us in our prayer closets, some of us on the mission field and some of us evangelizing on the street corner.
We all should be ready for God to use us wherever He sees fit. When the Church is functioning, as she should be, God is able to get things done as He desires. But what happens when some of His “tools” aren’t where they’re supposed to be? What if some of His “tools” are out in the world when they are suppose to be in the Kingdom? How many opportunities are missed because God’s house is messier than my garage? I think God could get more things done in the world if He didn’t have to spend so much time cleaning His house!
Each of us is a part of His house; of His Body, and each of us is where He wants us to be. Then we grow and God places us here and He places us there. We meet this need and we take care of that responsibility, just as He directs us. And as we grow, we take on bigger jobs and more responsibilities. We serve as He leads. Our biggest responsibility is to make sure that our “house” is clean for when our Lord calls us to service.
Does He need you to pray? Maybe He needs for you to speak to your neighbor. Are you shining a good clear light? Is your salt nice and savory? It behooves every one us, no matter where God has us in the body, to be able to function in the liberty that an intimate walk with His Spirit offers. So let us throw off everything that hinders and the sine that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross –God’s Tool, for the salvation of all mankind!
Have a God blessed week!
Pastor Jim