Sep 2011
Applying God’s Word
25/09/11 22:25
One of
the neatest inventions in recent history would be
(drum roll, please) the plastic water pipe! Yes sir,
invented just in time for you know who. I replumbed
my house back in 1981 from the well up; and it was a
blessing for me that the plastic water pipe was
available for all of us so called, do-it-yourselfers!
Working with galvanized steal or copper pipe takes more expertise than I have, so the plastic pipe sure did save me a lot of time and money. And despite what the “old-schoolers” said, the pipe has held up for thirty years just as well as the old stuff. Thank you, Jesus!
With the plastic pipe, all the plumber needed to do was measure, cut and glue. Did I say measure? I found out that measuring is an important step in the process. So, if you plan on any plumbing jobs – measure!
Another important step is the gluing of the pipe and fittings together. The pipe must be clean and free from all impurities, so you have to apply a pipe cleaning fluid. Then you wipe off the excess, apply the cement (glue) and bond the two pieces together. Nothing to it!
Now the thing about the gluing part; you have to read the directions, and this is important, you have to do what the directions say. If you don’t, you have leaky pipes. And, nobody wants leaky pipes! The directions for application are verily simple; (it’s not rocket science!) but the important thing is that you follow them. The manufacturer knows his product and was kind enough to write those directions right there on the back of the can of glue.
I wondered what it would have been like if they just gave you the stuff and expected you to figure out how to use it. “Apply liberally to both surfaces, after cleaning.” See, it’s not rocket science. I’ll bet you would think I was pretty silly if I had purchased the glue but never opened the can.
It would be even sillier if I had read all the directions and agreed that that was indeed how you apply the cement and… never opened the can! Think of the mess when I turned on the water! Pipes leaky, water everywhere and none of the faucets working; that’s the image of a man who didn’t apply the glue as the manufacturer directed.
You know that God’s Word is the “directions” for our lives and really, the “glue” that holds our lives together. It brings peace in the time of storms and comfort in the time of suffering. The Bible gives joy, for sorrow; direction for confusion; and faith for doubt and fear. It truly is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path; a Light that gives light. It is a love letter to the lonely and a map for the lost. It is seed for the sower and bread for the eater. It’s cleansing water for the soul and by It the soul is refreshed! Thank God for His Word. I thank God that He didn’t just plant us here on earth without directions!
Now, the thing to do here, (in keeping with our analogy) is to make sure that, we apply God’s Word! You would think we were pretty silly, if we said that we believed in God and wanted to go to heaven and yet, never applied His Word to our lives. James instructs us to not be mere hearers of the Word, but we should be doers of the Word.
What’s the point of saying we believe God knows best, if we never apply His Word to our lives? Brothers and Sisters let us search the Scriptures, for by them we shall inherit eternal life. But like Jesus told the Jews, “Those Scriptures pointed to Him,” and we should run to Him for Life.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
Working with galvanized steal or copper pipe takes more expertise than I have, so the plastic pipe sure did save me a lot of time and money. And despite what the “old-schoolers” said, the pipe has held up for thirty years just as well as the old stuff. Thank you, Jesus!
With the plastic pipe, all the plumber needed to do was measure, cut and glue. Did I say measure? I found out that measuring is an important step in the process. So, if you plan on any plumbing jobs – measure!
Another important step is the gluing of the pipe and fittings together. The pipe must be clean and free from all impurities, so you have to apply a pipe cleaning fluid. Then you wipe off the excess, apply the cement (glue) and bond the two pieces together. Nothing to it!
Now the thing about the gluing part; you have to read the directions, and this is important, you have to do what the directions say. If you don’t, you have leaky pipes. And, nobody wants leaky pipes! The directions for application are verily simple; (it’s not rocket science!) but the important thing is that you follow them. The manufacturer knows his product and was kind enough to write those directions right there on the back of the can of glue.
I wondered what it would have been like if they just gave you the stuff and expected you to figure out how to use it. “Apply liberally to both surfaces, after cleaning.” See, it’s not rocket science. I’ll bet you would think I was pretty silly if I had purchased the glue but never opened the can.
It would be even sillier if I had read all the directions and agreed that that was indeed how you apply the cement and… never opened the can! Think of the mess when I turned on the water! Pipes leaky, water everywhere and none of the faucets working; that’s the image of a man who didn’t apply the glue as the manufacturer directed.
You know that God’s Word is the “directions” for our lives and really, the “glue” that holds our lives together. It brings peace in the time of storms and comfort in the time of suffering. The Bible gives joy, for sorrow; direction for confusion; and faith for doubt and fear. It truly is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path; a Light that gives light. It is a love letter to the lonely and a map for the lost. It is seed for the sower and bread for the eater. It’s cleansing water for the soul and by It the soul is refreshed! Thank God for His Word. I thank God that He didn’t just plant us here on earth without directions!
Now, the thing to do here, (in keeping with our analogy) is to make sure that, we apply God’s Word! You would think we were pretty silly, if we said that we believed in God and wanted to go to heaven and yet, never applied His Word to our lives. James instructs us to not be mere hearers of the Word, but we should be doers of the Word.
What’s the point of saying we believe God knows best, if we never apply His Word to our lives? Brothers and Sisters let us search the Scriptures, for by them we shall inherit eternal life. But like Jesus told the Jews, “Those Scriptures pointed to Him,” and we should run to Him for Life.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
|
Offended People
18/09/11 08:10
I heard
that Tom Brady, of the New England Patriots, had
offended some folks with a statement that he made
during a news interview. The NFL was quick to
respond, trying to “spin” the star
quarterback’s words so that they didn’t
mean what the offended people thought they meant.
Have you noticed how much this sort of thing is in the news today? People are offended so easily by other’s statements; they demand apologies and retractions or sometimes, even more. I remember a few years back a radio talk show host lost his job because he spoke too racially for some people.
If a man who is given any kind of platform, he had better choose his words carefully, because somebody is going to be listening and they will be looking for any kind of infraction, no matter how small. Grant it, there are people who shouldn’t be given a public platform because of the trash that spews from between their lips. But what I have been witnessing here lately, is an attempt by the “word police” to bind anyone from saying anything contrary to their standards of right and wrong. I think it is the likely outcome from trying to be politically correct.
In other words, if one is given a platform, he had better speak his mind without offending anyone. This, my dear friends, is an impossibility; for no matter what one has to say about anything – he or she is bound to offend someone.
So, let’s look at who is being offended and by what. For instance, Jules Feiffer once said, “Christ died for our sins. Dare we make his martyrdom meaningless by not committing them?” This statement offends me. I am a Christian that understands the folly of such a statement and so, I ignore it and move on. (This is something some Christians in America could learn.)
What tickles me at times is the broadcasting of those folks who have been offended. I remember a while back, I was brought to task for something I had said and the way that I said it. I assumed responsibility, and apologized to the offended party. They turned and said, “I don’t accept your apology, you’re apologizing because you think I misunderstood you.” How do you respond to that? For that person, no matter what I said, they were going to be offended.
Jesus offended the Pharisees by what He said. I wonder if there were any in Jesus’ circle who thought He should have apologized to them? You know, if someone is offended by the truth, then so be it. I am not saying that we should go around trying to offend people with the truth, for that would be a wrong even against God. But folks, Jesus didn’t fail to speak the truth just because it may have offended some of His hearers.
Once His disciples brought it to His attention that He had indeed offended the Pharisees. Jesus response? “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them (the Pharisees); they are blind guides.” Matt.15:13,14
Every Christian should know that the gospel that has been entrusted to them to share with the world is an offense in itself – to the carnal mind. This is why Paul was speaking as he was in Galatians, when he exhorted them to not count on their ability to follow the law but to express their faith through love. (Galatians 5:4-12)
In that chapter, he reveals an offense intrinsic to the Cross. The world finds it terribly offensive when God tells them that they are dead and the only way to life is through the Cross of Christ. Paul goes on to say: “Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.” Galatians 6:12
Jesus has offended the world, and no matter how you look at it, so will His followers. So, if you have offended someone with the Truth, don’t allow the devil to steal your blessing, but trust yourself to God and know that He knows your heart!
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
Have you noticed how much this sort of thing is in the news today? People are offended so easily by other’s statements; they demand apologies and retractions or sometimes, even more. I remember a few years back a radio talk show host lost his job because he spoke too racially for some people.
If a man who is given any kind of platform, he had better choose his words carefully, because somebody is going to be listening and they will be looking for any kind of infraction, no matter how small. Grant it, there are people who shouldn’t be given a public platform because of the trash that spews from between their lips. But what I have been witnessing here lately, is an attempt by the “word police” to bind anyone from saying anything contrary to their standards of right and wrong. I think it is the likely outcome from trying to be politically correct.
In other words, if one is given a platform, he had better speak his mind without offending anyone. This, my dear friends, is an impossibility; for no matter what one has to say about anything – he or she is bound to offend someone.
So, let’s look at who is being offended and by what. For instance, Jules Feiffer once said, “Christ died for our sins. Dare we make his martyrdom meaningless by not committing them?” This statement offends me. I am a Christian that understands the folly of such a statement and so, I ignore it and move on. (This is something some Christians in America could learn.)
What tickles me at times is the broadcasting of those folks who have been offended. I remember a while back, I was brought to task for something I had said and the way that I said it. I assumed responsibility, and apologized to the offended party. They turned and said, “I don’t accept your apology, you’re apologizing because you think I misunderstood you.” How do you respond to that? For that person, no matter what I said, they were going to be offended.
Jesus offended the Pharisees by what He said. I wonder if there were any in Jesus’ circle who thought He should have apologized to them? You know, if someone is offended by the truth, then so be it. I am not saying that we should go around trying to offend people with the truth, for that would be a wrong even against God. But folks, Jesus didn’t fail to speak the truth just because it may have offended some of His hearers.
Once His disciples brought it to His attention that He had indeed offended the Pharisees. Jesus response? “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them (the Pharisees); they are blind guides.” Matt.15:13,14
Every Christian should know that the gospel that has been entrusted to them to share with the world is an offense in itself – to the carnal mind. This is why Paul was speaking as he was in Galatians, when he exhorted them to not count on their ability to follow the law but to express their faith through love. (Galatians 5:4-12)
In that chapter, he reveals an offense intrinsic to the Cross. The world finds it terribly offensive when God tells them that they are dead and the only way to life is through the Cross of Christ. Paul goes on to say: “Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the Cross of Christ.” Galatians 6:12
Jesus has offended the world, and no matter how you look at it, so will His followers. So, if you have offended someone with the Truth, don’t allow the devil to steal your blessing, but trust yourself to God and know that He knows your heart!
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
Remembering the Blood
11/09/11 09:13
I like to
catch a couple of segments of the headline news as I
start my day and I couldn’t help but notice the
patriotism the media is promoting on their coverage
of the tenth anniversary of the 9-11
tragedy
that befell us at the hands of terrorist.
I think it is important that we are reminded of such things and it does the heart good to memorialize those who gave their lives to respond first to those in need of help. There is something special about the person who sees a need, steps up and lends a hand, at whatever cost; in fact, these heroes usually do not consider the cost. And what I mean by that is, not that they haphazardly fling themselves into action, but they do not consider their lives so important as not to help.
That, to me, is a foundational character trait of any hero. What I fail to miss though, are the many heroes that I live amongst from day to day. Just because their heroic actions are never publicized doesn’t make it any less heroic. It could be that the man I recently passed on the sidewalk, or the woman at the store, or even possibly that teenager driving by on Main Street.
How could this be? Well, who knows if that man didn’t give a large donation to his hurting neighbor? Or maybe that woman is “sacrificing” her life to care for an elderly parent, or the teen, who just informed a friend’s parents of some dangerous activity on the part of his friend. He does it out of love, not fearing the backlash of ostracism.
Yet, after I think of all the heroes that I may have missed, there is One Hero that I am so thankful that I have gotten the privilege to know and remember and that is Jesus Christ. The Scriptures tell me that He left the glories of heaven to enter a sin polluted human race.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He gave up the riches of royalty, for a life of homelessness. He gave up the adoration of angels for the sneers and snide remarks of mankind. He helped, He healed; all the while He headed for the Cross, where He ultimately paid the greatest price to rescue my life. I am so amazed, as I survey my own life, that He thought it worth the cost. Thank You, Jesus, for giving your Life for mine.
This is where I would like to think back to those first responders on 9-11. I wonder if any of those fireman, paramedics, or police officers ever thought that just one person was not worth saving? No! A thousand times, no!
But what if one of those saved, some time later, committed some horrendous crime? What if one of those saved, began to really hate their life and thought back on their rescuer with spite? God forbid! I have even thought what others may think of the rescuer who may have saved a life that later might have committed some atrocity. It would be ludicrous for anyone to think, “Hey, why did you save that one?”
Yet, this is one thing that motivates me to live a life worthy of the Calling. I want others, when they see my life, think honorably of Jesus. I wouldn’t want anyone to see my life and think, “Boy, there’s one the Lord could have passed by!”
I wonder, do you think any of those who were rescued ever make an attempt to get with those who rescued them? You know, to just thank them all over again, let them know how their lives are going, things like that?
I think this is what Jesus meant for us to do when He instituted the sacrament of Communion. You know, take some time to reflect on the life that was saved and the Rescuer that saved! It behooves each one of us to remember the Blood that has purchased our lives. Thank You, Jesus!
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
I think it is important that we are reminded of such things and it does the heart good to memorialize those who gave their lives to respond first to those in need of help. There is something special about the person who sees a need, steps up and lends a hand, at whatever cost; in fact, these heroes usually do not consider the cost. And what I mean by that is, not that they haphazardly fling themselves into action, but they do not consider their lives so important as not to help.
That, to me, is a foundational character trait of any hero. What I fail to miss though, are the many heroes that I live amongst from day to day. Just because their heroic actions are never publicized doesn’t make it any less heroic. It could be that the man I recently passed on the sidewalk, or the woman at the store, or even possibly that teenager driving by on Main Street.
How could this be? Well, who knows if that man didn’t give a large donation to his hurting neighbor? Or maybe that woman is “sacrificing” her life to care for an elderly parent, or the teen, who just informed a friend’s parents of some dangerous activity on the part of his friend. He does it out of love, not fearing the backlash of ostracism.
Yet, after I think of all the heroes that I may have missed, there is One Hero that I am so thankful that I have gotten the privilege to know and remember and that is Jesus Christ. The Scriptures tell me that He left the glories of heaven to enter a sin polluted human race.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He gave up the riches of royalty, for a life of homelessness. He gave up the adoration of angels for the sneers and snide remarks of mankind. He helped, He healed; all the while He headed for the Cross, where He ultimately paid the greatest price to rescue my life. I am so amazed, as I survey my own life, that He thought it worth the cost. Thank You, Jesus, for giving your Life for mine.
This is where I would like to think back to those first responders on 9-11. I wonder if any of those fireman, paramedics, or police officers ever thought that just one person was not worth saving? No! A thousand times, no!
But what if one of those saved, some time later, committed some horrendous crime? What if one of those saved, began to really hate their life and thought back on their rescuer with spite? God forbid! I have even thought what others may think of the rescuer who may have saved a life that later might have committed some atrocity. It would be ludicrous for anyone to think, “Hey, why did you save that one?”
Yet, this is one thing that motivates me to live a life worthy of the Calling. I want others, when they see my life, think honorably of Jesus. I wouldn’t want anyone to see my life and think, “Boy, there’s one the Lord could have passed by!”
I wonder, do you think any of those who were rescued ever make an attempt to get with those who rescued them? You know, to just thank them all over again, let them know how their lives are going, things like that?
I think this is what Jesus meant for us to do when He instituted the sacrament of Communion. You know, take some time to reflect on the life that was saved and the Rescuer that saved! It behooves each one of us to remember the Blood that has purchased our lives. Thank You, Jesus!
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
Accepting Christ or Believing on Christ
04/09/11 20:13
Splitting
hairs? The definition of accepting is to receive with
affirmation. Yet, the definition for believe is to
have confidence in/to place one’s trust in.
These definitions, from the Funk
& Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary,
show the
closeness of the two word’s meanings.
So, in our normal, everyday conversations, I do not try to split hairs, by inquiring of what one means when they say, “I have accepted Christ.” I usually allow their life (the way they live) to define it for them. I accepted Christ over twenty-five years ago and throughout those years, I have learned that accepting Christ is just not enough – according to the definitions above.
I can believe that the Gospel is true, that Jesus Christ paid for my sins, died, was resurrected and is coming again. But have I placed my confidence in that belief? That is the question that is best answered by one’s life.
In the upcoming weeks we shall soon discover whether or not we are followers of Jesus, or just fans. To me, this is the difference between acceptance and belief. I was watching a show on T.V. the other day and a man was on the side of a deep rocky ravine with one of those old rope bridges that spanned the mighty gorge. His wife was on the other side urging him to cross the bridge to safety. He looked at the bridge and “accepted” that it was indeed a rope bridge and it was the only way across. He accepted that it was securely anchored to both ledges and he assumed that others had passed over it before him.
But, did he “believe” in the integrity of that bridge; that it would carry his weight, that the boards or rope were not dry-rotted? He began his trek across the feeble looking construction and was soon in the loving arms of his darling spouse! He had put his confidence in the bridge’s strength and by doing so, he showed that he did more than just accept the fact that, yes, that was a rope bridge and the only way across the gorge. He believed in that bridge!
So, what did I mean when I said earlier that just accepting Jesus Christ was not enough? Well, I could tell you that when I made that decision to receive Jesus into my heart, I had not yet put my confidence in Him.
I began little by little, trusting in His Word, to direct my life. Over the years I found that He was faithful and that the Bible explained what was originally very confusing for me – namely, life and all of its dire situations. When I would find myself in a predicament of choosing God’s way of doing things or my “old” way of doing things, more times then not, if I chose my “old” way, I got myself into more trouble. (Mind you, I still accepted Jesus and the Bible as true.)
Placing confidence in Jesus is an act of faith that increases faith; the more you believe and obey, the more confidence you have for the next time the situation calls for your faith to be tested. Its opposite is just as true; the more I revert back to my “old” ways the more I am only accepting that Jesus and the Bible are true. I think God wants us to put all our confidence in His Son! Without a doubt!
Do you remember the time Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee and ran into the man with the demon Legion? That demon accepted that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God! But the man that he possessed, not only accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, he also believed. The account tells us that after the man was set free, he asked Jesus if he could follow Him. Jesus told him, “No, but rather go home and tell everyone what God had done for you.”
Obviously he trusted Jesus because later we see that the people, who first pleaded with Jesus to leave the area, received him and even brought their infirmed for Him to heal. Do, you see the difference between just accepting and believing here? Because of one man’s testimony, more folks came to believe on Jesus Christ!
This is evidence that we aren’t just splitting hairs.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim
So, in our normal, everyday conversations, I do not try to split hairs, by inquiring of what one means when they say, “I have accepted Christ.” I usually allow their life (the way they live) to define it for them. I accepted Christ over twenty-five years ago and throughout those years, I have learned that accepting Christ is just not enough – according to the definitions above.
I can believe that the Gospel is true, that Jesus Christ paid for my sins, died, was resurrected and is coming again. But have I placed my confidence in that belief? That is the question that is best answered by one’s life.
In the upcoming weeks we shall soon discover whether or not we are followers of Jesus, or just fans. To me, this is the difference between acceptance and belief. I was watching a show on T.V. the other day and a man was on the side of a deep rocky ravine with one of those old rope bridges that spanned the mighty gorge. His wife was on the other side urging him to cross the bridge to safety. He looked at the bridge and “accepted” that it was indeed a rope bridge and it was the only way across. He accepted that it was securely anchored to both ledges and he assumed that others had passed over it before him.
But, did he “believe” in the integrity of that bridge; that it would carry his weight, that the boards or rope were not dry-rotted? He began his trek across the feeble looking construction and was soon in the loving arms of his darling spouse! He had put his confidence in the bridge’s strength and by doing so, he showed that he did more than just accept the fact that, yes, that was a rope bridge and the only way across the gorge. He believed in that bridge!
So, what did I mean when I said earlier that just accepting Jesus Christ was not enough? Well, I could tell you that when I made that decision to receive Jesus into my heart, I had not yet put my confidence in Him.
I began little by little, trusting in His Word, to direct my life. Over the years I found that He was faithful and that the Bible explained what was originally very confusing for me – namely, life and all of its dire situations. When I would find myself in a predicament of choosing God’s way of doing things or my “old” way of doing things, more times then not, if I chose my “old” way, I got myself into more trouble. (Mind you, I still accepted Jesus and the Bible as true.)
Placing confidence in Jesus is an act of faith that increases faith; the more you believe and obey, the more confidence you have for the next time the situation calls for your faith to be tested. Its opposite is just as true; the more I revert back to my “old” ways the more I am only accepting that Jesus and the Bible are true. I think God wants us to put all our confidence in His Son! Without a doubt!
Do you remember the time Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee and ran into the man with the demon Legion? That demon accepted that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God! But the man that he possessed, not only accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, he also believed. The account tells us that after the man was set free, he asked Jesus if he could follow Him. Jesus told him, “No, but rather go home and tell everyone what God had done for you.”
Obviously he trusted Jesus because later we see that the people, who first pleaded with Jesus to leave the area, received him and even brought their infirmed for Him to heal. Do, you see the difference between just accepting and believing here? Because of one man’s testimony, more folks came to believe on Jesus Christ!
This is evidence that we aren’t just splitting hairs.
Have a great week!
Pastor Jim