Ability
The first requisite for success is the ability to apply your physical and mental energies to one problem incessantly without growing weary.
Thomas A. Edison 1847-1931, American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Founder of GE
Isa 40:28-31
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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. KJV
I think of all the tasks that men are destined to do; waiting is the one which causes most men, the most problems. We are, it seems, in quite a hurry, and sometimes for no reason at all, a speeding ticket can testify for most. But sometimes God, puts us in a holding pattern, and that one can be most frustrating for us all. The unceasing whys and what for questions that we assail God with while He, I feel, looks upon us with a quiet smile, waiting for the reaction to our circumstances.
I have always liked the poem by Norman Macleod; Courage brother, do not stumble, though thy path be dark as night: There is a star to guide the humble, Trust in God, and do the right. Let the road be dark and dreary and its end far out of sight. Face it bravely, strong or weary. Trust in God, and do the right.
I have a thought for you. If you are not weary, you have not been working, and if you have not been working, you have not accomplished anything. Well, we all have a task, a job that God has designed into our makeup that we should be busy doing, but sometimes on the way to the goal, He has us to stand still and listen. Sometimes it is because we have been doing things in our strength instead of His that causes us this period of stillness. But sometimes it is because He really wants us to concentrate and focus on Him while He strengthens us for what He has in front of us.
Waiting though is tough, it is hard on us because we can’t see ahead, but it is not hard on God. He has designed all of these things for us so that we can grow, and waiting is a part of that plan. We must develop a quiet trust, a confidence in who our God is, so we will not grow weary in waiting, or in doing, we must place our full confidence in who God is and what He, not we, can do. His strength will keep yours and my battery charged for the goal ahead…if we but just trust and obey…God Bless.
Pastor William
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
A Faithful Smile
Appreciation
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
Joseph Addison 1672-1719, British Essayist, Poet, Statesman
Ps 89:15-17
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, And by Your favor our horn is exalted. NASU
What is a smile? It is confidence and it is faith, it comes from a place of comfort and security, it comes from God Himself. Our faith should show the world that we have an unwavering and safe refuge. Faith can begin with a simple smile that makes a statement to our own soul. Listen to Ps 42:11, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Now how did the psalmist describe God? He described Him as the help of his countenance. So, are you having trouble smiling these days, maybe you need to have a little talk with Him who can lift your countenance and put the Joy of The Lord back into your heart, so it can show on your face. He is also confessing that he cannot smile without Him. Have you ever thought that you could really smile without Him? Probably so, but you found that kind of faithless smile goes quickly away, didn’t you.
George Eliot, British Novelist said this of smiling, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.” What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other?" You see a smile is something that is tangible, it has a value that is underestimated in our churches, and in our Christian fellowship. I have many times over heard the comments of someone who would tell of the impact the smiles of others had on their lives.
St. Thomas Aquinas said this of faith, “Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand,” now a smile has a lot to do with this kind of faith. Listen to the psalmist repeat again in Ps 43:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
You see a smile is saying so much more than you thought, a smile is hope, confidence, faith and a great trust and love for your Father. He has never let you down and He never will, go to Him right now and let Him lift your countenance, you haven’t lost your smile at all, its right under your nose, you just forgot who put it there…God Bless.
Pastor William
What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.
Joseph Addison 1672-1719, British Essayist, Poet, Statesman
Ps 89:15-17
How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, And by Your favor our horn is exalted. NASU
What is a smile? It is confidence and it is faith, it comes from a place of comfort and security, it comes from God Himself. Our faith should show the world that we have an unwavering and safe refuge. Faith can begin with a simple smile that makes a statement to our own soul. Listen to Ps 42:11, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Now how did the psalmist describe God? He described Him as the help of his countenance. So, are you having trouble smiling these days, maybe you need to have a little talk with Him who can lift your countenance and put the Joy of The Lord back into your heart, so it can show on your face. He is also confessing that he cannot smile without Him. Have you ever thought that you could really smile without Him? Probably so, but you found that kind of faithless smile goes quickly away, didn’t you.
George Eliot, British Novelist said this of smiling, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles.” What do we live for if not to make the world less difficult for each other?" You see a smile is something that is tangible, it has a value that is underestimated in our churches, and in our Christian fellowship. I have many times over heard the comments of someone who would tell of the impact the smiles of others had on their lives.
St. Thomas Aquinas said this of faith, “Faith has to do with things that are not seen, and hope with things that are not in hand,” now a smile has a lot to do with this kind of faith. Listen to the psalmist repeat again in Ps 43:5, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
You see a smile is saying so much more than you thought, a smile is hope, confidence, faith and a great trust and love for your Father. He has never let you down and He never will, go to Him right now and let Him lift your countenance, you haven’t lost your smile at all, its right under your nose, you just forgot who put it there…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thinking Long Term
Age and Aging
Old age is not a matter for sorrow. It is matter for thanks if we have left our work done behind us.
Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher, Author
Ps 92:10-15
But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes, my ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me. The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NASU
When you look back at your life one day, what will you see? How will you feel about your life? Will it be a feeling of satisfaction, or regret, or will you feel like you gave it your all, will you long to wish to relive some part of it? In Isaiah 46:3-4, God speaks to us today, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Now these words speak to us all today, young and old. They speak to the younger because of the necessity for them to see into the future, and to be rewarded for their lives. It speaks to the older because it reassures them that the life that has been well spent in search for God, will be remembered when the gray hairs begin to show, when the world might say their lives are washed up and over.
God says of the person that has invested their lives in the Courts of their God that they shall still flourish and remain green, and be, and I like this part, full of “sap.” That is that they are still full of life, they are still supple and tender and soft and able to grow and be relevant to the world with the Word of God.
What does God say that the grey haired will be doing? He says, they will be declaring from a life of faith that the Lord, He alone is God that He, and He alone was the Rock on which they stood that none could wash away. They will be declaring to their families and their world that the Lord God is trustworthy and that He is the one and only God able to save and preserve life. That He is Pure and Holy and the one and only true and Living God.
And when you look back will you thank Him for the victories and the scars, the battles and the blessings? Only if you have lived for Him will you have this faith and feel this reassurance, no regrets, only Praise and Glory to God…God Bless.
Pastor William
Old age is not a matter for sorrow. It is matter for thanks if we have left our work done behind us.
Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher, Author
Ps 92:10-15
But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. And my eye has looked exultantly upon my foes, my ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me. The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree; He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NASU
When you look back at your life one day, what will you see? How will you feel about your life? Will it be a feeling of satisfaction, or regret, or will you feel like you gave it your all, will you long to wish to relive some part of it? In Isaiah 46:3-4, God speaks to us today, “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Now these words speak to us all today, young and old. They speak to the younger because of the necessity for them to see into the future, and to be rewarded for their lives. It speaks to the older because it reassures them that the life that has been well spent in search for God, will be remembered when the gray hairs begin to show, when the world might say their lives are washed up and over.
God says of the person that has invested their lives in the Courts of their God that they shall still flourish and remain green, and be, and I like this part, full of “sap.” That is that they are still full of life, they are still supple and tender and soft and able to grow and be relevant to the world with the Word of God.
What does God say that the grey haired will be doing? He says, they will be declaring from a life of faith that the Lord, He alone is God that He, and He alone was the Rock on which they stood that none could wash away. They will be declaring to their families and their world that the Lord God is trustworthy and that He is the one and only God able to save and preserve life. That He is Pure and Holy and the one and only true and Living God.
And when you look back will you thank Him for the victories and the scars, the battles and the blessings? Only if you have lived for Him will you have this faith and feel this reassurance, no regrets, only Praise and Glory to God…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
A Godly Attitude
Attitude
I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
Charles Swindoll, American Pastor, Author
Phil 3:13-16
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. NASU
Jules Ellinger, the mother of the current Queen of Great Britain, said this of courage, “Success is never final and failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. I guess you could say a lot of that spirit resides in her daughter. She also said this, “A statue has never been erected to the memory of one who let well enough alone.” I like her attitude, for I think that it is important for us not to be led into a homogenized society, but to be different, and equal.
The attitude that we carry within, as Swindoll has said, really determines our future. Paul, says to us in Philippians that we should have an attitude created within us by the upward call of God “in Christ Jesus.” Now what is that, and how do you and I attain this attitude of the perfect. Did you just hear what I said? It is an attitude that is held only by the perfect.
Your next question is how can I ever be perfect, how can I ever attain this attitude? By accepting the grace and healing perfection that Christ Jesus has put on our lives. Romans 8:1-2 tells us therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death, and again in Romans 13:14, Paul tells us “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
We must identify who we are in our lives at this moment as being hidden in God and protected by the blood of Christ. We must have this different attitude to be able to survive the onslaught of Satan against the Children of God. If we do not then we will try to face him (Satan) in our own righteousness, which can only lead to destructive consequences in our lives, in Christ we are complete…God Bless.
Pastor William
I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitudes are right, there is no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
Charles Swindoll, American Pastor, Author
Phil 3:13-16
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. NASU
Jules Ellinger, the mother of the current Queen of Great Britain, said this of courage, “Success is never final and failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. I guess you could say a lot of that spirit resides in her daughter. She also said this, “A statue has never been erected to the memory of one who let well enough alone.” I like her attitude, for I think that it is important for us not to be led into a homogenized society, but to be different, and equal.
The attitude that we carry within, as Swindoll has said, really determines our future. Paul, says to us in Philippians that we should have an attitude created within us by the upward call of God “in Christ Jesus.” Now what is that, and how do you and I attain this attitude of the perfect. Did you just hear what I said? It is an attitude that is held only by the perfect.
Your next question is how can I ever be perfect, how can I ever attain this attitude? By accepting the grace and healing perfection that Christ Jesus has put on our lives. Romans 8:1-2 tells us therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death, and again in Romans 13:14, Paul tells us “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
We must identify who we are in our lives at this moment as being hidden in God and protected by the blood of Christ. We must have this different attitude to be able to survive the onslaught of Satan against the Children of God. If we do not then we will try to face him (Satan) in our own righteousness, which can only lead to destructive consequences in our lives, in Christ we are complete…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Righteous Cause
Causes
The humblest citizen of all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of Error.
William Jennings Bryan, 1860-1925, American Lawyer, Politician
Proverbs 28:12-14
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. NASU
A hardened heart is a dangerous thing, and furthermore it is the road to sure calamity. Error is a problem of men, but it is not a real problem unless someone attempts to clothe their error with truth, or to use the righteousness of God to cover their sin. That sounds serious and many would say that it doesn’t happen that much, but I would say in some small ways it happens everyday, when we justify our actions by saying to ourselves that “God understands.”
In the category of “Concealed Transgressions” the God understands excuse is a major one, but there are larger ones used by those that try to justify a cause or struggle by condemnation, and deceitful practices. Those that go to this extent have lost all moral ground upon which they might have been able to stand.
Who is their greatest enemy? God, Himself, He says in His Word that they will not prosper. Error is imperfection and the actions of men, no matter how smart they think they are, if not led by God, will not prosper. What really gets men into these depths of deceit, and causes them to lose all godliness and respect is fear. They are afraid that someone will expose them or find error with them, so…the result is a hardening of the spiritual arteries of the heart, a deadly heart disease.
What is the only cure for this kind of heart? It is confession, or repentance and then forsaking their cause and surrendering to Gods direction. Heywood Broun was fond of saying that men are “Blind” in their own cause, and I would say that happens many times. There are times when some do not fight for a cause, they fight to get their way, and if that is the center of the cause, they will fail. John W. Scoville, put it this way, “No cause is helpless if it is just. Errors, no matter how popular, carry the seeds of their own destruction.
What is a basic fact of life is truth will always come out, truth will defend itself, but error is covered by lies. God will always defend the righteous, and His judgment is in His time, God will always raise up a standard for someone to carry, His righteousness will prevail…God Bless.
Pastor William
The humblest citizen of all the land when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of Error.
William Jennings Bryan, 1860-1925, American Lawyer, Politician
Proverbs 28:12-14
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. NASU
A hardened heart is a dangerous thing, and furthermore it is the road to sure calamity. Error is a problem of men, but it is not a real problem unless someone attempts to clothe their error with truth, or to use the righteousness of God to cover their sin. That sounds serious and many would say that it doesn’t happen that much, but I would say in some small ways it happens everyday, when we justify our actions by saying to ourselves that “God understands.”
In the category of “Concealed Transgressions” the God understands excuse is a major one, but there are larger ones used by those that try to justify a cause or struggle by condemnation, and deceitful practices. Those that go to this extent have lost all moral ground upon which they might have been able to stand.
Who is their greatest enemy? God, Himself, He says in His Word that they will not prosper. Error is imperfection and the actions of men, no matter how smart they think they are, if not led by God, will not prosper. What really gets men into these depths of deceit, and causes them to lose all godliness and respect is fear. They are afraid that someone will expose them or find error with them, so…the result is a hardening of the spiritual arteries of the heart, a deadly heart disease.
What is the only cure for this kind of heart? It is confession, or repentance and then forsaking their cause and surrendering to Gods direction. Heywood Broun was fond of saying that men are “Blind” in their own cause, and I would say that happens many times. There are times when some do not fight for a cause, they fight to get their way, and if that is the center of the cause, they will fail. John W. Scoville, put it this way, “No cause is helpless if it is just. Errors, no matter how popular, carry the seeds of their own destruction.
What is a basic fact of life is truth will always come out, truth will defend itself, but error is covered by lies. God will always defend the righteous, and His judgment is in His time, God will always raise up a standard for someone to carry, His righteousness will prevail…God Bless.
Pastor William
Friday, February 22, 2008
Are You Hungry
Desire
A man must earnestly want.
William Frederick Book
Ps 73:25-28
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. NASU
St. Augustine, Bishop and Theologian who lived from 354-430 A.D., spoke of desire in this way. “Thy desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.” What is desire? It is an earnest want. Can you remember the last time you really desired something, and pursued it until you obtained it? It may have been your wife or husband, or a home, but you desired to obtain it and would not be satisfied until it was yours.
Robert Collier an American Writer, and Publisher, says that very few persons, comparatively, know how to Desire with sufficient intensity. They do not know what it is to feel and manifest that intense, eager, longing, craving, insistent, demanding, ravenous Desire which is akin to the persistent, insistent, ardent, overwhelming desire of the drowning man for a breath of air; of the shipwrecked or desert-lost man for a drink of water; of the famished man for bread and meat…
We must be careful to direct our desire, and the only safe way is to feed and grow our desire for our Lord. Asaph, was a leader of the Levitical Choir when David was King and he was a theologian that expressed his desires and devotion to God through song, it must have been wonderful to hear. He says to his God, whom have I in heaven, but you, and my desire is wholly devoted to you, this earth holds nothing that I want, I will trust in Thee.
Now that is “Desire,” it is a desire for God that is like that of a drowning man seeking a breath of air. Have you ever been there? Of course you have, it is a desire that will not be denied, and that will be fulfilled at all costs. Why, because without it you could not live. Ok, now you get a little glimpse of the desire that we must have to get all of God that we can get. It is a hunger that will not go away, a growling stomach that must be fed, and if you will seek Him thus, you will find Him, The Living and True God. As Ps 42:1-2 says, as the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; … God Bless.
Pastor William
A man must earnestly want.
William Frederick Book
Ps 73:25-28
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For, behold, those who are far from You will perish; You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You. But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works. NASU
St. Augustine, Bishop and Theologian who lived from 354-430 A.D., spoke of desire in this way. “Thy desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer.” What is desire? It is an earnest want. Can you remember the last time you really desired something, and pursued it until you obtained it? It may have been your wife or husband, or a home, but you desired to obtain it and would not be satisfied until it was yours.
Robert Collier an American Writer, and Publisher, says that very few persons, comparatively, know how to Desire with sufficient intensity. They do not know what it is to feel and manifest that intense, eager, longing, craving, insistent, demanding, ravenous Desire which is akin to the persistent, insistent, ardent, overwhelming desire of the drowning man for a breath of air; of the shipwrecked or desert-lost man for a drink of water; of the famished man for bread and meat…
We must be careful to direct our desire, and the only safe way is to feed and grow our desire for our Lord. Asaph, was a leader of the Levitical Choir when David was King and he was a theologian that expressed his desires and devotion to God through song, it must have been wonderful to hear. He says to his God, whom have I in heaven, but you, and my desire is wholly devoted to you, this earth holds nothing that I want, I will trust in Thee.
Now that is “Desire,” it is a desire for God that is like that of a drowning man seeking a breath of air. Have you ever been there? Of course you have, it is a desire that will not be denied, and that will be fulfilled at all costs. Why, because without it you could not live. Ok, now you get a little glimpse of the desire that we must have to get all of God that we can get. It is a hunger that will not go away, a growling stomach that must be fed, and if you will seek Him thus, you will find Him, The Living and True God. As Ps 42:1-2 says, as the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; … God Bless.
Pastor William
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Righteous Sinnners
Sin
The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.
Oscar Wilde 1856-1900, British Author, Wit
Rom 3:21-24
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; NASU
What is sin? Sin, I’ve heard some say it is an acronym for Self Inflicted Nonsense, now that’s a pretty good definition. John Bunyan a British author from the 1600’s was fond of saying that one leak will sink a ship, one sin will destroy a sinner. What point am I trying to get to today? It is this; so many Christians forget where they come from. We were all at one time the worst of sinners.
Oscar Wilde reminds us this morning that we as blessed saints of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, also have a past. That past was forgiven and we cannot begin to judge others after we have been so graciously forgiven. All of us to some degree or the other have participated in Self Inflicted Nonsense, but for some reason the memory of our nonsense can disappear after a while. Now that is good in one sense, in that we are forgiven and the penalty of those things has been taken away, but we should never forget what we would be, if left to our own devices,.
We have absolutely, NO righteousness manifested in us by our actions or by our complete obedience to what God asks us to do, we, you and I, will always miss something, therefore it takes just one sin, just one leak in our self-righteous ship to sink us, and it will sink us forever. Therefore, we, you and I, have only one hope, and His Name is Jesus. The only righteousness you and I can claim, comes from our knowledge and acceptance of His Grace, free and eternal.
So what is it that causes us to forget our sinful state? It is pride, and a judgmental spirit. We stop at some point in our transformation into the image of Christ and look at someone and say, I am higher, better or more wise than someone else. When we do that then we immediately lose the Grace of Christ, because we have decided to condemn someone else for their sins, while we want to claim the forgiveness of Christ for ourselves. This is a major problem in many “so called” churches. They will look at others with a pitiful look and say, “you just don’t understand.”
Well, I’m with those that don’t understand. I don’t understand why He died for me or why He chose to redeem me. I don’t understand why He suffered and died for me, but, I know that He did, and I know that He loves me and others around me. I know that Christ decided not to condemn me, but to forgive me, and I think that is an attitude that I must continually hold, to stand before my God. Blaise Pascal, a Religious Philosopher once said this of us, “There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous...God Bless.
The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.
Oscar Wilde 1856-1900, British Author, Wit
Rom 3:21-24
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; NASU
What is sin? Sin, I’ve heard some say it is an acronym for Self Inflicted Nonsense, now that’s a pretty good definition. John Bunyan a British author from the 1600’s was fond of saying that one leak will sink a ship, one sin will destroy a sinner. What point am I trying to get to today? It is this; so many Christians forget where they come from. We were all at one time the worst of sinners.
Oscar Wilde reminds us this morning that we as blessed saints of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, also have a past. That past was forgiven and we cannot begin to judge others after we have been so graciously forgiven. All of us to some degree or the other have participated in Self Inflicted Nonsense, but for some reason the memory of our nonsense can disappear after a while. Now that is good in one sense, in that we are forgiven and the penalty of those things has been taken away, but we should never forget what we would be, if left to our own devices,.
We have absolutely, NO righteousness manifested in us by our actions or by our complete obedience to what God asks us to do, we, you and I, will always miss something, therefore it takes just one sin, just one leak in our self-righteous ship to sink us, and it will sink us forever. Therefore, we, you and I, have only one hope, and His Name is Jesus. The only righteousness you and I can claim, comes from our knowledge and acceptance of His Grace, free and eternal.
So what is it that causes us to forget our sinful state? It is pride, and a judgmental spirit. We stop at some point in our transformation into the image of Christ and look at someone and say, I am higher, better or more wise than someone else. When we do that then we immediately lose the Grace of Christ, because we have decided to condemn someone else for their sins, while we want to claim the forgiveness of Christ for ourselves. This is a major problem in many “so called” churches. They will look at others with a pitiful look and say, “you just don’t understand.”
Well, I’m with those that don’t understand. I don’t understand why He died for me or why He chose to redeem me. I don’t understand why He suffered and died for me, but, I know that He did, and I know that He loves me and others around me. I know that Christ decided not to condemn me, but to forgive me, and I think that is an attitude that I must continually hold, to stand before my God. Blaise Pascal, a Religious Philosopher once said this of us, “There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who think they are sinners and the sinners who think they are righteous...God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Me and My Shadow
Character
Human improvement is from within outward.
James A. Froude 1818-1894, British Historian
1 Sam 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
NASU
Howard Beecher, and old American preacher and writer, had this to say about character, and it is well worth repeating today. “A man's character is the reality of himself; his reputation, the opinion others have formed about him; character resides in him, reputation in other people; that is the substance, this is the shadow.”
Now I think that is a great thought. Character casts a shadow, and that shadow is the reputation that is established in others, because of the character which resides in you and me. Really, who, or what we are inside, whether we want it to be seen or not, will leave an impression on those around us.
The Law which came before the coming of Christ was just a shadow of things to come; the substance is Christ the power is in Him. Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.
That means that no matter how hard you try to change your outward appearance, you cannot, unless a real change happens within, who you are will be seen and cast a shadow on those around you. The clothes don’t make a man, nor does the hair, the tattoo’s or the shoes. Who you are seeps out of the pores of your life, and it is the real you, and if you want to change, the change must start from within.
Who can do that? Only Jesus, He can make the only real change in us. He will change our attitude and our being, only He can transform what seeps out of our pores and leaves a shadow in others. Me and my shadow, what outline am I leaving for others on this earth to see, what is my essence and my inter-most being? I hope it is Christ, for if it is not then the impression is worthless, and will not cast into others the eternal things of Jesus my Lord…God Bless.
Pastor William
Human improvement is from within outward.
James A. Froude 1818-1894, British Historian
1 Sam 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
NASU
Howard Beecher, and old American preacher and writer, had this to say about character, and it is well worth repeating today. “A man's character is the reality of himself; his reputation, the opinion others have formed about him; character resides in him, reputation in other people; that is the substance, this is the shadow.”
Now I think that is a great thought. Character casts a shadow, and that shadow is the reputation that is established in others, because of the character which resides in you and me. Really, who, or what we are inside, whether we want it to be seen or not, will leave an impression on those around us.
The Law which came before the coming of Christ was just a shadow of things to come; the substance is Christ the power is in Him. Hebrews 10:1 says, “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.
That means that no matter how hard you try to change your outward appearance, you cannot, unless a real change happens within, who you are will be seen and cast a shadow on those around you. The clothes don’t make a man, nor does the hair, the tattoo’s or the shoes. Who you are seeps out of the pores of your life, and it is the real you, and if you want to change, the change must start from within.
Who can do that? Only Jesus, He can make the only real change in us. He will change our attitude and our being, only He can transform what seeps out of our pores and leaves a shadow in others. Me and my shadow, what outline am I leaving for others on this earth to see, what is my essence and my inter-most being? I hope it is Christ, for if it is not then the impression is worthless, and will not cast into others the eternal things of Jesus my Lord…God Bless.
Pastor William
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Visiting Ebenezers
Memory
Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember.
Seneca 4 B.C. – 65 A.D., Spanish-born Roman Statesman, philosopher
Isa 46:8-13
"Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, "My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. "Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. "I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay. And I will grant salvation in Zion, and My glory for Israel.
NASU
The beauty of memory is that it is choosy. It can ignore the most noble of things and the most beautiful of experiences, but remember the taste of watermelon on a hot and dusty day when we were 6 yrs old. Smells trigger the biggest of memories, the smell of flowers or other things can bring back memories long past and transport you years back to your childhood.
God also allows markers in our lives, an “Ebenezer,” as the bible calls it. It is a place in our lives that we can come back to and say “God spoke to me here. I’m sure that there are many reading this that can say they have had many chances to raise an Ebenezer in their lives, and they probably have gone back to those places for a visit every once in a while.
In the Old Testament men of God would stand a large stone up in honor of a visit from the Lord. There they would anoint that stone with oil and they would offer up a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. It was an unusual and strong experience in their lives that made them reach out to God, or it was God intersecting their lives for His Will and Purpose, or for their good.
You and I also today need to revisit our “Ebenezers” that we have raised in our lives. We need to remember those experiences where God spoke to us in a personal and direct way and impressed on us His presence. Make no mistake, He does this to us all, He is a personal and loving God, involved in all of our lives totally and completely.
We must always remember we are here for God’s good will and pleasure, and not for our own. God is still saying to us today in different and personal ways the same things He did back then. He is still saying “Listen to me you “stubborn minded” my righteousness in near you, and not far off and my salvation will not delay…God Bless.
Pastor William
Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember.
Seneca 4 B.C. – 65 A.D., Spanish-born Roman Statesman, philosopher
Isa 46:8-13
"Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, "My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it. "Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. "I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay. And I will grant salvation in Zion, and My glory for Israel.
NASU
The beauty of memory is that it is choosy. It can ignore the most noble of things and the most beautiful of experiences, but remember the taste of watermelon on a hot and dusty day when we were 6 yrs old. Smells trigger the biggest of memories, the smell of flowers or other things can bring back memories long past and transport you years back to your childhood.
God also allows markers in our lives, an “Ebenezer,” as the bible calls it. It is a place in our lives that we can come back to and say “God spoke to me here. I’m sure that there are many reading this that can say they have had many chances to raise an Ebenezer in their lives, and they probably have gone back to those places for a visit every once in a while.
In the Old Testament men of God would stand a large stone up in honor of a visit from the Lord. There they would anoint that stone with oil and they would offer up a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord. It was an unusual and strong experience in their lives that made them reach out to God, or it was God intersecting their lives for His Will and Purpose, or for their good.
You and I also today need to revisit our “Ebenezers” that we have raised in our lives. We need to remember those experiences where God spoke to us in a personal and direct way and impressed on us His presence. Make no mistake, He does this to us all, He is a personal and loving God, involved in all of our lives totally and completely.
We must always remember we are here for God’s good will and pleasure, and not for our own. God is still saying to us today in different and personal ways the same things He did back then. He is still saying “Listen to me you “stubborn minded” my righteousness in near you, and not far off and my salvation will not delay…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, February 18, 2008
Trusting The Unseen
Trust
All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882, American Poet, Essayist
Heb 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. NASU
This is a verse that every Christian needs to memorize and dig in too, to glean from it all the glory of God. Just the first sentence is enough medicine to make well the most hopeless soul. This verse tells us a great secret, a way to find assurance in these hopeless times. The Greek word “hupostasis,” which is interpreted, assurance or substance, is actually describing to us that faith is the basis, or foundation that all things exist upon, the foundation upon which all things must stand.
God spoke into existence all that we have seen, and we can see around us so many wonderful things. Explain to me for instance the platypus, and explain to me the design that we see around us everyday. It exists upon the “spoken Word of God,” and on nothing else. With all that we see around us then, why can’t we trust and stand on the fact that God will provide for us all that we need or give to us all things that are necessary for us while we are here.
The Greek word for hope, “elengechos” is saying that because of those things that I have seen demonstrated in my life already, I cannot but believe that a thing will happen in my life again, I have no doubt because I have seen it so many times. Isn’t that great! In other words I have been in hopeless situations before where no way out or up was seen, and God came through. Now because of that demonstrated love in my life, I will not doubt Him now.
It is this kind of faith that we see demonstrated in the many men of faith in the Bible, and it is the kind of faith that will reward us richly in our lives. So when things that are visible in our lives overwhelm us, we must believe that our unseen God is behind the scenes working on our behalf. He must take joy in our Faith, because it is something that He requires from us all, and His Word says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without Faith it is impossible to Please Him… God Bless
Pastor William
All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.
Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882, American Poet, Essayist
Heb 11:1-3
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. NASU
This is a verse that every Christian needs to memorize and dig in too, to glean from it all the glory of God. Just the first sentence is enough medicine to make well the most hopeless soul. This verse tells us a great secret, a way to find assurance in these hopeless times. The Greek word “hupostasis,” which is interpreted, assurance or substance, is actually describing to us that faith is the basis, or foundation that all things exist upon, the foundation upon which all things must stand.
God spoke into existence all that we have seen, and we can see around us so many wonderful things. Explain to me for instance the platypus, and explain to me the design that we see around us everyday. It exists upon the “spoken Word of God,” and on nothing else. With all that we see around us then, why can’t we trust and stand on the fact that God will provide for us all that we need or give to us all things that are necessary for us while we are here.
The Greek word for hope, “elengechos” is saying that because of those things that I have seen demonstrated in my life already, I cannot but believe that a thing will happen in my life again, I have no doubt because I have seen it so many times. Isn’t that great! In other words I have been in hopeless situations before where no way out or up was seen, and God came through. Now because of that demonstrated love in my life, I will not doubt Him now.
It is this kind of faith that we see demonstrated in the many men of faith in the Bible, and it is the kind of faith that will reward us richly in our lives. So when things that are visible in our lives overwhelm us, we must believe that our unseen God is behind the scenes working on our behalf. He must take joy in our Faith, because it is something that He requires from us all, and His Word says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without Faith it is impossible to Please Him… God Bless
Pastor William
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Abundant Compassion
Compassion
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.
Norman Cousins 1915-1990, American Editor, Humanitarian, Author
Col 3:12-15
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
NASU
Within every human heart there is a struggle that will take place until that day that God perfects us and removes from us the imperfection sin has placed on our hearts and lives. We are condemned by the law, for not one of us on this earth can fulfill the entirety of the Law, we are born in sin. So the struggle within each of us is to live before God in His wonderful grace, provided by the Precious Blood of Christ which makes up our lack and gives us right standing before our God. Our Father sees His Son, and not our sin.
What is amazing to us all though is the indifference that judgment and sin can cause in the heart of the believer. It is amazing that those that once entered the house of God in union and in peace, can with amazing speed turn around their attitudes and begin to destroy what may have taken years of struggling together as a family to build, but alas, that is the human condition.
We have all kinds of excuses of why we can get into our Judicial robes and begin to judge our brothers of sisters, and then make sure that our will is done instead of peace and the Will of God ruling the day. Christ calls for forbearance and we call for Bears, Christ calls for forgiving, we call for condemning. Christ is speaking through Paul in Colossians and saying this, “Beyond all these things,” what things is Paul speaking of? It is whatever it is that is stirring up and removing the unity that the Body of Christ needs to accomplish God’s Will on this earth, the perfect bond of Unity that only comes through Christ.
Lastly Paul says that we are to let the peace of Christ, “rule” in our hearts. Now what does that say to you and I? It says that we are to overthrow anything that tries to remove Compassion and forgiveness from the throne of our hearts. It is Christ who sits there and His very being is forgiveness and compassion, which is why He came for us. I like the way Paul says this, we are called in one body, and we should be thankful for one another and not judgmental. There should be nothing too big for us to get over for the work of Christ to move on…God Bless.
Pastor William
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.
Norman Cousins 1915-1990, American Editor, Humanitarian, Author
Col 3:12-15
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
NASU
Within every human heart there is a struggle that will take place until that day that God perfects us and removes from us the imperfection sin has placed on our hearts and lives. We are condemned by the law, for not one of us on this earth can fulfill the entirety of the Law, we are born in sin. So the struggle within each of us is to live before God in His wonderful grace, provided by the Precious Blood of Christ which makes up our lack and gives us right standing before our God. Our Father sees His Son, and not our sin.
What is amazing to us all though is the indifference that judgment and sin can cause in the heart of the believer. It is amazing that those that once entered the house of God in union and in peace, can with amazing speed turn around their attitudes and begin to destroy what may have taken years of struggling together as a family to build, but alas, that is the human condition.
We have all kinds of excuses of why we can get into our Judicial robes and begin to judge our brothers of sisters, and then make sure that our will is done instead of peace and the Will of God ruling the day. Christ calls for forbearance and we call for Bears, Christ calls for forgiving, we call for condemning. Christ is speaking through Paul in Colossians and saying this, “Beyond all these things,” what things is Paul speaking of? It is whatever it is that is stirring up and removing the unity that the Body of Christ needs to accomplish God’s Will on this earth, the perfect bond of Unity that only comes through Christ.
Lastly Paul says that we are to let the peace of Christ, “rule” in our hearts. Now what does that say to you and I? It says that we are to overthrow anything that tries to remove Compassion and forgiveness from the throne of our hearts. It is Christ who sits there and His very being is forgiveness and compassion, which is why He came for us. I like the way Paul says this, we are called in one body, and we should be thankful for one another and not judgmental. There should be nothing too big for us to get over for the work of Christ to move on…God Bless.
Pastor William
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Empowered Dedication
Dedication
Your powers are dead or dedicated. If they are dedicated, they are alive with God and tingle with surprising power. If they are saved up, taken care of for their own ends, they are dead.
Eli Stanley Jones 1884-1973, American Missionary
1 Cor 2:2-7
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. NASU
What is it that empowers you or inspires you daily? It is a good question to stop and ask yourself this morning. What is it that charges your batteries every day, or inspires you, and keeps you moving and humming? We are all moving in a direction aren’t we, and we all have winds that keep us dedicated to that certain direction. But what is it that is filling your sails today and charting your course?
Well, J. R. Miller an American Golfer, once said this, “It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.” What is he saying? He is saying that sometimes we have to drop the sails and row, because the direction that the wind would take us is not where we need to go. That sounds like work doesn’t it, well yes, it does. But maybe we need more of that today as Christians.
Theodore Roosevelt the twenty-sixth President of the U.S., once said this, “I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life.” If we live a life not crossing the boundaries around us we will not experience all God would have us to touch in this life. Sure, you can play it safe, and sure you can not get involved, but you will never see the things of God that are hard to grasp, you will not receive the wisdom that comes from “Experiencing” God.
Mary Cholmondeley, said this of the possibilities in this life, “No one ever yet was the poorer in the long run for having once in a lifetime ''Let out all the length of all the reins.'' Have you ever let out all the length of the reins in your Christian experience? It is what Paul is speaking of above, there is the fear and trembling in the risk, but there is also that wonderful time when the power of God is seen because you are completely dedicated, having your faith in God and not in the wisdom of men.
This morning determine in your heart to know Christ and be dedicated to having a “real” relationship with Him. You will find that when you let go of the reins, He will take them and then you just hang on for the ride, it can get scary, but the trip will end in Heaven and the view will be spectacular…God Bless
Your powers are dead or dedicated. If they are dedicated, they are alive with God and tingle with surprising power. If they are saved up, taken care of for their own ends, they are dead.
Eli Stanley Jones 1884-1973, American Missionary
1 Cor 2:2-7
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. NASU
What is it that empowers you or inspires you daily? It is a good question to stop and ask yourself this morning. What is it that charges your batteries every day, or inspires you, and keeps you moving and humming? We are all moving in a direction aren’t we, and we all have winds that keep us dedicated to that certain direction. But what is it that is filling your sails today and charting your course?
Well, J. R. Miller an American Golfer, once said this, “It is a great deal easier to do that which God gives us to do, no matter how hard it is, than to face the responsibilities of not doing it.” What is he saying? He is saying that sometimes we have to drop the sails and row, because the direction that the wind would take us is not where we need to go. That sounds like work doesn’t it, well yes, it does. But maybe we need more of that today as Christians.
Theodore Roosevelt the twenty-sixth President of the U.S., once said this, “I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life.” If we live a life not crossing the boundaries around us we will not experience all God would have us to touch in this life. Sure, you can play it safe, and sure you can not get involved, but you will never see the things of God that are hard to grasp, you will not receive the wisdom that comes from “Experiencing” God.
Mary Cholmondeley, said this of the possibilities in this life, “No one ever yet was the poorer in the long run for having once in a lifetime ''Let out all the length of all the reins.'' Have you ever let out all the length of the reins in your Christian experience? It is what Paul is speaking of above, there is the fear and trembling in the risk, but there is also that wonderful time when the power of God is seen because you are completely dedicated, having your faith in God and not in the wisdom of men.
This morning determine in your heart to know Christ and be dedicated to having a “real” relationship with Him. You will find that when you let go of the reins, He will take them and then you just hang on for the ride, it can get scary, but the trip will end in Heaven and the view will be spectacular…God Bless
Pastor William
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Unknown
When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.
Patrick Overton
Josh 3:15-16
and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap,
NASU
Now that is what faith is all about! How would you have liked to have been one of those priests carrying the ark of the Lord into the flooding waters of the Jordan? Do you think that they flipped a shekel, (silver coin) to see who would take the lead? This was the time of the year when the Jordan River was at its highest, and the people of the Lord were standing of the hillsides in obedience to Joshua, waiting to cross over.
Can you imagine the comments of the crowd as they watched the priests heading for the waters edge, or their thoughts of their leader, as many speculated on the fate of those faithful priests? Maybe some were getting ready to “fish them out of the drink,” and were prepared to give Joshua a proper lesson on river crossing procedures.
Listen to the words of Albert Einstein, “The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the power of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms -- this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong to the rank of devoutly religious men.”
I can imagine the awe of the people as they watched the waters part, their joy and their relief, but I can imagine that the faith of those people could be seen by how fast they got across that river. Some had seen enough to connect them to their faith and walked across at a normal pace. But I’m sure that there were some who were walking at a brisk pace wondering if this was a coincidence or the mysterious hand of God.
A great lesson left just for us. So, whatever it is that you are walking through this morning, whatever you have come to the edge of, have faith. God will not abandon you, He will get you over those hard things, those deep things, that difficult period, and if the bridge looks washed out, don’t panic and run, walk slowly and have faith, He will teach you to fly…God Bless.
Pastor William
When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take the step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for us to stand on or we will be taught to fly.
Patrick Overton
Josh 3:15-16
and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap,
NASU
Now that is what faith is all about! How would you have liked to have been one of those priests carrying the ark of the Lord into the flooding waters of the Jordan? Do you think that they flipped a shekel, (silver coin) to see who would take the lead? This was the time of the year when the Jordan River was at its highest, and the people of the Lord were standing of the hillsides in obedience to Joshua, waiting to cross over.
Can you imagine the comments of the crowd as they watched the priests heading for the waters edge, or their thoughts of their leader, as many speculated on the fate of those faithful priests? Maybe some were getting ready to “fish them out of the drink,” and were prepared to give Joshua a proper lesson on river crossing procedures.
Listen to the words of Albert Einstein, “The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the power of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their most primitive forms -- this knowledge, this feeling, is at the center of true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong to the rank of devoutly religious men.”
I can imagine the awe of the people as they watched the waters part, their joy and their relief, but I can imagine that the faith of those people could be seen by how fast they got across that river. Some had seen enough to connect them to their faith and walked across at a normal pace. But I’m sure that there were some who were walking at a brisk pace wondering if this was a coincidence or the mysterious hand of God.
A great lesson left just for us. So, whatever it is that you are walking through this morning, whatever you have come to the edge of, have faith. God will not abandon you, He will get you over those hard things, those deep things, that difficult period, and if the bridge looks washed out, don’t panic and run, walk slowly and have faith, He will teach you to fly…God Bless.
Pastor William
Monday, February 11, 2008
Devotion Monday February 11, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Vision
Objects close to the eye shut out much larger objects on the horizon; and splendors born only of the earth eclipse the stars. So it is with people who sometimes cover up the entire disc of eternity with a dollar, and so quench transcendent glories with a little shining dust.
Edwin Hubbel Chapin 1814-1880, American Author, Clergyman
Prov 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. KJV
Chapin has a very good point doesn’t he? If you put a penny close to your eye you it may cover a dollar that is two feet away. His point speaks toward riches and the gain of riches blotting out the more important spiritual gains that should be our goal while we are here. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, “Hitch your wagon to a star. Let us not fag in paltry works which serve our pot and bag alone.”
What is it that usually keeps us from seeing those larger things that loom ahead of us? Well, it is usually something that we have allowed to get to close to us and it is blocking our vision, it is keeping us from seeing the greater blessing that will come if we will let go of the smaller stuff that is preventing us from focusing on the right things.
This life is just the introduction and the preparatory time of transition into the real life that looms ahead, which is just around the corner for everyone that starts out here in this nursery. The pity is that many let the small things of the nursery keep them from the grandest and most wonderful life that is ahead, those things up close keep them from seeing more valuable things that could be theirs.
Some people see a sunrise and another day, and some see a glorious and transcendent globe of brilliant light that comes every morning with the angels of Glory shouting, “Glory to God in the Highest, Holy, Holy is the Lord God all mighty. You see small things can even block out the sun. Arthur Schopenhauer the noted German Philosopher, saw this in mankind, his words were these, “Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world.”
What is it that you see this morning? How far ahead are you looking? Is it just to the next payday, the next vacation or the next party? What are you focused on? Thomas Carlyle said this, “I have seen gleams in the face and eyes of the man that have let you look into a higher country.” This morning if you will turn your eyes upon Jesus, you will look into the gleaming eyes of glory that will allow you and I to see the Big Things of God, if we take the small things away that block our vision of His face…God Bless.
Pastor William
Vision
Objects close to the eye shut out much larger objects on the horizon; and splendors born only of the earth eclipse the stars. So it is with people who sometimes cover up the entire disc of eternity with a dollar, and so quench transcendent glories with a little shining dust.
Edwin Hubbel Chapin 1814-1880, American Author, Clergyman
Prov 29:18
18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. KJV
Chapin has a very good point doesn’t he? If you put a penny close to your eye you it may cover a dollar that is two feet away. His point speaks toward riches and the gain of riches blotting out the more important spiritual gains that should be our goal while we are here. Ralph Waldo Emerson put it this way, “Hitch your wagon to a star. Let us not fag in paltry works which serve our pot and bag alone.”
What is it that usually keeps us from seeing those larger things that loom ahead of us? Well, it is usually something that we have allowed to get to close to us and it is blocking our vision, it is keeping us from seeing the greater blessing that will come if we will let go of the smaller stuff that is preventing us from focusing on the right things.
This life is just the introduction and the preparatory time of transition into the real life that looms ahead, which is just around the corner for everyone that starts out here in this nursery. The pity is that many let the small things of the nursery keep them from the grandest and most wonderful life that is ahead, those things up close keep them from seeing more valuable things that could be theirs.
Some people see a sunrise and another day, and some see a glorious and transcendent globe of brilliant light that comes every morning with the angels of Glory shouting, “Glory to God in the Highest, Holy, Holy is the Lord God all mighty. You see small things can even block out the sun. Arthur Schopenhauer the noted German Philosopher, saw this in mankind, his words were these, “Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world.”
What is it that you see this morning? How far ahead are you looking? Is it just to the next payday, the next vacation or the next party? What are you focused on? Thomas Carlyle said this, “I have seen gleams in the face and eyes of the man that have let you look into a higher country.” This morning if you will turn your eyes upon Jesus, you will look into the gleaming eyes of glory that will allow you and I to see the Big Things of God, if we take the small things away that block our vision of His face…God Bless.
Pastor William
Friday, February 8, 2008
Devotion Friday February 08, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
Abuse
A fly may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
Samuel Johnson
1709-1784, British Author
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. NASU
Norman Mailer, who passed away last year, said this of our current condition in America. In America all too few blows are struck into flesh. We kill the spirit here, we are experts at that. We use psychic bullets and kill each other cell by cell. To a great degree you would have to admit there is some truth to this. Television shows that put people together to see what their human nature will contrive to stay alive, and not be “voted out” are very popular, and growing more numerous.
It is because of the human struggle to be accepted, and it seems that we as a society have gotten into a constant habit of “weighing” one another. It is not always bad to size up a situation, but we are so many times wrong in the sizing up of one another. This is the power of criticism, and so many times people are very harsh in their judgmental attitudes of one another.
Criticism is always a dangerous thing to participate in, it is a double edged sword that may be exposing the heart of the speaker, as the blows are dealt to ears of the hearer and there can be grievous wounds on both sides. In working for the Lord there will always be times when someone’s words or their actions of will wound us, we will feel their sting. But, there is one thing that we must always take into account and that is their sinful condition, and react accordingly.
Sometimes reactions may be with words of correction, and sometimes with words of understanding. What is more harmful to the Body of Christ though is the actions of people in the name of doing good, and it is surprising how we come to consensus on what is good and not good, and the small things that cause Christians to “sting one another.”
One thing that Christians must remember is that we are still not perfect, and that little “insect” of human nature still lurks within us. We are to grow into the much bigger stature of Christ, and when we stand in his strength, then we can wince and go on without stinging in return, it is the duty of Christians to forgive, as we wish to be forgiven, for that sting of death, the power of the law, still waits within us to return evils blow for blow…God Bless
Pastor William
Abuse
A fly may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
Samuel Johnson
1709-1784, British Author
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. NASU
Norman Mailer, who passed away last year, said this of our current condition in America. In America all too few blows are struck into flesh. We kill the spirit here, we are experts at that. We use psychic bullets and kill each other cell by cell. To a great degree you would have to admit there is some truth to this. Television shows that put people together to see what their human nature will contrive to stay alive, and not be “voted out” are very popular, and growing more numerous.
It is because of the human struggle to be accepted, and it seems that we as a society have gotten into a constant habit of “weighing” one another. It is not always bad to size up a situation, but we are so many times wrong in the sizing up of one another. This is the power of criticism, and so many times people are very harsh in their judgmental attitudes of one another.
Criticism is always a dangerous thing to participate in, it is a double edged sword that may be exposing the heart of the speaker, as the blows are dealt to ears of the hearer and there can be grievous wounds on both sides. In working for the Lord there will always be times when someone’s words or their actions of will wound us, we will feel their sting. But, there is one thing that we must always take into account and that is their sinful condition, and react accordingly.
Sometimes reactions may be with words of correction, and sometimes with words of understanding. What is more harmful to the Body of Christ though is the actions of people in the name of doing good, and it is surprising how we come to consensus on what is good and not good, and the small things that cause Christians to “sting one another.”
One thing that Christians must remember is that we are still not perfect, and that little “insect” of human nature still lurks within us. We are to grow into the much bigger stature of Christ, and when we stand in his strength, then we can wince and go on without stinging in return, it is the duty of Christians to forgive, as we wish to be forgiven, for that sting of death, the power of the law, still waits within us to return evils blow for blow…God Bless
Pastor William
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Possibilities
If I had some idea of a finish line, don't you think I would have crossed it years ago?
Richard M. DeVos 1926-, American Businessman, Co-founder of Amway Corp.
Luke 18:27-30
But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life." NASU
Where is your Goal line this morning? It is on this earth, is it a job, or is it something that you personally want to accomplish? There is nothing wrong with having goals and vision and dreams on this earth. But, we must remember that our finish line is not found here anywhere. There is not a line that we can cross on this earth and say we have done enough for Jesus.
In fact, one of the most damaging things that have been done in societies systems is the attitude that comes when someone says there is an age at which we can retire and take it easy. Most people aim at those ages as finish lines and when reaching them say its someone else’s turn, I have done my part. We need to remember that these are goals created by society and not by God. I know of many elderly couples that go to work for the Lord at “retirement,” and they invest the rest of their lives in their eternal rewards to be given them on the day we all give account for what we have done for Him.
We also have goal lines that we sometimes place in our Christian lives. We grow so much in our maturity and begin to think that we have enough knowledge that we can ease back; we have enough to get us through this world. Usually what that results in is a falling away from Christ. The fact is that if I am not in the race I will fall behind, and every lap that I have to make up, will put me behind in the growth and maturity that I could attain for Him while I walk on this temporary terra firma.
Those things that you leave or refuse while you are on this earth, those things that you pass by in your race for Christ, on your way to the Glorious Goal line, will come back to you many times more, in the age to come, and these are the precious promises of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
You and I must pass up things in this life that will be a burden to our spiritual growth. At times it will seem almost impossible for us make it through this world and finish this race, to hang on until we reach Christ’s goal line. But, we must remember that the impossible is God’s business, and we will make it by His strength to that eternal reward in heaven prepared for you and me by Jesus Christ…God Bless
Pastor William
Possibilities
If I had some idea of a finish line, don't you think I would have crossed it years ago?
Richard M. DeVos 1926-, American Businessman, Co-founder of Amway Corp.
Luke 18:27-30
But He said, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." And He said to them, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life." NASU
Where is your Goal line this morning? It is on this earth, is it a job, or is it something that you personally want to accomplish? There is nothing wrong with having goals and vision and dreams on this earth. But, we must remember that our finish line is not found here anywhere. There is not a line that we can cross on this earth and say we have done enough for Jesus.
In fact, one of the most damaging things that have been done in societies systems is the attitude that comes when someone says there is an age at which we can retire and take it easy. Most people aim at those ages as finish lines and when reaching them say its someone else’s turn, I have done my part. We need to remember that these are goals created by society and not by God. I know of many elderly couples that go to work for the Lord at “retirement,” and they invest the rest of their lives in their eternal rewards to be given them on the day we all give account for what we have done for Him.
We also have goal lines that we sometimes place in our Christian lives. We grow so much in our maturity and begin to think that we have enough knowledge that we can ease back; we have enough to get us through this world. Usually what that results in is a falling away from Christ. The fact is that if I am not in the race I will fall behind, and every lap that I have to make up, will put me behind in the growth and maturity that I could attain for Him while I walk on this temporary terra firma.
Those things that you leave or refuse while you are on this earth, those things that you pass by in your race for Christ, on your way to the Glorious Goal line, will come back to you many times more, in the age to come, and these are the precious promises of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
You and I must pass up things in this life that will be a burden to our spiritual growth. At times it will seem almost impossible for us make it through this world and finish this race, to hang on until we reach Christ’s goal line. But, we must remember that the impossible is God’s business, and we will make it by His strength to that eternal reward in heaven prepared for you and me by Jesus Christ…God Bless
Pastor William
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Pastor William
- Pastor William F Burroughs
- Gainesville, Fl, United States
- Pray for God to move greatly in "Journey of The Word Church".