Trusting God's Timing

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, American scientist, publisher, diplomat)

1 Peter 5:5-7
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. NASU

Trusting God’s sense of timing relieves us of much tension. Tension is a terrible drain in the life of all in whom it exists. Arthur Roche said that “Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” This is very true, it seems like your energy and focus are lost and wasted by endless heavy weights being dragged about.

Sometimes these are weights carried by our own choosing. We may be anxious to get a task done, or to put certain things behind us, and the stress is overwhelming. It might be trying to move to fast in the fast lane, or the weight of having to “wait” in the slow lane, but tension is dangerous.

God tells us to be subject to one another, to clothe ourselves with humility and relax. He wants us to realize that He does care about us, and He desires what we might think is silly, He wants our anxiety. When in His arms, you know things will happen at the “Proper Time,” and He knows when that time is. As the ole’ Gospel song says, “He may not come when you want Him too, But He’s always right on time…God Bless.
Pastor William

Testing the Water

The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.
Author Unknown

James 3:11-14
Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. NASU

There is nothing better than a little pain to get to the core of belief. When there is no stress, and there is no test, many sweet things can be spoken. But, it is in the midst of life’s storms when the true mettle and content of a person can be seen, and heard, and the purpose for difficulties can be discerned.

Many conceal bitterness, and selfish ambition behind the façade of religion, but God will allow the storms to reveal the fountains, and whether they are pure, or brackish. God says that the storms reveal our true behaviors and beliefs, not the gentle breezes of life. God has determined that there will be no crown bearers in heaven that were not cross bearers on earth.

The gentleness of wisdom is in great need today. A calm, gentle and pure fountain is required to fill us with good things on our eternal journey. God wants these fountains to exist in the lives of every member of the Christian family, and He will root out those bitter springs, and expose bitter hearts through trials. As God’s Wisdom is shown in gentleness, a bitter heart is shown in bad behaviors, believe what you see…God Bless.
Pastor William

Hope, and Fear

There is nothing that fear or hope does not make men believe.
Marquis De Vauvenargues (1715-1747, French moralist)

2 Cor 5:10-11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. NASU

Hope is spread in fear. What kind of fear? It is the fear of the Lord. It is looking forward to a day of judgment where all men will give an accounting for their lives. So it appears to me that hope, and fear are both tools that the Lord uses in our Christian lives, and one is necessary for the other.

If I fear the Lord, then I place all my hopes upon Him. Not on the worlds fleeting promises of glory and popularity. I have watched people grow from infancy into adulthood who ignored the small things around them. They focused and placed all their hopes and dreams in one direction.

People fear not reaching goals in this world that they have placed their hopes in, but do they fear the final accounting which we all will give? It is noticeable that Paul says that his works were made manifest to God by persuading men. This statement gives us what should be our focus. It also states that they placed their hopes in persuading the consciences of men, people who on that Day of Judgment will mention the name of someone whom shared Christ with them…God Bless.
Pastor William

A Clear Mind

Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy.
Richard Halloway

Heb 11:14-16
For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. NASU

To have a clear mind, you must sometimes clear some things out. I think in today’s world, we all have a problem in maintaining our direction. There are so many things to get involved in that will take up our time. This requires of us to ask ourselves a serious question of our direction, to which country am I traveling.

C.S. Lewis once said, “If you feel like you don’t fit in this world, it’s because you were made for another.” If you and I are citizens of Heaven, then we shouldn’t feel as if we fit here, and fill our minds with the things of here, but we should be doing as scripture says, we should be seeking the things that are above.

Col 3:1-3, tells us, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” So we are instructed for clearness of purpose, and mind to let some things die to see our way clearly too where we belong…God Bless.

Pastor William

Escaping the Grave of Stubbornness

There is nothing in the world more stubborn than a corpse: you can hit it, you can knock it to pieces, but you cannot convince it.
Alexander Herzen (1812-1870, Russian journalist, political thinker)

Ezek 2:4-7
"I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD.' "As for them, whether they listen or not -- for they are a rebellious house -- they will know that a prophet has been among them. "And you, son of man, neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence, for they are a rebellious house. "But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. NASU

Some of the things God requests of His servants are not pleasant tasks. One of the tasks that seem futile in today’s world is to try and reach the ears of so many that are spiritually confused. Many times you wonder if you are wasting your time, or if you are doing any good, but the God has been sending His Word to dry bones for quite some time.

In Ezek 37:5-6, God sent Ezekiel to speak to dry bones, “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, "Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. "I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.” Here we find the words of Ezekiel as God reached out to awaken the dry corpse of Israel’s faith.

Is it any different today? I am afraid not. Many times we will kick the lifeless souls of Christians to awaken them to a living relationship with God. Some will hear, but some will stay in that stubborn and lifeless corpse, missing the breath of hope God would give them, and the growth that God would grant them, if they could only let go. But, we must never let them stop us from speaking, and kicking, some will hear and live…God Bless
Pastor William

Able to Change

The tendency of old age to the body, say the physiologists, is to form bone. It is as rare as it is pleasant to meet with an elder whose opinions are not ossified.
J. F. Boyse

Mark 3:4-6
And He said to them, "Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?" But they kept silent. After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately began conspiring with the Herodians against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. NASU

What is amazing to me is the early age that ossification can occur. It can occur actually in the 30’s if someone becomes rigid and stiff in their opinions and attitudes. I wouldn’t say that it is a disease of the elderly; it is a problem of the stiff necked. It began occurring early in Israel’s walk and it angered the Lord to the point he requested Moses to step away from them that He might destroy them.

In Ex 33:5 we read this; “For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.” What were their ornaments? It was the things that they treasured and trusted more than Him.

Today He still requires us to remove those things from around our necks to enable us to serve Him freely. What are your ornaments, what is their shape and what place do you grant them in your life? God asks us to remove them, and then He can walk with us to get our lives going in the right direction. We cannot take them with us; we must lay them down at the foot of the Cross, to walk alongside our God…God Bless.
Pastor William

Finding Friends

How delightful to find a friend in everyone.
Joseph Brodsky (1940-, Russian-born American poet, critic)

Eph 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
NASU

One of the greatest lessons that we can learn as Christians and examples of faith that walk on this temporary earth is the importance of friends. My father always taught me that I could never have enough friends, and it is a habit that we should all practice as we go through life. We may not convert everyone, but we can at least be their friend, and that sometimes leads to conversion.

Maybe this is what Jesus was speaking to John about in Mark 9:40-41; “For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” John had wanted to spurn someone who he thought was imitating them, but Jesus gave him this insight on the way to Jerusalem.

We are not in a fight with people; we are in a spiritual battle against spiritual forces. If we are not careful, we can give opportunity for spiritual forces to invade helpless people in this battle and destroy them. So along the way befriend and do not condemn those that are making attempts that may seem weak in your eyes to connect with their Lord. Encourage and befriend them, just like Jesus did you…God Bless.

Pastor William

Growing in Tribulation

In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591, Spanish Christian mystic and poet)

John 16:32-33
"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." NASU

Take Courage. What does that statement mean to you in these hard spiritual times that we live in? It means to be courageous and brave, to believe in the impossible and to accomplish the unbelievable. Now when in your life is it hardest to be brave? It is when you are being pressed down and the weight of the world seems to be crushing the very life out of you.

Many times that is when we run away, but really that is the time God calls out for us to draw near to Him. That means that we must not run to all of our usual shelters that we have ran to in the past. It is time seek the shelter of God’s wings, but it is hard for us to pass by our old secure hiding places when the bullets are flying. But didn’t He tell us peace was only found “in” Him?

It is in those times that we get to know God better, why? It is because He catches us in His arm, protects us and reassures us. He whispers one more time in our ear, and reminds us that He has overcome the world. Nothing we will face is bigger than Him, yet sometimes we pass Him by to seek the shelter and help of the world…God forgive us, you just wanted to spend some time with us, and show us who you are…God Bless.

Pastor William

Integrity, It's Important!

Subtlety may deceive you; integrity never will.
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658, British Parliamentarian General)

1 John 1:6-10
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. NASU

Integrity, how important is integrity to the Christian? It is everything, and I’m afraid that it is the lack of integrity that is impacting many churches today. It is to say what you mean, and to mean what you say. It is to be truly on the inside, what you look like on the outside. In this verse in 1 John, we can see one of the measures of integrity, and it is fellowship.

1 John tells us that if we “walk in the light” we have fellowship one with another, and, we have a constant and continual cleansing, by the blood of Jesus for our sins. That should put fellowship at the top of our list on the way to acquiring integrity. I also see that there is a continual “confessing” demanded to claim the cleansing and forgiveness that Christ offers us, and to deny that we have sinned takes the light away.

Now the path of integrity is plain to see. When we are truthful with ourselves and our sin, we can fellowship with others that do the same. But the minute that we begin to deny our faults, of which we have many, our integrity is lost. We are to hold our lives up before the eternal light and perfection of Christ Himself for daily cleansing, to remain in fellowship with our God, and each other…God Bless.

Pastor William

The Realities of Life

There are intangible realities which float near us, formless and without words; realities which no one has thought out, and which are excluded for lack of interpreters.
Natalie Clifford Barney (1876-1972, American-born French author)

1 Cor 2:7-10
But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. NASU

The reality of life escapes many. The obvious is in our faces, but there is so much more to be seen by those who have eyes to see it. Jesus spoke of this in Matt 13:13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Jesus came to give us the ability to see and understand, the question is, who will seek Him?

The material world has blinded so many from seeing the intangible, and prevented the truth from forming around their lives. There are words that they will never hear and miracles that they will never see, because that, which is formed already, will prevent them from grasping and holding on to eternal truths.

The Holy Spirit, our Great Interpreter and Comforter waits to hear our pleas to understand and to feel, if only we would ask. Jesus tells us of the role of The Holy Spirit, and it is to search out and to reveal to us the realities of our individual worlds. So, you have help, a personal guide to the invisible, yet tangible resources God awaits to reveal to you. Will you see? Will you hear….God Bless.
Pastor William

The Land Of Promise

There is no shadow of protection to be had by sheltering behind the slender stockades of visionary speculation, or by hiding behind the wagon-wheels of pacific theories.
Madame Chiang Kai-Shek (1898-2003, Wife of Chinese revolutionary leader Chiang Kai-Shek)

Judg 4:19-21
He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink; then she covered him. He said to her, "Stand in the doorway of the tent, and it shall be if anyone comes and inquires of you, and says, "Is there anyone here?' that you shall say, "No.'" But Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So he died. NASU

Israel moved further into Gaza again today. They resolutely have decided to stop the mortars and rockets that the revolutionaries launch into Israel. These so called “revolutionaries” hide among the populace and behind the skirts of women and the precious lives of children, to do their dirty deeds. Then, amazingly, so many in the world attack Israel when they are forced to take measures for their safety.

The cowards hide in schools and homes and launch missiles indiscriminately into Israel, not caring whom they might harm, and Israel is forced to do unpleasant things to protect themselves. Who are these people that fly planes into buildings and blow themselves up in restaurants and public places? The Bible tells us in Genesis Chapter 16, they are not sons of the promise, but stubborn troublemakers.

Gen 16:11-12, “The angel of the LORD said to her further, “Behold, you are with child, And you will bear a son; And you shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has given heed to your affliction. "He will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers." They fill the role well, don’t they...God Bless.

Pastor William

Your Library

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
Ernest Hemingway (1898-1961, American writer)

Rom 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. NASU

As the changing of the guard takes place in our nation’s capital, this question was asked of our current President, President Bush, “What are you going to do the first day after returning home from the Presidency.” Looking for an answer that would indicate he would take a time to “unwind” from the stresses of the Presidency, the President answered in this way, “I’m not a straw hat, Hawaiian shirt type of guy.”

I’m sure that we all like a time to unwind or relax, but I’m afraid that sometimes this becomes our focus, and we forget our purpose. They will build President Bush a library and in it will be placed different mementos of his time in office, his legacy will have a permanent residence in our country. Although you may not consider yourself that important, one day people will also take a stroll through the halls of your life.

Philip Henry once said, “Many good purposes lie in the churchyard,” and I believe that he is right. What is it that God has purposed for you to accomplish in this life? It will be reviewed at the judgment seat of Christ. Each and every one of us will walk through the hallways of our life with God himself, through each envelope, letter, room, and decision of our lives, the doors opened and purposes revealed, and for us that can read this devotion, this morning, there is still time…God Bless.
Pastor William

Hurting for Certain

The American Dream has run out of gas. The car has stopped. It no longer supplies the world with its images, its dreams, its fantasies. No more. It's over. It supplies the world with its nightmares now: the Kennedy assassination, Watergate, Vietnam...
J. G. Ballard (1930-, British author)

Prov 16:8-9
Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. NASU

As of this morning the news is that China is not as willing to buy up American debt, or finance the American dream. As world economies slow down consumers have decided they could live with a little less, and as spending slows more and more Americans lose their incomes. I am sure that you have someone close to you that has been affected by this economic turn of events.

It may be a little while before things turn around and there may be some bad things that we endure but, that’s life, isn’t it? There is only one way for us to endure this and that is in the presence of our Father! The prodigal son learned this also, he woke up when he found that he had wasted what he thought was valuable, and found himself desiring even what the swine had.

We had a period of excess in our country, and now a recess, a pause to ponder what is really valuable. Economic success comes with injustice, and we have seen much of that in recent days, and men and companies that amassed fortunes through dishonest gain. Now, a time for judgment, a re-leveling of the playing field. God has never allowed those thankful for “a little” to be overrun…God Bless

Pastor William