Calling Strikes

You're never s good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose.
Lou Holtz (1937-, American football coach)

Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (HCSB)

It’s something to ponder. Have you ever stopped to question what it is in the human genome that so pushes us to be umpires for one another? We seem to have a tendency to drift towards this occupation in life, and we all have our own numbers of strikes and balls that we tolerate before we call each other out. When it comes to judging others we will work overtime, for no pay.

We should be ashamed. We should have large hearts of mercy, and tolerance, but we seem as a society to grow smaller minded and less tolerant of one another. God in Christ Jesus gave us a way out and a way up. He made for us a way that we could walk without condemnation, a way around perfection, and away around the judgmental eyes of each other.

Our Father made a way for us to walk, and if we walk in it, we are justified, purified and we are un-condemnable. That is to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh, to walk in the freedom of Grace and Mercy, and not under the spirit of sin and death. Now if God made a way for us…shouldn’t we also make a way for each other to walk in freedom and not condemnation…God Bless.
Pastor William

Committed Love

I am done with great things and big plans, great institutions and big success. I am for those tiny, invisible loving human forces that work from individual to individual, creeping through the crannies of the world like so many rootlets, or like the capillary oozing of water, which, if given time, will rend the hardest monuments of pride.
William James (1842-1910, American psychologist, professor, author)

John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." NASU

I have heard that often much more planning goes into the wedding, than goes into the marriage. One is ceremony and the other, a serious relationship. I am afraid that has also been the attitude of many that join the Church today. It is mostly ceremony, done for the Church, without any commitment to relationships with others in the family of God.

Jesus commanded us to love one another in John 13:34. In 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Paul says that we were taught by God to love one another, and in 1 Peter 1:22, the apostle tells us to love one another “fervently,” and from the heart. John goes so far as to say in 1 John 4:7-8 that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God, and the one who does not love, does not know God, for God is love.

What is this love we are to have for one another? It is a self-sacrificing love. Jesus tells us to love one another, even as I have loved you. This is a serious and committed love. It is one that knows that real love is a commitment that comes at a price, which you are willing to pay. It is these tiny capillaries of love working in the Body of Christ that will break hearts of stone, and call all men unto Him…God Bless.
Pastor William

Consolations of Religion?

Talk to me about the truth of religion and I'll listen gladly. Talk to me about the duty of religion and I'll listen submissively. But don't come talking to me about the consolations of religion or I shall suspect that you don't understand.
C. S. Lewis (1898-1963, British academic, writer, Christian apologist)

John 15:18-21
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. (HCSB)

We speak often of the peace that we have within us as Christians, but I think we often fail to communicate to new Christians the cost of this peace. The Truth that God has given us through Christ is always a point of contention. If you have the best the competition will automatically focus on what you have to find its weaknesses.

Northrop Frye, Canadian writer, put it this way; “The recurrent tendency in religion is to replace the object of its worship with its present understanding and forms of approach to that object.” You see, this is the point that C.S. Lewis was making. We make a mistake when we try to remold Him into something that we like, or that is not as offensive to the world.

The Truth is that if you love the Lord, you are already a target for retribution. Satan is angry, he has lost the battle and Jesus has won. Your very salvation is salt in the wounds of “The Prince of the World, the devil himself. So, now you can understand better why it is our duty to protect the “Truth,” and share it with the world. We have peace within, but in the world, affliction. But, Christ left us these comforting words, “I have overcome the world…God Bless.
Pastor William

Secret Keys

To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement.
George W. Truett

Ps 25:14-21
The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant. My eyes are continually toward the LORD, for He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. Look upon my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with violent hatred. Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You. NASU

Waiting is the hardest part, isn’t it? This Psalm of David is one that is dear to me, and it is a good pattern for us all in our daily walk with our Father. Some important points are found here. (1) The Lords ways are secret (2) The key to Understanding His secrets is “fear of The Lord.”

Notice that David had many other fears. He was lonely, afflicted, and his heart was aching. He felt afflicted, and troubled, and had many enemies that hated him with great hatred. It is a common place for leaders to visit, for they always end up as targets when things go wrong. Worldly fears cause thoughtless actions, Godly fear calls on us to wait before we act.

We should also take the steps that David took in this situation, if we are to find victory. (1) His fear of the Lord was greater than all of his other fears. (2) He asked God to be his Guard, and his refuge. (3) He kept his integrity, his belief in God’s “unfailing love,” and waited for the salvation of God to preserve his life. All this can apply to our lives today, and it is the key to understanding the “mysteries” of God…God Bless.
Pastor William

Truth or Consequences

It's a matter of ABC: When we encounter ADVERSITY, we react by thinking about it. Our thoughts rapidly congeal into BELIEFS. These beliefs may become so habitual we don't even realize we have them unless we stop to focus on them. And they don't just sit there idly; they have CONSEQUENCES. The beliefs are the direct cause of what we feel and what we do next. They can spell the difference between dejection and giving up, on the one hand, and well-being and constructive action on the other. The first step is to see the connection between adversity, belief, and consequence. The second step is to see how the ABCs operate every day in your own life.
Martin E. P. Seligman

Job 2:9-10
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. NASU

We shouldn’t judge the wife of Job to harshly. She was watching her loved one virtually being destroyed before her eyes. It was a plea for the end of his suffering, without a thought for its cost. Satan could not kill him, but he was allowed to cause Job major pain. Those men that came to be with him sat with him for seven days without saying a word, for they saw his pain was so great.

What we all admire about Job is that with all of his suffering…he would not curse God. Job had learned well the consequences of obedience to the Lord, and disobedience, and he drew a line in his life and decided he would never cross that line.

I’m afraid that there is a need in today’s world for that line to be restored in the lives of many. They have crossed over it so often…they don’t even know where it is, or what they believe anymore. Adversity is a good tool to help us find that line again, to get back into obedience and to again reverence our Lord. This will have eternal consequences for us all…God Bless
Pastor William

Enough?

Of course, money will do after its kind, and will steadily work to un-spiritualize and un-church the people to whom it was bequeathed.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882, American poet, essayist)

Proverbs 30:7-9
Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God. NASU

What is it to say that Jesus is our portion? Listen to what John says in John 3:27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.” To me the greatest promise here is this; the only thing we receive on this earth that will stay with us forever is Jesus Himself. In Him are all things and from Him all things came, so nothing exists without Him.

What eternal value do the things that we possess on this earth have? Nothing, they have no “eternal” value unless we use those resources given to us to advance the Gospel, and to reach the lost for Christ. So, how much do I need? Well, I need enough, and I’m afraid in today’s society that enough has lost favor. We all want big barns, full, just in case of a “rainy” day.

Listen to Solomon’s advice. All we need is enough, enough to meet our needs each day, and enough faith to trust Him for tomorrow. Solomon acknowledges his nature to God. He says if I have too much, I will have a tendency to forget you, and if I have too little, I might steal. So Lord, let me have as much as I need to keep my eternal focus on You, and reap those things that will last me forever…God Bless.
Pastor William

Spiritual History

Without adventure civilization is in full decay.
Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947, British mathematician, philosopher)

Lam 3:20-26
Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD. NASU

So what is it that enables us to let go of the old and move forward with The Shepherd? I think that one of the most important ingredients is a humble and quiet spirit. Jeremiah said it this way, my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. So an important part of our Christian experience is not to panic or be fearful, but to recall, or to remember and in this remembering, we find courage.

This means that we have a history with our Lord that we can bring back to our minds in those times when we are called to step out in faith. Jeremiah reached back through his memory and recalled his own personal experiences. He was reminded that God’s kindness to him had never failed. Jeremiah had seen it personally in his own life, and in the life of others, and it gave him “Hope.”

You and I can experience just as Jeremiah did that “newness” every morning, but that demands we leave the old. Leaving the comfort of the old demands faith, and stepping out in faith will give you new experiences. These will be those things that “you” recall to mind while you are waiting silently on the salvation of the Lord. You will know for certain that “The Lord is good to those who “Seek” Him.”…God Bless.
Pastor William

Changing Pastures

Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached.
Simone Weil (1910-1943, French philosopher, mystic)

Lev 26:10-13
"You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. "Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. "I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. NASU

I think this verse in Leviticus has a great message for the individual Christian, as well as for the Church today. Having a relationship with God is an evolving and changing process. At any time in our walk with God He may call on us to step forward. This is a faith process that involves “letting go.” I find God addressing this with me again, and again, and I believe it is because He knows how we struggle with the issue of change.

God tells us that we will eat up, or clear out the old, because of the new. Our problem comes when we refuse the new, and insist on keeping the old, because of its familiarity to us. Meaning we choose to tread over the old paths again and again. It is at this point that we fail to see that God is walking in the new, and we have left him because of our lack of faith, and our fondness for the old.

If we are not with God then we are not “His people.” The sheep are with the Shepherd wherever He goes. Behind them are the old pastures. They have grazed them already, and no nourishment lies there. God is leading us to new pastures and new experiences with Him, so that we might grow. On the hills behind are thin and dying sheep, on the hills ahead, God walks among the fatlings…God Bless.
Pastor William

Looking Forward

Past: Our cradle, not our prison, and there is danger as well as appeal in its glamour. The past is for inspiration, not imitation; for continuation, not repetition.
Israel Zangwill (1864-1926, British writer)

Ezra 3:12-13
Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away. NASU

Memories are great! I have childhood memories that I cherish, and some that I wouldn’t repeat, but memories seem to grow fonder over time. However, I couldn’t imagine anyone exchanging a washing machine for a washboard, of a car for a horse, there are some things that we like about today that didn’t exist in yesteryears.

After the return of the Israelites from Babylon, they were impressed with the need to rebuild the temple. Those that had no memories of the old temple worked hard to lay the foundation of the “new” Holy Place. They younger looked forward to a brighter future and a restored relationship with God. But on that day of dedication the older looked at the present in view of the past and wept, while the younger rejoiced.

We must embrace the future, but so many times leaving the comfortable, knowledgeable surroundings of the past is hard. We must live for today, with hope for tomorrow, and we must reconcile the past. We found joy in the past at one time, and it was fun, but that is over. New joys and discoveries await us, let us always be able to rejoice over the past, and Glory in the future prepared for us to walk in…God Bless.
Pastor William

Rediscover Kindness

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997, Albanian-born Roman Catholic missionary)

Eph 4:29-32
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. NASU

I think kindness is a great word for the church today. It seems that churches have grown cold in the practice of kindnesses toward the world, and each other. We need to search for this warm spirit among us again, and each of us can culture it and spread it ourselves, if we are willing to put away some habits that we have developed.

Paul felt it necessary to address the problem with bold commands. Let “No” words proceed from our mouths that are not for edification, and “put away” bitterness, anger, clamor, malice, and slander. Paul tells us also why this is so important. It “grieves” The Holy Spirit, who places His seal on each of us, and marks us for the day of Christ’s return. That’s serious stuff.

Now listen to the commands given to us by The Holy Spirit, through Paul. Be “Kind,” and tenderhearted, extending forgiveness to one another, even as God, in Christ, extended forgiveness to each of you. Kindness is fuel to the soul, but bitterness is the acid that leaches away the strength that our souls can share with one another on this short walk between the cradle and the grave. Be Ye Kind…God Bless.
Pastor William

All In The Family

In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. The young they keep out of mischief; to the old they are a comfort and aid in their weakness, and those in the prime of life they incite to noble deeds.
Aristotle (BC 384-322, Greek philosopher)

1 John 3:14-16
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. NASU

There are friends, and then there are friends. We have acquaintances, and then we have those that are very close to us, even as though they were family. Well, guess what, they are family. We, as God’s creation, have the same Father, and it is God Himself, our eternal Dad. We have some members of this family that are closer to us than others but, nevertheless, we are all related.

God purposed this from the beginning. He purposed that we would interact with each other, and in that interaction, we would learn some great things about who we are ourselves. After all, Jesus, Himself said this about the second commandment in Matt 22:39 "The second is like it, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

So, we can really drop all of these other names that we have for each other and begin to embrace the fact that we are all, “One Family.” We can begin to take our eyes off of ourselves, and pursuits of our goals, and embrace the goals of others around us as well. Today is a great day for the world to see who we really are, or we can cocoon with our own, and miss the greatest blessing of all…God Bless.
Pastor William

Know How To Plow?

Lack of will power has caused more failures than lack of intelligence or ability.
Flower A. Newhouse

Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." NASU

Have you ever tried to plow? Well, if you haven’t you should give it a whirl, at least once. One thing you will learn is it’s not as easy as it looks, not that it always even looked easy. In the old days, the task was even harder, and the complexity was increased by the use of an ole mule or an ox that had to be kept on track.

The most important rule one has to follow is to keep your eye on the end of the row. There must be a target there that you lock your eye on, so as to stay straight. The second important rule is to keep the plow in the ground, which is not always easy, considering there are rocks and roots to throw you off course. Some of those that have failed at this task started a rumor that there was more corn on crooked rows.

For us to stay the course in this life it is necessary for each of us to handle the plow rightly. That is to keep our lives grounded in the Word of God, and to keep our eyes on Jesus, our prize, and our crown. Jesus tells us in Matt 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” We must hold on to Christ, and focus on the end of our journey, to enter the narrow door…God Bless.
Pastor William

Don't Let It Get The Best of You

The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing for you if you don't let it get the best of you.
Will Rogers (1879-1935, American humorist, actor)

James 1:11-12
For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away. Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. NASU

Jesus left these encouraging words to us in Luke 18:29-30, “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.” Why did Jesus leave us these words? He did it because our calling is to leave “fleshy” things.

All those things that give comfort to the world cause them great grief when they are lost. Jesus is telling us from the very beginning that we must not place our hope on such things. To believe in Christ is to experience a real relationship with Him, which also includes the sharing of His sufferings, with the end being our seeing victory through our trials, even as Christ did through His.

Sometimes those closest to us will abandon us. Jesus said this… and let it sink in good, “I came to my own, and my own received me not.” Sometimes the things that you will do for your Father may cause you temporary grief, and or pain, but rejoice for you are in good company. This life is like a quick sting of a shot, and then it is over and with our crown of life received, eternal bliss with our Lord…God Bless.
Pastor William

Christian Commercials

As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for socialism is its adherents.
George Orwell (1903-1950, British author, "Animal Farm")

Isa 52:10-11
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there, Touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
NASU

Over 350,000 persons were interviewed in a Gallop poll, and asked this question: "Is religion an important part of your daily life?" The data reveal a wide disparity among the states. In Mississippi, 85% answered "yes," while in Vermont, only 42% did so. It seems the further north you go, the less spiritual you grow. In fact, only about half as many people answered yes in Vermont.

To be a Christian means coming from Christ. Just as a Californian comes from California and a Bostonian is someone who comes from Boston, a Christian is one who comes from Christ. I’m afraid though that we have not proclaimed loudly enough our heritage, for there are traits that Christians have, as much as there are traits of the Bostonian.

As Christians we are vessels who carry within us the Holiness of Christ. We are to keep it clean and holy and to give it preference in our lives, so that it may witness to the strength and power of our God. To say you believe it, and to live it, can be two different things. Are we good billboards for our God? Does our life draw others to Christ, or push them away? An important, daily question for us all…God Bless.
Pastor William

Sunday Rest

Sundays, quiet islands on the tossing seas of life.
S. W. Duffield

Ex 16:28-30
Then the LORD said to Moses, "How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions? "See, the LORD has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." So the people rested on the seventh day. NASU

Benjamin Franklin said, “He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.” This is an interesting insight for the Christian today; for I believe we have become so busy as Christians that we have lost the importance of resting. Being still and quiet so as to hear and see the Lord’s will for us is important.

I like what Leonardo Da Vinci said, “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller and more of it can be taken in at a glance and a lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.

I believe it is time for the Christian Church to take pause. Time to rethink what it is we do every Sunday. Are we resting and listening, or are we too busy to hear the plans the Lord has for us. Yes, there is work to be done, but regularly we need to pause and allow our Lord to show us, at a glance, our lack of harmony, or proportion, so as to show this world His perfection…God Bless.
Pastor William