The Pause That Refreshes

One hour of thoughtful solitude may nerve the heart for days of conflict -- girding up its armor to meet the most insidious foe.

Lord Percival

Romans 13:12-13
The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us •walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. (HCSB)

The other brilliant side of the coin of prayer, spent properly, is that of not only cleansing, but also a defense that comes from the innocence that comes out of that glorious time we spend with our Father. It is packing the spiritual lunch for the day; it is cleaning out all of the things that may prevent us for hearing His Wisdom.

Quoting the British Clergyman Robert South, “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” To understand the fullness of what he was telling his parishioners in the 1600’s, is to understand that morality, and a clean heart are the clothing of a Christian, it helps us to better understand why Paul says “walk with decency.”

There is only one way for you and I to do such a thing, and that is to attend a private meeting with our Lord everyday of our lives. It is to approach our God morning and evening, and rejoice in our success’s and be comforted in our shortcomings. God is interested in them all. What an awesome God we serve…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Undergirding One Another

The minds of people are so cluttered up with everyday living these days that they don't, or they won't, take time out for a little prayer -- for mental cleansing, just as they take a bath for physical, outer cleansing. both are necessary.

Jo Ann Carlson

Romans 13:12-13
The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us •walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. (HCSB)

It appears to me this morning that one of the most important things that we are commanded to do in scripture is to be cleansed. The question is “How.” How do I find the impetus, the spiritual strength that I need daily to discard those deeds of darkness that find ways to creep into my daily life?

Well the answer is, “Prayer.” I do not mean just our individual prayers, but also by the prayers of others. What is your prayer life like? Are you just praying for you, or just your family? We are commanded in scripture to be lovers of the brethren, we are to lift up and we are to be encouraging one another as we see the “Day of The Lord” approaching.

Hebrews 10:24 tell us this “And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works.” Be sure that in this life our deeds follow us as sure as our shadow follows our body. To insure that we are bolstered by Christ centered deeds in our life requires us to discard things keeping us from that time of prayer…our time before our Lord where we put on the “The Armor of Light,” not just for us but others as well…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

Impressions

Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find "tomorrow" on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, "If I had my life to live over again.”Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.

Og Mandino (1923-1996)

Romans 13:12-13
The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us •walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. (HCSB)

I see many names in the news this morning. A governor whose legacy is adultery, an actress who painted the minds of many, and a rock star whose moonwalk and music marked his life. I also heard one man comment that he thought that the rock star would, quote, “live forever.” But the sad fact is that these are not forever things, they are earthly things.

Many things can be said about what these people have done, or not done, but that is not the question for you and I today. It is this. What are we doing that will go with us into eternity? God will not be impressed with moonwalks, beauty, or position, God will only ask one question, what have you done to return the debt of love that you owed my Son…

People daily are wasting precious time on temporal things that are not eternal, and no matter how much they impress you and me, we will not be their judge, God is. In light of that during the pomp and glitter of the next few days, place it in context of deeds that will impress our eternal Father. For God will not be impressed on how we pleased the world, but on how we pleased Him…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Valued Time

Time; that black and narrow isthmus between two eternities.

Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832, British sportsman writer)


Romans 13:11-12
Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (HCSB)



“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” Charles Bixton shares his experience with time with us this morning. I think that in his words you will also find something else. You, yourself place values on time. You decide yourself what are the most important things in your life.

If you know truly who God is, and the importance of knowing everything you can about this God who loves you so much, you will make time for Him. Hebrews 10:25 tell us this, “not staying away from our meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Our time to meet our God is near. Don’t you want to be prepared for this meeting? I don’t want to enter His chambers as a stranger, but as someone who knows Him well. When I come to my time of evaluation I want to stand in confidence before my King. Could you do that today if He decided your time here, was over…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Wake Up, It's Late!

Shed, as you do your garments, your daily sins, whether of omission or commission, and you will wake a free man, with a new life.

Sir William Osler (1849-1919, Canadian physician)


Romans 13:11-12
Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (HCSB)

Are you asleep? The British poet, Lord Byron, said this of sleep, “Sleep hath its own world, and a wide realm of wild reality. And dreams in their development have breath, and tears, and tortures, and the touch of joy.” Notice here he mentions only a touch of joy, for living without Christ is to chase these fleeting moments.

It is being asleep, or ignorant of a life full of satisfaction and joy of accomplishment that we have when we are fully awake to the life that is ours for the taking in Christ. What Paul is trying to convey to us here is the lateness of the hour. It is like waking suddenly from a peaceful sleep to discover you have 15 min. to get ready and be at work.

We begin life thinking we are going to live forever, and as life goes on it becomes more fleeting. But, if we are aware of our purpose, we can find joy and accomplishment in every ageless moment. We can know that we are doing things each day that will last an eternity, and that can bring you joy, if you are awake in Christ…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

Endless Love

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice. But for those who love, time is not.

Henry Van Dyke (1852--1933, American protestant clergyman and writer)


Romans 13:11-12
Besides this, knowing the time, it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (HCSB)

What time is it, and what is time? I think that Henry Van Dyke did a good job of describing it don’t you? Time is defined by what we set ourselves to do. Working in the tasks we dread we find time endless, but in those things that we enjoy, time goes by so quickly. So then time is judged by what we enjoy, or what we dislike.

I most like his definition of time for those in love, for them time does not exist. So the way I look at life now is important, and it is important for me to know the time. If you look at your watch, or clock, or even your phone, it will give you the time, but it does not define the time for you, it is just an indicator of where you and I are.

Too me what would measure time for us now is our love for our Father, how much you and I love Jesus, and if we are really in love, time will disappear. In expressing my love for God, in acts of service, time will catch me. Not waiting impatiently, nor dreading the next day, but in love, making the most of the time, for the night is nearly over…God’s Blessings
Pastor William

Love Wipes The Slate

There is a law that man should love his neighbor as himself. In a few hundred years it should be as natural to mankind as breathing or the upright gait; but if he does not learn it, he must perish.

Alfred Adler (1870-1937, Austrian psychiatrist)

Romans 13:8-10
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up by this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. (HCSB)

I think that this is one of the boldest statements in scripture and gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. We are legalists for the most part in that what we see of a person is what we believe is true about them. Yet we know that in each person’s heart there is sin, for there was but one born without sin and His Name is Jesus.

We know of many around us we believe to be good people, judged by the way that they have fulfilled the law by living close to what is deemed good. Yet, I see here a great truth that turns all of this around. God says that if you and I love one another, we will have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law.

Christ commanded us in John 13:34 and again in John 15:12, to love one another as He has loved us. So I see here that in this new covenant that God has made with us that the fulfillment of the Law is last, and Love is first. Now to me that makes Loving my Brother of the Utmost importance…a new covenant, a new way of life…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

An Eternal Debt

Modern man drives a mortgaged car over a bond-financed highway on credit-card gas.

Earl Wilson (1907-1987, American newspaper columnist)

Romans 13:8-10
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up by this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. (HCSB)

I think the best way to begin to understand what Paul is saying in this scripture is to first start with explaining how Paul is using the word “owe” in vs. 8. How can we follow this scripture if we have a mortgage or a car payment? In today’s society debt is almost a way of life, if you have a credit card you can be considered owing, even if you pay your balance by the end of the month.

So here is what I think Paul is saying to us by the Holy Spirit in this scripture. He is saying that the main debt that you owe is to each other, and that nothing is to interfere with us paying this debt. If the house interferes with it, get rid of it. If the car prevents you from accomplishing it, get rid of it, and what is this debt that we owe?

It is to love one another. We are indebted to Christ, we owe Him this love, and it is to take precedence, or first place in our lives. It is the only real debt that you and I have. The rest of this will disappear with the banks at His Coming. But the debt of Love is eternal, it will not disappear…Paul is saying, “payday someday,” we will be called to account for this debt… God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.

John W. Gardner (1912-2002, American educator, social activist)

Romans 13:5-7
Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God’s public servants, continually attending to these tasks. Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor. (HCSB)

A rebel has few friends and they usually wind up hanging with him. Christ was not a rebel, Jesus was a friend. He was a friend to all, He came not to fight, but to teach, and that is the way Christ asks us to walk today also. Are we going to meet some resistance? Yes, of course but Christ did not seek confusion, neither should we.

God has given us authority for a good reason. I have found through life that those who reject authority will also reject Christ. Why? It is because the only opinions and rules they have respect for are their own. They are centered on self.

This very thing is what caused men to reject Christ. The Word of God tells us, “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.”(John 1:11) The religious status quo caused the rebellion, because of their refusal to honor and respect their King, Jesus, The Messiah, God’s only son, and their conscience is seared to this day…God’s Blessings

Pastor William

The Flavors of Authority

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy ax without an edge, fitter to bruise than to polish.

Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672, British puritan poet)

Romans 13:3-5
For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but too bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience. (HCSB)

The way that Christians interact with authority is many times determined by our own actions. In The Word of God the interactions that I see are not open rebellion. What I see in most cases is an interaction with authority that says God tells me to do thus, and I can do no other, but it is never an intentional breaking of established peaceful governance.

If you and I get a speeding ticket it is because we have exceeded the limits of peaceful governance; we have broken the law. God expects us to conduct ourselves reasonably before the world, because we are his witnesses. It is only when law intercedes in spiritual governance, that we run into conflict with the authorities that help give us a calm and reasonable society.

If they break God’s spiritual laws, He “WILL” deal with them, and we will have God on our side. But, if we break the laws of society, we do not have God on our side, God is on the side of peaceful governance, or will uphold our authorities. We will be forgiven for transgressing the law, but the penalty will be upheld…it’s something to think about in the way we conduct ourselves in this world…God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

A Gift Opened

There is a very real relationship, both quantitatively and qualitatively, between what you contribute and what you get out of this world.

Oscar Hammerstein (1846-1919, German theatrical impresario)

Romans 12:6-8
According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. (HCSB)

Before we leave these verses, I think it important that we look at the fervor in which they are given to us. It is not just that you are given a gift, for a gift is never reaped fully until it is opened. Many people have gifts, but they are not exercised simply because they are aware of what opening that gift will cost them.

Once you open a gift it begs you to use it. If it is a basketball, it begs to be bounced and thrown at a metal ring. If it is a baseball, it also asks that you get someone else together to use it. It must be thrown to be hit, and it needs a glove to catch it before it hits the ground.

So it is with the gifts that God has given us. He gives us an aurora in which they must be used…diligently and cheerfully. It is a gift that draws from us our very best, God designed it that way to grow us up and improve us, and to goad us into drawing others to walk along side of us in excited service to our Great and Wonderful God…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Your Gift

God always provides what we need, but we must be ready to open our eyes and see it.

Midrash (Jewish biblical commentary)

Romans 12:6-8
According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness. (HCSB)

One of the most amazing things that I have seen, since God granted me the gift of pastoring, is the gifts of others that He places alongside of me in the ministry. Without their gifts my gift could not be used. It took some time for me to see what it was that God wanted me to do with my life, but I am so much happier since I found peace in my “gift.”

God also has something specific in mind for you. He deals with each of us individually, and your gift is just as important as mine. We all complement each other, we strengthen each other and allow the Holy Spirit to actively work in the world in which we live.

It is so important that you find your gift. You see you are complimenting and supporting the work of God in this world. If you are not using your gift, according to “the standard of faith, you are robbing this world, and God of the gifts that He gave them in you. Wow! Did you realize how very important you are to God’s purpose in this world…God’s Blessings
Pastor William

Your Place In The Body

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you have a greater reason for being here than just for yourself.

Pastor William

Romans 12:3b-6
Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; (HCSB)

A measure of good sense, and then a measure of faith, having these two things are important for us as Christians. I have seen through the years, God bring people to fellowship with a group of believers that just seem to fit in, to complement the purpose that God has put into their hearts.

God brings people together for His purpose. It’s not a club, or a group of any sort. It is people that God has purposed to become “One Body.” I have seen at times people come into that setting and try to push their way into a certain part of it, and it usually caused the body that was in harmony to become sick.

God has a place for each of us in The Body of believers that He calls us too, but in each case we need to wait patiently on The Lord and ask Him to direct us toward what will be His purpose for us in that body. God has a place for us all, and Paul reminds us that while we may be many, we are to remain members of one another…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Making Sense of Life

For me, happiness came from prayer to a kindly God, faith in a kindly God, love for my fellow man, and doing the very best I could every day of my life. I had looked for happiness in fast living, but it was not there. I tried to find it in money, but it was not there, either. But when I placed myself in tune with what I believe to be fundamental truths of life, when I began to develop my limited ability, to rid my mind of all kinds of tangled thoughts and fill it with zeal and courage and love, when I gave myself a chance by treating myself decently and sensibly, I began to feel the stimulating, warm glow of happiness.

Edward Young (1683-1765, British poet, dramatist)

Romans 12:3b-6
Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; (HCSB)

Thinking sensibly…a small sentence, and yet a large request, for people think differently about different things. Good sense is not something that you are born with. It may be something that you have learned, mainly because it was modeled in front of you.

Paul is telling each one of us in this scripture that God has made available to each of us good sense. Our Father did not want us to look foolish in this world, but provided for each of us to live out our lives in such a way that someone would say we had “good” sense.

Our Father, Paul says, was careful to measure out to each one of us just the amount that we needed. Not too much sense to make us of no earthly good, but God has measured out just enough for each of us to live profitable lives for His Kingdom while we are here. So if life isn’t making much sense to you right now…get back to The ONE, who can get you back to thinking sensibly…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

In The Right Place

You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled then something has been lost.

Martha Graham (1894-1991, American dancer, teacher, and choreographer)

Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Have you asked God what you are here for? It’s important you know. After high school you may have had a time of wondering; what’s next.? You struggled to find your career path, to find out what it was that you were going to spend the rest of your life doing. Well inside of that life where did you fit God’s plans for you?

It didn’t matter if you were a doctor or drove the garbage truck in town, God designed before you were born, a perfect plan for your life. God has a plan for you and I, just as He did in the days of Jeremiah, He says in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” this is the Lord’s declaration, “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

It doesn’t matter where you are in life, it’s not too late to find those plans and begin a trek of blessing. I didn’t say it would be easy, what I am saying is that you will find fulfillment and satisfaction there, and that is so much better than money. So if you haven’t taken the time to do so, then do it now, ask God if you are in His Will for your life. Nothing feels better than to know your life fits within His Plan. God's Blessing's.

Pastor William

Bringing Ourselves Down a Notch

For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe.

Larry Eisenberg

Romans 12:3-5
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. (HCSB)

In a way this really plays back to yesterday’s devotion on having a renewed mind, for the attitude of the old mind is that it has the best answers. We have this attitude within us that easily usurps God’s safekeeping, and authority in our lives. When it comes time to make decisions we will lean towards what we know and can see, instead of trusting the leadership of the Holy Spirit within us.

We have a warning about this kind of foolish thinking in Prov. 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” You see our decisions as Christians are not ones of human insight, but of the heart. The Holy Spirit is within each of us to direct us in God’s Ways, and not our own, but God also knew our greatest problem would be ourselves.

God experienced firsthand, how easily we could be drawn from fellowship with Him, and through Paul, He once again warns us of the dangers of falling into the same trap. The only way to avoid this is to highlight in our lives the value of God’s presence and insight. This means that we spend more time listing to God than telling Him what is best for us. You don’t do that do you?...God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Old Thinking

Nothing in life is more exciting and rewarding than the sudden flash of insight that leaves you a changed person -- not only changed, but for the better.

Arthur Gordon

Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Discernment is a gift that is unappreciated. Godly discernment is to be greatly sought after, but only from the presupposition that God’s mind is a better mind than yours. Now that really puts the picture up where we can get a better view of it. Most people trust themselves so much that they will not allow insight from other sources to influence their lives, thus their minds are never renewed.

We have a mind of our own, don’t we? God wanted us to have that kind of mind, not a programmed mind, but He desired us to be thinking and discerning living beings. In the early stages of our birth that mind caused us to fall. It was discerning the good and evil in the Garden of Eden that has us existing in this state of imperfection that we are in today.

So the road back to the Garden will not come through our minds, but through the mind of Christ. I don’t know about you but I have felt the penalty of this old mind long enough. I want that new and transformed mind that will not rebel against my Father. It is that mind that knows how to exist with him and to please Him. So let us seek that transformation together, it leads to a transformed world…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William

Not a Make- over, but a Do-over

Transformation literally means going beyond your form.

Wayne Dyer

Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

So this is the question then; if we are not to conform to this present world, its images and its ways, what mold are we to be poured into. The only form of God that we can glimpse at is through His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh coming to us. During the small part of Christ’s life that we see in scripture, we can see the model into which our life must be remade.

Transformation though does not mean modification, and I’m afraid that many times that is what happens to some people that join the church. When you are genuinely saved you are completely and totally transformed from head to toe. Baptizing is an image of that change. You are buried with Christ, and you are raised again a completely and totally new creation. Sanctification is the process that follows that act.

We think so highly of ourselves that we are sure that God would like for us to keep something about our old self, but the fact is He doesn’t. This is why Paul tells us in 2 Cor 3:18, “We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit (God within us) is leading us to metamorphosis everyday, towards a beauty that we cannot imagine…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William