WOW! That's all I can say about the great state of Alaska.
We had a wonderful mission trip - witnessed several young people accept Christ - and had a blast.
I will update all of you soon on the events of last week.
Have a great day.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
I'm Back
WOW! That's all I can say about the great state of Alaska.
We had a wonderful mission trip - witnessed several young people accept Christ - and had a blast.
I will update all of you soon on the events of last week.
Have a great day.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
What Color are Your Socks?
Yesterday I was reminded of the story about a little boy and his slingshot. He had spent the entire morning practicing with his slingshot but was frustrated because he could never hit the target. As he was heading back to the house he saw his grandmother's favorite duck and decided to take a shot - unfortunately for the little boy he was right on target. Not only did he hit the duck...he killed him. Scared to tell his grandmother he decided to keep the murder a secret hoping she would never find out what he had done.
However, there was a witness to the whole event - his sister. She told the little boy that she would keep it a secret if he would do whatever she asked. The little boy ended up doing dishes when he could have been playing, working on the farm when he could have been fishing, eventually becoming a slave to the little girl simply because he didn't want his grandmother to find out the truth. Finally, he had enough. The little boy went to his grandmother and told her the truth. Grandma said, "Honey, I forgive you. I knew all along that you had killed my duck." The little boy said, "Why didn't you say anything?" She replied, "I was waiting for you to come and tell me the truth and I was wondering how long you were going to let your sister make you a slave because of what you had done."
Doesn't that sound too much like us? Maybe there is something in our past that we have not dealt with or maybe we struggle with a decision that we have made recently in giving in to our flesh. How long are we going to allow ourselves to be slaves to sin? How long are we going to allow a mistake in our lives to rule over us? God is waiting to forgive us if we will but come to Him.
As I thought about this struggle in our lives I was reminded of Paul's words in Romans 6 teaching us not to present ourselves as instruments of unrighteousness. You see, that's what we do when we are not willing to come clean before God. Verse 14 tells us, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Oh, if only the little boy in the story knew that he was under grace. Too often we are like this little boy. We think that we are under God's law because of the sin we have committed. But if we are believers in Jesus Christ we are under His grace which means that we can approach God to seek His forgiveness. He is simply waiting for us to stop being slaves to our problems and become servants of His goodness.
What does all of this have to do with socks? Our church just received an email from a pastor in Ukraine. This is a church that we have worked with in the past and just recently sent some care packages for encouragement. Mixed in with all the items were new white socks. The pastor told us that he found that gift to be an interesting one because they don't normally wear white socks. The following Sunday he preached a message to his people about white socks. Basically, what he told them was that they normally wear black socks because you can wear them over and over again because they don't show stains. White socks present a problem because they show dirt. The goal isn't necessarily to be clean - the goal is to not look dirty.
I wonder how many believers are living with a black sock mentality? It's not so much about being clean but looking clean. As long as our sin doesn't stain us to the point that we can't be out in public we never change. All the while we have become slaves to unrighteousness. Dear friends, choose to live in the bright whiteness of Christ's forgiveness. Be willing to own up to your shortcomings, faults, and sins so that God can clean you up. Don't allow yourselves to become subject to the law again - live in GRACE.
As I close out this message this morning I want to thank you all for reading the various entries. Your encouragement has been remarkable. This very well could be my last blog for a few days since I am in the process of packing up my computer and my home for a move. Also, I will be leaving Saturday with a group for a mission trip to Alaska. I couldn't think of a better message to share with you than this. Don't be like the black socks. Instead, live like white socks with an attitude that accepts the stains but is willing to be made clean through the blood of Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin - NO - we should be slaves of righteousness.
May God Bless You All.
However, there was a witness to the whole event - his sister. She told the little boy that she would keep it a secret if he would do whatever she asked. The little boy ended up doing dishes when he could have been playing, working on the farm when he could have been fishing, eventually becoming a slave to the little girl simply because he didn't want his grandmother to find out the truth. Finally, he had enough. The little boy went to his grandmother and told her the truth. Grandma said, "Honey, I forgive you. I knew all along that you had killed my duck." The little boy said, "Why didn't you say anything?" She replied, "I was waiting for you to come and tell me the truth and I was wondering how long you were going to let your sister make you a slave because of what you had done."
Doesn't that sound too much like us? Maybe there is something in our past that we have not dealt with or maybe we struggle with a decision that we have made recently in giving in to our flesh. How long are we going to allow ourselves to be slaves to sin? How long are we going to allow a mistake in our lives to rule over us? God is waiting to forgive us if we will but come to Him.
As I thought about this struggle in our lives I was reminded of Paul's words in Romans 6 teaching us not to present ourselves as instruments of unrighteousness. You see, that's what we do when we are not willing to come clean before God. Verse 14 tells us, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Oh, if only the little boy in the story knew that he was under grace. Too often we are like this little boy. We think that we are under God's law because of the sin we have committed. But if we are believers in Jesus Christ we are under His grace which means that we can approach God to seek His forgiveness. He is simply waiting for us to stop being slaves to our problems and become servants of His goodness.
What does all of this have to do with socks? Our church just received an email from a pastor in Ukraine. This is a church that we have worked with in the past and just recently sent some care packages for encouragement. Mixed in with all the items were new white socks. The pastor told us that he found that gift to be an interesting one because they don't normally wear white socks. The following Sunday he preached a message to his people about white socks. Basically, what he told them was that they normally wear black socks because you can wear them over and over again because they don't show stains. White socks present a problem because they show dirt. The goal isn't necessarily to be clean - the goal is to not look dirty.
I wonder how many believers are living with a black sock mentality? It's not so much about being clean but looking clean. As long as our sin doesn't stain us to the point that we can't be out in public we never change. All the while we have become slaves to unrighteousness. Dear friends, choose to live in the bright whiteness of Christ's forgiveness. Be willing to own up to your shortcomings, faults, and sins so that God can clean you up. Don't allow yourselves to become subject to the law again - live in GRACE.
As I close out this message this morning I want to thank you all for reading the various entries. Your encouragement has been remarkable. This very well could be my last blog for a few days since I am in the process of packing up my computer and my home for a move. Also, I will be leaving Saturday with a group for a mission trip to Alaska. I couldn't think of a better message to share with you than this. Don't be like the black socks. Instead, live like white socks with an attitude that accepts the stains but is willing to be made clean through the blood of Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin - NO - we should be slaves of righteousness.
May God Bless You All.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Secret Word for Today: Pandering
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200806/NAT20080610g.html
The above link will send you to an article about a NJ graduate who filed and won a lawsuit against his school because they held a graduation ceremony in a local Baptist Church. Bilaf Shareef, Muslim, has since received an apology from Newark's school district with the assurance that future events will not be held in houses of worship.
Shareef had to skip his 2006 graduation from West Side High because his beliefs prohibit him form entering buildings containing icons of God. The ACLU, of course, was in the heat of the battle saying that they want to ensure that no other student is made to feel like an outsider. Shareef said that he was forced between honoring his education and his faith and that no one should be put in that position.
THIS MAKES ME SICK!
Is anyone else sick and tired of all the pandering that goes on in this country. One student gets offended and now the whole school system will change the way they do things. I find it interesting that Muslims can't enter houses of worship that contain icons of God but they can enter buses filled with all kinds of people with bombs strapped to their bodies only to detonate them. I'm sure that statement can be offensive to some people but the truth is the truth. All over the world you can find stories about city councils, school officials, hotels, etc. doing everything they can to bend over backwards for the Muslim faith. Muslims are accomplishing what atheists could not - the removal of God completely from anything public.
When will our country recognize that one of the greatest threats to freedom is pandering to any and all who are offended. Not only that, but the rise of the Islamic faith around the world is a scary reality. I don't have the official numbers but I would bet that 90% (or better) of all terrorist organizations are Muslim. Almost all wars being waged in the world right now involve Muslim extremists. Isn't there anyone else who can do the math?
People want to talk about the "Peaceful Religion of Islam" - I have never seen it. It's definitely not in the Quran. The Muslim faith at it's core is anti everything but Islam. So much so that infidels are to be rubbed out if they are not willing to convert. Now, you might be asking how did I get here from a story about a kid and his high school...well, I'm glad you asked. Bilaf Shareef said that no one should ever be put in the position of choosing between their faith and education. I say, no one should ever be put in the position of choosing between the Muslim faith and their life, but it's a reality in the world we live.
If our country continues to pander to all of these groups the United States will no longer be the nation we have come to honor and love. Think about these issues: gay marriage, euthanasia, abortion, etc. When will the pandering stop? To borrow a statement from Henry Blackaby (with a little modification) I want to say, "The next few years will say more about the prayer lives of believers than it will about the morality of America."
2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
I am becoming more and more aware of this fact: Believers in Christ are not praying enough for our country. We can no longer stand by and watch this nation be overrun by every type of affinity group, religious system, or political party known to man. And the way we fight this is not with bombs or protests but through the awesome power of prayer. Will we pray?
The above link will send you to an article about a NJ graduate who filed and won a lawsuit against his school because they held a graduation ceremony in a local Baptist Church. Bilaf Shareef, Muslim, has since received an apology from Newark's school district with the assurance that future events will not be held in houses of worship.
Shareef had to skip his 2006 graduation from West Side High because his beliefs prohibit him form entering buildings containing icons of God. The ACLU, of course, was in the heat of the battle saying that they want to ensure that no other student is made to feel like an outsider. Shareef said that he was forced between honoring his education and his faith and that no one should be put in that position.
THIS MAKES ME SICK!
Is anyone else sick and tired of all the pandering that goes on in this country. One student gets offended and now the whole school system will change the way they do things. I find it interesting that Muslims can't enter houses of worship that contain icons of God but they can enter buses filled with all kinds of people with bombs strapped to their bodies only to detonate them. I'm sure that statement can be offensive to some people but the truth is the truth. All over the world you can find stories about city councils, school officials, hotels, etc. doing everything they can to bend over backwards for the Muslim faith. Muslims are accomplishing what atheists could not - the removal of God completely from anything public.
When will our country recognize that one of the greatest threats to freedom is pandering to any and all who are offended. Not only that, but the rise of the Islamic faith around the world is a scary reality. I don't have the official numbers but I would bet that 90% (or better) of all terrorist organizations are Muslim. Almost all wars being waged in the world right now involve Muslim extremists. Isn't there anyone else who can do the math?
People want to talk about the "Peaceful Religion of Islam" - I have never seen it. It's definitely not in the Quran. The Muslim faith at it's core is anti everything but Islam. So much so that infidels are to be rubbed out if they are not willing to convert. Now, you might be asking how did I get here from a story about a kid and his high school...well, I'm glad you asked. Bilaf Shareef said that no one should ever be put in the position of choosing between their faith and education. I say, no one should ever be put in the position of choosing between the Muslim faith and their life, but it's a reality in the world we live.
If our country continues to pander to all of these groups the United States will no longer be the nation we have come to honor and love. Think about these issues: gay marriage, euthanasia, abortion, etc. When will the pandering stop? To borrow a statement from Henry Blackaby (with a little modification) I want to say, "The next few years will say more about the prayer lives of believers than it will about the morality of America."
2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
I am becoming more and more aware of this fact: Believers in Christ are not praying enough for our country. We can no longer stand by and watch this nation be overrun by every type of affinity group, religious system, or political party known to man. And the way we fight this is not with bombs or protests but through the awesome power of prayer. Will we pray?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
I Don't Feel "Fantastic"
Last night I was watching "The Fantastic Four" and took away an important lesson about life that I want to share with you.
For those of you who do not know - The Fantastic Four is a group of astronauts who gained super powers from exposure to cosmic radiation. Reed Richards became Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm - the Invisible Girl, Johnny Storm (Sue's brother) - the Human Torch, and Ben Grimm - the Thing.
What I noticed from the movie (I don't know if the comic book works the same way) is that the super powers each individual gained was actually an enhancement of their own personality traits. Look at the list:
Reed Richards - the guy who is always bending over backwards to do what needs to be done, and always stretching himself to the limit. His superpower is elasticity.
Sue Storm - comes across as a very strong personality but feels as though she is often overlooked. Her ability to look like she isn't touched by emotional problems is really a defense mechanism that keeps her from having to deal with pain. Her superpowers are to make herself invisible and create an invisible force field.
Johnny Storm - the real hotshot of the group. He likes to live on the edge and can be quite the hot dog. He is also quick tempered. His superpower engulfs him in flames with the ability to fly and use fire as a weapon.
Ben Grimm - the dear friend of Reed Richards is the only real stability that Mr. Fantastic has. He's strong, a constant friend, yet stubborn and prideful. His superpower is seen in his physical appearance (he's a walking, talking rock) and his strength. Since he's covered in rock he is almost indestructible.
What I have discovered from leading a Recovery Group is that these defense mechanisms and personality traits are found in many people. Some people do everything they can for everyone else, some are quick tempered, some have lived their entire lives with the appearance of being strong and untouched when in fact they feel invisible, while others are covered with pride.
What's true in these characters can be true of us. God can take our defects and turn them into strengths. God can take anyone and give them the ability to help others. Phil. 4:13 teaches us that we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength. 2 Cor. 12:9 also gives us insight into the divine power of God who is able to take our weaknesses and display His strength. His Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you; for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
You may not feel fantastic - much like these character - but I want you to see your opportunities in Christ. If you will but submit to His Lordship then He can take your pain, weaknesses, and defects and create a hero who is able to touch lives all around you. His grace is sufficient.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thoughts for the Weekend
Greeting friends,
I'm sorry that I have been posting late over the last few days. My family is preparing to move in a couple of weeks and I have been trying to tie up loose ends. Unfortunately, blogging suffers in the midst of all the "madness." Just to let you know how crazy things are - I will pack up my house next week into a truck on Friday, leave on Saturday to go to Alaska for an 8 day mission trip while my wife stays to close on homes, return on a Sunday to move on Monday. I'M O.K. (REALLY)!!
As we approach the weekend I want to share a quote with you that I just came across. "The worst methodology is usually 'build it and they will come' because lost people aren't looking for a cool church to attend. You have to rediscover your missionary calling as a church and then go into your lost community. Figgure out how to connect with them, bless them, and share Jesus with them."
- Robby Partain, DOM SBC of Texas
What an awesome statement and one that the church needs to hear. Listen, I'm all for having nice buildings to worship in but what is the real reason for the amount of money that we put into them? What's necessary and what is unreasonable? When I see where churches around the world meet for worship I'm reminded over and over again that the building is not the most important thing. What's important is who is inside. We can have the most modern building, state of the art equipment, comfortable seating, large foyers (some churches call them "mall areas"), and the like and still not be reaching our communities for Christ. The things that attracts people to our churches is the church (the community of believers inside).
Here at PBC we just finished a building project that has taken up a lot of time and resources. The building was needed, we have tried to maximize the space we have, and with all that being said I don't think we overshot. The building is common, the seating is comfortable, we have some nice equipment but it's the least of my worries. What matters is what goes on inside and outside the building. The church needs to be a community that is inviting to those on the outside.
I was just thinking the other day about the necessity of ministries that meet the needs of people. We have been doing a recovery ministry for about 6 months now and the impact it has had on our fellowship is amazing. The freedom that the people of God have experienced by being able to talk about their struggles, face their temptations, and to be in an environment that welcomes them without a mask is remarkable. I have come to understand that many churches do not do these types of ministries because it's not pretty. It's not pretty when you have to minister to drug addicts, alcoholics, those addicted to pornography, or those who are struggling in marriage. It's not pretty but it's what God has called us to do.
It's time for the churches to focus on the development inside without losing focus on the lostness outside. Yes, people in our churches need to be ministered to but those outside need to hear the gospel message of salvation in Christ alone. I believe that the church can and should do both.
This weekend I ask you to find someone who needs to experience the love of God. I will guarantee you this - you won't have to look very far. When you attend your child's ballgame, or when you are lounging at the pool, sharing with your scout group, or hanging with the family at the park - the opportunities are endless. Share with them, invite them, and become a believer that affects the lives of people that God has placed before you. In the end you will find that your walk with Christ has greater meaning and the people you affect will see that faith in Jesus is more than just a religious exercise.
May the Lord bless you over this weekend.
I'm sorry that I have been posting late over the last few days. My family is preparing to move in a couple of weeks and I have been trying to tie up loose ends. Unfortunately, blogging suffers in the midst of all the "madness." Just to let you know how crazy things are - I will pack up my house next week into a truck on Friday, leave on Saturday to go to Alaska for an 8 day mission trip while my wife stays to close on homes, return on a Sunday to move on Monday. I'M O.K. (REALLY)!!
As we approach the weekend I want to share a quote with you that I just came across. "The worst methodology is usually 'build it and they will come' because lost people aren't looking for a cool church to attend. You have to rediscover your missionary calling as a church and then go into your lost community. Figgure out how to connect with them, bless them, and share Jesus with them."
- Robby Partain, DOM SBC of Texas
What an awesome statement and one that the church needs to hear. Listen, I'm all for having nice buildings to worship in but what is the real reason for the amount of money that we put into them? What's necessary and what is unreasonable? When I see where churches around the world meet for worship I'm reminded over and over again that the building is not the most important thing. What's important is who is inside. We can have the most modern building, state of the art equipment, comfortable seating, large foyers (some churches call them "mall areas"), and the like and still not be reaching our communities for Christ. The things that attracts people to our churches is the church (the community of believers inside).
Here at PBC we just finished a building project that has taken up a lot of time and resources. The building was needed, we have tried to maximize the space we have, and with all that being said I don't think we overshot. The building is common, the seating is comfortable, we have some nice equipment but it's the least of my worries. What matters is what goes on inside and outside the building. The church needs to be a community that is inviting to those on the outside.
I was just thinking the other day about the necessity of ministries that meet the needs of people. We have been doing a recovery ministry for about 6 months now and the impact it has had on our fellowship is amazing. The freedom that the people of God have experienced by being able to talk about their struggles, face their temptations, and to be in an environment that welcomes them without a mask is remarkable. I have come to understand that many churches do not do these types of ministries because it's not pretty. It's not pretty when you have to minister to drug addicts, alcoholics, those addicted to pornography, or those who are struggling in marriage. It's not pretty but it's what God has called us to do.
It's time for the churches to focus on the development inside without losing focus on the lostness outside. Yes, people in our churches need to be ministered to but those outside need to hear the gospel message of salvation in Christ alone. I believe that the church can and should do both.
This weekend I ask you to find someone who needs to experience the love of God. I will guarantee you this - you won't have to look very far. When you attend your child's ballgame, or when you are lounging at the pool, sharing with your scout group, or hanging with the family at the park - the opportunities are endless. Share with them, invite them, and become a believer that affects the lives of people that God has placed before you. In the end you will find that your walk with Christ has greater meaning and the people you affect will see that faith in Jesus is more than just a religious exercise.
May the Lord bless you over this weekend.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Open Season
"To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal:
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Contrary to popular belief, Simon & Garfunkel did not write these words. Contrary to what the world believes, there is a time and place for everything.
I don't know what season you are enjoying or enduring in life right now but I want you to know that God is not oblivious to what you are going through. If you are in a season of laughter - laugh. If you are in a season of dancing - dance. None of us know when the seasons of life will change. We can enjoy the wonderful seasons but we need to be able to weather the difficult ones as well.
What I have noticed in the verses above is that for every season there is an opposite. I may have to keep silent during a season but there will come a season when I can speak. I may have to endure a season of breaking down but on the horizon is a season of building up.
Not only is this true in your life but it's true of everyone around you regardless of their belief system. We as believers need to be sensitive to the seasons in our own lives but also to the seasons that our freinds and co-workers are going through as well. I'm also a believer in the fact that there are season when those around us are open and sensitive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's during those times that we need to step through the open doors and share what God has done in our lives and what He can do in the lives of others.
Look around you today - the fields are white ready to harvest. There could be a soul close by ready to accept the gospel, a person in need of encouragement, someone in need of counsel, or an individual in need of comfort. All too often we walk with blinders on without regard to the seasons around us. I guarantee you that God has placed someone in your life that can use the ministry you have.
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal:
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace." Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Contrary to popular belief, Simon & Garfunkel did not write these words. Contrary to what the world believes, there is a time and place for everything.
I don't know what season you are enjoying or enduring in life right now but I want you to know that God is not oblivious to what you are going through. If you are in a season of laughter - laugh. If you are in a season of dancing - dance. None of us know when the seasons of life will change. We can enjoy the wonderful seasons but we need to be able to weather the difficult ones as well.
What I have noticed in the verses above is that for every season there is an opposite. I may have to keep silent during a season but there will come a season when I can speak. I may have to endure a season of breaking down but on the horizon is a season of building up.
Not only is this true in your life but it's true of everyone around you regardless of their belief system. We as believers need to be sensitive to the seasons in our own lives but also to the seasons that our freinds and co-workers are going through as well. I'm also a believer in the fact that there are season when those around us are open and sensitive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's during those times that we need to step through the open doors and share what God has done in our lives and what He can do in the lives of others.
Look around you today - the fields are white ready to harvest. There could be a soul close by ready to accept the gospel, a person in need of encouragement, someone in need of counsel, or an individual in need of comfort. All too often we walk with blinders on without regard to the seasons around us. I guarantee you that God has placed someone in your life that can use the ministry you have.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
A Statesman or a Politician?
Many of you already know that Barack Obama sured up the nomination for the Democrat Party yesterday (not democratic - both are democratic). So - this November we will have a choice between John McCain - R and Barack Obama - D. I'm not going to figure in Nader or the Libertarian candidate because all they will accomplish is to take votes from one or the other. Needless to say, this is going to be an interesting election year.
I don't think it strange that in the midst of these events I'm reading a book on Spiritual Leadership by Henry & Richard Blackaby. Let me encourage anyone who is a leader reading this blog - buy the book! Chapter 1 of "Spiritual Leadership" deals with the challenge of leadership in politics, the business world, and the church. Since I started the blog this morning dealing with our current political system allow me to share with you the Blackaby's thoughts.
"In the face of such daunting political and social realities, people search frantically for leaders they can trust. Society seeks men and women who will effectively address a multitude of societal and political ills. People are weary of politicians who make promises they are either unwilling or unable to keep. Society longs for statesmen but it gets politicians." What a statement! Blackaby goes on to say that, "Statesmen are leaders who uphold what is right regardless of the popularity of the position. Statesmen speak out to achieve good for their people, not to win votes. Statesmen promote the general good rather than regional or personal self-interest. Harry Truman was a statesman. He left the presidency with a low rating in the public opinion polls, yet history evaluates him as an effective leader during a dangerous and turbulent time. Politicians may win elections; nevertheless, future generation could deride them for their lack of character and their ineffective leadership."
When I read those words I could not help but be drawn in to what Blackaby was saying. He's right! That's exactly what we are looking for in this country. People who will serve the public with honesty, integrity, and honor. Men and women who will do what is right even if it means they don't get re-elected.
"Warren Bennis suggests that the American Revolutionary era produced at least six world-class leaders - Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, Adams and Madison (Why Leader's Can't Lead). For a national population of only 3 million, that was a impressive feat. If the United States enjoyed the same ration to it's current population, it would boast over 500 such leaders today. In recent years the term great has not been the adjective of choice in describing political leaders. If there was ever a time that called for statesmen rather than the politicians, this is it."
Proverbs 8:15, "By Me kings reign, and rulers decree what is right." and in Proverbs 16:12, "It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness." What we need to understand from these verses is that for leaders to be effective (not popular) they must do what is right and in accordance to His word. What I like about the verse from chapter 16 is that for a throne to be "established" it can only happen through righteousness. You can be a ruler without ever having your throne established.
With all that being said, my question for you is: Do you want a statesman or a politician to lead this country? As for me I want a leader who will honor God and live a life of integrity. I want a leader who will do what is right before doing that which is popular. I know that may seem unreasonable in this day and time but I still pray for godly leaders. Not only is the throne established by righteousness but so is a nation.
In this election year we must pray for God to establish the leaders this country needs. And in the end, regardless of who wins this race, we must pray for the new President of the United States to serve this country with honor, dignity, and the fear of the Lord.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
He's Holding It All Together
Colossians 1:17 "...He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."
This past Sunday I preached from this text. For my PBC family let me say that I do not mean to be repetitive - we just need to be reminded that life without Christ doesn't work!
You may have heard someone say, "I just don't know how people live without God in their life." My question is: How do people make it through life without recognizing God in it?" This chapter in Colossians make some things very clear to us.
Jesus is God
Not a god, not just the Son of God, but the visible expression of God. Jesus was God in the flesh.
Jesus is the Creator
The Bible teaches us that there wasn't anything made in this world that He did not create. That includes you and me. Oh, we like to think that we are a product of our mom and dad but the truth is that they had a small part in creation. Jesus is the creator of life.
Jesus is Lord
There is some awesome truth found throughout these verses. Jesus became the 1st born from the dead. Not that He was the first person to be raised to life but He was given the title of 1st born. He's Lord over death. These Scriptures go on to tell us that He is the Head of the body (the church). So, He's Lord over the church. However, the most interesting verse is verse 17 where Paul tells us that in Him all things consist. He's Lord over everything. Why? Because Jesus holds it all together.
Jesus is Savior
Through His death on the cross Jesus has purchased our salvation. The Bible says that He has redeemed us (paid the ransom) and reconciled us (brought back together) to God.
Take some time today to think about these awesome truths. The God of the universe who has existed eternally decided to create man. Man was placed in a perfect garden, however, fell into sin when he was tempted. For centuries man tried to live up to God's standards but was unable to accomplish His task. God - our Creator - made a choice. He chose to live among His creation as Jesus Christ and to give His life for the salvation of His creation. WOW!
I realize that it's almost too much to take in but I want you to think about where you are in life. Does Jesus Christ hold everything together in your life or are you still trying to keep the plates spinning on your own? Why don't you give Jesus His rightful place in your life? Make Him your Savior and Lord today.
This past Sunday I preached from this text. For my PBC family let me say that I do not mean to be repetitive - we just need to be reminded that life without Christ doesn't work!
You may have heard someone say, "I just don't know how people live without God in their life." My question is: How do people make it through life without recognizing God in it?" This chapter in Colossians make some things very clear to us.
Jesus is God
Not a god, not just the Son of God, but the visible expression of God. Jesus was God in the flesh.
Jesus is the Creator
The Bible teaches us that there wasn't anything made in this world that He did not create. That includes you and me. Oh, we like to think that we are a product of our mom and dad but the truth is that they had a small part in creation. Jesus is the creator of life.
Jesus is Lord
There is some awesome truth found throughout these verses. Jesus became the 1st born from the dead. Not that He was the first person to be raised to life but He was given the title of 1st born. He's Lord over death. These Scriptures go on to tell us that He is the Head of the body (the church). So, He's Lord over the church. However, the most interesting verse is verse 17 where Paul tells us that in Him all things consist. He's Lord over everything. Why? Because Jesus holds it all together.
Jesus is Savior
Through His death on the cross Jesus has purchased our salvation. The Bible says that He has redeemed us (paid the ransom) and reconciled us (brought back together) to God.
Take some time today to think about these awesome truths. The God of the universe who has existed eternally decided to create man. Man was placed in a perfect garden, however, fell into sin when he was tempted. For centuries man tried to live up to God's standards but was unable to accomplish His task. God - our Creator - made a choice. He chose to live among His creation as Jesus Christ and to give His life for the salvation of His creation. WOW!
I realize that it's almost too much to take in but I want you to think about where you are in life. Does Jesus Christ hold everything together in your life or are you still trying to keep the plates spinning on your own? Why don't you give Jesus His rightful place in your life? Make Him your Savior and Lord today.
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