Matt 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
There is a particular style of architecture known of as ‘mission style’. As-in, “that is a ‘mission-style’ home.” When you look at a ‘mission-style’ home it is very recognizable because it holds certain distinctives of design which are common only to mission-style homes. They have a similar kind of earthy, cottagy, woody look, and are commonly seen on the west coast of the United States and almost nowhere else. Inside, generally speaking, they are also filled with mission-style furniture. You know the look. It is instantly familiar.
In Matthew 28, Jesus was telling us – no – commanding us to make sure our spiritual homes are recognizable for their mission-style of architecture and furnishings as well.
There should be no doubt about what you are about, if you are truly a follower of Jesus Christ.
On Christmas Eve, at the conclusion of our service, we watched in warm rapturous joy as the glow of the small candle fires overcame all the darkness present in our part of the universe. Light is like that. It has an amazing quality. It has complete power over darkness. When one wants to drive out darkness, all that is necessary is to present light. Of course, this is a powerful illustration of the ministry of Jesus Christ – but it is also an illustration of the ministry of Jesus Christ through us.
This is what Jesus is commanding in Matthew 28, in the passage known of as ‘The Great Commission.’ We often think of mission work as that performed by ‘missionaries’ on foreign shores. But missionary work is simply extending the Light of Christ to another person, and that takes place no matter where you are – and Jesus is saying it should be an identifying quality of your life. Everyone looking on should be able to see it and know it for what it is: Mission-style living.
How many people know you are a Christian? We are identified by so many things. American. Man or woman. Adult or youth. Hair color. Height. Weight. Eye color. Republican or democrat, or other. Dolphins fan, or other. Good cook, or not. Whatever. We are completely comfortable with being identified with everything we are in the world. It’s who we are. What about Christian? Can people look at you and tell? How so?
- Pastor Bill
Friday, December 28, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
JPS 12.23.07
Matt 2:8 And he (Herod) sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
At Cape Canaveral this past Thursday they launched a rocket with an expensive payload. On-board was the most recent version of a GPS satellite, which the NASA spokesman proclaimed to be the latest and greatest version of this global tracking system. Indeed, the letters G-P-S stand for ‘Global Positioning System,’ and this satellite will continue and enrich our ability to locate where we are - and where anything else is, on the face of the earth to an accuracy of about 3 feet.
GPS is a great thing! When I was recently in The Ukraine, we set out on a trip across the country by car. They have few accurate road maps to begin with, and then we faced the additional challenge of several detours which were the result of railroad construction. They would place a single detour sign which would divert you, but there were no subsequent detour signs to re-direct you back to your original route once you on the detour route. This brought great anxiety, as there were many opportunities to head the wrong direction, and heading the wrong direction is not a good thing when you are in the middle of nowhere in The Ukraine. Only one thing saved us – and that was the fact our driver, George Markey, had GPS on his I-Phone. We weren’t even certain of the GPS, but it proved to be correct each time, and we made it to our final destination.
Oh how we hate to be lost, especially when we don’t really know where we are and not certain of where we’re going. Jesus has been our guide, and He is meant to be understood to be our guide in an even more important way. Being lost on this planet is bad enough - being lost for eternity is worse than never being born.
Jesus is The Way, and He always has been. He desires we be certain of that. To the wise men, accounted as kings from the earth, this principle was demonstrated very early in Jesus’ young life on earth. The wise men sought Jesus, (whom they probably knew of as a result of the prophecies of Daniel,) and they found Him by supernatural guidance. The same is true for all men who seek Jesus with earnestness. He will always provide the Light to be found by Him. And there will never be any doubt about being lost once you are found.
- Pastor Bill
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
At Cape Canaveral this past Thursday they launched a rocket with an expensive payload. On-board was the most recent version of a GPS satellite, which the NASA spokesman proclaimed to be the latest and greatest version of this global tracking system. Indeed, the letters G-P-S stand for ‘Global Positioning System,’ and this satellite will continue and enrich our ability to locate where we are - and where anything else is, on the face of the earth to an accuracy of about 3 feet.
GPS is a great thing! When I was recently in The Ukraine, we set out on a trip across the country by car. They have few accurate road maps to begin with, and then we faced the additional challenge of several detours which were the result of railroad construction. They would place a single detour sign which would divert you, but there were no subsequent detour signs to re-direct you back to your original route once you on the detour route. This brought great anxiety, as there were many opportunities to head the wrong direction, and heading the wrong direction is not a good thing when you are in the middle of nowhere in The Ukraine. Only one thing saved us – and that was the fact our driver, George Markey, had GPS on his I-Phone. We weren’t even certain of the GPS, but it proved to be correct each time, and we made it to our final destination.
Oh how we hate to be lost, especially when we don’t really know where we are and not certain of where we’re going. Jesus has been our guide, and He is meant to be understood to be our guide in an even more important way. Being lost on this planet is bad enough - being lost for eternity is worse than never being born.
Jesus is The Way, and He always has been. He desires we be certain of that. To the wise men, accounted as kings from the earth, this principle was demonstrated very early in Jesus’ young life on earth. The wise men sought Jesus, (whom they probably knew of as a result of the prophecies of Daniel,) and they found Him by supernatural guidance. The same is true for all men who seek Jesus with earnestness. He will always provide the Light to be found by Him. And there will never be any doubt about being lost once you are found.
- Pastor Bill
Thursday, December 13, 2007
I Give Up 12.16.07
2 Chron 20:15 And he said, "Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: 'Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.”
Jehoshaphat finds himself in an unenviable position. As king he must display boldness politically, or it is likely he will not be king for very long. Boldness on the part of leaders is what inspires loyalty on the part of followers, especially when fear is involved.
Here the nation of Judah finds itself in a fear-provoking situation, with a pending attack from three people groups from the east, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Edomites. We are not told how many are in the attacking group, but it is enough that Jehoshaphat’s 1.06 million-man army is an extreme underdog.
There are many times in life when we face obstacles that appear larger than life itself. A bleak medical diagnosis. An untenable economic prognostication. An unbounded addiction. These are all times when we are more likely than not to regard our situation as “hopeless,” or at the very least dire. We think: “There is no way I can sit still in this situation – UNLESS – I just give in.” Giving in is an attractive alternative because it frees our mind to wallow. We allow ourselves to wallow in doubt, wallow in misery, or maybe even to wallow in self-pity. “Why me?!” Or possibly, “Why is God punishing me?!”
Perhaps Jehoshaphat felt exactly that same way. It was a reasonable assumption for God to be judging the nation because of Jehoshaphat’s sin in his entering into relationship with the family of the evil king Ahab. 2 Chron 20:3 tells us as much. Jehoshaphat feared. A simple statement that we readily understand. We ALL know the fear of the Lord – especially when we remember our sin.
But rather than giving in to his fear, and wallowing in a ‘Why Me?!’ mindset, Jehoshaphat set an example for his people and for us as well. He doesn’t give in, he gives UP. Rather than allowing fear of death, or shame of sin to cause him to run from the Lord – and to give in, Jehoshaphat remembers the Word of the Lord, and he runs to the Lord – and he gives UP.
What is it that Jehoshaphat gives up in this situation? He gives up his pride over his position. He gives up his notion of invincibility. He gives up any pretense that he is undaunted. He gives up any mantel of greatness, or political power. He allows himself to be seen as weak and hopeless in his own strength. And he begins to simply give up praise and worship to His God. Oh, and he also gives up his sin.
And because he did not count his weapons, or the number of his horses, or the numbers of his chariots, or the number of his armed men of valor, Jehoshaphat never had to use them. You see, this battle belonged to the Lord. So does yours.
- Pastor Bill
Jehoshaphat finds himself in an unenviable position. As king he must display boldness politically, or it is likely he will not be king for very long. Boldness on the part of leaders is what inspires loyalty on the part of followers, especially when fear is involved.
Here the nation of Judah finds itself in a fear-provoking situation, with a pending attack from three people groups from the east, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Edomites. We are not told how many are in the attacking group, but it is enough that Jehoshaphat’s 1.06 million-man army is an extreme underdog.
There are many times in life when we face obstacles that appear larger than life itself. A bleak medical diagnosis. An untenable economic prognostication. An unbounded addiction. These are all times when we are more likely than not to regard our situation as “hopeless,” or at the very least dire. We think: “There is no way I can sit still in this situation – UNLESS – I just give in.” Giving in is an attractive alternative because it frees our mind to wallow. We allow ourselves to wallow in doubt, wallow in misery, or maybe even to wallow in self-pity. “Why me?!” Or possibly, “Why is God punishing me?!”
Perhaps Jehoshaphat felt exactly that same way. It was a reasonable assumption for God to be judging the nation because of Jehoshaphat’s sin in his entering into relationship with the family of the evil king Ahab. 2 Chron 20:3 tells us as much. Jehoshaphat feared. A simple statement that we readily understand. We ALL know the fear of the Lord – especially when we remember our sin.
But rather than giving in to his fear, and wallowing in a ‘Why Me?!’ mindset, Jehoshaphat set an example for his people and for us as well. He doesn’t give in, he gives UP. Rather than allowing fear of death, or shame of sin to cause him to run from the Lord – and to give in, Jehoshaphat remembers the Word of the Lord, and he runs to the Lord – and he gives UP.
What is it that Jehoshaphat gives up in this situation? He gives up his pride over his position. He gives up his notion of invincibility. He gives up any pretense that he is undaunted. He gives up any mantel of greatness, or political power. He allows himself to be seen as weak and hopeless in his own strength. And he begins to simply give up praise and worship to His God. Oh, and he also gives up his sin.
And because he did not count his weapons, or the number of his horses, or the numbers of his chariots, or the number of his armed men of valor, Jehoshaphat never had to use them. You see, this battle belonged to the Lord. So does yours.
- Pastor Bill
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Gift That Keeps On Giving 12.09.07
2 Chron 14:6… he (Asa) had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest.
Any child growing up in these prosperous United States probably has many things on their mind as we draw near to Christmas Day. Toys of epic proportions dancing through very young minds is the expected and even encouraged deal in these times.
After all, when we were growing up wasn’t that the case? As parents we only want what we had only moreso for our children. That is part and parcel of the American dream. And so we, as children, were very much encouraged to dream – and to dream bigtime – about the gifts that we might receive, and we remember our parents vicariously enjoying our experience as they looked on.
The generation that came before us was raised in the Depression. They knew value. They knew cost. They didn’t mind telling you so. I can’t remember how many times my dad told me about receiving an orange for Christmas – and liking it! But my dad also enjoyed looking on as I anticipated my Christmas goodies – now that times had changed for the better. And so, as I counted down the days of Christmas to my James Bond attaché case, or my stadium electric football, or my Daniel Boone coonskin cap, the minutes seemed like days, and the hours seemed like months, and the days, well, the days seemed like years. So agonizing, and yet so tantalizing at the same time.
The gifts never lived up to advanced billing. I still own none of them except in memory. The James Bond attaché case was cheap plastic. The electric football game wasn’t a realistic as it appeared, and the coonskin cap was really rabbit fur, and it didn’t look like the one Fess Parker wore on TV at all.
But the anticipation…ah…the anticipation. And so it goes. We find ourselves repeating and continuing the American dream, as we likewise encourage and stimulate our kids to dream BIG dreams in these days leading up to Christmas. You see, we understand (with maturity) that when it comes to material gifts, the anticipation is the best part. The anticipation far outweighs the real thing. The gift in the hand is always somewhat disappointing. (NOT worth two in the bush.)
Lost in the midst of all of this, in competition with all the world’s effort, is a far better gift: The rest that comes from God. The Lord looks on as a Father, and, I think, loves to see the same anticipation in His children that we love to see in ours. Only the Father knows that the rest of the story is the best part – not the anticipation. There is only one gift that keeps on giving – and that gift is the best The Father could offer, and His Name is Emmanuel – God with us! In Jesus alone there is true rest. (Satisfaction.)
- Pastor Bill
Any child growing up in these prosperous United States probably has many things on their mind as we draw near to Christmas Day. Toys of epic proportions dancing through very young minds is the expected and even encouraged deal in these times.
After all, when we were growing up wasn’t that the case? As parents we only want what we had only moreso for our children. That is part and parcel of the American dream. And so we, as children, were very much encouraged to dream – and to dream bigtime – about the gifts that we might receive, and we remember our parents vicariously enjoying our experience as they looked on.
The generation that came before us was raised in the Depression. They knew value. They knew cost. They didn’t mind telling you so. I can’t remember how many times my dad told me about receiving an orange for Christmas – and liking it! But my dad also enjoyed looking on as I anticipated my Christmas goodies – now that times had changed for the better. And so, as I counted down the days of Christmas to my James Bond attaché case, or my stadium electric football, or my Daniel Boone coonskin cap, the minutes seemed like days, and the hours seemed like months, and the days, well, the days seemed like years. So agonizing, and yet so tantalizing at the same time.
The gifts never lived up to advanced billing. I still own none of them except in memory. The James Bond attaché case was cheap plastic. The electric football game wasn’t a realistic as it appeared, and the coonskin cap was really rabbit fur, and it didn’t look like the one Fess Parker wore on TV at all.
But the anticipation…ah…the anticipation. And so it goes. We find ourselves repeating and continuing the American dream, as we likewise encourage and stimulate our kids to dream BIG dreams in these days leading up to Christmas. You see, we understand (with maturity) that when it comes to material gifts, the anticipation is the best part. The anticipation far outweighs the real thing. The gift in the hand is always somewhat disappointing. (NOT worth two in the bush.)
Lost in the midst of all of this, in competition with all the world’s effort, is a far better gift: The rest that comes from God. The Lord looks on as a Father, and, I think, loves to see the same anticipation in His children that we love to see in ours. Only the Father knows that the rest of the story is the best part – not the anticipation. There is only one gift that keeps on giving – and that gift is the best The Father could offer, and His Name is Emmanuel – God with us! In Jesus alone there is true rest. (Satisfaction.)
- Pastor Bill
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Sharing What You Know 12.02.07
2 Chron 9:2 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for Solomon that he could not explain it to her.
The queen of Sheba has come to Jerusalem to see the man the world knows of as the ‘king of kings.’ Solomon has become very famous, and all the world’s kings - and queens, in this case - are coming to him to seek his wisdom.
Of course we know the source of Solomon’s great wisdom is God. We remember God coming to Solomon at night, in 2 Chron 1:7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
Solomon’s reply was very wise – and corresponded with God’s will for his life. And so, Solomon’s desire was granted in abundance. 2 Chron 1:11 And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king-- 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."
Solomon had not asked for personal gain, he had asked for a ministry gift. And in this case, the gift he asked for was granted because it matched the position he was called to. Solomon’s request for wisdom had been based on his self-less desire to help the people by being a better ruler over the people. Because God loved the people, God granted that request.
It is officially the “Christmas Season.” Welcome! There may be no greater time during the year for sharing your faith with others. This is a time when what took place in Solomon’s life becomes such a wonderful example to us. The queen of Sheba came seeking answers to all the questions she had on her heart. Do you think some of those questions may have pertained to God? Do you think some of those questions may have pertained to, “Why are we here,” and “What is our purpose in life?”
If you were in Solomon’s place, how would you answer such questions? “Ahhh,” you might say, “but I’m NOT Solomon, nor do I have his wisdom!” Agreed. But have you asked God for it? Do you think God would desire to use the celebration of the birth of Christ as a season in which those who know Him might explain to those who do not know Him what it means to know Him?
“Where will I get such wisdom as that of Solomon?” 2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The answer: In the Word of God, as instructed by the Holy Spirit. It is amazing how when we spend time alone with God in His Word, how we become more confident in knowing what to share because we are sharing what we know. Time is short! This is the season of sharing!
- Pastor Bill
The queen of Sheba has come to Jerusalem to see the man the world knows of as the ‘king of kings.’ Solomon has become very famous, and all the world’s kings - and queens, in this case - are coming to him to seek his wisdom.
Of course we know the source of Solomon’s great wisdom is God. We remember God coming to Solomon at night, in 2 Chron 1:7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
Solomon’s reply was very wise – and corresponded with God’s will for his life. And so, Solomon’s desire was granted in abundance. 2 Chron 1:11 And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king-- 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."
Solomon had not asked for personal gain, he had asked for a ministry gift. And in this case, the gift he asked for was granted because it matched the position he was called to. Solomon’s request for wisdom had been based on his self-less desire to help the people by being a better ruler over the people. Because God loved the people, God granted that request.
It is officially the “Christmas Season.” Welcome! There may be no greater time during the year for sharing your faith with others. This is a time when what took place in Solomon’s life becomes such a wonderful example to us. The queen of Sheba came seeking answers to all the questions she had on her heart. Do you think some of those questions may have pertained to God? Do you think some of those questions may have pertained to, “Why are we here,” and “What is our purpose in life?”
If you were in Solomon’s place, how would you answer such questions? “Ahhh,” you might say, “but I’m NOT Solomon, nor do I have his wisdom!” Agreed. But have you asked God for it? Do you think God would desire to use the celebration of the birth of Christ as a season in which those who know Him might explain to those who do not know Him what it means to know Him?
“Where will I get such wisdom as that of Solomon?” 2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The answer: In the Word of God, as instructed by the Holy Spirit. It is amazing how when we spend time alone with God in His Word, how we become more confident in knowing what to share because we are sharing what we know. Time is short! This is the season of sharing!
- Pastor Bill
Building Houses 11.25.07
2 Chron 6:2 I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever."
Due to the downturn in the housing market, we are seeing record low numbers in housing-starts in the U.S. these days. If no one is buying, there is no point in building. In our own local community, there are probably hundreds of unoccupied houses right now.
But God has promised to occupy any house which is built for Him. Not many people believe that anymore, and it is tremendously unfortunate for our city, our county, our state, and our nation – let alone the world.
Not many even attempt to begin to build or remodel a house for the Lord…too much planning…too much faith required…too much up-front investment, and a lack of belief in the certainty of a return on the investment.
And so our nation is in a greater state of disrepair all the time. People continue to live in their old houses, and despite some effort, (works,) those houses ultimately fall because they are built on weak foundations, and because a painted exterior cannot stop the unseen rot which is occurring within.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. When we used to visit inner-city D.C., we would see many hundreds of row-houses that looked awful. Whole areas of the inner-city were depressed, and the thought of putting any investment into those houses seemed a huge waste of time, money, and effort. It had been 100 years or so since major areas of the city had any maintenance whatsoever. Large parts of the city were ugly, depressing, and crime-riddled. (At that time Washington was the murder capital of the U.S.)
But then something wonderful began to happen. An investor with faith here. An investor with faith there. An isolated house on this block or that block. It was puzzling that anyone would take the risk, but the results were amazing. It seems once one house on a block was remodeled and made new, then others would follow. Rather than the new house being destroyed by the ugliness and crime present, the new houses inspired the owners of the old houses in disrepair to fix their houses to bring them up to the standard of the newly remodeled and beautiful homes. Soon, whole neighborhoods were converted, crime was driven out, and the inner city became one of the most sought-after areas to live, and one of the areas of greatest return on investment.
All it seemed to take was one house on a street, or in a neighborhood, to kick off a whole round of renewal and restoration. David first, and then Solomon knew this about Israel. They knew the difference building a house for God could make for Jerusalem and for the nation. Now, what about the street you live on?
- Pastor Bill
Due to the downturn in the housing market, we are seeing record low numbers in housing-starts in the U.S. these days. If no one is buying, there is no point in building. In our own local community, there are probably hundreds of unoccupied houses right now.
But God has promised to occupy any house which is built for Him. Not many people believe that anymore, and it is tremendously unfortunate for our city, our county, our state, and our nation – let alone the world.
Not many even attempt to begin to build or remodel a house for the Lord…too much planning…too much faith required…too much up-front investment, and a lack of belief in the certainty of a return on the investment.
And so our nation is in a greater state of disrepair all the time. People continue to live in their old houses, and despite some effort, (works,) those houses ultimately fall because they are built on weak foundations, and because a painted exterior cannot stop the unseen rot which is occurring within.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. When we used to visit inner-city D.C., we would see many hundreds of row-houses that looked awful. Whole areas of the inner-city were depressed, and the thought of putting any investment into those houses seemed a huge waste of time, money, and effort. It had been 100 years or so since major areas of the city had any maintenance whatsoever. Large parts of the city were ugly, depressing, and crime-riddled. (At that time Washington was the murder capital of the U.S.)
But then something wonderful began to happen. An investor with faith here. An investor with faith there. An isolated house on this block or that block. It was puzzling that anyone would take the risk, but the results were amazing. It seems once one house on a block was remodeled and made new, then others would follow. Rather than the new house being destroyed by the ugliness and crime present, the new houses inspired the owners of the old houses in disrepair to fix their houses to bring them up to the standard of the newly remodeled and beautiful homes. Soon, whole neighborhoods were converted, crime was driven out, and the inner city became one of the most sought-after areas to live, and one of the areas of greatest return on investment.
All it seemed to take was one house on a street, or in a neighborhood, to kick off a whole round of renewal and restoration. David first, and then Solomon knew this about Israel. They knew the difference building a house for God could make for Jerusalem and for the nation. Now, what about the street you live on?
- Pastor Bill
Can I Help You? 11.18.07
One of the things I had to get used to when I first moved to the deep south, (Mississippi,) was that they actually attempt to wait on you in department stores. This was completely foreign to my growing-up years in the Washington, D.C. area - where no one ever spoke to anyone else - and they certainly didn’t wait on anyone cruising through a department store.
But in the south, the minute you walk into a department store, someone will buzz over to where you are with the question, “May I help you?” Why I was ever offended by the notion of someone attempting to help me, I’m not sure, but for some reason it was off-putting that you couldn’t just move around on your own without someone watching your every move. Soon I discovered, (once I got used to the idea,) that this was done in order to be “friendly.” There was no offense intended – just a desire to be as accommodating as they possibly could be. Where I grew up, nobody cared if you lived or died, much less if you had any questions or needed any directions to find what you were looking for.
The fact “being friendly” is a foreign concept is pretty strange if you think about it. Why shouldn’t everyone be friendly?
God is.
2 Chron 1:7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
Isn’t that a startling question coming from God? Here is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, appearing to Solomon in a dream, basically saying, “May I help you?” “Do you need any help?” “Please ask!”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Lord posed that question to us – placing Himself in a position to meet our needs? And yet, that is exactly what Jesus declared about Himself, as both an example and as an exemplar to us. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…To serve…me? And…you? This is an incredible new paradigm! (Only it isn’t new.)
Religion has long locked us into the mode of thinking that we are beholden to God - and we are – for everything, and in everything we are to rejoice and to give thanks! But how about this revelation that God desires to serve us? It sure sounds like the basis of a relationship doesn’t it? And, it sounds ultimately practical, since God HAS the power to meet all of our needs. So why do we so often hesitate to ask? How we need the wisdom of God to make it through these last of the last days! “I sure wish God had asked me to ask of Him like He did Solomon!” Oh…but He has…
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- Pastor Bill
But in the south, the minute you walk into a department store, someone will buzz over to where you are with the question, “May I help you?” Why I was ever offended by the notion of someone attempting to help me, I’m not sure, but for some reason it was off-putting that you couldn’t just move around on your own without someone watching your every move. Soon I discovered, (once I got used to the idea,) that this was done in order to be “friendly.” There was no offense intended – just a desire to be as accommodating as they possibly could be. Where I grew up, nobody cared if you lived or died, much less if you had any questions or needed any directions to find what you were looking for.
The fact “being friendly” is a foreign concept is pretty strange if you think about it. Why shouldn’t everyone be friendly?
God is.
2 Chron 1:7 On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"
Isn’t that a startling question coming from God? Here is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, appearing to Solomon in a dream, basically saying, “May I help you?” “Do you need any help?” “Please ask!”
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Lord posed that question to us – placing Himself in a position to meet our needs? And yet, that is exactly what Jesus declared about Himself, as both an example and as an exemplar to us. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…To serve…me? And…you? This is an incredible new paradigm! (Only it isn’t new.)
Religion has long locked us into the mode of thinking that we are beholden to God - and we are – for everything, and in everything we are to rejoice and to give thanks! But how about this revelation that God desires to serve us? It sure sounds like the basis of a relationship doesn’t it? And, it sounds ultimately practical, since God HAS the power to meet all of our needs. So why do we so often hesitate to ask? How we need the wisdom of God to make it through these last of the last days! “I sure wish God had asked me to ask of Him like He did Solomon!” Oh…but He has…
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
- Pastor Bill
Darkness 11.11.07
Mark 15:33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land, until the ninth hour.
Perhaps like me you have wondered not only about the significance of the darkness, (occurring between noon and 3pm – (the sixth to the ninth hour,)) but also marveled at the performance of it. Who but God could make the whole land dark at noon? The ‘why’ is clear:
A demonstration of the action playing out on earth from God’s perspective. The action? Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God, hangs shamefully and brutally on the rugged cross by nails which pierce His flesh. To catch a breath He must writhe in agony, bearing down on the nail driven through His feet to push His entire body weight upward in order to breathe. (It is thought - though not with absolute certainty – that crucifixion kills by suffocation.) Because of the angle of His outstretched arms and how that affects the diaphragm, Jesus probably had to raise Himself on the nail piercing His feet just to take a single breath. This would have to be repeated over and over again for the duration of His time on the cross. Absolutely horrific. Jesus is suffering immeasurably. Mel Gibson’s movie doesn’t begin to touch the agony Jesus experienced. All while His Father looks on…
A demonstration of God’s reaction to the ‘blindness’ of The Jews. (Romans 11:7.) How is it that those who were supposed to be steeped in God’s Word did not recognize their Messiah in their presence – when so many hundreds of prophecies had spoken not only of Jesus – but also of this exact moment. (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53.) How could they not see – except by intentional spiritual blindness? God rewards their intentional spiritual blindness with its representation: darkness. (Why I think this darkness probably was the darkest of all darkness – without any form of light.) How would they not see this darkness over the whole land as being a supernaturally powerful indicator they must be wrong about Jesus?
A demonstration of the black period Jerusalem was about to enter. From this point in history, Israel and Jerusalem descend into the inky blackness of death and destruction and dispersion at the hand of the Romans.
A demonstration of how God regarded the sin of all mankind past, present, and future, being placed upon Jesus in these moments. This is intentional. Isaiah 53:10 says “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; to put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”
Now we know why our God who could make it dark did not take Him down…He was pleased to look forward to His “seed”. (Me and you.) - Pastor Bill
Perhaps like me you have wondered not only about the significance of the darkness, (occurring between noon and 3pm – (the sixth to the ninth hour,)) but also marveled at the performance of it. Who but God could make the whole land dark at noon? The ‘why’ is clear:
A demonstration of the action playing out on earth from God’s perspective. The action? Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God, hangs shamefully and brutally on the rugged cross by nails which pierce His flesh. To catch a breath He must writhe in agony, bearing down on the nail driven through His feet to push His entire body weight upward in order to breathe. (It is thought - though not with absolute certainty – that crucifixion kills by suffocation.) Because of the angle of His outstretched arms and how that affects the diaphragm, Jesus probably had to raise Himself on the nail piercing His feet just to take a single breath. This would have to be repeated over and over again for the duration of His time on the cross. Absolutely horrific. Jesus is suffering immeasurably. Mel Gibson’s movie doesn’t begin to touch the agony Jesus experienced. All while His Father looks on…
A demonstration of God’s reaction to the ‘blindness’ of The Jews. (Romans 11:7.) How is it that those who were supposed to be steeped in God’s Word did not recognize their Messiah in their presence – when so many hundreds of prophecies had spoken not only of Jesus – but also of this exact moment. (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53.) How could they not see – except by intentional spiritual blindness? God rewards their intentional spiritual blindness with its representation: darkness. (Why I think this darkness probably was the darkest of all darkness – without any form of light.) How would they not see this darkness over the whole land as being a supernaturally powerful indicator they must be wrong about Jesus?
A demonstration of the black period Jerusalem was about to enter. From this point in history, Israel and Jerusalem descend into the inky blackness of death and destruction and dispersion at the hand of the Romans.
A demonstration of how God regarded the sin of all mankind past, present, and future, being placed upon Jesus in these moments. This is intentional. Isaiah 53:10 says “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; to put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”
Now we know why our God who could make it dark did not take Him down…He was pleased to look forward to His “seed”. (Me and you.) - Pastor Bill
Blinded By Sin? 11.04.07
Mark 14:62 Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
After Jesus responded in truth to the question of the high priest, He was blindfolded and beaten.
There will come a time when all will see, but for now the whole world is blind. Caiaphas, the high priest is blind. Jesus is saying, “Open your eyes!”
How horrifically fitting that in paying the price for sin Jesus would be blindfolded and beaten. This is what sin does to its unwitting victims. It blindfolds them and beats them unmercifully.
Isaiah 52:14 declares prophetically that Jesus’ visage, (His face,) would be marred more than any man. Consider what this means. It states emphatically a portion of the heavy price Jesus would pay for sin would be that He would be beaten with utter cruelty to the point He was more unrecognizable than any man who has ever been beaten.
Knowing this is the price, how can we allow ourselves excuses with our sin?
The substitutionary sacrifice Jesus paid for us is a revelation. When we choose to overlook and excuse sin we are blind to the truth. When we choose to overlook and excuse sin we are not only blinded, we are beaten by sin – to the point we can become completely unrecognizable to those who know us. Perhaps you have seen this in someone’s life who is close to you. Perhaps you have known this about yourself at some point in your past. Perhaps you are going through this process right now.
How thankful I am that Jesus did continue to bear this burden…He willingly took this beating, and He continued onward. Onward toward the cross…
You see, Jesus’ suffering over our sin – in the clear depiction of the ravages of sin – was only eclipsed by His continuing onward to not only depict what sin does, but to bear the full brunt of our punishment for it in the open shame of the cross.
- Pastor Bill
After Jesus responded in truth to the question of the high priest, He was blindfolded and beaten.
There will come a time when all will see, but for now the whole world is blind. Caiaphas, the high priest is blind. Jesus is saying, “Open your eyes!”
How horrifically fitting that in paying the price for sin Jesus would be blindfolded and beaten. This is what sin does to its unwitting victims. It blindfolds them and beats them unmercifully.
Isaiah 52:14 declares prophetically that Jesus’ visage, (His face,) would be marred more than any man. Consider what this means. It states emphatically a portion of the heavy price Jesus would pay for sin would be that He would be beaten with utter cruelty to the point He was more unrecognizable than any man who has ever been beaten.
Knowing this is the price, how can we allow ourselves excuses with our sin?
The substitutionary sacrifice Jesus paid for us is a revelation. When we choose to overlook and excuse sin we are blind to the truth. When we choose to overlook and excuse sin we are not only blinded, we are beaten by sin – to the point we can become completely unrecognizable to those who know us. Perhaps you have seen this in someone’s life who is close to you. Perhaps you have known this about yourself at some point in your past. Perhaps you are going through this process right now.
How thankful I am that Jesus did continue to bear this burden…He willingly took this beating, and He continued onward. Onward toward the cross…
You see, Jesus’ suffering over our sin – in the clear depiction of the ravages of sin – was only eclipsed by His continuing onward to not only depict what sin does, but to bear the full brunt of our punishment for it in the open shame of the cross.
- Pastor Bill
Eternal Focus 10.28.07
Mark 13:1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!"
Have you ever thought about trying to impress Jesus? Here is a classic example of the disciples meaning well, making pleasant conversation with the Lord, and seeking to determine His admiration for something of this world.
Before we move to Jesus’ response, let us pause to consider what was in the disciples’ view: Here was the magnificence of Herod’s Temple. In that time, Herod’s Temple was one of the wonders of the world. It was the third temple to have been erected.
The first of the temples was built by king Solomon, as directed by David. While not nearly as large as Herod’s Temple, it was a magnificent structure with gold-gilt walls and such. It must have been breath-taking. That temple was destroyed by the Babylonians.
Following their 70 year exile in Babylon, the Hebrews returned and erected a second temple where the first temple had stood. This second temple was much more spartan and utilitatarian, even to the point some of the old-timers were discouraged by what they saw. (You can read about this in Haggai 2.)They could no longer afford a temple of opulance, and were forced to build only what they could afford.
In seeking the approval and favor of the Jews, Herod the Great determined it to be a shrewd political move to build a third temple. With the resources of the Roman empire at his command, Herod built a magnificent structure that covered most of what is still seen today as the Temple Mount. (The plateau where the Dome of the Rock currently rests.) This third temple was again a place of magnificence, where no expense was spared to make it a place where the Jewish people could congregate to consider the greatness of God. All were duly impressed by what they saw, much as we might be today in some of the magnificent edifices which have been erected over time as places to worship the Lord. While visiting The Ukraine recently, I was in just such a place…The magnificent St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a house of worship for those of eastern Orthodox religion.
The statuary and soaring interiors were indeed breath-taking. As you craned you neck back to look up to the height of the frescoed ceiling, you could feel yourself literally dizzied from the height. You could literally feel the presence and the weight of tradition. It had a gravitational pull to it – almost whirlpool-like. It is easy to see how people can be drawn in.
Everyone but Jesus, that is. Jesus was and is not impressed with the architecture or tradition of man. Mark 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." When will we understand that nothing we construct on this earth will last? It is all essentially grandiose garbage. Only what is done for the Kingdom will last. - Pastor Bill
Have you ever thought about trying to impress Jesus? Here is a classic example of the disciples meaning well, making pleasant conversation with the Lord, and seeking to determine His admiration for something of this world.
Before we move to Jesus’ response, let us pause to consider what was in the disciples’ view: Here was the magnificence of Herod’s Temple. In that time, Herod’s Temple was one of the wonders of the world. It was the third temple to have been erected.
The first of the temples was built by king Solomon, as directed by David. While not nearly as large as Herod’s Temple, it was a magnificent structure with gold-gilt walls and such. It must have been breath-taking. That temple was destroyed by the Babylonians.
Following their 70 year exile in Babylon, the Hebrews returned and erected a second temple where the first temple had stood. This second temple was much more spartan and utilitatarian, even to the point some of the old-timers were discouraged by what they saw. (You can read about this in Haggai 2.)They could no longer afford a temple of opulance, and were forced to build only what they could afford.
In seeking the approval and favor of the Jews, Herod the Great determined it to be a shrewd political move to build a third temple. With the resources of the Roman empire at his command, Herod built a magnificent structure that covered most of what is still seen today as the Temple Mount. (The plateau where the Dome of the Rock currently rests.) This third temple was again a place of magnificence, where no expense was spared to make it a place where the Jewish people could congregate to consider the greatness of God. All were duly impressed by what they saw, much as we might be today in some of the magnificent edifices which have been erected over time as places to worship the Lord. While visiting The Ukraine recently, I was in just such a place…The magnificent St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a house of worship for those of eastern Orthodox religion.
The statuary and soaring interiors were indeed breath-taking. As you craned you neck back to look up to the height of the frescoed ceiling, you could feel yourself literally dizzied from the height. You could literally feel the presence and the weight of tradition. It had a gravitational pull to it – almost whirlpool-like. It is easy to see how people can be drawn in.
Everyone but Jesus, that is. Jesus was and is not impressed with the architecture or tradition of man. Mark 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down." When will we understand that nothing we construct on this earth will last? It is all essentially grandiose garbage. Only what is done for the Kingdom will last. - Pastor Bill
Gone Fishing 10.16.07
As you may read this note this morning in Naples you may note I am far far away in a distant land know of as The Ukraine. When you get home today, you can go online and ‘Google’ ‘Calvary Chapel Ukraine,’ and you will have some idea where I am and what I am up to. (I am traveling with Bill Goodrich, who is Senior Pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship (a Calvary Chapel ministry,) in Indianapolis, IN.) www.horizonindy.org
We have traveled here for a leadership conference, and for the opportunity to visit each of the missions teams presently located in The Ukraine. They are: The Morrisons, Chubiks, Pomeroys, Pratts and Wardens, along with Nate Medlong, Marilyn Gibbs, Vanessa McElroy, Jonathan Markey, and George Markey’s remaining family, among others, I’m sure. Some of you may know the name ‘George Markey.’ George was led by the Lord and proved instrumental in the founding and growth of the Calvary Chapel missions movement in the Ukraine and Russia, and all the missionaries here today are a result of the groundwork he laid by the power of the Holy Spirit. George Markey originally came out of Bill Goodrich’s church in Indianapolis.
We are visiting such cities as Svitlovodsk (the Morrisons,) Zaporozhia (the Chubiks,) Kharkiv (Nate Medlong and the Pomeroys,) Poltava (Marilyn Gibbs and Vanessa McElroy,) Kiev (the Markey family,) Dnepropetrovsk (the Pratts,) and Simferopol (the Wardens.) There may be more or less, but rest assured, we are moving our entire time here.
As you read this, I’m not sure where I’ll be – save for somewhere in The Ukraine, a vast bread-basket of a land bordering Russia and Belarus, Poland, Hungary and the Black Sea. This was the land Hitler invaded and destroyed, crossing victoriously until miraculously stopped at Leningrad, by of all things – the severe weather. (God.) The Nazis were frozen, tired, and hungry before they were finally militarily defeated. Some of the greatest brutalities ever perpetrated on mankind happened here in The Ukraine, as two gruesome and godless societies faced off.
What am I doing here, instead of being where I belong – there with you? Well, by the time you read this, I may be wondering the same thing. But our mission is to serve and encourage, and I have come particularly in a servant role, whatever that may be. I am certain to enjoy the fellowship, and the presence of the Lord, which is notable in parts of the world which were formerly behind the ‘Iron Curtain’, and have suffered so greatly under the heel of nationalistic atheism. Can the ‘fishing’ possibly be good here?
I’m here to find out - and to answer this scripture passage, (which interestingly we covered in church last Wednesday evening,) Mark 10:29 … "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first." - Pastor Bill
We have traveled here for a leadership conference, and for the opportunity to visit each of the missions teams presently located in The Ukraine. They are: The Morrisons, Chubiks, Pomeroys, Pratts and Wardens, along with Nate Medlong, Marilyn Gibbs, Vanessa McElroy, Jonathan Markey, and George Markey’s remaining family, among others, I’m sure. Some of you may know the name ‘George Markey.’ George was led by the Lord and proved instrumental in the founding and growth of the Calvary Chapel missions movement in the Ukraine and Russia, and all the missionaries here today are a result of the groundwork he laid by the power of the Holy Spirit. George Markey originally came out of Bill Goodrich’s church in Indianapolis.
We are visiting such cities as Svitlovodsk (the Morrisons,) Zaporozhia (the Chubiks,) Kharkiv (Nate Medlong and the Pomeroys,) Poltava (Marilyn Gibbs and Vanessa McElroy,) Kiev (the Markey family,) Dnepropetrovsk (the Pratts,) and Simferopol (the Wardens.) There may be more or less, but rest assured, we are moving our entire time here.
As you read this, I’m not sure where I’ll be – save for somewhere in The Ukraine, a vast bread-basket of a land bordering Russia and Belarus, Poland, Hungary and the Black Sea. This was the land Hitler invaded and destroyed, crossing victoriously until miraculously stopped at Leningrad, by of all things – the severe weather. (God.) The Nazis were frozen, tired, and hungry before they were finally militarily defeated. Some of the greatest brutalities ever perpetrated on mankind happened here in The Ukraine, as two gruesome and godless societies faced off.
What am I doing here, instead of being where I belong – there with you? Well, by the time you read this, I may be wondering the same thing. But our mission is to serve and encourage, and I have come particularly in a servant role, whatever that may be. I am certain to enjoy the fellowship, and the presence of the Lord, which is notable in parts of the world which were formerly behind the ‘Iron Curtain’, and have suffered so greatly under the heel of nationalistic atheism. Can the ‘fishing’ possibly be good here?
I’m here to find out - and to answer this scripture passage, (which interestingly we covered in church last Wednesday evening,) Mark 10:29 … "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first." - Pastor Bill
Distracted? 10.07.07
Just think of the number of things you might classify in your own mind as being ‘impossible.’
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible.
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
The prophet Jeremiah had likewise declared, Jer 32:17 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jesus was in discussion with His disciples about the eternal condition of a very wealthy and powerful young man. And He spoke of the difficulty the wealthy may have focusing on eternal life – much less receiving it. This was quite a shock to the disciples, as the common assumption had been that the wealthy were especially blessed of God, and that the blessing would easily extend into a heavenly domain.
But Jesus was explaining the principle of distraction and not the evils of wealth. Wealth is simply an example of a very powerful distraction. The wealthy may very well be blessed of God, but they are more often than not focused on the fruits of this life and not the next.
Jesus said as much, Mark 10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
We all understand the lure and the power money and financial concerns hold over us in this life. But we fail to see the hand of God when we are concerned, worried, or prideful over what we hold in our own hand. Lack of wealth can be as much a distraction as wealth. This is why Prov 30:8 states, Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Rich or poor, dealing with the distractions which draw you away from God is the issue. And Jesus is saying, “It is impossible for a man who is distracted to enter the kingdom of God.”
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible. Essentially then, the qualifier is to eliminate whatever distraction(s) may be present in your life which may make it impossible for you to be with God – because with God, ALL things are possible. Even salvation! The blood of Jesus washes away the sin of every man not too distracted to receive it.
- Pastor Bill
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible.
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
The prophet Jeremiah had likewise declared, Jer 32:17 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jesus was in discussion with His disciples about the eternal condition of a very wealthy and powerful young man. And He spoke of the difficulty the wealthy may have focusing on eternal life – much less receiving it. This was quite a shock to the disciples, as the common assumption had been that the wealthy were especially blessed of God, and that the blessing would easily extend into a heavenly domain.
But Jesus was explaining the principle of distraction and not the evils of wealth. Wealth is simply an example of a very powerful distraction. The wealthy may very well be blessed of God, but they are more often than not focused on the fruits of this life and not the next.
Jesus said as much, Mark 10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
We all understand the lure and the power money and financial concerns hold over us in this life. But we fail to see the hand of God when we are concerned, worried, or prideful over what we hold in our own hand. Lack of wealth can be as much a distraction as wealth. This is why Prov 30:8 states, Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Rich or poor, dealing with the distractions which draw you away from God is the issue. And Jesus is saying, “It is impossible for a man who is distracted to enter the kingdom of God.”
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible. Essentially then, the qualifier is to eliminate whatever distraction(s) may be present in your life which may make it impossible for you to be with God – because with God, ALL things are possible. Even salvation! The blood of Jesus washes away the sin of every man not too distracted to receive it.
- Pastor Bill
Concealed? 09.30.07
Many people struggle mightily with the concept of God. Since God cannot be understood by the finite brain of man, the frustration this creates brings many people to the place of imagination – for what they think is the lack of a full revelation of God.
Most people go so far as to ‘imagine’ what God must be like, and unfortunately He usually winds up looking more like a human being than He does like God.
But that can only happen to people who are not paying attention. To people who have not been paying attention all along.
God has always been interested in being understood. God has always been interested in avoiding being misunderstood. That’s why we have the Word of God. The Word is God’s declaration of Who He is. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord…In His Word we see He has chosen to reveal Himself to human beings on many occasions. He has stooped so low as to allow man to see His Essence.
The Bible declares that no man can see God and live. I guess it would be something like driving up to within a few miles of the sun and attempting to gaze into it. You would be destroyed by the intense power of the sun – and no less by God, only much moreso! And yet God allowed Moses to see His afterglow, He allowed the nation of Israel to view Him as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, He wrestled with Jacob, and He appeared in a vision to Isaiah, and to Ezekiel.
God desires we see Him, but only in a revelation we may survive. The thing we need to understand is God is much more interested that we ‘see’ Him with our hearts rather than that we see Him with our eyes. We ‘see’ Him in His Word. In His Word is full revelation we may understand. In His presence we cannot stand! We must seek to see Him with Spiritual eyes rather than physical eyes. Believers have the additional advantage of being able to see God with the eyes of the Holy Spirit.
Yet, on occasion, God has consented to some very special presentations which provide a tactile as well as Spiritual understanding – but only to those who already have Spiritual understanding or are seeking it with all their hearts. Mark 9:1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Jesus provides Peter, James and John with as much as they can stand – that we may better understand, (in part,) the Glory of the Lord! We have heard of You – and now we see! Thanks be to God for stooping so low as to be revealed! He has never been concealed to those who see.
- Pastor Bill
Most people go so far as to ‘imagine’ what God must be like, and unfortunately He usually winds up looking more like a human being than He does like God.
But that can only happen to people who are not paying attention. To people who have not been paying attention all along.
God has always been interested in being understood. God has always been interested in avoiding being misunderstood. That’s why we have the Word of God. The Word is God’s declaration of Who He is. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord…In His Word we see He has chosen to reveal Himself to human beings on many occasions. He has stooped so low as to allow man to see His Essence.
The Bible declares that no man can see God and live. I guess it would be something like driving up to within a few miles of the sun and attempting to gaze into it. You would be destroyed by the intense power of the sun – and no less by God, only much moreso! And yet God allowed Moses to see His afterglow, He allowed the nation of Israel to view Him as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, He wrestled with Jacob, and He appeared in a vision to Isaiah, and to Ezekiel.
God desires we see Him, but only in a revelation we may survive. The thing we need to understand is God is much more interested that we ‘see’ Him with our hearts rather than that we see Him with our eyes. We ‘see’ Him in His Word. In His Word is full revelation we may understand. In His presence we cannot stand! We must seek to see Him with Spiritual eyes rather than physical eyes. Believers have the additional advantage of being able to see God with the eyes of the Holy Spirit.
Yet, on occasion, God has consented to some very special presentations which provide a tactile as well as Spiritual understanding – but only to those who already have Spiritual understanding or are seeking it with all their hearts. Mark 9:1 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Jesus provides Peter, James and John with as much as they can stand – that we may better understand, (in part,) the Glory of the Lord! We have heard of You – and now we see! Thanks be to God for stooping so low as to be revealed! He has never been concealed to those who see.
- Pastor Bill
Bread and Water 09.23.07
Mark 6:1 In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, 2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar." 4 Then His disciples answered Him, "How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?" 5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven." 6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand.
It is wonderful to imagine being a part of the crowd following Jesus as He walked the earth. We can readily think of all the advantages of being able to witness God in the flesh, and to hear directly from Him in an audible voice. It is incredible to imagine what that must have been like.
But Jesus said, to another assembly of His disciples at a later date: John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
So we see it is we that have the advantage over those who were with Christ. The proof? Jesus said so.
If we are in an advantageous position – what does that look like in our lives? Can we measure our advantage by the behavior evidenced by the crowd pressing in to follow Jesus during His days on earth? What can we learn?
In the crowd presently following Jesus, (as described in Mark 8:1-9,) we see an insatiable hunger, indicated by the fact the crowd has had nothing to eat for three whole days. I don’t know about you, but the thought of not eating anything for three entire days makes me feel famished without even going through the experience. Just hearing of it is enough to make me marvel that an entire crowd of thousands would go through that experience together – all without complaint, all without seeking sympathy.
What are they hungry for? Something! Anything! But it might surprise us to note their hunger is best expressed toward the provider of the food that has been sustaining them three days and will sustain them forevermore. That food? It is plain to see this crowd has been pressing in to hear the Word of God. The very words of God. They have forgotten all about their physical needs while in the physical presence of God. Jesus will also meet their physical hunger, but the lesson is also how He has fed their spiritual hunger – for three long days – with nothing but the bread of forgiveness and the water of the Word. Will we likewise forget all about our Spiritual needs while in the Spiritual presence of God, knowing that He will likewise also meet all our physical needs?
- Pastor Bill
It is wonderful to imagine being a part of the crowd following Jesus as He walked the earth. We can readily think of all the advantages of being able to witness God in the flesh, and to hear directly from Him in an audible voice. It is incredible to imagine what that must have been like.
But Jesus said, to another assembly of His disciples at a later date: John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
So we see it is we that have the advantage over those who were with Christ. The proof? Jesus said so.
If we are in an advantageous position – what does that look like in our lives? Can we measure our advantage by the behavior evidenced by the crowd pressing in to follow Jesus during His days on earth? What can we learn?
In the crowd presently following Jesus, (as described in Mark 8:1-9,) we see an insatiable hunger, indicated by the fact the crowd has had nothing to eat for three whole days. I don’t know about you, but the thought of not eating anything for three entire days makes me feel famished without even going through the experience. Just hearing of it is enough to make me marvel that an entire crowd of thousands would go through that experience together – all without complaint, all without seeking sympathy.
What are they hungry for? Something! Anything! But it might surprise us to note their hunger is best expressed toward the provider of the food that has been sustaining them three days and will sustain them forevermore. That food? It is plain to see this crowd has been pressing in to hear the Word of God. The very words of God. They have forgotten all about their physical needs while in the physical presence of God. Jesus will also meet their physical hunger, but the lesson is also how He has fed their spiritual hunger – for three long days – with nothing but the bread of forgiveness and the water of the Word. Will we likewise forget all about our Spiritual needs while in the Spiritual presence of God, knowing that He will likewise also meet all our physical needs?
- Pastor Bill
Have You Heard? 09.16.07
Mark 6:14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known.
“Hey, have you heard about this one they call Jesus?” “Sure – practically everyone has…”
Herod Antipas was no different. He heard. He saw through the eyes of the reports of others. The question is – and this is something we can apply to our own lives – what was it that Herod heard? What were people saying about Jesus?
Herod came to his own conclusion based on what he heard. 14…And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." And…16…"This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"
Reputations are being scandalized all the time. A reputation is a difficult thing for anyone to maintain against the disparagements of people with an axe to grind. But not even the disparaging of the scribes and Pharisees could change the opinion formed in the mind of this evil man (Herod Antipas) – about the One he saw as a very good man.
The only remaining confusion resulted from the fact Herod had not sought out Jesus on his own, and instead counted himself among those who had only heard about Jesus. Everything he heard was amazingly good. Staggeringly good. Extraordinarily good. Who has ever been this good?
The same kinds of things are said about Jesus all the time in this day and age. It is plainly evident to anyone who cares to examine the facts that Jesus is still having a profound impact and effect on the world today. Lives are being changed. Hurts are being helped. Wounds are being healed. Relationships are being reconciled. And yet large portions of the world have only heard about Jesus. They have never taken the opportunity to hear directly from Jesus Himself. They have never sought to listen to His voice.
And so they choose to continue on in some pretty strange beliefs. It has been well-said those who refuse to believe in God will believe in almost anything. Herod – ‘seeing’ – by hearing about the wonderful works of Christ, arrived at a strange conclusion, and never determined to seek further truth. Herod, who was racked with personal guilt over the death of John the Baptist, determined John had been reincarnated – or raised from the dead - and was presently walking the earth again.
There have always been a LOT of strange conclusions drawn by men about the works of Christ. It was true then – and it is true today. All this ‘new age’ discovery…including reincarnation, idolatry, spiritism, the seeking of a ‘higher power’ are all based upon what other people have said. (Emphasis on the word ‘people’.) I want to know what God says.
Herod was in a unique position to speak to Jesus directly. He had the ‘power’ to command an audience. We do too. Instead, Herod made a wrong conclusion based on what people said about Jesus. It cost him eternal life. We are the same. Have you ever just spoken directly to Jesus yourself – or do you make your conclusions based on what other people say?
- Pastor Bill
“Hey, have you heard about this one they call Jesus?” “Sure – practically everyone has…”
Herod Antipas was no different. He heard. He saw through the eyes of the reports of others. The question is – and this is something we can apply to our own lives – what was it that Herod heard? What were people saying about Jesus?
Herod came to his own conclusion based on what he heard. 14…And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." And…16…"This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!"
Reputations are being scandalized all the time. A reputation is a difficult thing for anyone to maintain against the disparagements of people with an axe to grind. But not even the disparaging of the scribes and Pharisees could change the opinion formed in the mind of this evil man (Herod Antipas) – about the One he saw as a very good man.
The only remaining confusion resulted from the fact Herod had not sought out Jesus on his own, and instead counted himself among those who had only heard about Jesus. Everything he heard was amazingly good. Staggeringly good. Extraordinarily good. Who has ever been this good?
The same kinds of things are said about Jesus all the time in this day and age. It is plainly evident to anyone who cares to examine the facts that Jesus is still having a profound impact and effect on the world today. Lives are being changed. Hurts are being helped. Wounds are being healed. Relationships are being reconciled. And yet large portions of the world have only heard about Jesus. They have never taken the opportunity to hear directly from Jesus Himself. They have never sought to listen to His voice.
And so they choose to continue on in some pretty strange beliefs. It has been well-said those who refuse to believe in God will believe in almost anything. Herod – ‘seeing’ – by hearing about the wonderful works of Christ, arrived at a strange conclusion, and never determined to seek further truth. Herod, who was racked with personal guilt over the death of John the Baptist, determined John had been reincarnated – or raised from the dead - and was presently walking the earth again.
There have always been a LOT of strange conclusions drawn by men about the works of Christ. It was true then – and it is true today. All this ‘new age’ discovery…including reincarnation, idolatry, spiritism, the seeking of a ‘higher power’ are all based upon what other people have said. (Emphasis on the word ‘people’.) I want to know what God says.
Herod was in a unique position to speak to Jesus directly. He had the ‘power’ to command an audience. We do too. Instead, Herod made a wrong conclusion based on what people said about Jesus. It cost him eternal life. We are the same. Have you ever just spoken directly to Jesus yourself – or do you make your conclusions based on what other people say?
- Pastor Bill
Sow Good 09.09.07
Mark 4:1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: 3 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
When you think of the works of Christ – what comes to mind?
“Absolutely,” you might say, “I think of His work on the cross.” Of course that would be THE work of primary importance to each of us. But how would He model that work – and what would exemplify that work that we might see our part in it?
Sowing seed. Sowing good seed. Sowing perfect seed. That’s what Jesus was doing on the cross.
There is nothing we can ever do to even approach the level of thankfulness Jesus richly deserves from each one of us for His work on the cross. Jesus saved us from eternal damnation. There is a better life inherent in that – but being saved from eternal death and the certain agonies of hell is more than enough for me. If I get a better life during my days remaining on earth - so be it - but that is not my primary focus. My primary focus is on the hope of eternal life in heaven by the grace of Christ alone!
Which is why I like to keep some seed in my hand, so to speak. Jesus laid out how all this is to work. The sower is Jesus. The seed is the Word of God.
Oh yeah, it may be my physical hand, or my physical mouth casting the seed, but the sower is Christ. Those who are taken up by Christ can think of nothing they would rather do than be with Christ and to serve Christ. Being joined to His work on the cross through the presence of the Holy Spirit is how that occurs. Grab onto a handful of this!
I receive His love for people when I cast seed in their direction. I receive His blessing when that seed sprouts, and begins to grow. I receive His reward when I meet that person in heaven.
It is such an awesome and wonderful process Jesus allows us to participate in, and yet we sometimes think it difficult, embarrassing, even trying to our circumstances. (What will people think?) “What will Jesus think?” is the question that needs to be asked.
We also tend to think we’ve got to be perfect in how we cast the seed. But Jesus made it plain the seed was to be cast wherever we go. On the hard-packed ground not likely to receive it, the shallow soil not likely to prove fertile, and even to the thorn bushes, that some seed may possibly grow in the midst of the cares of the world which may choke it and make it unfruitful. Every so often, the seed we sow of good penetrates the heart, and a wonder of wonders occurs before our very eyes…and it is sow good to see!
- Pastor Bill
When you think of the works of Christ – what comes to mind?
“Absolutely,” you might say, “I think of His work on the cross.” Of course that would be THE work of primary importance to each of us. But how would He model that work – and what would exemplify that work that we might see our part in it?
Sowing seed. Sowing good seed. Sowing perfect seed. That’s what Jesus was doing on the cross.
There is nothing we can ever do to even approach the level of thankfulness Jesus richly deserves from each one of us for His work on the cross. Jesus saved us from eternal damnation. There is a better life inherent in that – but being saved from eternal death and the certain agonies of hell is more than enough for me. If I get a better life during my days remaining on earth - so be it - but that is not my primary focus. My primary focus is on the hope of eternal life in heaven by the grace of Christ alone!
Which is why I like to keep some seed in my hand, so to speak. Jesus laid out how all this is to work. The sower is Jesus. The seed is the Word of God.
Oh yeah, it may be my physical hand, or my physical mouth casting the seed, but the sower is Christ. Those who are taken up by Christ can think of nothing they would rather do than be with Christ and to serve Christ. Being joined to His work on the cross through the presence of the Holy Spirit is how that occurs. Grab onto a handful of this!
I receive His love for people when I cast seed in their direction. I receive His blessing when that seed sprouts, and begins to grow. I receive His reward when I meet that person in heaven.
It is such an awesome and wonderful process Jesus allows us to participate in, and yet we sometimes think it difficult, embarrassing, even trying to our circumstances. (What will people think?) “What will Jesus think?” is the question that needs to be asked.
We also tend to think we’ve got to be perfect in how we cast the seed. But Jesus made it plain the seed was to be cast wherever we go. On the hard-packed ground not likely to receive it, the shallow soil not likely to prove fertile, and even to the thorn bushes, that some seed may possibly grow in the midst of the cares of the world which may choke it and make it unfruitful. Every so often, the seed we sow of good penetrates the heart, and a wonder of wonders occurs before our very eyes…and it is sow good to see!
- Pastor Bill
Break Downs 09.02.07
Mark 2:3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.
I am personally going through a season of electro-mechanical breakdowns which are at least frustrating, and may be very expensive. May car broke twice, my dryer is making a loud protesting noise - though still working, the ice-maker in my refrigerator stopped working, my dish-washer has a leak, and worst of all, my home air-conditioner has a bad freon leak…bad enough it seems the entire system must be replaced. (See very expensive.)
As bad as that list of broken items may seem to me right now, there are probably millions of people on the face of the earth who would trade places with me in a New York minute. (Translation: a very brief period of time.)
You see, the list of all my broken stuff pertains to luxury items only a small percentage of persons on the planet have even had the opportunity to dream of. Sure, it’s a pain to have an ice-maker that doesn’t work – I have to open the freezer door and twist the ice-trays and then re-fill them. Poor me.
Even air-conditioning, which seems a requirement to sustain life here in SW Florida, is a lofty privilege attained and enjoyed by hundredths of percentage points of people who have ever lived on this planet. Now…consider the paralytic.
Jesus cares about the condition of the human heart, and He stands ready and willing to heal the broken-hearted and the cast down and the discarded. How would this healing take place?
One might notice that Jesus would show up, and the people – aware of His presence – would throng Him, touch Him, and be healed by Him. This is a very ‘attractive’ ministry style. People are drawn to His amazing authority over diseases and demons. But Jesus established His healing ministry as of secondary importance.
Mark 2:1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.
Before Jesus would heal in these gatherings, He would teach the Word. Why? Because His healing touch may bring about the end of a physical affliction – but His teaching the Word would heal the condition of the heart. He is still ministering in exactly this way in the world today. Jesus is alive – and so is His Word! The most important words Jesus spoke to the paralytic? "Son, your sins are forgiven you." (See Mark 2:5.) He then touched the paralytic and healed him physically to prove the work He had already accomplished Spiritually. When you consider that physical healing is temporal and Spiritual healing is eternal – which do you think had the greater priority in the heart of Christ? People missed that then – and they still miss that point today.
- Pastor Bill
I am personally going through a season of electro-mechanical breakdowns which are at least frustrating, and may be very expensive. May car broke twice, my dryer is making a loud protesting noise - though still working, the ice-maker in my refrigerator stopped working, my dish-washer has a leak, and worst of all, my home air-conditioner has a bad freon leak…bad enough it seems the entire system must be replaced. (See very expensive.)
As bad as that list of broken items may seem to me right now, there are probably millions of people on the face of the earth who would trade places with me in a New York minute. (Translation: a very brief period of time.)
You see, the list of all my broken stuff pertains to luxury items only a small percentage of persons on the planet have even had the opportunity to dream of. Sure, it’s a pain to have an ice-maker that doesn’t work – I have to open the freezer door and twist the ice-trays and then re-fill them. Poor me.
Even air-conditioning, which seems a requirement to sustain life here in SW Florida, is a lofty privilege attained and enjoyed by hundredths of percentage points of people who have ever lived on this planet. Now…consider the paralytic.
Jesus cares about the condition of the human heart, and He stands ready and willing to heal the broken-hearted and the cast down and the discarded. How would this healing take place?
One might notice that Jesus would show up, and the people – aware of His presence – would throng Him, touch Him, and be healed by Him. This is a very ‘attractive’ ministry style. People are drawn to His amazing authority over diseases and demons. But Jesus established His healing ministry as of secondary importance.
Mark 2:1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.
Before Jesus would heal in these gatherings, He would teach the Word. Why? Because His healing touch may bring about the end of a physical affliction – but His teaching the Word would heal the condition of the heart. He is still ministering in exactly this way in the world today. Jesus is alive – and so is His Word! The most important words Jesus spoke to the paralytic? "Son, your sins are forgiven you." (See Mark 2:5.) He then touched the paralytic and healed him physically to prove the work He had already accomplished Spiritually. When you consider that physical healing is temporal and Spiritual healing is eternal – which do you think had the greater priority in the heart of Christ? People missed that then – and they still miss that point today.
- Pastor Bill
New Life 08.26.07
Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
I love the beginning of a new thing. I also love the end of an old thing – as long as it is followed by the beginning of a new thing. I don’t like the end of the beginning, generally speaking, because the beginning is usually the best part. From an exciting beginning, we grow into dull routine.
A new car? Wonderful! The smell, the cleanness, the certainty if its reliability and the beauty of the paint. The glossy blackness of the tires…
You drive off the lot - and you’re driving a used car with a note to pay off. A used car that gets dirty and breaks down more and more over time. Oh, how you wish for that new car again! (I wish someone could figure out how long a new car is new. Is it even a week?)
Life is just like that, and there are countless other examples you could cite…including love relationships. We go through phases, and in the flesh, it always seems like the new part is the best part.
And now we arrive at the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its new! Jesus, at age 30, is stepping out onto the world stage. Everything in eternity past has prepared Him for this moment – when the gospel would be NEW - when the gospel would be heard and understood for the first time.
The gospel is good news.(That’s what the word ‘gospel’ means.) Please focus on the second word in that phrase: News. As in new news. This is huge - gigantic on the scale of world events. This is not just another story to be told – this is the offering of life. New life. An opportunity to start over again – completely new!
Mark 1:3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' " 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Just as life takes preparation…(the assembling of infant clothing, nursery prep, etc.,) new life requires exactly the same thing: preparation. The heart must be prepared to receive what is new to replace what is tired and worn out and old. The “ground” is prepared to receive the “seed” of the good news which is new news – and the best part of this news is that it will always be new!
The gospel of new life which comes by faith in Christ is eternally new good news…and that is the best news possible for life!
- Pastor Bill
I love the beginning of a new thing. I also love the end of an old thing – as long as it is followed by the beginning of a new thing. I don’t like the end of the beginning, generally speaking, because the beginning is usually the best part. From an exciting beginning, we grow into dull routine.
A new car? Wonderful! The smell, the cleanness, the certainty if its reliability and the beauty of the paint. The glossy blackness of the tires…
You drive off the lot - and you’re driving a used car with a note to pay off. A used car that gets dirty and breaks down more and more over time. Oh, how you wish for that new car again! (I wish someone could figure out how long a new car is new. Is it even a week?)
Life is just like that, and there are countless other examples you could cite…including love relationships. We go through phases, and in the flesh, it always seems like the new part is the best part.
And now we arrive at the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its new! Jesus, at age 30, is stepping out onto the world stage. Everything in eternity past has prepared Him for this moment – when the gospel would be NEW - when the gospel would be heard and understood for the first time.
The gospel is good news.(That’s what the word ‘gospel’ means.) Please focus on the second word in that phrase: News. As in new news. This is huge - gigantic on the scale of world events. This is not just another story to be told – this is the offering of life. New life. An opportunity to start over again – completely new!
Mark 1:3 "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.' " 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Just as life takes preparation…(the assembling of infant clothing, nursery prep, etc.,) new life requires exactly the same thing: preparation. The heart must be prepared to receive what is new to replace what is tired and worn out and old. The “ground” is prepared to receive the “seed” of the good news which is new news – and the best part of this news is that it will always be new!
The gospel of new life which comes by faith in Christ is eternally new good news…and that is the best news possible for life!
- Pastor Bill
The Truth 08.19.07
1 Chron 28:1 Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officials, the valiant men, and all the mighty men of valor. 2 Then King David rose to his feet and said, "Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it. 3 But God said to me, 'You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.'
We are so politicized in this day and age that we never expect our leaders to tell the truth. We expect our leaders to shape the truth in a way that sounds palatable to the majority of the audience they may be speaking to. “You can’t please everyone,” may be a well-worn mantra, but at the same time it seems our leaders strive to cause the least offense possible.
So we never know where our leaders stand. Hard questions are deflected or they are never answered at all. We are so used to this we are no longer shocked or surprised – we expect it. What do politicians really stand for? Who really knows?
Things were different in David’s day. He said what was on his heart, without frills, embellishment, or even embarrassment. You might say this is because David has the absolute leadership position of king - and that no one would dare to oppose him - but that would be forgetting David has already faced two rebellions, including one led by his own son which actually deposed him for a time. David is no stranger to strong opposition. Nor can he expect his son to be.
So what would you expect David to do as he attempts to rally support for his son Solomon as he anticipates stepping down? Should he recount his victories and his great efforts to maintain his power? No, David speaks from his heart, about his heart’s desire, and he says what God says.
Without consideration for perception or opinion, David simply tells the truth. “Hey guys, I wanted more than anything to build a temple for God – but God said ‘No!’” And then he asks for them to support Solomon as he will be doing what David is not allowed to do by God. David didn’t make up a cover story to couch the reason he was passing the building of the temple to Solomon. He laid it out for all to hear. “God told me, ‘No!’”
I think David sets a wonderful example for all of us. Why do we struggle with perception when God says, “No”? Why is “No” an embarrassing answer to relate to our brothers and sisters? Should we not understand together that “No” is as blessed and sanctified an answer as “Yes”? David did. Like David, we should be pleased in whatever guidance God provides – even if it means we don’t get to do what we think we want to do. And, no matter what, we must say what God says.
- Pastor Bill
We are so politicized in this day and age that we never expect our leaders to tell the truth. We expect our leaders to shape the truth in a way that sounds palatable to the majority of the audience they may be speaking to. “You can’t please everyone,” may be a well-worn mantra, but at the same time it seems our leaders strive to cause the least offense possible.
So we never know where our leaders stand. Hard questions are deflected or they are never answered at all. We are so used to this we are no longer shocked or surprised – we expect it. What do politicians really stand for? Who really knows?
Things were different in David’s day. He said what was on his heart, without frills, embellishment, or even embarrassment. You might say this is because David has the absolute leadership position of king - and that no one would dare to oppose him - but that would be forgetting David has already faced two rebellions, including one led by his own son which actually deposed him for a time. David is no stranger to strong opposition. Nor can he expect his son to be.
So what would you expect David to do as he attempts to rally support for his son Solomon as he anticipates stepping down? Should he recount his victories and his great efforts to maintain his power? No, David speaks from his heart, about his heart’s desire, and he says what God says.
Without consideration for perception or opinion, David simply tells the truth. “Hey guys, I wanted more than anything to build a temple for God – but God said ‘No!’” And then he asks for them to support Solomon as he will be doing what David is not allowed to do by God. David didn’t make up a cover story to couch the reason he was passing the building of the temple to Solomon. He laid it out for all to hear. “God told me, ‘No!’”
I think David sets a wonderful example for all of us. Why do we struggle with perception when God says, “No”? Why is “No” an embarrassing answer to relate to our brothers and sisters? Should we not understand together that “No” is as blessed and sanctified an answer as “Yes”? David did. Like David, we should be pleased in whatever guidance God provides – even if it means we don’t get to do what we think we want to do. And, no matter what, we must say what God says.
- Pastor Bill
Threshed? 08.12.07
1 Chron 21:18 Therefore, the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
It might seem strange the Lord would direct David through the prophet Gad to erect an altar to the Lord in a very common place of labor. If you’ve ever been in a barn or a feedlot, the thought of placing a sacred altar in that location is startling.
Our religion and our religious practices have become so pristine and polished, and far removed from real-life. (Even moreso from blood, sweat and tears.) Our altars are places of beauty and magnificence, gold gilt, with polished marble and ivory and granite. Our thoughts are made to soar to the heavens by the wonder of our physical surroundings. And – even more important, we have to have air-conditioning…and not too cold or too hot.
Our worship has to be in songs we can relate to and appreciate. The sound has to be blended to suit our taste, and if it is too loud or not loud enough our worship is inhibited.
We like to think of our altars as being places where we can feel comfortable, and where we can likewise invite our friends to come and be comfortable along with us. The more close friends we have in our place of worship, the less inhibited we feel in our ability to worship God – as we think it less likely we may be judged by others – after all, they are our close friends.
If you think none of this is true – measure your heart by this standard: Have you been to visit a church where you felt totally uncomfortable and yet been able to worship God? I didn’t think so.
Yet we see God is not interested in our comfort.
God desires at some point, sooner or later, that we would submit ourselves to being threshed. To have the wheat separated from the chaff.
Our lives - even as Christians - have become mostly about chaff. Some say it is more difficult to be a devoted Christian in this day and age than at any other time in human history. We are bombarded by temptation constantly from all kinds of media sources that have never existed before, and we find ourselves driven to the point of distraction. Blind to God. Distant from God. Deaf to hear His voice.
This is why the altar, in God’s design, is to be a threshing floor – a place of earthy aroma, with the sense of hard labor, and harvest. There is nothing of comfort for the wheat upon the threshing floor, only of separation unto usefulness by the thresher – to be food for others. Have you been to His altar?
- Pastor Bill
It might seem strange the Lord would direct David through the prophet Gad to erect an altar to the Lord in a very common place of labor. If you’ve ever been in a barn or a feedlot, the thought of placing a sacred altar in that location is startling.
Our religion and our religious practices have become so pristine and polished, and far removed from real-life. (Even moreso from blood, sweat and tears.) Our altars are places of beauty and magnificence, gold gilt, with polished marble and ivory and granite. Our thoughts are made to soar to the heavens by the wonder of our physical surroundings. And – even more important, we have to have air-conditioning…and not too cold or too hot.
Our worship has to be in songs we can relate to and appreciate. The sound has to be blended to suit our taste, and if it is too loud or not loud enough our worship is inhibited.
We like to think of our altars as being places where we can feel comfortable, and where we can likewise invite our friends to come and be comfortable along with us. The more close friends we have in our place of worship, the less inhibited we feel in our ability to worship God – as we think it less likely we may be judged by others – after all, they are our close friends.
If you think none of this is true – measure your heart by this standard: Have you been to visit a church where you felt totally uncomfortable and yet been able to worship God? I didn’t think so.
Yet we see God is not interested in our comfort.
God desires at some point, sooner or later, that we would submit ourselves to being threshed. To have the wheat separated from the chaff.
Our lives - even as Christians - have become mostly about chaff. Some say it is more difficult to be a devoted Christian in this day and age than at any other time in human history. We are bombarded by temptation constantly from all kinds of media sources that have never existed before, and we find ourselves driven to the point of distraction. Blind to God. Distant from God. Deaf to hear His voice.
This is why the altar, in God’s design, is to be a threshing floor – a place of earthy aroma, with the sense of hard labor, and harvest. There is nothing of comfort for the wheat upon the threshing floor, only of separation unto usefulness by the thresher – to be food for others. Have you been to His altar?
- Pastor Bill
Under Contract 08.05.07
1 Chron 17:7 Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 8 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 9 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 10 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. 11 And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. 14 And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever."
When you are in the process of buying or selling a house, there comes a point in the negotiations when the home is said to be ‘under contract.’ This is the point in time, (exciting for both sides, usually,) when the terms and conditions of sale have been agreed to by both sides – even down to agreement over what may break the contract and void the sale.
Our God is a contractual God. He calls the contracts He makes with man ‘covenants.’ There have been many covenants made by God with man over the ages. These covenants cannot be related in terms of relative importance – as each one is a stepping stone to the stumbling stone – which is Christ.
The difference between contracts made by men and contracts made by God with men is found in who keeps the contract. With men, a contract is a mutual agreement, wherein both sides must keep their part of the bargain in order for the terms of the contract to be completed. God’s covenants with men are exclusively kept by God.
All of God’s covenants are promises from God to do for men. Man has no part in the process of keeping the covenant. God knows the future. God is in control. His promises will be kept because they have been kept already in His sight. God speaks of the future as if it has already happened – have you noticed?
God’s covenant with David is that the long-promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come through his house - and be of his lineage. Like us – David responds, (paraphrase,) “How can this be?” (David knows his own heart.) How can this be? God says so.
- Pastor Bill
When you are in the process of buying or selling a house, there comes a point in the negotiations when the home is said to be ‘under contract.’ This is the point in time, (exciting for both sides, usually,) when the terms and conditions of sale have been agreed to by both sides – even down to agreement over what may break the contract and void the sale.
Our God is a contractual God. He calls the contracts He makes with man ‘covenants.’ There have been many covenants made by God with man over the ages. These covenants cannot be related in terms of relative importance – as each one is a stepping stone to the stumbling stone – which is Christ.
The difference between contracts made by men and contracts made by God with men is found in who keeps the contract. With men, a contract is a mutual agreement, wherein both sides must keep their part of the bargain in order for the terms of the contract to be completed. God’s covenants with men are exclusively kept by God.
All of God’s covenants are promises from God to do for men. Man has no part in the process of keeping the covenant. God knows the future. God is in control. His promises will be kept because they have been kept already in His sight. God speaks of the future as if it has already happened – have you noticed?
God’s covenant with David is that the long-promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, will come through his house - and be of his lineage. Like us – David responds, (paraphrase,) “How can this be?” (David knows his own heart.) How can this be? God says so.
- Pastor Bill
Mighty Man 07.29.07
1 Chron11:1 Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.'" 3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.
There is a real sense of togetherness derived from common purpose. There aren’t many greater common purposes than survival. As the elders and leaders of Israel assembled together with David at Hebron, their collective survival as a nation was at risk. Saul, that great cinematic wonder boy was dead. Saul had been everything Israel desired in a king. He was tall, head and shoulders above other men. He was good-looking. He was charismatic.
But as the days went by, people began to see another side of Saul. He was prideful, and only partially obedient to God on several occasions. (Partial obedience = disobedience.) Being the head had gone to his head, and Saul was passing from the scene even as he was on the scene.
One much less-suspected of being kingly material was emerging. His name: David. A name revered in the nation of Israel to this day. By the time of Saul’s death, David was anointed and positioned to replace Saul – by God’s sovereign arrangement. The people were aware of both his presence and his power, and so he became the only logical choice to turn to as far as they were concerned. David was God’s ordained man to take the people into a true kingdom of God under God – and not under man.
About 1,000 years after David, a new King emerged on the scene. Even though His name was Jesus, He identified Himself as the “Son of David” many times. He is often referred to as the “Son of David” by the gospel writers.
The reference and the comparison is clear. We, as the nation of Israel long before us, have been following after the ‘Sauls’ of this world. The ones who ‘look’ the part of what we think we should follow. The tall. The handsome. The charismatic. The shiny. The colorful. At some point in the life of every man comes the realization that their king ‘Saul’ is either dead or dying.
And then we see our true ‘King David’ for the first time. Our very survival is at stake. What a blessing to know that not only will our ‘King David’ save us – He is also bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh! Will you covenant with Him? He is ready and able.
- Pastor Bill
There is a real sense of togetherness derived from common purpose. There aren’t many greater common purposes than survival. As the elders and leaders of Israel assembled together with David at Hebron, their collective survival as a nation was at risk. Saul, that great cinematic wonder boy was dead. Saul had been everything Israel desired in a king. He was tall, head and shoulders above other men. He was good-looking. He was charismatic.
But as the days went by, people began to see another side of Saul. He was prideful, and only partially obedient to God on several occasions. (Partial obedience = disobedience.) Being the head had gone to his head, and Saul was passing from the scene even as he was on the scene.
One much less-suspected of being kingly material was emerging. His name: David. A name revered in the nation of Israel to this day. By the time of Saul’s death, David was anointed and positioned to replace Saul – by God’s sovereign arrangement. The people were aware of both his presence and his power, and so he became the only logical choice to turn to as far as they were concerned. David was God’s ordained man to take the people into a true kingdom of God under God – and not under man.
About 1,000 years after David, a new King emerged on the scene. Even though His name was Jesus, He identified Himself as the “Son of David” many times. He is often referred to as the “Son of David” by the gospel writers.
The reference and the comparison is clear. We, as the nation of Israel long before us, have been following after the ‘Sauls’ of this world. The ones who ‘look’ the part of what we think we should follow. The tall. The handsome. The charismatic. The shiny. The colorful. At some point in the life of every man comes the realization that their king ‘Saul’ is either dead or dying.
And then we see our true ‘King David’ for the first time. Our very survival is at stake. What a blessing to know that not only will our ‘King David’ save us – He is also bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh! Will you covenant with Him? He is ready and able.
- Pastor Bill
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