Really, They Are His

Luke 15:11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." ' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

Fatherhood is so much more than biological, and so many times less than logical.

As the father of a newborn, the dreams you have for your child often exceed what is possible, but that doesn't stop you from dreaming. You just can't help yourself. Unfortunately, as time goes by, and dreams become reality, we often find we can't help our children either.

They have to learn to help themselves, and most often they do that by watching you as a father, seeing how you help yourself.

Are you a self-made man? I sure hope not. Here's ALL I hope your children see: that you are a God-made man.

There's going to come a time in your child's life when their life and their future will be completely on the line, and unless they've seen you (dad) on your knees they'll have no way of knowing where life begins, and they'll take what the world offers instead.

We already know the world is an emotional meat-grinder, bent on destruction. Despite our dreams, and our hopes, we have no way of protecting our children when they are beyond our care - but God.

Fortunately, God's love for our children exceeds even our own, because, really, they are His.

-Pastor Bill

The Grace in Suffering

1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. …12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

If given the choice, we would probably travel far and spend much to avoid physical suffering. There is never, in any way, shape, or form, written into the DNA of any human - or probably any other form of life - a desire to seek after or travel toward suffering.

But, when you choose to follow Christ, that is exactly what you are doing. Peter would not have that fact hidden.

Now, most political or religious “organizations” would probably agree. This is a killer decision. No one, knowing the full-on truth of the potentially high cost associated with Christ, would choose to willingly place themselves in a position where physical suffering is possible. Yet millions, and perhaps billions have chosen exactly that – a pathway of potentially suffering for simply knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

How can this be explained apart from the grace of God which leads to repentance from the world?

Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you will physically suffer for knowing Christ, but it does mean you may. Here, according to God’s Word, Peter says physical suffering is both purifying in your life and glorifying of God.

By the Holy Spirit, we learn this Spiritual principle of transcendence. We have seen it in Christ first, and then in others, and now the Spirit of God is calling us – to a love that transcends the physical, to a love that is eternal, to a love that is indeed powerful enough to bring joy even in the midst of suffering.

This is God’s great grace, known only by those who know Christ and know suffering. Peter is not speaking of some theory or philosophical principle – he is speaking of what he knows to be true by his own and by others’ personal experience. This is his witness, not merely words on a page.

-Pastor Bill

Taking the Cake

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-- 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

When it comes to the subject of marriage, God’s Word takes the cake.

When the Word of God speaks, it propels us to places we may never go, and compels us to think in ways which we may never think. (On our own.)

How else but by the Holy Spirit can Peter say exactly what Paul says, while also encouraging it as a reward, “Wives, submit to your husbands…”

This may not be the “cake” you were expecting when you got married.

But Peter speaks of the necessity of wives “winning their husbands.” (There is more than ‘cake’ involved here.) Eternal life may be on the line. (What if it is?)

In encouraging submission to governments and masters, Peter was leading us into acknowledging a far greater purpose for our lives, that we may evangelize the lost by our very lives, and by our life-style - of submitting to those who may be unworthy of being submitted to.

And yet, we are to do so anyway. Because. Jesus. Did. Remember?

My own self demands satisfaction. The Bible teaches me to seek the satisfaction of others - and then I will be satisfied. It is only those who lose their life who win it.

And so Peter, without apology, goes completely contrary to modern psychology and exhorts wives to give up the authority they may desire for their lives – and to yield that authority to their husbands EVEN IF THEIR HUSBAND IS A LOSER – that he may be won.

The real wedding cake is in heaven. (See Rev 19.) Can I wait until then, or do I have to have it now?

And…husbands, can you not see this for what it is? Will you be a winner, or a loser?

-Pastor Bill

Liberty

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-- 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Freedom is really the choice of entanglements, as none are free from some sort of external force upon their lives, be it government, or relationships or responsibilities.

What deprives man of freedom is the inability to choose. This is the role sin plays in every life. It deprives a person of their freedom by enslaving them to their own lusts. Satan is very good at determining exactly which lust(s) may be effective on any given person, and he is sure to throw those attractions in front of that person for one purpose – to ensnare them in slavery which may destroy them.

When a person becomes enslaved in any way to sin, they have become submitted to its lordship in their lives. This lordship may take many forms, but all of those forms are designed to interrupt that person’s freedom to submit to the Lordship of God.

This is the greatest difference between the truth and a lie. The lie says we are free to do whatever we desire, and truth says we are free to choose what or whom we submit ourselves to.

God Word says, “With your freedom from sin, willingly choose to submit yourselves to authority on earth as a present form of submission to Jesus.” It is ironic how we demonstrate no man has power over us by yielding to men not by force but by the will of God. This was most powerfully demonstrated by Jesus on the cross.

-Pastor Bill

Life Style

1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Can you imagine the insight Peter has as he speaks of this? This is the young man who gave up everything to follow Jesus, (the king of the Jews,) only to find there was no apparent wealth or power to be had in following Jesus.

This is the same Peter, who was on his way to becoming a successful partner in his father’s fishing business – who gave it all up for…nothing in this world?

Whatever you may gain for yourself in this world is worth nothing in the next. This is what Peter has learned from Jesus, and this is what he shares with us. The life of a follower of Jesus Christ looks decidedly different. There is a decision which had been made, to be different.

What difference does it make? Well, it makes a great difference in your life. It changes how this world affects you in every way. The things that prompt the lust of the flesh in others should have no effect on you. The things that make other people angry should no longer affect your mood. With your eyes on Jesus, and following Him as closely as possible, your life begins to resemble Christ’s life spiritually and physically.

As a disciple of Christ, we are called by Christ to “make more disciples.” As we begin to make our lives a pattern of Christ, we become worthy of having others make their lives a pattern of ours. In truth, as Peter is saying, this is where the church stands or falls.

-Pastor Bill

Making a Mother’s Day

Matt 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" 26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." 27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

When you think about a mother’s heart, one thing is clear. Actually, make that everything is clear. In fact, there is probably nothing more transparent than a mother’s heart.

A mother’s heart is on full display every time there is a need in their child’s life. To the extent that need may be met, a mother will stop at nothing.

In this way, mothers are like Christ.

A question might be asked about why Jesus would go to the region of Tyre and Sidon in the first place? (There were only gentiles living there, and Jesus came to serve the lost sheep of the house of Israel.)

But Jesus, like this mother, was seeking what may be found.

Many people seek without really knowing what they are even looking for. They say things like, “the journey is more important than the destination.” But when you have a real need, a statement like that is an absurdity.

When there is a real need, the only reason for seeking is to find the answer that meets the need. Flights of fantasy or philosophical debates are worthless.

This is the story of the intersection of Jesus and a Canaanite mother, both seeking what may be found. Neither would accept anything less.

This woman’s daughter, severely demon-possessed, is all this mother can think about, or cares about. Her need is apparent to all. She is a completely transparent parent, which mothers often are. No shame, no embarrassment over her daughter’s condition will deter her. She is seeking the One who can make her daughter well.

Jesus, on the other hand, is seeking faith where it may be found, and like this mother, He will stop at nothing to find it. What happens next is amazing…

-Pastor Bill

Hope

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into. 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

People find hope in a lot of different things these days, and I suppose they always have – but what is true? Isn’t it true that a hope based upon what is false is worse than no hope at all? Isn’t it true that hopelessness until a hope in the truth is found is better than a hope based upon what is false – even if it produces a hopelessness in the short-term that brings (perhaps) even much pain or suffering?

Peter focuses on ‘where our hope comes from.’ True hope. He leaves out the false, and exposes it by explaining what is true. He knows.

A false hope may in fact promise better short-term results – but to what purpose? Is it so that you may “feel better” sooner rather than later? The answer, plain and simple is: yes, that is the reason – I want to feel better now. (Or as soon to now as I can possibly arrange.) And so ‘hope-hucksters’ are a dime-a-dozen. They are all around us. What can make you feel better now? How much would you pay? What would you do?

“Make no mistake,” Peter says, “true hope comes only in the holiness of Christ, even when suffering may be the pathway to holiness.” It may be totally contrary to human nature to expect hope to be born of suffering, but we have been born again into a new nature. Peter teaches us to trust the leading of the new nature and not the old.

-Pastor Bill