hope

This Is Wisdom

pjimgallagher2 Comments

Deuteronomy 4:6
“Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”

Life is a lot like a journey on a road we have never traveled before. We often face forks in the road without clear signage, and are left to do our best to make a good decision. If there is one thing we need in life, it is wisdom. Webster’s dictionary defines wisdom as “the ability to discern” and “good sense.” We might best understand it as, “knowing what to do.” In life, we often face challenges we do not have answers for, and we need wisdom.

Naturally speaking, wisdom comes from personal experience or the experience of others. If I touch a hot stove and burn my finger, I learn not to touch hot stoves. Or, if I listen to the advice of someone who has burned his finger, I can avoid the same fate. The Bible declares that wisdom also comes from the Word and the Spirit.

Paul declared, all wisdom and knowledge is hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:3). James went on to add, if we lack wisdom we can ask God and He will provide it generously (James 1:5). It is Moses who declares how it is provided. Referring to the Word of God, Moses declared “this is your wisdom.” He added, when we put into practice the teaching of the Word, the unbelieving world will be astonished by our great wisdom. This might not happen over night, but as you daily walk with the Lord, putting His Word into practice in your life, you will develop a life that is honoring to God, abundant for you, and works as a light drawing others to Christ.

The key to wisdom is walking in the Word. Whatever you are facing, look into the Word for answers. As you apply the teaching of Scripture to your marriage, family, occupation, finances, free time, attitude, etc., you will find you are filled with the wisdom of God.

Pastor Jim

 

Popular Opinion 

pjimgallagher1 Comment

John 7:13
“However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.”

2000 years have passed and this still remains a problem; we withhold the message of Christ out of fear. What are we afraid of? It seems to me Jesus has always been misunderstood. Popular opinion is often based on these misunderstandings. During His life, some were afraid to associate with Him because He was thought to have been a “wine bibber,” a glutton, and even one who condoned sin by hanging out with sinners. Many respectable people were afraid to associate with Christ because of their reputations.

Things have really not changed all that much. Today, many make their decision about Christ based upon popular opinion. They determine who Jesus is, or what Christians are, based upon what they see on television or the big screen. As a result, they think of Jesus as a far right-wing, narrow-minded, conservative politician; a money hungry evangelist; or an extreme legalist. It is not hard to understand why many reject Christ, if that is the only Jesus they have ever known.

Years ago, when I was a young Christian in college, one of my professors made the statement that all Christians had their hand on the button (a figurative devise that would send nukes to the Soviet Union). He said Christians, were anxious to bring on the end of the world. This statement was based on the Christ and Christianity that had been displayed before him. I remember my heart pounding through my chest as I raised my hand and stated, “Mr. Neil, you know me, you know that I am a Christian, and you know that I do not think that way.” He quickly amended his statement.

I believe we can live our lives in such a way as to reveal the real Christ and true Christianity. I believe we can undo the misunderstandings about Christ that have been seared into the minds of those around us. I believe we can do this as we seek to live lives committed to Jesus Christ. We never know what road block stands in someone’s way, keeping them from faith in Christ; or what fears they may have of committing to Jesus. Let’s determine that we will be those who represent true Biblical Christianity.

Take time today to get to know Jesus in His Word.

Pastor Jim

 

Refuge

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Numbers 35:12
“They shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment.”

God established a system in Israel which ensured the safety of a person who had accidentally caused the death of another. Instead of allowing vigilantes to run rampant, Moses was instructed to have six cities built where a person could flee, find protection, and await his day in court.

Four things stand out to me about the cities of refuge. First, we are told the cities were to be distributed throughout the land for easy access. Second, in Deuteronomy 19:3, we read that good roads were to be built and maintained, so nothing would hinder a person from reaching the city. Third, these cities were for all people, whether they were the Children of Israel, foreigners, or travelers. Fourth, the person must remain in the city until the High Priest died; then their crime was forgiven, and their guilt forever removed.

It is not difficult to see the parallels between the cities of refuge and the work of Christ. The death of Christ provides a way for all men to have their sins pardoned. No matter what our background might be, nothing hinders us from coming to Christ and being forgiven. Those who hide in Christ will never face the avenger of death. A person who fled to the city of refuge was a marked man. All others knew he was only safe because of the provision of God. If he ever left the city, he was no longer safe from the avenger. The same is true of us. Our hope is found in Christ, where we are constantly reminded to abide (John 15:4). As long as we sit under the shelter of the cross, there is no sin that can harm us. We are marked men, and the whole world should know that our hope is in Christ alone.

However, there is a contrast worth noting. The cities of refuge were only for the innocent, while the cross is designed for the guilty. There is no sin, no matter how great, or how frequent, that cannot be forgiven at the cross.

Hebrews 6:18
“… we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”

Pastor Jim

 

Eternal Life 

pjimgallagher1 Comment

John 5:21
“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.”

This is amazing! Jesus promises to give life. It is always tragic to watch people killing themselves, in an attempt to find life. Our country, our world, our communities, even many of our homes, are plagued with substance abuse, as people search for life. We seem to have an epidemic of extreme sports, with people risking life in order to experience life. All the while, Jesus is promising to give it away freely to any who will come to Him.

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from            death into life.”

The life Jesus offers not only gives meaning to living, but is the only way to prepare for death. All of us are on a journey, and that journey will take us through the gateway of death, face to face with the one true God.

John 5:29 “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

No matter what road you choose to walk in life, the end of that road will take you to the throne of God. If you choose to reject God for a certain lifestyle, or even denounce the existence of God, you will still find yourself standing before the throne of God, awaiting the sentence of eternity. There is only one way to prepare for that day, that is by receiving Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that as many as believe in Him, will have the privilege of becoming the children of God, and as children, become heirs of eternal life (John1:12). Sadly, even at the time of Christ we read,

John 5:40 “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

I pray that is not true of you! I pray you will come to Him and receive purpose, meaning, value in living, and the free gift of eternal life.

Pastor Jim

 

Once For All

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Numbers 29:13
“You shall present a burnt offering, an offering made by fire as a sweet aroma to the Lord…”

Moses goes into great detail to explain the sacrifices that were to be offered to the Lord. Every morning, and again, every evening, a spotless lamb was offered, with a grain and drink offering. On the Sabbath, new moon, and for each of the seven feast, additional sacrifices were added. As long as the Tabernacle or Temple stood, these offerings were to be continually presented to the Lord. An entire staff of priests was required to officiate at these offerings. Some were responsible to examine the offering for defect, others to perform the sacrifices, and still others to attend to the daily maintenance, and care for the Temple, itself. When the days work was completed, they understood the next day bore the same responsibilities. There was no end to the process. Yet people were still conscious of their sin and alienation from God.

Hebrews 10:4
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”

Praise the Lord! Our High Priest, Jesus, Himself, has been offered, once for all, to take away sin. John declared, the very reason He came was to remove our sin, and make us right with God (1 John 1:9). Instead of a painstaking process of daily sacrifice, Jesus went to the cross; forever eradicating our sin problem. All who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven, removed, and be brought into a relationship with God, where we are able to experience His love, joy, and perfect peace.

Pastor Jim

 

The Light

pjimgallagher1 Comment

John 1:4
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Jesus was magnetic! People from all walks of life were drawn to Him. Lepers, paralytics, rich men, beggars, fishermen, and even Pharisees were drawn to Jesus; to meet Him, hear Him speak, and be touched by Him. At times, we read of massive crowds that gave up all other pursuits, to listen for hours as He spoke about the Kingdom of God. What was it that drew people to Him? John tells us that His life was like a light in the darkness.

Often, when I come home at night, my route into the house is through the garage. The problem is, the light switch is on the far end of the garage, near the kitchen door. Skateboards, bikes, shoes and other sports equipment are scattered across the floor, and in the darkness, facing these dangers, I am drawn to the light that shines from the house. In the same way, people facing the pitfalls of life were drawn to the light that came from Christ. John points out what that light was:

“In Him was LIFE and that was the light of men.”

John tells us, the light which shone forth from Christ was the life that He possessed. Jesus later stated that we, His followers, would be the light of the world; that through us the world would be drawn to God (Matthew 5:14). Just as the life of Christ drew men to Himself, the life that we have is what will win others to Jesus. The more we surrender to Christ, the more we allow Him to cut away, the more closely we follow Him, the greater life will come out of us; like a brilliant light drawing others to Christ.

“Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Pastor Jim

 

Timeless 

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Deuteronomy 10:1-2
“At that time the Lord said to me, ‘Hew for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to Me on the mountain and make yourself an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke; and you shall put them in the ark.’

img_1595-0.jpgEvery generation likes to think of themselves as more advanced than the one before them. I recall one of my children, when he was about four, asking what life was like back when things were in black and white. He really thought color was only seen by his generation and the rest of us had grown up in the gray hues of a silent movie.

This vantage point on life may be the force behind people thinking that the Bible is antiquated. They might say, “while the Bible might be filled with some fascinating stories, it certainly cannot be relevant for a modern 21st Century world. The problems we face are so much greater than the problems a wandering tribe of nomads had to endure in the Sinai Peninsula thirty-five hundred years ago.”

I think the passage of Scripture before us speaks to that kind of thinking. When Moses came down the mountain and found the nation violating the very laws he had received from God, he reacted by throwing the tablets on the ground. The breaking of the tablets symbolized the people’s behaviors and the breaking of the law of God. When Moses met again with the Lord, he did not get an updated version of the Word of God that would fit into an ever changing dynamic world. Instead, he was given the exact same commandments written on a new set of stones.

The word of God will not change as the world changes. New advancements in medicine and science, or a changing viewpoint of what is right and wrong, will not alter the Word of God. The Bible was never designed to be molded by culture, but to shape it. In a time when things seem to be changing before our very eyes, we need a firm foundation for our lives, and no bedrock is more solid the the Bible.

Pastor Jim

 

 

 

 

Lost And Found

pjimgallagher3 Comments

Luke 15:2
“This Man receives sinners . . .”

20140227-074349.jpgMan lives as though God and eternity are a mystery. Even before I became a Christian, I had heard the pseudo–verse, “God works in mysterious ways.” Here, in Luke 15, the mysterious ways of God are revealed. We see clearly how he feels about the lost, as well as what He does about it.

Jesus tells three stories, and in each one, He is played by a different character. In the first, He is the man who has a lost sheep and leaves all He has to find it. In the second, He is played by the woman who searches diligently to find the one lost coin. Finally, in the third, He is played by the father who patiently waits, while his son wastes his life. We see clearly the heart of God toward the lost and wayward. He willingly gave up all, clothed Himself in humanity, to seek and save the lost.

The message is clear. If you are wayward, come back to Him. He loves you and wants to forgive you. If someone you love is wayward, express to them the same loving grace that the father showed his son, as you pray and await their return.

Pastor Jim

 

Jesus Saves Sinners

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Luke 5:30
“Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

IMG_1486The scribes and Pharisees are complaining about Jesus’ actions. They do not think He should meet with sinners. I hear this complaint every time we gather as a church for corporate worship. It is not the voice of the Pharisees that I hear, but my own voice. I begin to think of all the reasons why I cannot enter into the presence of God, enjoy access to the throne of Grace or experience His work in my life. I am reminded of my sins, both the things that I have done and what I have failed to do. Along with those thoughts, comes an overwhelming sense of not being worthy to enter His presence. It is at that moment when this great truth rings out from His Word:

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32

Although hidden and unconfessed sin will hinder your relationship with, and experience of, God, Jesus came for sinners. When He entered the synagogue in Capernaum He was drawn to the man with the withered hand. In a room filled with people, He did not avoid the one who needed Him most, but was drawn to Him. He does the same thing today. The very things that we think keep us from being able to meet with Him and experience His grace, are the very things He wants to address in our lives.

If you have sin you have yet to deal with, that you are holding onto, confess it, lay it at His feet, and let Him wash you and empower you for victory. Don’t let your failures keep you from coming to Him, worshipping Him, and experiencing His marvelous grace and power in your life. After all, it was not the voice of Jesus that was keeping the sinners away, He is calling for you.

Pastor Jim

 

Preach The Gospel

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Mark 16:15
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel . . .”

imagePaul explained to the Corinthian church the simplicity of the Gospel message. He stated that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day; all according to the Scriptures. That was the message the first believers declared to their world. They went into their homes, streets, marketplaces, schools and places of business, declaring the Son of God died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Mary carries the honor of being the first to declare this wonderful news. Upon arriving at the empty tomb she was told,

“You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. HE IS RISEN!”

She responded by running to tell the other disciples. Since Jesus had declared He would rise again, it seems they would hear this wonderful news and rejoice together. Jesus is alive! Instead, we read, they did not believe her. What would cause these men to doubt the Word of God, and the testimony of Mary? I think perhaps, it was the difficulty of their circumstances. They were allowing their difficulty to cloud their view of God, instead of allowing the Word of God to shed light on their situation. This is a common occurrence. We have all been guilty of the same struggle. We look to our hardship, and it casts a shadow of doubt upon the promises of God.

Later that night, the church gathered together. There has been, and always will be, comfort in meeting together with friends in times of hardship. It is worth noting what happens when Jesus shows up. He does two remarkable things. First, He rebukes them for their unbelief. While He is our compassionate High Priest who understands our weakness, He also expects us to lay hold of the promises of God, and live by them. Second, He commands them to go tell the world. I am convinced there is a connection here. When we let our circumstances cloud the promises of God, we fail to share those promises. Also, when we share those promises, it shows we truly believe.

These guys heard from Mary that Jesus was alive. They found this to be true, as they went out into the world and declared the Gospel. When filled with fear, they stood before a crowd and shared Christ, He showed up and people were saved. When they met the needy, the blind, lame, and sick, they prayed for them; He showed up, and they were healed. Often we question whether Jesus really is alive from the dead. I think we will find our answer as we go into the entire world and preach the gospel.

Pastor Jim