Life

Giving Up To Gain

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Mark 8:35
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”

IMG_1430A paradox is a statement that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense, but is true. The statement Jesus reveals is one of life’s greatest paradoxes. Man was created to know God. Jesus said that He came to “give us life and that more abundantly.” When our lives are lived in complete obedience to the Lord, we experience the height of living. When we hold back, unwilling to give ourselves, our time, or some sinful activity; we think we are gaining, we think we are better off. That very thing we are holding onto, is the very thing keeping us from the abundant life Jesus created for us.

Knowing this, Jesus asks two questions. First, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

If true life is found in surrender to Christ, then what would be the benefit of holding onto all the world offers? Imagine if your phone were to ring this morning, and on the other end of the call were all the world leaders. They had decided that the best thing for mankind was to make you king of the world. You get the title, the robe, the crown, the chair and all the world’s goods are now yours. You possess all the wealth and all the power of the whole world. There is nothing you cannot have. The catch… you must deny Jesus. You can have this life but not eternal life. That my friends is a losing proposition. The right response is to hang up the phone.

Knowing that will not happen; knowing that no man has ever gained the whole world, Jesus asks a second question,

“What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

You cannot have everything, so is there anything you are holding onto that is robbing you from the life Jesus has for you?Perhaps a relationship you thought would satisfy you, so you began to compromise your walk with the Lord; only to find that it is robbing you of the life found in Christ. Whatever it may be, anything you are holding onto, lay it all down and follow Christ.

Pastor Jim

 

Reflection

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Genesis 48:15-16
“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked,
The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,
The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil…”

2015/01/img_1370.jpgAs the book of Genesis unwinds, we find Jacob getting very close to the end of his life. He knows, just about the only thing left is his departure. While he may not have a whole lot of life in front of him, he does have decades to look back upon. As he reflects upon his life, it is easy for him to see how the hand of God was with him all the way. As he looks back, he focuses upon two things.

First, he recalls how God provided for him. There were times in his life when he had next to nothing and other times when he lived with abundance. There were even times when it looked like he would lose all he had worked so hard to attain, yet in each of the seasons of life, he found God had been faithful to provide for him and his family.

Second, he reflects upon the grace of God. Like all of us, Jacob had a life of highs and lows. There were times when his life was a beautiful example of a believer, and other times when his life was marked by lack of trust and living for self. No matter what had transpired, when he looked back, Jacob could see the hand of God redeeming him. I have to believe, one of the highlights in his life, was to have his relationship with Esau restored, by the grace of God.

Whatever you are facing, why not look back and reflect upon the hand of God caring for you through the years. If there are things that are left unredeemed, take some time to ask Him to repair that which is broken.

Pastor Jim

 

Overcoming Obstacles

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Genesis 39:9
“…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

2015/01/img_1354.jpgJoseph faced a temptation that many would have succumbed to, yet he resisted, even when it cost him his job, reputation and freedom. There were many factors that could have influenced him to fail. His difficulties could have caused him to blame God for losing his family and his freedom; making him bitter toward God. The constant pressure from Mrs. Potifer, could have caused him to justify their relationship. After all, she must not have been treated properly by her husband, or she would not have been looking to the “help.” The customs of Egypt were, no doubt, much freer than those of Scripture. He could have thought “everybody else is involved in these kinds of behaviors.” While there were many things that could have led Joseph to sin, there was one factor compelling him to withstand the temptation. Joseph realized that a relationship with Potifer’s wife was a sin against God.

God has given us His Word, so we will understand His ways. Instead of blindly walking through life using our own experience, or intellect as our compass, we have been given the Word of God. The psalmist spoke of it as a light that illuminates our paths (Psalm 119:105). Peter referred to it as a light that shines in the darkness until the dawn appears and the morning star arises (2 Peter 1:19). Instead of blindly walking through life, we can have the Word illuminate the way. Tragically, many neglect the Word and use their own desire as a guide. Thinking of themselves as a “good person”, they do whatever seems best to them at the time. The end result is violating the ways of God, and suffering the consequences that come with it.

Joseph’s story was not over when the guards arrested him and threw him into prison. God still had plans for him, and would richly bless his life. Doing things God’s way, did not derail the life of Joseph, but if he had slipped, the story would have taken a turn for the worse. The key to the blessed life is not doing things our own way, but doing them His way. A decision to obey the Word, is a decision that will be blessed by the Lord.

Pastor Jim

 

Instead Of Me

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Genesis 22:2
“Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’”

2015/01/img_1318-1.jpgJesus declared the whole Bible testified of Him. Sometimes, the testimony is the form of prophecy, other times, it is in the form of a type, or illustration. Here, we find a vivid illustrative picture of the cross of Christ. Let’s examine the details.

Abraham was instructed to take his only son, whom he loved, on a three day journey to Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering. Upon arriving, his son, who would have been close to twenty years old, willingly allowed himself to be tied to the altar. Just as the knife was approaching his throat, God spoke and provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac. We see many parallels to the cross.

First, the sending of Jesus was a plan orchestrated in the council chambers of heaven. In other words, it was the plan of God. Peter declared, Jesus was crucified according to “the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23).

Second, it was the only Son of God who was sent as the ransom for mankind. The Psalmist declared the salvation of the soul is costly (Psalm 49:8). At the cross we see just how costly. No angel, man, or amount of cash, would suffice to pay for the sins of the world. Nothing short of the blood of God would be sufficient. Peter wrote,

“. . . knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1Peter 1:18-19

Third, the crucifixion took place on the mountain range of Moriah, where Jesus willingly offered Himself as the sacrifice for humanity. Jesus had openly declared, no one could take His life from Him but that He would willingly lay it down (John 10:18). We read, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus surrendered to the will of the Father, and submitted to the cross. He was taken by force, condemned, beaten, and crucified to provide forgiveness for our sins.

At this point, Isaac no longer serves as a picture of Christ, but as a picture of mankind. As the knife approaches his throat, God stops Abraham’s hand, and we see two things vividly. First, God will have nothing to do with human sacrifice. That is not how the wrath of God is appeased. Second, no sacrifice, no matter how great, can cover our sin; there must be a substitute. In the bushes, a ram is caught, and becomes the substitute for Isaac. A promise is then given for all of mankind that God would later provide Himself as the substitute for our sins (Genesis 22:8).

Whatever joy must have filled the heart of Abraham, knowing that his son was rescued, pales in comparison to the joy that we should celebrate, knowing that Christ took our place and paid for all our sins.

Pastor Jim

 

The Twelve

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Matthew 10:2-4
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.”

2015/01/img_1316.jpgThese twelve ordinary men were chosen, empowered, and sent by Jesus into the world with the simple message of salvation. As a result, their lives have transformed the world.

John Foxe records the plight of many of them:

Phillip labored in Asia and was scourged, thrown into prison, and crucified.
Matthew served the Lord in North Africa and was speared to death.

Andrew served in Asia and was crucified.

Peter’s ministry, to some degree, is recorded in the book of Acts. He is said to have been crucified upside down.

Bartholomew spread the Gospel through India, and was beaten and crucified.

Thomas preached in India and was speared to death.

Simon the zealot is thought to have taken the Gospel to Britain, where he was crucified.

John lived to be an aged man. He faced great persecution, but is thought to have died a natural death.

Their brief time on planet earth forever changed the course of human history. D.L. Moody said, “the world is yet to see what God can do through a life completely surrendered to Him.” Oh, that we would follow the example of the twelve, and live lives committed to Christ.

Pastor Jim

 

You’re Kidding

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Genesis 19:14
“So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, ‘Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!’ But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.”

2015/01/img_1313.jpgI remember growing up with the story of Paul Revere riding through the New England countryside, heralding the message that the British were coming. In the version I was told, he rode from town to town warning the people who responded by preparing themselves for battle. Lot, like Paul Revere, was given a warning. His warning came by the hand of two angelic messengers, explaining that the Lord was coming to judge. When Lot began to broadcast the message, those closest to him responded with laughter, thinking he must be joking. I have always been stunned by their reaction.  Lot lived in such a way that no one would believe he was truly a follower of God.

We too, have been given a message to declare to the world. It is a message, that if heeded, will result in being delivered from eternal judgment, into eternal life. It is the message of salvation through faith, in the work of Christ on the cross. Each one of us has been commissioned by the Lord, and given unique opportunities to share Christ with others. Sadly, some of us live in such a way that when we open our mouths to talk of Christ, our behaviors make others think we must be kidding. If our speech is filled with coarse jesting, off color jokes, and sexual innuendo, or if we spend more time at the bar than we do at Bible study, our witness will be weakened. Living a godly life is an essential part of being an effective witness. Paul exhorted the Ephesians to “Walk worthy of the calling we have been called to.” Ephesians 4:1.

I recently spoke at a funeral service for a man who had been ministered to by a family at our church. They had been praying for him, inviting him to church, visiting him at his home, and showing him the love of Christ . When I stood behind the pulpit, it was so easy to share Christ with his family, because they had seen the love of Christ in the witness of others.

Let’s not be like Lot, whose witness was completely tarnished by his living. Instead, let’s be the light of the world, that would lead others to faith in Christ.

Pastor Jim

 

Change

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Genesis 17:5
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”

2015/01/img_1310.jpgJuliet asked Romeo, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” That question takes on a whole new meaning when seen in light of the events recorded in Genesis 17. This chapter chronicles God changing the names of Abram and Sarai, as well as providing the name of their long awaited son.

At his birth, Abram’s parents must have had great hopes and expectations for their son. His name means “exalted father.” How sad it must have been for him to go through life never having the pleasure of a child of his own. Now, at an age where having children might seem to some of us, more like a curse than a blessing, God changes His name from “exalted father,” to Abraham, “the father of many nations.” With this change came a promise that could only be fulfilled by he power of God. Sarai would also have her name changed to one that speaks of her position as the mother of nations.

I love that God sees what no one else could possibly see. If we looked at Abram, we might also want to change his name. We might call him “exalted fatherless”, or perhaps, because of the care he showered upon Lot, we might call him “exalted uncle.” It is God and God alone who could see the work He would do in this couple. It was by the miraculous work of the Spirit of God, transforming Sarai’s womb, that would make her a mother, and him the father, of nations.

While we may not have had an appearance from God requiring a legal name change, the Bible is filled with promises declaring who God desires for us to become. Some of these might seem as far-fetched as an old couple having kids. It is important to keep in mind, God not only makes the promise, but has the power to perform it. We can be greatly comforted knowing the same God who provided the impossible for Abraham, is working to transform us into the image of His Son.

Pastor Jim

 

Treasures In Heaven

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Matthew 6:21
” For Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2015/01/img_1301.jpgThe longer I live, the more I have come to realize, so much in life is passing. Things I once coveted and had to have, are bundled up and given to the Salvation Army. That “new car smell” has been replaced with “what’s that smell?” Even relationships that were once so close, have grown distant. The words of Christ shout a deafening cry,

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew, Chapter 6, not only exhorts us to lay up heavenly treasures, it also sheds light on the spiritual activities that will help us do it. We are told to give, pray, fast and let go.

One of the great struggles we face is how to live for eternity, while living in time. We know, while God could cause manna to appear on our front lawn every morning, He has chosen to call us to “till the ground.” In other words, we all have to work for a living. We need the tangibles like cash, food, housing, etc. How do we balance living here with storing up treasures in heaven. I think one of the keys is found in Verse 33.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

When we decide to no longer worry, to no longer be consumed with the things of this life, and instead, put our full confidence in Jehovah, as our provider, we will be able to put Him first. When that happens, we will see  He is, in fact, able to meet our every need.

Today, whether you go to work, school, or stay at home, put Jesus in first place. Seek to please Him with every step, and watch as He uses the details of your day as opportunities to store up treasures in heaven.

Pastor Jim

 

Dark Times

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Genesis 8:1
“Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2015/01/img_1293.jpgThe last time Noah heard the voice of God he was instructed to enter the ark and shut the doors. Since that time, forty-seven days have passed. These were days of difficulty, unrest, fear and anxiety, as Noah and his family stepped out into the unknown. In a time when Noah needed the voice of God more than ever, it seemed that heaven had gone silent. What a blessing it is to read “God remembered Noah…”

Perhaps it would be of value to consider what it means that “God remembered Noah.” First, it does not mean God had forgotten him. Often, in the midst of our darkest trials, we get the feeling God has forgotten us. We have ventured out in faith only to look around, and it seems, He has left us all alone. We must keep in mind, God had His eyes upon Noah every moment. The Psalmist wrote,

Psalms 121:4
“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

And Jesus declared,

Luke 12:7
“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

As we read Noah’s story, it is also quite clear, that while God seemed to go silent, He remained in complete control of the circumstances. It was God who caused the rain, stopped the rain, and caused the waters to reside.

In the midst of our darkest days, we are no more alone than Noah was. God is carefully watching our every step, as well as controlling the circumstances around us. In those times of darkness, it is critical, that like Noah, we keep clinging to the promises of God as we await His deliverance.

Pastor Jim

 

Cornerstone

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Zechariah 10:4
“From him comes the cornerstone,
From him the tent peg,
From him the battle bow,
From him every ruler together”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2014/12/img_1261.jpgZechariah referred to the coming Messiah as the cornerstone. A cornerstone is the stone which forms the base of a building. It supports the weight of the adjoining walls and is the set stone necessary to plum the rest of the building. If that stone is unstable, or too weak to support the weight of the structure, the building itself will collapse. If that stone is out of square, the entire building will be crooked. Every builder understood the importance of the cornerstone. Zechariah was not the only writer to refer to the Messiah as the cornerstone. Isaiah put it this way,

Isaiah 28:16
“Therefore thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.”

The prophets are declaring Christ is the foundation stone we must build our lives upon. Other foundations are faulty and are not  able to support our lives.

Years ago, we conducted an outreach in a Boys and Girls Club in England. After the event ended, I, and a handful of others, were discussing the gospel with some of the teenagers. I made the comment to a couple of young men, that they needed to receive Christ and He needed to be the foundation upon which they built their lives. Suddenly, our conversation was interrupted by an older man who declared he did not need Christ, he had recently undergone triple by-pass surgery, and his own strength and the support of his family was enough. He declared, his experience proved Christ was unnecessary for life.

Many build their lives on foundations other than Christ, and some even find these foundations are enough to support them through much of the difficulties of life. The question each one must face is, what about death? Your foundation may stand the test of time, but only Christ, as our chief cornerstone, will stand the test of eternity.

Friends, money, good health, and morality, may prove to be valid foundations for much of life, but they will not be enough come eternity. Christ alone is the cornerstone upon which eternal life is built. Have you trusted in yourself, your accomplishments, your morality, or have you trusted Christ as Savior, and given yourself over to Him as Lord?

Pastor Jim