Obey

Turning Around

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Genesis 20:2
“Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.”

2015/01/img_1314.jpgAbraham’s journey had led him to the far south of the promised land, to an area that had begun to be occupied by the Philistines. Because of the reputation of the Philistine people, Abraham and Sarah decided the best approach to guarantee their safety was to lie about their relationship. They would tell anyone who asked, they were brother and sister. Thinking Sarah would not be taken and Abe would not be killed. It seems their plan backfired, because when the Philistine king of Gerar saw Sarah, he took her into his harem and sought to make her his wife.

This passage serves as an illustration of many things, not the least of which, it gives us a clear picture of what true repentance actually looks like.

It seems the moment Abimelech took Sarah, things started becoming difficult within his home. In addition to the fact that his family members became barren, unable to have children, he also began to have some very vivid, and quite disturbing dreams. In one of these dreams, God appeared to him declaring that if he did not return Sarah to Abraham he would be killed. We read that God told Abimelech to restore Sarah to her husband. The word restore means to return or to turn back. It is a word which could be used synonymously with the word repentance. In essence, God is calling the king to repent of his actions.

It seems odd that this Philistine king becomes a very clear and positive example of what true repentance actually looks like. We read, he was confronted by the Word of God, he cried out to the Lord, and he changed his behavior. All three of these steps are a part of real repentance. Sadly, we often find ourselves arguing with the Word or attempting to justify our actions instead of allowing the Word to change our living. In some cases, we we might even go as far as admitting what we are doing is wrong and even cry out to God, without being willing to make the appropriate changes.

Let’s determine today, to follow Abimelech’s example and make whatever changes the Word of God demands. After all, once he repented, he began to receive the blessings of God.

Pastor Jim

 

Obedience

pjimgallagher3 Comments

Genesis 7:5
“And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2015/01/img_1292.jpg
Obedience is critical to any relationship with the Lord. If we are going to grow in Christ, experience the promises of God, and effectively witness to others about relationship with Jesus, we must learn obedience. Samuel told Saul that to obey is better than to sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22), and Jesus declared, if we love Him we will do what He says (John 14:15). Noah is a great example of what an obedient life looks like. There are three things that stand out to me about his obedience.

First, Noah did what he was asked to do. When the divine command was uttered, Noah got busy. We do not read of him questioning God about the meaning of rain, or a flood, nor does he argue with God about the difficulty of the task. Instead, Noah got busy and built a boat.

Second, Noah did what he was asked to do, and much more. He was instructed to build an ark, fill it with his family members, and all the beasts of the earth. Noah did as he was told, but did not stop there. Peter informs us, Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2Peter 2:5). As he prepared the ark, he also preached to the people. He warned them of the coming judgment, and of the way of escape. True obedience will never cause us to do the minimum. Instead, a heart that wants to please the Lord, will do all things heartily as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) .

Finally, Noah relied upon the Spirit of God. God’s commands were impossible for Noah to accomplish in his own strength. Gathering together all of the animals, including the birds of the air, was a task way too big for any man. If you do not think so, take a quick break, run outside and try to catch a bird. The only way he could obey, was to rely upon the Lord. Instead of looking at the impossible, he understood there is nothing to hard for God (Jeremiah 32:17). Too often, we only see the impossibility of a task and fail to see the power of God. It is no more difficult for God to help you quit smoking, overcome addiction, share Christ with a relative, or serve in a Sunday school class, than it was for Him to get the animals to line up and march. In fact, it seems the animals always do what God asks, and it is only man who is often too foolish to obey.

Don’t get caught up with why you can’t, get caught up in Him who can.

Pastor Jim

 

Worshipping Jesus

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Matthew 2:2
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2015/01/img_1287.jpgThose ancient travelers who went in search of the Child Jesus, form a valuable illustration of true worship. Their worship included at least five ideas we would do well to imitate.

First, their worship was Spirit led; we read they followed “His star”. These men, who spent their time observing the heavens, were amazed that a star, which had not existed before, appeared in the sky and directed them to Jerusalem.

Second, their worship was Biblically founded. The leading of the Spirit brought them to Jerusalem. Once there, they searched the Scriptures to find the Child. Jesus said, those who worship Him must worship in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-240). If we want our worship to be well pleasing, we must search the Scriptures to find out who God really is, and what He desires from us.

Third, they worshipped with “exceedingly great joy.” In other words, their worship was a celebration. We all vary in personality: some are quiet, others quite loud. When we are not trying to mimick someone else in worship, there is an element where we are celebrating. What could be more amazing than God sending His Son into the world to save sinners?

Fourth, their worship included giving. They took of what they had and offered it to Jesus. When we see the value of Jesus, we are willing to give our valuables to Him. Perhaps it is time to give your time, talent and treasures to the Lord.

Finally, they were changed by their worship. We are told they departed another way. The way they came was not the way they left. These men who had been star gazers were now witnesses of Christ.

Let’s take some time today to worship Jesus in Spirit and in truth.

Pastor Jim

 

Do The Right Thing

pjimgallagher1 Comment

Zechariah 7:3
“Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”

/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/b9a/30989304/files/2014/12/img_1253.jpgThe people in Zechariah’s day were beginning to realize their lifestyle was unacceptable to God. They concluded, the solution to unrighteous living was to fast on certain days. Prior to implementing their new religious program, they approached the prophet for guidance. He declared what they really needed to do was obey the Word of The Lord.

Zechariah 7:7
“Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimed through the former prophets…”

There is something about the nature of all men that when we become convicted of our sins, we want to perform religious deeds. We think we need to go to church, recite a prayer, or be involved in some other religious activity. While these activities are very important and must play a role in our lives, our greatest need is to return to the Lord and live in obedience to His written Word.

Jesus told the woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). He declared to the disciples that if they loved Him they keep His commands (John 14:15). The truest evidence of repentance is a change of behavior. Albeit, there are times when that is very difficult and almost impossible to do. I am reminded of a man with a deformed hand who met Jesus in a church service. Jesus asked him to do the one thing he was incapable of doing. He said “stretch forth your hand” (Luke 6:10). Rather than giving excuses, or even good reasons why he could not obey, the man simply trusted and obeyed. His obedience was met with the power of God, and his deformity was healed.

If God has revealed areas in your life that need to be corrected, don’t settle for a few religious activities. Instead, turn to Him with your whole heart and receive His power to live obediently to His word.

Pastor Jim

 

Walking Together

pjimgallagherLeave a comment

Amos 3:3
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

If you and I were to go on a walk, we would not have to agree about everything, but we would have to agree about where we were going. Once we disagreed about direction, we could no longer walk together. Amos is suggesting that Israel failed to walk with God because they were not in agreement with the direction God was taking them. This passage is written long after God had walked Israel through the wilderness and into the promised land, but I am reminded of what God told the people during their wilderness journey.

Exodus 19:4
“You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles ’ wings and brought you to Myself.”

God made it clear, the destination which He was leading Israel, was not the land of Israel, but was to relationship with God. We are all on that same journey. Once we have received Christ, we begin a process called sanctification, where we are becoming like Christ. Every trial and blessing becomes a tool in God’s hand to accomplish this work in our lives. He wants to cut away the things that are ungodly from our lives and replace them with things that bring Him glory. But the only way we will be successful is if we agree with God that we want to become like Him. Once that happens, we will allow Him to remove unnecessary things.

Are you willing? Have you sat before the Lord and truly asked Him to do whatever it takes to make you the person He wants you to be? If not, do that now. Take some time to confess what you are doing wrong and ask God to help you do what is right.

Pastor Jim

IMG_1193.JPG