redeemed

Broken 

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Job 17:1
“My spirit is broken, My days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me.”

It is often difficult to watch someone whose spirit is broken. They had once been so full of life but now seem to be a shell of their former self. They lack enthusiasm, vision,  and the will to press forward. As difficult as it may have been to watch Job in this condition, as a reader we can certainly understand why he felt this way. His circumstances had crushed his spirit and brought him to a place where life seemed hopeless.

We live in a throw away world. Once something breaks the tendency is to toss it aside and search for a new and improved model. God on the other hand views things differently. He does not see something that is broken as disposable but as redeemable. In fact, when God is searching for someone to use, He looks first in the broken pile. The psalmist wrote;

Psalms 34:18 “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

Psalms 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”

When we stand back and view Job from a distance, we realize God allowed great difficulties into His life; partly for the purpose of breaking Job, so He could later accomplish even greater works through his life. While none of us relish the idea of hardship or pain, it is valuable to realize that God wants to meet us in, and transform us through our brokenness. Whatever struggle you might be currently facing, whether it is physical, emotional, or relational, understand that God is using this to work in you. He wants to allow the brokenness to get your eyes on Him so He can meet you in your struggle and transform your character.

Pastor Jim

 

Redeemed 

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1 Chronicles 3:5
“And these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon—four by Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel.”

As we seek to follow Christ, we often fall along the way. Sometimes, we may only slightly stumble, while at other times, we may take quite a hard fall. It is not uncommon after failing, falling, or having a set back, that we may feel as though we can no longer follow or serve Christ. Without even knowing it, we have turned our relationship with the Lord into something reward based. We think we are blessed when we do what is right, and once we fail, we are no longer worthy of His love, favor or calling. Without a doubt, the low point in David’s life was when he fell into sin with Bathsheba. How remarkable to find that the next king of Israel would be her son, Solomon. The grace of God is an ocean so deep we could never fathom its depth or stop its flow. No matter how far we have fallen, He is able to redeem us completely.

While the Bible in no way condones sin, and we know that David’s actions had devastating affects upon his family and the nation, we also know God was able to redeem his failure for the furtherance of the kingdom. If you have fallen, it is time to get back up and rest in the remarkable grace of God. It is time to start walking with Him once again, and let Him turn your tragedy into His triumph.

Pastor Jim

 

What’s It Worth

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1 Kings 21:20
“I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord”

This is certainly not the only record of Ahab’s sin. He was a man who long ago had given up on any desire to live a life that honors the Lord. This passage does however illustrate, quite strongly, the question asked by Jesus, when He said, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24)

We all know we will never gain the whole world. A few have tried, but none have succeeded. Many, however, have traded eternity for some temporal pleasure or possession. Like Esau, who gave his birth right for a bowl of soup, many give up eternity for something that lasts only a moment. For Ahab, it was a field. He wanted a garden he could enjoy from his palace window. There was however, a problem; the land was owned by another man. Instead of letting it go, he plotted to take the field by force. For a plot of ground, he took a life. In doing so, he revealed how cheaply he valued his own life.

The Bible tells us redemption of the soul is costly; our actual value is infinite. Peter explains we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19), because no amount of silver or gold would do. Instead of sitting on the sale rack, selling yourself off to participate in a passing sinful experience, remember you are worth much more than that, and are a blood-bought child of the Lord.

Pastor Jim

 

Blessed

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Genesis 49:22-24
“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well;
His branches run over the wall.
The archers have bitterly grieved him, shot at him and hated him.
But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob
(From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), . . .”

2015/01/img_1374.jpgAs the day of his death rapidly approached, Jacob gathered his children together and spoke regarding what lay ahead. The writer of Hebrews summed up this chapter by saying,

“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” Hebrews 11:21

When he finally comes to his son, Joseph, instead of looking forward, he looks back. He does not speak of what is to come, but of what has already transpired. The story of Joseph, remains one of the most amazing stories ever told. A young man, who fell victim to the bitter envy of his brothers, was sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown into prison, and forgotten; he is somehow raised to the highest honor in the land of Egypt. This great prince, instead of becoming bitter and seeking revenge, uses his position of power to rescue his family, and restore their relationship. It was important to Jacob that Joseph remember the secret of his great strength.

“But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob . . .”

The only way Joseph survived and excelled, was the strength of God. Even to the most casual observer, it is clear, the hand of God was upon Joseph, as he overcame obstacles and opposition. In the same way, it was the mighty hand of God that prevented him from abusing his power, and retaliating against his brothers.

It is so important for us to recollect what God has done for us if we are going to move forward successfully. Don’t ever forget, the mighty hand of God delivered you from the pit of sin, and the taskmaster of the Law. Don’t ever forget, it was the Son of God, whose work on Calvary, raised you from bitter slavery, made you a child of God, and a joint heir with Jesus. No matter what lies ahead, when we remember that our hands are made strong by the hands of the mighty God, we can overcome.

Pastor Jim