System Restore

Last week I was helping some that had a virus on their computer and it was so bad that I had to restore the system back to factory default, wiping everything back to the way it was shipped out.  I started thinking about things that I have I have done in that I would have loved to restore back to a default or a do over.  Unfortunately, life isn't that way.  The consequences of things we say and do can have very long term, if not permanent, effects.  That's why we should be care of our actions and our words. (but that's another message)

The great news is God allows us to restore our relationship back to default with Him no matter how bad we have messed up or what we have said. We just have to ask Him with a sincere heart and our relationship is "restored".

1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

⁸ If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Now, that doesn't mean that there are not consequences for things we have done, but when God forgives, we are forgiven.  The cost for that sin was paid for on the cross.

Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death.

  

Psalm 103:11-13 (NIV)

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Do you need to perform a system restore" with God.  He is waiting.  

Dr Stephen Linhart

Shark Week and 1 Peter 5:8

 

A few weeks ago it was Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.  What better place to do a message about sharks than the beach? 

Have you noticed that they Shark Week is on toward the end of the summer? 

 As I watched the different segments on sharks I was thinking about these people that get in the shark cages to get a closer look at the sharks.  Of course the sharks want what is inside of those cages.  They circle around looking for an opening and bump the cage to find a weakness.  This reminds me of 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil circles around like a hungry shark looking for someone to devour.  Respectfully, I swapped out the lion for the shark, but it doesn’t change the image.  The devil, like the sharks mentioned above, does the same to us.  He watches for our weaknesses or vulnerabilities and then attacks them.  He wants you to fail, keep you stuck in a bad habit or relationship from being Christ like, He will do anything to take you away from a relationship with Jesus Christ that God intended for us to have.

There is hope!  God does not leave us without protection from sharks.  Ephesians 6: 10-20 gives us some instructions on how we can combat the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV)

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

All of us have been attacked and hurt by sharks.  Maybe not the ones in the ocean, but sharks in our lives.  Maybe it is an abusive relationship, loss of a loved one, or things we have done to ourselves.  God wants to heal you from those wounds and take away the fear if we just ask.

All of us have been attacked and hurt by sharks.  Maybe not the ones in the ocean, but sharks in our lives.  Maybe it is an abusive relationship, loss of a loved one, or things we have done to ourselves.  God wants to heal you from those wounds and take away the fear if we just ask.

May God protect you with His armor.

 
Pastor Steve

Peter Times Three

Peter times three

This past Monday, the day after Resurrection Day, I was reading in John, chapter 21 about the days following Jesus’ resurrection.  On this particular day, Peter and six others are out fishing for the night and caught nothing.  This stranger shows up on the shore and asks “Haven’t you any fish?”  He tells them to try the other side of the boat and they catch a lot of fish.  They realize that it’s Jesus.  Peter jumps in the water, hurrying to shore while the rest follow in the boats.  They all had some fish and were talking:

John 21:15-19 (NIV)

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Three times Jesus asked Peter “Do you love me?” I believe that Jesus was asking three times because of Peter’s three denials on the night of Jesus’ arrest (John 18: 15-18; 25-27).  Jesus was wanting Peter to really think about the cost of his answers.  He was ready to defend Jesus to the death and a few hours later he denies that he knows Jesus.

Aren't we all like that?  We say we are Christians.  We go to church and do church things.  But, when it comes down to it, we deny Him and act just like everyone else.  Why do you think we are called hypocrites?  Jesus wants to know if we love Him and if we do we will care for each other.  In John 13: 34-35 Jesus states:  "A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Do you love Jesus? 

May God bless you.

Pastor Steve

Happy Resurrection Day

Easter is here, but it is more appropriately named Resurrection Day.  This is the holy day of all holy days for it is the day in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  After being beaten and crucified a few days earlier, He was laid in a tomb, sealed in with a massive stone, and guarded by roman soldiers.  Even those closest to Him thought it was over.  But then as recorded in Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV):

 

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Without Jesus’ resurrection, Christianity would be pointless.  It would be and like any other religion where people worship a dead person.  However, the fact that He was seen by more than 500 witnesses, over a period of forty days proves makes convincing argument.  There are many other proofs, but that is not the point.  The point is He died as a once for all sacrifice for our sins.  He did that for you and me.    

John 3:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Bible is clear that we are all sinners, except Jesus Christ, and it is only through His crucifixion and resurrection can you be saved.

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

²² This righteousness is given through faith in^[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Have you received Jesus’ gift of forgiveness for your sins?  The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

There is no magical incantation or super-secret ritual you have to perform, you just have to believe. Believe in who Jesus said He was and what He did for you and declare those things verbally, you are saved. 

If you have believed this way for the first time, welcome to the family.  If you have lost you’re way God wants you back.  We would love to hear from you.

For a great YouTube video of steps to faith check this link out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FI0rsEk_y4

May God bless you.

Pastor Steve

The Week before Easter

If you only had a few days to live, what would you do? Would you be with family, travel, make things right with someone, go to Disney, skydive, etc? That is exactly what happened to Jesus. He knew that He was going to happen to Him. So what did He do?

(This list is not to make light or distract from scripture in anyway)

• The next day He clears the temple
• He curses a fig tree on the way
• He refuses to answer the High Priest question “by whose authority are you doing these things?”
• Tells the parable of the Tenants.
• Tells the parable of the Two Sons.
• Tells the parable of the Wedding Banquet.
• He puts the Pharisees to shame in their entrapping questions of:
       o Paying taxes
       o Marriage at the resurrection.
       o What’s The Greatest Commandment?
       o Whose Son is the Christ?
• Talks about the widows offering.
• Speaks about the signs of the end of the age.
• Gets anointed by a lady dumping very, very expensive perfume on Him.
• Judas plans his betrayal.
• Eats His last meal.
• Prays for Himself (to glorify the Father), disciples, and all believers.
• Judas betrays Jesus.
• Re-attaches an enemy’s ear.
• Gets arrested.
• Gets abandoned by His followers.
• Peter even denies knowing Him.
• Rooster crows.
• Tried illegally.
• Beaten beyond recognition.
• Mocked, spit on, and pierced with a crown of thorns.
• Carries cross to His own crucifixion.
• Crucified (the most excruciating and brutal deaths)
• After 6 hours gives up His life.
• Causes an earth quake tearing the veil separating the Holy of Holies.
• Buried in someone else’s tomb that is guarded by Roman soldiers.
• and that's not all, it is really the beginning!

He knew that He had to finish what the Father sent to do, to bore the world's sins past, present, and future. A totally innocent man be crucified for our sins. While in the garden of Gethsemane He struggles with the gravity of what is about to take place in
Matthew 26: 47-56.

To be Continued...
Pastor Steve

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and those who have grown up in the church may remember acting out Jesus' entry into Jerusalem riding a young donkey while the people laid down palm branches and praised Him. The kids would all get a palm branch to wave around…

In the book of Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV) we see the event take place:

21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. ³ If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”

⁴ This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:

⁵ “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

⁶ The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. ⁷ They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. ⁸ A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

                        “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”^[c]
                        “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

          ¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
          ¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

But do we really understand the whole point to Palm Sunday?  The many followers in Jerusalem were praising Jesus, though not all, because they saw Him as the promised Messiah.  A few days later many of those same people would be cursing Him and demanding He be crucified.  So why?  What could He do in a few days’ time that would cause them to transition from love and hope to hate and disgust?

To be continued…

Pastor Steve

 

Legacy

This past week a friend of my wife and mine past away. He was in his early 50’s and as far as we know it was unexpected. Being in ministry, I have been to my share of visitations and funerals. Understandably we are sad when we lose someone that we care about because they leave a void in the place they once held. Sometimes we are relieved because they no longer suffer from pain and disease, yet there is still that void. Sadly, for some, we may even be glad they are gone because they may have been evil, such as Hitler, etc.

To me, I believe, you can tell a lot about the impact one has by the legacy they leave behind. How is the world a better place because of that person? I was at another funeral for a friend whose mother had passed away and he spoke about the “-“ in between the dates on the epitaph. The dash represents all that person has done in the time God gave them on earth.

 

At our friends funeral we spoke to a close friend and they said it took 30 minutes just to get in because of the number of people pay their respects because of the life he led touched so many in a good way. What an honor to have masses come to your funeral because of you made a difference in their lives.

 

What about you? How are we using the time God gives us here on earth? We are never promised tomorrow. 

 

• James 4:13-15 (NIV) says: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead You ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

My prayer is that when I pass away that the world would be a better place because of what God was able to do through me. 

 

• John 3:30 (NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.” 

 

People would remember me as a man who loved the Lord and reflected Christ, was a good husband, father, relative, friend, Pastor, servant, etc. Without God we can do nothing and are nothing. Look at effect Christ had on the world. Look at what He did during His ministry while on earth. In three years He rocked the world. Through twelve ordinary, common, men He changed the world.

 

Now, what are you going to do while you’re here?

 

Pastor Steve

The Snow Flake

Just recently I was driving around and it began to snow. I love driving in the snow especially at night. With both of my boys, we played Star Wars and the snow looks like you're flying through hyper-space. Anyway I was sitting at a red light and was looking at the design of the snow flakes as they hit the windshield. Each flake was intricately beautiful and unique. It made me think about something my wife found inside a gift bag. It was a quote from and photographer from the 1920s named Wilson A. Bentley (The snowflake Man) that figured out a way to take a photo of snow flakes. Here is what he said:



The Snowflake Man
"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated., When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind."



If God put that much detail, care, and uniqueness in snow flakes, how much more did He put in you? Look at these versus to see how much God thinks of you:

• Psalm 139:13-14 (New International Version)
  
  13 For you created my inmost being;
  you knit me together in my mother's womb.
  
  14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
  your works are wonderful,
  I know that full well.

• Luke 12:6-7 (New International Version)
  6Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies[a]? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
  


• Matthew 6:25-34 (New International Version)
  
  Do Not Worry
  25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
  28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
  
  

Whenever you can, take some time to look closely at a snow flake and consider how God created it for you to show His love and awesome glory.

Pastor Steve

Was it a Silent Night?

Every year at Christmas time we get our decorations out, start watching Christmas movies, and singing Christmas songs. One of my favorite Christmas songs is "Silent Night." I started thinking about the night Christ was born and all of the events surrounding it. I came to the conclusion that it probably wasn't a silent night at all. Let's take a look:

• Matthew 1:18-25 (New International Version)
  
  The Birth of Jesus Christ
  18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
  20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins."
  
  22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"[b]—which means, "God with us."
  
  24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
  


• Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
  
  The Birth of Jesus
  1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
  4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
  
  The Shepherds and the Angels
  8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
  13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
  14"Glory to God in the highest,
  and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
  
  15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
  
  16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

First, Bethlehem was packed and overflowing because of the mandatory census. This would have been equivalent to present day Time Square on New Years Eve. There were people everywhere plus animals. The noise from the crowds would have been tremendous.

Secondly, the shepherds were chillin by the camp fire outside of Bethlem when an Angel materialized out of nowhere and told them about baby Jesus. Then The Heavenly Host band joined him for a massive concert in the sky. Afterwards the shepherds headed into town to find Jesus.

Back in Bethlehem the crowds would have gotten stirred up because of the shepherds (who were considered scum and unclean) were talking crazy stuff about angels and a baby in a barn. The gossip would have been something to behold. Rumors and talk would have spread though town quickly. People would be out following a strange star that had appeared.

What about you? Would you have been looking for promised messiah? What about now? He was born to die for you and me. God had to have been sad knowing that He sent His son into a world as a sacrifice to save the human race.

With all that was going on, I really don't think it was a silent night at all, do you?

If you don't already know Jesus, this would be a great time to find Him. He always there for those who look for Him. For those of us that have already found Him, maybe it's time time to reconnect.

May you have a blessed Christmas,

Steve

Are you a Star?

When I was young, one of my personal Christmas traditions was to go out side late on Christmas Eve and look for the star that guided the Magi to Jesus. I would try to figure out which star it was. I would spend time thinking about it was like on the night of His birth. I think about the fact that He was born to die for my sins (everyone who believed). I would sing then Happy Birthday to Him.

• Matthew 2:1-2 (New International Version)
  
  The Visit of the Magi
  1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east[b] and have come to worship him."
  

I would try to figure out which star it was. I would spend time thinking about it was like on the night of His birth. I think about the fact that He was born to die for my sins (everyone who believed). I would sing then Happy Birthday to Him.

Even though we know Jesus wasn't really born on December 25 and the star was a one time event, I still do it. There are those who would argue about what the date really was and that it's wrong to celebrate it on that date. To be honest nobody really knows the exact date and it really doesn't matter.

I was re-reading the biblical accounts of Jesus' birth and God revealed to me that the star was not just a one time event. You see the star was there to signify the birth of our king and savior as well as to lead people to Him. Now, all Christians are that star. Wow! I never saw it that way before and I have read it many times.

• Matthew 5:14 (New International Version)
  
  14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

• Ephesians 5:7-9 (New International Version)
  7Therefore do not be partners with them.
  
  8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
  

By being that light it is our responsibility, as commanded by Jesus, to light the way for others to Christ, just as the star did back then.

• Matthew 28:19-20 (New International Version)
  
  The Great Commission
  19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
  

Remember our sun is a star and look how it lights the world. So this Chistmas and every day go out and be the star Jesus intended you to be and help God make new stars.

Have a very blessed Christmas!

Steve

Thank You God for the Bad Stuff ???

Have you watched the news, looked online, read a paper, and/or spoken with anyone lately? Chances are you know someone with cancer, lost a job, struggling financially, going through divorce, loss of a loved one, etc. There just seems to be so much stress and sorrow everywhere you go. Doesn't seem like things to be thankful for. Yet God wants us to be thankful

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
  18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
  
  
  
  

Are supposed to give thanks in everything? What about losing my job, the death of a loved one, having cancer, overwhelming debt, etc? I don't know about you, but those aren't things I'm thankful for. So what does Paul mean for us to give thanks in all circumstances?

I think that it's because God has our back and He wants us to depend on him. Check out what Matthew and James say:

• Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
  Do Not Worry
  25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
  28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

• James 1:2-3 (NIV)
  2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
  
  

Not only are we to give thanks for the good and bad, but we have to also consider it pure joy. JOY! How can you consider cancer joy? Think about a how a diamond is made. You take a plain, black, worthless rock and put extraordinary and pressure and heat on it. Then you have a clear rock that has to undergo precise cutting, grinding, and polishing to become extremely valuable. That's why we are to be thankful and joyful because God is making us diamonds.

This next verse is one verse I use a lot. When these trials come, and they do come, I try to focus on this verse and it's promise.

• Philippians 4:5-7 (New International Version)
  6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  

For this Thanksgiving I pray that you spend time thanking God for the good and bad in your life because of the master piece He is making you into.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

In His Service,

Steve

Basic Christian Behavior - Part 3 "Don't Be a Stumbling Block"

So far we've talked about Love as God designed it and respect for each other. The last part of basic Christian behavior is to not be a stumbling block or distraction. So what do I mean by stumbling block? Have you ever intentionally or unintentionally tripped someone? Come on now, we probably all have. Have you ever been walking down a hall or sidewalk and your looking at someone of the opposite sex and you run into something, totally embarassing yourself? (Of course I'm talking about the un-married. Right? Unfortunately most of us have.

Let's look at the the first example of tripping someone up, but spiritually speaking. If you knew someone was an alcoholic, would you offer them alcohol? How about if you knew someone was allergic to peanuts would you offer them a chocolate and peanut butter milk shake (my favorite)? I would hope your answer would be no. Whether intentionally or not, we can cause someone to sin (trip).

• Matthew 18:5-9
  5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
  7"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! 8If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

• 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
  31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 John 2:9-11
  9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[a] to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Ladies, knowing that most men battle the sexual temptation, whereing clothes that reveal more than they should can can cause a man to sin or stumble.1 Christians, going out to protest at a homesexual or Pro Abortion rally showing hate and telling people they are going to Hell is a stumbling block. We do believe those things are wrong according to God, but speaking hate is wrong and not how Christ would treat them.

For me and my ADD mind, stumbling blocks (distractions) are everywhere. Has anyone seen the movie "Up" where the boy and old man are talking with the dog and the dog sees a squirrel and in the middle of the conversation says "squirrel" and totally zones out. That seen describes me. We can create our own stumbling blocks (distactions) or create them for other people. A good example of this is when I am teaching my youth group and some of the kids are talking or using their cell phones. They, and the people around them, are distracted from hear what God has to say to them. When we are to busy (we all struggle here) to spend time with God means we are distracted.

Whether intentionally or not, we can be a stumling block or distraction others in their relationship with Christ. We need to be careful of how our walk influences others beacuse they are watching you.

Have a blessed week.

Steve

Basic Christian Behavior - Part 2 "Respect"

What does it mean to respect someone or treat someone with respect? Do you think that people in general respect each other? Hopefully we do, but there are obviously times we do not. Why? Some would say "Respect has to be earned." Others might say "I'll treat someone with respect if they treat me with respect." What about people with different views? What about those in positions of authority?

Let's look at the definition proved by Merriam-Webster's on-line dictionary:

• Main Entry: 1re·spect
  Pronunciation: \ri-ˈspekt\
  Function: noun
  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin respectus, literally, act of looking back, from respicere to look back, regard, from re- + specere to look — more at spy
  Date: 14th century
  1 : a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation 2 : an act of giving particular attention : consideration 3 a : high or special regard : esteem b : the quality or state of being
  
  

Now that we know the official definition of respect, would you say that in the past we respect people. Most of us would probably say "it depends". Just watch TV, listen to some of the music, just walk around, or listen to ourselves. I know that there are times I am not.


I would say that respect really boils down to a heart issue. Take a look what Luke wrote:

• Luke 6:45 (New International Version)
  45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

So if the problem is in our hearts, then we need to clean it up. Right? This would go back to last weeks message on love. We have to love people in order to truly respect them. The kind of love God has for us, unconditional.

Here is a good verse for ALL of us to start with:

• Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
  29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

If we will memorize this and say it every time we open our mouths, WOW. We have to replace the evil in our hearts with things that build each other up, instead of tearing down. By the way, this goes for body language as much as it does with our mouths.

You know that God created us as equals in His eyes. We may have different functions, gifts, and abilities, but equal. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That verse pretty much sums that up. So let's try to show respect for one another.

Steve

Basic Christian Behavior - Part 1 "Love"

When you hear the word Christian, what do you think of? Some of us have good images of Christianity while many do not. Sadly the world usually sees the term negatively. Why? I would probably have to say it would be not knowing what the Bible says about Jesus' life and following His example. So what does the Bible say about how we are to act? A little over a year ago, I came up with some guidelines for my youth group for expected behavior. Really they should be common sense, but I feel that we should all try to be the best representative for God we can be.


One of the most basic and the building blocks for all others in found in Matthew:

• Matthew 22:37-38 (New International Version)
  37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment.

What does it mean to love God with all your heart? Have you ever loved something, or someone, so much that you can't imagine being without it or them? That's how God feels about us. So if God states, in His word, that this is the first and greatest commandment, maybe we should pay closer attention to it. That pretty much leads into what Paul writes to the Corinthians's:

• 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)
  Love
  1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
  4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
  8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
  13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Wow. Do you look at your relationships this template? If you did base your relationships with it, would you still be in those relationships? Look at the last seven words. Again love is most important. By the way, this includes yourself. I don't mean in a prideful way, but if you don't love yourself then you can't love anyone else.

• Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
  14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

If we really think about it we are not very loving to the one person we are always with. Think about how you talk to ourselves...Remember God doesn't make mistakes and He made you.

Ok, so we've looked at how we should love each other and ourselves. So what about people that you hate or hate you? You know the people that you may think are unlovable (yes, that applies to yourself). Glad you asked.

• Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
  Love for Enemies
  43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

It takes God's love through us to be able to love anyone, especially for us to love someone who we dislike or hate.

• Matthew 5:43-45 (New International Version)
  Love for Enemies
  43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[b] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

1 John 3:18 (New International Version)18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

From what I have studied about Jesus' life as an example, I think that He demonstrated His love ultimately by allowing Himself to be crucified for our sins. Now how are we going to imitate that love to the world around us?

Show love to someone that you wouldn't normally show love to this week and see what God will do.

Steve

Dead End

Recently while on vacation my yougest son and I were hiking and looking for an old cemetary. It had been several years since I had been there and a large developement had been built around it. Being directionally challanged it took a while, but we found it. At the end of a dirt road was the cemetatry, a dead end. We walked around looking at the names, sayings, and dates the people died. Being an older mountain cemetary, there were headstones that were just flat rocks with nothing on them. Some of them were nice engraved monuments.

As we sat down on a bench. I started thinking about the lives they may have had. How did they die. Who did they leave behind? Then I thought about what they left behind. Not the stuff, but their legacy, what they did with their life, and how people remember them.

Look at the following people of the Bible and their legacy. They were not perfect, but look at what God accomplished through them:

• Moses




• David




• Ruth




• Elijah




• Paul




• Peter




• Of course Jesus who we should all try to immitate.

What about you? What kind of legacy are you going to leave behind? Will people remember you as a man or woman of God. Will they remember you for all of your negative qualities?

What is your legacy?

Steve

Choices, Part 2

In Choices, Part 1, we saw that we have the freedom to make our own choices. We saw that Adam and Eve started us out on the wrong foot for that by choosing the selfish route. God was ticked off and broken hearted at the same time.

• Read Genesis 3:6-24

Does someone else's choices affect others? What if I decide to drive my car down the road with my eyes closed, as fast as I can, through a busy city street? It's my choice. I can do what ever I want to. Right? How will that choice affect the others on that street? I could mow down some pedestrians, signs, bounce off a few cars, take out a squirrel, etc. You see my choice has consequences for others as well as myself. What about the innocent people or squirel? They didn't have a part in my choice, except that the were there. That's exacly how sin works.

God's Word gives us the information to make the right choices, not a list of dos and don'ts. The most important of these is whether to have a personal relationship with Christ or not.

• Ephesians 2:1-10 (New International Version)
  Made Alive in Christ 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• Joshua 24:15 (New International Version)
  15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

• Matthew 7:12-14 (New International Version)
  12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
  The Narrow and Wide Gates 13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The whole Bible is written to give you the information you need to make a wise choice and save your soul. Also by making Godly choices the affects on those around you will be Godly, unlike the car story above. Many have tried to destroy and discredit His Word and yet it's still here. As hard as science tries to disprove the Bible and they find new evidence that proves something that was written about. It all comes down to faith to believe

So as we tell our kids when the go out, "Make wise choices"
Steve

Choices, Part 1

Why do bad things happen? Why do bad things happen to good people?

That can best be answered back in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden. When God made man he placed him in the most perfect place to have ever been on earth. He gave him everything he needed, including a wife. God gave Adam and Eve

• Genesis 2:15-17 (New International Version)
  15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

God gave them one command, just one, "you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." One rule, and what do they do, they do it. I wonder if God had not told them if they would have eaten it? Some people will do the opposite just to see what happens. Of course they were deceived by Satan.

• Genesis 3:1-6 (New International Version)
  1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
  2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
  4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
  6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Notice how Eve repeats the rule back to the serpent. Also notice that Adam was right there with her. Also notice how Satan appeals to her pride of being God-like. Funny how the men always blame Eve for this part, but Adam willing broke the rule with her.



Good or bad, God gave us freedom to choose. We are free to choose our own path, make our own decisions. I have the freedom to walk out in the middle of a busy road, drive with my eyes closed (or text, same difference), kick a wild grizzly bear, run with scissors, stick a fork in an electrical outlet, etc. Maybe if I do these things my eyes will be opened and I can be like God? How did their choice affect us today? How does anyone's choices affect others?



Think about the choices you make this week and come back here next week for the rest of the story.

The Perfect Dad???

Does anyone remember watching the "Andy Griffith Show" or "The Cosby Show"? Andy and Cliff seemed to always be able to say or do the right thing in their families. No matter the situation they had the right answer. Back in the day, being a dad meant something. A dad was wise, protective, caring, etc. The kind of dad we all wanted to have (if you didn't). Now we have "The Family Guy" where Peter is a horrible example of a dad. It seems that on most modern media that dads are shown to be clueless, brainless, dysfunctional losers. Why? What happened?


God designed fathers to be His example to the their families and the world. We are called to be the spiritual leaders of our families. Though not perfect, some of us have, or try to be, Godly dads. Unfortunately many did not have, or are not, the dads God called them to be. That's when you look to the one who is your true and perfect father, God. How cool is it that we can call the creator of the universe daddy.

He cares for us and every facet of His creation.

• Deuteronomy 31:8 (New International Version)
  8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

• Matthew 6:26 (New International Version)
  26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

• Matthew 10:29-31 (New International Version)
  29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny[a]? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
  

So God wants you to be part of His family and loves us so much that even though He created us He gives us freedom of choice to choose Him.

• Galatians 4:5-7 (New International Version)
  5to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba,[a] Father." 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Fathers, look to our heavenly father and strive to be like Him. Being a Godly father is not easy, but the rewards are eternal. Sons and daughters, honor your father's today.

Be Christ to someone this week.

Steve