Do you have a Love for Work or a Lust for Leisure?

Today happens to be my last day of employment with the Boeing company at Kennedy Space Center. I am excited about the change, but not because it will mean less work. I will not be working less, but working differently. Retiring will enable me to more fully devote myself to pastoring Calvary Chapel Space Coast, a church family that I love to serve.

Lots of people talk about wanting to retire when they get older. Some see retirement as a way to leave their current line of work and enter into another line of work, possibly even volunteer work. On the other hand, there are those that see retirement as a way to leave work altogether, and enter into a life of leisure. That's understandable for those that may feel that they have been overworked and overstressed for a long time. But keep in mind, that true rest for you will not come through the absence of the pressures of work, or through the abundance of leisure, but rather through serving the living God as a follower of Christ!

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29, and Jesus doesn't lie!

It sounds strange that rest would come through work, but in God's kingdom things tend to be upside down a lot.

God knows you have the need for rest, but the way to enter into that rest is to enter His service.

[This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Titus 3:8

Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus, going on before, Christ the royal master, leads against the foe, forward into battle, see His banners go.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the church of Jesus constant will remain. Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng, blend with ours your voices in the triumph song. Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King, this through countless ages men and angels sing.

You can retire from your employment, but don't retire from the Lord's work! We are Christian soldiers. We are in a spiritual war. We must put on the armor of God. We must serve in His army. REST FOR OUR SOULS lies not in this world's leisures, but lies in Christ- in the midst of the battlefield, where the royal ensign of God, that is the banner and standard of Christ, is lifted high.

And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign [i.e., banner, standard] of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious! (Isaiah 11:10)

AMEN!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

God's Field Generals

The 'field general' is an informal title that was given years ago to the offensive football player on the team that calls the plays out on the field. A good field general knows the coach's gameplan, is determined to effectively lead the team to victory by implementing the coach's gameplan, takes the field with his team, makes the necessary calls on the field without partiality, and looks out for his teammates.

There are four key attributes of a good leader;
1) you are on the field with your people
2) you weigh things out impartially in your decisions

3) you know your leader's expectations and implement His plan
4) you look out for your people

In a similar vein, there are four key attributes of a good Christian leader (i.e., field general);

1) you are 'on the field' with your people (i.e., along side of them)
2) you prayerfully weigh things out impartially in your decisions
3) you know the heart of God and follow His leading
4) you serve your people as a servant of God

King David modeled all four traits:
1) But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. (1 Samuel 18:16)

2) And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. (2 Samuel 8:15)

3) And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)
4) For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: (Acts 13:36)

Are you a leader in your home? In your church?

Are you responsible for accomplishing something with a group of people?

Do you spend a lot of time with the people you lead?

Are your decisions a result of impartially weighing things out and prayer?

Do you know God's heart and are you following His leading?

Are you serving your people?

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Luke 22:25-27

Jesus was among His followers, and Jesus served them.

What team are you leading? Who are the members of your team?

Are you among them? Are you serving them?

If you have the opportunity to lead, don't forget to lead God's way.

Being a field general in the kingdom of God is an awesome responsibility, because no matter how small or seemingly insignificant you may feel your team to be, your Coach expects you to take the field, execute His game plan, and lead your team to victory in the name of Jesus.

twins right, scram left, 585 . . . hike!

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

What Does Your Record of Audiences with the King Read Like?

From ancient times, kings had an officer of the court that was responsible for bringing all weighty matters to his attention, and for documenting and maintaining the records of complaints, petitions, and wishes submitted by his subjects. In the kingdom of Israel this officer was called a zakar, or 'recorder' (literally., one that remembers/recollects).

A man named Jehoshaphat held this office in the court of King David (2 Samuel 8:16) and in the court of King Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). Joah held this office in the court of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37, Isaiah 36:3, 22), and Joahaz held this office in the court of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:8).

A good king wants to know the needs and desires of his subjects, and our God is certainly a good king! Aren't you glad that your Heavenly Father is the King of all creation? Our Father commands us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and this means He wants us constantly before Him, and that He does remember us in the midst of the many things that command His attention.

Throughout the ages, His children have come to Him and presented their petitions in their time of need. Samson asked the Lord to remember him and God gave him the strength to avenge the Philistines (Judges 16:28). Hanna asked God to remember her and God gave her Samuel as a son (1 Samuel 1:11, 19). Hezekiah asked God to remember him (2 Kings 20:2-3), and Nehemiah asked God to remember him (Nehemiah 5:19).

You see, asking God to remember you, is your privilege as His child, and praying is your way of seeking an audience with Him in His heavenly throne room; a way to get your Heavenly Father's attention, and to get your request on record.

So what kind of requests do you have on record up there? What have you been talking with Him about lately? What if God asked the zakar of His heavenly throne room to bring out the records of your most recent complaints, petitions, and wishes? Have you sought personal comforts, or help to carry out your mission? Have you sought personal relief, or relief for others?

May I strive to remember you in my prayers, and to petition the Lord for you.
My prayer will be that you gain much spiritual wisdom and understanding, that you honor and please the Lord, that you walk in the Spirit and bear much fruit, and that you are strengthened with the the might of His glorious power. (Colossians 1:9-11)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Run for God, Through Thicket and Thin Wood

Are you willing to run the race God has called you to run through 'thicket and thin wood'? The expression 'through thick and thin' has its roots in one of England's oldest expressions, 'through thicket and thin wood'. Early England's countryside had few roads and was covered with wooded pastures that often had to be traversed in order to get to a destination. In fact, cross country running as a sport originated in England where the original courses included grass, mud, woodlands, and even water! The distance alone in a cross country run was hard enough, but running through mud, woods, and even water? And yet we that are running the race called the Christian life face a lot more trouble then mud, woods and water. We face disappointments, heartache, fear, and circumstances that test the very fabric of our being.

The apostle Paul knew what it was like to stick with God and His people through thick and thin [i.e., "at all seasons"]. He knew he was called to be a servant, and he knew heartache [i.e., "tears"], and he knew the constant bombardment of circumstances that challenged his willingness to humbly serve the Lord in the Spirit of meekness [i.e., temptations/trials].

And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations [trials, testings], which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish [or, fulfill] my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:18-19, 24

Are you willing to stay in the race through thicket and thin wood? through thick and thin? through your tears and your testings?

Paul knew the key to the joy of fulfilling God's mission was a willingness to humbly serve the Lord, and not be concerned with how well things seemed to be going for him personally.

In Hebrews, we read:

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such opposition of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus saw the joy before Him in fulfilling God's mission and endured the opposition, the shame and the pain. Now the big question for you and for me, is are we willing to endure the opposition, and whatever shame and pain it can dish out?

Are we willing to finish the race and fulfill the mission?
Run for God, my brothers and sisters, Run. Do not be wearied or faint in your minds. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the mud, the woods, and the water will not deter you. Run, Christian, run. Serve the Lord with humility of mind. Put self concerns aside, and the tears and the testings will not deter you. Finish the race, fulfill the mission. Run, Christian run.
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

It's a world-wide spiritual Marathon- Are you running in the race?

Did you know there is a world-wide spiritual marathon going on as I'm writing this to you?

A marathon is a long-distance race, a contest of endurance, an event that requires prolonged concentration, effort, and perseverance.

Did you know that the Christian life in a very real sense of the word is a contest of endurance, and that living the Christian life requires prolonged concentration, effort, and perseverance?

The world and the adversary's minions are along the sidelines at every turn heckling, creating all sorts of distractions and offering all sorts of reasons why you should just throw in the towel. On the other hand, the angelic hosts and the family of God are along the sidelines cheering you on, and the Word of God gives you every reason to press on, and to finish the race well.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27


The good news is that Jesus won this race for us about 2,000 years ago. Jesus died on the cross for us and uttered those famous words, "It is finished". In a strange way, we are not really running the race to win it. We are running the race to be a testimony to the fact that it has already been won. Jesus ran this race alone. We run this race together in a sort of marathon relay race in which we are handed batons from those that have run before us, as we carry His light to the world through all generations.

If you really believe this race has already been run and won, then you should be able to run it as a witness to the power of the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:10-14

Run on for the glory of God, my brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not about us, and we are not running for us. This about God, and we are running for His glory.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

What have YOU been Inweaving lately?

Isn't this Photo interesting? Doesn't exactly cause you to think about God, does it? Our lives have things interwoven into them, much like these fabrics. The question is do the interwoven images that stand out in your life speak of the things of God, or the things of this world?

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

2 Timothy 2:4

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20

Most of us are not familiar with the term 'inweave' but it is a process by which a pattern or image is woven into a fabric. The Greek word in the above two passages that is translated entangleth/entangled actually means to 'inweave'.

2 Tim. 2:4 warns us not to inweave the matters of the world into the fabric of our lives. Is your fabric covered with colorful and creative images of God and His grace in your life? If God has begun a good work in you, He will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6).

2 Pet. 2:20, on the other hand, warns us that if we ignore God's warning not to inweave the things of the world into our fabric, that it can get to the point where we ourselves are nothing more than a patch inwoven into the fabric of the world.

We are constantly inweaving images and designs into the fabric of our lives. Those of us that are Christ followers should hope that eventually the images and designs of God on us will be so plentiful and overwhelming that when people look at us, they see Jesus.

Those people that are not Christ followers run the risk of one day being so covered with the images and designs of the world that they get ultimately covered, and ultimately lost.

Some of us are better at this inweaving thing than others, but all of us are inweaving things of one sort or another into the fabric of our lives each day that we live. Take the world, but give me Jesus.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

When life drains you, pour your heart out to the Lord

All of us get drained by life, but as long as we have breath, we can pour our heart out to the Lord and be revived.

Jesus promised that if we are willing to serve Him and give ourselves to Him that He will give us rest. (Matthew 11:29-30).

It's strange, but when you surrender yourself to the Lord, and pour yourself out to Him, He fills you up with His Spirit in a way that lifts you up above those circumstances that have the ability to drain the life right out of you.

Hannah, the prophet Samuel's mother, was despondent and discouraged, but instead of turning to wine and strong drink, she turned to the Lord and poured out her soul to Him.
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I [am] a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:15

God then lifted her head, and blessed her.

All of us are discouraged and despondent at times in our lives, but to what or to who do we turn to for relief? Job and David both were despondent and discouraged, yet they poured out their souls to the Lord and He lifted their heads, and He blessed them.

Are you lifting your soul to the Lord? (Psalm 25:1, 86:4)
Are you lifting your voice and hands to the Lord? (Psalm 63:4, 134:2)

If we will but lift our hearts, our souls, our hands, and our voices unto the Lord, He will protect, He will lift our head up, and He will bless. (Psalm 3:3)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Be of good courage. Wait on the Lord and He will strengthen your heart. Wait on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14).

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Selah- Pause, and Reflect on the Value and Glory of God

The Hebrew word SLH (pronunced salah) means to weigh something with a balance scale so as to hang or suspend it. In other words to bring the scale to rest. When the scale has been brought to rest and is still, the value is known.

This Hebrew word is pronounced 'selah' when used in reference to music. It appears 71 times in 39 Psalms. It brings us to rest, and a time to reflect on what has just been said about the glory of God.

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. [i.e., pause, be brought to rest, and reflect on the value of God.]

Psalm 4:4

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. [i.e., pause, be brought to rest, and reflect on the value of God.]
Psalm 44:8

Just as God will make still the righteous to reflect on His glory, He will make still the wicked to reflect on His glory.

Thou hast trodden down [literally, 'selahed', i.e., made still] all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit [is] falsehood.

Psalm 119:118

Every knee will ultimately bow, and every tongue will ultimately confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:10)

Don't wait til the Lord brings you to your knees.

Stop. Consider the value of God. Pause, and reflect on His glory- His awesomeness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, His watchcare. And you will find true rest for your soul in Christ.

Yours in Him,

Pastor B.

Let Your Words Be Purified BEFORE they Flow Out!

The Bible warns us that when words flow too freely from our mouths we are going to sin.

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.
Proverbs 10:19

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27-28

Seest thou a man [that is] hasty in his words? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 29:20

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of words.
For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities
Ecclesiastes 5:3, 7

The problem here, is not that words in and of themselves are bad, but that the fountain from which they gush forth is contaminated, and not a pure source. We are born in sin and our minds and hearts have been corrupted and tainted by sin. If we let our words flow freely, they will therefore be contaminated because their source is contaminated, and that source is us! We must therefore seek to purify our hearts (James 4:8), and renew of our minds (Romans 12:2) through the Word of God.

Now ye are clean through the word which I [Christ] have spoken unto you.
John 15:3
That he [Christ] might sanctify and cleanse it [His church] with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:26

We need to put our words through a filter and through the refining fire to remove the impurities, BEFORE we speak them!

The words of the LORD [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psalm 12:6

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

May my conversation bless the Lord at all times, may His praise be continually in my mouth.
May my words be purifed before they are spoken,
May they bring You glory and not shame, Lord,
May they bring healing to Your people, and not hurt,
In the Name of Jesus,
Pastor B.

King of Glory

There is one place in the scripture where God is specifically called the "King of Glory". Psalm 24. Glory is one of those words that is hard to get your arms around, and therefore, it is a very fitting title for our God. Words like honor, majesty, splendor, awe, amazement, admiration, and wonder, and even surprise come to mind.


Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who [is] this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift [them] up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he [is] the King of glory. Selah.

Psalm 24:7-10

It's interesting that in the Psalm where our Lord is called King of Glory, He is called strong and mighty, and we are told that specifically, He is mighty in battle.

Comic books have been full of superheros through the years that battle the forces of evil; Wonder Woman, Amazing-Man, Superman. These were all characters that would create a sense of awe and amazement in us as children. We were delighted and surprised with their many feats of power, and often couldn't wait to get the next issue of their adventures. They had impeccable character and were worthy of our admiration.

Does God create that sense of awe and amazement in you? Does He delight and surprise you with His feats of power? Are you filled with expectation? Are you amazed at His unconditional and sacrificial love?

In my feeble attempt to capture the essence of 'glory', I have dubbed glory the 'wow factor'. It is that quality that makes us exclaim, "Wow!" What a God! What a Savior!

As a kid we would have been honored and excited beyond words to be given the opportunity to be part of a superhero's team. Even if meant danger and trouble. After all, we knew that our favorite superhero had the power to protect us and deliver us out of any trouble that might come our way.

Do you have that kind of trust in God? Are you honored and excited beyond words to have the opportunity to be part of His 'team', and to serve Him?

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
[We are] troubled on every side, yet not distressed; [we are] perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:5-9

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Holy Spirit Prosperity

Are you enjoying Holy Spirit prosperity? We don't often associate the Holy Spirit with the word "prosperity", but interestingly enough, we find that the Holy Spirit and prosperity are associated with one another on several occasions in God's Word.

What do you think of when you think of prosperity? Fame and fortune? Does the Word of God talk about God pouring out fame and fortune on His people? Or does the Word of God talk about God pouring out blessing on His people? In Romans 8:28 we have God's promise that He works all things out for the good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. The word prosperity actually means to 'turn out' or 'work out' well, so in a sense, this verse is saying that God will prosper those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose. Do you think God considers things to be going well in your life when you have fame and fortune, or do you think God considers things to be going well in your life when you are filled with the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17)?

Let's look at a few interesting places in the Old Testament where the Hebrew word 'tsä·lakh' is used, which means to do well, or to prosper:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8

And the Spirit of the LORD came 'prosperously' upon him [Samson], and he rent him [a young lion] as he would have rent a kid, and [he had] nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 14:6 (14:19, 15:14)

And the Spirit of the LORD will 'prosper' upon thee [Saul], and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.
1 Samuel 10:6

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 35:26-28

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue [that] shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This [is] the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness [is] of me, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11

The above passages have an interesting thing in common. They all talk about God accomplishing His purposes through His Word and His people. When God is accomplishing His purpose in your life you are being watered by His Spirit and being fruitful; i.e., you are being prospered. When you are not fulfilling God's purpose in your life you are dry and barren, and lacking the righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Spirit.

BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT AND BE PROSPEROUS!
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Even the Hills and the Trees are Excited!!

The Word of God warns those living in ungodliness to make things right with God while there is still time. Proverbs 6:15 and 29:1 warn us that being stubborn can result in us suddenly finding ourselves destroyed and in a position of no return. The Lord abounds in mercy, but we need to return to the Lord while there is still time. There comes a point when judgment will fall, and there is no escaping the chastisement of the Lord.

The Word of God encourages those of us living by the Word of God to spread God's Word, as wonderful things will result!

There's a long amazing process by which the rain falls, the ground is watered, the planted seeds sprout, plants come forth, crops provide the means to make bread for food, and also provide more seed to be planted so that the process can start all over again.

In much the same way, the Holy Spirit works, people's hearts are touched, the Word of God that has been shared with people effects change in them, people are born into the family of God, new Christians break forth and grow in Christ, and they share the Word of God, and the whole process keeps going.

It is a long, but beautiful and amazing process, and we, God's people must go out to live for God and share His Word with joy, and be led by the Holy Spirit of peace.

If all creation could, the very mountains and hills and trees would break forth in praise at the sight of this awesome process! The mountains and hills and trees are aware of the wonder and beauty of the rain watering the ground, and seeds bringing forth new life. How much more wonderous is the beauty of the Spirit watering man, and the Word of God bringing forth new life. AND WE ARE PART OF ALL THIS!

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.
Isaiah 55:6-12

Can you hear the mountains and hills singing and the trees clapping? REJOICE OH CHRISTIAN, REJOICE!!

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Are You Sticky and Stubborn?

How much spiritual stick-to-it-ness do you have when it comes to your prayer life, your Bible study, and your fellowship with the family of God? Are you like a piece of scotch tape that will stick to the things of God as long as noone tugs on you? Are you like a piece of duct tape that will hold on to the things of God as long as the circumstances/surfaces aren't too rough? Or, are you like super glue that will stick to the things of God come rain or shine?

Continually persisting (i.e., persevering) is an important attribute of a Christ follower. There is a Greek word in our New Testament pronounced, pros-kär-te-re'-ō. I have highlighted the English words used to translate it in blue:

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:41-42, 46-47
But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:4
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Romans 12:12-13
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2

We must stubbornly persist in prayer, we must stubbornly persist in the Word, we must stubbornly persist in fellowshipping with and ministering to God's people. We must stubbornly persist.

How stubborn and sticky have you been lately?
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Are You Getting in Shape? Work Out with TEAM JESUS

What do you do to get in shape?

Most of us at one time or another have tried to change our eating habits to get into better shape. Atkins, Southbeach, being a Vegetarian, taking supplements, etc.

And then, most of us at one time or another have bought a piece of exercise equipment to get into better shape. A treadmill, a Bowflex, a Total Gym, etc.

I don't know about you, but I have often felt that my lack of success is due to not being able to afford one of those full time personal fitness trainers. My thinking is that if I was wealthy enough to afford someone who knew their stuff, and who could be there coaching and prodding me every day, that I would somehow succeed. Well, the Word of God tells us that God has given us the best personal spiritual fitness trainer in the world, the Holy Spirit!

And the Lord has provided the body of Christ with a variety of assistant personal trainers in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These all work to help us get the proper exercise, and to help us work together AS A TEAM to build each other up and get in shape. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

You see, it's not enough to just get in shape individually. We must train as a team, because we must win as a team. We, the body of Christ, are a team, we must learn to work together as a team, and must develop a close relationship with Jesus so that the Spirit can refresh us, renew us, and conform us into His image. (Ephesians 4:13, 23-24)

Weak team members will get tossed around by our opponents, and the adversary will play mind games with you if don't learn his schemes. The adversary will try to distract, sow discord, and capitalize on the individual's weaknesses, or on the team's weaknesses. Every member of the team serves an important purpose, must be in top condition, and must be trained to work as a team with the other members. We must be committed to Christ, committed to one another, and committed to get in shape and train TOGETHER, as we all have our strengths and giftings. (Ephesians 4:14, 16)

Have you been working out with TEAM JESUS?

No pain, no gain.
Get in the game.
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

What Kind of Fasting Have You Been Doing Lately?

Most of us Christians here in America don't mind making sacrifices for a short period of time if it will accomplish something worthwhile. Many of us would even be willing to pray and fast for a while if we thought it would accomplish something important. Some of us would even be willing to pray and fast on a weekly basis if we really thought it would do something amazing. But if I told you there is a kind of fast that relieves suffering?

The prophet Isaiah tells us of such a fast:

[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
[Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isaiah 58:6-7

Do you see what God is telling us here? We may seek God daily, we may delight to know His ways, we may do righteously, we may cling to the Word of God, we may ask God to show us what is right, and we may take great delight in approaching God to worship Him, . . . BUT . . .

Is our focus on achieving our own well-being, plans, ambitions, dreams, etc., or is it to minister to others? Jesus said several times that those of us that find our life will lose it, and that those of us that lose our lives for his sake shall find it (Mattthew 10:39). We will lose the things in life that are important in our great struggle to find and obtain them if our focus is on ourselves.

The prophet Isaiah goes on to say that if we minister to others,

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rearward.
Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isaiah 58:8-11

The Hebrew words for fast come from the concept of restraining or shutting our mouths. Maybe God would get a lot more glory, and His people would get a lot more blessing if we talked less, and focused more on ministering to the hurting.

God give us the grace to live for His glory,
Pastor B.

Are We a Worship Center, a Christian Community Center, or a Spiritual Family?

Years ago a famous Christian minister that traveled the world a lot changed the name of His church to a worship center. My recollection is that this minister (who was also on television) was quite candid about the fact that even though he was going to provide worship, Bible messages, and healing services, that he was not going to try and provide local church type care such as financial help to the needy, visits to those in hospitals, etc., because this was not part of the vision God had given him for his ministry. If my memory serves me correctly, he went on to say that this is why he was changing the name from a church to a worship center. hmmmmmmmm.

And then days ago a Christian young adult that has been attending a church filled out a visitor's slip saying that the church needed to have donuts in the morning, and more young people. There is a growing trend in our culture for churches to serve as Christian community centers, or social hubs, where Christians can get together with people of their own age and worship, talk about the latest buzz, and enjoy each other's company. Most of these age oriented groups are more into scheduling social events then scheduling visits to hospitals, nursing homes, the needy, etc., because this is not their vision, either. hmmmmmm.

Does anyone have a vision of the church as a family where the older men are teaching the younger men how to walk in the Spirit, and the older women are teaching the younger women how to walk in the Spirit? (Titus 2) (By the way, this can't happen if the older folks hang out with the older folks, and the younger folks hang out with the younger folks, because a key element to Biblical teaching is people seeing your example- 1 Peter 5)

Does anyone have a vision of the church as a family where all ages work together to minister to those that are hurting and in need? (Matthew 25)

Does anyone have a vision of the church as a family where it isn't about people coming to services to get something out of it, but about people gathering together to minister to one another? (Romans 12)

Now I'm not knocking good worship, good Bible teaching, praying for healing, socializing with Christians, and enjoying each other's company.

But I am wondering, just what do YOU think CHURCH is really all about?

Is church mainly a worship center where you gather to worship the Lord, hear Bible teaching, and pray?

Is church mainly a Christian community center where young people and older people can gather together with Christians their own age and have a good time?

Or, is church something else?
If it's something else, what is it?
And what is your role in it?

And if church isn't what it should be, what can you do about it to make a difference?

Yours in Christ,
Pastor B.

Do You Have a Facebook Relationship with God, or a Face to Face One?

Sometimes we don't personally interact with God or with others because we don't think they will like us, we don't think they will accept us, or we just don't want to risk getting too personal. We therefore avoid that face to face contact as much as we can. There's a popular communication tool called "Facebook" where people can 'post' their faces and communicate with each other without meeting each other face to face. Sometimes I think we do that with God. We don't want to get too involved with Him, but we're willing to write Him now and then.

But there is something about interacting with people face to face that cuts through our facads and our walls, and gets down to the nitty gritty of what relationship was designed by God to be.

We meet God face to face through His Word and through prayer. The psalmist wrote much about face to face contact with God. The following are but a few of the passages:

[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
Psalm 27:8-9
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalm 80:3
Justice and judgment [are] the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
Blessed [is] the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psalm 89:14-15

What do you think the Psalmist is saying here about a face to face relationship with God?
Is your relationship with God a face to face one? Do you know the joyful sound of His voice, and the comfort of sitting in the light and warmth of His countenance?

In Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24 it tells us that we need to exhort one another daily and not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. In Acts 2 it says the early church gathered in each other's homes on a daily basis. It doesn't mean they had church services daily, but it does mean that they were always getting together- face to face.

How are your face to face relationships going with your local church family? Are you sharing each other's joys and sorrows, and easing one another burdens? Or are you keeping your distance?

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

God is Perfectly Capable of Providing for His Own

God not only has authority over all of the powers and riches of heaven, He has the authority over all of the powers and riches of the earth (Daniel 4:35). As we studied the book of Ezra in our home groups this week, we saw how God turned the heart of the most powerful king in the 5th century B.C. world (King Cyrus of the Persian Empire) toward Himself and God's people. Some of God's people had been taken captive in 605 B.C., and deported by the Babylonians, and left many miles from Jerusalem with little hope and little money. Then 70 years later, God turned the King of Persia's heart towards His people and King Cyrus not only authorized them to return and rebuild the temple, he financed the expedition! (Ezra 1:1-4).

Ezra tells us as the older men and women who as children had witnessed the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. wept as they saw the foundation rebuilt. God is in control. We believe that His people will not be forsaken, and that includes you, my brothers and sisters.

Seek the Lord's commandments, do them, and teach them. (Ezra 7:10).
Glorify God in your life by your words and your deeds. He will provide.
Yours in Him,
Pastor B.

Having a Hard Time Determining God's Will?

Have you ever had a major decision to make, and just didn't know what to do?
I'm in one of those modes right now, and I have been leaning on the promise of God's Word that He will answer me as I diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). King David wrote Psalm 25 which says,

Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, . . . on thee do I wait all the day.
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psalm 25:1-2, 9

If we humbly appeal to the Lord, we have His promise that He will reach down, lift us up, put us in His lap, and tell us just what we need to know.

James puts it this way,
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:6, 10

The humble part means that we are willing to do whatever God wants us to do, even if it doesn't make sense from a worldly perspective. Some questions you might ask yourself when you're seeking God's will on a matter:

- Are you just asking God to bless a decision that YOU want to make, or are you really looking for HIS will? (Remember Isaiah 55:8)
- Are you basing your thoughts on what the world would say makes the most sense, or are you really willing to do whatever God wants you to do, even if you would look foolish by the world's standard of judgment? (1 Corinthians 1:20)
- Are you wanting to do what best serves YOUR needs, or are you wanting to do what best serves HIS glory?

If we are truly serving the Lord and living for His glory, God promises that He will guide us CONTINUALLY.

And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noonday:
And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isaiah 58:10-11

All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.

Are You all Poured Out?

Remember the children's song, "I'm a little teacup short and stout, . . . tip me over and pour me out."? Sometimes we feel like life keeps tipping us over, and there's just nothing left to pour out.
We feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and sometimes, even a little despondent.

King David knew that feeling. He wrote in Psalm 22:14-15:
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

Sometimes we pray and pray some more, and yet, we just feel so overwhelmed in our hearts.

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I.
For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy.
Psalm 61:1-3

And yet, we need to ask ourselves, "Is part of our problem that we refuse to be comforted?"

Again, King David writes,
I cried unto God with my voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
Psalm 77:1-3

What often overwhelms us is that we refuse to be comforted, we are troubled, and we are overwhelmed because we are so focused on what we feel is wrong, what we feel is hopeless, what we feel, . . . in other words, it's all about what we feel, and not about what God wants.

May you turn to the Lord this morning with gratitude for His many blessings, with joy in His many mercies toward you, and may you allow the Spirit to comfort you.

Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
Psalm 143:7-8

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.