Claudia and I recently attended a Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference with several from our church family. Several pastors took turns teaching through the upper room passage of the scripture in John. For me, one of the most compelling moments was when we were called to righteousness; and more specifically, called to respond righteously, even in the midst of being betrayed. wow. Jesus called Judas 'friend' to the end, and never rose up against him in words or deeds, in spite of knowing what he was about to do. A true friend of God will be a friend to others, and will respond righteously to the worst offense. (Funny thing, Claudia told me this morning that "I am a friend of God" is in the worship line up for this Sunday!)
Respond Righteously,
Pastor B.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
We Need a Covering to Enter In
Tim Board and I zipped home from the Calvary Chapel pastors' conference yesterday, and went down to pray over Sally Taylor's son, Jade (Jade is in critical care at Holmes Regional), and then to Cape Canaveral Hospital to pray over Ty Carter's father, Eddie (Eddie is also in critical care). In both cases we had to don those plastic blue smocks and latex gloves prior to 'entering in'. Regardless of whether we felt we were dirty, or not, the covering was required. In much the same way, because of our dirty sinfulness, we cannot enter the presence of God without a covering. You may not feel dirty or sinful, but the fact is that he that says he has no sin is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John). Praise God that Christ is our covering, that His shed blood satisfied the demands of a clean and holy God, and that He provides us a white robe of righteousness through faith so that we can enter in to commune with our heavenly Father. Thank you, Lord.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Do We Really Want to See the Dirt?
I can still remember when Claudia picked out the tile she wanted when we decided to tile our house. She picked out an 18 X 18 white tile. When one contractor came to the house to give us a bid on installation he tried to talk Claudia out of going with the white tile. "It will show up all the dirt", he insisted. "You should choose a darker tile that would make the dirt less visible." He didn't seem to understand that Claudia's top priority wasn't to make the dirt less visible, but to have beautiful clean white floors.
So which is your priority with respect to your Christian life? Is it to have a beautiful clean life before God, or is it to cover or hide your sin? Are you more interested in covering up and hiding the dirt on your floors, or you are more interested in having clean white floors before God?
Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might present her to Himself, a glorious church, holy, without spot, and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
Yours in Christ,
Pastor B.
So which is your priority with respect to your Christian life? Is it to have a beautiful clean life before God, or is it to cover or hide your sin? Are you more interested in covering up and hiding the dirt on your floors, or you are more interested in having clean white floors before God?
Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her that He might present her to Himself, a glorious church, holy, without spot, and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
Yours in Christ,
Pastor B.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Worshipping in the Morning
One of the most beautiful things in my home in the morning is the sound of praises that fill the air when my wife gets up in the morning. Claudia has a beautiful soothing voice and she loves to sing to the Lord. I believe that every time we sing a song of praise we are singing a new song if it's coming from a heart of gratitude and praise. The reason is that even if the melody and words are an old familiar worship song, there are new thoughts and emotions behind it.
[Through] the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions do not fail.
[They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
My wife, Claudia, and I know about the mercies of the Lord because we have experienced His tender compassion and forgiveness over and over again. Indeed God's mercies are new every morning, and our songs to Him are new every morning.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; - Psalm 98:1
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation- Rev. 5:9
Tomorrow is communion Sunday, and we will priase Him anew for redeeming us to God by His blood. Sing Him a new song from your heart to Him each and every day, even if it's that one old favorite that best expresses your love for Him.
Your fellow worshipper,
Pastor B.
[Through] the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions do not fail.
[They are] new every morning; Great [is] Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
My wife, Claudia, and I know about the mercies of the Lord because we have experienced His tender compassion and forgiveness over and over again. Indeed God's mercies are new every morning, and our songs to Him are new every morning.
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! For He has done marvelous things; - Psalm 98:1
And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation- Rev. 5:9
Tomorrow is communion Sunday, and we will priase Him anew for redeeming us to God by His blood. Sing Him a new song from your heart to Him each and every day, even if it's that one old favorite that best expresses your love for Him.
Your fellow worshipper,
Pastor B.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Friday, January 2nd
The article below was written early this morning. Hope it encourages you to keep on.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
God Gives You His Grace Through Your Church Family Members
(No matter what the site says I posted this at 1:57 a.m. January 2nd! :))
God's Word tells us to build Christ-centered relationships with our church family members. To not do so is to miss out on the opportunity to bless others in a personal way, and to, in turn, be so blessed.
People that have rich relationships with God and His people are rich in God's love, joy, and peace. They are in a constant state of rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's goodness. It is an awesome feeling to be loved, especially when you feel or know that you don't deserve it. And it is an unbelievably awesome feeling to love others, regardless of what they've done or not done for you. Do you have a church family? Have you gone out of your way to get to know some of them lately? Have you purposely done some acts of kindness this past week for some of them?
2 Corinthians 4:15 says that grace (unmerited kindness) abounds through the many, causing us to overflow with thanksgiving. And this in turn, gives glory to God as His children praise Him in the hard times as well as the good. God designed you to be part of a church family that loves on each other (even on those that may not seem to deserve your kindness), and that blesses the Lord at all times.Don't lose heart. Even though times may be rough, your inner self can be renewed every day. Every day gives you opportunity to thank God for His goodness, and to be a blessing to others. 2 Cor.4:16-18 tells us that God is at work in us, and around us, in many ways that cannot be seen, and we will receive our own blessings in due time.
So remember that kindness and love are only in short supply when God's people aren't busy giving it out!
All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.
God's Word tells us to build Christ-centered relationships with our church family members. To not do so is to miss out on the opportunity to bless others in a personal way, and to, in turn, be so blessed.
People that have rich relationships with God and His people are rich in God's love, joy, and peace. They are in a constant state of rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's goodness. It is an awesome feeling to be loved, especially when you feel or know that you don't deserve it. And it is an unbelievably awesome feeling to love others, regardless of what they've done or not done for you. Do you have a church family? Have you gone out of your way to get to know some of them lately? Have you purposely done some acts of kindness this past week for some of them?
2 Corinthians 4:15 says that grace (unmerited kindness) abounds through the many, causing us to overflow with thanksgiving. And this in turn, gives glory to God as His children praise Him in the hard times as well as the good. God designed you to be part of a church family that loves on each other (even on those that may not seem to deserve your kindness), and that blesses the Lord at all times.Don't lose heart. Even though times may be rough, your inner self can be renewed every day. Every day gives you opportunity to thank God for His goodness, and to be a blessing to others. 2 Cor.4:16-18 tells us that God is at work in us, and around us, in many ways that cannot be seen, and we will receive our own blessings in due time.
So remember that kindness and love are only in short supply when God's people aren't busy giving it out!
All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.
Are you going to be more tied down this year?
Believe it or not, two of my favorite things during the Christmas season is my wife's company and my wife's cooking. Claudia and I spend more time together during the holiday season than normal, and she does a lot more baking. In a way, you could say I am more tied down during the holidays since there is so much to do at home and since I spend more time at home than usual. But being 'tied down' is a wonderful thing when you are tied to people and things that you love. I'm not very good around the house, but I have learned through the years to trust that Claudia appreciates my feeble efforts to be a help, and is glad that we're together.
Sometimes I think this is a lot like our relationship with God, or at least a lot like what it should be. Two of our favorite things should be God's company, and enjoying His work in our lives and in those around us. Yes, having a close relationship with the Lord will mean spending more time together, and getting used to the fact that we may not be very good at what we know He wants us to do. But we must trust that He appreciates our feeble efforts, and that He is just glad you're together.
When we live with and serve the Lord there is a sweet fragrance in our life, and it is a sweet fragrance that the Lord Himself can smell!
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2.
Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things [sent] from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Phil.4:18.
Those of you that are part of the Calvary Chapel Space Coast family here me talk about God always having something good cooking in the kitchen. Let's not forget that the best way to show our appreciation for who He is, and what He has done, is to make the effort to 'stay around the house' and do what we can, whether we think we're good at it, or not.
Here's to an awesome 2009 together!
All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.
Sometimes I think this is a lot like our relationship with God, or at least a lot like what it should be. Two of our favorite things should be God's company, and enjoying His work in our lives and in those around us. Yes, having a close relationship with the Lord will mean spending more time together, and getting used to the fact that we may not be very good at what we know He wants us to do. But we must trust that He appreciates our feeble efforts, and that He is just glad you're together.
When we live with and serve the Lord there is a sweet fragrance in our life, and it is a sweet fragrance that the Lord Himself can smell!
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2.
Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things [sent] from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Phil.4:18.
Those of you that are part of the Calvary Chapel Space Coast family here me talk about God always having something good cooking in the kitchen. Let's not forget that the best way to show our appreciation for who He is, and what He has done, is to make the effort to 'stay around the house' and do what we can, whether we think we're good at it, or not.
Here's to an awesome 2009 together!
All by His grace, all for His glory,
Pastor B.
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