Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Family”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “The Biblical model is our starting point for thinking about family.”

 

In the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, before sin had entered into the world and therefore all things were still perfect, God established His model for marriage and family. It consisted of one man and one woman united as husband and wife for a lifetime. Out of that union they were then to produce children. As the scripture reads:

 

“Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” Genesis 1:28. And, “Adam was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain.” Genesis 4:1.

 

So right there in the beginning chapters of Genesis we find God’s best-case scenario for family. It consisted of a father, a mother, and children, all living together in the same household. This is the classic “nuclear” family. Every other family arrangement since then has been a step beyond, and further from, God’s perfect model. And you don’t have to read very far in Genesis before you begin to see the human race moving further and further away from God’s perfect model.

 

This is a touchy subject because we’re talking about people’s families here, and there are many family situations which, although they are a couple of steps removed from God’s best-case scenario, they are still very good families. My own family is a case-in-point. God has blessed me with four children, each of whom I love very much. Each of them is adopted but they’re as much my children as if they came from me biologically. One of the highlights of my life has been the privilege of being the father of my children, and ours has been a very good family life. That’s true even though it’s not a perfect match with God’s perfect model.

 

There are many other examples of “blended” families which involve spouses who have each been married and divorced, and who bring to the new marriage children from previous marriages. I know of many families that fit this description. They are strong families who have a wonderful family life which honors God.

 

The fact is that we live in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people. That means we’re often going to find ourselves in imperfect circumstances that do not perfectly match God’s perfect model but which can still be very, very good.

 

However we also need to recognize that the further away we get from God’s perfect model, the more imperfect our situations become. With respect to families in our society today, we are now at the point of legalized gay marriage. So now “Johnny has two daddies” and “Susie has two mommies”. While I don’t doubt that some gay couples can be loving and nurturing parents, we do have to acknowledge that such family units are many steps removed from God’s perfect model.

 

As we continue to consider this subject of family from a Biblically based devotional perspective, we need to keep in mind God’s best and original design, which is one man and one woman united as husband and wife for life – with children to follow.

 

Even in those situations which don’t perfectly match God’s best-case model, such as in adopted families and blended families, our goal is to establish a family life as close to God’s model as possible. The closer we are to that, the stronger our families will be.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Family”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “God sets the lonely in families …” Psalm 68:6 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “Family was God’s idea.”

 

The dictionary tells us that a family is, “1. Parents and their children. 2. The members of one household. 3. A group of persons related by blood or marriage. 4. A collective noun which describes a group of like things.”

 

The most common understanding of “family” is what is normally termed the “nuclear” family. By that we’re not referring to a group of people who tend to go nuclear on each other, as in being volatile and explosive (although I know families like that). The term “nuclear” refers to the most common family grouping which consists of a father, a mother, and children, all living in the same household.

 

However there are many other understandings of family as well, some of them normal, healthy, and time-honored, and some of them not so much. That’s becoming increasingly true in our day. This month we’ll take some time to consider many of them.

 

Family was actually God’s idea from the beginning. It started with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and soon the kids followed. Therefore family groupings have always been an important part of the human story. That’s because we humans are relational beings – we need to be together.

 

Today families come in all shapes and sizes. Many of them fit the traditional model of the nuclear family, and many of them are a mix. There are also other groupings of people that do not involve blood or marriage but which do still constitute a “family” of sorts, such as a church family, a close-knit group of friends, or even something like an inner city gang.

 

Because families are filled with people, and because people can sometimes be odd and even strange, family life can be difficult or encouraging, happy or sad, infuriating or funny – and sometimes all of the above in a short span of time! I think of the proverbial family Thanksgiving dinner with crazy Uncle Arnold in his plaid sports coat and stinky cigar; sweet Aunt Erma who smells like moth balls and insists on giving all the kids big sloppy kisses; and that rotten eight year old nephew who keeps poking the cat with a fork. Someone once said, “My family coat-of-arms is a straight jacket!” Can I get a witness?

 

December is a month that normally involves all sorts of “family” activities, including traditional family gatherings, church activities, office Christmas parties, and much more. So this seems like the appropriate time to devotionally consider family life – in all its strange and not-so-strange manifestations, and with all its warts and pimples, highs and lows.

 

I think it’s going to be a fun month.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life worth living”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am.” Psalm 39:6 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Make your life count.”

 

The singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffet once sang the line, “I’d rather die while I’m living than live while I’m dead.” Profound stuff, that. Far too many people die long before their heart stops beating. For all intents and purposes people die the day they stop dreaming, the day they no longer have a passion for life and a purpose to achieve. Consequently they just shuffle through their days, putting in their time and getting through life.

 

No thank you.

 

Personally I want to enjoy life – fully. I want to live every day with passion and purpose, squeezing every ounce of meaning out of it. I don’t ever want to just put in my time and get through it.

 

I started us out this month by considering Benjamin Franklin’s challenging question: “Do you value life? Then value your time because time is the stuff life is made of.” This is what King David was referring to in Psalm 39:6. Life is short, so make the most of it. Don’t waste your time because by doing so, you’re wasting your life.

 

In his book “Chase the Lion”, Mark Batterson, writing about himself, said, “I need a life goal to keep me going. I need a noble cause to keep me committed. I need a God-sized dream to keep me from getting demotivated.”

 

I think Mark’s observations are insightful and helpful. Do you have a big picture in mind of the man or woman God is turning you into? What do you expect to be like five years from now, ten years? What kind of man or woman will you be? What will you have achieved? How will you have grown? What will your life be like?

 

The choices you make today will determine what your life will be like tomorrow, and next week, and next month, next year, next decade. If you don’t have clear purpose and direction then you will just wander through your days willy-nilly without purpose or direction, and wherever you end up, there you will be.

 

There is a great contemporary praise song that’s popular right now entitled “Life is short, I want to live it well.” It’s by the band “Switchfoot” and it tells the story of a man who is determined to live life fully. Here are a few lines from the song:

 

 

“Life is short I want to live it well, one life, one story to tell.
Life is short I want to live it well, and you’re the one I’m living for.
Awaken, oh my soul! Every breath that you take is a miracle.
Life is short I want to live it well.

I want to sing with all my heart a lifelong song.
Even if some notes come out right and some come out wrong.
’Cause I can’t take none of that through the door.
I’m living for more than just a funeral.
I want to burn brighter than the dawn”

I encourage you to make your life count in 2017. Determine to live a life that truly matters and that really makes a difference.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “How long will you stay in bed you slacker? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” Proverbs 6:9-11 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Just get started.”

 

Recently I was reading about a theory the author called “The Art of the Start”. His point was that you cannot finish what you do not start. You will never successfully achieve anything if you don’t take the first step of starting it.

 

But starting is only the first step. You also have to stick with it. It’s certainly true that you will won’t finish something that you never started to begin with, but it’s equally true that you’ll never finish it if you give-up along the way. So when it comes to living life to the fullest, really living in ways that are significant and fulfilling, you have to have a plan to get started, and you have to have a plan to keep going.

 

The single biggest impediment to being successful at anything is procrastination at starting it to begin with. Far too many people are afflicted with the Scarlett O’Hara syndrome, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” Or more precisely, “I’ll start it tomorrow.” That becomes a repetitive trap that tends to go on and on. The way to avoid it is to give yourself a start date and stick to it. Start it today! Whatever it is you want to achieve, take the first step today. And then take another step tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.

 

That then leads us to the second biggest impediment to being successful – giving-up. Many people start something with the best of intentions but then they give-up along the way. They walk it out for a few days or even weeks, but then they fall away. Often it’s because the ultimate objective they’ve set for themselves seems so big and so far away that it appears unattainable. That can be discouraging.

 

The way to overcome that obstacle is to break your goal down into easily achievable mini-goals. Then have a daily plan to achieve the mini-goal. A college degree is earned one class at a time, one credit at a time, one assignment at a time. Your goal for today is to attend class today, turn in the assignment for today, and learn your lesson for today. Then do it again tomorrow, and the next day, and the next one. The day will come when you will be crossing the stage to receive your diploma and there will be no more classes.

 

The way to lose 50 pounds is to eat right today, and then again tomorrow, and to do your work out for today, and again tomorrow. The way to achieve anything is to first start it, and then to stick with it. You start it by simply starting it. You stick with it by focusing on achieving your goal for each day and then just walking it forward.

 

It’s true that you cannot finish what you do not start. And you also cannot finish what you give-up on. So whatever your goal for 2017 is, give yourself a start date and then give yourself daily goals to help keep you going.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Don’t accumulate possessions; accumulate experiences.”

 

Recently I’ve been reading Mark Batterson’s latest book “Chase the Lion”. The subtitle is: “If your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s too small.” Mark is the senior pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. and the author of multiple books.

 

In this book “Chase the Lion”, “the lion” is a metaphor for your dream – the thing you would like to do with your life that would be rewarding and fulfilling. When you discover your God-given dream, the purpose for which He has called and equipped you, and then your pursue it and develop it, you be honoring God with your life. But that kind of life is not found by accumulating the things this world labels as being important (money, possessions, power, etc). Instead it’s found in the experiences that come with living the life God has planned for you.

 

What would that look like in your life? It all depends. It depends on how God has wired you. It depends on the skills, abilities, and unique gifts God has given to you. You have to discover those, develop them, and pursue your dream. That could be something exotic, like international mission trips, or it could be volunteer work at the local Boy’s and Girl’s club. It could include things like working with the church Youth Group, or serving meals at the local Rescue Mission, or being a children’s Sunday school teacher. It’s possible God has called and equipped you to be a nurse, a public school teacher, a musician, a butcher or baker or candlestick maker. Whatever the dream is that God has given to you for your life, it will involve serving Him and serving others – and the experiences that come from doing that will be what really make your life meaningful.

 

Mark’s point is that a life that matters is a life that is focused on more than just your own wants, needs, and desires. A truly meaningful life will be filled with experiences not things. Our thought for today, “Don’t accumulate possessions; accumulate experiences”, those are Mark’s words. Here’s another:

 

“The sad reality is that most people spend their lives accumulating the wrong things … Life isn’t measure in dollars; it’s measured in moments you can’t put a price tag on.”

 

“Life is measured in moments you can’t put a price tag on.” Such moments will involve God and other people. If your focus is on yourself and on things, then yours is a small life that is deficient in the things that really matter.

 

In Philippians 1:27 Paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He certainly means that with respect to things like moral standards, faithfulness, etc. But I believe those words also imply that we must discover and live the life God wants for us – a life filled with the experiences of serving Him and serving others.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.”

 

Yesterday I reminded you of the classic Christmas story about Ebenezer Scrooge. He was a greedy and self-centered man who cared little about others. His thoughts were almost entirely on himself and therefore he was unkind, inconsiderate, and he shut people out of his life. He also did nothing to help others. As a result his life was dark and lonely and sad. But when he had a change of heart, when he took his eyes off of himself and focused instead on being a blessing to others, his world changed dramatically. Suddenly there was joy and laughter and love and blessings. Scrooge went from being a miserable old man to being happy and joyful – all because he took his eyes off of himself and focused instead on being a blessing to others.

 

You reap what you sow. Bless others and you will be blessed in return. Make others happy and you yourself will be happy. That’s the lesson Paul was teaching in Galatians 6:7-10. Here’s the rest of it:

 

“So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”

 

Often we can be tempted to think that our own special set of circumstances prevents or limits us in our ability to help others. Sometimes we think we’re too busy. But I know a woman who works full-time, she has a spouse who is ill, she has an extended family of children and grandchildren who depend on her, and yet she consistently looks for opportunities to help others too. And as a result she is alive in her faith, she is upbeat and joyful, and she truly enjoys life. She blesses others and her life is blessed in return.

 

I also know a man who is disabled because of a heart condition and the doctors have told him not to work. That’s unfortunate because he’s a relatively young man. However since he no longer has a full-time job he has to go to every day, he instead consistently finds ways to fill his time by doing things for others. He is one of the most dependable helpers and servants I know, and his life reflects that.

 

I know another man who is now retired. He too fills his days with acts of service to others. Every time you turn around you see this guy doing something for someone – and loving it! Happy and joyful, just wanting to be helpful where he can be, his is a life that is full and alive, and all because he makes it a point to be a blessing to others. It really is true that you reap what you sow. Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.

 

As we continue to consider how we will structure our lives in 2017 – the goals we will set, the activities we will be involved in, and the things we will invest our time in, I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you will be a blessing to others in the New Year. You reap what you sow. Bless others and you yourself will be blessed.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NLT)

 

Our thought for today: “Give generously of yourself.”

 

This morning in my quiet time and Bible study I came upon Paul’s lesson in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 about sowing and reaping. His lesson was specifically about being generous in our giving to good causes and to others in need, but it occurred to me that the principle can easily be applied to all of life. In fact, as we continue to consider how we will invest our time in 2017 – the goals we will set, the plans we will make, and the activities we will engage in, I want to challenge you to consider the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping with respect to how much of yourself you will give to other people.

 

Today is the day after Thanksgiving and so the rush to Christmas is in full swing. That brought to my mind the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer was a highly successful man in many respects. He was a successful business owner, he had lots of money, and he had power and influence. But he was also miserly and miserable. Despite his achievements and possessions, his was a lonely, closed-in, and sad life. His world was small and dark and it was his own fault. He jealously horded not only his wealth and his possessions, but he horded himself and kept himself from other people.

 

Well, you know the story. Ebenezer eventually discovered that when he opened himself up to other people and gave away not only some of his wealth, but some of himself, his life blossomed. Suddenly the sun was shining, the birds were singing, people were smiling – and Ebenezer himself was smiling! It was in giving himself away that he truly began to live. It was the law of sowing and reaping in action. The more he gave away, the more he got in return! The more he planted into the lives of others, the richer and happier his own life became.

 

What was true for Ebenezer Scrooge can be true for you too. Paul’s lesson in 2 Corinthians 9:6 pertains to giving generously of your money, but more importantly it pertains to giving generously of yourself. The more you are willing to sow into the lives of others – the more you do for others, the more you serve others, the more you consider the needs of others, the more your own life will blossom. The more we sow into the lives of others, the fuller and richer our own lives will be.

 

When it comes to living a life that really matters – a life that honors the Lord, makes a difference for the cause of Christ, and which is a blessing to others, the law of sowing and reaping is a Biblical principle we must know and live. That being the case, we will think about it some more tomorrow. Until then, I urge you to consider making a goal to serve more and to serve better in 2017. Your own life will be better and fuller and happier as a result.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Happy Thanksgiving!”

 

Have you heard the story of how it was that we in the USA ended up with Thanksgiving as a national holiday? If so then you were probably taught that it was President Abraham Lincoln who decided that the last Thursday of November would be set aside as a national day of Thanksgiving. Well that’s true, sort of. On October 3, 1863 President Lincoln did sign such a proclamation, but the credit for Thanksgiving as a national day of thanks actually goes to an Episcopalian lady by the name of Sarah Hale.

 

Sarah was a young widow raising five children and she made her living by running a small tailor and sewing shop. Sarah was also a writer and so she used her spare time to write articles, editorials, and eventually a book. Beyond that, Sarah was a strong Christian who was keenly aware of God’s blessings in her life and she was very grateful for them. And she thought everyone should be grateful for their blessings too.

 

In 1837, as her writing gained in popularity, Sarah was offered a job as the editor of a small women’s magazine called “Godey’s Lady Book”. Under Sarah’s leadership circulation skyrocketed and Godey’s became one of the most popular women’s magazines in the nation. It wasn’t a Christian magazine but Sarah did work-in lots of Christian themes and lessons into the articles and editorials. And, Sarah being Sarah, she used it as a platform to beat the drum being thankful.

 

In 1846 Sarah used the magazine to launch a crusade to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. She chose November as a good month for it and so she filled the November edition with Thanksgiving poetry, stories, testimonials, and turkey recipes. She also flooded politicians and government officials with letters and petitions to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. By 1839 she had thirty state governors onboard. She then shifted her attention to the Federal government.

 

Finally, after almost twenty-five years of her pleas for National Thanksgiving holiday falling on deaf ears in Washington, in 1863, while the country was mired in the Civil War, President Lincoln agreed with Sarah and established the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

 

And so although Abraham Lincoln tends to get the credit for Thanksgiving as a national holiday, it was actually Sarah Hale and her lifelong vision that was the driving force behind it.

 

On this Thanksgiving Day 2016, my family and I want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. May God continue to bless you, and may you continue to be thankful.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “So rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander.” 1 Peter 2:1 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Walk the talk”

 

Today I want to challenge each of us to sincerely invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and reveal to us sinful patterns of thinking, and the corresponding patterns of behaving, that need to get cleaned up in our lives. Folks, we have to walk the talk. Doctrine must translate into practice. What we profess to believe must determine how we actually behave.

 

Those of you who have read my book “Walking with Paul” may remember that in the introduction I told a story about the owner of a Christian bookstore who I used to know. One day she told me about the problem the store was having with shoplifting. I was stunned when she said that because it had never occurred to me that shoplifting would be a problem in a Christian bookstore. I mean presumably the customers are all Christians!

 

I once knew a man who held a leadership position in a Christian ministry but he had the habit of peppering his speech with mild profanity. He did it intentionally because evidently he thought it made him seem edgy and cool. It didn’t. It made him appear sinful and hypocritical, but those of us who had to deal with him on a regular basis never were able to get him to stop doing it. (He’s no longer in ministry by the way).

 

On and off over the years I’ve also had to deal with a person who has the bad habit of shading the truth. This person will sometimes twist the facts, just a little bit, to make a situation appear different than it really is. At other times he will provide incomplete explanations in an effort to achieve the same purpose. And sometimes he will even tell “little white lies”. In his mind he is apparently able to rationalize that behavior. He must think he has some “Christian” objective he’s achieving and so he’s just lying in the name of Jesus, I guess.

 

I know another person who is a modern-day Jacob. Do you remember Jacob from the book of Genesis? He was known for being deceitful and manipulative. This person is like that too. She too says one thing to your face but then quietly maneuvers and manipulates behind the scenes to achieve other objectives.

 

There are endless examples of dishonest Christian business owners; or spouses who commit adultery; or Christians who cheat on their taxes. The list goes on.

 

My point is that there are patterns of thinking and behavior in all of our lives that do not honor God – they are sinful and they need to get cleaned up. Doctrine has to translate into practice. What we profess to believe must determine how we actually behave. We must walk the talk.

 

I want to encourage all of us to sincerely invite the Spirit to convict us of those things in our own lives which are not right and which need to change. Then make a commitment to really work on getting that issue corrected in your life in 2017.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “A life that matters”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Walk the talk”

 

In Romans 12:1 Paul urges us to use our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. Then he tells us that doing so is actually a form of worship. That then begs the question “How are you currently using your body?” Ladies, do you dress your body modestly or in sexually provocative ways? The eyes are part of the body so guys, what images do you allow your eyes to dwell on and take in? The mouth too is part of the body so we should think about the words which come out of our mouths, do they honor God? The examples could go on and on. Where do your feet take you? How are your hands used? The point is: are you honoring God with the use of your body?

 

In verse two Paul then goes on to connect our behavior to our thinking. He urges us to not conform to the current trends of the world, or to what the world tells us is ok. Instead, be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you will then understand the patterns of thinking and the ways of behaving that are in accordance with the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

This is all about behavior, and it’s more of a problem than many of us realize or would like to admit. For many of us our minds need a good deal of transforming so that our behaviors will get cleaned up.

 

As we continue to think about goals we will set and plans we will make for 2017, I want to challenge all of us to consider ways in which our actions do not match our professed faith and which therefore need to change. There is something in all of our lives which is not right and which needs to get cleaned up.

 

Tomorrow we will continue this discussion and I will offer some specific examples to help stimulate your thinking about your own life and what patterns of thinking and behaving that you need to deal with. In the meantime, I urge you to spend some extra time with the Lord today and invite the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind those areas of your life which need some special attention.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim