Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are!” Matthew 23:15 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “We must help each other to stay doctrinally pure and Biblically accurate.”

 

Would it surprise you if I told you that human reasoning is flawed? No, you don’t need me or anyone else to point that out, the world itself is filled with examples of flawed human reasoning. It’s simply amazing how we can find ways to rationalize and justify the most outrageous beliefs and conduct.

 

As whacky, perverted, and even dangerous as some beliefs, practices, and fads can get, few things do as much damage as the actions some people take in the name of religion. Weird cults have perpetrated some of the most unbelievable lies and yet have managed to attract hundreds and thousands of followers. Radial Islamic Jihad, as practiced by ISIS and Al Qaeda today, is a current horrifying example of religion having become twisted and sick. Author Eugene Peterson once wrote:

 

“More people are exploited and abused in the cause of religion than in any other way. Sex, money, and power all take a back seat to religion as a source of evil. Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind. The moment a person (or government or religion or organization) is convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning a cause or project, anything goes. The history, worldwide, of religion-fueled hate, killing, and oppression is staggering.”

 

This is the kind of thinking Jesus was condemning the Pharisees for in Matthew 23:15. They had taken the pure and perfect Word of God and twisted it according to their own desires. They had added to it immensely, creating an extensive and complicated system of rules and regulations designed to regulate and control virtually every aspect of life for the people – with them, the Pharisees, ruling over it all.

 

In the Bible God has given us everything we need to know in order to live lives that honor and please Him. He didn’t forget anything and He doesn’t need our help to improve upon it. Therefore we don’t have the freedom to take away from what He gave us, and we also don’t have the freedom to add to it – at least not as a system of rules that we expect other people to follow. (If we feel the need to impose some additional structure or restrictions on our own conduct that’s one thing, but as soon as we begin creating rules and regulations that go beyond what the Bible itself teaches, and we attempt to require other people to obey those rules, we have become modern-day Pharisees.)

 

As a community of believers we must know what the Bible actually says, and what it does not say. Then we must base our faith and practice on just that, nothing more and nothing less. We also must hold one another accountable for sticking to the Bible and the Bible alone. When others among us begin to venture in extra-Biblical rule-making, or they begin to twist Scripture to conform to their own personal preferences and biases, we as a community must take a stand against that.

 

The Bible itself is pretty clear. God didn’t write it in secret code that only a privileged few can understand. Individually we must pray and study and genuinely trust God to give us accurate understanding. Then we must keep company with others who do the same.

 

As a community of believers lets insist that we all stick to what the Bible actually says – nothing more and nothing less.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “We help one another to stay strong.”

 

We don’t know who the author of the letter to the Hebrews was. Parts of it read like Paul’s letter to the Romans and therefore many think it was written by Paul. Perhaps it was. Many of the themes are Pauline in nature.

 

Just as Paul did, in Hebrews there is a heavy emphasis on the person of Christ. Again like Paul, the writer also placed great importance on the role Christians are to play in helping each other to stay strong. Hebrews 3:12-13 is one example. Hebrews 10:23-25 is another. These passages remind us of why it’s so important for us to take advantage of every opportunity to be together with our Christian brothers and sisters. We need to be at the regular gatherings of our church family. We also need to fill our lives outside of church with lots of association with other strong Christians.

 

Another device the writer used as a means of providing encouragement and inspiration to his readers is by referring to the examples set by towering figures in the faith from generations past. Hebrews chapter 11 is commonly referred to as “The Faith Hall of Fame”. Read it and you can’t help but be inspired to be more faithful yourself.

 

I personally have always been a big fan of biographies. On my bookshelf I have a series of thirty-two biographies recounting the lives of some of the greatest missionaries who have ever lived – people like Lottie Moon, Hudson Taylor, David Livingston, and George Muller. Their stories of service, sacrifice, and faithfulness inspire me in my own walk with the Lord.

 

The good examples of other Christians help us to stay strong. Whether by actually being with them in gatherings such as Bible study groups, worship services, or social events, or by immersing ourselves in their stories by means of Bible reading and biographies, drawing inspiration from the example of others is an important way in which God helps us to stay strong and to be faithful. I encourage you to seek out all of that kind of good association you can get.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: We, the people of God, should be characterized by mercy and compassion towards those in need.”

 

A couple of months ago I had the privilege to lead a short-term mission team to Haiti. Our acts of service were varied and consisted of construction projects, preparing hot meals for hungry school children, conducting Vacation Bible Schools, evangelism activities, and more.

 

But the ministry activity that impacted the team members most was our work in the orphanages and in the home for the widows. As our team members interacted with those children and with the elderly widows, their hearts melted. I could see it in their faces; it was evident in their mannerisms; you could hear it in their voices; and you could definitely see it in their actions. The love they had for those children and widows, and their eagerness to be a blessing to them, was obvious and touching.

 

Yesterday I offered a word of caution regarding the fact that we Christians, individually and as a community of believers, must use good judgment regarding our acts of mercy and compassion. We want to be sure that our helping actually helps rather than hurts. We want to lift people up rather than enabling them to continue in destructive behaviors.

 

But with that said, the characteristics which must dominate our thinking and be most evident in our actions, are mercy, grace, and compassion. If we are going to err, then let’s err on the side of mercy. I would rather we give too much than too little. It’s always better to be too kind, than not kind enough; too compassionate rather than hard and cold; too engaged rather than aloof and detached.

 

I made reference to those scenes I witnessed in the orphanages and widow’s home in Haiti because I think it’s a perfect picture of the heart attitude our Lord wants to see from us. The sight of pain and suffering should break our hearts; the knowledge that people are struggling and in need should elicit in us a strong desire to find a way to help. The people of God should be the kindest and most merciful people of all.

 

As mentioned yesterday, we are not to be doormats and we should not allow ourselves to be manipulated and taken advantage of. But with that word of caution said, let’s be sure it is mercy and grace and compassion which are our first and dominate response to those in need.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Sometimes helping hurts.”

 

One of the most perplexing problems we as a Christian community sometimes face is the issue of how to help someone in a way that truly does help, rather than hurt. The fact is that not all helping actually helps. Sometimes helping hurts. Sometimes mercy crosses the line into enabling.

 

As Christians we’re predisposed to help. From start to finish, Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is chockfull of instructions from God to His people about how we are to have mercy and compassion on those in need. We are to feed the hungry, house the homeless, care for the widow and the orphan, visit the sick, comfort the despondent, and work for social justice. In short, the people of God are to intentionally and actively make this world a better place.

 

But if we give money to an alcoholic and he uses it to get drunk, have we helped him or hurt him? If we use the church benevolent fund to pay rent for a person who seems to make a living out of making the rounds from one church to another seeking help from them all, have we been good stewards of the Lord’s money? If a person doesn’t have a job and doesn’t want one, but could in fact be working, should we give them food from the food bank?

 

There is no easy answer to this question, and it’s also not a new problem for the people of God. The Apostle Paul felt it necessary to give the Christians in Thessalonica instructions about it. They had among them some people who could work but were choosing not to. Those people were then evidently living off the generosity of the Christian community. What were Paul’s instructions on how to deal with such folks? “Let them go hungry.” The understanding being that if they get hungry enough they’ll get a job so they can eat.

 

Without question the people of God are to be kind and compassionate, helpful and generous. That’s especially true with respect to hurting people who have desperate needs. But we are not to be mindless dupes either. We do not have to allow ourselves to be taken advantage of, tricked, or manipulated. We’re tasked with being good stewards of God’s money, and we therefore are required to make wise decisions about what kind of help is most appropriate in any given situation.

 

Also very common is that in our over-zealousness to be a blessing and a help to someone we care about, we do things for them that they really should be doing for themselves. This kind of helping often takes the form of creating an environment for them that allows them to delay making forward progress or taking actions that they really need to be taking. In this case our efforts to help them are actually holding them back. This is a classic example of enabling.

 

Most of the time helping really does help – but not always. Sometimes helping hurts. It’s up to us, as individuals and as a community of believers, to use good judgment and to make smart choices. Sometimes “not” helping is the right thing to do.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.” Philippians 1:14 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “A good attitude is contagious.”

 

Philippians is known as “The Epistle of Joy”. The message is especially powerful because Paul’s own circumstances were so bad when he wrote it. He was old, sick, a prisoner in a Roman jail, and probably facing death. And yet as we read Philippians we discover that he was joyful, content, positive, and bold in his teaching – so much so that his example was an inspiration to all those around him. That’s what Philippians 1:14 was referring to.

 

In his paraphrase of the Bible entitled “The Message”, in the introduction to the book of Philippians, author Eugene Peterson writes that a good attitude, especially in the face of adverse circumstances, is not only inspiring but also contagious. Here’s what he wrote:

 

“Happiness is not a word we can understand by looking it up in the dictionary. In fact, none of the qualities of the Christian life can be learned out of a book. Something more like apprenticeship is required, being around someone who out of years of devoted discipline shows us, by his or her entire behavior, what it is. Moments of verbal instruction will certainly occur, but mostly an apprentice acquires skill by daily and intimate association with a “master”, picking up subtle but absolutely essential things, such as timing and rhythm and “touch”.”

 

Peterson goes on: “When we read what Paul wrote to the Christian brothers in the city of Philippi, we find ourselves in the company of just such a master. Paul doesn’t tell us that we can be happy, or how to be happy, he simply and unmistakably is happy.”

 

A good attitude is contagious. Being around people who are happy, content, upbeat, and positive, helps us to be that way too. Immersing ourselves in positive and encouraging literature such as Philippians is essential as well.

 

Much of life is not upbeat, positive, and happy, and it would be unrealistic for us to believe we can avoid negative people or bad environments. But the more good association we immerse ourselves in, the less impact the negative can have on us. And we can, overtime, actually become a person like Paul who effectively turns a negative situation into a positive one for all those around us.

 

I encourage you to strive to become that person. Be someone whose upbeat and positive attitude is contagious to the point of causing others to be that way too.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up, but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “We are stronger and better together.”

 

I’ve always liked the story told in 2 Samuel chapter twenty-three where King David’s “Mighty Men” are listed. These were a group of men David had gathered around himself who were essentially his partners in ministry. They were mighty warriors; they were trusted advisers; they were fellow musicians; and they were his friends. David could not have accomplished all that he did without them.

 

In chapter three of the Old Testament book of Daniel we read the story of the three Hebrew boys Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. While the rest of Babylon was obediently following the capricious order of King Nebuchadnezzar and bowing before a gold statue in worship, these three refused. Instead they determined to remain faithful to the One True God and they would not bow in worship to a false idol.

 

If they would not obey the king’s order, those young men faced the threat of an excruciating death being burned alive in a furnace. But still, they refused. Maybe each of them would have been as strong and as faithful if they had faced that trial individually, but together they supported and encouraged and strengthened one another.

 

It’s a common Biblical theme. David had his mighty men. The Hebrew boys had each other. Jesus had the Apostles. Paul had his partners. Here in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Solomon encourages his readers to have those kinds of friends in their own lives.

 

Do you have “mighty men” or “mighty women” in your life? People who encourage and inspire you; people who support you and encourage you; people who make you better and stronger? If you don’t, I encourage you to ask God to help you develop those relationships, because we are stronger and better together than we are alone.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “When I say to the wicked, “O wicked man, you will surely die,” and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.” Ezekiel 33:8-9 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “If you see something, say something.”

 

Many years ago, as my career as a Navy officer was nearing its end, I was near the top of the chain-of-command on the ship I was assigned to. There were two officers higher than me, the Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer, but I was close to the top.

 

At one point I became aware of a serious problem taking place on that ship that needed to be corrected. I attempted to work with my superiors to correct it but got nowhere. I should have then brought the issue to the attention of higher authorities, but I didn’t.

 

Later, after the issue had persisted and eventually became an even more serious problem, the Commodore (my boss’s boss) had to conduct an investigation to determine what happened and why. During my interview with the Commodore I explained the things I had been aware of and the steps I had taken to try to deal with the situation. I’ll never forget what he said next. He said, “Jim, since you knew there was a serious problem, and you knew that despite your best efforts it was not being corrected, why didn’t you go around your boss and bring the issue directly to me? If you had, we wouldn’t be in this situation today.”

 

And he was absolutely right. In my situation on that ship, I had a responsibility to speak-up, and to keep speaking-up, until that serious situation was dealt with. Unfortunately I stopped speaking-up when I should have persisted.

 

Speaking-up like that is Biblical. As the people of God we are required by God to say the things that need to be said, and to keep saying them until corrective action is taken. That’s the lesson God was teaching the prophet Ezekiel in 33:8-9, and it’s a lesson God repeats over and over again all throughout the Bible. Moses was required by God to speak-up to the Jews and to the Pharaoh. All of the Old Testament prophets were required to speak-up, and then to keep speaking-up, whether the people wanted to hear it or not. In Galatians chapter two the Apostle Paul told of the time he needed to publically confront Peter to correct him.

 

There are too many other Biblical examples than I have time to address here this morning but the point is clear, we have a responsibility to speak-up when we see things that aren’t right.

 

The philosopher Edmund Burke once famously wrote, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” We could amend that to say, “All that is necessary for error to persist is for others to remain silent.”

 

When we see something that is wrong we have a responsibility to the Christian community and to the society at large to speak-up about it. And if the issue is serious enough, we need to keep speaking-up about it until it gets corrected.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to your Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “A lot can be accomplished when we work together.”

 

Ezra and Nehemiah were partners in God’s work. Nehemiah was an organizer, administrator, and worksite boss. He led the Jews in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem. Ezra was a religious leader – a priest and a scribe. While Nehemiah organized and supervised the workers, Ezra’s primary responsibility was for the spiritual health of the people. Working together, Ezra and Nehemiah were able to accomplish great things for the sake of God’s people.

 

This is a common scenario we see all throughout scripture. Moses and Aaron worked together; so did Moses and Joshua. David and Jonathan made a pretty good team; so did Paul and Barnabas. Billy Graham had Cliff Barrows as a partner. Towards the end of his life Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, teamed-up with a Pastor friend of mine by the name of Jack Cavanaugh to write a series of books about great Christian leaders. They are good books which teach powerful lessons about important people in Christian history.

 

The point is that God frequently brings people together into partnerships for the cause of Christ, and we all benefit from it. I think back over my own years of ministry in the three churches I’ve been the pastor of. I wonder how in the world I could have accomplished anything worthwhile had it not been for the partners in ministry God had graciously provided me with. I think of the Youth Pastors, Music Ministers, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, and other leaders who have been such a help and blessing.

 

We need each other. None of us can do it alone. The more independent and the more of a Lone Ranger you are, the less you will accomplish. If God has brought a key person, or a group of key individuals to work with you, treat them as valued partners.

 

It really is true – a lot can be accomplished when we work together. I encourage you to acknowledge your partners, thank God for them, and make sure they know how much you appreciate the contribution they make.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say: ‘The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “We need friends who will speak words of hope and encouragement to us.”

 

Over the last two days we have been considering the importance of maintaining three vital levels of relationship in our lives, we’ve called them “Paul, “Barnabas” and “Timothy”. Yesterday we thought about what happens when we disregard the wise counsel we receive from our friends.

 

Today I want to address the importance of close friends speaking words of encouragement and hope into our lives during those times when we’ve messed-up or are just suffering, because lets be honest, we all mess-up and we all suffer. Therefore we all need key individuals who will be there to speak words of hope and encouragement.

 

That’s what we find Jeremiah doing in Lamentations 3:22-24. In his case the nation of Judah was finally suffering the punishment the Lord had been warning them of for many years. The Lord had warned them repeatedly that if they didn’t change their ways, there would be a price to pay. Well, they didn’t and there was. God allowed their enemies to conquer them and to take them into captivity. The city was destroyed and the people were miserable.

 

They were suffering the consequences of their own poor choices and God was allowing it to happen. Actually, God caused it to happen as a form of discipline in an effort to bring them back into a right relationship with Him. Actions have consequences.

 

However into the middle of all that pain and suffering God had Jeremiah speak words of hope. The suffering would continue only as long as needed to accomplish God’s purposes. And while it was going on, His love for them did not cease, He was still a God of mercy, and He would still be faithful to His promises to them. The people needed to hear that.

 

The same is true for us. Regardless of what you’re going through and regardless of whether you brought it on yourself or not, God still loves you, He is still faithful, His mercy is still there, and there is still hope.

 

I’m certainly not Jeremiah and you’re probably not living in the midst of rubble and devastation, but the lesson still applies and I did want you to hear it this morning. Be encouraged. God’s not done. There is hope.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month:  “Friends and Associates”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “At the end of your life, you will lament when your physical body has been consumed, and you will say, “How I hated discipline, and how my heart despised correction. I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closely to my mentors. I am on the verge of complete ruin before the entire community.” Proverbs 5:11-14 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Listen to the people who speak words of truth to you.”

 

Yesterday we began a discussion about the importance of establishing and maintaining a trio of vital relationships in order to live the Christian life well. We thought about the importance of having in our lives a “Paul”, a “Barnabas”, and a “Timothy”. I also pointed out that most of us probably already have  a Paul and at least one Timothy, but many of us do not have that Barnabas figure – the person who has the boldness and the permission from us, to speak straight truth to us whether we want to hear it or not.

 

Today I want to address the issue of what happens when we don’t listen to the influential people God has placed into our lives. In Proverbs 5:11-14 Solomon wrote about a man at the end of his life who was reflecting back with regret about the mistakes he had made and the damage he had caused by living a life of sin and debauchery. His body was wasted away and evidently his life was in shambles, “a complete ruin before the entire community.”

 

Please don’t miss the point that God had obviously placed into his life people who spoke words of truth and offered correction and guidance but he had rejected it, “I hated discipline … I didn’t obey my teachers or listen closely to my mentors.”

 

As I write this I’m thinking of a man I know who fits this description. He has been a drug addict and petty criminal since his teenage years. He has spent years in and out of jail for minor offenses, and there was one serious prison term as well. He is now approaching the age of fifty; his body is breaking down with multiple health issues; his first marriage ended in divorce and his second is hanging by a thread; he doesn’t work; and he is still using drugs. Oh, and his young son is following in his footsteps.

 

Like the man in Solomon’s proverb, God has repeatedly brought into this man’s life people who love and care about him and who have spoken words of truth to him over and over again. They have offered him lots of love and support and they have done what they could to help him turn his life around. But he still persists in his destructive ways and his life is ending badly. What a shame. What a senseless tragedy. Also, he’s not the only one being hurt by his actions. Those close to him, those who love him, have suffered, and continue to suffer, because of his destructive lifestyle.

 

It doesn’t have to be that way – in his life or in yours. God has placed people into your life who have the boldness to speak words of truth to you. Listen to them! Accept their help! Change your ways! If you don’t, then Proverbs 5:11-14 just might describe the final chapter of your life too.

 

Listen to the people who speak words of truth to you.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim