Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “For God did not give us a spirit of fearfulness (or timidity), but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “Doing the right thing is often hard and it takes courage.”

 

Sometimes compassion doesn’t look compassionate. Sometimes, to the person on the receiving end, it can be painful and seem harsh. A good example of that is tough love. Tough love requires us to take strong actions (such as disciplinary action) in an effort to address the wrong and potentially destructive behavior of someone we love and care about. Our actions may seem harsh to the recipient, and yet it is driven by love and concern. It’s an act of compassion but it probably doesn’t feel that way to them.

 

It takes strength and resolve and even courage to love someone enough to do this. I read a great statement about this just the other day. The writer said, “Real love stands against that which would destroy the beloved.”

 

Yes, if someone I love and care about is taking an action or exhibiting behavior that is wrong or is going to harm them, I’m going to take a stand against it. But doing so probably won’t be easy. I will have to be strong and determined, and I will have to do it even though it might not seem loving and compassionate to the other person at that time.

 

This is what Paul was trying to teach young Timothy when he wrote 2 Timothy 1:7. God empowers us with the strength to stand against those things which might harm or destroy those we love and care about.

 

Speaking truth, taking disciplinary action, and engaging in tough love, are actually acts of genuine compassion, but it’s compassion with a hard edge and it requires strength and courage. Don’t be afraid and don’t be timid about it. God will enable you to say what needs to be said and to do what needs to be done.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

 

Our thought for today: “Be intentional about becoming progressively stronger and more compassionate.”

 

How do we become good at anything? By practice. The more we do something the better we become at it. The same is true for the virtues of strength and compassion. The more we intentionally cultivate them, the more they will be evident in our lives.

 

In Philippians 2:12-13 Paul exhorts us to “work out” our salvation. He didn’t mean that we have to work “for” our salvation but that since we are saved, the evidence of that salvation should become more and more apparent in our lives. And when he writes that we are to work it out “with fear and trembling”, he’s not talking about being afraid and shaking in our boots. He’s writing about the Biblical fear of God (an awareness of His majesty and a healthy respect for His awesomeness). Paul’s meaning is that we are to work out our salvation on a daily basis with a clear understanding that it is Almighty God Himself who is working in us and leading us to accomplish His purposes.

 

Part of that “working out” of our salvation will include an intentional effort to be strong and compassionate. This is something that is practiced and which grows day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month, and year-after-year. It is the accumulated effect of sustained growth over long periods of time. It’s something we desire, pray about, and intentionally strive to incorporate into the practice of our faith. The ongoing development of strength and compassion then becomes a way of life.

 

Patient and faithful discipleship over time leads to a stronger and more compassionate follower of Christ. I encourage you to be intentional about becoming progressively stronger and more compassionate.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

 

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “Then the king promoted Daniel, gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” Daniel 2:48 (NRSV)

Our thought for today: “Being strong and compassionate has a positive influence on those around us.”

The story of Daniel is a great illustration of the kind of influence we can have on others by demonstrating strength and compassion over a sustained period of time.

Daniel was a slave in the empire of Babylon. He had been assigned to serve in the palace of the king and was expected to follow the lifestyle (an unhealthy and unholy one) established by the king’s administrators. But rather than defile himself, he courageously asked to be allowed to remain faithful to the practices he believed to be right and true. He promised that by doing so he would excel in the king’s service. And he did. Ultimately he was promoted to the highest levels of government and served as a key advisor to the king.

If you read the story of Daniel you find that he was a strong and courageous man who was also fair and compassionate. Throughout the telling of the story, which spans decades of time, we consistently see Daniel displaying strength of character. Never do we see him falter and never do we see him acting in an unkind or unfair way. We also never read of him abusing his power or using it for his own benefit.

He was strong in the ways that mattered, and at the same time he was also compassionate and kind. As a result, Daniel had a tremendous amount of influence over everyone around him. People noticed the kind of man he was and they were impressed.

The same can be true for you and me. You may never be an advisor to a king like Daniel was, but when the people around you see that you are a man or woman of integrity, a person with the strength of character to courageously take a stand for what is important to you, and that you have a deeply ingrained sense of fairness and compassion, your influence upon them will be real and significant.

God can use such men and women. They are the ones who have the greatest influence for good in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in the workplace, and in the church. Society is a better place because of the Daniel’s among us. Becoming one is a worthy goal.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Pray for strength and compassion.

In one of the articles he wrote for “Christianity Today” magazine, Philip Yancey made an interesting and somewhat surprising personal confession. He wrote of how at one point in his life he took stock of where he was in terms of Christian maturity. When he conducted that honest self-assessment he was startled to have to admit that he was, in his own words, “selfish, joyless, loveless, and lacking in compassion.”

As a self-assessment tool Philip used Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Those are the character traits the Holy Spirit brings out in the life of a Christian as that person grows in spiritual maturity and progressively becomes more Christ-like. When Philip honestly assessed himself in that way he had to admit that with the possible exception of self-control, he lacked evidence of all nine of the fruits in his life.

Deeply convicted and somewhat ashamed, Philip adopted the practice of praying Galatians 5:22-23 everyday. On his knees before the Lord he specifically prayed that God would develop these character traits in his life. Philip wrote of how he came to realize that the fruit of the Spirit cannot be developed in the life of a person by an act of that person’s will. In other words, you don’t get the fruit just because you decide you want it. It’s not something you can do for yourself. The development of those character traits comes about as the Holy Spirit is given free reign to work in your life and to develop your spiritual maturity. And so, Philip prayed. And in time, the growth came.

What does this have to do with our theme of “strength and compassion”? Go back and read that list of fruit of the Spirit again. When we talk about strength we’re not talking about physical strength but spiritual strength. We’re talking about a person who is strong in the Spirit. And compassion – that comes in increasing measure as the Spirit works in and through us. The character traits listed by Paul in that passage describe a person who is spiritually mature, strong, confident, kind, and yes, compassionate.

I encourage you to make Galatians 5:22-23 a regular part of your prayer life. Ask God to develop those traits in you more and more.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “The words we use matter.”

The other day I read a statement which I thought was profoundly insightful regarding the power of words. “A single word of criticism possesses more emotional power than a thousand praises.”

If you stop for a moment to consider what you know to be true of human nature you will realize how accurate that statement is. Criticism lodges deeper in the heart than does praise. People tend to remember criticism longer, and it has more of an impact, than do praises. The average person needs at least ten words of praise and encouragement to overcome the effects of one word of criticism and even then, the criticism tends to linger.

That being the case it’s imperative that we choose our words carefully. What we say matters. Your words have the power to tear someone down or to lift them up, and how you choose to use your words reveals a lot about you.

Do you have the strength of character to be intentionally kind and compassionate with your words, to speak words of life rather than death, to build people up rather than tear them down? Don’t be too quick to answer that. The faults and idiosyncrasies of others can be annoying – even infuriating. It takes a strong and mature Christian to look past or to even ignore a person’s flaws, to refrain from commenting on them altogether, and to focus instead on affirming that person’s value and praising their attributes.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to find fault in others and to make unkind or derogatory remarks about their shortcomings. It does take effort, and spiritual maturity, to intentionally find things to praise them for. Your ability to do that is a measure of your own strength and compassion.

The words you use matter – and they reveal something about you. I encourage you to speak well of people and to speak well to people. Your words have the power to bless or to curse. Speak words of blessing to people today.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

 

Our Bible verse for today: “But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses.” 1Timothy 6:11-12 (HCSB)

 

Our thought for today: “We need people who will challenge us.”

 

Paul and Timothy were partners in ministry but they also had a mentor/student relationship. It was Paul who helped Timothy realize and accept his call to ministry, and it was Paul who guided the young man in his spiritual growth.

 

For almost twenty years Paul provided instruction and counsel to his young protégé, but he also frequently challenged him. That’s what we’re reading in 1Timothy 6:11-12. “Fight the good fight of faith.” “Pursue godly virtues.” “Hold fast to the truth.” In other places Paul urged Timothy to preach the Good News of the Gospel whether people were open to it and willing to accept it or not. He also told the young man to be bold and confident in his leadership, and so much more.

 

It has been said that people who think you are weak will offer you an excuse but people who respect you will offer you a challenge. That’s very true. People who make excuses for you end up enabling your weak behavior and destructive habits. People who believe in you will challenge you to strive for growth and to demonstrate strength and compassion when doing so isn’t easy. They will do that for you because they know you have what it takes to be better and stronger. So it’s crucial to surround ourselves with those who will challenge us like that.

 

Granted, there’s comfort in being with those who will feed into our weaknesses and insecurities – people who will make excuses for us. Being with people who challenge us is harder, but oh so much more rewarding.

 

I encourage you to seek out such people and give them the freedom to speak words of truth and challenge into your life. They will help you to keep moving forward and to grow stronger and better.

 

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

 

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Be strong and courageous; stand firm on the Word of God.”

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” So wrote the 18th century Irish political philosopher Edmund Burke. It was true in his day and it’s still true today – perhaps even more so.

My friends, evil is spreading and many good people are doing nothing. This is especially true of the Church as it confronts a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. When it comes to the Gay and Lesbian Agenda, many churches have given-in to the old adage, “If you want to get along you have to go along”. And so, they’re just going along. But doing so means doctrinal compromise and spiritual weakness.

When it comes to standards of truth, morality, and acceptable conduct, the Bible has to be our guide. Whatever the issue is, the measure of what’s ok and what isn’t must be the standard given to us by God in the Bible. And the Bible says what it says. Whether we like it or not and whether we agree with it or not, God didn’t make a mistake when He wrote it. Also, God has not been taken by surprise at the recent developments in our society with respect to sexual ethics. He knew from the beginning of time that this day would come and yet, He wrote what He wrote.

And so as individual Christians and as churches we must rely on the timeless standard of God’s Word as our guide, and not on cultural pressures or a desire to simply get along. This is the clear message of the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 15:58 is just one of the many passages which exhort Christians to courageously stand firm on the unchanging Word of Truth given to us by God our Father.

For 2000 years Christians have always found themselves to be out-of-step with much of what was being promoted in their culture as being right and good. Regardless of the time in history, the geographic location, the people involved, or the particular issues, Christians have consistently found themselves to be counter-cultural. That’s because Christianity “is” counter-cultural.

The answer for us today is the same as it has always been for all Christians everywhere, always, regardless of the issues involved. We are to stand firm on Biblical truth. We will take our lumps for doing so if we have to, but we do so with the knowledge that we have history on our side. The problems, trials, and issues of the past have all faded into history but the Bible is still the Bible, Jesus is still on the throne, and Christianity continues to spread all across the world. Someday soon the issues of our day will also be just faded memories but the Bible will still be the Bible, Jesus will still be on the throne, and Christianity will be alive and well.

So take a stand for Biblical truth! Be bold and courageous. Do so with strength, but also with compassion.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” Proverbs 3:27 (NRSV)

Our thought for today: “True strength and compassion leads us to actions on behalf of those in need.”

Saint Francis of Assisi is one of my heroes of the faith. He was a great example of strength and compassion lived out in daily life. Born the son of a wealthy merchant, Francis chose as a young man to leave his life of privilege and ease and to spend it instead in service to others. For centuries his example has been an inspiration for multitudes of other Christians. The Order of the Franciscans was founded by him; the current Pope is named after him.

One of Francis’ most memorable and inspiring writings is what has come to be called “The Prayer of Saint Francis”. It reads like this”

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that I may not so much seek to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

This is what Solomon was writing about in Proverbs 3:27. It is within our power to do good to others, whether that takes the form of a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a listening ear, or a bag of groceries. As the people of God we are called upon by God to be a blessing to others.

I believe our willingness to do that is a direct measure of how much strength and compassion we have allowed the Holy Spirit to develop in us. It’s not easy to live and love like Francis and Solomon described. It must be something supernatural at work in and through us.

Are you strong? Do you have a deeply ingrained sense of compassion? Then do all the good you can for all the people you can for as long as you can – because real strength and true compassion will lead to action on behalf of others.

God Bless,

Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “We can be inspired to strength and compassion by those who are strong and compassionate.”

Paul and Jesus were activists. They didn’t just talk about faith they lived it in their personal habits and in their service to others. Jesus set the standard by His own conduct. In John chapter 13 we find Him on the night before He was crucified, performing a tremendous act of humble service by washing the feet of His disciples. In verse 15 of that chapter He then said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

This is what Paul was writing about in 1 Corinthians 11:1. He followed the example of Jesus, served others in a sacrificial and humble way, and then he urged his readers to do likewise. They were inspired to be stronger in their faith and more compassionate towards others by Paul’s example of serving like Jesus served.

One of the reasons I love going on mission trips to Peru is so I can spend time with my friends, American missionaries Bud and Laura Lenz. They run the El Arca Children’s Homes in the city of Cusco in the Andes Mountains, and in Puerto Maldenado in the Amazon Jungle. In my opinion they are shining examples of strength and compassion. Spending time with them always inspires me to want to be stronger and more compassionate too.

You know people like this also. Chances are your church has a fair share of them. Ours does. I encourage you to spend time with those people. Join them in their acts of ministry. Learn from them. Be inspired by their example – and then go and do likewise.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim

Good Morning Everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”

Our Bible verse for today: “I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry of the saints.” 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 (HCSB)

Our thought for today: “Strength and compassion will result in generosity.”

This morning I want to return to the subject we explored in yesterday’s devotional message about our understanding of wealth and possessions and how that corresponds to strength and compassion.

In 2 Corinthians chapter 8 the Apostle Paul wrote about the sterling example of the Christians in the church in Macedonia. They were going through severe times of trials and testing of their own but even so, individually and as a church they gave a large and very generous offering to help other Christians in other places who were enduring even worse times. Paul said that their giving was according to their ability and even beyond their ability. In other words, they gave sacrificially.

This was a great example of strength and compassion demonstrated financially through generous and sacrificial giving. Sadly this kind of giving is often missing in today’s church. A recent study published in “Relevant” magazine reported that:

“Only 10 to 25 percent of the typical American congregation tithes (that is, gives the biblical starting point of 10 percent) to church, the poor, and Kingdom causes.” The report went on to say that, “If the remaining 75 to 90 percent of American Christians began to tithe regularly, then global hunger, starvation, and death from preventable disease could be relieved within five years. Additionally, illiteracy could be eliminated, the world’s water and sanitation issues could be solved, all overseas mission work could be fully funded, and over $100 billion per year would be left over for additional ministry.”

Think for a moment about how much stronger our churches would be if all American Christians obeyed the Biblical command to tithe. Think about how much additional compassionate ministry could be conducted in the Name of Jesus and for the sake of His Kingdom.

We lose so much in terms of strength and compassion by clinging to what we have and by striving to acquire even more, instead of giving freely and generously to God’s Kingdom-building work. The way God has chosen to finance His work here on earth is through the faithful giving of His people.

The strength of the church, and the amount of compassionate benevolent ministry the church can accomplish in the world, is directly related to your generosity and mine.

God Bless,
Pastor Jim