A Declaration of Dependence: For Life

This past week we celebrated one of the most famous of declarations, the Declaration of Independence, written and ratified on July 4, 1776.

In Jefferson's declaration, he addresses three inalienable rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  These rights are not rights but gifts of grace granted by the Sovereign God Almighty.

We often think of ourselves as independent, but are we?  I mean, who among us can create life?  Sure, we may be able to procreate, but we cannot create life.  And who among us can sustain life?  The very breath you just took was a demonstration of God's grace in sustaining your life.  We are so dependent!

Paul, in His letter to the church in Ephesus, clarified what it means to have life.  In Ephesians 2:1-10, he makes it clear that humanity is born to death.  Not born to die; born into death.  When we are born, we are born without Christ, and we remain so until God breaths the breath of life into our spiritually dead corpse.  It is only then that we are able to respond to His prompting and act on the faith He has given to us to receive the gift of life He offers.

Life is only possible through faith, by grace, in Jesus Christ (This is also known as salvation.)  Our salvation is dependent upon God, it is not by any work of man. (Remember, we were dead.)

So, if we are going to celebrate, let's celebrate our dependence on God.  To God Be The Glory!!

For the full message shared on 07-08-12 at First Church of God, Racine, WI go to:
Declaration of Dependence: For Life

It's Time to Take Out the Trash

Hoarding is classified as an obsessive need to acquire and keep things - even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary.  


For the Believer the effects of hoarding (spiritually speaking) tend to be unfulfilled, fruitless lives.  They are trapped in a cycle that is "like being swallowed alive."

Although hoarding typically is related with material items, we often hoard that which is unseen - sin.

Today, it's time to take out the trash.

For the full message shared on 07-01-12 at First Church of God, Racine, WI go to:  
Time to Take Out the Trash

Love is the Basis of Unity

I was driving down the road the other day and I saw this bumper sticker that I had seen in the past but today I had to stop and ponder:


The message is clear.  "Can't we all just get along?"  Basically the assumption is that all roads lead to God and that one religion isn't any different from another, so let's all just 'coexist'.

We do co-exist in meaning we all live on this planet.  But the desire here is that we live in unity, and that can't happen when you have the world on one side and the Christians on the other.  I know this is not the popular or politically correct thing to say, but it is the TRUTH.

It is no surprise that the world is angered by the exclusivity of the Gospel regarding Jesus Christ for He said of Himself, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life; no man comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6].

What does surprise me however is the number of people who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ yet do not love one another.  Love is the basis for Unity.  This is the command that bears witness to our decision to follow Christ: "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." [John 13:35].

So if God is love (and we know He is because He has said so) and we are His children - the proof is in the pudding as my grandma would say; then shouldn't we (the church - white, black, asian, hispanic, etc...) love one another.  Anyone who professes the biblical Jesus Christ as their Savior and holds to the foundational truths of Scripture is my brother/sister and I MUST love them.

WARNING:
Love requires DEVOTION.  Love says, "I'm there through thick or thin."  Love can be messy.  Sometimes it's your mess, sometimes it's not; but love bears each others burdens.  We may confide in someone and they spill the beans.  That doesn't mean you stop loving. Or trusting.  It just means you find someone trustworthy with whom to share your burdens.  Love also doesn't say, "We're an Urgent Care Center, but don't come in here bleeding."  We need to reach out and compel those brothers and sisters who are injured to come find safety with the church.

Love requires DEMONSTRATION.  "We love because He first loved us."  [1 John 4:19].  Love in action doesn't come naturally; it is a gift from God.  Love for one's brother/sister is evidence that we have entered into God's family.  Love, true love only comes from God.

Love requires DYING.  Dying to ourself; to our wants, our desires, our priorities.  Jesus demonstrated how we are to love, He died on the cross.  "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."  [John 15:13].  And then Paul exhorts, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." [Ephesians 5:1-2]

So what does love look like?  Look in a mirror - for if you are a child of God, it looks like you.

For the full message shared on 06-10-12 at Faith Church of God, WI COG Unity Service go to:  Love is the Basis of Unity

Question Who's in Charge

Have you ever walked into a restaurant or store and things are in such a mess you wonder who's in charge?  I have.  Or maybe you've gone to someone's home (quite possibly my own) and there is so much noise and chaos that you wonder "Who's in charge?"


Maybe you've asked that question when your life feels like its in shambles and you don't know where to turn.  You throw up your hands and scream, "Who's in charge?"  because you know that you certainly are not!



No matter who you are or how you feel you can rest assured that there is someone in charge of your life that cares very much for you.  Yep, I'm sure you've guessed it.  GOD.  God is in charge.  Even when life is at it's worst, God is at His best.

But can you trust Him with the minor (or major) details of your life?  Yes, you can.

John 18:1-11 gives us a glimpse at why we can trust God and how He demonstrates He is in charge!

For the full message shared on 06-10-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: Who's in Charge?

Question the Obvious

I love those pictures that have more than one view point.

 I would often use them in the classroom to teach my students to question the obvious.  There is always more than one way to look at a problem and the solution is not always what is obvious to the casual observer.



Jesus used a similar approach when He spoke to Nicodemus.  Using the familiar, He taught the ruler of the Law to question the obvious.  Question what he had been taught, what he believed, what he trusted.  In doing so, Jesus was quite blunt and rebuked Nicodemus for not delving deeper into the Truth found in God's Word.

Sometimes, we are no different from the religious leaders and hypocrites of Jesus' day.  We hold to a form of godliness, but deny its power.  We say we are 'Christians', but does our fruit bear witness?  Maybe we need to question the obvious.  Question whether or not we truly believe or are we just getting by.

Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep My commandments." (John 14:15).  Do you love Him?  Don't leave any room for questioning.

For the full message shared on 06-03-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 

Question the Obvious

The Scrutiny of God

Okay.  This week's post may be controversial but it is a topic that most everyone has struggled with at one time or another.  No, I'm not talking politics, sex, or child rearing.  I don't even think this topic is restricted to religion.

Regardless of who you are or how you were raised; at one time or another we have all questioned God.  You know what I'm talking about.  There in the midst of the storm you look up to heaven and ask, "Why?"  "Why me?" "Why this?"  "Why now?" "Where are you, God?"

We tend to scrutinize the plan of God and question Him as though we would be better off if we were in charge.  Some may even believe they are.  And so we fire our questions at Him and have the audacity to think He should answer us.  Kind of arrogant on our part.  Here the Sovereign Ruler of all Creation is interrogated by those He created.  Should the jar question the potter?

We must remember, GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT!

At the same time, I don't think that in questioning God we can or will diminish who He is one iota.  Throughout Scripture we see examples of those who have scrutinized the plans of God.  David, Moses, the Disciples and more.  However, in each example, it is evident that in the end they all concluded, GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT!


So, this week I took a closer look at one such example: Job.  Job.  You think you have it rough, try walking in his shoes.  In the end Job concluded, GOD IS GOD AND I AM NOT!

For the full message shared on 05-27-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 
The Scrutiny of God

A Woman of Strength

Mothers are not only wonderful teachers, they are full of incredible strength.  There is a difference between strong women and women of strength:

• A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape, but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.
• A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything, but a woman of strength shows her courage in the midst of fear.
• A Strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her, but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.
• A strong woman walks sure-footedly, but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.
• A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but a woman of strength wears grace.
• A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but a woman of strength has the faith that in the journey she will become strong.

For the full message shared on 05-13-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 
A Woman of Strength

Precious In His Sight

Remember that song we learned as children:
   Jesus loves the little children, 
   All the children of the world,
   Red and yellow, black and white,
   They are precious in His sight
   Jesus loves the little children of the world.

As a kid that was such a wonderful though, that God loves me.

But as we grow up, often we forget how precious we are to Him.


Today I hope to remind you of just how precious you are to our Heavenly Father.

In order to do this we must look at four areas:

• The Purpose of our Redemption,
• The Cost of our Redemption,
• The Plan of our Redemption, and
• The Result of our Redemption

Value is determined by the amount one is willing to pay to make a purchase.  Considering the price God paid don't you think you are...

PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT?

For the full message shared on 05-06-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: Precious in His Sight

The Conduct of a Believer

You may talk the talk, but do you walk the walk?

That question often comes to mind when I consider the way believers are suppose to act.  It's been said that Christians are among the most judgmental people on earth; and that may be true.

It is sad, but true.  We talk the talk - "Love your neighbor" - but how many of us will go out of our way to help those in need?

Unfortunately, we judge people based on what we gain from the relationship.  Now consider this, what if God treated us the way we treat others.  Would you receive mercy?  Would His grace rain down on you?  Would His gift of salvation be free?

The Conduct of a Believer is to be based on God's actions toward us.  He withheld the consequences of our sin to provide us the opportunity to turn to Him.  He poured out His grace so that our cup overflows.  "He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16].

So does your conduct reflect the Savior?

For the full message shared on 04-29-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
The Conduct of a Believer

Who Am I ??

Satan attacks us with a furry of fiery missiles.  He often seeks to destroy our foundation.  The following Scriptures are specific verses to remind you of who you are in Christ.

In Christ I am…

            … the salt of the earth and the light of the world. (Matt. 5:13,14)

            … a child of God. (John 1:12)

            … part of the true vine, a channel of Christ’s life. (John 15:1,5)

            … Christ’s friend. (John 15:15)

            … chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit. (John 15:16)

            … a slave of righteousness and enslaved to God. (Rom. 6:18, 22)

            … a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Rom. 8:14, 15)

            … a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him. (Rom. 8:17)

Let your light SHINE

"You are the Light of the world... Let your light SHINE before men 

in such a way that they may see your good works and 

glorify your Father who is in heaven.” [Mt.5:14, 16]

Blind man's bluff is a great game to play and a good depiction of the many way people go through life - blind, groping around in the darkness, stumbling and tripping over the many obstacles that are in the way.  Although the game is fun, there is nothing funny about their predicament.  The course of the lost is harmful both here on earth and in eternity.  Sin places every person on the path to destruction.

Knowing that men are blind and unable to come to Him on their own

"God demonstrated His own love to us in this: 

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." 

Romans 5:8

He provided the means to meet our greatest need - this is the theme that we see throughout Scripture; and it is the source of the Light that we need to allow to SHINE!


For the full message shared on 04-22-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
SHINE

Giving God His Due

Here it is Tax Day and time to file our taxes.  Nobody really enjoys paying taxes, but it is our legal obligation as US citizens.

When Jesus was presented with the question as to the legality of Jews paying taxes to the Romans, the Pharisees thought they had Him in a Catch 22.  Answer No and the Romans would try Him for treason.  Answer Yes and the Pharisees would claim He was blaspheming.  Either way He couldn't win; or so they thought.

The answer wasn't as simple as yes or no.  Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God that which is God's"


For the full message shared on 04-15-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
Giving God His Due

Resurrected Joy

Have you allowed anyone to steal your joy? 

• Satan is always on the prowl to rob you of the joy that is within you.  He finds pleasure in your loss.  
• People also tend to steal our joy.  You know what I’m talking about… that individual whose comments (although meant to be harmless) you take personally.  Or perhaps the person who says something to hurt you, and you let it cut you deep.  
• Situations frequently steal our joy.  When things don’t go your way, or the way you thought they should go, and we sulk and pout our disapproval.  I know of a number of folks who, when their team loses a game, will become sullen and depressed; allowing their joy to be taken from them.

It is commonly thought that the female gender is weaker, more emotional than men; but as we see from the biblical account of Christ’s death, it was this ‘weaker’ gender that had the strength to stand by their Lord while most of the other disciples (the men) ran away.  These women, who remained with Jesus, who likely saw Him beaten, who Luke says followed Him as He bore the cross to Calvary, who John reports as standing by Christ’s cross as He died; these women were women of great strength, but at the death of their Savior they had lost their joy.


God knows our every need and He knew the need of these ladies to get into the tomb.  Now while the need was met, the purpose was different.  They were headed in to see Jesus, God opened the tomb to reveal Jesus was not there. (But that’s getting ahead the story.)


For the full message shared on 04-01-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
Resurrected Joy_040712

Jesus is the KEY to being FREE

Some of you may have heard of the German Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he was 39 yrs. old when he spoke publicly against the Nazi regime and was promptly arrested and sent to prison.  As Christmas approached, Bonhoeffer sat alone in his cell journaling when a thought occurred to him how our lives are like prison cells and Christ the means to freedom.

He wrote, “We putter around inside our stone walls and iron bars, and we long to be free.  But the door is locked, and it can only be opened from the outside.”  Bonhoeffer would not survive the war; being a disciple of Christ cost him his life.  His best known book is ‘The Cost of Discipleship’.  A faith not worth dying for is not worth living for either.

As long as we struggle to free ourselves we remain locked up in the cell that Bonhoeffer described.  There is only one key to free us from the chains of sin, Jesus.  He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” [Jn. 8:36].

Jesus is the KEY to being FREE.

For the full message shared on 04-01-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33857339

Abiding in Christ's Love

 

I have death on my mind. No, I'm not suicidal, but thanks for your concern.  Over the past weeks I have attended two funerals.  One individual was a believer, the other a member of the Sikh faith.  One a celebration of life and a graduation ceremony, the other filled with mourning, sorrow, and rituals based on the lies of the Deceiver.

Solomon, the wisest of men, wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:2, "It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart."  The point he makes is that we all will die (unless the Lord returns soon).  For this reason I have death on my mind.

As I contemplate death the question arose, "If I knew I was to die soon, what would I want to say to those I love?"  I would want my wife to know how much I love her and appreciate her, how I am who I am today because of her love and support.  I would want my children to know how proud I am of their desire to love and serve the Lord.  I would want all of them to know how sorry I am for my failures and thankful for their forgiveness.  Above all, I would want them to continue to serve the Lord with all their heart.

As I read John 15, Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem (to die), and some of His final words to those He loved included this:

"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." [vv. 9-10].

 

The evidence that we are 'abiding in Christ's love' is that we keep His commandments.  When we consider all that God commands we are reminded of Christ's summary; "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength; this is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend the WHOLE law and the prophets."  [Matthew 22:37-39 (Emphasis mine)]

Jesus instructs His disciples to live responsibly before God and with their fellow man right before hHe leaves this world.  Apparently this was some of His final instructions and therefore quite important.  Our vertical relationship with God is vital as is our horizontal relationship with others!!  If we love God it will show in how we relate to others.  Abiding in Christ's love is evident in our obedience to His commands, and He commands that we love one another.

Renewing Our Call to Unity

 

Do you remember reading the Peanuts cartoon in which Lucy tells Linus to change the tv channel to something she wants to watch?  When Linus asks her why, Lucy responds, "There are five reasons why.  Individually they may not be convincing but put together they are."  Linus later looks at his own hand and asks, "Why can't you guys ever work together like that?"

There are many reasons why the Church should work in unity.  Individually they may not be all that compelling, but collectively they create a very convincing appeal.

For the full message shared on 03-18-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33759523

(Due to technical difficulties I had to re-record this message in my office. Unfortunately this means the response of the congregation is missing as is some of the impromptu additions, but I pray the Spirit's message will still go forth and touch your heart.)

Cultivating Compassion

You know that feeling you get in your stomach when you are going down the first drop of a roller coaster. It’s the same feeling when you hear horrible news. Your stomach feels like it has just been kicked in. The New Testament has a Greek word for that feeling; it is "splagchna.” It literally means bowels or guts, but it is translated “Compassion.”  

Our word “Compassion” comes from two Latin words (com & pati); literally means “suffering with” others.  Some are especially gifted - able to identify with others.  Some in the church are especially gifted at praying, or sharing their faith. But we are all required to pray and share our faith, whether we are gifted at it or not. The same is true of compassion. We are all meant to cultivate compassion.



For the full message shared on 03-11-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33748754

Viral Faith

  

How would you feel if you were justly incarcerated, freed by the acts of a benefactor, but never told of the gift? Would you be frustrated, maybe even angered by information being withheld that would release you from bondage?  I know I would... but hold that thought.

What about salvation?  When Christians fail to share the truth of the Gospel with non-believers are we not doing the same?  Freedom from sin has been granted by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, yet the world remains incarcerated in sin because they often are not aware of the freedom available to them.

The responsibility now falls upon us to let this world know that they have been set free through Jesus Christ. If they will only accept him as their Savior and Lord, that freedom is theirs. But there is a problem. It is the greatest story that is never told. 

We need to recapture the passionate commitment of the first century church; we need to ignite the passion they demonstrated.  When they got the Great Commission word from Jesus, they believed with all their hearts that their primary reason for being here on earth was to go make disciples. We have to recapture that. When you look at this in the book of Acts, you see that the faith of the disciples, in today’s terminology, went “viral.”  The faith of these few went viral and began to spread everywhere.

For the full message shared on 03-04-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to: 
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33736808

The Privilege of Prayer

Audience with a foreign dignitary requires the following of certain protocols.  If you ever have an audience with the Queen of England there is a strict no touch policy – one may only offer a hand after she first extends her hand.  No other physical contact should occur.  One greets the queen with “Your Majesty”.  

Likewise, when meeting the president, he is to be addressed as “Mr. President.”  Anything less is an insult.  I would imagine meeting either would cause one to pause and reflect prior to the encounter.  

Similarly, prayer is our encounter with God.  Prayer in its simplist definition is talking to God; but developing a seasoned prayer life requires practicing the privilege of prayer.


For the full message shared on 02-26-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33727984

Clarity, Courage, and Breakthroughs

Have you ever been in need of clarity, courage, or a breakthrough in your life?  I have; and I've found that I'm not the only one to seek one or all of these.  Surprised?  Probably not, but what may surprise you is that the Bible is full of examples of men and women who were seeking one of these three gems.

How are we supposed to find the clarity to know what God desires of us?  Were can we find the courage to do the difficult tasks that seem impossible?  When sin seems to constantly entrap us, what can we do to breakthrough?

The spiritual discipline of fasting is designed to answer these questions and many more.

At the Heart of Fasting is this definition:

             Fasting is the spiritual discipline of refraining from food

 for a period of time to focus on God.

Many benefits are connected with a fast: physical, emotional, and spiritual.

You may have some questions about fasting...
But why fast?  The short answer is because Jesus told those that follow Him to fast.  [“Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:16-17]

Why food?  If you think about it food is the one thing that every person desires; in fact, food is one of the top three essentials necessary to survive.  We place such a high priority on food that for some it is an idol.  God is to be THE top priority and by fasting we are reminded of this fact.  Fasts also vary from absolute fasts (not eating or drinking), to normal fasts (refraining from all food and drinking lots of water), to partial fasts (cutting out choice foods from your diet).

How long does a fast last?  Biblical examples of fasts stretch from short fasts of 24 hrs. to longer fasts of up to 40 days.

What is the point?  The point is not to will yourself to complete the task, but to pray and be obedient to God for the length and type of fast in which you partake.  When we fast it is to focus on God, what He desires, what He directs.  You may enter a fast with one goal in mind and somewhere during the course find that God is leading you in a completely different direction.

The Old Testament prophet Joel called the people of Judah seek clarity, courage, and breakthroughs from sin by "Consecrating a holy fast and a sacred assembly." [Consecrate a fast, Proclaim a solemn assembly;      Gather the elders And all the inhabitants of the land To the house of the LORD your God, And cry out to the LORD. Joel 1:14]

I would suggest that if we would like to find clarity, courage, and breakthroughs in our lives we should do the same.

For the full message shared on 02-19-12 at the  First Church of God - Racine, WI go to:
http://www.esnips.com/displayimage.php?pid=33688997