Life Insurance Needs

Peace of Mind Now, Peace for your Family Later

As a minister, I have officiated many funerals.  Some were celebrations of lives will lived and glorious homecomings of the Lord's saints as they entered their eternal home.  Some were heart-wrenching as there seemed no hope after death.  Some were sudden endings due to an accident or some type of unexpected bodily shut down; and some came about after years of declining health.  Nevertheless, one thing is for sure... We all will experience death.  While we cannot be sure of the time and date, we can be prepared. We can be prepared spiritually by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We can also be prepared with making sure that our final expenses are taken care of and our families will not lose their homes.  While money does not give us in any terms everything, it does give us options.  The verse below is one that is quite blunt, but it makes for good wisdom.

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” 

 The Holy Bible: New International Version (Is 38:1). (1984). Zondervan.

Get your house in order!  Check your insurance policies and make sure they are in good order.  Talk with a trusted agent that can guide you through the process so that indeed you can have peace of mind now and peace for your family later!  

How's Your Pilgrimage?

Had to make a drive yesterday.  I needed to pick up my mother and take her to a medical appointment, then return to my house by going to a school where my daughter was playing basketball in the last regular game of her 8th grade season.  It was a big ole circle and each destination was out of the way of the appointment places and times.  The driving time was about 4 hours and 20 minutes and I covered over 200 miles.  I had things to do at each destination, yet I discovered that most of my time was spent during the journey.

Great wisdom comes from the Scripture, but what a reminder I received this morning when I read Psalm 84:4-5.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising You.  

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

I have found myself asking a few questions as a result.  Is your heart set on the destination or the pilgrimage?  Am I too busy to get to the destination that I forget about the journey?  It seems, according to this verse, that what matters is the journey itself, not the destination.  As I reflected on my drive yesterday, I thought of how much I enjoyed everything I encountered along the way.  Sure my visits and time at the various destinations were valuable, but the journey along the way prepared me for the visits and appointments.  The time spent traveling, the thoughts, the scenery.  The journey.  Maybe that is what it is all about, the pilgrimage as the Psalmist puts it.  Sometimes it is not the distance that matters nor the mode of travel, it is what you do along the way.  

Lord, help me embrace the pilgrimage. Help me, whether I am going two steps or two hundred miles to know that it is the journey that matters.

A Walk with Christ to the Cross: Betrayed and Denied

A Walk with Christ to the Cross: Betrayed and Denied

Mitch Marlowe / General

A Walk with Christ to the Cross

Introduction

Have you ever been betrayed?  Perhaps it was a relationship that for whatever reason went south.  Perhaps it was someone trying to get leverage on you for their financial gain.  Perhaps it was someone you loved.  Betrayal, just like in all these scenarios, is very painful. 

Betrayal is evident throughout the history of man and evident in the Bible.

Psalm 41:9 NIV84

         Even my close friend, whom I trusted,
         he who shared my bread,
         has lifted up his heel against me.

And again in Psalm 55:12-14

Psalm 55:12–14 NIV84

         If an enemy were insulting me,
         I could endure it;
         if a foe were raising himself against me,
         I could hide from him.
         But it is you, a man like myself,
         my companion, my close friend,
         with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
         as we walked with the throng at the house of God.

Jesus experienced betrayal as He was approaching the cross.

Matthew 26:14–16 NIV84

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Betrayal is something that just doesn’t happen overnight.  Usually it comes about over a period of time where there has been lots of thought put in to it.   That thought could be centered around a lie or misperception that was allowed to be fueled for whatever reason to the point it becomes an inferno that gets out of control.

Judas Iscariot was one of the chosen 12.  Over a period of almost 3 years he had seen and heard Jesus.  There are a handful of verses that we can learn about Judas, most of which identify him as the one who betrayed Jesus.  One particular passage, we learn about more about the character of Judas:

John 12:1–6 NIV84

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Jesus rebuked him.

Later in John 13, Jesus identifies Judas as the one that was going to betray Him.

Judas evidently was a person of great potential.  After all Jesus had chosen Him to be one of the Apostles.   Jesus loved him and gave him the most honored opportunity:  the privilege of walking with Him personally.

From the scriptures we learn that Judas:

•    knew Christ face-to-face

•    walked with Christ every day

•    Heard most of what Christ taught

•    Witnessed most of what Christ accomplished

•    was trained to be an apostle by Christ Himself

•    Served on witnessing tours under the command of Christ

•    Was a leader among the disciples and was respected by them

•    was an outstanding business leader

•    was the treasurer of the group

•    enjoyed the love and camaraderie of his fellow disciples

•    was warned of sin’s consequences by Christ Himself

There’s much to be said about the strengths and opportunities that Judas had been given, yet he fell to the depths of evil.

Why?

Well, Judas seemed to be guilty of selfish ambition.  It seems he joined up with Jesus for all the wrong reasons.  He thought that Jesus was going to trample all religious authority and political obstacles and set up an earthly kingdom.

Judas must have loved the attention in that the crowds gave Jesus.

However, Judas came to a point where he didn’t like what Jesus was teaching about giving the poor and helping the sick.  Judas wanted power and perhaps he grew increasing bitter because his expectations weren’t being met.  Jesus was not the Messiah he had hoped for.

I had a professor that said once “selfishness is the sin that stinks all the way to heaven.”  I think Judas was guilty of selfishness.  In fact, we learn that for 30 silver coins, Judas was convinced to turn Jesus over to the authorities.

John 13:18–30 NIV84

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
“What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.

Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

The disciples thought that Judas was leaving to go get things for the feast. They had no idea what he was about to do.

Jesus knew.  He always knows.  He knows whether our motives are pure or selfish.  He knows all things.  Amazingly, yet He still loves us.

There is a lesson we can learn here:

It is possible to be:

•    Loved by Jesus

•    Gifted

•    Around other Christians

•    Students of the teachings of Christ

•    A “supposed” Christian leader

•    One who witnesses supernatural miracles

•    Respected by others

and STILL be an enemy of Christ. 

The betrayal by Judas of Christ convinces me that there are satanic traps all around and we have to be very careful.

1 Peter 5:8 NIV84

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV84

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Later in the story we learn that Jesus tells Peter that before the rooster crows he will have denied Christ 3 times.

Sure enough, it happens just like that.

If Judas can betray and Peter can deny, what could you and I do?

The point is that you and I are no better than a Judas or a Peter.  We have daily opportunities to confess Christ as Lord or betray and deny Him, even to the point of saying that we do not know Him.

Are you protecting your relationship with Christ?  Are you living out your life fully for Him or are you betraying and denying Him?

Here are a few things that you and I can to avoid the trap of betrayal and denial:

1.  First and foremost, stay close and stay clean.  Stay close to the cross and avoid anything that might dishonor what Christ has done for us.

2.  Pray.  Pray and then Pray.

3.  Commit to being a student of God’s word by scheduling daily time to study it and meditate on it.

4.  Connect with a small group that will pray with you and hold you accountable.

5.  Understand that you and I are not invincible and we will fail.  However, when we do, God’s forgiveness is greater than any failure we may have.  His restoration is beautiful and His grace is sufficient.

Beginning Again

Beginning Again

Mitch Marlowe / General

Nehemiah 1:1–11

Notes

Advent Christian Church 1-1-2017

Have You Ever Had to Begin Again?

Well did you stay up last night and watch the ball drop?  Did you make those New Year resolutions?  I read this week that only 8% of us actually keep all of our New Year's resolutions.  And in my mind, half of those are lying!

It seems we are always struggling and we can either give up or begin again.

Have you ever been in a situation that you needed to begin again?

Nehemiah shows us 3 great principles that we can use to begin again.   Let's take a look at this passage and allow me to walk with you through these verses.

Nehemiah 1:1-12

The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:

In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

According to scholars, this time of the year was like our November  and December.

Hanani could have been a blood brother or just someone that was close as a brother.  Later in the book, he has a prominent place of leadership.

Look at verse 3.

They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Have you ever thought about home?  I am from Statesville in Iredell County.  I am always interested in hearing about what is happening back home.  I will occasionally read the paper online to stay connected.  When I hear of trouble and heartache there, I too get troubled.  I can imagine that is what Nehemiah experienced here. 

However, I think metaphorically speaking there is another application here.  Jerusalem at that time was the spiritual center of the world.  The walls and gates housed the temple where the priests made atonement for the sins of the people.  During this time, not only the walls and gates had been destroyed but the city was in ruins having been over run by enemies. 

Interestingly, Paul called our bodies the temple of God. 

1 Corinthians 3:16 NIV84

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Have your spiritual walls ever been in ruin?  Perhaps you have found yourself in a condition needing repair and with no hope in sight.  Maybe you feel this way right now and are in need of repair.  On this first day of the New Year I have hope for you.  Not only can your spiritual walls be rebuilt, but they can be fortified with a cornerstone.

Isaiah 28:16 NIV84

So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

         “See, I lay a stone in Zion,
         a tested stone,
         a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
         the one who trusts will never be dismayed.

Look now back at Nehemiah 1:4

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

When you get discouraging news, what do you do?  Do you get angry?  Do you withdraw from those around you?  Look at what Nehemiah did.  He sat down.  I think this means he spent some time pondering it, thinking about it.  The bible then tells us he wept.  There are many things that will make us distraught.  This past November on election day, I voted and when I left the voting booth, I literally wept over the condition in our country.  Nehemiah says that he mourned for days and he fasted and prayed.  Notice his progression here, he didn't stop with life.  He progressed through his sorrow and used that time to prepare himself to go before God.

Notice what happens next in verses 5-11:

Then I said:

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

There are several applications we can find in this prayer.  First and foremost, if you have a Bible that gives your lots of cross references,  you will notice that almost every phrase in this prayer is a reference to another passage in the Bible.  One of the beautiful aspects of the Word of God is that it interprets itself.  I want to encourage you to look at the references that come from other places in the Old Testament: Deuteronomy, 1 and 2 Kings, Daniel, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all are referenced in this short prayer.  This tells me that Nehemiah was a student of God's word and he used God's word in his prayer.  Do you ever pray utilizing Scripture? 

Look at the attributes of this prayer:

There is Praise:

“O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands,

There is Confession:

I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

There is Petition:

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.

This is just not just a "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer!  It is a prayer that is scripturally-based.  It is a prayer that is for the people of Nehemiah's home.  It is a prayer for guidance and preparation as Nehemiah recognizes the opportunity in front of him:

O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

Notice what Nehemiah throws in after his prayer:

I was cupbearer to the king.

This is far from being arrogant on Nehemiah's part. He certainly doesn't throw in a "nana nana boo boo" here!  Nehemiah is reminding us of his circle of influence.  He has told us that he spent some time thinking about the situation as well as praying about the situation.  Notice the pattern here:  Each step is carefully designed and well thought out! Now he is showing us that God has placed him in a special place.

Ezra and Nehemiah: An Introduction and Commentary The Prayer of Nehemiah (1:4–11)

The cupbearer (the same word as the ‘butler’ of the Joseph story, Gen. 40:2ff.) was a high official in the royal household, whose basic duty of choosing and tasting the wine to demonstrate that it was not poisoned, and of presenting it to the king, gave him frequent access to the king’s presence and made him potentially a man of influence.

Don't you know that God has a way of placing His people right where they need to be?  Think about your circle of influence.  You and I have been divinely placed in areas where we can demonstrate His love.  Whether it is your work, your family, your garden club, your civic club, your favorite booth in your favorite restaurant or even the pew you are sitting on right now!  God can use your circle of influence to rebuild lives!  Are you letting Him?

So what can we take from this incredible passage?  There are 3 principles that you and I can apply today and begin this New Year in a way that will help us rebuild our spiritual walls.

First, Nehemiah started right where he was.  Too often when we are faced with a tough situation where we need to begin again, we think we have to wait until the situation gets better, or when we can afford it, or when the right timing occurs.  Nehemiah recognized that he needed to begin again right now.  You and I can learn lots from that!  There is no time like the present! 

Hebrews 3:13 NIV84

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Luke 23:43 NIV84

Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

A second principle that you and I can learn from Nehemiah in beginning again, is Nehemiah synthesized the facts.  In other words, Nehemiah gathered lots of information to understand the situation.

I don't think he goes to FACEBOOK to get his facts!  Have you ever noticed that when something happens and we want to gain instant news, where do we turn?  Nehemiah gathered facts.  I would imagine that he was able to discern the facts and filter them through Godly wisdom.  Nehemiah listened to those he trusted and processed what was happening in his beloved home. 

The third principle we see here is probably the most important of all:  In beginning again, Nehemiah sought sovereign wisdom through prayer.  What would happen if you and I prayed as much as we worried?  What about if we prayed as much as we complained?  The example we have here is scriptural prayer complete with praise,  confession, and petition.  I don't think we can go wrong doing this in 2017 do you?

How are you going to begin again?

Holy Living

Holy Living

Mitch Marlowe / General

Holy Living starts right now

It Starts Right Now

1 Peter 3:15–17 NIV84

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

In your hearts...SET

There has to be intention.  There has to be purpose.  You have to mean to do it!  How do you position your heart to set apart Christ as Lord?  What is Lord of your life? 

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 1 Peter 3:8–15

We sanctify the Lord God in our hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts of him are awful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections.

Matthew 6:9 NIV84

“This, then, is how you should pray:

         “ ‘Our Father in heaven,
         hallowed be your name,

Isaiah 8:13 NIV84

         The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,
         he is the one you are to fear,
         he is the one you are to dread,

1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary b. Trust Christ (3:14b–15a)

To reverence Christ as Lord means really to believe that Christ, not one’s human opponents, is truly in control of events. To have such reverence in your hearts is to maintain continually a deep-seated inward confidence in Christ as reigning Lord and King, who even now has ‘angels, authorities, and powers subject to him’

The Letters of James and Peter The Christian’s Security in a Threatening World (1 Peter 3:13–15a)

Christians are people for whom God and Jesus Christ are of prime importance in life; their relationship to God in Christ is life’s greatest value. If people’s hearts are set on earthly things, possessions, happiness, pleasure, an easy life and comfort, they are of all people most vulnerable. For, in the nature of things, they may lose these things at any moment. Such people are desperately easily hurt. On the other hand, if they give to Jesus Christ the unique place in their lives, the most precious thing for them is their relationship to God, and nothing can take that from them. Therefore, they are completely secure.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seven: Preparing for the Best! (1 Peter 3:8–17)

It is Matthew 6:33 and Romans 12:1–2 combined into a daily attitude of faith that obeys God’s Word in spite of consequences. It means being satisfied with nothing less than the will of God in our lives

Matthew 6:33 NIV84

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Romans 12:1–2 NIV84

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Be Prepared

Once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout!  For many years, I had the honor of being involved in scouts.  The very foundation of the scouting world is its motto:  BE PREPARED!

Paul is giving us the the scout motto here way before scouts existed!

How can you be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have?

We have a couple of distinct imperatives here.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV84

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have."

If someone were to ask you why you have the faith you have, what would you say? 

Perhaps you have the faith that your parents had.

Perhaps you have the faith you have because it felt like the right thing to do.

Or, just maybe you have the faith you have because you can remember a time in your life where you realized you were a sinner and needed to have a Savior, you repented from your sin and asked Christ into your life.

I think that is the answer Paul was looking for!  What is the reason for your hope? 

Think with me for a moment, does the hope you have make so much of a difference in your life that others notice it?

If one is hopeful, what does that look like?

•    There is strength and courage

Psalm 31:24 NIV84

         Be strong and take heart,
         all you who hope in the LORD.

•    There is patience

Psalm 33:20 NIV84

         We wait in hope for the LORD;
         he is our help and our shield.

•    There is renewed strength

Isaiah 40:31 NIV84

         but those who hope in the LORD
         will renew their strength.
         They will soar on wings like eagles;
         they will run and not grow weary,
         they will walk and not be faint.

•    There is encouragement

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV84

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

•    There is goodness

Lamentations 3:25 NIV84

         The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
         to the one who seeks him;

•    There is boldness

2 Corinthians 3:12 NIV84

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

•    There is faith and love

Colossians 1:3–6 NIV84

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.

Peter gives the admonition to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope we have, but he goes a step further to describe how we should give that answer:  with gentleness and respect.

When you give others answers for the hope you have, do you give that answer with gentleness and respect or do you give that answer with a cocky, know-it-all attitude? 

Proverbs 15:1 NIV84

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
         but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 25:15 NIV84

         Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
         and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Paul was explaining this further to the Corinthians when he teaching them how to live in 1 Corinthians 4.

1 Corinthians 4:12–21 NIV84

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

Philippians 4:5 NIV84

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Peter reminds us that when we give the answer to the hope we have, we are admonished to do so with gentleness AND respect.

Aretha Franklin said best, "R-E-S-P-E-C-T, FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME! R-E-S-P-E-C-T"

1 Peter 2:17 NIV84

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Leviticus 19:32 NIV84

“ ‘Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.

Are you prepared to give an answer for the hope you have?

This was a very tumulteous week for our country.  People bashing each others' beliefs and thoughts.  There was an absence of gentleness and respect. In fact, through out the whole election process, there was an absence of gentleness and respect.  How are you doing with your scores in gentleness and respect?  Peter tells us that we are to answer for the hope we have in gentleness and respect, "keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 

Notice here that Peter does not say if or when those that speak.  He is implying that it will happen.  Have you ever had someone speak maliciously against you?  How did you react?  Have you ever spoken maliciously against someone?  Did you honor Christ when that happened?

There is another song from the 60's written by Peter Scholtes, a Catholic priest, that describes what will happen if we take this passage from 1 Peter seriously:

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

Have you set apart Christ as Lord and are you prepared to give an answer for the hope you have to everyone which you come in contact?  Are you doing this with gentleness and respect?  Don't you think it is time to do so?

Advice for America

Advice for America

Proverbs 3:5-6

On July 4, 2016, we observed the 240^th birthday of the independence of the United States of America.  History tells us that our forefathers left Europe to come to a land where they could be free from tyranny and having to submit to British rule.  They wanted to have the opportunity to worship freely and to build this great land on the power and Sovereignty of God.  In fact, they penned what we know now as the Declaration of Independence.  The last line of this great document states, “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”  It is no doubt that this great country was built on the principles of Christianity.

Michelle Anderson, on her website www.faithofourfathers.net writes “The pilgrims, as you will recall, were, Christians fleeing Europe in order to escape religious persecution, and they literally began their stay in their new land with the words, ‘In the name of God, Amen.’ The pilgrims were followed to New England by the Puritans, who created bible-based commonwealths. Those commonwealths practiced the same sort of representative government as their church covenants. Those governmental covenants and compacts numbered more than 100, and were the foundation for our Constitution.

New Haven (Connecticut) and Massachusetts were founded by Puritans who wanted to reform the Church of England, who later became known as Congregationalists. Roger Williams founded the colony of Rhode Island based on the principle of freedom of conscience. Pennsylvania was established by William Penn as a Quaker colony. Maryland was a haven for Catholics from Protestant England.

America was indeed founded by bible-believing Christians and based on Christian principles. When they founded this country, the Founding Fathers envisioned a government that would promote and encourage Christianity.”

Did you know that of the first 108 colleges and universities in our country only 2 were not founded on the principles of Christianity.  Harvard and Yale were developed to help promote Christianity.  In fact, in order to be admitted to the University of North Carolina in 1819, a student had to have studied the Book of John and the Book of Acts in Greek.  I spent over years as the Associate Dean of Students at a small Presbyterian affiliated college and I can assure you that was not a requirement of those students to be admitted.  In fact, there were absolutely no requirements whatsoever that had anything remotely to do with Christianity.  We did offer opportunities for worship and clubs that could be on campus promoting Christianity, but these certainly were not the main reason for the existence of the college. 

So are we as a country still one that is based on the principles of Christianity?  Somewhere, somehow, the tide had turned and today every principle that was held near and dear to our forefathers seemingly has gone by the wayside.  The principles of Christianity that were the strongholds that built this country seem to have become annoying out of date suggestions that really just do not matter.  I have found myself to be troubled by this.  I have shaken my head at those trying to run for political offices and thought we are just hopeless.  I have even jumped on the bandwagon of the old Hee Haw song…. “Gloom, despair and agony on me.  Deep dark depression, excessive misery.  If I had no bad luck, I have no luck at all. Gloom despair and agony on me….”

But I have realized something… this is not the first time in the history of mankind in which it seems that all mankind is doomed.  In fact, in every era of history there has been this sense of gloom despair and agony on me.  But we do not have to live that way.  In fact, the Word of God portrays a message that is quite au contraire.  As long as you and I have breath, we have hope.  And for those of us who have come to the place in our lives where we have asked Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we will have hope for all eternity.  So what do we do? 

Proverbs 3:5-6 was introduced to me when I was a senior at Statesville High School.  My English teacher, Mrs. Jolly had the courage to sign my yearbook with the wisdom of these verses.  Although I had been a Christian since I was 8 years old, I really don’t remember hearing much about these short pearls of scripture.  Quite honestly, I can’t tell you the last time I have even heard a sermon centered on these verses. But I can tell you this:  if you and I start adhering to the concepts of these verses, the world as we know it will change and change for the glory of God!  Let me share them with you!

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.^[1]

Look at that very first word, TRUST.  Think about what you have put your trust in just in that last few hours.  You trusted your spouse this morning with a cup of coffee that didn’t have poison in it.  You trusted a shiny little object that you stuck in a hole in your car and started a 200 horsepower engine.  You trusted that car to get you from your home to this wonderful church building.  Along the way, you trusted those drivers coming toward you to not veer over into your lane and cause you to have a wreck.  You trusted this pew that you are sitting on to hold you up and the really big person just down the row from you.  We could go on and on, but the point is made.  You and I trust a whole lot!  The bible is telling us to put our trust in the Lord.  How are you doing with that?  Do you find that as you go through this thing called life that you are trusting other things more than you are trusting the Lord?  Sometimes, I bet you, like me even trust things that are not even real!  Just because someone said it on Facebook does not mean it is real!  We must understand that if there is one thing we can wholeheartedly trust, it is the LORD!  But we must make sure it is of the Lord!  Watch this.  If you take the word TRUST as an acronym, you can begin a process that will help you make sure it is of the Lord. 

TOTALLY

RELY

UPON

SOVEREIGN

TRUTH

In my mind, using this acronym, I can test my trust!  First and foremost, I have to have an understanding about who God is and what He has done for me.  If I am willing to learn about Him, allow His love to come into my heart and mind, and then experience Him fully as I learn more about Him through His word, then I ought to be able to grow in that relationship to TRUST Him!  So if I am TOTALLY RELYING UPON SOVEREIGN TRUTH, then there is no argument, there is no misunderstanding, and there is no wavering.  I have to come to a place where I am willing to allow that to happen.  If I can do this, then the rest will fall in place!  First, I simply TRUST IN THE LORD!  I am not going to place my trust in a politician or a concept, I am going to trust the Lord! 

Look at how this first step makes the rest of these verses flow:  If I put my trust in the LORD, if I am TOTALLY RELYING UPON HIS SOVEREIGN TRUTH, then I am not going to lean on my own understanding.  A few weeks ago, we were sitting at the dinner table eating supper.  I was sitting in this chair that I had made sure a few days earlier that the screws that held the legs on were tight.  I had this understanding that this chair was very solid.  After a couple of bites and conversation with my family, I felt this chair suddenly just collapse underneath me and down I went!  The screws were tight, but the frame was not!  That chair needed to be re-glued and tightened up in an area that I failed to see!  My own understanding was that it was a good chair.  The reality was it was not.  What would have happened if I had prayed, asking God to give me wisdom about that chair?  My God is sovereign!  My God knows ALL. His word tells me that if I need wisdom, to ask and He will give it to me.  Leaning on my own understanding has too often caused me to be embarrassed, hurt, and surprised!  However, when I trust the Lord, and lean not on my own understanding, what do you think happens?  Well, I am glad you asked!

Trusting the Lord has never left me hurt, embarrassed, or ashamed in the long run.  The very nature of God is to love us exactly where we are, but love us enough to not let us stay in that condition!  The remainder of these verses indicate that very concept.  Trust in the Lord.  Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Notice what these verses do not say:  They do not say if you trust in the Lord, your life will be sunshine and daisies!  They do not say that you won’t have hardships and trouble!  They do not say you might have straight paths!  They do not say that He won’t give you understanding!  But they do say, God is trustworthy, God cares for you and me, and if you and I acknowledge Him in everything we do, He is going to be faithful and He will make our traveling less weary.

There’s an underlying theme in these verses that tells us about the nature of God.  Throughout the word of God, we can see His desire for His people to be in fellowship with Him.  He wants that more than anything, but we have this problem.  The bible tells us that because He is so Holy, we cannot have a relationship with Him because we are not holy.  In fact, even if we have committed only just a white lie, we are unholy and are separated from God.  God however because of His great love for us, provided a sacrifice, a bridge if you will that purifies us and cleanses us through the shedding of life.  The bible tells us that God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have life and have it eternally!  In other words, so that you and I can have a relationship with this holy God, a sacrifice had to be given.  That sacrifice was named Jesus and because of His great love for his father and for you and I, he paid the price.  The only thing you and I have to do, is to simply say thank you, acknowledge him as Lord and Savior by turning from ourselves and selfish ways, and allow him to come into our hearts and take over our lives.

Want to make America better?  Start by making yourself better by

5   Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6   in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.^[2]

Here are a few questions to consider:

·        Are you really putting your TRUST in the Lord?

·        Are you really making your Lord SOVEREIGN?

·        What of your ways could you acknowledge Him better?

Consider this prayer:

Holy Father, thank you that you are trustworthy.  Thank you for wanting your children to depend on you, your ways, and your word.  Forgive me when I try to lean on my own understanding.  Help me begin to make this country great again by beginning to practice first and foremost trusting you, leaning not own my understanding, but acknowledging you in all that I do!  Show me your faithfulness.  Guide me.  Lead me.  Help my light shine for you and only for your glory.  Help me to be that instrument of peace, love and help me show Jesus in everything I do!

Because He Lives,

Amen.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Pr 3:5–6). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Pr 3:5–6). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.