Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jan 3rd, 2013 I’m Getting Too Old For This!

Today’s Passage – Genesis 7 – 9

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Proverbs 3 ; Psalm 11 – 15)

“And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.” – (Genesis 7:6)

“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.” – (Genesis 9:28-29)

The thought I have this morning may seem a little strange, but bear with me. Notice that Noah was 600 years old when the flood came, and he lived beyond the flood another 350 years. The lifespan of man back in these early days after creation was obviously a lot longer than it is today. Men and women would have lived forever had sin not entered into their world, but the wages of eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was death; but even still, that death didn’t come for 100’s of years. The flood would cataclysmically change the earth, which would reduce lifespans; and then a strange event is mentioned but not explained in the Bible, which would further reduce the average age that men and women would live on the earth. (See Genesis 10:25; 11:10 – 19) By the time you get to Abraham, man’s years are reduced even further to 175; and eventually God limited man’s years on earth to “three score and ten (70), with possibly another ten years added for good behavior. (Psalm 90:10)

I didn’t mean for this to be an exhaustive study on the Biblical history of lifespans, but I merely wanted to point out that Noah’s life was better than half over when God called him to build the ark and deliver his family through the flood. In today’s years, Noah would have been in his fifties when called upon to do this monumental task for the Lord. Moses was two-thirds of the way done with his life (80 years old) when God called him to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. It seems that God does not have a problem giving older folks the strength and energy to do great things for Him.

I am 48 years old, and I am way past the half way point in my life; but I can still be used of the Lord to accomplish His will. Sometimes, I start to get a little discouraged about how much I have done for the Lord thus far. I would like to have completed some more tasks, done a little more than I have; but then, when I read passages like this, I get encouraged, because it may just be that I will be used of God in greater ways in my remaining years. I bet the same is true for you as well. You are not as young as you used to be, but God still wants to use you to accomplish great things for Him.

Noah Webster completed his monumental American Dictionary of the English Language at age 66.

Benjamin Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence at age 70.

Nola Ochs became the oldest person to receive a college diploma, a degree in general studies with an emphasis on history at age 95.

Grandma Moses (yes it’s a real person) started painting at age 76, and completed over 1000 paintings by the time she died at 101.

Jan 2nd, 2013 Walking with God

Today’s Passage –Genesis 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Proverbs 2; Psalm 6 – 10

Scripture Memorization for January – Philippians 3

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

Read – “Fresh” by Pastor Chappell

“And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” – (Genesis 4:26)

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” – (Genesis 5:24)

“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” – (Genesis 6:9)

When I was in Bible college, I was required to daily record the Bible passages that I had read in a “Walking with God” notebook. I also had to jot down a key verse from the passage along with an explanation of the meaning of the text, and what God wanted me to do with it. What does it really mean to “walk with God”? Is it merely spending a few minutes each day in the Bible, and recording some thoughts, or is there more to it than that? In our passage today, we read about two men who walked with God: Enoch and Noah.

We know quite a bit about Noah. We know that he was seen as righteous by God, which means that he was justified in the sight of God because of his faith in God. We know that he obeyed God by building the ark, and we also know that he was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). There is not much recorded about Enoch in the Bible. The Scripture says that “God took him”, which is very mysterious, but is explained further in the Book of Hebrews:

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” – (Hebrews 11:5)

Enoch is one of only two men in the Bible who has not seen death. God took him (and later, Elijah) up to Heaven with him while he was still alive. That’s pretty cool! He is a type (or a picture) of the church, which will be translated up to God before the coming judgment of the Tribulation Period. By the way, Noah and his family are a type of the nation Israel, which will be spared through the judgment. Unlike Enoch, Noah endured the flood, but was saved.

Both of these men, however, walked with God, meaning that they enjoyed an intimate relationship with God through faith. Walking with God begins with a relationship. Notice in Genesis 4:26, the Scripture says that men began “to call upon the name of the Lord”. Your relationship with God begins when you call upon his name for forgiveness:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – (Romans 10:13)

However, walking with God means more than just being born into God’s family, it also involves continued communion with Him. Every relationship in life needs communication in order for it to grow. It is apparent that Enoch and Noah both spent time with God on a daily basis, communing with Him. You cannot walk with God without spending time with God in His Word, in prayer, and in His House.

Walking with God will also involve obedience. Enoch and Noah lived their lives in obedience to the will of God. If we are ever going to get to the place where we are walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord, we must learn to obey Him. We must surrender our stubborn will to His, and let Him direct our path.

Walking with God is a wonderful privilege, not a chore; it is a joy, not a drudgery. To think that the Creator of the universe wants to spend some one on one time with me, and also wants to use me in His Kingdom. What an awesome God we serve!

Jan 19th, 2012 Judgment Day

Today’s Passage – Genesis 48 – 50

(Second Milers also read – Mark 9 – 10; Proverbs 19; Psalms 91 – 95

Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1

Read “Voluntary Pain” by Pastor Paul Chappell

“And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” (Genesis 49:1)

I remember when I was a young person attending school. At the end of every school year there was an awards ceremony and they would give out various awards for attendance, academics, athletics, and even some for attitude. I didn’t receive many awards as a child, I was what you might call “exceedingly average” in just about every area. Looking back on my school days, I can only recall receiving three awards: two in intermediate school, and one in college (the first time I went to college – not Bible school). However, I remember that every time I attended one of those awards ceremonies, or a commencement exercise, I would always feel two things. First, I would feel regret for not having applied myself more that year. I would realize that I could and should have done more; I should have worked harder; I shouldn’t have goofed off so much, wasting valuable time. The second thing that I would feel is motivated. I would determine that next year was going to be different for me; next year I was going to do better; next year I would be up there on the stage getting some kind of award. The only problem was that my weaknesses in character always outlasted my bursts of motivation.

You may be wondering what all of this has to do with the passage that we read in Genesis this morning. Well, here is the connection. Every time I read chapter 49 in Genesis, I am reminded of these award ceremonies. Except, here it is the one who is graduating to Heaven that is handing out the awards. Jacob is about to die, and he calls all of his children together to pronounce a blessing upon some. Unfortunately, he also will be pronouncing a curse upon others. Can you imagine the last words that you hear out of your father’s mouth before he dies being words of regret, rather than words of praise. I know well what it feels like trying to live a life that is pleasing to a father. I spent a good deal of my young adulthood trying to receive “attaboys” from my dad by achieving sales and success in the business world, which was his life. I think every child desires to please their father; at least most do. I cannot imagine the hurt I would feel if my father were to offer words of regret about my life at his passing. These sons of Jacob had all ran out of time. The time to live a life that would be worthy of being blessed by their father had passed.

You know what’s worse, however, than not receiving words of blessing and praise from your earthly father? Not receiving them from your Heavenly Father. Someday all who are His children will stand before Him and give account for their lives. Some will hear words of praise and will receive rewards; others will not. I want to please my Heavenly Father in my life today so that He will someday say to me, “Well done”. I guess I never got past that desire to hear “attaboy”; only now it is my Heavenly Father that I want to live for. Don’t misunderstand, I love my dad dearly, and I want my life to be a source of blessing to him as well, but my passion in life today is to live for God. I want the same thing for my children. Yes I want to be pleased with them, but ultimately the only thing that matters is if God is pleased with them.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4)

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” – (Hebrews 9:27)

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” – (Romans 14:10)

Jan 18th, 2012 The Big Picture

Today’s Passage – Genesis 45 – 47

(Second Milers also read – Mark 7 – 8; Proverbs 18; Psalms 86 – 90)

“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5)

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 20)

Joseph was truly a man of great spirituality. As I was reading through these chapters of Genesis, there was something that stood out: Joseph forgave his brothers. The fascinating thing about Joseph’s forgiveness, however, is that it was not requested by the brothers. The brothers do not actually ask for Joseph’s forgiveness until after the death of Jacob in chapter 50. I am not so sure that their motivation was exactly pure, either. They were probably just trying to make sure that Joseph would not finally get even now that Dad was gone. However, Joseph then will just reiterate the forgiveness he already gave them in chapter 45.

There is one more thing that I would like to point out regarding Joseph’s perspective on what hs brothers had done to him. He says in chapter 50 that, though the brothers fully intended to do Joseph harm, God allowed (“meant”) it for good. For whose good you might ask? Well think about it. If Joseph’s brothers had not sold him into slavery, Joseph would not have been strategically positioned to ultimately become the prime minister of Egypt. From his position there he was able to feed the people of Egypt and the rest of the surrounding areas; including his family back in Canaan. The “bad” thing that his brothers did was made “good” by God. In fact we can see through hindsight that God’s sovereign hand was in the whole thing; not that God caused Joseph’s brothers to sin against him, but that God could take their willful crime against him, and through his foreknowledge, use it for good and His glory. Joseph had the right perspective. He could see the “Big Picture”.

How do we look at the “bad” events of our lives. You’ve noticed I’m sure that life is full of “bad” things: bad people; bad accidents; bad health; you get the idea. The key to true spirituality is how you choose to look at these events that God has allowed to enter into your life. Maybe He’s trying to get your attention. Maybe He’s trying to teach you something. Maybe He is using you to glorify Himself in the eyes of somebody else. You may not understand completely all the “good” that God is doing through the “bad” things that are happening; but know this: God is doing something, and everything God does is good. And also know this: the tunnel you may be going through today may be very dark, but if you stick with God, you will eventually get to the light at the end of it. It’s easy to see the light when you get out of the tunnel; but the truly spiritual person will see the light through the eyes of faith when he is in the darkest recesses of the problem that has come his way. You will get out of the valley and back on top of the mountain; but you have to trust God. Remember, He loves you more than you love yourself.

Let me challenge you. If you are going through a trial in your life today, try to look beyond the immediate problem, and see the big picture. God is in control. He knows what He is doing, and He will make something wonderful come out of it. Contrary to the way many of us thing, the universe does not revolve around us; it revolves around Christ. His sovereign plan is the big picture.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Jan 17th, 2012 A Changed Man

Today’s Passage – Genesis 43 – 44

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Proverbs 17; Psalms 81 – 85)

Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Growth Points 005 by Paul Chappell – Thoughts on Separation

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” (Genesis 37:26 & 27)

“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad benot with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” (Genesis 44:33 & 34)

There is quite a contrast between the events that take place in chapter 37 and chapter 44 of the Book of Genesis. In chapter 37 the brothers of Joseph want to put Joseph to death (all except Reuben). Judah, who is the fourth oldest son comes up with idea of selling his brother into slavery. His idea does save Joseph’s life, but consider with me what this heinous act did to Joseph’s father, Jacob. We are all familiar with the events that transpired in the life of Joseph; they are recorded in these chapters 37 through 44. God had his hand on Joseph, and although he certainly suffered, God raised him up to a position of great influence and authority. But what about Jacob? For years Jacob thought his favorite son, Joseph, was dead. Joseph’s brothers seemed to have no problem going home and telling their father that their brother was killed by some wild beast. How could their level of compassion and care for their father be so low that they would be willing to put him through the tragic loss of Joseph.

There is quite a change, however, in chapter 44. Joseph puts his brothers through a series of tests. (You will have to read the story for yourself in order to fully grasp the thought I am trying to convey here.) The final test is when Joseph arranges to “set up” Benjamin his youngest brother. I think Joseph was really trying to keep Benjamin safe with him, away from his other brothers. He tells the brothers that Benjamin is going to have to be kept as a bondman in Egypt. But notice how Judah intercedes this time for his brother. He remembers what the loss of Joseph did to the father, Jacob; and now he is doing everything in his power to keep the same thing from happening to Benjamin. He knows that the loss of Benjamin will completely destroy his father. He even goes as far as to offer to take the place of Benjamin. This is certainly quite a change from his earlier days.

Judah changed. God changed him. God can change you and I too. People can change. I believe the best way to bring about the needed changes in your life is for you to get as close to God as you can. I am convinced that as we draw nigh to God, He will purge the dross from our lives, and conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus. Do you desire to remain the same; or do you desire to be more like Jesus in your life? Judah certainly bore a resemblance to the Lord Jesus here in chapter 44 in the way that he interceded for his brother, and by the way he was willing to be a substitute.  God can do the same for you and me as we yield our lives and our will to Him.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – (2 Corinthians 5:17)

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:2)

Jan 16th, 2012 In His Time

Today’s Passages – Genesis 41 – 42

(Second Milers also read – Mark 3 – 4 ; Proverbs 16; Psalms 76 – 80)

Second Mile Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.” – (Genesis 41:38-41)

There are two questions that I would like to consider this morning:

1  Would you be willing to wait all of the years that Joseph waited if you new there was a marvelous and exciting plan for your life in the distant future?

2  Would you be willing to endure all of the hardship that Joseph endured and remain faithful to the Lord if you knew that those trials were necessary to advance the plans and purposes of God?

The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37. In these chapters we discover that Joseph goes from being a favored son of Jacob to a slave in the house of Potipher, and then to a prisoner in Pharaoh’s kingdom. Joseph’s downward slide began with a dream that he had which revealed to him that God was going to elevate him above his brothers, and even above his father. His brothers would have none of Joseph’s dreams and sought to be rid of him, and for a long time they were. However, many years after they sold their brother into bondage, the sons of Jacob went down into Egypt at the request of their father to purchase food, and who do you think was the guy in charge of the food? You guessed it: Joseph. Egypt was the only place that had food in this time of famine, and the only reason they were prepared  was because Joseph had revealed to Pharaoh that he should store up food in the days of plenty, so that Egypt would have enough when times got hard. By the way, that’s not a bad idea for us, either.

At any rate, when the brothers finally come to Egypt, their little brother is no longer a slave; he is the prime minister of all of Egypt. However, it took a long times and a lot of hardship before Joseph was elevated by God to this prominent position. I am sure that there were times in those many years that he doubted God; but he never wavered. Joseph remained faithful to God. In God’s time, Joseph was delivered from his brothers, from the bondage, from the prison, and from the humiliation of it all; and all of the world could see that Joseph was God’s man. Though, Joseph certainly did not enjoy all of the days of trial and affliction, I bet that at the end of his life he would say that it was all worth what God finally gave him.

We sing a song that says “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus”. I bet when Joseph hears us singing that song from his vantage point in Heaven, he says “Amen. It was worth it all”.

Stay faithful to God. You may be in Pharaoh’s dungeon right now, but if you are a child of God, I promise you, that He will some day pull you out of that awful place. Trust God. He has a purpose and a plan for it all. God doesn’t often fill us in about all of the details of His sovereign plan, but we can trust that He will work it all out in the end.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – (Romans 8:18)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – (Romans 8:28)

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – (Isaiah 40:31)

Jan 15th, 2012 Don’t Lose Your Head by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Passages – Genesis 38 – 40

(Second Milers also read – Mark 1 – 2; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)

Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2

Good morning. After reading about the butler and the baker in Genesis 40, I wanted to take a closer look at them.

Pharaoh was angry, and the Bible doesn’t say exactly why. The problem could be traced to the Chief Butler, and the Chief Baker. It could have also been because of something one of their subordinates did to anger Pharaoh. Leadership is responsible for those they are leading. Pharaoh was angry and had the Chief Butler and the Chief Baker thrown into prison. They must have been old too, because God’s Word tells us that your old men shall dream dreams; which is exactly what they did (I know – I dream all the time!). As God would have it, their paths crossed with Joseph who was able to interpret their dreams. Good news for the butler, bad news for the baker. And the dreams came to pass: the butler was restored, and the baker was hung.

God is angry at the wicked every day (Ps. 7:11). God tells us (the butler and the baker’s dreams) in His Word that there is none righteous, and for all have sinned and come short of His glory (Romans 3:10,23). Joseph was there to explain the dreams (Ephesians 4:11-12). God provided the only Way out (Pharaoh brought them both out of prison). The Chief Butler received Pharaoh’s grace, the Chief Baker did not (Genesis 40:20-22). They were both servants to Pharaoh: the wages of sin is still death to the non-Christian as well as the Christian. We should always want to please God in all the things that we do. And God made it so simple for us. A lesson can be learned from a conversation that the Lord Jesus Christ had with Peter…

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved f0llowing; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” (John 21:15-22).

When we do things like gossip, spread lies about people, or anything else to hurt the body of Christ, it angers God. If you have been hurt by gossip, or lies, or any other attack, God knows what happened. You need to pray for those who have done these things to you: they put themselves under the judgment of God. God knows how to chastise perfectly: He knows exactly what to do. As rotten as those who offended you seem to be, do you really want to see them chastised by God? Don’t you think it would be better if they humbled themselves and got their hearts right with God before the hammer comes down? Pray for them. Get back in church. Don’t lose your head. And as Jesus said, “…follow thou me.”

Peace. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Jan 14th, 2012 You Can Take The Fire – Prt 4 – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Passages – Genesis 36 – 37

Second Milers also read – Matthew 27 – 28; 12 Proverbs 14; Psalms 66 – 70

Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Check out “Growth Points 004 – Sunday School Teacher Visitation”

Read last year’s post from this passage – “The Green Eyed Monster”

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2

Genesis 37:23-24 say:

“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.”

Good Morning. Poor Joseph. Rejected by his family. Stripped of his coat of many colors. Thrown into an empty pit with no water in it. All alone, nobody around to help him. The pit he is in is just too steep for Joseph to climb out by himself. The only thing he can do is look up and wait for someone to rescue him.

Have you ever found yourself in a pit? A deep pit where all you can do is look up and wait? As you look up at the clouds high in the sky. Night falls, and all you can see are the stars so very far away. You are all alone.

You are not alone. There is still somebody out there who cares deeply about you. One who loved you so much that He allowed Himself to go through the same experience. Rejected by those He chose to love. Stripped of His raiment. Nailed to a cross to die alone.

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” (Psalm 22:1-18).

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53).

And now we wait. It is bitter-sweet to have Melissa back home again. She has been in the hospital, and then a nursing home since December 26^th. Now we wait. Waiting for Melissa to move into her new home – a mansion that her Saviour went to prepare for her. I tried to look around for God’s grace in all this, and it’s like looking at the sides of the pit – there is no way to escape. Then I realized – look up. God’s grace is there, and it’s been there all the time. There is nothing to look for, but a whole lot to experience. I have peace. My wife has peace. And Melissa has peace. Melissa says that she is soooooo ready.

It is great being a Christian, knowing that your final resting place is in heaven. If you are not 100% sure that you are going to heaven when you die, you need to know. 1John 5:13 tells us strait out that: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Know that you are a sinner. Everyone has sinned. As a sinner, there is nothing you can do to earn or work your way to heaven. The Bible says that: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [AND] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:10 & 23).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8 & 9).

BUT, and I love the buts that are in the Bible.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).

God allowed Jesus to go through all that was written in the Scripture above because He loved you!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Do you know Jesus? Does He know you? Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

It doesn’t have to end that way for you. Come to Jesus. Jesus also said in John 6:37 – 40:

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Come to Jesus: call upon His name to save you and He will.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

Peace. (2Corinthians 12:9)

Jan 13th, 2012 Lead On Softly

Today’s Passage – Genesis 33 – 35

(Second Milers also read –Matthew 25 – 26; Proverbs 13; Psalms 61 – 65)

Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53

Read last year’s post from this passage – “Boys Will Be Boys”

“And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.” – (Genesis 33:13-14)

In our passage today, Jacob and his large family are travelling back to the land of Canaan, and when they are almost to their destination they meet up with Jacob’s brother, Esau. Jacob was initially afraid to meet up with his brother because when he had last seen Esau 20 years prior, they were not on good terms. However, it seems that all is well between them, and now they will both travel along the same route to the land that God gave their grandfather, Abraham. The problem is that Esau is travelling with 400 men, and Jacob is travelling with his family, including women and small children; and he also has his livestock with him. Jacob knew that he could not keep the same pace as Esau, so he sent Esau on ahead. Jacob told his brother that he will “lead on softly”, at a slower pace, so that he would not put too much strain upon his family.

There is a wonderful lesson that can be learned from this story. Jacob knew that the people that he was leading weren’t capable of doing what Esau’s men could do, so he didn’t try to force them to perform at a level that was beyond their ability at that point. As a preacher, I have had to learn (sometimes the hard way), that all of the people at our church are not the same. They all have different gifts and abilities, and they are all at different stages of growth. It would be wrong for me to expect a babe in Christ to act as spiritually mature as someone that has been saved and growing for many years. Similarly, I should not expect someone  to perform in some capacity that is beyond their God-given ability. Everyone is unique. However, I do want to offer opportunities to our people that will challenge, and stretch them, but I must be careful not to put too much upon them. I thank God that He has been very patient with me, and has developed me on a timetable that was uniquely designed for me.

Parents need to learn this lesson as well. We shouldn’t compare our children because they are all different. Some will develop faster than others. They will all have their own individual strengths and weaknesses. We need to pray daily for wisdom from God as to what each of our children need at the level they are at today. Someday, they may be travelling with a band of 400 men, but for now we  may have to “lead on softly”.

Jan 12th, 2012 No More Jacob

Today’s Passages – Genesis 31 – 32

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 23 – 24; Proverbs 12; Psalms 56 – 60)

Scripture Memory for the Month of January – Isaiah 53

“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jacob left the land of Canaan with a name that means “supplanter” or “deceiver”; but he returns after twenty years with name Israel, which means “a prince of God”. This is a wonderful picture of the power of God to transform lives. Jacob didn’t just get a name change, either, he received a nature change; and so do we when we give our lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. God gives us a new nature. The Holy Spirit of God moves in and transforms our lives from the inside out. This isn’t just a “turning over of a new life”. This is the impartation of a divine nature into the heart of a formerly fallen sinner. What a wonderful thing it is to be a Christian.

Notice, however, that Jacob did not receive his new name until he had been with Laban for twenty years. Justification and positional righteousness take place immediately when we are born again into the family of God; but sanctification and practical righteousness in our lives is a lifelong process. God had to do some things in Jacob’s life. I have been saved now for twenty years myself, and God is still chipping away at my rough edges; still revealing areas of my life that need his touch. In fact, the closer I walk with him, the more I see the things in my life that are not as they should be. My goal is just to get close to Him, and allow Him to have His will and His way in my life. I am not what I should be; but, praise God, I am not what I used to be, either. I am not yet an Israel, but no longer am I Jacob. God is still at work in my life. I am trying to get out of His way and let Him work.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:2)

Only God take something like this

and transform it into this