Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Aug 4th Streams in the Desert

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 31 – 35

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. (Isaiah 35:2)

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:6)

In Lancaster, California on the campus of West Coast Baptist College near the Sisk Dormitory there is a fountain with Isaiah 35:6 inscribed on it. It sits there as a testimony to the goodness of blessing of God. 25 years ago in that same location there was nothing but desert. Some would have called it a “dust bowl” back then; but now it is a beautiful campus with beautiful green landscaping and gorgeous buildings. More importantly, it is a place where God’s Spirit is moving in a great way; and many people are being saved and trained to serve the Lord.

Isaiah 35 tells us about the Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ where He will rule and reign on the earth. There will be a lot of changes during that time period; but it is safe to say that it will be a glorious time to live on the earth. The desert will literally blossom as the rose. Isaiah encourages the people of Israel often by reminding them of this future period of peace and prosperity. The saved of today will rule and reign with Christ during this time. What a wonderful God we serve!

We don’t have to wait until the Millennium to experience this bliss, however. We can have it right now. Jesus said:

…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38)

The life of the Christian who is yielded to the will of God, and filled with the Spirit of God is an oasis in the midst of a dry and barren land. Jesus said that He would fill those that are thirsting for Him. Perhaps the reason why so many of God’s people do not experience this type of spiritual refreshing is because they are hungering and thirsting after the things of this world rather than the things that are eternal. Christian, our lives ought to be overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit and the water of life. Perhaps if we were, we just might cause the arid world around us to be thirsty for God.

Aug 3rd Lovers of Pleasure

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 28 – 30

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. (Isaiah 28:7)

Isaiah 28 is directed initially toward Ephraim which was one of the two half tribes of Joseph, part of the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim is often used symbolically to refer to all of the northern kingdom of Israel in the Book of Isaiah. Remember, Isaiah is writing this book right around the time that the northern kingdom was being swallowed up into captivity by the Assyrians. There were many reasons for the downfall of Israel; but here in this chapter we see that they were a prosperous nation (vv 1, 4 – fat valley, referring to the fruitfulness of the land) that was consumed with pleasure. The irony of this whole thing is that God gave them this fruitful land and all of the prosperity that came with it. He also protected them for many years from the enemies around them, which also added to their prosperity. But prosperity will often cause a people to fall sooner than persecution will. In fact, persecution will often cause a nation to draw closer to God. The cycle goes like this: First God blesses His people; then the people in their abundance forget about their God; then God judges His people, removing some of the protection and prosperity; then the people turn back to God; and finally, God can begin to bless His people again.

The multiple references to drunkenness in this passage is not so much a condemnation for a person who is trapped by alcoholism as it is an observation of a nation that is consumed with pleasure. Pleasure seekers often turn to wine, strong drink; and, today, drugs in order to satisfy their lust for pleasure. A people in this condition will quickly fall away from God. This is sadly not just the testimony of the lost people; but is also the way that many Christians are going. It is now acceptable in many Christian circles to allow a little social drinking. The preachers may still preach against drunkenness, but they used to admonish their people to completely abstain from alcohol. We are gradually moving away from the sound principles of the Word of God.

Paul wrote abut this day that we are living in in 2 Timothy:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (1 Timothy 3:1 – 5)

We can’t do much about the condition of the world; and we most likely will not be able to stop the judgment that surely must be imminent in America; but we can make sure that we are not a part of the problem. We are Christians! We need to represent Christ to this dark world that we live in; and we aren’t supposed to live like they do. Abstain from the appearance of evil; be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be ye filled with the Spirit. These are God’s instructions to His ambassadors today. As this world around us begins to crumble as it did for Israel, we need to be strong and Spirit-filled so that we will be able to help the fallen find their way back to God.

Aug 2nd Peace

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 23 – 27

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.(Isaiah 26:3)

This is one of those passages of Scripture that has an immediate context involving the nation of Israel (or more specifically here, Judah); but it also contains a principle that can be universally applied to everyone that is trusting the Lord. Peace is something that the world is searching for, but can only be found through a deep, abiding faith in God. The peace that God gives to those that trust Him is the kind of peace that manifests itself at all times regardless of the outward circumstances. It’s the kind of inner tranquility that reminds us that no matter how badly the storm rages on the outside, we are going to be OK; because God has everything under His control. The christian today who has surrendered his life to God does not have to stress and worry about everything because he has full assurance that God is going to take care of him.

Consider some parallel passages in the Bible:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.    (Philippians 4:7)

Notice here it says that God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds. God does not guarantee that there will not be an outward struggle against evil; but He does guarantee peace within your own mind. I find that most of my unrest is due to worry and stress in my mind. But when I am trusting in the Lord, He assures me and gives me peace.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost (Romans 15:13)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27)

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5 & 6)

Do you have peace today? Is your life filled with inner anxiety and possibly outward turmoil? God can remove all of that, if you will yield your life to Him. I don’t have to worry about anything, because my Heavenly Father already is.

Aug 1st A House Divided

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 18 – 22

And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. (Isaiah 19:2)

And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3;25)

As we read through this portion of the Book of Isaiah, we see that God is pronouncing judgment on all of the nations that have been enemies to God and His people Israel. In chapter 19, we see that God is dealing specifically with the Egyptians. The Egyptians had been an enemy to the people of God throughout much of their history. Perhaps, they were not as bad as some; yet still God states here that some judgment is coming.

My thought for this morning surrounds verse 2. Part of the judgment that was going to come to Egypt was a battle from within its own borders; a fight among its own inhabitants; a civil war. Our nation faced this same type of conflict 150 years ago. It was perhaps the ugliest battle America would ever face: neighbor against neighbor; brother against brother. We found that it was impossible for the nation to move forward until its inner struggle was settled.

I have noticed that we oftentimes face a similar type of judgment in our families and in our church: a division on the inside; a battle, not with an invading army, but with an injured brother. When a church moves away from fighting the external battle against the world and the devil, it then begins to fight amongst itself. It seems that by nature we are fighters; and to some degree we ought to be. We ought to fight against the sin and darkness of this world; we ought to hate the devil; and we ought to be striving together in order to bring the gospel to the people around us. Oftentimes we forget who the real enemy is and we take up arms against each other. Satan is very wise and understands that if he can get us to destroy each other, he won’t have to destroy us himself.

The cure for this problem is simply to recognize the battle is not within, but without. When we get busy fighting for the Lord, we will not have time nor desire to fight each other.

Jul 31st Guest Post by Gary Geiger

Today’s Reading – Isaiah 13 – 17

Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof,” saith the LORD God of Israel. (Isaiah 17:6)

Those two or three berries which cling to the uppermost bough could be compared to the Christian who lives his life through the eyes of the Lord always looking on things above.  Despite fierce shaking by the world his fruit has withstood the harvest of the world, yet he still is not convinced of the truth.

Those four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof could be compared to the Christian who has spent his entire life amongst the fruitful branches thereof.  He has clung onto the promises of God.  His bough has become a fruitful branch. He has remained because of his connections to the gods of this world.

Soon God will shake the olive tree one last time and even then gleaning grapes shall be left in it. He knows the hearts of his children, those that are not yet convinced and those that have a form of godliness.    Some say that this verse refers to the end of the ten battles by the Assyrians.  I have studied to the best of my ability the olive tree and I’m not convinced.  I love the unconditional love of God in this verse; God doesn’t wish that any should perish but that all shall come to repentance. I think God loves us so much that even after the rapture he has a plan for the gleaning grapes to offer one last opportunity to those young berries in the bough and to those in the fruitful branches.

I also did an exhaustive study of the Olive tree.  Read the verses, study and enjoy God’s word:
The Olive-tree

• Often grew wild. Romans 11:17

CULTIVATED

• In olive yards. 1 Samuel 8:14, Nehemiah 5:11

Among rocks. Deuteronomy 32:13

On the sides of mountains. Matthew 21:1

Canaan abounded in. Deuteronomy 6:1, Deuteronomy 8:8

• Assyria abounded in. 2 Kings 18:32

Kings of Israel largely cultivated. 1 Chronicles 27:28

DESCRIBED AS

• Green. Jeremiah 11:16

Fair and beautiful. Jeremiah 11:16, Hosea 14:6

Fat and unctuous. Judges 9:9, Romans 11:17

Bearing goodly fruit. Jeremiah 11:16, James 3:12

Grafting of, alluded to. Romans 11:24

Pruning of, alluded to. Romans 11:18-19

Often cast its flowers. Job 15:33

Often cast its fruit. Deuteronomy 28:40

Often suffered from caterpillars. Amos 4:9

Good for the service of God and man. Judges 9:9

Oil procured from. Exodus 27:20, Deuteronomy 8:8

USED FOR MAKING

• The cherubim in the temple. 1 Kings 6:23

The doors and posts of the temple. 1 Kings 6:31-33

Booths at feast of tabernacles. Nehemiah 8:15

Beaten to remove the fruit. Deuteronomy 24:20

Shaken when fully ripe. Isaiah 17:6

Gleaning of, left for the poor. Deuteronomy 24:20

Fruit of, during sabbatical year left for the poor, Exodus 23:11

• The fruit of, trodden in presses. Micah 6:15, Haggai 2:16

Failure of, a great calamity. Habakkuk 3:17-18

ILLUSTRATIVE

• Of Christ. Romans 11:17, Romans 11:24

Of the Jewish church. Jeremiah 11:16

Of the righteous. Psalms 52:8, Hosea 14:6

Of children of pious parents. Psalms 128:3

Of the two witnesses. Revelation 11:3-4

(When wild,) of the Gentiles. Romans 11:17, Romans 11:24

(Gleaning of,) of the remnant of grace.

Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

The emblem of peace. Genesis 8:11

Jul 30th Who Turned Out the Light?

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 9 – 12

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

The verse of Scripture referenced above deals with the birth of Christ. When Christ was born in the earth, he poked a huge hole in the darkness of a world that had been without light for a long time. Christ is light, and light equals righteousness and holiness; and it is also synonymous with spiritual understanding. The Bible says of God:

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: (Psalm 104:2)

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Light is not something that God has or something that God can produce; it is what He is. Peter, James, and John saw a glimpse of this light on the Mount of Transfiguration. John saw it again when he was on the Isle of Patmos and given the Revelation. Paul saw this light on the road to Damascus when the Lord gloriously saved him. All of these examples were actual physical manifestations of the light of God. However, when He came, He revealed to the world more than just Physical light: he delivered to the world a spiritual brightness that many had seen and received; and many more continue to receive to this day.

My thought for the day is: if Christ came and delivered this light to us 2000 years ago, and many millions have received this light from Him via the Holy Spirit; then why is this world still very dark. Jesus told us to shine the light to the dark world around us:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

You would think with all of the millions of lights out there that should be shining, the world would be pretty bright; yet it continues to dwell in darkness. Why? Because God’s people are not allowing the light of Christ to radiate and reflect through them to the world around them. They are covering their candles with a bushel instead of elevating it on a candlestick. Three thoughts regarding the failure of the Christian to shine the light of Christ:

1  We fail to shine the light when we fail to separate from the darkness. Instead of increasing our light, we often participate in things that are very dark: things that are inconsistent with light. Light repels darkness; they cannot dwell together. So in order for the Christian to dwell in darkness, He has to douse His light. He has to quench the Spirit of God that dwells within Him.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19)

By the way, unfortunately, the verse above oftentimes applies to the Christian as well as to the world.

2   We fail to shine the light when we fail to saturate ourselves in the light of the Word of God.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple (Psalm 119:130)

3  We fail to shine the light when we shield the light from reaching those around us. This has more to do with fear than anything else. We have the light, and we desire to shine it; but we are so intimidated by the world around us that we conceal it. It is time that we decide to take a stand, and decide once and for all whose side we are on. We belong to God. We owe this world nothing but the light of Christ. Get out of the way, and let His light shine through you.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15)

Jul 29th Help Wanted

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 5 – 8

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

Last night at the Northeast Vision Summit, held at Solid Rock Baptist Church in Berlin, NJ, a great giant of the faith was honored. Pastor Rick Wedemeyer is the under-shepherd of The Christian Bible Baptist Church in Berkley Township. Pastor Rick answered God’s call to preach many years ago. He and his wife Kim packed up their two kids and all of their possessions and headed off to Bible college in order to be trained to minister the glorious gospel of grace. After college God called him to serve as the youth pastor of Ocean County Baptist Temple in Toms River, NJ. It was there that I first met Pastor Rick. I had recently been saved, had long hair; no Christian friends or even acquaintances. Pastor Rick befriended me; he mentored me; he opened up his home to me. I would come to him often and at all hours with my questions and problems and he never turned me away. I don’t know how the world would measure the impact of Pastor Rick’s ministry, but to me and many others, he really made a difference. I know that I would not be a pastor today had it not been for the influence of Pastor Rick.

Consider some of the other people that his life has touched:

Pastor and Mrs. Ted Stahl  – Assistant pastor at Jersey Shore Baptist Church in Galloway, NJ

Pastor and Mrs. Brian Phalon – Faith Baptist Church in Sparta, NJ

Pastor and Mrs. Dan Bell – Cornerstone Baptist in Browns Mills, NJ

Mrs. Susan Barnes – Pastor’s wife in Illinois

Pastor Mike Sanzone – Ardmore, Oklahoma

Bob and Amy Crease – faithful servants in various ministries at Solid Rock Baptist in Berlin

Sal Valencia – usher at Solid Rock

There are others also. These are just the ones that popped into my head. Pastor Rick answered God’s call. He has been faithful to the Lord and to the Lord’s people for all of these years. Here on earth, he won’t receive much compensation, at least not what he deserves; but he has a pile of rewards waiting for him in Heaven.

How about you? Are you interested in a job? The Lord has a help wanted sign out; and He wants you to answer His call. What will you do in service for Him? You can choose to live your life for the riches of this world; or you can choose instead to sacrifice what this world may offer and serve the Creator of the Universe. He truly has the greatest benefit package available.

Jul 28th Where are the Men?

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 1 – 4

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. (Isaiah 3:12)

Isaiah is writing at a time when the people of Israel and Judah were in economic prosperity but spiritual and moral depravity. The end of chapter 3 records that the people were very proud, they were full with possessions and pleasure; but they were far away from God. God warns them through the writing of Isaiah that judgment will come. It is important to keep in mind as we read this Book of Isaiah that we understand that God is often dealing with the present condition of Israel and Judah 800 years or so before the time of Christ; but he also deals prophetically with Israel and others in the last days: he speaks much about the future Millennial Kingdom of Christ. Here in chapter 3 he is specifically speaking of Israel; but the application can be made to us today.

The condition of our nation is very similar to Israel and Judah prior to the judgment that came through the nation of Assyria and later Babylon. We are a very proud and prosperous people. This prideful attitude permeates our society. We scream out with our lives that we don’t need God; and we certainly aren’t going to submit to Him. Notice in the verse above that the women are ruling. I don’t think that this is a slap against women as much as it is a statement that the men were not fulfilling their God given roles as leaders. We have the same problems in our society today. The men are abdicating their responsibility as the leaders in the homes, and in the nation. Our churches are full of women that will volunteer for anything; but where are the men? Why are their so few men who will take on the responsibility of leadership?

We need men that will lead their families. We need some strong men who will be leaders in our communities and in this nation. We need men who will teach and mentor and lead in our churches. I praise the Lord for the woman have stood in the gap and taken on some leadership positions. Many of these ladies are doing a great job; but we need men to step up to the plate and assume the responsibilities intended to them by God.

Jul 27th Flawless

Today’s Passage – Song of Solomon 1 – 8

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. (song of Solomon 4:7)

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2)

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)

The Song of Solomon is a beautiful song written through the pen of Solomon. On the surface it would seem that this song represents a dialogue between Solomon and his wife; but considering he had 1000 wives and concubines, we would certainly be left wondering which wife this song refers to. This song then must go much deeper than any earthly relationship. I believe that the intimate relationship so beautifully detailed here is the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. Keeping that in mind, consider the little phrase in chapter 4 where the bridegroom says of the bride, there is no spot in thee. This is an amazing statement, because in reality there certainly are many flaws in any person; but the amazing thing is that this Man sees no flaw at all in His bride.

When I think about the unconditional love that Christ has for His church (the Bride), and me in particular, I am blown away. How can he possibly love me? When I think about how spotted and flawed I am, I recognize my complete and total unworthiness. The only thing that I deserve is judgment: yet He loves me; and more than that: He does not see any flaw in me at all. Mind boggling! I guess that is what Romans 3:22 meant when it said that believers receive the righteousness of God. He sees me as completely righteous; flawless. Amazing!

God has given me two practical thoughts this morning while I contemplated this passage:

1 Do I appreciate Him – I know I am totally undeserving, yet He treats as if I am. This should cause me to live my life in surrender to whatever He wants from me. This should completely humble me.

2 Do I appreciate others – If I am undeserving, yet accepted unconditionally; why then do I have such a hard time unconditionally accepting others? Why do I see everyone else’s flaws. Should not I try to see others as Christ sees me?