Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Feb 13th The Center of the Camp

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 26 – 27; Proverbs 13

(Second Milers also read John 17 – 18; memorize John 3:36)

“Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.” – (Numbers 2:17)

In Numbers chapter 2, God gives us a description of what the camp of Israel looked like when they were not on the move. A careful reading of this chapter will reveal that the nation of Israel was divided into 13 different groups, which included 11 of the original 12 tribes; and also the two half-tribes of Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim). These groups were all strategically placed around the tabernacle. Immediately surrounding the tent on all four sides was the tribe of Levi. They were placed there as closely as possible to the tabernacle because that was their place of service. They were the ministers and priests of the Lord. Beyond the Levites the remaining twelve tribes and half-tribes were positioned by threes in each direction. For instance, on the east side of the tabernacle, beyond the Levites, were the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulon. There were also three tribes on the west, south, and north. The thought that I am trying to develop here, however, is that the tabernacle was in the very center of the congregation. The tabernacle was the place where God dwelt, between the cherubims on the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. God, and His chosen place of worship was the very center of the lives of the people of Israel.

Now let’s fast forward a few thousands years to the time of the local church. I realize that today God dwells in the hearts of His children, but the local church is God’s chosen place for corporate worship, and it is the place where we are to be organized in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” – (1 Timothy 3:15)

God should still be at the center of our lives; and the local church should be at the center of the life of our family. I have been a pastor now for nearly ten years, and I have been involved in God’s work for twenty. I have observed that the families who place a high value on the local church, recognizing it’s importance, tend to be stronger and happier than the families that do not. Don’t misunderstand, I do not think that the church has a higher priority than the home; but I do believe that successful homes are built around a strong, Bible believing, New Testament church. The churches’ role is critical to healthy marriages and to the spiritual development of our children.

Take a moment to consider the role that the local church plays in your life; and then consider the role that you play in your local church. We need to keep our local churches strong, and I believe that there are many ways that you can help:

1  Participate in the local church – attend the services and find something that you can do that will serve others. God has uniquely equipped you in certain areas that can be used in the local church.

2  Pray for your church and your pastors and leaders. The ministry can be very discouraging, but you can be an encouragement to the people that minister to you simply by lifting them up in prayer. It wouldn’t hurt for you to let them know on occassion that you are praying for them.

3  Support your church with your tithes and offerings. The work of God cannot go forward without the tithes of God’s people. When you don’t give you are telling God and the church that they have no place of value in your life. You can also support the church by not bashing it. Let people know where you stand. If you are for the ministry, speak out for it, and don’t let others run it down in your presence. Negativity and complaining are like cancers inside the church that will destroy it from within.

Is the local church important to you, or isn’t it? God says that it should be. Remember, He died for the church. It’s His body. He places a great value on it, and so should we.

Feb 12th The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Peace

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 24-25, John 15-16, Proverbs 12

Memory Verse: John 3:36

Today’s Passage: John 16:33

Good morning. John 16:33. This is a great verse to start your day with. There are many comforts I could write to you about surrounding John 16:33. If you look at the cover of my Bible, you will see “John 16:33” just below my name. This is MY verse.

We go back a long way. Back in the 1980’s, as a group leader in Concurrent Computer’s National Repair Center, one of my duties was to prepare work assignments. One time we had gotten swamped with peripherals. Dennis, a good Christian brother, was assigned to repair them. The list was extremely long: several pages. I looked up the word tribulation in my concordance and found John 16:33. I wrote the reference at the end of his list just as a joke, not realizing that John 16:33 was meant for me. Shortly after this, I was hit with a lawsuit for one-quarter of a million dollars for an accident involving my truck. I remember getting the notification in the mail. I sat down on the tailgate of my truck and cried. Where was I going to get $250,000? My insurance only covered up to $100,000. I had just gotten married. I was in the process of buying a house, would I lose that? As I wept, I lifted up the letter to the Lord so he could read it. As I held the letter up, He reached down. The only way to describe that moment is that He hugged me, and dried my tears. Everything would be alright. John 16:33 became my verse. I had peace. As for the lawsuit, after several years, it never made it past the litigation stage.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Are you worried about the economy? Did you lose your job? Do you have a lawsuit against you? Are you overcome by the world? Jesus has overcome the world. He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His peace. Sometimes it takes time before you realize that God already knows what you are going through. I didn’t have to hold the letter up for Him to read. He already knew about it, what I would do, what he would do, what the lawyers would do, and what the outcome would be. All that we go through is orchestrated to draw us closer to One who loved us enough to die for us: so be of good cheer.

Do you know what else Jesus said? At the end of Matthew, Jesus said, “…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Peace. (John 16:33)

Feb 5th The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8-10, John 1-2, Proverbs 5

Memory Verse: John 3:16

Today’s Passage: Mark 1:40-44: God’s Love And Leprosy

Good morning. The picture shown here is that of a 24 year-old man with leprosy. What do you know about Leprosy? You may know about it from what the Bible says. Many passages compare sin to Leprosy. It is a disease of the nervous system. It is not an STD. Many doctors agree that it is transmitted by sweat. The Leprosy itself does not cause you to lose toes, fingers, legs, or arms. The bacteria attacks the nervous system. As you lose the feelings in your extremities, it only takes a small cut and infection to set in. That’s all it takes, and as the infections grow you start losing your fingers and toes.

At the Saturday morning prayer, Phil Jr. gave the devotional an hit on Proverbs 5:21: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.”

Even though God knows our goings from the beginning to the end, we are still on His mind. In our passage, a leper comes to Jesus and begs Jesus to heal him asking, “If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.”

Jesus was moved with compassion. He put forth his hand, touched the leper, and healed him. Leprosy is spread through sweat and Jesus touched him. Here’s the lesson. The Bible compares sin to leprosy. Even though God hates sin, He still reaches down to us, touches us, heals us, or comforts us. As Christians, our sins are forgiven, but we carry the results of sin with us. The forgiven ex-drug addict still has the track marks running up his arm and may have hepatitis reeking havoc on his body. The forgiven ex-homosexual may still have the AIDS virus attacking his body’s defenses. The point is that we all carry the affects of sin in us. We carry the results in us. And even though God hates sin, He still has compassion on us, reaches out His hands, and touches us. Does sin disgust you? Good. Just remember that there are others who are still feeling the hurt that sin brought on them. They could use some godly compassion from you and me. Don’t be afraid to reach out and touch someone: showing them God’s love. Isn’t that what God did to you?

Peace. (Mark 1:41)

Jan 29th The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading: Exodus 28-29, Luke 12-13, and Proverbs 29.

This Week’s Memory Verse: Psalm 119:11.

Proverbs 29:10 – A Change Of Heart.

Good morning. In Proverbs 29, and verse 10, the Bible tells us that, “The bloodthirsty hate the upright…” Do you have anyone who hates you? Maybe you get the feeling that somebody hates you when don’t. But God’s Word is true, and the bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. At first glance, it appears that the bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just will seek the soul of the upright. But what if the upright and the just are one-in-the-same? Think about it: even though the bloodthirsty hates the upright/just, the upright/just will seek the soul of the bloodthirsty to get saved. It is a principle found in the Bible. What did Jesus say about it? Luke 6:27-36 says…

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

Jesus also put His Words into action on the cross…

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:33-34).

Then there is also Acts chapter 7…

“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:51-60).

Stephen was demonstrating the same love and compassion that Jesus had on the bloodthirsty. How about you. We only have one enemy: the devil. Satan has blinded the eyes of the bloodthirsty to the truth. Can you think of someone who hates you? Is there someone that you hate? Jesus died for his sins just as He died for yours and mine. Maybe it’s time to forgive? A good place to start is praying for that person’s soul.

God can give the bloodthirsty a change of heart.

Peace. (1John 4:20)

Jan 28th Example As Well As Exhortation

Today’s Passage -Exodus 25-27; Proverbs 28

(Second Milers also read Luke 10-11; memorize Psalm 119:9)

In chapters 25 – 27, God is instructing Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. He first tells him that he must take up an offering from the people, collecting all of the materials that would be needed in order to construct it. This was no small undertaking as the tabernacle with all of its curtains and coverings; and with all of its gold, silver, and brass; not to mention the wood that would be required; was a masterpiece of magnificent beauty and elaborate detail. Yet, it is interesting to note, as we will learn later in future passages, that Moses had to eventually stop the people from giving because they had given way too much. We don’t see that very often today do we. Can you imagine what could be done in our churches today if God’s people were this excited about the work of God?

God then shows Moses a pattern; a picture of what the tabernacle was to look like. He no doubt also showed him blueprints of each element of the tabernacle, including all of the pieces of furniture. Moses had a clear picture in his mind of what it all would look like when he was finished. Then God goes on for several chapters giving Moses detailed instructions outlining precisely how the tabernacle was to be built. So, in review, we see that God showed him an example; and then he gave him clear instructions, or exhortation.

I got to thinking how that this is how the ministry is supposed to work. God commands those of us who minister to His people to be a good example (or pattern) of what He expects in a finished product; and then He wants us to give clear instructions of how the people are to go about it. If the picture we are presenting is not consistent with the instructions we are giving, we will not be able to clearly help the people do and be what God expects of them. I know that none of us is perfect, but it is imperitive that we keep this thought in mind as we go about our business of serving the Lord. People will sometimes learn more from what they see, than from what we tell them. Both our example and our exhortation must be right, if we are going to effectively be used of God in building the lives of people for His glory.

By the way, this does not only apply to pastors and teachers. It applies to every believer. Your life (pattern, example) must back up what you are trying to instruct people. Parents, you need to be the right examlple to your children. They will not listen to your exhortation if your example is not what it should be. And to those of you that are concerned about winning people to Christ, which should be all of us; make sure your life backs up your profession. We have an awesome obligation to show people Christ with our lives as well as telling them with our words. Think about it? Have you given much thought to your example; your pattern? Is it sending the right message to the people around you? Do the things that you do and say point people to the Lord, or do they send a conflicting message?

Jan 26th Come As You Are?

Today’s Reading – Exodus 19-21; Proverbs 26

(Second Milers also read Luke 6 & 7; memorize Psalm 119:9)

“And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” – (Exodus 19:14-17)

Notice in chapter 19 the reverence the people had when they were entering into the presence of God. They washed their clothes; they abstained from physical intimacy; and they trembled. I bet that there was not one person from the congregation that was not present. I bet the children were silent; being kept under very close watch of their parents. The people understood that they meeting with the omnipotent Creator of the universe. He is holy and He was not to be approached by the people of Israel in a flippant and carefree manner. They came with a reverent attitude of worship.

Fast forward now to today. Many people show up late, if they show up at all. They arrive wearing shorts and ripped tee shirts. The children are running all over the sanctuary while their parent are obliviously engaging in their own conversations about anything and everything except the worship of God. We have certainly come a long way down in our reverence to God. We sing half heartedly; talk during prayer and special music; and then sleep when the Word of God is being preached: all the while wondering how long is this going to take. We’ve got more important things like football to worry about today. Do I exaggerate, or is this an accurate description of the attitudes of many in our churches today? God help us!

Now, I wish to be very clear about this: I do not consider myself to be a legalist at all. I understand completely that salvation comes solely through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with faith in His shed blood at the cross of Calvary. I know that God is not impressed when we show up at the church with our white shirts and ties, or our long, modest dresses. I get that. I know that God dwelleth not in temples made with men’s hands; and that the believer’s heart is the temple of God. And I realize that God looks upon the heart; and if a man shows up at church in shorts and a ripped tee shirt because that is all he has, or perhaps because he doesn’t know better, I think God is pleased. I know I am. Believe me, I am thrilled that people just show up, and I am not the least bit concerned about the way they are dressed. I am, however, very concerned about the heart attitude of God’s people today when they come to worship the infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, and all-powerful God. It’s not a ball game. We are not gathering together simply to meet with friends, or to hear a man speak. We are corporately entering into the presence of God. We have become way to casual and careless. People give more thought when they are meeting with earthly dignitaries. God help us to remember that worship is a holy undertaking. Let’s give God our very best attention.  I want people to come as they are, but I want them also to realize Who it is they are coming to worship, and I would like also to see the leave a little more conformed to His image. I think this “seeker sensitive” thing has gotten way out of hand. Should we not be a little more “Saviour sensitive”.