By My Hand

For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.  According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

1Cor 3:9-11

These are familiar words and good advice given by Paul as he was struggling with popularity crazes. These even exist today, and even among "religious folk" where people tend to prefer one preacher or leader over another. The whole context of this passage cited is where people in Corinth had their "favorites." And those who do miss the point entirely, that we are all in God's house together, all working together to glorify God, not one another.  If Paul, a Pharisee at one time can get this picture, then surely we should. Who I am, is not important in the grand scheme of things as it concerns what God wants done. I am just another in the process, if I allow God to work through me, to accomplish what God wants done in a particular place. What is important, is that in all things, Christ and God are glorified through what I say and what I do - no matter where we are or where we go. 

Why am I writing this? Because this will be the last article for this bulletin that I will write, and today the last sermon(s) I will speak as the "preacher" here at this place. My blog will continue and you can follow me there (http://thespiritualforge.blogspot.com/), but, God has chosen a new venture for us and I follow God's leading to this new place. In turn, God has something new in mind for you. I do not know what it is or how it will happen, but I know that God has had us working together for the last 25 years to bring it to this point, so - it is something good if you follow God. There is sadness, you can't do something for this long and there not be. Just as Paul and the Ephesians had emotional moments when he left Ephesus to go to other places God had in mind for him, so now it is my turn. And, as Paul encouraged the Ephesians, I want to encourage you.

1. Make sure God is glorified by what you do. Your testimony as a congregation speaks of how for years and sometimes through hardship and tears you have sought to make sure that God is the one who receives the glory. Make sure that this continues. "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1Cor 3:11
2. Don't quit doing the good that is begun in you. There is a lot of good happening, and a lot of new growth that we have experienced. There is potential for even more. Do not quit showing the love, concern, and desire to teach that you have in you. There is much more work to do, especially with those who do not come as much as they should, those who are new to our number, and those whose needs are known to us all. "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you..." 2 Tm.1:6 

There is much more that I could say, but nothing more than I have said within the last 25 years that we have been together. Nothing more could I say, than what is already said in your own Bibles. I therefore leave you in the capable hands of God, who can do great things in you and through you if you will allow Him to do so. Pray for us as we go on our journey and perhaps if God wills we will see each other again in this life. If not, then let us live so that we may see each other in eternity. I look forward to that day!

Jim

Finding Burning Bushes

 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.  And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 

Ex.3:2-4

Can you imagine the conversation?  Moses comes back to camp and tells everyone "Hey! I talked to God today and He was speaking out of a burning bush!"  Would you have believed him?  The bible narrative does not speak about this because there is no need to. It assumes that you already believe in God, and that for God to speak in this manner would not be something unbelievable.  The devil was as full of trickery then as he is now, so how do we know it is God speaking, versus last night's pizza?

The first litmus test for us, is does what is being said match what has already been taught? Gal.1:8, Paul reminds us, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."  so, the first litmus test is did God through the Old Testament, or Jesus in the gospels, or the apostles of Jesus in the New Testament already teach something on this?  It it isn't there -- DON'T BELIEVE IT! Simple - right? Well, not really, after all there is a LOT of stuff in these 66 books. But the test demands that it match what is already there, if it is going to be considered the word of God. How does God speak to us today?  "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world." Heb.1:1,2

Now it is interesting, that when one believes this, that every corner, every instance, every breath contains the words of Jesus.  When you believe that God speaks through His Son, then when the Son speaks, you hear His voice (Jn.10:21). For the heart that believes, the Spirit literally "...he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  (Jn.14:26)."  It is not hard for the believer to see Jesus and God everywhere and in literally everything. Why? Because what has changed within the person is their heart. It is no longer their own, but it is God's because of what God has done for them.  "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal.2:20)."  This does not make sense to someone who doesn't believe, because their heart has not changed. They do not see God because simply as Jesus stated it, "...these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.  And these are the ones sown on rocky ground...(Mk.4:15,16)."

People who hear the voice of Christ and the voice of God are often seen as nuts, fanatics, "religious folk," and generally off the wall kind of people who are not in touch with reality. And people who see Christians like this are generally found in the parable of the Sower.  No root because Satan has take the grasp of it from them, choked out by cares of the world - its philosophies and rhetoric. They do not hear God's voice because they either do not believe there is a God, or they don't care enough to care about what He says.

But - for those who believe? God is EVERYWHERE!

Jim

It takes FAITH to Listen to God!

As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations. [He was appointed our father] in the sight of God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.

Rom.4:17

One of the hardest things to realize is that God is in control of things when those things are going south and fast. It is also hard to maintain faith, when things like cancer, divorce, bankruptcy, infertility, and unemployment seem to be invading your life on a regular and persistent basis. These types of things get out of your control and you can’t do anything about it. They leave you feeling helpless, and if you're not careful, evil and evil influences can cause you to think that God has abandoned you. 

Something to remember, is that the situation you are in may be out of your control, but it’s not out of God’s control.  

Romans 4:17 reminds us of that. There are two things God does that you can’t do: 

1. He can give life to the dead
2. He can create something out of nothing.

Those are some very awesome things. If God can give life to a dead man, the God can can give life to a dead career, a dying marriage, a fading dream or a financial dead-end. There is a lot of motivational speakers that talk about the power of positive thinking, and positive thinking is a needed thing in life. However, it wasn't just positive thinking that Abraham believed in. Positive thinking beats negative thinking because negative doesn't work! But understand that positive thinking is not faith in God. They are two very different things. Positive thinking works fine in situations you have control over because you can move within the circumstances to change them. It takes faith in God to be in something totally out of your control, beyond your ability, and outside of your means to do anything to get through those things. You need faith in God, because He can control a situation, when you can’t. In fact, most of life is beyond your control, and there is very little that you can manipulate. 

Jesus reminds us in Lke 18:27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” Throughout the Bible's history, God has specialized in the impossible. We call them miracles and you need to know that God is ready to turn your dead-end into deliverance.

So, here are some good questions to consider on this subject:

• What issues are you facing today that are straining your faith?
• Do you still believe that God is in control and can work with you to change those things?
• Why is it sometimes difficult to admit that something is out of your control?
• Do you feel evil or evil influence whispering in your ear that God has abandoned you?

Maybe it is time today, to quit struggling with life and its circumstances. Positive thinking not working for you? Maybe it is time to understand that it takes more than a positive attitude and thought to get through the turmoil. Perhaps you should try talking to, listening to, and trusting that God has not abandoned you. He's just waiting for you to stop "Kicking against the pricks (Acts 9:5)."

Jim

Mother's Day - A Twist for You

Being Mother’s Day upcoming, my advice is love your mother while she is with you. There will come a day when she is not, and her care will have to be entrusted to another.  In remembering my own mother, I put my mind back to Jesus and his mother and the scenes of Jesus’ birth and ultimately His death.  “Mary Did You Know,” a popular song is reflective of these happenings.  It is also an important thing to note, that Jesus left the care of His mother to his disciple John.

John makes a change in his life that is worth noting, in order for this event to happen.  It is significant that John is introduced is a typical fisherman, yet as with his brother prone to anger issues (Mk.3:17; 9:33-40’ Lk.9:51-56).  He also had a degree of covetous pride that would show itself occasionally (Mt.20:20-28; Mk.10:35). So the question is, what changed in John over a period of three years, that would make him at the cross, someone that Jesus would entrust the care of his mother to.

It is a significant thing, that Jesus taught his disciples that He did not “come to destroy, but to save (Lk.9:55,56). This would require John learning restraint of his temper and control of his ego in order for him to learn this.  Significantly, Jesus told his disciples that they would not be like the world and would behave differently (Mk.10:43), because they would march to the beat of a new commandment (Jn.13:34,35). The fact that John internalized this teaching is seen in his own writings and epistles.  1 Jn.2:24-28 is an example, where we see John emphasizing obedience and control, love, humility, and unity. The John of these epistles is not the John of the gospels. He is a changed man. A man that would be one of Jesus’ closest and most endeared disciples, enough that Jesus would entrust his mother to this man.

What does this have to do with Mother’s day? 

1

1.    Love your mother while she is with you and you with her. Jesus did this and the scripture is filled with passages that provide commentary to “honor your father and mother.”
2.      John shows us that you can change and what changing for the good bring about in your life. He teaches us in 1 Jn.3:18 to love with our actions as well as the words of truth.
3.     That we transcend living as in a world of death, to a life of true living when we learn how to love and show that love to others (1 Jn.3:14)
4.      When we learn to help one another (3 Jn.8) then as Jesus said of Himself,  Matt. 12:50  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

So, honor your mother today. Mend fences if they are broken, it will be worth it.  Change your life and you  might just find that the world is a better place and the people around you appreciate that change.

Jim