Jesus our Hope

The Christmas season is filled with many good things.  There are the beautiful decorations, the buying and exchanging of gifts, the family gatherings, parties, the unending Christmas movies, around the clock Christmas music and then there is also the stress of finances, stress of relationships, the coping with the loss of a loved one, schedules that are out of control and far too often the weather can hinder us in trying to do all of the above.  What is lost at times is the truth that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.  If Jesus was not born then we would not have all this to worry about and some want to treat this season by removing any reference to Jesus Christ.  So lets for a moment begin to think what our world would look like if Jesus had never been born.  First, there would be no church, no Christian hospitals or orphanages or homeless shelters, food banks or Christian universities.  Some would respond that these things would exist if the church did not exist.  Fact is the majority of hospitals, orphanages, homeless shelters and food banks were started by Christians.  In fact many of our Ivy League schools started out as a Christian College even though that may not be the case today.  Humanitarian efforts would be greatly lacking today based upon the truth that even secular efforts are based upon love and compassion for their fellow mankind which are basic teachings of the Christian church.  Second, there would not be the restraint evil in the world.  The teachings of Jesus has had a huge effect upon philosophies and structures within our cultures that place an emphasis on right and wrong.  Societies that tend to be more Godless tend also to have more uncontrolled evil and abuse and human tragedies. Third, the level of hopelessness would be rampant.  I along with millions and millions of people of had their lives transformed by the power of Jesus.  Our sins have been forgiven, our guilt has been removed, a sense of purpose has entered our lives, our character and actions have been transformed and we now have a hope that exists not only for this life but for all eternity.  Remove Jesus and I have no hope.  Remove Jesus and evil would abound more and more.  Remove Jesus and the pain and misery of man would increase.  I thank God everyday that He sent His Son Jesus to this world to live a sinless life, to die on the cross and Jesus rose from the dead to give us hope.  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life."  May Jesus renew your hope this Christmas season.

Stated Beliefs Must Be More Then Words

This Christmas season reminds us of the birth of Jesus Christ once again.  Many people either are or will be singing the traditional Christmas carols that mean a lot to them during this season.  Some of the phrases are: Joy to the world, the King has been born, Glory to God on Highest, Silent Night Holy Night, it is the night of our Savior's birth, and there are  many more songs and phrases that Christians all over the world love to hear.  The point here I am making is we have the words right, we are saying the right things, putting the emphasis on Jesus coming into the world but often that is as far as it goes for many who claim to be a Christian.  I am not casting judgment on anyone but if we truly believe the Savior is born then how ought that affect our daily lives?  If what we say we believe does not change us then just how seriously do we believe in Jesus as your Savior?  Let us be reminded that Jesus came into the world to save sinners.  This means Jesus came into the world to change us.  If Jesus came into the world to change us then it is only logical to ask the question; changed from what and changed to be what.  First, what is it that I am changed from?  I rebelled against God and His ways so I need to be changed in my attitude toward God.  I must be changed from my self-centeredness because until I realize that my own selfishness will always hinder my relationship with God and others I will likely filter most of life through my selfish prism.  I must be changed from being controlled by sin and sinful desires that cause me to stray from living the life I know I ought to live.  I could include many other things that we must be willing to be changed from but what is it we are to be changed to be?  Second, I need to be changed to become a follower of Jesus and His ways.  I need to be changed to be a humble servant so I look more like Jesus.  I need to change so that love will be my primary focus toward God and others, which is fulfilling the greatest commandments.  I need to change my actions so that they are pleasing to God which must be accomplished out of a heart of love.  If I say I believe in Jesus, I am a Christian, I am a disciple of Jesus then the words that I say or sing during this Christmas season needs to lead to corresponding actions rather then just giving Jesus lip service for the holidays.  May the love of the Father, may the grace and mercy of the Son, Jesus, may the presence of the Holy Spirit bless you this Christmas season.

Following God is not Comfortable

We live in a day when many people are redefining what it means to be a Christian.  First of all any definition of what being a Christian is already clearly stated by Jesus, the apostles and church leaders throughout the history of the church.  Second, we must only use the Bible as our guide and not modern man's philosophies of life to define what it means to be a Christian.  Third, we must remember that being a genuine Christian is not words alone but actions.  If I say the right words but living a life completely contradictory to those words then I am living a lie and the truth is not in me.  In Numbers 13 & 14 is the story of the 12 spies going to the Promised Land to check things out.  Moses wanted information concerning the land in order to make good decisions on how to proceed to enter the land that God had promised.  Of the 12 spies, 10 came back with a negative report.  They saw themselves incapable of conquering the land due to the size of the cities, the size of the people and then they wanted to go back to Egypt.  Joshua and Caleb came back with a positive and faith filled message of hope.  They believe God was able to help them and were willing to go immediately to possess the land.  Words of Caleb, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.  If the Lord is pleased with, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.  Only do not rebel against the Lord.  And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up.  Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us.  Do not be afraid of them."  Numbers 14:7-9  Unfortunately the people sided with the negative talk which caused God to become very angry with them.  The basic thought here is that to follow God to the promised land was going to involve some risks, some dangers, some unknown things and a huge step of faith.  I present to you today that this is no different today.  If I am going to truly follow Jesus the way He wants me to follow Him will involve risks, dangers, unknown and will always involve steps of faith.  Here was the Lord's response to the children of Israel when they did not want to follow the Lord to the Promised Land.  "How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?"  Numbers 14:11  The point God was making with them would be the same point He will make with us.  I have been faithful, I will always be faithful, I will not lead you to do something that I will not help you to do and to complete, I will be with you, I am your strength and shield, there is nothing impossible with Me so keep your eyes on Me and not the size of the task that I called you to do.  Faith in God reveals that the giants in our eyes are merely ants in the eyes of God.  Our prayer ought to be: Lord help me to follow you in ways that are pleasing to You and though I am not comfortable grant me peace and joy for the journey You choose for me to walk.

A New Beginning

It has been over a year since I last posted a blog.  The big reason I stopped was when I resigned as pastor of Bethel A/G in Huntington, IN. I did not want to have any signs of interference with the new pastor of Bethel.  By the way I am hearing about great things that God is doing in Huntington and that is exciting.  The main reason I resigned is that I sensed my time was up and God was calling someone else to take that church to the next level.  At the time I did not know what I would be doing or where I would be going and through a variety of steps and guidance God has called me to Bethel A/G in Burton, MI.  Same church name but different town.  I have been in Burton now for a little over a year and four months.  We have witnessed God doing great things such as some major renovations, updates to the facility and the additions of several young families which was vital considering the church mainly consisted of retirement age.  Through the years God has developed certain skills that was essential in the renewing of Bethel A/G in Burton, MI.  This was a great new beginning for me and for the church as well.  To summarize what God was doing was getting me ready and willing to do whatever He asked me to do in order to bring about revitalization to a great church who will become a great church in reaching out to the community once again.  Lest anyone thinks that I was the only one who could do this here let it be known that I am only a servant who allowed God to do what He wanted to accomplish for His kingdom.  It is all about Jesus, it has always been about Jesus and always will be about Jesus.  This is a new beginning that many Christians need to experience for themselves.