Wednesday, August 3, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 16 - 8-3-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

As a reminder we are working through the first four verses of Colossians 3 together. The last issue set the foundation as we considered, "If then you have been raised with Christ." Here we embraced the truth that in Christ we are not only forgiven our sins but are fully identified with Him in His resurrection. It is a promise that is sure and thus is the foundation for what Paul will share in the subsequent verses.

In this issue we will examine together, "seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." As we do so Paul shares with us a command and two qualifications or focal points. Paul's command in response to the truth of our resurrection with Christ is for us to "seek the things that are above." In the NIV its says to "set your heart." In the NASB it says to "keep seeking." I believe the issue becomes one of constant pursuit not a whimsical decision to explore. We are to seek with the fullness of our lives, to seek with a longing for more and a longing for fulfillment. I liken it to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

The seeking then is to be done with much passion, like the day that baseball season was upon us growing up. I had made sure that my glove was ready for the season. It was oiled, a ball placed inside and tucked under my mattress to be conformed to the ball. The next morning I had made my bed and readied myself for school. The school day passed and I came home to the reality that my glove was missing. It wasn't under the mattress. It wasn't in all the other places it could be. I became frustrated as to where it had gone. I spent most of the afternoon seeking with great energy and passion. Everything that could hold a ball glove got emptied. I petitioned my mother and brother as to where it could be. I retraced my steps of the morning over and over again. It wasn't until it was time for bed that I found it. You see, my brother and I shared a room and we had trundle beds. I had taken my glove from under the mattress and placed it on the bed after making it and then rolled the bed under the other. The whole time the glove was right before me but in a place I did not look.

Unlike my search for my glove, Paul says, "seek the things that are above." We can search our whole lives and never find that which is most satisfying. We have to have the passion to "seek the things that are above." That are above gives us a location to look. The command is powerful as we bask in the wonder of the resurrection and our participation in it. Because of the resurrection of Christ we are to "seek the things that are above."

Please note that Paul doesn't leave the command alone. He does take the time to give two points of focus. Without them we would slip into Gnosticism or some type of existential nothingness. The first focal point is "where Christ is." Here is the reminder that He is risen and ascended on high. He has returned to the place from which He came. He has completed His mission to take away the sin that separates us from a Holy God. Jesus is the person we are to seek after, for He is above. Jesus is the one we are to be passionate about in the daily living out of our faith. We are not to empty ourselves and then be filled with nothing but be filled with the person and work of our Savior. When we consider the promises of Christ in our lives we will be enabled to seek Him with passion and energy so that He gets the glory.

The second focal point qualifies where Jesus is. Paul writes, "seated at the right hand of God." We seek where Christ is and Christ is "seated at the right hand of God." Three things come to mind concerning Christ being seated. The first deals with completion. He has fully returned to where He began and has completed the work and thus is seated. The second is that being "seated at the right hand of God" He is in a position of authority. He has taken His rightful place in the godhead as He is at God's right hand. The third thing that comes to mind is to ponder the question of what Jesus is doing as He is seated in a position of completion and authority. Paul writes in Romans 8:34, "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - ore than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." What a wonderful reality that the one who died for us and rose for us is now interceding for us at the right hand of God. The focal points of our seeking bring security and confidence to not only seek Him but to live out that reality daily.

So when we build upon the foundation of our allegiance to Jesus and seek the things that are above we are to be rooted in the work of Christ completed on the cross and His ongoing work of intercession on our behalf. When we seek in this manner there is nothing that we cannot do for His glory as the work is fully His and He enables the seeking through the power of the resurrection.

May the Lord Jesus quicken your longing for Him each and every moment of every day!!!

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 15 - 7-20-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

As we begin to consider the text of Colossians 3:1-4 we need first to understand Paul's shift in focus. He has been speaking against the false teachers in Colosse and giving wise counsel to the faithful to be aware and careful. In chapter three he moves toward the need for the believers to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. It is important that we understand this shift as it gives us insight in how to interpret and to apply the text to our hearts and lives.

Let us remind ourselves of the passage we are considering over the next few weeks, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4). I would encourage you to read this over and over. To pray over the words that you might see their glory. To let theme impact your thinking and daily life in such a way that your approach to life and your values would be shaped into godliness.

Our focus in this issue of Wisdom Wednesday will be the first phrase of verse one, "If then you have been raised with Christ."  Here we find the motivation for what Paul calls the Colossian believers to. This portion lays the foundation for all that follows as Paul calls them to a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Here in the ESV it is presented as a conditional phrase, "if then". Often when we see conditional phrases we shift our attention to ourselves as the point of the condition as if we had something to do. But here the condition is focused upon a truth revealed. As such we need to consider where this truth was revealed. We begin with the book in which the condition is presented. This process is that of letting scripture interpret scripture. When we consider what Paul has written in the book we find the answer to the condition of truth revealed in Colossians 2:11-15, "In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

There is much to consider in the passage as it demonstrates our unity with Christ and the victory that is secured by His work on the cross. We need only at this point to focus our attention upon verses 11,12. Paul takes the act of circumcision and makes it one in which it is more spiritual than physical. Ours is not a circumcision made by hands, in other words, just a physical act. Our circumcision is one of unity with Christ as it is His circumcision of our hearts that puts off the body of flesh. He continues to build upon this reality by bringing us to our baptism in Christ. Having been buried with him in baptism moves us to see our full identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We identify with His death when we enter the water, identify with His burial as we go under the water and identify with His resurrection when we come up out of the water. Baptism then becomes the sign of our full identification with Christ. Paul speaks to this when he says, "in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." This being raised from the dead is the same raised that Colossians 3:1 speaks about, "If then you have been raised with Christ". Christ's resurrection and our faith in its reality becomes an appropriation of faith as we demonstrate our full allegiance with Him in baptism.

The motivation is then set as we consider the condition. If you have been raised with Christ, if you share in the new life He has given and are fully aligned with Him, then you will long to live a life pleasing to Him. When we grasp the reality of what Christ has done for us, we long to give Him the fullness of our lives. We long to live in such a way that His Word is our priority, that His will is our will, that His glory is what we long to bring in our daily worship of Him.

The foundation is set in the work of Christ. We must remind ourselves constantly that it is His work not ours. This thought goes against all that we have been trained in concerning our living in this world. The curse of sin is hard work and at times we elevate the curse to be a mandate for picking ourselves up by our own boot straps, when in reality we work the work and give God the glory and the thanks for the strength to do the work. Scripture faithfully calls us to find our meaning, hope and perspective of life to be of the Father and not of this world. This calling is to prepare us for the joy of being eternally in His presence. So, Paul lays the foundation as a reminder of what Christ has done so that we would pursue that which is of Christ in a world that is destined for decay so that in it all Christ would be glorified.

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 14 - 7-13-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

In the last issue I referenced a habit of mine that I recite Scripture when I go to bed. My predominant passage is Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." This along with all of Ephesians 2 are my favorite passages of Scripture.

I share this with you as an encouragement to memorize Scripture and secondly to begin a small exposition of the Colossians passage. In this issue we will focus upon the need for memorization and its vital importance to our walk with the Lord. Then in subsequent issues we will expound the passage and draw some significant points of application to our lives in Christ.

The value of Bible memorization is multifaceted. In Colossians 3:16, Paul states, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving in your hearts to God." Here we find the foundation being set for our lives together in the church, the called out ones. We cannot effectively teach, admonish, sing or give thanks if the Word is not dwelling in us. Not only are we to pursue its indwelling but it is qualified that we do so in the richness of the Word. Without letting the word of Christ dwelling in us richly we will become impoverished and weak in our walk with the Lord. We will find our hearts developing spiritual heart disease as we strive to accomplish heavenly things with earthly works. It is a very real and present danger for us to forget the Word in the dailiness of our lives.

The Psalmist in Psalm 119 approaches Scripture memory by posing a question first. In Psalm 119:9 we read, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." Here again we see the necessary of Scripture memory and knowledge so that we can guard our hearts against sin and impurity. I am reminded of a quote on my Face Book page from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "The great concern of the New Testament Epistles is not about the size of the church. It is about the purity of the church." What fitting reminder for us to contemplate when most Bible churches are just as biblically illiterate as the world. Guarding one's heart and keeping pure is the outcome of the Word that is living and active in our lives.

Just two verses later the Psalmist writes, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11 ESV) In the NIV it says, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11) In the NASB it says, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Ps. 119:11) Let's draw so insights from each of these translations of the same verse. We see the words stored, hidden, and treasured in reference to the act of memorization. Each of these words help us understand the great value of Bible memorization. To store suggests that we are keeping the word at the ready to be used. To be ready in season and out of season. To hide suggests that we long to protect it in our hearts in such a way that its protection is constantly at work in our lives. To treasure suggests that we place great value upon the Word and thus want to have it in our hearts because of its work upon our hearts. Each of these words help us to see that Bible memorization is not just a discipline to be pursued but a practice that will bring about change.

In the second half of these passages we find the outcome or result of storing, hiding, and treasuring. That result is that I might not sin against God in the ESV and the NIV. In the NASB, it says may not. The expectation is that as we memorize Scripture we will see its impact upon our daily lives in Christ and our bent toward sin will be growing smaller and smaller. The practice is not to be just to be about our brain but our heart or soul, the fullness of our being. We are to let the Word of God so touch and transform us that we will see the wonder of Christ in it and long to have it be in the very fabric of our lives.

As we consider the memorization of Scripture the natural excuse is to say, "I can't memorize anything." I would beg to differ. Do you remember the names of your children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, grandparents, neighbors, and classmates? How did you come to know these names, but through repetition and more repetition. Thus the practice of Bible memorization is two fold. First, taking a particular passage and reading it over and over again until you have it seared into your memory. The second is the reading of God's Word daily, multiple times a day. This habit will give you the broader experience of first remembering where in general you have read something and then over time you will be able to remember the specifics. So, we find our hearts longing for the Word and thus find ourselves without much effort memorizing the Word and bringing daily application to our lives. As I have said many times, "We are to have a read Bible."

May the Lord richly bless and expand your efforts in memorization by being daily in the Word.

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY 
 Vol. 1 Issue 13 - 7-6-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 
- II Peter 3:18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Greetings Church,

It has been a while since I have written to you. Many excuses have come across my mind and most have focused upon the issue of inspiration rather than motivation. As I have contemplated these thoughts the end result is that I have realized that these reflections are speaking more to me, just as much as to you.

The other night while reciting Scripture before going to sleep, I was prompted to think about the issue of inspiration and was convicted that I do not need inspiration to write as I already have it in Christ, through the Spirit and the power of the Word. If I relegate my writing to my own inspiration I put God in a box, negate the power of the cross, ignore the prompting of the Spirit and the Word that is living and active becomes stale and powerless.

All those things grow from a dependence upon the flesh rather than the Lord. Daily in our lives we need to not only live with repentant hearts but hearts that keep our focus upon the Lord in such a way that we realize the more we know Him the more we will see our intimate need of Him. His glory, wonder, grace, wisdom, peace and comfort, etc., are already ours in Christ. We need only to appropriate their reality and live them out as He empowers us by the Spirit and the Word.

Two Scriptures come to mind to help in remembering these truths. The first is Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Here the Apostle Paul makes it plain that every need of ours will be supplied. Regardless of what those needs are, God will supply them perfectly. Please note that the needs have a catch. They are not needs that find their foundation in the flesh but in the glorious riches in Christ Jesus. How many times have we reasoned ourselves into a decision concerning something we thought we needed only to realize that it had no value at all? When we realize that God supplies the true needs of our heart namely Christ in all His glory our value system shifts dramatically. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." What a glorious reminder of God's provision.

The second Scripture comes from II Peter 1:3,4 "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." Several reminders leap off the page in this passage. We see that the provision finds its source in God not us. His power has granted, His revelation has granted, His rescue is exercised in the fulfillment of His promises to us. This passage of promise is not to be used as a lucky charm or expression but a reminder that God is the one who provides the power through His promises so that all things that pertain to life and godliness are ours in Him. As such the end result is not a blessed life in the world but a glorious life free from sinful desire. I find it interesting that we can easily commingle worldly wisdom with Biblical wisdom. We sprinkle wisdom of the flesh in a way to justify it with a little bit of truth from the Word. If we have escaped the corruption of the flesh why do we purposely seek it out?

The wonder of the Lord's motivation, inspiration and power is part and parcel of our relationship with Him through Christ. We need not find the source in our fallen heart but in the heart that is fully redeemed in Christ. Our redemption and repentance is to be upon our hearts every moment of our day. That reflection will give us all we need because He has promised it.

"May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23)

Blessings,

PBS


Wednesday, May 11, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 12 - 5-11-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

As Christians we often find ourselves putting expectations upon ourselves that we misunderstand. One of those expectations is that those who are in Christ are to be fearless. That following Christ makes us invincible and thus we are to be victorious daily in our walk with Him. Most of this expectation is true when it deals with the promised eternal state that we are to live out today. But we must find the solution to our fear in the daily abiding in Christ. Without Him it is impossible to be fearless.

Yet, when we properly understand this truth we must come to realize that fear is part of our existence in a fallen world. The key to responding to our fears does not come from within us as if we have the power to do so but comes from our dependence upon the Lord. In Psalm 56:3,4 we read, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" Please notice the first reality and that is fear comes upon us. The psalmist says, "when I am afraid". Fear here deals with the stresses and fears of this life. It is not the reverent awe we are to have before a Holy God. Fear is an emotion that stirs us, that causes us to act in response to a proper understanding of what is feared. We must not think that fear is something a Christian should never have.

The reason we have fear as an emotion we all have and often deal with, is that it causes us to run. The question then is where do we run to or who do we run to. The psalmist again gives us insight into that, as he states, "when I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Fear moves us to seek out the Lord for His grace and protection. His desire is for us to run to Him when we are afraid. Trusting in the Lord is the significant fear catcher. He longs with open arms to receive us when afraid, just like when we were children and we ran into our father or mother's arms when afraid. Trusting in the Lord is not only to be done when afraid but something we are to do always. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6) Here again the realization for our hearts is that we sometimes choose our own ways and we need to strive to trust Him for His ways. This should be an ever growing trust in Him.

How do we come to this understanding of fear before a Holy God? We do so by being in the Word that is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) The psalmist says, "In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid." The Word reveals the promises of God. The Word is to be praised not as if we put it on a pedestal but that we spend time in it and hide it in our hearts. We cannot give praise to something we do not know. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word....I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:9,11) As we are in the Word we realize that when we are afraid we trust in the One who has revealed His promises that we have kept in our hearts. Therefore, run to Him, run to His Word, hide it in your hearts, let it bring the purity needed to trust in Him.

The last phrase in verse four brings the issue of fear to a conclusion. It references the life we live in the flesh. A life that needs redemption. A life that is born again through faith in Jesus Christ. The question is asked, "What can flesh do to me?" I like how this is translated as it helps us understand that fear can come from without and from within. Flesh then represents not just another human being that is causing the fear but also our own selves can be causing the fear. In either case fear attempts to draw us away from God. But trusting God with our fear brings the flesh into proper focus. What can it do to me? If our fear is given to the Lord by trusting in His promises revealed then the flesh can do nothing to us whether it is from without or within.

We all face fears and trials of many kinds, yet we have a solution to them all. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?" (Psalm 56:3,4)

Let us trust in Him!!!

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 11 - 5-4-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

On the eve of the National Day of Prayer I would like to encourage you to consider increasing your daily prayer output. Calling on the Lord should not be an annual event dictated by the world, it should be a moment by moment experience just like breathing. This is what Paul means when in I Thessalonians 5:13 he said, "pray without ceasing". As with breathing, prayer should be a natural expression of our existence. It should not be something we come to when we have exhausted every other avenue but the first place that we go.

Paul in Ephesians 6 in his discussion of the whole armor of God makes prayer a vital part of the armor. Listen to verses 18-20, "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." He shares three broad things for us to consider in our prayer lives.

The first is that prayer is to be at all times. The time for prayer is always. There is never a time that prayer is not appropriate or beneficial. Thus we need to develop this awareness of the need to pray in the dailiness of our lives. We sell ourselves short when we limit the need to pray. I learned from my Nana that prayer was for all occasions not just a blessing at a meal. Paul clarifies what the prayer life should be like as he states, "in the Spirit". He wants the intercessor to be a part of our prayer lives. The Holy Spirit is to be the one who directs our prayer lives as we depend upon Him to give us insight and understanding. This is one reason at our prayer meeting on Thursday nights we begin with prayer so that we will be guided to pray in accordance to the Lord's will. Paul further gives insight to what this praying at all times looks like when he finishes, with "all prayer and supplication". Here Paul directs us to prayer, as in praying in general or prayer that does not ask but a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Supplication means that we make a humble petition to the Lord, namely this is the ask. So Paul encourages us to be "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication."

Secondly, Paul gives us direction or subject matter for us to pray for. In the midst of the armor that is put on we have a focused place of attention or use for the armor and that is prayer. Yet the prayer life is not just for the armor bearer/wearer but for all the saints. The second portion of verse 18 says, "To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints." The alertness comes from our pursuit of the Lord in prayer. We are to do so with all perseverance. Being alert means we are aware of the battle around us and that we maintain this alertness with all our strength and follow through. The purpose for such is that we are "making supplication for all the saints." Our prayer lives then find their greatest strength not in just praying ourselves but praying for others. Here that prayer is broad in nature for all the saints. Yet it suggests that we take note of and are aware of the needs of others around the world. We need not only research those needs as published by various mission organizations but realize at the heart that our own struggles are not much different than theirs. So we pray not in generalizations but growing out of our own needs we pray with perseverance for them.

Lastly, Paul moves to himself as he asks for the Ephesians to cover him in prayer. He becomes the example to follow as we pray for all the saints. The saints here are those who profess Jesus as Lord and Savior. Paul is very specific about what to pray for, which helps us to know that we need to be specific about the needs of the saints around us. Take care to note that unspoken prayers are not found in scripture and Paul is very specific about what to pray for. Thus we need to be in relationship with one another to know how to pray for each other. We need to be consistent in asking how we can pray for one another. We need to be consistent in following up with those needs so that we are enabled to continue to pray for each other.

It is my prayer that you will be encouraged to pray daily and often. To be a prayer warrior for the church God has called you to be a part of. I would also like to invite you to make prayer meeting on Thursday nights a new weekly habit. I know you will be blessed as you pray with and for the saints.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

 WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 10 - 4-27-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Greetings Church,


It is so amazing that we welcomed little Kinsley Joan into this world just a month ago. Now she is one month old and we are puzzled over where the time has gone. Yet in that time the world continues to move toward the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we find ourselves thinking about the passing of time we often take the tack that somehow we have to control it. That somehow we must be able to use it more wisely and thus control its passing and impact. When you have young children or grandchildren in your life you realize quickly that life is made up of many so called interruptions or as some would call them God moments.

Let us be mindful of our understanding of time concerning our value and our submission to our sovereign God. We looked recently at James 4:13-16 and I would encourage you to read it again. But I want to make note as a reminder of what it says in verse 14 about us. "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." The question and answer puts into perspective our lives and what we boast in or pursue for our own sake, if we are to understand this in context. In the grand scheme of things James sets us in the realm of eternity. So as we live in light of eternity we gain understanding that our lives here on earth are but a mist, a vapor in proper perspective. Therefore, we are to use our lives, our time in a manner that is in submission to the Lord and His will, not our dreams, wants and desires. This thought, as is evident by the piercing in your heart or stomach, goes against all that we are taught to pursue in this world. The reason for this is that those who follow Christ are not of this world, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (I Peter 2:9)

So, if we are a mist, then how are we to live? How are we to use the time we have? The Apostle Paul calls us to, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1,2) Later in verses 15,16 he says, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." When you put the two together and there is much in between that helps to understand what being an imitator is all about, we see that an imitator uses time wisely. The ESV doesn't translate it as redeem the time as if we must buy it back to use over again. The time given is to be used wisely or making the most of your time or making the most of every opportunity. The use then is focused upon using our time to be faithful imitators of God. If that is the focus, which I believe it is, then we must see all the details of our day as an opportunity to imitate God. We must walk in love. We must give ourselves to others. We must offer our lives as living sacrifices.

Notice that there are two motivating factors in these verses. The first is the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus loved us by giving himself up. By laying down His life for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. As we imitate the Lord, Jesus is our example to follow. We must not follow others if they are not following Christ. We must not elevate another as our ultimate example of one who imitates God. The example can only be Jesus.

The second motivator brings us to another expression of time, "because the days are evil." The days were evil just as much then as they are now. The focus is not upon the evil times and finding despair but to focus upon being empowered to be ever more faithful to be imitators of God in the midst of evil. For it is in those times that our faith is tested to be genuine. Paul says to look carefully. To pay attention to how we are living. To walk in love, as Christ loved us. To live our lives as those who pay attention to how we love the Lord in the dailiness of our lives. To be wise not unwise, for "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."(Proverbs 9:10)

So, when life seems to be filled with many interruptions. Remember, that even then we are to be imitators of God and walk in His love and be wise in how we use the time given for that moment for His glory.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY

Vol. 1 Issue 9 - 4-20-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

- II Peter 3:18

Greetings Church,

This past Sunday was a pivotal event in the life of our church and every church that calls itself Christian. The resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ powerfully authenticates the work done on the cross. The incarnate Son of God laid down His life for us and took it up again, all to the glory of the Father.

As I have been thinking about this reality and the reality of many factors in my life, I have come to realize the powerful privilege I have to be living in these times. Watching my grandchildren grow into little people and then young adults is such a powerful responsibility. This watching reminds me of our spiritual heritage in the scriptures. The Apostle Peter used a very familiar line of reasoning when preaching in Solomon's Portico when he said, "The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses." (Acts 3:13-15)

Peter builds upon a common foundation for all listening to him to consider. That foundation is that God established a relationship with the fathers of the faith, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Men who lived their lives imperfectly yet longing to express their faith through those lives. Men God used to safeguard a people unto Himself. Men God molded and shaped as instruments of His grace. As each day passes I find myself longing to be used as such in the lives of my grandchildren. When I see the joy in their faces, the hope of what their lives will become and the wonder of how God will bring that all about, I find myself wanting to be more faithful to Jesus. To be laying a foundational heritage that is built upon Christ and His Word.

Peter also makes it clear that he and John are witnesses of the events he speaks about. Witnesses who have eyewitness testimony unto the person and work of Jesus Christ. Witnesses who are emboldened by the power of the Holy Spirit that came upon them at Pentecost. Witnesses who were willing to share the wonder and love of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Each time I whisper into a grandchild's ear I love you, I feel the love of the Father whispering the same into mine. For my love for them is firmly rooted in His love for me. This love is something no one can take from me. "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

What a joy to know with such confidence that my love is secure in God's love. What a joy to pass on to the next generation that same love I have experienced. What a joy to ponder the many lives to be lived beyond mine, if the Lord tarries, that will hear of that great love because of a simple whisper of love into the ear of a child.

It is my prayer that each of us consider how we should build a faithful heritage to pass on to the next generation as we await the return of our Lord. We wait with security because His word is faithful and true. His word never returns to Him empty or void. His Word is the very Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we all find in our daily walk the wonderful privilege it is to be loved by God and to share that love with the world. May we be as bold as Peter and John in the midst of confronting those who were part of God's plan to put Jesus to death, to offer to this world in which we live the love of Christ to their longing hearts. May we be known by our faithful heritage that we are not just church goers but followers of Jesus.

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

 

WISDOM WEDNESDAY                                                         

Vol. 1 Issue 8 - 4-13-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Greetings Church,

Depending on your church and liturgical background this week has spiritual and historical significance. We call this week Holy Week as it leads up from the triumphal procession through to the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The week has much to teach us of how Jesus taught and prepared His disciples for the task He gives them to be His witnesses to the world. It thus gives us encouragement to contemplate how we should prepare to share Jesus to our world.

Over the years I have taught several times on Christ's seven statements from the cross and would like to do so again. Here they are in what is considered their chronological order:


And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
John 19:26

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Mark 15:34

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”
John 19:28

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46

I would encourage you to read them again and again to begin the process of discernment concerning the Lord's purpose in laying down His life for you and me. Several things leap to my heart. First the focused attention to accomplishing the Father's will, to see the task to its glorious conclusion. Second, to extend the hope of forgiveness to those who had no understanding of their need for it. Thirdly, to live in anticipation for the reception of faith in the paradise of the Lord, the wonderful life of living in the promised presence of Christ. Fourthly, to experience the pain and suffering He endured for the payment for our sin as He took what we deserve to death and yet was victorious over death. Lastly, to let the love and trust Christ had and has in what the Father was doing through Him for us.

All these things and many more can be gleaned from these passages. Passages spoken from a position of being brutally put to death to satisfy a guilty world yet powerfully displaying the ultimate sacrifice for that world. We have the wonderful privilege of knowing these truths and sharing them with our world in our lifetime. May this Easter bolster our faith and faithfulness to tell the wondrous story of redemption through faith in Jesus.

Blessings,

PBS


Wednesday, April 6, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY 

Vol. 1 Issue 7 - 4-6-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

If we take a moment to reflect upon our lives we would find that we all have or will experience all the stressors of living in a fallen world. The reality of sin which so easily entangles is something we often let our minds forget about. Not because we are forgiven but because we think we can in our own strength live above an awareness of sin in our own lives and thus in the world in which we live.

Reflecting upon these past three years I have grown dramatically in my faith. I have laid to rest both of my parents. I have welcomed more grandchildren into our family. I have begun to look closely at how I will live the rest of my days. Yet, in doing so I must find the Word to be central in that evaluation.

I have often quoted James 4:17 in a call to faithfulness for those who I have shepherded, "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." The goal was to encourage those who needed a nudge to realize the need for follow through to do so. But as I read the text in context I have realized it is more than just a nudge. It is a need to understand the sovereignty of God in every detail of our lives. To see with eyes of amazement the joy of His salvation and His purpose for us daily and for all eternity.

Listen to James 4:13-16, "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit' - yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."

First we see an invitation to consider the planning of our time. James speaks to the heart of those who plan things on their own accord and not in the Lord's. A recent conversation with Dale helped to keep in perspective the decisions we make. He was asked a question and he responded that he needed time to pray about it. How often we find ourselves jumping into decisions whether great or small without the Lord's counsel.

Secondly, we are to keep ourselves humble before a majestic God, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." v14b It doesn't say we have little value but that our time here on earth is limited in the scope of eternity. If we are just a mist, how misty are we going to be? How will we use our time wisely? How will each day have its greatest value? How will we redeem the day for the Lord's glory?

Thirdly, we are to realize the greatest worth in our lives is to do the will of the Lord and to seek it faithfully. Knowing the will of the Lord begins with time in the Word, bathing it in prayer that we would understand and apply it. The will of God is clearly displayed in the Bible even if we have to spend much time searching its pages. Pouring over the scriptures always brings out the best in us as it changes our hearts and transforms our lives. In "rightly handling the word of truth" - II Timothy 2:15, we will begin to see the right things we need to do.

Finally, we are to live for today and make God led plans for tomorrow. With all the stress we endure we can find today overwhelmingly focused upon tomorrow. Jesus said, "Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" - Matthew 6:34. Let us purpose, to live each day to the fullness that God has designed for us and we will find our lives accomplishing all the good, the right things daily.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY 

Vol. 1 Issue 6 - 3-30-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

This last week has caused me to be busy with family and fellowship. Time has run a muck, even though I asked a brother to pray for my proper time management. This busyness has prompted a reflection upon how well do we prepare for worship each week. It has also brought thoughts as to whether it should be weekly or daily.

Scripture encourages us to realize that worship is not just a once a week act but one in which we are called to daily. We often consider this personal or private worship. From this perspective we also find the need for family worship. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 we are taught, "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." This focus of attention covers the fullness of our lives as we strive to bring to application the truth of God's Word each and every day and in every situation we face.

Paul in Romans 12:1 states, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Here Paul brings into perspective that our daily living is an act of worship. This text along with I Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God", help us to realize that preparing for worship is not only to be daily but that worship is to be daily. We as individual followers of Christ are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices daily. This daily act is the foundation upon which we prepare for corporate worship as we gather as the body of Christ on Sunday. It is out of this nourishment that we come prepared to worship.

As we build upon and prepare our hearts for corporate worship through personal or private worship we must heed the Word's instruction for that worship. In Psalm 100:4 it says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" The psalmist gives us guidance as to how we are to prepare for our entrance into the Lord's presence. We are to do so with thanksgiving and praise but it must be accompanied by a full recognition of His name. Blessing His name carries the acknowledgment of the fullness of God's character and attributes. In Ecclesiastes 5:1, Solomon writes, "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is far better than to offer the sacrifice of fools for they do not know that they are doing evil." How we come into our worship setting is vitally important. The current church culture wants to make the setting so casual that we make it about us and our comfort and not about God and His glory. We must walk a balanced approach to the Lord recognizing our need for reverence and our need to be welcoming. This balance can only be maintained if we are spending the necessary time preparing for worship. We cannot put on the attitude of worship when we walk through the doors as if putting on the right clothing for church. The whole focus of worship is about Him and His expectations not our comfort or habit.

In Hebrews 10:23-25 we read, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Worship in these last days is critically important to our growth as individuals and as the body of Christ. Without it we will slowly grow weary and weak in our faith. Gathering as the body of Christ as each part does its work to prepare will build us up. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." - Ephesians 3:19-22. May the Lord Himself continue to bring us into His presence as we respond in faithful preparation for worship personally and corporately.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY          

Vol. 1 Issue 5 - 3-23-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

We have heard many times on a particular television commercial that "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"(Arthur Fletcher - United Negro College Fund) Yet when it comes to the fears in our lives we truly do waste our minds. We become consumed with fear and forgetfulness. We find our thoughts distracted by those fears so that we do not seek the solutions God has already revealed in His Word. We let the pressures of the world dictate the direction of our minds and our hearts. The challenge in the midst of fear is to remember the Word of God and its promises. For those promises are God's and they are given to us to be encouraged and blessed.

I would like to bring to our remembrance three things that will help us seek out the Lord's direction in our lives. The first is that of the faithful work of the Word. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10,11) Isaiah shares a very simple yet profound picture for us to understand the faithfulness of the Word of God. We all experience the rain and snow as it accomplishes its purpose. Even though there are times we are disgusted with the rain or the amount of the cold winter snow, it continues toward its purpose. Isaiah says, "so shall my word". We need to remember that time in the Word is never to be monotonous, it is to be pursued with faithfulness as it will always accomplish that which God purposes.

Secondly, regardless of our situation we must count on the Word and its power because it cannot be bound. Paul in II Timothy 2:8,9 says, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!" How many times have we thought in the midst of our own bondage that we have nowhere to turn. Nothing is going to help us. Paul reminds us in his own bondage that the Word is not bound. What a joy to know that the Word that is purposeful is also the word that cannot be bound. What a blessing to turn to the Word and find the promises that free us from the bondage we have put ourselves in through fear, doubt or anxiety. Let us purpose to explore daily the wonder of the truth found in the Word of God.

Thirdly, in II Timothy 3:16,17 we find a familiar passage that continues our theme of encouragement. "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." All Scripture is inspired, breathed out by God. It is His very Word. We should and must trust it fully because He has shared it and given it to us. It is a Word that is purposeful and free. The Word is profitable to the fullness of our lives. It teaches us all things for our daily walk with the Lord. It reproves us or rebukes us for it convicts us of sin. It corrects us so that we are restored to our right position before a holy God. It trains us in righteousness for we are but children before Him. It thoroughly equips us so that we are complete in order to do the work. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

As Christians in a fallen world we must take care not to let the world influence us unto fear or forgetfulness. Whatever the issue we are facing, the Word of God can answer. Let us purpose daily to be in it and let us let it wash over our hearts and minds that our focus will be upon Him and not this world.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY                                                        

Vol. 1 Issue 4 - 3-16-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

These last couple days have found me battling the bug and it has been a long time since this has visited my doorstep. Oh, yes, I did have COVID-19 back in November and the two are not alike. Either way these illnesses give me pause to give thanks to the Lord for the reminder that my whole life is dependent upon Him.

David writes these words as he opens Psalm 103, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all you iniquity, who heals all you diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."(Psalm 103:1-5) First note that David is speaking to himself. Calling upon his heart to focus its attention upon the Lord. The fullness of all that is within him is to praise the Lord. We often forget that the answers to our problems are only a prayer away. David's reminder to himself to action is a reminder to us to let the Lord lead our heart into His presence, to bless Him and His holy name.

Secondly, we see David building upon the blessing of the Lord by reflecting upon His benefits. Actually, David is pointing to the work of the Lord in our lives. He asks himself and us to consider what we remember about the Lord in the dailiness of our lives. He does so with a broad introduction with the words, "forget not all his benefits". This is an all inclusive statement that we must ponder. We need not limit ourselves just to this text but the fullness of the word of God. God has revealed all we need to understand as to what it means to follow faithfully after Him. His word is sufficient and authoritative in its fullness, from beginning to end. As the Apostle Peter put it, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence."(II Peter 1:3)

As David reflects, he shares a brief list before he moves on to a historical narrative in verse 6 and following. The Lord forgives, heals, redeems, crowns, satisfies and renews. This list is not all inclusive of His benefits but summarizes for us the impact that they make upon the dailiness of our lives. They reveal to David's heart and our own that they will bring us through any issue we face. These benefits get to the heart of our needs and how the Lord provides perfectly for them. We are to bless the Lord for the forgiveness He offers that works to resolve the fullness of our iniquities. Nothing is not covered by this forgiveness given to us in faith in Christ. We are to bless the Lord for He heals all our diseases, a promise that is not just fulfilled in our lives here on earth but in all eternity. The healing ultimately is both the physical and spiritual. We are to bless the Lord for He redeems our lives from the pit. The redemption is from corruption and points to His daily concern for our well-being. We are to bless the Lord for He crowns us with steadfast love and mercy. Here the Lord imparts to us all we need to live out the life of faith in Him as His love empowers us to love and show mercy. We are to bless the Lord for He satisfies us with good. How often have we searched for satisfaction in things that are fleeting and fail to remember His provision of satisfying good. We are to bless the Lord for the renewal of our youthfulness like unto the eagle's. Regardless of our age He renews the depth of our faith daily that we might sore with ease and grace like an eagle.

All these interlock together to remind us of why David needs and we need to bless the Lord. Our God is truly an awesome God and worthy to be praised. I pray that in whatever circumstance you find yourselves that you would bless the Lord with the fullness of who you are. That each day is a reminder of the fullness of grace He faithfully extends to each and everyone of us.

Blessings,
PBS

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY 

Vol. 1 Issue 3 - 3-9-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

This evening the Finance Committee worked on the budget for 2022-2023 and did so with great joy and thanksgiving. With joy because we were able to complete the task in a faithful concise manner. With thanksgiving because of the faithfulness of those gathered at WCC to give freely and consistently. Over the last 20 years the Lord has provided for all our needs for ministry perfectly every year. He has given us hearts to grow in our giving and hearts to serve with our giving. In my experience as a pastor the finances of a local church are a direct correlation to its spiritual maturity. Faithful giving comes from hearts that are faithful to the Lord. For this I am truly blessed to be the pastor of this church, that I am able to witness your commitment to Christ to give and to serve.

I am reminded of Paul's thoughts in Philippians 4 as he reflects upon the revived concern the Philippian believers have for his ongoing ministry. He expresses his thanksgiving when he says, "I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me."(Philippians 4:10)

Their concern has been revived for him and he does not thank them but thanks the Lord for them. This is a valuable lesson to keep in mind so that we do not celebrate the flesh but celebrate the provider, namely the Lord. Paul consistently points to the Lord as the one to give thanks to and to give thanks for those He provides. Paul goes on, "You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity."(Philippians 4:10b). He acknowledges their concern and it is precious to him even though they did not have an opportunity to show it. He is grateful for that concern.

Paul wishes to clarify his position so that they do not misunderstand what he has just said. He doesn't want them to think he is ungrateful. Listen to his heart, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."(Philippians 4:11-12) Do you hear that? He has learned to be content regardless of the circumstances. He didn't just wake up one day and understand this but he learned it through life experience. Through being brought low, how to abound, facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. We can learn much just from listening to Paul's own personal growth.

Yet, we must also understand that this learning is not in his own wisdom or power. He makes a bold claim with these words that give power to his contentment, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Jesus, the Lord gives him the strength needed to be content in abundance and in need. This is not a victory statement that suggests we only get the strength when we win but that we get the strength needed always for whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. As I noted last week we often falsely believe that we deserve to be free from suffering, we do the same thing concerning strength. We think with Jesus in our corner or in our pocket we cannot fail. Though true to some extent, we can find ourselves worshiping the thought rather than the one who is the thought. Jesus is the one who gives Paul the strength to be content.

As we grow in Christ, we should be putting childish things away. We should be able to firmly rest upon the promises of God and realize all things are to be done for His glory. I'm reminded of the prayer I prayed with Owen's doctor the night he came to us to tell us he had never had such a sick little boy before. The doctor feared for Owen's life. I prayed that whether God took him or saved him, God would get the glory. How did I come to that thought? I had learned to be content in my relationship with the Father through the Son. The Holy Spirit guided my thoughts, my tongue to pray for the glory of God. May we find our contentment fully in Christ and Christ alone.

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY 

Vol. 1 Issue 2 - 3-2-22

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings Church,

Over these last few days I have read many articles about the background of the conflict with Russia and Ukraine. I have also read much about identifying Russia in Ezekiel and its potential relationship with Gog and Magog. Along with these I have read, as well as you, the articles from The Gospel Coalition about the missionaries, pastors and churches who are remaining steadfast in the face of danger. When I put all these things together I realize we in the west have found a fascination with escapism. We have developed a false confidence, that is not in Scripture, that Christians are somehow exempt from suffering. Our spiritual elitism has promoted an arrogance that has distanced us from the truth of the Word and how the Lord uses suffering to stretch and strengthen our faith. As we saw in the message this past Sunday, Christ was testing his disciples concerning their understanding of who He was and how they were processing the truth revealed to them.

In the fall of 1996, after discovering that Peter could not see out of his right eye, I began a Bible Study at prayer meeting in the book of James. Our first night I shared the outcome of several doctors appointments concerning Peter's prognosis. These were the words I shared, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4. I had read these verses many times and considered them along with others concerning suffering. But they did not come to life until we as a family and me as a pastor had to heed the command to count what we were going through as joy, as pure joy. The perspective that James was presenting is not an option for the believer but an honest expectation with a powerful result. Trials build steadfastness and bring us to completion in Christ, lacking in nothing. The qualifier is that we are to hold this perspective with joy, counting it as a given.

Suffering for many western Christians is foreign to our experience. What we consider suffering or trials are minuscule compared to others around the world. Last summer a brother in Christ went to glory after a battle with COVID. He had grown up in Moldova, which is on the western border of Ukraine. Growing up in a Christian home he was ridiculed by his community and was considered a Shtundist because of his faith in Christ. The word Shtundist comes from the German word Stunde ("hour") and referred to the practice of setting aside an hour for daily Bible study. In his experience though a positive description of his daily faith it was also a derogatory statement. Once identified as such they were avoided and demeaned in public. Daily they were called out because of their faithfulness to Jesus. That experience shaped him into an intensely passionate follower of Christ. He never used that identification in a negative manner. He let the Lord lead the way in the midst of persecution, trial and suffering and grew deeper in love with Jesus.

It is my prayer that as we become more aware of the sufferings of our brothers and sisters around the world that we would embrace the truth of the Word and prepare our hearts to be ready to suffer for Christ. May we prove to be steadfast, perfect, complete, lacking nothing because of what we suffer for Christ.

Blessings,

PBS

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

WISDOM WEDNESDAY       

Vol. 1 Issue 1 - 2-23-22

"But grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 

- II Peter 3:18

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings Church,

The Lord has put on my heart to share with you a midweek reflection upon the Word of God. The purpose is to challenge our thinking and stretch our faith, so that we accomplish two things:

1. That we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thus applying Peter's admonition as he brings to a close his second letter.

2. That we look into the Word so that we see and understand its purpose for the dailiness of our lives bringing Paul's teaching in II Corinthians 3:18 into focus: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

These verses address the expected transformation that takes place when we have Christ at center in our lives. They teach us that sound doctrine brings that change so that we are reflecting more and more each day the glory of the Father through the Son by the Spirit in our lives. When we put our trust in Christ, namely turn to the Lord, as Paul puts it in II Corinthians 3:16, the veil is removed so that we can see the truth of God's glory in Christ. This sight gives us a vision to see the truth of what God is doing in our lives. This sight or understanding is brought about by trusting in the doctrine presented in the Word.

This pursuit takes place in trusting Christ daily and not trusting our own thinking. Proverbs 3:5,6 speaks directly to this reality: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Our paths or our walk with the Lord is not something we pursue once a week on Sunday but daily and each moment of the day. The change that is brought is called holiness.

Holiness has a standard for which we are called into obedience that comes from the Father. He has displayed this in the Son and we are to follow. I Peter 1:14-16 states, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.' "

In our world being a holy Christian will be more difficult if we do not pursue growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This growth is essential to living a holy life and making an impact upon the world and people in our spheres of influence. It is my prayer that we all long to grow in Jesus and witness the transforming power of His grace in our hearts and lives. May we be ever faithful to let that power be real and personal in the dailiness of our lives.

Blessings,
PBS