Isaiah 11:3-4
3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; ESV
It's hard to imagine actually delighting in the fear of the Lord. Fearing the fear of the Lord, now that's more like it. Accepting it, even embracing it, but actually delighting? But that's just what this verse in Isaiah says-and it is a prophecy about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The fear of the Lord is many things, but when I read this verse it prompted me to think about taking God into account. We like to think that our thoughts and reasoning skills are up to almost any task. Given enough time and information and we'll figure out most things.
I think the verses that follow show us that we cannot really hope to do that apart from God. Even the most perfect human that ever lived: Jesus Christ, had to rely on the fear of the Lord to do what was right. It wasn't that He might have made a mistake, but it shows that He was completely human and like we have to, He had to trust in the Spirit to make all decisions.
It's easy for us to listen and watch and decide things. How often do we take the time to ask God and then look into His Word as a guide to how we should think?
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Black-White White-Black
Isaiah 5:20-21
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight! ESV
It's really sad, but that's what I see going on in our world today. We live in a post modern society, and while there is nothing wrong with that per se, one of the hallmarks of post modernist thinking is that there are no longer any standards of truth. The truth is actually made up of what each individual brings and the truth can change depending on who is around.
That is an open door for the deceptive human heart, which the Bible calls "desperately wicked." One of the ways the human heart has responded to this lack of real standards of truth is to do a switcheroo. Suddenly now if you stand up for a ultimate truth apart from the opinions of the collective you are wrong. Suddenly those values taught as right are now wrong and if you believe them you are labeled as an outcast. And it will only get worse.
I think we are wandering down a path of destruction. No wonder Isaiah said "woe." We need to stick to the ultimate truth revealed to us from God's Word, the Bible. There is such a thing as right and wrong and it is spelled out clearly there. There is such a thing as heaven and hell and there is such a thing as salvation and damnation. And there is a real Savior who loved us so much as to provide that way of salvation free of charge to us all. His name is Jesus.
Let me finish by quoting a famous passage not from the Bible. "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet." And sin by any other name still stinks.
Pastor Tom
20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight! ESV
It's really sad, but that's what I see going on in our world today. We live in a post modern society, and while there is nothing wrong with that per se, one of the hallmarks of post modernist thinking is that there are no longer any standards of truth. The truth is actually made up of what each individual brings and the truth can change depending on who is around.
That is an open door for the deceptive human heart, which the Bible calls "desperately wicked." One of the ways the human heart has responded to this lack of real standards of truth is to do a switcheroo. Suddenly now if you stand up for a ultimate truth apart from the opinions of the collective you are wrong. Suddenly those values taught as right are now wrong and if you believe them you are labeled as an outcast. And it will only get worse.
I think we are wandering down a path of destruction. No wonder Isaiah said "woe." We need to stick to the ultimate truth revealed to us from God's Word, the Bible. There is such a thing as right and wrong and it is spelled out clearly there. There is such a thing as heaven and hell and there is such a thing as salvation and damnation. And there is a real Savior who loved us so much as to provide that way of salvation free of charge to us all. His name is Jesus.
Let me finish by quoting a famous passage not from the Bible. "A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet." And sin by any other name still stinks.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Book of Depression - The Book of Joy
A lot of people say that when they are depressed they read Job. Job is a pretty depressing book, I'll admit. But if you really want to get bummed, read Ecclesiastes. This little book was written by Solomon. You probably know a key verse:
Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless." NIV
It's all about how Solomon tried wisdom and pleasure, hard work, riches, philosophy, foolishness - he tried it all and more and found that it is all meaningless.
But there is a theme that also runs through the book that is very encouraging. There is the idea that the end of a thing is better than the beginning, that death is better than birth - why? Because we don't know what lies ahead, but we do know what we have done. Is it glorifying to God or to ourselves?
And he says this: Ecclesiastes 2:24 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God." NIV
Instead of striving to always have a handle on everything, be in control, chart your course so carefully that nothing can stop you - instead, focus on the task at hand and find joy or satisfaction in what God has given you to do today. In the end you may find He brought meaning to that which you thought was meaningless.
Pastor Tom
Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless." NIV
It's all about how Solomon tried wisdom and pleasure, hard work, riches, philosophy, foolishness - he tried it all and more and found that it is all meaningless.
But there is a theme that also runs through the book that is very encouraging. There is the idea that the end of a thing is better than the beginning, that death is better than birth - why? Because we don't know what lies ahead, but we do know what we have done. Is it glorifying to God or to ourselves?
And he says this: Ecclesiastes 2:24 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God." NIV
Instead of striving to always have a handle on everything, be in control, chart your course so carefully that nothing can stop you - instead, focus on the task at hand and find joy or satisfaction in what God has given you to do today. In the end you may find He brought meaning to that which you thought was meaningless.
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Holding Your Tongue
Today I wanted to talk about two little verses from Proverbs - both having to do with when we speak and when we don't.
Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. NIV
It is often our natural tendency when an argument starts to find any means possible to win. That includes saying things about the other person in order to cut them down and build you up. It may not even be conscious, but we do it. In court we call it attacking credibility. On the street its just plain old gossip. How many arguments might be solved if we didn't resort to gossip.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
NIV
When you get angry your emotions tend to take over and it is oh so easy to just let go, let it out, blast the other person because they deserve it after all. But it is wisdom to put a governor on that anger, just like some cars have governors that keep them from going too fast.
Paul the Apostle says "in your anger do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26).
Just remember: in any argument there are rarely any innocent parties.
Pastor Tom
Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. NIV
It is often our natural tendency when an argument starts to find any means possible to win. That includes saying things about the other person in order to cut them down and build you up. It may not even be conscious, but we do it. In court we call it attacking credibility. On the street its just plain old gossip. How many arguments might be solved if we didn't resort to gossip.
Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
NIV
When you get angry your emotions tend to take over and it is oh so easy to just let go, let it out, blast the other person because they deserve it after all. But it is wisdom to put a governor on that anger, just like some cars have governors that keep them from going too fast.
Paul the Apostle says "in your anger do not sin." (Ephesians 4:26).
Just remember: in any argument there are rarely any innocent parties.
Pastor Tom
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Weighing the Heart
Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart."
Its not enough to simply think about something, decide that it seems like something you should do, and then do it. We really need someone to delve deeper into the "why" of what we are thinking of doing. Is it with the right motive, will it have the right effect, is it God's will?
Thank the Lord that it is He that weighs our hearts. His Word delves deeply into us to show us the thoughts and motivations of our hearts. We cannot really tell on our own because our hearts are deceptively wicked.
I would encourage you as you decide on courses of action to ask God to look into your heart, weigh your motives, and give you advice on whether what you propose is really for you or for Him.
"Search me Oh God and know my heart, try me oh Lord and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."
Pastor Tom
Its not enough to simply think about something, decide that it seems like something you should do, and then do it. We really need someone to delve deeper into the "why" of what we are thinking of doing. Is it with the right motive, will it have the right effect, is it God's will?
Thank the Lord that it is He that weighs our hearts. His Word delves deeply into us to show us the thoughts and motivations of our hearts. We cannot really tell on our own because our hearts are deceptively wicked.
I would encourage you as you decide on courses of action to ask God to look into your heart, weigh your motives, and give you advice on whether what you propose is really for you or for Him.
"Search me Oh God and know my heart, try me oh Lord and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."
Pastor Tom
Friday, August 18, 2006
Plot Peace
Proverbs 12:20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. ESV
I have a challenge for you (and for myself as well). As you go about your daily activities think about ways to encourage peace between yourself and others. Is what I'm about to say going to heal a relationship or cause division. Are my actions going to primarily serve myself at the expense of someone else, or am I benefiting another-giving them peace?
It would be wonderful if our whole world operated this way. One day it will-when Jesus Christ returns to rule. But for now wouldn't it be nice if we looked for ways, actually plotted it out, to give peace to other people; to help asuage fears, break down walls, heal hurts, and avoid pitfalls.
It may be more in your power than you know-if you just do a little planning. Who knows, it could be fun!
Pastor Tom
I have a challenge for you (and for myself as well). As you go about your daily activities think about ways to encourage peace between yourself and others. Is what I'm about to say going to heal a relationship or cause division. Are my actions going to primarily serve myself at the expense of someone else, or am I benefiting another-giving them peace?
It would be wonderful if our whole world operated this way. One day it will-when Jesus Christ returns to rule. But for now wouldn't it be nice if we looked for ways, actually plotted it out, to give peace to other people; to help asuage fears, break down walls, heal hurts, and avoid pitfalls.
It may be more in your power than you know-if you just do a little planning. Who knows, it could be fun!
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 17, 2006
How to Get Smart
How would you counsel someone if they wanted to get smarter? You might tell them to go back to school. You might say to visit the library. You might tell them to take an online class. Or you might even tell them to get out in the world and learn by experience-through the school of hard knocks.
We have thousands of universities with PhD level professors who think the way to get smart is to study science and literature and philosophy. We have gurus of finance who will (for a fee - call now, operators are standing by) tell you the smartest way to invest your money. Even your friends and buds are quick to tell you how to become more intelligent.
Now - I'm not knocking education, or experience, or friendship. But I think that sometimes in this world we have it backwards when it comes to how to get smart.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. ESV
Fear can be a healthy thing. It can keep you from getting a speeding ticket (for most of us anyway), it can keep you from putting your hand on a hot stove or of going into that cave with the snoring sounds coming out of it.
The kind of fear here in the Hebrew has two components: 1. Be afraid, be very afraid and 2. Be in awe. God is not someone to be triffled with or taken for granted. You will die if you come into His presence on your own. He is also something to be in awe of - imagine a being that holds the entire universe together, knows every thought of every person who has ever lived and manages the entire thing so it works together perfectly in ways we can't even imagine.
So step one in how to get smart is to fear God. Step two is to seek His knowledge diligently.
Proverbs 2:4-5 If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. ESV
If we start with knowing who we are in relationship to God, and that real wisdom only comes from Him, then we are in better shape to learn the things that will really benefit us - those things that draw us close to Him. Words to get smart by.
Pastor Tom
We have thousands of universities with PhD level professors who think the way to get smart is to study science and literature and philosophy. We have gurus of finance who will (for a fee - call now, operators are standing by) tell you the smartest way to invest your money. Even your friends and buds are quick to tell you how to become more intelligent.
Now - I'm not knocking education, or experience, or friendship. But I think that sometimes in this world we have it backwards when it comes to how to get smart.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. ESV
Fear can be a healthy thing. It can keep you from getting a speeding ticket (for most of us anyway), it can keep you from putting your hand on a hot stove or of going into that cave with the snoring sounds coming out of it.
The kind of fear here in the Hebrew has two components: 1. Be afraid, be very afraid and 2. Be in awe. God is not someone to be triffled with or taken for granted. You will die if you come into His presence on your own. He is also something to be in awe of - imagine a being that holds the entire universe together, knows every thought of every person who has ever lived and manages the entire thing so it works together perfectly in ways we can't even imagine.
So step one in how to get smart is to fear God. Step two is to seek His knowledge diligently.
Proverbs 2:4-5 If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. ESV
If we start with knowing who we are in relationship to God, and that real wisdom only comes from Him, then we are in better shape to learn the things that will really benefit us - those things that draw us close to Him. Words to get smart by.
Pastor Tom
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Do You Trust the Word?
Twice in the last two chapters of the Book of the Revelation, the angel speaking to the Apostle John calls the words he is speaking as "trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5, 22:6)
It got me to wondering. Do you trust that the Word of God - the Bible - is trustworthy and true? A lot of people doubt that the Bible even is God's Word. They think it was made up men. Some think that parts of it are true and others are not. They look to certain books and think they shouldn't be in the Bible because what they say doesn't agree with their theological or philosophical position.
Without going into a huge dissertation about how we got the Bible, suffice it say that for the early church it was very obvious which books were included. Although there committees that ratified the books of the New Testament - they were only agreeing with what everyone alreaady knew.
Basically, God gave prophets and apostles His words which they wrote down. All the books agree with each other doctrinally and if you read any of the other books that people wanted to include in the Bible its obvious why they are not inspired.
The problem when we doubt the Bible is that we don't know which parts to believe and trust and which not to trust. That calls into question our understanding of God, and even of salvation.
So I would encourage you to study up on how we got our Bible and believe that the words God gave us in there are indeed "trustworthy and true."
Pastor Tom
It got me to wondering. Do you trust that the Word of God - the Bible - is trustworthy and true? A lot of people doubt that the Bible even is God's Word. They think it was made up men. Some think that parts of it are true and others are not. They look to certain books and think they shouldn't be in the Bible because what they say doesn't agree with their theological or philosophical position.
Without going into a huge dissertation about how we got the Bible, suffice it say that for the early church it was very obvious which books were included. Although there committees that ratified the books of the New Testament - they were only agreeing with what everyone alreaady knew.
Basically, God gave prophets and apostles His words which they wrote down. All the books agree with each other doctrinally and if you read any of the other books that people wanted to include in the Bible its obvious why they are not inspired.
The problem when we doubt the Bible is that we don't know which parts to believe and trust and which not to trust. That calls into question our understanding of God, and even of salvation.
So I would encourage you to study up on how we got our Bible and believe that the words God gave us in there are indeed "trustworthy and true."
Pastor Tom
Sunday, August 13, 2006
The Christian EULA
In studying Luke 9 I came across an interesting series of situations and statements by Jesus that led me to what I call the "Christian End User License Agreement." If you've ever installed a piece of computer software then you've encountered a EULA. It's that series of statements you have to agree with in order to install.
Well, Jesus says to "take up our cross daily" and follow Him. We should understand what we're getting ourselves into as disciples of Jesus. And this chapter helps us.
The whole study can be found on our website: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org - just look for Luke 9:1-36. But I've been asked to reprint them here, and I also have a link to a printable Word document as well.
The Christian EULA
Well, Jesus says to "take up our cross daily" and follow Him. We should understand what we're getting ourselves into as disciples of Jesus. And this chapter helps us.
The whole study can be found on our website: www.CalvaryChapelNewberg.org - just look for Luke 9:1-36. But I've been asked to reprint them here, and I also have a link to a printable Word document as well.
The Christian EULA
Principal 1: I agree to go where Jesus says and do what He says using His power
Principal 2: I will not try to harmonize what I do with the world around me
Principal 3: When Jesus asks me to do something I am not capable of, I won’t try to solve the problem in my own way, but by tapping into His resources.
Principal 5: I will willingly lay down my life to Jesus and let Him raise it up again in newness of life each day.
Principal 6: I acknowledge that all this obedience, pain, misunderstanding, trial, and transformation ends in something incredibly wonderful.
Pastor TomFriday, August 11, 2006
The Fields Are Ripe
Today I just have a prayer request. Jesus said "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest" (John 4:35) and "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest ." (Matt 9:37-38)
The Lord may be opening a door for us to take the gospel to Kenya. Pray that our way there will be secured. Also pray for the gospel going out through Google Video. We started putting Bible study messages there a few months ago and are seeing people come to know Jesus through them.
I am feeling more of an urgency lately to see the lost come to the Lord. We all need to pray for those around us who have not found salvation. We need to pray for people to come into our churches to help with the work of reaching and teaching. We need to pray that God's Word will go into hearts and save souls.
Will you join me?
Pastor Tom
The Lord may be opening a door for us to take the gospel to Kenya. Pray that our way there will be secured. Also pray for the gospel going out through Google Video. We started putting Bible study messages there a few months ago and are seeing people come to know Jesus through them.
I am feeling more of an urgency lately to see the lost come to the Lord. We all need to pray for those around us who have not found salvation. We need to pray for people to come into our churches to help with the work of reaching and teaching. We need to pray that God's Word will go into hearts and save souls.
Will you join me?
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Color Within the Lines
It's amazing to me just how much teaching there is out there that calls itself Christian. Some of it is great - and the variety is good. In fact, Paul told his protegy Timothy to "follow the pattern of sound doctrine" that Paul had laid down. That Greek word means "outline." I love that - Paul gave us the outline of healthy doctrine and then like a coloring book Timothy fills in the shades and colors of that doctrine - just making sure to color within the lines.
You'd think that would be enough - but there are plenty of people who use the same crayons as we do but color way outside the lines. Their doctrine may sound Christian but it does not reflect the outlines of doctrine that Paul and the Apostles gave us.
So how do you tell the difference? First you have to trust that the Bible is the Word of God. Peter tells us that the Scriptures were not "cleverly devised fables" but eyewitness accounts and words given directly by Jesus Christ - inspired by the Holy Spirit - and recorded and passed down to us.
Secondly the doctrine needs to follow this basic tenant: "By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
The person and work of Jesus Christ is central. God, became man, died on the cross for our sins, raised to eternal life. There are other shades of things that add to this, of course, but that's the core of the gospel. Believing in this, giving your life to this, is what saves us.
This space is too short to expound more - my point today is actually to suggest that our filter be a little more stringent when it comes to new ideas and doctrines.
John writes: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your hous or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked words." 2 John 10-11
My encouragement today is just be wary when someone comes into your computer or your TV or your iPod - listen carefully to make sure their teaching squares with the gospels and Apostles teachings. If not - just say "good bye".
Pastor Tom
You'd think that would be enough - but there are plenty of people who use the same crayons as we do but color way outside the lines. Their doctrine may sound Christian but it does not reflect the outlines of doctrine that Paul and the Apostles gave us.
So how do you tell the difference? First you have to trust that the Bible is the Word of God. Peter tells us that the Scriptures were not "cleverly devised fables" but eyewitness accounts and words given directly by Jesus Christ - inspired by the Holy Spirit - and recorded and passed down to us.
Secondly the doctrine needs to follow this basic tenant: "By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God."
The person and work of Jesus Christ is central. God, became man, died on the cross for our sins, raised to eternal life. There are other shades of things that add to this, of course, but that's the core of the gospel. Believing in this, giving your life to this, is what saves us.
This space is too short to expound more - my point today is actually to suggest that our filter be a little more stringent when it comes to new ideas and doctrines.
John writes: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your hous or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked words." 2 John 10-11
My encouragement today is just be wary when someone comes into your computer or your TV or your iPod - listen carefully to make sure their teaching squares with the gospels and Apostles teachings. If not - just say "good bye".
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
When You Feel like a Failure
Do you ever feel like life is a real bummer - like every time you try you fail, every time you get up you fall, every time you think things are going okay they come crashing in around you?
Welcome to the club! Sometimes we as Christians think that when we come to Christ we are perfect. We read how when God sees us he sees Jesus and Scriptures like "be perfect as I am perfect." And we see the lives of the apostles and think that when we blow it then God just can't love me.
The Apostle John had a great perspective on this. He said "if we say we have no sin then we lie and the truth is not in us." When we do fail we need someone to stand in for us - that's Jesus. He takes the punishment for us so we can indeed be clean before God.
But what if we don't feel clean? What about those times when we just feel like dirt even after we have repented and sought God's forgiveness?
Listen to this little verse: 1 John 3:19 "By this we shal know that we are of the truth and reasure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything."
Even if you don't feel forgiven, can you trust the One who knows more than you?
Pastor Tom
Welcome to the club! Sometimes we as Christians think that when we come to Christ we are perfect. We read how when God sees us he sees Jesus and Scriptures like "be perfect as I am perfect." And we see the lives of the apostles and think that when we blow it then God just can't love me.
The Apostle John had a great perspective on this. He said "if we say we have no sin then we lie and the truth is not in us." When we do fail we need someone to stand in for us - that's Jesus. He takes the punishment for us so we can indeed be clean before God.
But what if we don't feel clean? What about those times when we just feel like dirt even after we have repented and sought God's forgiveness?
Listen to this little verse: 1 John 3:19 "By this we shal know that we are of the truth and reasure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything."
Even if you don't feel forgiven, can you trust the One who knows more than you?
Pastor Tom
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Why Do My Friends Hate Me?
You may have had this experience: you hear the gospel, respond in your heart, and give your life to Jesus Christ. Over the weeks and months that follow you find yourself reading the Bible, praying, going to church, and having a relationship with God. Your life begins to change - your character, your words, and your actions. You no longer want to do the things you used to - partying, swearing - whatever. You are different on the inside and you know it.
The problem is - your friends know you have changed too. They didn't respond to the gospel like you did and they are just the same as they always were. But they want you to be just the same as them and they pressure you to do the things you used to do and when you tell them you don't want to anymore they get angry.
Believe it or not, the Apostle Peter wrote about this in his 1st letter:
1 Peter 4:4 "With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you..."
So what's the answer? Certainly its not to just go with them and do the things you now know do not bring glory to God. The answer is to be who you are now and realize the reality that surrounds you both. Listen to how verse 4 ends:
"...but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
We must all account for what we have one. Be thankful that Jesus cleansed your account of sin so that you have a clean record. And pray that their hearts will be open to the same gospel that changed you.
Pastor Tom
The problem is - your friends know you have changed too. They didn't respond to the gospel like you did and they are just the same as they always were. But they want you to be just the same as them and they pressure you to do the things you used to do and when you tell them you don't want to anymore they get angry.
Believe it or not, the Apostle Peter wrote about this in his 1st letter:
1 Peter 4:4 "With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you..."
So what's the answer? Certainly its not to just go with them and do the things you now know do not bring glory to God. The answer is to be who you are now and realize the reality that surrounds you both. Listen to how verse 4 ends:
"...but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
We must all account for what we have one. Be thankful that Jesus cleansed your account of sin so that you have a clean record. And pray that their hearts will be open to the same gospel that changed you.
Pastor Tom
Monday, August 07, 2006
What Makes You Angry?
James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. ESV
I love James' practical advice for Christian living. If all of us would simply do what these two verses suggest, how much happier we would be.
Be quick to hear - make it a point to listen to those around you. What are they really saying, what are they really feeling, what need are they crying out for? Too often we listen only to give us a space to formulate our next statement. Next time you are in a conversation tune into the words and their meaning.
Be slow to speak - spouting off our opinions on things is something we are good at. I would encourage us all to take time once we have listened to formulate a response that blesses the hearer and glorifies God - not one that just shows off who or what we know.
Be slow to anger - what ticks you off? Try to pay attention to those triggers and think about why. Perhaps there is something in your background that grates at you whenever someone saya a certain word or phrase. Or perhaps someone else is goading you - trying to get an angry response from you. But know this - your anger doesn't do God's work, especially if it is anger at another person.
Try instead to postpone the anger till you've had time to think about why you are angry, judge if it is something in you rather than something in them - and had time to pray about it. Remember: "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."
Pastor Tom
I love James' practical advice for Christian living. If all of us would simply do what these two verses suggest, how much happier we would be.
Be quick to hear - make it a point to listen to those around you. What are they really saying, what are they really feeling, what need are they crying out for? Too often we listen only to give us a space to formulate our next statement. Next time you are in a conversation tune into the words and their meaning.
Be slow to speak - spouting off our opinions on things is something we are good at. I would encourage us all to take time once we have listened to formulate a response that blesses the hearer and glorifies God - not one that just shows off who or what we know.
Be slow to anger - what ticks you off? Try to pay attention to those triggers and think about why. Perhaps there is something in your background that grates at you whenever someone saya a certain word or phrase. Or perhaps someone else is goading you - trying to get an angry response from you. But know this - your anger doesn't do God's work, especially if it is anger at another person.
Try instead to postpone the anger till you've had time to think about why you are angry, judge if it is something in you rather than something in them - and had time to pray about it. Remember: "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us."
Pastor Tom
Friday, August 04, 2006
What Are You Training For?
Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
It's frankly becoming more and more difficult to do what this verse says. Our society today so blurs the line between what is good and what is evil that its hard sometimes for even us Christians to distinguish.
Our media doesn't help either. Movies, television shows, magazines - you name it - shout to us that if we say something is sin then we have sinned. Pretty soon we end up with moral relativism - what's good in a situation is good everywhere.
We also end up with post-modernism. Post-modernism says that each of us has a bit of the truth and that if we get together and share our truths then that is the truth for that situation. This philosophy basically says there is no such thing as absolute truth.
I think that is in fact not true. I firmly believe that God's Word - handed down to us through the prophets and apostles is truth and we better listen to it at our own peril.
My word today is just be careful little ears what you see. I'm not advocating you smash in your TV, but pay much closer attention to the values behind the shows, and practice determining good from evil by comparing what you see and hear to what God says.
It's frankly becoming more and more difficult to do what this verse says. Our society today so blurs the line between what is good and what is evil that its hard sometimes for even us Christians to distinguish.
Our media doesn't help either. Movies, television shows, magazines - you name it - shout to us that if we say something is sin then we have sinned. Pretty soon we end up with moral relativism - what's good in a situation is good everywhere.
We also end up with post-modernism. Post-modernism says that each of us has a bit of the truth and that if we get together and share our truths then that is the truth for that situation. This philosophy basically says there is no such thing as absolute truth.
I think that is in fact not true. I firmly believe that God's Word - handed down to us through the prophets and apostles is truth and we better listen to it at our own peril.
My word today is just be careful little ears what you see. I'm not advocating you smash in your TV, but pay much closer attention to the values behind the shows, and practice determining good from evil by comparing what you see and hear to what God says.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Boiling It All Down
I love it when I run across a little snippet of Scripture that really says it all. I read such a verse today in the oft neglected book of Titus.
Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. NIV
What I love about this verse is the last phrase "sound in faith, in love, and in endurance."
In many ways that is our walk with Jesus Christ: to promote healthiness in these three areas.
Faith - our trust in God, no matter what; our understanding of who God is, and our ability to let our lives be controlled by Him.
Love - what that relationship does in our lives - mainly to change our character from the inside out and then focus that new character outward to others by love that gives without regard to what we get, if anything, in return.
Endurance - that quality of stick-to-itiveness that causes us to undergo trials, troubles, and tribulations without freaking out. The more you go on your walk with the Lord the more the enemy will lob at you. As you learn to endure you will grow in maturity - and then your faith will also grow, beginning the circle all over again.
Titus 2:2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. NIV
What I love about this verse is the last phrase "sound in faith, in love, and in endurance."
In many ways that is our walk with Jesus Christ: to promote healthiness in these three areas.
Faith - our trust in God, no matter what; our understanding of who God is, and our ability to let our lives be controlled by Him.
Love - what that relationship does in our lives - mainly to change our character from the inside out and then focus that new character outward to others by love that gives without regard to what we get, if anything, in return.
Endurance - that quality of stick-to-itiveness that causes us to undergo trials, troubles, and tribulations without freaking out. The more you go on your walk with the Lord the more the enemy will lob at you. As you learn to endure you will grow in maturity - and then your faith will also grow, beginning the circle all over again.
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