'Fes Up!

Admit it now - sometime, somewhere you have done something stupid. Maybe you made a rash promise or done something dumb to someone else's stuff? I know I have. So what is your first reaction: damage control!

We don't like looking stupid, we don't like admitting mistakes, and we certainly don't like eating crow in front of other people. So instead we cover it up, we make excuses or we just bear up under the consequences. There is a better way.

Proverbs 6:1-3 "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, 2 if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, 3 then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor."

In essence what this Proverb teaches us is to take responsibility for the dumb things we do and actually go and talk with the people we hurt. You might look dumb but I tell you, your honesty will speak a lot louder for the Lord than your pride.

Pastor Tom

Before Sinning - Hesitate

Have you ever noticed that when temptation comes it demands to be acted on quickly? I know sometimes the temptation grows slowly over time, especially when you start to give ear to it, but often temptation wants us to jump on an opportunity - essentially to act before we can think.

There is an interesting saying in Proverbs 1:15-16 "My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood."

We have a policy in our house never to agree to send money to someone calling over the phone. No matter how wonderful the opportunity or cause, we ask them to send something to us in the mail or by email. Why is that? Because in the moment it is often hard to make a reasoned decision. We want time to pray, and time to consider how are action will affect our budget.

That's good advice when it comes to temptation. Make a pact with yourself that when temptation calls for you to run, you'll walk, and think, and pray first. What might seem good in the emotion of the moment can have long term negative consequences.

Pastor Tom

Want to Feel Good?

I'm not suggesting running for ten miles, having a second (or third) latte, renting a comedy, or something like that. I have another suggestion as a "feel good" formula: praise.

Psalms 147:1 Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. ESV

I love the three words used to describe the act of singing to the Lord: good, pleasant, and fitting.

It's good - it focuses us on the Lord, not our problems, and since God is good and has His good focused on us, it is also our good. It is pleasant. This is the Hebrew word for "delightful" or "sweet." It makes me think of sitting on a shaded porch with an ice cold glass of lemonade on a summer day with a good friend. Thirdly it is "fitting." The root word means "to be at home." When we are praising God we are at home, in the place that feels right; fits right.

So for today's feel good tip: lift up a song of praise to the Lord!

Pastor Tom

The Door of My Lips

Psalms 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"

What a great prayer. How many times have we said something hurtful only to almost reach out with our tongue to grab the words on their way through our teeth so as to pull them back?

How many relationships have we harmed or destroyed because there is no guard over our mouth?

Later, Paul the Apostle will say "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. (Ephesians 4:29)

Notice Paul says "according to their needs," not what we think their needs are. Sometimes we think someone needs a good talking to, but in reality it is coming from our own hurt, not for their benefit at all.

So, let's all pray that prayer of David and may God make that guard armed!

Pastor Tom

How Important is God's Word?

Sometimes I think we sort of downgrade the Bible. Maybe its because we don't understand it, or that parts of it seem out of date or downright harsh.

What we need to understand is that the Bible is God's way of communicating to us His character and our character and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It was written by the Holy Spirit through men and women who lived in cultures and epochs very different from our own.

I won't get into a lesson on systematic theology here but the basic truths behind the Bible are applicable no matter who you are or where you live, though sometimes you have to do a little cultural translation for those truths to come out clearly.

My point for today is that God Himself puts a great deal of emphasis on His Word.

Psalms 138:2 "...for you have exalted your word above your name."

Pretty strong words. Until we stand before the Father face to face and can hear Him speak audibly to us we need to trust that everything we need to know is in His Word.

Pastor Tom

Sow in Tears, Reap with Joy

Psalms 126:5-6 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."

Do you ever feel like what you do for the Lord is wasted? Do you pray, seeking the Lord for answers, do you study his Word and share the good things God has shown you? Do you seek His Spirit to fill your life and guide you in your every step? Then does it seem at times like all that effort, all that prayer, all that dedication and obedience is just wasted because you don't see any fruit?

Take heart. Sow away. Though you may not see it today, or even in your lifetime, the promise of God is that those things done for His glory will bear fruit and one day, either here or in heaven, you will rejoice with shouts of joy for the wonderful harvest God brings in for what you have sown.

Pastor Tom

Giving Back To God

Do you ever wonder what you can give back to God for all He has done for you?

Here is a simple suggestion from Psalm 116:

"What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord ... I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord."

Simply put, our gift to God for what He has done is taking a hold of his free gift, lifting it up for all the world to see what he has done in us, then lifting up thanksgiving in the form of worship to him.

God doesn't want or need anything from you. You cannot repay him, but you can glorify and praise him. If you haven't given your life to him, then do it now by taking the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then worship and thank Him for it!

Pastor Tom

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Remember that old Sunday School song referenced in the title of this blog entry? I do. It's a cute song but has a great point that David comes back to in Psalm 101.

(2-3) "I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless."

Two great points here: often times we as Christians are careful to reflect the character of Christ in church, perhaps even at work or in the grocery line. But something happens to us when the doors close on our home and we feel like no one but our family sees us.

Sometimes we lose that drive to be like Jesus. Sometimes we let go of acting with integrity. Don't. Some of the greatest witness you have is when you are behind closed doors. I know this is a cliche but God really does watch us when no one else does. Wouldn't it feel that much better if we lived out our walk with Jesus as well inside as out?

Secondly, I really like this idea of not setting things in front of us that are "worthless." If you are watching something that is not going to help you grow in Christ, or perhaps is going to cause you to stumble, why do it?

I'm not into censorship or anything like that. I'm not saying don't watch TV or movies or go on the Internet. I'm just saying: be a little more careful. What you take in can affect you.

Pastor Tom

Escaping Real Danger

Psalm 91 is one of the most awesome Psalms in the entire book. It's also one of the most comforting for those going through hard times.

I'd strongly encourage you to just read the whole thing; its only 16 verses. But what power, what promise, what protection God promises to us.

I wanted to make an observation about it, though. Read this part:

Psalms 91:7-8
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked. ESV

Let me ask you something. Does this mean that nothing bad will ever happen to you? In verse two it says that "you shall not fear ... the pestilence that stalks in darkness." Does that mean you will never get sick? Obviously not. We do get sick, we do suffer harm, the enemy seems to get away with a lot in our lives. Does that mean these promises are meaningless or not applicable to us? No.

Look at the end, verse 16: "With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

You see, we need to take God's view of our lives. We are protected (by angels, verse 11) and no harm can come to us outside of God's will and nothing can ultimately harm us because we are saved by God. Now that might mean being taken home before we see relief, but what is a temporary suffering compared to eternal bliss?

Paul was a really beat up Apostle. Do you think he read this Psalm and was discouraged? I don't think so. He knew God had him in His hand. He knew he would be delivered. So will you. Take heart.

Pastor Tom

Now Is The Time To Worship

How excited are you to enter into God's presence in worship? Is worship to you opening a hymnal and just reciting words? Is it something you do as an intro to the sermon on Sunday? Do you ever find yourself worshiping anywhere outside of a church?

Psalms 84:1-4
4 How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! ESV

My encouragement to us all today is to think about worshiping God like taking a drink of cool water on a hot summers day. The Bible tells us that God Himself is "enthroned" on the praises of His people.

If you are down or discouraged or angry or lonely - lift up your voice to God in worship. At our church we call worship "musical prayers to God." Speak to Him, sing to Him, long for Him - use worship as a way to come into His very presence.

You will be amazed and pleased at how blessed you will be.

Pastor Tom

This Too Shall Pass

I know it may seem that I've been on a doom and gloom theme lately. Perhaps it's because of things going on in my life, but perhaps also because of things that were going on in David's life when he wrote some of the Psalms we've looked at lately.

I was struck by a couple of verses in Psalm 71:20

20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.
21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

Notice first that it was God that made David see trouble. That might strike you as odd, but it's true. But just as God brings trouble, He saves us out of it too. It doesn't mean that God is mean and likes to see us suffer. We shouldn't put God in a box like that. In reality He is much more complicated than that.

We could end up in difficulty because of our own choices, the fallen world we live in, or attack of the enemy. That part doesn't concern me here as much as the promise that no matter what you face, and no matter whether God was allowing or even behind it happening, you will come out again if you trust in Him.

And not only that, but David says that for all the suffering He will actually increase greatness and comfort. You will end up on the other side more like Him and more in love with Him than ever before.

Look for that. Count on that. Rejoice in that.

Pastor Tom

Not Greatly Shaken

I think sometimes we think that once we belong to God in Jesus Christ we are bullet proof - that nothing bad can or should happen to us.

That wasn't the experience of the Apostles and I don't think it is ours either if we admit it. The Christian life often includes perils of some kind or another. Maybe for you it is the taunts of friends or family. Perhaps it is actual physical attack. Maybe it is tremendous trial and tribulation that simply wrack your body and mind until you can't stand it any more.

In reading Psalm 62 I noticed this little verse:

"He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken."

Notice that David doesn't say here "I will not be shaken at all." For us there will be times of turmoil and despair.

Jesus said "in the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

Paul said: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;" (2 Cor 4:8-10)

You see, we are shaken, but not greatly. And we have the rock of the Lord Jesus to lean against, to take the blows, to provide a backstop and a fortress.

Look at verse 8: "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

In the end God will triumph for you (11) "Once God has spoken; twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God."

Pastor Tom

What Does God Want?

Have you ever asked that question - what does God want, anyway? Does He want me to give up stuff or do hard things to prove my love for Him? If I give enough time or money or talents will that please God?

It's a valid question. Deep down I think everyone wants to please God - by good works or by keeping away from sin. We don't know exactly how to do that so we cast about and write books and hold seminars.

I think David had the answer in Psalm 51. You ought to read the whole thing. David really nails what we are like, and how that affects our standing with God.

But he says something at the end which should set us free from the endless quest to please God.

Psalm 51:16 "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Isn't that cool? All God really wants is for us to realize we don't and can't measure up to His glory and to admit that state to Him. Stop trying to please God and just love Him. You'll be surprised what peace comes over your heart.

Pastor Tom

Remembering to Worship

I know what it's like to face a tough situation - one where you aren't really sure it's going to work out okay in the end. But I'm greatly comforted by Psalm 42.

This one starts out in a familiar refrain - that's because it was turned into a famous worship song:

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts or God, for the living God."

But what you notice as you read through the Psalm is that it is written out of real pain. "Why are you cast down, O my soul," "my tears have been my food day and night."

What's cool though is that as the Psalmist remembers two things he is comforted: worship and being in God's presence.

"... at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life," "When shall I come and appear before God?"

So when you going through it, I mean REALLY going through it, remember to worship and remember that coming into God's presence is as simple as drawing near to Him. Cling to the thought that not only can He be with you in the present but that soon you can be with Him physically.

"Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."

Pastor Tom

Some Encouraging Words

I've been going through a hard time lately, and someone close to me an even more difficult time. It was the result of service to the Lord. I've known in theory that suffering for the Lord should be a good thing.

Acts 5:41 "... rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name."

It's fine in theory, but in practice it is much more difficult. At times it'd actually be preferable to die for Christ than suffer.

Thanks to the prayers of many around the world the enemy was beaten back and his attack thwarted.

I ran across these verse in the Psalms today as I continued my journey through the Scriptures.

Psalms 34:17-19 "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." ESV

I take great comfort that God is near to me when my heart is broken, and that when my spirit is crushed, and I feel like I can't even take one more breath or one more step forward that He is there to save me.

I am also greatly comforted by the fact that God recognizes that as a person made righteous in Him that I will suffer many afflictions and I look to Him to deliver me out of them all.

Pastor Tom

Experiencing God's Anger

Psalms 30:5 "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime."

Some people picture God as eternally angry. He's so mad at sinners that he has fire in his eyes and lightning bolts coming out of his hands. He's so upset that he just can't wait to bring calamity on us and takes some sadistic pleasure in our pain.

Nothing could be further from the truth. God hates evil, that's true. There's a good reason for that: God is good and evil is bad. And who is the best judge of what is evil, us or God? For us to judge ultimately what is good or bad is like trying to describe a football game while viewing it from the bottom of a swimming pool. Water distorts our perspective, and so does living in a world already tainted by evil. Only God, who lives outside of that sin can accurately judge good from evil.

So anyway - back to my main point. Though God is actually a loving God he really does hate evil. And when we choose to do evil we can experience God's anger. It comes in the form of discipline. We experience difficulties and think God is punishing us. Actually he is trying to burn the evil out of us.

And like a parent who disciplines his or her child, God longs for the loving embrace after the tears have subsided. His anger lasts but a moment, but thanks to His mercy and grace found in Jesus Christ, his favor lasts for a lifetime. Rejoice in that today!

Pastor Tom

The Crucifixion Psalm

Most of us have read Psalm 23: The Shepherd's Psalm... you know: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want ..."

But have you ever considered Psalm 22? It's known as the crucifixion Psalm because of how closely it describes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's so close, in fact, that it becomes one of the proof texts for the crucifixion.

Let's just look at the phrases that closely match what happened many hundreds of years later:

(vs 1) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Jesus spoke these words on the cross)

(vs 7) All who see me mock me;they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 8 "He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!" (they shouted this to Jesus on the cross)

(vs 14) All my bones are out of joint (what happens to someone who is crucified)

(18) They divide my garments among them; and for my clothing they cast lots (the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus did this exact thing, casting lots for Jesus' inner garment)

It's pretty amazing, really. Read the crucifixion account then Psalm 22. More than a coincidence? You bet!

Pastor Tom

The Fullness of Joy

I love the Psalms - they are such an honest outpouring of grief, sorrow, anger, and love and worship. Psalm 16 is especially wonderful, especially because of who wrote it: David.

David was a king. He could have had anything he wanted - money, women, power - whatever he wanted. David was also a warrior. He could kill you before you knew what hit you. If there was ever anyone who could proudly say they were a self made man no one could touch - it would be David.

Yet here he is in Psalm 16 saying things like:

"...in you I take refuge."

"I have no good apart from you."

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot."

Why? Why would the most powerful man in his nation be so lowly? He knew the secret - he was really nothing and God was everything.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Without Yahweh all the power and prestigious meant nothing. David knew that all he could amass in this life would mean nothing unless he had a relationship with his God. And he knew that real satisfaction can be found nowhere else.

Read Psalm 16 - and realize that your joy is not full unless experienced with God.

Pastor Tom

Declaring Your Independence

I would call the United States of America today a post-Christian country. Though our founding fathers had faith in God and took all of the principals used to frame our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution from the Scriptures - we have now moved passed needing God because we don't need that "crutch" anymore.

Or, as Psalm 2 puts it: "The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.'" (vs 2-3)

Belonging to God is seen as a "cord" or a "bond." That's because God and his character seem so restrictive. In our society we want what feels good (sensuality) and what does good (practicality) FOR US.

That's all well and good if we see ourselves as first belonging to God and desiring to bring glory to Him. But when we become god ourselves we want to throw off all "restrictions". In reality we are only becoming slaves to the flesh and enemies of God.

The end for those with this opinion is pretty bleak: "You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel." (vs 9)

The flesh fools us into thinking that whatever feels good is good. We should desire God because He is the only thing that is truly good. I didn't make this stuff up. If God, who is the only One who is good, said this, I believe it:

"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (vs 12)

Take refuge from the post-Christian world in Jesus Christ. Let His character become your character. You will find more freedom than any declaration of independence from God will ever get you.

Pastor Tom

As you read through the book of Job one of the things that really strikes out at you are the sheer number of words.

I mean really - these guys go on and on and on. Sure, the style of the writing is filled with allusions and metaphors and ideas all prettied up with word pictures, but it does seem a bit excess.

Turns out it is. If you take a look at chapter 38 - the first words spoken by the Lord in answer to all the words from Job's friends read like this:

"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" (38:2)

I love it! Its kind of like He is saying "If you don't know what you are talking about - shut up!"

It reminded me of a lot of words spoken today by people who really think they know what they are talking about. Just turn on one of the cable news networks. They have expert after expert that go on and on about this and that - and we believe them.

I've also heard religious and philosophical people go on and on about what God must be like and what life is like and the human soul and all of that.

To tell you the truth, it gets a little wearying. So then along comes God and in just a few words He cuts through all the garbage and right to the chase: man is sinful, God is holy.

The good news of course is that God is also merciful and loving and went the extra mile to buy you back, but its also a good lesson for us.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

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.

Pastor Tom