Being the Family of God

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. You love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

The approach of the holidays often brings mixed feelings for many people. There is the joy of the celebrations, the worship of our new born King, and the expectation of a new year. These positive emotions are sometimes overwhelmed by other feelings, however.

The stress of planning and preparing for parties, battling crowds, and purchasing gifts can diminish the feelings of joy we experience. For some people, though, there is an even more powerful source of stress – our family. The first holidays after a loved one has died can bring up new feelings of grief and sorrow.

Then, for a variety of reasons, there are some family members we’d rather not have to deal with each holiday season. These are the people we secretly hope will decide not to visit us this year. Occasionally, our feelings about them are so strong we don’t even invite them to join us any longer.

Whether its grief or broken relationships, these powerful feelings can rob us of the joy we could be experiencing during the holidays. They draw our attention away from the real reason for the season, Jesus Christ. When our focus wanders from our Savior, we can easily become consumed by our negative emotions and become depressed or hopeless.

This is both ironic and tragic, since Christmas in particular is intended to remind us of the hope we have because Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins, to bring us back into God’s family, and to provide us the ability to fulfill the command He gave us above through the Holy Spirit.

As God’s family, our love for one another should be the hallmark of our faith. It should be a source of comfort and encouragement when our earthly families disappoint us. Unfortunately, personality differences, misunderstandings, and conflicts can get in the way of our loving one another in the manner which Christ commands. This is why our Lord emphasizes the need to be loving and forgiving.

In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” In Luke 6:37-38 Jesus expands on this idea, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full – pressed down, shaken together and to make room for more, running over, pouring into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

When we as members of God’s family practice these things in the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, we can fulfill Christ’s command to love one another as He has loved us. Though our earthly families may make the holidays more challenging, we should be able to turn to God’s family and receive the unconditional love and acceptance which God gives us to share generously with one another.

Let us resolve to love one another in God’s family with the love of Jesus our Savior and Lord, and may we pray for ourselves and each other that God will give us the desire, strength, and grace to do so for His glory, and so that others will see His love in us and come to faith in Him!

Thankfulness as a Lifestyle

Thankfulness as a Lifestyle

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are sacrifices that please God.” Hebrews13:15-16

This is the month when our thoughts become preoccupied with the holidays. There are so many things to do. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, the next two months will be filled with traveling, parties, shopping, and other commitments that are far beyond the normal routine for many of us. At this time of year, “doing” can easily consume “being.”

As we DO the things necessary to prepare for Thanksgiving Day, we are told to BE thankful. Have you ever found this to be a challenge? I have! Sometimes when the actual day comes, I AM thankful… thankful it’s over! Until I realize that there are only so many “shopping days” left until Christmas.

Slightly beyond normal fatigue gives way to exhaustion just at the thought… more parties, more shopping, more preparations. And yet, I am confronted with God’s Word which in so many places and ways tells me to “BE”.

Psalm 46:10 says “BE still, and know that I am God!” In Philippians 4:4 we are told, “Always BE full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice!” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul tells us “Always BE joyful. Never stop praying. BE thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Clearly, BEING is as important as DOING is to God.

We can maintain a thankful heart attitude in the midst of the busy-ness by focusing on God and others. The quote above from the book of Hebrews helps us keep this focus. Take time to think about the reasons we have to BE thankful, by starting with what God has done for us in Christ. Let that draw your spirit into praise of God and proclaim again your allegiance to Him.

And then… do good to others and share with those in need. Remember, this is not only sharing material things, but your time, a listening ear, praying for others, and most importantly, sharing with them the Good News of Jesus. We can learn to BE content in life and fully satisfied with the many blessings God has given us when we make the kinds of sacrifices in life that truly please God.

BEING so in love with God that His heart for others becomes yours is the best antidote to the stress of the upcoming holidays. Don’t forget the derivation of that word is from “Holy Days.” May all your days BE Holy Days, filled with God’s love and compassion, directed by His Spirit, and overflowing with thanksgiving and praises to Him.

October 2009 - Putting Feet to Our Faith

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16

The Apostle Paul wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago to encourage his young protégé Timothy. Do you really believe this applies to you, too? Try reading the verse again, only replace the word sinners with your name. Ask the Holy Spirit to cause this passage to open your mind and your heart to the truth of this Scripture. Go ahead, read it several more times using your own name until it resonates deep within your soul.

Hopefully, these verses convict us of two things. First, that we are sinners by nature, and that we would be condemned by God apart from Christ. We should be dead because of our sin, our rebellion against God and our constant desire to have our own way in life.

Second, however, it should reaffirm for us that in God’s wonderful grace and mercy He has redeemed us through His Son Jesus’ death and resurrection. In response to this extraordinary act of mercy from God, we should be stepping out and telling others about the amazing thing God has done for us. He has saved us from certain death and eternal punishment for our sin!

This unbelievable free gift is something to be celebrated and shared with others! Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) put it this way, “If you want your neighbor to know what Christ will do for him, let the neighbor see what Christ has done for you.”

Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and talked to someone about your faith, telling them about our church or about Jesus and they immediately shut you down? “I have my own belief,” they say, or something like that.

A great preacher, Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) once said, “We preach to men as if they were conscious they were dying sinners, they are not; they are having a good time.” He was speaking at the turn of the last century. It is amazing how little people have changed in 100 years!

People do not know there are eternal consequences for their choices unless they are told. They also will not know there is a Savior, one who offers forgiveness and mercy, unless they are told.

Whose job is it to tell them, to warn them of the coming time of judgment? It is ours! Those of us who know we are sinful and have accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness and profess faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord. It is our job, yours and mine.

You may think this is too difficult or that you are not equipped for the task. Oswald Chambers reminds us, ”People say that it is so hard to bring Jesus Christ and present Him before the lives of men today. Of course it is, it is so hard that it is impossible except by the power of the indwelling Holy Ghost.”

Stop and pray right now. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and to give you His heart for those who have not accepted God’s free gift of forgiveness through Christ. Ask Him to give you the words you need to communicate His love and the hope you have in Jesus with someone who needs to hear that message today. Will you? Are you willing to be God’s example like the Apostle Paul was? It will change your life for the better! Try it today! Put feet to your faith!

Your fellow traveler following Christ,

Pastor Tim

September 2009 Church Newsletter Article

Back to School

Perhaps you are like me; there are some things which never cease to amaze me. Sometimes I will hear well-meaning people say, “I want my kids to make their own decision about God, I don’t want to influence them to my faith. They should choose for themselves.”

There is no greater music to the Devil’s ears! This kind of statement is the equivalent of saying to the Devil, “My children are yours to do with as you please. I don’t care if I see them again in heaven.” This statement may sound harsh, but it is the spiritual reality affecting the lives of our kids each day.

Those of us with young children and grandchildren work hard to get them prepared and ready for school, and often closely monitor their learning. But do we approach their spiritual instruction with the same diligence and devotion? Like getting them ready for school, helping our kids grow in the things of God each day takes planning and work and intentionality.

Through Moses, God puts it this way:“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord you God with your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Like children, we all can become distracted by the many demands and pleasures of life. While many of these demands and pleasures seem good and worthwhile at the time, their importance is greatly diminished in the light of eternity.

How well manicured we kept our lawn, the kinds of cars and recreational equipment we acquired, the status we attained at work, etc. will only affect our eternity to the extent that they kept us from paying attention to the things that really matter, and the things for which God holds us accountable.

It is not only our responsibility to learn, but also to teach our children and grandchildren about God, about Jesus and His life, death, and resurrection for our sins, and to encourage them to make their lives a witness for Him.

If we try to delegate this responsibility to others, or neglect it altogether, we are being disobedient to God. He holds us accountable for the spiritual instruction of our children. Spiritual instruction is not the work of the church alone. It must start and be reinforced in the home.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and the church to train us, thankfully, God gives us the resources and ability we need to do this. Through Christ, God’s forgiveness is available for the ways we fallen short in this area in the past.

Pray and ask for God’s wisdom and strength to be a part of instructing your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in Him. God is faithful and will supply your needs in this and all aspects of your life.

Your fellow traveler following Christ,

Pastor Tim

August 2009 Church Newsletter Article

Preparation

Summer is flying by at a rapid clip and for many of us our thoughts are turning to fall. In Oceanside, school begins at the end of this month. For others, scheduling trips or planning to host friends and relatives for the upcoming holidays is just beginning. Whether it is school, holidays, or just the change in routines, the end of summer is usually a season of preparation.

The busy-ness of life can be all-consuming. All too often we find ourselves putting more thought into and spending more of our time preparing for the temporal events of this life and less and less time preparing our hearts and minds for eternity with God in Heaven.

When determining priorities, common sense indicates we should spend the most time on the things that will have the greatest and most lasting impact. Yet, for many of us, we “major in the minors” of life. We devote extraordinary amounts of time and energy to things that will have little or no impact from an eternal perspective.

What kind of car we drove, how big of a house we owned, what title we earned at work, the salary level we attained, and the influential people we knew will have no impact on whether or not we spend eternity with God in Heaven.

Therefore, it is important in this season of preparation to re-examine our priorities and to ask God’s help in re-setting our agenda to be more focused on the things that will draw us closer to Him and help us to bear “fruit that will last” for His Kingdom (John 15:1-8, 16). Jesus was concerned about our eternal life much more than our temporal life here on earth.

Later in John 17 Jesus is praying to the Father about His followers, “And this is the way to have eternal life – to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth… Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me” (John 17:3, 7-8).

We can only “accept” God’s message to us by hearing it, reading it, and studying it in His Word, the Bible. In writing to his protégé Timothy, the Apostle Paul reminds him that, “All Scripture [the Bible] is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

By spending more time in His Word and growing to know it better and better, God actually helps us re-orient our priorities and prepares us for eternal life, as well as aiding us through this life on earth. As this summer begins to draw to a close, thank God for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and to make it possible for us to inherit eternal life with Him in Heaven.

After Jesus rose from the dead and returned to Heaven, God sent His Spirit (the Holy Spirit) to live permanently in us. It is God’s Spirit that equips us to understand and apply God’s Word to our lives. We do not “go it alone”, but God goes with us, every hour, every day, helping us to make decisions and do the things that will prepare us for an incredible, jaw-dropping, glorious eternity with Him in Heaven.

I want to be prepared for that day, my first day in Heaven. With God’s help and through His grace I will be prepared, and you can be, too. Jesus died and rose again to prepare the way for us, won’t you spend some time preparing to be with Him there?

Pull the plug on Atheism