There is always a certain excitement about starting a new year.
It's like turning in life's binder to a fresh clean page with no mistakes on it. Feeling that eagerness to press your freshly sharpened pencil onto that blank page and begin to write! Most of us make our start with bold resolutions for which we somehow lose our initial resolve a few pages into the new year. That, I fear, is human nature. Which is why I have decided to begin 2011 with a simple, quiet determination to do only one thing.
Trust God.
Like a good many others there are situations in my life that if left to the wanderings of my natural mind could pull me down into a dark abyss of hopeless, negative thinking.
But I refuse to live in the realm of "if only" or "it should have been" or "might have been".
Instead I choose to trust God.
As I close the door on 2010 and get ready to travel into 2011 I have one important verse of Scripture packed in my bag.
"And we KNOW that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." [Romans 8:28]
I love His Word
Every bit of it.
But this single verse kind of puts things in a nutshell or sums up the Christian's walk with God. There is SO much wrapped up in these few words. An absolute world of joy, contentment and peace if we will choose to believe what it says.
We say we do. But then something happens that is so devastating or painful or unfair that we find ourselves plunged into the depths of despair, drowning in a sea of self-pity or confusion...the truth of that beautiful verse floating somewhere just beyond our reach.
I have never forgotten these very wise words spoken by a wonderful woman of God who has since gone on to glory,
"There is POWER in a made up mind." Isabelle Norris
That is something you and I CAN do. We can decide. We can determine. We can yield our will to God and choose to believe that He means what He says and He says what He means and that's that!
So when our world turns upside down- viewing it through the lens of this truth will turn it upright. When things don't go as you'd hoped or imagined, this verse helps you release your dreams into God's hand and KNOW that HIS plan is still working!
God either has a plan for our lives and for this world or He doesn't.
If we believe His Word- the notion of coincidence or chance should not even enter our mind's radar.
Whatever is happening in your life and mine is happening for a reason.
There IS a silver lining in your cloud even if you can't see it yet.
TRUST.
I like to think of it as faith so radical it sees through and beyond the deepest and darkest storms of life to gaze upon the loving face of God. Jesus really meant it when He said, "Except you become like little children you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven." [Matthew 18:3]
Childlike faith quiets the storm in us and allows us to fall back into the arms of our Heavenly Father and KNOW that everything will be alright.
Trust sings. Trust worships. Trust holds the hand of God and believes even when all the odds are stacked against us.
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines;the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
YET....
I will rejoice in the the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord is my strength, and He will make my feet like hind's feet, and He will make me to walk upon my high places." Habakkuk 3:17-19
"As a man thinks in his heart so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)
This is the plain and simple truth.
Before we do anything we think about it first.
What we think is important. Very important.
In fact it is the will of God that our thinking is not conformed to this world but that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2)
In other words, our thinking ought to be shaped by what God says. Not by what the world says. There's a difference, you know. A big difference.
The thing is, if we would simply care enough to want to know what God thinks about literally every area of life- it would take us on an exciting journey into His Word for more of His marvellous truth. It would blow away the cobwebs of confusion and bring victory to our every day life.
Nothing surprises and bothers me more than Christians who embrace a world view in even one area of their life. Take marriage for example. Thinking unbiblically about the most important relationship outside of our relationship with God is dangerous. In fact, it can be lethal. Because, as I just mentioned-we will walk in the direction our thoughts are leading. And our thoughts can lead us straight away from the will of God. God's will as it is revealed in His Word paves a divine pathway through the landmines of this world. If we veer off this path by getting outside or away from the wisdom of His Word things can blow up in our face.
Marriages can explode into chaos and break apart.
This is on my mind because of situations I am personally involved in or aware of. When divorce statistics among the Christian population match or exceed those in non-Christian circles-it is a sure sign that God’s Word has ceased to be the foundation and center in the lives of the individuals married to one another. I am convinced this is true, sadly- with few exceptions.
The minds of many Christians are being influenced and shaped by the popular self-help gurus of the 21st century. It's true! Even those who profess to follow Christ prefer a soft shade of grey to the stark black and white of Scripture.
Why?
God's Word challenges our flesh. It stands in unyielding opposition to the vehement cries of the carnal defence lawyer who lives in all of us. The part of us that prickles when offended. That rises up and shakes an angry fist and shouts, "I have my rights!!!"
Remember the words of the apostle Paul, " But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: (1Co )
And all the married couples said, "AMEN!"
Really though, this is the truth. When two individual self lives come together as one-there is a lot of dying to self that has to happen in order for that one flesh relationship to blossom and grow.
Ouch!
And when the world is constantly pumping out its message to do what 'feels' right in our own sight, to get out of relationships that cause us any kind of pain or dissatisfaction; when we are told through virtually every form of media that our personal rights and happiness are far more important than the vows we made on our wedding day; when we allow our thoughts to be shaped by these philosophies-marriages crumble. Homes are destroyed. Children become hurt and disillusioned. God's will is cast aside. We have stepped on a landmine of terrible compromise and the casualties are numerous.
What or who is shaping your view of marriage?
We all need to ask ourselves this question.
If our mind concerning our marriage vows has been renewed by God's Word. If our thoughts are firmly rooted in the Scriptures and our will is submitted to God's-our marriage will weather ANY storm. I have proved it in my own marriage and have seen it work in others.
Divorce is not an option. God hates divorce.
Let me pause here to say that I fully realize there are situations where it may be impossible for a couple to remain together because of abuse or continued, unrepented sin on the part of one spouse. However, I still believe there is hope in marriages even when they seem utterly hopeless. My burden is for those who throw in the towel too easily. Who give up before exhausting all of the heavenly resources God has so graciously equipped us with.
Sometimes an illustration says it best. Lives submitted to God and committed to doing His will always shine and bring glory to God. And not only this- but by their example, others will know that they, too, can stand strong in the Lord in the face of any trial. Allow me to share a story that has impacted me, personally.
Somewhere between the North Pole and the South live an ordinary couple. A Christian couple who are trying their best to live for God and to do His will. They have had their share of ups and downs as all couples do, but they love each other. Let me pause here to say that every married individual should spend some time exploring what love is and is not-according to God's Word. The challenge of agape love is submission. Agape love is selfless. It has no rights. It seeks only to do God's will and is only possible in marriage as we surrender our individual self life to Him. Think about that the next time you say “I love you” to your spouse.
Now back to my story.
About two years ago, the wife in this couple-a friend of mine- was watching a movie with her son on the family computer. Suddenly, in just a blink of an eye, the movie disappeared from the screen, and in its place a naked woman appeared- dancing seductively. The image stunned her, but she quickly escaped the screen and grappled for some kind of explanation to give her child. Everyone knows how quirky the internet and computers can be…right? She continued watching the movie with her son trying to hide the panic she was feeling-forcing herself to keep her eyes focused on the screen while her mind was slipping into overdrive. In fact it was barrelling at top speed down the highway of dread.
Nothing like this had ever happened before. I know that it completely blew me out of the water hearing her story at the time.
This woman had no reason to suspect that it was more than a fluke-except for the sick feeling she got in the pit of her stomach. She was anxious for the movie to be over so her son would go to bed and she could explore a little further. When he finally turned in she began a search through the computer's web history. You’ve heard the old saying, “there’s a first time for everything”. Firsts can be the happiest, most thrilling occasions in our life. Like a first date or a first trip to somewhere exciting.
Or firsts can be unbelievably shocking. They can imprint the heart with a much different type of impression.
It was the first time my friend had found links to pornographic material on the computer. If you have used Internet for any length of time you have probably received one of those annoying emails that instruct you to look carefully at a serene picture and find a particular detail. While you are lost in concentration, a terrifying face pops out of nowhere, screaming so loudly that morning coffees have often been spilled over keyboards.
Betrayal is like that. It bursts suddenly and unexpectedly onto the landscape of your life. It literally shocks you. Shock is described in the dictionary as an impact of some type- a sudden, powerful concussion; violent blow, shake, or jar. It is further described as any sudden disturbance or agitation of the mind or emotions, as through great loss or surprise. We can easily move on and wipe off the keyboard after that screaming face appears on our computer screen-but betrayal continues to scream in our emotions long after it happens.
Betrayal of trust in a marriage can mean the demise of a relationship.
Or....
It can bring a couple to the feet of Jesus and introduce them to a depth of God's love and mercy they have not yet discovered.
And that is what happened and is happening in this marriage.
This lady's first response was anger. An anger arising from the excruciating heartache she was feeling. From the barrage of fear and questions that swallowed up her thoughts. The victim mentality snapped over her mind like an airtight lid, and for a while she could only see the situation through the filter of self. "I have been betrayed!" "My heart has been broken!" "I am so disappointed!" "I am completely disillusioned!" And on and on the 'I' and 'my' list went. And let me tell you, it wasn't difficult to silently agree with her in that moment of agony.
Until....
Until she fell on her knees and began to cry out to God in her pain. She described how she immediately felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost, how she knew that God heard and God cared. But then He gently brought to her remembrance a story from His Word.
The story of the woman caught in the act of adultery.
She had caught her husband in an act of adultery. When a married individual watches pornography it is in every way a betrayal of the wedding vow. Jesus clearly taught, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery’. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27)
I'm justified in my anger, she thought. The stones were in her hand. The anger and indignation were in her heart. But as she read the words Jesus spoke to the crowd gathered that day, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her"......the stones began to fall one by one to the ground. Conviction gripped her heart as the realization of her own sinful nature...her own propensity to failure...her own daily need for the mercy and forgiveness of God gripped her heart. And in that moment of realization or revelation, she was plunged into the reality of the perfect love of God. That love was again shed abroad in her heart in a measure she had never experienced before. It flushed out all claims to a victim status. It washed away the anger. His love consumed and compelled her to forgive and to stand with her husband in this moral failure.
I'd like to tell you that it ended here. But just a couple of months ago, her husband slipped again. He visited a pornographic website again. And although he reached out immediately to a friend in ministry who had become his accountability partner, he did not tell his wife. Unfortunately, she made the discovery accidentally and because he had kept it from her- she felt doubly betrayed. Once again she was plunged into a whirlwind of emotion. Everything in her wanted to shut down and shut out the source of her pain and disappointment. She became incensed with telling her husband what this had done to HER, how it had affected HER until one day when she sat down to write him letter, it was as though God wouldn’t let her write those words of accusation. Instead, she found herself asking for his forgiveness. She said God kept bringing to her mind the things she needed to repent of. And with every line she felt both the unction of the Holy Ghost and a sweet release in her spirit. The things she was expressing were the extreme opposite of what she had been thinking and feeling. But God was calling her again to step out of the natural and into the SUPERnatural. Into the place of obedience and submission. Into the place where there are no limits on the number of times we must forgive. 70 x’s 7…right?
Here is wisdom: “Commit your works (actions) to the LORD,And your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
What does that mean? It means that when we are willing to step off the ‘My way” Highway by doing what God asks of us, our obedience will bring the blessing of having our thoughts and subsequently our emotions established or made stable by His truth through the power of His indwelling Spirit. This is 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 in action:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
And so, my friend finished the letter and left it for her husband. When she returned from picking up groceries, he was standing in the kitchen holding the letter. He had tears in his eyes. He walked over to her, wrapped his arms around her and began to sob. She told me at that moment, God spoke to her as clearly as He ever had, and said “Love conquers all.”
This couple’s love for one another has never been deeper. Their commitment to God and to their marriage vows- never stronger.
This is what viewing life through the lens of Scripture can do. She can say with Jesus in sincerity of heart, "Neither do I condemn you."
Following Jesus in marriage means submitting to His Word even when doing so runs completely contrary to what 'seems' right or 'feels' right. Love is NOT just a feeling. Love is a commitment to stand with your partner come what may. No doubt there will be a struggle as you fight to push through the veil of flesh into the presence of God-but when that happens your perspective changes completely.
When your heart is broken. When your dreams are crushed. When you don't 'feel' like submitting to anything but your hurt and anger....if you will commit your actions...if you will DO what God asks you to do...then your thoughts and feelings will be transformed. They will be established through your obedience to Him.
This is what makes Christian marriages different.
Love God’s way “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love NEVER fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8)
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ [Luke 14:28-30 NIV]
Jesus spoke these words near the close of his ministry on earth with the purpose of warning followers that good intentions would not be enough to see them through hard times. Many followers would not have what it took to finish the race!
I believe the most tragic condition possible is starting out fully intending to lay hold of Christ and grow into a mature disciple, and instead slowly drift away, and become cold and indifferent to him. He laid a foundation but could not finish, because he did not first count the cost. He ran out of resources; he went so far and then quit.
God, wake us up and make us to understand that we are all changing. There is no such thing as standing still; you are either changing daily into Christ's image or you are changing back into your old carnal ways. For those who have determined to lay hold of Christ at all cost, who are taking up their cross, denying self, and going on with him, Paul said, "We are all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord"' (2 Corinthians 3:18).
What a joy to meet these who are finishing the race. They are growing in the wisdom and knowledge of Christ, becoming more distant from this world and its pleasures, and becoming increasingly heavenly minded. Their spiritual senses are highly exercised and their discernment of what is of God or the flesh is ever increasing. The older they get, the hungrier they are for more of Christ. They cut away all earthly attachments and with growing intensity, they long to be with him in his glory. For them, to die is gain and the ultimate prize is to be called into his presence to be at his side forever. It is not heaven they seek but Christ in glory!
You can be sure that when Christ returns, he will have a glorious church eager to be with him. It will consist of those who have become so unattached to this world and so united with him that moving from the corruptible to the incorruptible state will be but one last love step into his presence!
You may have fallen down in the Christian race, but you can get up and run again. Jesus will not let you lie down by the track, exhausted, crippled. He will lift up your weakened knees and give you supernatural strength to finish. He will not fail you. By grace, you are going to finish the race and the Lord will be at the finish line to say, “Well done!”
I have one of those minds that just won't quit. Not that I can't rest or sleep at night, but alot of the time my mind is preoccupied with SOMEthing. My husband laughs when I tell him how amazed I am that he can fall asleep in a split second. Which compels me to ask him if he has anything at all in his thoughts...lol! His reply is that he has absolute control over his mind so he can shut those thoughts off and go to sleep instantaneously -without any problem. Hmmmm....I'm not so sure about that but ANyway....
Today, Matthew 5:14 got caught in the wheels of my mind.
Jesus said. "You ARE the light of the world."
In other words, the great I AM wants His people to BE the light. Kind of a natural flow in the conjugation of that verb.....
I am
you
are
he/she/it
is
we
are
you
are
they
are
A lamp can only shine when it's plugged in, right?
When you and I plug into the I AM-we ARE…we start BEING like Him, reflecting His glory…..reflecting His light.
"IN HIM was life; and the life WAS the light of men." [John 1:4]
Jesus tells us exactly how to plug in and shine, in John 15:4, 7 & 10
"ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me..... If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.......If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
To abide with Jesus means to remain or continue with Him, to make your dwelling place with Him, to continue in a relationship with Him. To abide means that Jesus is our Source. It means plugging into Him through faith, prayer and His Word-drawing from Him and depending upon Him for everything. Did I say everything? Yup...everything.
Because when Jesus consumes us. When He fills us. When we are loving Him with all of our heart...WE SHINE! Like Peter and John...people will marvel and take knowledge of us, that we Have BEEN with Jesus!!
BE the Light!
Abiding is an action word. When we are plugged in to Jesus everything we do will be an outflow of that divine connection. Everything we do is because of Him, by Him and through Him.Kind of like a divine umbilical cord that supplies everything we need for nourishment and growth. Whatever we require, whether it's wisdom or words, direction or maybe just an extra measure of faith–it is available.
Abiding gives us divine motivation. It compels us to be more like Him and to desire His will more than our own.
But keep in mind that not EVERYone will be drawn to His light in you. That’s a misconception that can leave you feeling down or convince you that to accommodate or appeal to sinners, abiding is not enough. Paul asked the believers at Galatia, "Are you so foolish? Having begun intheSpirit, do you now perfectyourselfin the flesh?" [Galatians 3:3]
Jesus said , "No one can come to Me unless the Father who has sent Me draw him. [John 6:44]
Some people will be drawn to His light in us like moths. I know I was when God began to draw me by His Spirit. And I am thankful for someone who lived an abiding life, who reflected His light and was led by His Spirit.
And then there are those who (for lack of a more pleasant analogy) are like cockroaches. Those bugs that scurry back into dark corners and crevices when their late-night snacking party in your kitchen is illuminated by your light.
The Bible says it far more tastefully:-)
"For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are--wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him]. [John 3:20-21]
I want to abide in Him...do you?
Proverbs 3:4-5 encourages us to do this:
"Lean on, trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In ALL your ways know recognize and acknowledge Him, and he will direct and make straight and plain your paths."
BE the Light! BE IN Him!
Oh How we need Him! How we need the leading of His Spirit!
Today the words of this old familiar hymn say it best for me...
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Last night's message was an encouraging reminder of God's mercy. It was good to revisit the story of Blind Bartimaeous and others in the Bible who cried out in desperation for the one touch that would change their situation. Natural and spiritual light entered the eyes of men born blind. A woman is miraculously healed after 12 long years of looking everywhere else for answers. The message in their stories reaches out to believers in the 21st century. God's mercy brings hope to the hopeless-to those who by virtue of the length of their struggle have become weary and discouraged, or even want to give up.
Don't!
He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. [Psalm 57:3]
I can think of no better road to walk than one that is walled in by mercy and truth. Knowing that God is bound by the truth of His Word to punish sin. And for those who refuse His goodness; who turn their back on His compassion-judgement is certain.
But...
For those who love Him; who find themselves in the clutches of some besetting sin; who are miserable and desperate for deliverance-mercy is available.
"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies." [ Psalm 25:10]
"Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good."
[Proverbs 14:22]
Truth tells you-you cannot live this way and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Truth tells you that your sin either has or will bring reproach to the name of the Lord. Truth reminds you that no one sins in isolation; that what you are doing will affect others. Truth tells you that the end of all sin is death-that it will destroy you. Truth-the very essence of a very good and gracious God leads you to repentance. It brings an awareness of how desperate your situation is, and launches a cry from your heart that always gets God's attention. It makes Him stop and ask, "Who touched Me" because He senses that mercy has flowed out from Him in response to your cry.
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." [Proverbs 16:6]
"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." [Lamentations 3:21-23]
I believe we are living in the last of the last days. Don't you? We can see that perilous times are upon us. God is testing the thing we will need most to help us endure-our faith. The shaking we feel in our lives has a divine purpose. So that everything that is not of Him will fall off. Every hidden sin and secret struggle will somehow be brought to the light so that any door left open to Satan through the weakness of our flesh can be closed. That is mercy!
"But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." [Psalm 86:15]
I feel certain that each of us-within our own circle of friends and acquaintances-know people who are struggling. People who have allowed themselves to become enslaved by some lust of the flesh, or lust of the eye or by the pride of life. Within these three categories lies every possible sin known to mankind. And Jesus, our High Priest, our Intercessor, our compassionate, merciful Saviour was in all these points tempted-yet without sin.
Think about that for a moment...or two...or three....
HE UNDERSTANDS!!!!! Mercy and truth are met together. [Psalm 85:10] It is His express will that NONE should perish! Not one! But that ALL should come to repentance!!
Read this...this is what He brought to my mind this morning. I'm quoting it from the Amplified version just for the beautiful emphasis it brings to this wonderful truth.
"For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently." [1 Corinthians 10:13]
Mercy and truth is the beautiful balance that slides us back from the brink of disaster, and shows us the way of escape. The way of escape is repentance . And the soft landing place....is His beautiful, humbling mercy.
I want to remind someone today that "sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy]." [Romans 6:14]
Today we begin the celebration of our church’s 50th Anniversary. As it does for many people, the occasion evokes a lot of wonderful memories. Too many to mention, really-but I do want to share a few. There is something very special about sharing a history with a group of people. God’s family is as close, and sometimes even closer than our own natural family. We are supernaturally knit together by the Spirit of God sharing the ups and downs, the joys and struggles of life. Most importantly we find ways to share God with each other and with those who have not yet become part of this terrific family.
Today I am remembering Lois. The person God chose to introduce me to the truth of His Word. Our meeting was divinely orchestrated. Of that I am certain. Lois walked with God. Everything about her said just that. She was salt and she was light. I know this because being around her made me realize how much I needed God. She made me thirsty to know Him. The enemy threw a curve ball, but God hit that ball right out of the park and made a home run! The President of the Board of Directors who hired me was not fond of Pentecostals, most particularly those of the United Pentecostal faith. They had turned Lois down for my position as Director of the Saint John Deaf & Heard of Hearing Association, even though she was a certified Sign language Interpreter and held a business degree. Then…they actually had the nerve to call her and ask her to teach me sign language. See what I mean? Divine intervention. I was warned that Lois would try to convert me and cautioned about some of the things she believed. Little did they know that I had already begun a quest for God and they were playing right into His unseen hand! Lois won me to herself and then to her God. It was only after many conversations, and eventually a Home Bible study, that I decided to visit her church. FirstUnitedPentecostalChurch on Mark Drive was nothing like I had ever experienced. I know I’ve written about this before but it bears repeating. I was simultaneously in a totally foreign atmosphere yet I felt like I had come home. The Spirit of God was real and powerful. People were testifying, worshipping, dancing, speaking in tongues and praying. One thought entered my mind. “Whatever this is, I want to be a part of it.” I didn’t understand it, but I knew it was for me. That was the beginning of my, to date, twenty-two year relationship with God and with His family at First UPC.
Today I am remembering Bro. and Sis Arden Bustard. Although only my pastors for a short time, they both contributed greatly to building the foundation of my spiritual life and remain people of influence to this day. On April 15th, 1988 Bro. Bustard baptized me in the wonderful name of Jesus for the remission of my sins.
Today I am remembering Bro. and Sis. Edward Goddard-our pastors for seventeen wonderful years.
I can't begin to convey the numerous ways they touched and influenced our lives. They led by example. My love for the truth of God's Word was encouraged and grew under their ministry. Our family was continually nourished and challenged by Bro. Goddard's anointed preaching and teaching. As a couple, they saw us at our best and at our worst and loved us still.
In February of 1989 Bro Goddard baptized Paul in the Bay of Fundy
He dedicated our daughters to the Lord.
He baptized Alexandra at the age of 6 after she had received the Holy Ghost at home.
And Hannah at the age of 12 after she received the Holy Ghost at Junior Camp.
He baptized my father at the age of 80
Today I'm thankful for a host of awesome Sunday School teachers who taught my girls from age 2 right through to their teens
Today I am remembering an honor roll of wonderful elders who had a profound and lasting impact on our lives and are now forever in the Presence of the God they loved so much..
Wally and Barb Hutchings
Isabelle Norris
Myrtis Beatty
Eva Thompson
Norman and Fern Morehouse
Ken Wright
All I can think to say is thank you.... You made such a difference in our lives and your memory lives on!!
Today I'm remembering special people who left First UPC in Saint John to minister elsewhere but remain forever friends...so dear to our hearts..
Allison and Wendy Cromwell now pastoring in Picton, Ontario
Bruce and Melodie Bartel now pastoring in Victoria, BC
Johanna (Manley) Dabbs
Today I'm thankful for Bro. and Sis. David Jenkins
and Bro and Sis Gordon Lewis
Elders who continue to bless and encourage our lives in so many ways.
I think the waves of nostalgia will be flowing this weekend as we gather to celebrate our 50th year! Praying our future will be as remarkable and as memorable as our past! Jesus IS the same yesterday, today and forever!!
I've been thinking about Pastor Kennedy's morning message on 'change', and how getting ourselves into the Presence of God and submitting ourselves to Him will help us weather the multitude of changes all of us will face throughout life.
Change is inevitable.
People change. Circumstances of life change. In fact, if we could use just one word to describe this world, 'changing' sort of captures the essence of it all. Think back just a few years and consider the changes that have taken place economically, socially, spiritually and politically. On every front change has and still is occurring. It's like being on one of those contstantly moving walkways in an airport....but this one never ends. You can't get off. And it can feel downright overwhelming at times.
Here's the thing. You can't stop change.
But what you CAN do is anchor yourself to the One who never changes.
Jesus Christ.
Listen to this.....The Biblle tells us in the book of Hebrews that God's counsel...what He says...is immutable. Immutable means NOT SUBJECT TO CHANGE. It is impossibe for God to lie. The promises He gives to us transcend this present world and bring hope. Hebrews 6:19 says, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast."
Jesus is described as "the forerunner" who has gone behind the veil before us and secured our future.
The winds of change may blow...they may even bend us to the ground....but they will not uproot us if we put our faith, our trust and our hope in Jesus!!
The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm
The Greek word for 'forerunner' is found nowhere else in the New Testament. It was used in the second century A.D. for smaller boats that were sent out into the harbor by larger ships unable to enter due to the buffeting of the weather. These small boats carried the anchor through the breakers inside the harbor and dropped it there securing the larger ship. The word 'forerunner' presupposes that others will follow. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! That where He is we may be also!
Jesus is not only our Anchor-He is also like our runner boat. He has taken our anchor into port and secured it there.
Listen up folks! There is no doubt as to whether the vessel is going into port!! Just so long as you keep yourself anchored in Jesus. There is only one sure thing in this life-
" I the Lord do not change." [Mal.3:6]
You CAN put ALL your eggs in that basket!
If you have a few minutes, take a little walk through Hebrews. Remind yourself who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Pull on the rope a little and make sure you're anchored to Him.
Are you in a storm? Are the winds of change rocking the boat of your life? I dare you to sing these lyrics to the Lord.....hands lifted high...and just see what happens!
Upon life’s boundless ocean where mighty billows roll,
I’ve fixed my hope in Jesus, blest anchor of my soul;
When trials fierce assail me as storms are gathering o’er,
I rest upon His mercy and trust Him more.
I’ve anchored in Jesus, the storms of life I’ll brave,
I’ve anchored in Jesus, I fear no wind or wave.
I’ve anchored in Jesus, for He hath power to save,
I’ve anchored to the Rock of Ages.
When a bank is on the verge of going under, wise people do not deposit their money there. When a foundation is tottering and uncertain, intelligent builders do not build on it.
No one would knowingly invest their time, money, or energy on something that isn't going to last-right?
Here's a thought.
God, in HIS infinite wisdom has warned us in His Word not to love this world or the things of this world.
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
[1 John 2:15-16]
Why?
Because God sees the big picture. He not only sees the picture from beginning to end. He IS the beginning and the end. He is Omnicient-all-knowing.
He knows this world isn't gonna last forever. He sees what lies behind and beneath all of the world's appeal.
You can't judge the world's book by its cover. There is something going on....a plan unfolding... that only God can reveal. We need the inside scoop, so to speak.It's right there in His Word.
A while back, a young couple bought a house near ours and flipped it. They moved in-did a bunch of renovations in a short period of time- then sold it for more than they had paid. The owners before them had lived in that house for almost thirty years. They were an elderly couple who hadn't been able to do much in the way of upkeep. The front deck was on it's last legs when this couple moved in. Unfortunately, the new deck they put on before reselling was only new on the outside. They bought enough pressure treated lumber to cover the bottom part of the deck that was almost rotted through. It looked great on the outside but underneath was another story. It was a hazard. The foundation was unstable.
And so it is with this world.
Sometimes we get so caught up in life here that we forget we are just passing through. We are on our way somewhere else. This is not our home.
Focusing on, investing in and expending all of your energy on this world and the things of this world is kind of like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It doesn't matter. It's going down.
Does this depress you?
It shouldn't.
It should make our hearts infinitely happy that God has given us the heads up. Not only for our benefit but for the benefit of our family and friends who haven't yet received the inside scoop. It ought to make us sing...
"This world is not my home, I'm just a passing thru,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
Just up in gloryland we'll live eternally.
The saints on ev'ry hand are shouting victory.
Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from Heaven's shore.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."
I've been thinking more and more as each day goes by that I want to loosen my grip on this world, and its grip on me- and begin to reach like never before for things that are eternal. In the end, it's all that will matter.
The Bible says-"And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." [1 John 2:17]
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last"
