What Do You Want Me To Do?

In Luke 18, there is a story of Jesus at the entrance to Jericho. A blind man cries out asking for mercy. Jesus stood still and asked a question that has really given me something to think about.

He said, "What do you want me to do for you?"

It's a simple yet profound question. I realized that He's always asking, always knocking, always present, always - always - always!

Rev. 3:20
"behold I stand at the door and knock. if any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come and and sup with him"!

He is always asking because He cares for you! He wants to know what is going on in your life, what your hurts and pains are, what weight you are carrying. He wants to help! He wants to encourage!

But there's something else that struck me in that question and that is our answer. What is your answer? I fear that so many times we just assume He's got it covered. It's not that He doesn't know your heart's desire or pain or weight. But He wants us to come to him and 'sup' (have fellowship - have a meal) with Him.

So what's your answer? Shouldn't you tell him!

The Days that Make No Sense

The days that make no sense - you know what I mean? These are the days that you just feel empty - without purpose, uncertainty, and confusion. Sometimes the feeling gets overwhelming doesn't it? How do we understand those days?

And I guess the more important part of this is "how do I beat it"?

Being one who has fought depression because of health and personal issues, I have to be very careful on these types of days. And I also have to have a plan of action. Now, what I'm about to say is what I apply in my life. I hope it will help you when you fight the same struggle.

First, remind yourself that you are not alone!

1 Peter 5:9 (NKJV)
⁹ Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

What does Peter say? "...the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in all the world...". Sometimes the hardest part of depression is the feeling that "no one really understands". And possibly in your intermediate circle, this could be true. But Peter says that somewhere someone else is struggle just like you are at this very moment! That brings some very much need companionship!

Second, read and meditate on God's Word!

When I'm struggling I meditate on God's Word. I don't mean reading like I would read a book. I mean slowly meditating on what I am reading. There's a very important reason for this. It allows me to sense God speaking to me through His Spirit. When I just read - I'll pass right on by. But when I'm meditating, I'm truly considering what I am reading and I read until I sense God's presence.

Third, this may sound corny, but write down what you feel.

Try and sense what God might be saying to you for He wants to help. In other words, create a journal. Record your thoughts and your hearings. There's only one purpose in this: I can go back on bad days such as this and see how God spoke to me on another day!

Last, talk - I mean "TALK" to God.

Tell Him what you feel and where you are struggling. He already knows. But there are times that when I do the above, and add talking to the experience that I feel like I'm communicating with someone. And this is the best way to fight and have victory over depression.

A verse that over the last week has really begun to take a new meaning with me is this:

John 4:13-14 (NKJV)
¹³ Jesus answered and said to her, "... ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Wow that is truly sweet for the one struggling with those tough days. The more we "drink His word" the more his "living water" - catch the next phrase toward the end - "springing up"! The phrase "springing up" in the Greek means "continuously running". In other words, the more we dive in to the "living water" offered by Jesus, the more our thirst will continue to "spring up".

That's it. There's no magic. But to know that others are struggling with me; To know that Jesus cares; and To know that the Lord Himself wants to "spring up our thirst" - He wants to help for He understands more than any other person!

So if you are struggling today, take these words of advice! I only pray it helps!

It's a Matter of the Heart!

In Matthew 6:22-24, Jesus tells us the impact when God has our whole heart,

"The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

While it may not seem like it, Jesus is talking about the heart. Your heart belongs to Him. When God has your heart, He can lead you; because that is how God leads, He leads through your heart.

Think about the difference light makes when trying to walk on a narrow, craggy path. When light comes into your eye, you can see your way. Your eyes, when the light is able to come in, are a built-in guidance system, aren't they?

You have a guidance system God uses to lead you. That guidance system is called your heart. If God has your treasure, He has your heart. But God can't lead you through your heart if He doesn't have your heart.

If God has your heart, then He can begin to lead you. You can go anywhere He tells you to go. And interestingly enough, the loyalty of our heart is expressed through our giving. Giving and guidance tied together? According to Jesus… definitely!

Blessings or Wrath?

I was trying to think about the New Year and what message of significance we might consider as God's children and just as important, God's Church! Jesus told the disciples in Acts;

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The key to understanding this passage is to realize that Jesus was not just talking to the disciples but also to every believer! This tells us that Jesus was also talking to New Horizons Baptist Church!

You have heard me say often that "every time we see a message of growth in the 1st Christian Church" we see attached to this statement the truth that 'God', not 'us' grows the church! And this is true - but what we forget is that God uses His people for that growth.

Ok, you may say that I'm only talking 'numbers' but then Jesus also describes the verse we call the great commission in Matthew;

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

So isn't Jesus concerned with 'numbers'? I look at the word "Go" and quickly understand that our command is to "Go" - simply put but mostly missed is the next command: "and make disciples...teaching them". Yes, we are to be God's witness in growing His church so that through us, His people, He is able to disciple those we reach for Christ!

Our passage for Sunday was going to be that of Ezekiel 36:16-27. The prophet Ezekiel is telling the nation of Israel that He was about to bring the nation out of wrath and into a new age of blessing. Remember, they had been taken into captivity because of their sinful ways.

What principle might this say to us? Am I saying that failure to be used of God to grow His kingdom (including His church) is sinful? Why not ask God? Am I saying that failure to represent Him by bringing others into His church might produce His 'wrath' or 'judgment' or His 'lack of blessing'? Again, why not ask God?

We have all been so blessed by God! Regardless of your life's present condition, you are blessed! In other words, you are significant in representing His kingdom! If we could really grab on to the truth of all He has done for each and every one of us, it would bring such an 'excitement' that we could not be contained!

I am calling on our family to be a family that realizes their 'significance' in being a 'witness of God' to the point that it brings 'excitement'! I want to challenge our family during the year of 2011 to be a family that realizes their significance and excitement in being a 'witness of our Lord Jesus Christ'!

So, will I see you next Sunday? If you realize your significance in being used to represent our Lord I will! As to our main passage of Ezekiel 36:16-27, read it, study it, and ask God to bless you with the significance of it regarding your witness!

Pastor Steve!

The Real Church!

What a Day! Wow, it was good to be in "God's House"! It just doesn't matter how blue, discouraged, confused, and even angry, you may be, going to "God's House" is always a blessing and a pickup! Why? Because the 'Church' is not "God's House"! Did I lose you? Oh, I'm not getting 'off the edge' (though some would disagree)! But the 'Church', as we know it, is 'God's People; God's Family'!

We just moved a few weeks ago and I haven't yet organized my library. The books are just 'thrown up' on the shelves! So I can''t put my finger on the book I wish to quote and thus am just going to paraphrase what I read.

The main 'Church' begins on Monday morning and not on Sunday! The ''Church" is the many school teachers, doctors, lawyers, baby-sitters, counselors, entrepreneurs, public officials, homemakers, retirees - all those in the public and private sectors - every believer in our Lord Jesus whom we celebrate this Christmas Season! That's the REAL CHURCH!

What did Jesus say?

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

The word 'church' is not the building, but the people! Now, we go to "God's House" to get re-fueled and prepared for Monday! We go together to praise our Lord as one! There's a great song I love to sing that David Crain wrote called, "Lord, We Praise You Now" and the words the awesome song say this:

"Lord, we praise You Now!
Lord, we praise You Now!
Though as many now we come
To Worship You as one!
Lord, we praise You Now!"

How awesome it is to be in God's House! Now, with that being said, the real question that might need to be asked this Christmas Season is "how are you (as part of 'the church') representing our Lord"? Are you representing the Lord Jesus as He would desire? With all the rushing, elbowing, fussing over that last Christmas Toy, OR are you offering the smile of Christmas so that others see the real Christmas!

On a side-note, if you are one of the many who have lost their jobs, homes, businesses or even a family member this Christmas, I know your season may not seem to be very 'joyful'. Please remember that God is the only true source for peace. Remember a verse that Paul wrote;

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)
⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I know, believe me I know as I'm one who is also struggling this season, but I know that sometimes it's hard to look through the clouds to find peace when the clouds represent so much confusion and pain. But God promised NOT to abandon us as He is the true and good Shepherd! If you are having a hard time this season, please feel free to email me and we will encourage each other together!

Merry Christmas
Pastor Steve

Resist Him and He will Flee!

This morning while doing a devotion, while asking God when the devil would 'flee' from me, God reminded me of the 'importance' as well as the 'how to' in resisting the devil. He took me first to

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

When I do a bible study, I like to look at the chapter surrounding the verse I'm looking at to make sure I'm not taking the verse out of context. In looking at all of 1 Peter, chapter 5, I was reminded that as a pastor, I must remember that I have to set the right example. If I do not 'resist' our adversary (if I 'cave in' to temptation), how can I expect my deacons, my teachers, and even the flock God has called me to care for resist him?

At that moment, I realized why God brought me to these verses. You see, I've been struggling with some trials and temptations of my own (pastors are no different from you... we have the same struggles). I was asking God, 'when will he leave?')

Follow what God showed me; In comparison with verse 9, I looked at a verse linked to this verse found in James:

James 4:7 (NKJV)
⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

But how do we "submit" to God? How do we "resist" the devil? Well, forgive the length of this blog, but look at the three verses following:

James 4:8-10 (NKJV)
⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

I believe here, we find the steps to 'resisting the devil'.

1. 'Draw near to God' - The result is 'he will draw near to you'
2. 'Cleanse your hands' - Believe the result is he will flee.
3. 'Be humble' - Get on your knees and realize you need God's help!
4. 'and He will lift you up' - In other words, 'he will flee'!

Thank you O God for reminding me that You alone are in control. Thank you for showing me that your Spirit ("not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord") alone can override any attempt of the devil to take control of my life, if I resist him. Help me O Lord to do just that! Amen!

Be Thankful Even in the Storm!

This past Sunday, we studied the passage in Matthew 14:22-33 where the disciples are sent ahead by Jesus to cross the Sea of Galilee, allowing Him to be alone. Jesus was exhausted and was also grieving over the beheading of his cousin, John the Baptist. Talking about storms - what He must have felt like. In fact, in this passage, this was not the first time He had tried to get away by himself to pray.

We've all been there; grieving over the lost of a loved one, hurting from exhaustion from the stress going with our pain. Jesus, as man, was just as we are and he wanted to get by Himself to pray to His father.

The Luke account shows that while Jesus was up on the mountainside praying, he saw his disciples in a storm of their own. They had been rowing 3 1/2 miles across a 7 mile lake. A furious storm had overtaken them so that they could not go forward and could not go backward. They were in a state of panic.

Jesus knew just the right time to come. After all, He's the Master of the Sea and the Storm. The storm was in the sea and it's interesting that Jesus came to the disciples walking above the storm of the sea. No storm was going to slow him down!

His disciples saw him coming and thought He was a ghost. To calm them down, he exclaimed, "be of good cheer! It is I! Do not be afraid!" Matt 14:27.

But the ones who had been living with Him, following Him, and serving Him did not recognize the Master of the Sea. And Peter, one whom I believe was His best friend said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Peter was asking Jesus to allow Him to walk above the storm!

We all do that don't we? We pray and beg the Lord to calm the storm, to allow us a way out of the storm. In other words, to allow us to walk above the storm to safety.

Jesus said to Peter, "come on!" Peter stepped out of the boat and as long as Peter had his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk above the storm just as he had asked. But the minute Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, the storm returned all around him. Finally Jesus reached down and grabbed Peter and walked with him into the boat. And the storm ended.

Wow, what a story! But what did we learn?

1. We can be thankful knowing that Jesus is always praying for us when in the storm!
2. We can be thankful that Jesus is able to walk above the storm. We can be thankful that He's not taken by surprise and we can be thankful He's certainly able to handle any storm!
3. We can be thankful that at just the right time, Jesus, above the storm will come and lead us to safety. But we must keep our eyes on Him, not doubting, but believing and walking in faith.
4. We can be thankful as 1 Peter 5:8 and following reminds us in that we are not alone in the storms of life but that others around the world are fighting the same storm. We are not the only one in the storm!
   
5. We can be thankful that at the right time, with our eyes on Jesus, He will end the storm and lead us to safety!

So many lessons for those in the storms of life! And at this season of Thanksgiving, these 5 steps give us so much to be thankful for, even if we find ourselves in the many storms of life this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!