When is a promise a promise?

When is a promise a promise?

There are some amazing promises in the Bible.

Some are amazingly clear. My favorite clear promise in the Bible is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. Whoever places their faith (belief) in the Lord Jesus will have eternal life. Eternal life starts when a person believes the Gospel (John 6:47). The content of the Gospel is spelled out in I Corinthians 15:3-4.  This is an abundantly clear promise.

There is well known promise that is often claimed by Christians. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” From this I wonder, how does Christ strengthen me? What does Christ’s strength look like in my particular circumstances that I am claiming this verse?  What defines “all things in my life?” Does this mean all things without limit or all things within the will and purpose of God for my life? I surely can’t be expected Christ’s strength when I am in rebellion against Him.  What has bothered me the most is how I’ve heard this verse used as a lucky charm by some people trying to make themselves feel better.

There is a beautifully expressed promise in 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” I love the sound of the words in this verse. But even more, how do the promises of God find their yes in Christ? I believe it is related to how OT prophecies of Christ are fulfilled in the NT and in His Second Coming. At one of His post resurrection appearances on the road to Emmaus, Jesus spoke to two of his disciples.  Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Read and interpret all of the promise of God in how they relate to Jesus.

Life Lesson from Chuck Part III for Lehi Rotary - Nov 30th 2016

1. Observations developed from Woodworking. 
>Wood expands and contracts. This is incorporated into most plans (or should be).
>Don’t paint over hardwood. It hides the beauty of the grain.
>You will always make mistakes. As long as you keep your fingers, it is okay.
>For safety’s sake, don’t use power tools or sharp objects when you are tired.
>A good woodworker develops the skill of incorporating mistakes into the design of the piece.
>Most people won’t notice mistakes unless you point them out.
>Interesting design is better than dull design.
>Take a risk to try to make something out of your comfort zone.
>While hand cut dovetails are to be admired, machine cut dovetails are much more practical.
>Some of my best conversations have been working on a project with someone.
>Most people appreciate what you make for them more than what you buy for them.
>Woodworking as a hobby is primarily a gift of time.  Don’t underestimate the value of your time.

2.  The amount of insight we have (in a particular subject) is proportionate to our appetite in that area.
Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV) 1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

3. My theory of relativity (don’t run this thought past my sons who are into ‘real’ physics).
>The older I get the faster time goes. This is almost a universal experience for people.
 The big question is “WHY?”  I think it has to do with how each succeeding year is a progressively smaller percentage of our life. If you are 5 years old, going from one Christmas to the next is 20% of your life. If you are 50 years old, going from one Christmas to the next is 2% of your life.

4.Sometimes, just the attempt is worth it.
>Consider the Audi commercial with kid kissing the prom queen and getting a black eye from the prom king and driving away thrilled.
>My youngest son applied to MIT and Caltech 3 years ago. He didn’t get in, but I’m glad he tried. In the long run he has been better off at USU where he has done theoretical physics research with a professor.

5. In considering the effort required to help someone ask yourself,
>What is the core issue the person is dealing with?
(this can be very difficult to uncover, they may not even  know it).
> Is the person just trying to avoid the negative consequences of their bad choices?
(This may likely be a waste of your time).
>Do not put out more effort to help a person than they are willing to put effort out themselves.
     That thought came from a counselor speaking at a marriage event several years ago,
     when I asked him, ‘when do you know you are wasting your time with some one?’

6.  Don’t deny your emotions. 
>How are you feeling? is valid, but not the end of a discussion.
>Don’t let your emotions rule your life and use them in an attempt to control others.
>My wife has learned to give me a 3 day warning before she asks me how I feel about something.

7. Learn to ask good questions. 
>Good questions enable us to probe an issue more thoroughly.
>The Four Way Test is an excellent example of a good process. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
>If we rush to an answer too quickly, we may miss important factors.
>Focusing on a good process will tend to give us a good result.
The best book in the OSU college bookstore was, “Asking the Right Questions?” The professor who assigned this book’s most annoying comment: “The only absolute is there are no absolutes.”

8. Cultivate the art of listening.
  How many of us tend to wait for someone to finish talking so we can burst in with our own thoughts without duly considering what another person is saying.
>Listening well to someone is a great gift to another and shows them respect.
Proverbs 20:5 (ESV) The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.

9. Cultivate the value of appropriately encouraging and empowering words.
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) 25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

10.  How we use our time, our talent, and our treasure speak to what is truly important to us.
 When I was a kid my dad liked to say, “do as I say, not as I do.” If something is not important enough for your to act upon, don’t expect someone else will act upon it.

10. When someone says that God led them to do something that is obviously self-serving, I would seriously question the “God led me” part.
There are only about five people I would give the benefit of the doubt to if they said to me, “God led me, or God spoke to me.”

11. “I am for you” means that I want God’s best for you in all the circumstances of your life whether you do or not.
 The question that naturally follows is “what is God’s best?”
Ephesians 5:33 (ESV) 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

12. Our limited view of God limits our ability to know, love, and serve Him, so expand your limitation by growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

13. God tends not to fix our stupid.
>Rather, He tends to redeem them if we seek Him.
Own your attitudes and behavior.

Asking the right questions.

In studying the Bible we sometimes have the tendency to focus solely on individual verses.

We need to keep in mind that we should also be alert to the bigger picture of a book of the Bible and the whole Bible itself.

Understanding the bigger picture helps us to understand the individual verse(s) better.

Similarly, understanding individual verses better helps us to understand the bigger picture more clearly. Books on interpreting the Bible call this idea the "hermeneutical circle."

In looking at the following verses, what can questions can we ask and meditate on with the individual verse(s) and big picture in mind?

2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

       To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

What does spiritual growth look like? 

                Growing in God's grace in how we react to the world around us.

                Growing in knowledge of God's Word.

                Growing in a desire to please (glorify) God

How does this verse relate to the overall theme of Peter's 2nd letter?

Overall  3:1 to stir up a sincere mind

                1:10 make diligent your call

                1:15  make every effort

                3:14  make every effort

Do what we can do to grow in our relationship with the Lord defined by God's Word.

               

How does 2 Peter fit within the NT and OT?

What questions could you ask concerning the following verse?

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.

  Rather train yourself for godliness;

8        for while bodily training is of some value,

          godliness is of value in every way,

          as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

>>What are my hindrances in training to be godly?

(think about who, what, when, where, how, why questions)

“A Portrait of Integrity” : Job

“A Portrait of Integrity”
Job 1:1, 9-12,18, 20-22
Aug 7th 2016

Live with Integrity regardless of what we don’t see and what we do see....

I. God honors those who consistently fear Him and turn from evil. (1-5)

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 
 Verse 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 
3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 
4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 
5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” 
Thus Job did continually. 

II.  What we don’t see -- 
A.    The Spiritual Realm (6-8)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 
7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 
8 And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 

The Bible describes some of the work of the evil one...
Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 


II.  What we don’t see -- 
B. The dialogue before the Lord God — Satan Attacks Job’s character (9-11)
9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 
10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 
11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 

II.  What we don’t see -- 
C.  The Lord gave permission to Satan’s influence (12)
12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. 

The Bible describes how God has put a hedge around us.
1 John 4:4 (ESV)
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

The Lord gives us a promise
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. 
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
 but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

There are limits to what the Lord will allow each of us to go through.

III. What we do see:
A. The Loss of his family and possessions.  (13-19)
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 
14 and there came a messenger to Job and said,
 “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 
15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 
16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, [clap two]
“The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”  
17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,
“The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”  
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said,  
“Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 
19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 

He lost everything, EXCEPT  — HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

III. What we do see:
B. The response of faith: Good Theology which leads to proper perspective & worship (20-22)

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I 
return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” 
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. 

He didn’t pretend like it didn’t happen. He went into mourning.
But because of his God- Perspective. He worshiped God.
Everything we have, we will eventually loose. Except our relationship with God.
If we live long enough, we will outlive our loved ones.
We will all eventually loose our health - we are all dying.
We will loose all of our finances - either before we die or after.

Character and integrity means more when you willing to pay a price to keep it.

Thoughts on behavior and feelings

Sometimes we get focused on solely on behavior.

On one hand, that is understandable because behavior is observable and measurable.

On the other hand, the motivation and feelings behind the behavior are vital but difficult to quantify and make tangible.

 

In one sense feelings are not right or wrong, they just exist. Our behavior is what counts.

But you can't separate them in living your life.  You can't feel without it affecting your behavior and what you do will affect your feelings.

 

In one sense commitment to a relationship is vital for its success.

In another sense, for a relationship to work the commitment must be mutual.

“Good Lessons from Bad Examples” Acts 5:1-11; I Cor 10:6; July 24th , 2016

“Good Lessons from Bad Examples”
Acts 5:1-11; I Cor 10:6; July 24th , 2016

We all grew up with a mix of good examples and bad examples.
>My dad was a good example of being financially responsible.
>My dad was a bad example in communication skills.

We also see good examples and bad examples around us.
>I have a friend in Spokane who is an example of a very good father.
>Our current political season has lots of bad examples of candidates demonizing each other.

We can learn from good examples (like Barnabas last week) and we can learn from bad examples (like Ananias and Sapphira).

The first lesson.
I. Evaluate motivation: In their desire for acclaim they misrepresented their generosity (11-2)
1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Evaluating motivation can be a tricky activity.
>On one hand, we should do the right things for the right reasons.
“Do all things for the glory of God.”
>On the other hand, if I waited to clearly have the right motivation for everything, I don’t think I would ever do anything.

We need to ask ourselves
Is what I am saying true or doing true to God’s standards?
Is it loving? Will it help anyone? Will this reflect the character of Jesus?


II. Be Honest:  why did you lie to God and misrepresent your gift? (3-4)

3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own?
And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal?
Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart?
You have not lied to man but to God.”

A warning passage in I Corinthians
1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (ESV)

There is a clear parallel is verses 3 & 4.
lying to the Holy Spirit is exactly the same as lying to God.
This verse is a clear declaration of the Deity of the Holy Spirit.


III. Don’t Presume: Judgment is sometimes sooner than people expect (5-6)
5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last.
And great fear came upon all who heard of it.
 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

God judged Ananias directly. His time was up.

Years later, the Apostle Peter wrote.....
1 Peter 4:17 (ESV) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

IV. Don’t miss opportunities to come clean   (7)

7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.

V. Remember God’s holiness:  why did you test the Spirit of the Lord by misrepresenting your gift? (8-9)

8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?
Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

How close can I get to the line to something I should not do without a consequence? How much can I  get away with? Those are questions reflecting of a bad attitude.

We are clearly warned.....
Deuteronomy 6:16 (ESV) 16 “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah.

VI. The Lord’s clear judgment leads the church to fear God (10-11)

10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last.
When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

God’s judgment was as clear on Sapphira as it was on her husband Ananias. Sometimes when believers cross the line, God judges them.

Most of the time God disciplines His Children, Hebrews 12:7-11
The greater purpose of God’s kingdom and the church’s holiness were at stake so God judged this couple.

If God positively answers our prayers for revival, one of the clear signs of that will be a much greater sense of the greatness and holiness of God.

We are to never take God for granted..

To the early believers, as they tried to figure out what this act of judgment on this couple meant
I would think they asked a version of this.....

Was the Lord Making a point or Setting a Pattern?

Outline for Acts 4:13-22

“Opportunity Came Knocking”
Acts 4:13-22
July 3rd, 2016

The implications of the public miraculous sign from God

I. To the established religious leaders of the time [13-18]
A. Amazed at the boldness and clear testimony of Peter and John who had been discipled by Jesus (13)
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and  perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.  And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 

B. In a  Quandary on account of the presence of the cured man who was lame.(14)
14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had 
nothing to say in opposition. 

C. Deliberation and warning to Peter and John (15-17)
15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council,  they conferred with one another, 
16   saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 
17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people,  let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 

D. Command to Peter and John not to speak or teach about Jesus (18)
18 So they called them and  charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 


II. To the witnesses of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus ......

A. They challenged the religious leaders to acknowledge the authority of God (19)
19  But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God,  you must judge, 

B. They rejected a ban on their speaking (4:20)
 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 

III. To the established religious leaders continued hardhearted response [21-22]

A. They threatened and then released Peter and John (21a)

21a And when they had further threatened them, they let them go,

B. They were intimated by the crowds who were praising God (21b)
21b  finding no way to punish them, because of the people,  for all were praising God for what had happened.
C. They could not deny the reality of the miracle (22)
22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

Thoughts of my mother’s life and death.

My mother was born during the depths of the Depression. She died Easter morning, 2016.

She met dad on a blind date in November of 1956 and they were married in March of 1957. Two people found comfort in one another’s arms for the next ten years. My sister was born in the late 50's and I was born in the early 60's.  Mom and dad’s relationship deteriorated over their last ten years together which culminated in divorce in 1978.  Mom then moved in with grandma and took care of her until she passed in 1997.  My sister moved in with mom to help take care of grandma in the early 90's.

In the late 1960's when dad was in Vietnam mom gave me and my sister a Children’s Bible.  The words were in small print and the hard to read King James English. However, On one inside flap in big print was printed the well known 23rd Psalm.

This psalm is an expression of trust in God’s goodness,  His grace, and His strength through all the turmoil of a person’s life.

Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV)
1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

I enjoyed the following application I read of this passage.
Remember the phrase: “the Lord is my shepherd.” Those five words pack in a lot of truth
>"The--because, we're talking about one of a kind."
> "Lord." The king himself.
>For the next finger remember that God himself is right here.
> my, a personal commitment and relationship.
>For the last finger: shepherd, the one who owns, who died, who cares and loves: Jesus.

In the time that Mom had,  she and my sister lived comfortably together for many years until she fell a few months ago. My sister has done a very good job of looking out for mom over the years and has especially shined over the last few difficult months.

Mom’s dementia increased rapidly after her fall and she stopped recognizing my sister at times and didn’t even remember her favorite dog when she was brought by.

Mom’s time was always the present. She did not dwell on the past much or focus on the future.
More than anyone else I’ve known, she truly lived in the moment. In her present she loved her pets, movies, and television, especially “Dancing with the Stars.”  For years when I called she would frequently ask, Charlie, did you watch “Dancing with the Stars” last night? I never said yes, but she always asked. She lived in the moment of what was important to her.

Mom has four grandchildren. I am grateful that she lived long enough to see them all grow up.

In a similar context to which we are all now experiencing the death of a beloved mother and friend,  Jesus spoke these words to those present then to us here now:
John 11:25-26 (NKJV)
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

When we believe in the Lord Jesus we can face life and ultimately death with certainty because Jesus rose from the dead.

The next verse states....
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus always applies the truth He teaches. “Do you believe this?” It is an invitation to trust him as always. It is the same as the most famous verse in the Bible.

John 3:16 (NKJV) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

As always, God' Word calls us to respond to His truth.

Christ-centered?

One of the verses that I have been mediating on for a long time is 2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV)

²⁰ For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 

The immediate question is, how are the promises of God yes in Christ?

My reasonably confident answer is that we need to read and interpret all of the promises of God (OT and NT) in how they relate to the life, ministry, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Some are promises are obvious:

Isaiah 53:6 (ESV) ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Some are less obvious:

Genesis 3:15 (ESV)  ¹⁵ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

We always need to be fully Christ-centered in how read and study the Bible.

We need to be purposefully Christ-centered as we view and live our lives.

So the questions in life become different:

Instead of ‘what do I want?’ we need to ask what does the Lord want?

Instead of ‘what pleases me?’ we need to ask what pleases the Lord in this circumstance.

"The Vital Need for God’s Blessing" Psalm 127:1-5,

The Vital Need for God’s Blessing
Psalm 127:1-5,
March 20th , 2016

[Introduction]
Solomon’s declaration of this perspective is in reflected in the phrase,  “Under the Sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV)
14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 (ESV)
11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Perspective is the angle from which we see things.
We need God’s perspective: what is important from God’s view?
We need God’s Presence and Blessing; God’s work in and through us for His glory and our ultimate good.

Human effort without God’s perspective,  presence and blessing is ultimately meaningless.

Negatively: Human effort in life is useless without the Lord’s  blessing.
Positively: The Lord’s blessing is vital in Work and Family

God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work and family.

I. . Work [1-2]
A.  A firm foundation and protector (1)
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
 Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 

“In vain” means meaningless, purposelessness, uselessness.

[illustration]
The Lord led Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He organized, planned, and led the people. He set guards.
But unless the Lord was watching over the process, which He did, it would have been a wasted effort.

God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to work.

B. Useless of labor without God’s blessing (2)
2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. 

Hard work does not make up for God’s presence.
We need to work hard, but more importantly we need God’s blessing.

God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.

II. Family (3-5)
A. Children are a heritage.  (3-4)
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. 
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 

Children are a heritage, a reward, a gift.

Unfortunately, too many people see children as an inconvenience.

[application]
At times Attitude can be more important than action.
While I would never tell anyone that they had to have children to obey God, I would say that you should call a blessing what God calls a blessing.

God calls children a blessing.
We too should call children a blessing.

God’s presence gives meaning and purpose to family.

B. Flourishing legacy                 (5)
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
 He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. 

Children of those who seek the Lord are a flourishing legacy.
It is an encouragement to children to go on and serve the Lord.
That is a terrific legacy.

[Conclusion]
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our work and family may not give us the results that we perceive as success.
The Lord may use a bad experience at work to lead us in a different direction.
He may use it to teach us patience or something else.

His presence and blessing give purpose and meaning to work.
Seeking God’s blessing, presence, in our family may not turn out the way we want.
Our children may make poor choices. But a godly legacy is of great value.

While proverbs are not promises, they describe what generally happens.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
A godly legacy is a great gift that we can give to our children.

Even if we don’t have children, our godly influence is a great gift we can give to those we know.

Don’t just see things from a human perspective, only “under the sun”, but seek God’s presence and purpose to give meaning to our lives.
God’s presence is vital in our work and family life. May we seek His blessing in all that we do.

“Live with an Eternal Perspective”

To “Live with an Eternal Perspective” puts life in order with an emphasis on what is truly important.

From an unknown author.....

Only One Life
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,"Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all";
Only one life,'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Author Unknown

“Reasons to Trust the Bible”

“Reasons to Trust the Bible”
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Outline  today is based on Erwin Lutzer’s book, “Seven Reasons Why You Can Trust the Bible.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,   17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   

On one level faith is a one sense a subjective response.
But genuine faith is a subjective response based upon an objective reality.

1 Corinthians 15:14 (NKJV)
“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” 

Jesus tells us.....
Mark 12:30
 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'”   

Love God with all your being and as the Apostle Peter tells us :

1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 

I. Logic - The Claims of the Bible

2 Timothy 3:16-17  
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”   

Yeah, but what about other writing that to be inspired?
Is it circular reasoning to accept the Bible because it claims to be God’s Word as God’s Word?

In evaluating the Bible, you start with what it says about itself.
If it didn’t claim to be inspired, we wouldn’t be having this message.

A. Unity of Scripture
1.In Genesis God creates the universe (Genesis 1:1).
In Revelation the universe is destroyed and replaced by a new one (Revelation 21:1)

2. Death enters the world (Genesis 2:17).
Death is abolished (Revelation 21:4).

3.    Man is cursed (Genesis 3:17).
The curse is removed (Revelation 22:3).

4.    Satan appears as the deceiver of men (Genesis 3:1-4).
Satan disappears forever (Revelation 20:10).

II. Historical - The Reliability of the Bible

Archaeology....


III. Prophetic - The Predictions of the Bible

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 “You may say to yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?"  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.”

Fulfilled Prophecy
1. Isaiah prophesied the virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14).
This prophecy is fulfilled 700 years later (Matthew1:18,22,23).
2. Micah predicted the exact birthplace of the Messiah (Micah 5:2)
This prophecy was fulfilled 500 years later Luke  2:4,6,7).
3. David predicted Christ's crucifixion in detail hundreds of years before this method of death was used(Psalm 22)
4. Isaiah foretold Christ's suffering and atonement 700 years before Christ's death (Isaiah 53:4-6).

IV. Christological - The Authority of Christ

Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” 

The Testimony of Christ Concerning the Scriptures.
1. He believed the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17-19)
2. He believed in Solomon (Matthew 6:28-29).
3. He believed in Moses (Matthew 8:4).
4. He believed in Abraham (Matthew 8:11).
5. He believed the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Matthew 10:15).
6. He quoted the Old Testament (Matthew 21:13,16,42; 22:28-33;36-40).

If you claim to be a Christian, and then claim that the Bible contains errors, is untrustworthy and has been mistranslated, then you have a different attitude toward that Bible than Jesus does.

If you claim to be a Christian, you should have the same attitude toward the Bible that Jesus had. Jesus said the Bible was trustworthy, true, and accurately preserved.

 The Lord Jesus Christ
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”    Luke 21:33

If I claim to be a Christian, I should have the same attitude toward Scripture that Jesus did. Any other view calls into question my claims to be a Christian.


V. Scientific - The Story of Creation

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  

From Lutzer’s book, [135]
“In these ten words we have the foundation concept of time; this refers to a specific point in a continuum when Creation took place.
“God” is the basis for personality; “created” introduces the concept of energy, those forces in the universe that play such a large part in explaining life and the secrets of the planets. Finally, “the heaven” refers to the vast regions of space and “earth” affirms the existence of matter.

Lutzer continues,
In his book The Genesis Record Henry M. Morris points out that this opening statement in Genesis refutes (1)atheism because the universe was created by God. It refutes (2) pantheism, for God is transcendent to that which He created. It refutes (3) polytheism, for one God created all things. It refutes (4) materialism for matter had a beginning.
It refutes (5) dualism, for God was alone when He created. It refutes (6) humanism, for God, not man, is the ultimate reality. It refutes (7) evolution because God created all things.


VI. Providential - The Canonical Process

Luke 1:3-4  Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,  so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Textual criticism studies the existing copies of Bible in an attempt to determine the original wording. Several thousand existing Greek manuscripts exist and have been studied so that we can be sure of having an accurate text. The oldest existing fragment of the New Testament (a portion of John 18) is only 25 years from the original.

2. "Canon of Scripture" refers to the books that are regarded as part of a complete and divine revelation. The word "canon" comes from the Greek language and means a measuring rod or rule. It eventually came to mean a list, or a catalogue.

3. A book to be included in the canon had to pass a test or had to measure up to a standard. Some of these tests included:
"(1)Was the book written or approved by an apostle?
 (2)Were its contents of a spiritual nature?
 (3) Did it give evidence of being inspired by God?
 (4) Was it widely received by the churches?"

B. Why are no more sacred writings necessary?

 The writer of the Book of Hebrews said God has spoken unto us in these last days by His Son.
Hebrews 1:1-2
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."

There is no other revelation for faith in Christ. The entire body of revealed truth has been once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude 3
"I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints."

The Scriptures were written to explain how man and God could be reconciled. The question is, does it accomplish that purpose? If so, why add anything else to its inspired pages? Anything else would either be useless or contradictory and God will have no part with either. What is the point of having more “scripture”which simply corroborates what the Old and New Testaments already teaches? What is contained in the Bible is sufficient to both know God and grow complete in our lives.

II Peter 1:3
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”


VII. Personal - The Power of the Word 

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  

From a commentator
4:12. For the Word of God is living (zon) and active (energes). Not only that, its penetrating power is greater than any double-edged sword and reaches the innermost being of a person so that it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. In doing this, it is able to discriminate successfully between what is spiritual in man and what is merely “soulish” or natural (it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit), and does so even when these often-contradictory inner elements are interwoven as closely as joints and marrow.
The inner life of a Christian is often a strange mixture of motivations both genuinely spiritual and completely human. It takes a supernaturally discerning agent such as the Word of God to sort these out and to expose what is of the flesh. The readers might think that they were contemplating certain steps out of purely spiritual motivations when, as God’s Word could show them, they were acting unfaithfully as did Israel of old.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.


Imagine that you are with your family on a trip to Disneyland. You get completely lost and end up with in South Central Los Angeles with your car breaking down at 10:00 o’clock at night. You pull out your cell phone to call AAA. Then looking at the dead phone and you remember having forgotten to charge it and you had no car adapter. You have this sinking feeling that you need to walk back 15 block to a Seven -Eleven in order to find a phone.
At ten o’clock its dark and you notice by the light of a street light a block away a group of about a dozen young men who were talking loudly and enjoying themselves. They notice you and your family in the car, they quiet up and start walking directly toward your car.

How do you feel at that moment?

They get closer and closer to your car. You tell everyone to make sure your doors are locked. You tell everyone to start praying.

This group of young men arrive at your car and knock on the window.

[pause]
Then you notice these men are all carrying Bibles.

How do you feel now?

A car load of atheists in south Central Los Angeles in similar conditions would be just as relieved as you are.


The Bible is reliable, it is completely trustworthy.

We have reason for the hope that is within us.

That act of faith is not blind. It is a reasoned faith.

I hate waiting

I hate waiting.

One of my indelible memories of the Army was the push to hurry up and get someplace and then having to wait a long time for something to happen. Waiting extended periods of time in long lines became an ever present frustration. “Hurry up and wait” became a well known mantra of frustrated soldiers. There were lines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. My memories after the haze of years from that time coalesce with thoughts that involved waiting in a line.

I am not the only one here who dislikes waiting. Waiting for an elevator to stop at every floors drives us to tapping our toes. Not in rhythm but in impatience. All of here have stopped at red lights, impatiently whispering ‘hurry up and change to green.’ We get impatient with microwave ovens. Slow internet. I remember dial up modems and then dsl and faster dsl.  I like a fast drive through. Many times we are in a rush to get someplace. But waiting is a normal part of life.  Commission sales people don’t want you to take time and consider a decision. They want you to buy now. When we take the time to consider and evaluate options regarding what we need, we don’t tend to buy as often or as much.

Waiting on the Lord to do something is an act of faith. If God answered things too quickly, we wouldn’t grow in trusting him as much. We pray and wait. Sometime we need to pray and act. Some of the best answers to prayer are no’s and wait.

We live in a world to tensions. We live between the first and second comings of the Lord Jesus. We read of the marvelous things in the Bible that He did and will do.  We live in the present reality of the Kingdom of God waiting for the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God when the Lord Jesus returns in glory.   We live in a world marred by the effects of sin. 

Waiting is part of the last two verses of the Bible. We are waiting for Christ's return.
Revelation 22:20-21 (ESV)
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
And we need to remember that God’s perspective of time is not ours.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Sometimes a long silence is careful loving no answer from the Lord.  Don’t misread the lack of getting the answer to a prayer that you want. God is God and we are not.

God uses the struggles of life to form Christian character if we seek him through it. Consider Paul's evaluation of the benefit of his struggles in the following verse.
1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)
10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

As Oswald Chambers explained, "Some prayers are followed by silence because they are wrong, others because they are bigger than we can understand. It will be a wonderful moment for some of us when we stand before God and find that the prayers we clamored for in early days and imagined were never answered, have been answered in the most amazing way, and that God's silence has been the sign of the answer."

The apparent silence of God helps us to recognize our dependence upon him. We have nothing when we don’t have him. All the money in the world means nothing if we don’t have him. Waiting on God timing allows time for our prayers to become more polished, more mature, as we seek what is truly important.

We don’t know the time that God has given us. We don’t know when the Lord will return. But we can faithfully seek and serve him till he returns.  Part of that is faithfully and fervently praying for His kingdom come, His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Again, most of us don’t care to wait. I mess around with my phone when I am waiting. Sometimes we become tied to our electronics. Cell phones can be a blessing and a pain.

You can read the news on your Iphone or Android, Ipad, Kindle, Nexus, etc... You can use your smart phone to pay at Starbucks, or you can use your phone as your boarding pass.  Classmates was overtaken by Myspace which in turn was replaced by Facebook. Now we have Instagram, snapchat, twitter, etc...

All of these application can be useful or they can be distracting.  Most technology is morally neutral. It can be used for positive and negative things.  Facebook is now mentioned in more than a third of divorce proceedings. People express things negative and positive and connect with some people they probably shouldn’t.

Technology should never replace relationships with other people. It should assist, not replace.

The next time you are waiting in line, run through your contact list, pray for someone. Text a word of encouragement to someone the Lord puts on your heart. We are all together waiting for the Lord to Return. May we use that time well as we wait.

The value of the Word of God

If you were to find an original 550 year old Guttenberg Bible in a flea market and pay ten dollars for it, you would have an impressive treasure. A few years ago Bill Gates bought a Guttenberg Bible. What he paid was not made public. But guesses range from $23 to $35 million dollars. 

But the value of the Word of God is not from the paper it is printed on or the ink that is used.

A Five dollar paper back edition of the Bible is worth more to you than a Guttenberg Bible if you read it and do what it says.
Then it is more precious and valuable than gold.
Then you as God’s servant you are warned and encouraged to obey it

God speaking in the storm

Elijah after his victory over the prophets of Baal had to run for his life. He was very depressed and wanted to die. The Lord sent an angel to minister to him. And he wanted to teach Elijah a lesson.

1 Ki 19:11)  The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Sometimes we may want the Loud, but the Lord generally doesn’t use the Loud. He uses the quiet.

As we contemplate God’s Word and His creation we will be better able to hear the gentle whisper of God’s voice.

“God Speaks: Are you listening?” outline Psalm 19

“God Speaks: Are you listening?” outline Psalm 19

I. God speaks through the Glory of Creation (1-6)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and
     the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

II. God speaks through the Truth of His Word 7-11

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
 the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8  the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;         
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10)  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward


III.  God Speaks: Are you Listening?            (12-14)
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

The Voice of God

The Next Voice You Hear

[I don't remember where I originally got this description of the movie]

Was a film made in 1950, the movie tells the story of the Joe Smith family, which has a typical amount of trials and tensions.

Then, one night, the voice of God speaks on the radio. But not just their radio—God’s voice is heard throughout the world on every radio, saying the same thing at the same time.

At first people react with disbelief, then fear.

After several days of hearing “The Voice,” however, people’s attitudes, actions, and priorities begin to change. As more messages come; come people respond positively and other people respond negatively.

The impact of what God is saying directly affects how they live their lives.

Sometimes people say, “If only God would talk to me in my life.

Then I would know what I should do and I would do it.

The problem however, is NOT, God speaking.

Why?  because God has spoken to us in His Word, The Bible, the inerrant, infallible Word of God.

The problem is our listening.

The psalmist desired to obey God’s Word “continually, forever and ever” (119:44). And James warned about ignoring it when he said, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

How would you respond if God began to speak to you on your radio? We can be thankful that God does speak to us—not on the radio but in the Scriptures.

The purpose of today’s message from Psalm 19 is to encourage us to alert enough to listen and wise enough to obey.

Outline for Mother's Day Message

“The Challenges of Parenthood”
May 10th 2015


The challenges of Parenthood are

I.   To bring children up in the training and instruction of the Lord

Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Proverbs 13:1
“A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.”

Proverbs 17:25
“A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.”

II. To appropriately discipline their children

Proverbs 22:15
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.”

Proverbs 29:15
“The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.”

Proverbs 15:5
“A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.”

III. To seek Wisdom in responding to their children

Proverbs 4:5
“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.”

Proverbs 4:7
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”


IV. To respond in  Love to their children

1 Corinthians 13:13
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Proverbs 10:12 
“Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”


Proverbs 15:17 
“Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

Two valued elements in business dealings

Two Key Components

Our family has its share of medical issues. Outside of the hassles of dealing with chronic health problems, are the issues of paying medical bills.  A year ago we paid a ENT doctor $400 for putting a very small tube in my college son’s ear. This took all of 10 minutes once the decision was made. In my less spiritual moments my undefined bucket list urge is to one day outrageously charge a doctor, dentist, plumber, auto mechanic for some minor service.

Whether you are hiring a doctor, plumber, mechanic, financial planner, et... you want desire two key elements within one of these individuals.

You want character and competency.

You want to be able to trust the person that you have hired that they are able to do the jog that you want done. When we had trouble with our old minivan years ago, I took it to the dealer where we had purchased it.  It became clear after a few expensive, but fruitless visits that they either did not know what they were doing or they were trying to drain as much money out of us as possible.  There may have been a combination of factors.  Two years later I found a more competent mechanic and I gave him my business until he moved away.

Reading online reviews of businesses is a mixed bag at best. Even pay for review sights have a lot to be desired.

If you find honest and competent people doing a good job, let them know you appreciate their services.

Pay-Day Someday Dr R.G. Lee

DR R.G. Lee preached the sermon Pay-Day Someday more than 1,200 times over many decades at Bible conferences, in state capitol buildings, churches, universities, youth camps, and ballparks across the nation and around the world.  At the time of his death on July 20, 1978, an estimated 3 million people had heard him preach Pay-Day Someday. He used the story of Jezebel and Ahab murdering Naboth to get his vineyard[I Kings 21] to hammer home the point of Pay-day Someday. We are accountable to God.

Here is a link to the youtube sermon (video poor, sound ok) of R.G. Lee. Enjoy..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNoMuCspTKE  {copy and paste link}