Learn, Grow, Lead

Times of trial and tragedy unfortunately are a reality of life.  Just because you are saved and faithfully serving the Lord, doesn’t mean that you are immune from the heartaches and tribulations of life.  Job was a righteous man yet suffered greatly.  Suffering and heartache were not God’s perfect will for us.  These come as a result of sin and rebellion against God; both personal and universal.  Jesus stated that in life we will have trials and tribulations.  The key is in our response to them.  Will we cling to faith in God and draw closer to Him?  Will we learn and grow from the situation or draw back in anger to the world’s ways instead of toward God’s ways.  Jacob is at such a crossroads in his life.  He has done as God has commanded him and returned.  He saw reconciliation with Esau even though he still had a distrust of him.  Now his daughter, Dinah has been raped and his sons, Simeon and Levi have taken retribution to such a level that all are now in danger of being killed or taken captive.  At least that is how it appears in Jacobs’s eyes.  But God uses the moment and situation for teaching, growth and an opportunity to lead his family into deeper faith in God.  How we respond makes all the difference both at the moment of crisis, and into the future.   

A Picture of Repentance

What does repentance look like? Israel has wrestled with God concerning his brother and the command to return. He fears for his life and that of all who are with him. Esau is coming to meet him with a band of 400 men, and Israel has no idea of the intent of his brother. Yet God has promised to be with him. He has God’s word to lean on but must still deal with Esau. The passage before us today deals with Jacob’s apology and spirit of repentance and contrition concerning his earlier dealings with Esau. When we come to God in the attitude Jacob displayed, then we too can find forgiveness and restoration. Although Jacob, now Israel, doesn't fully trust Esau; we can fully trust God and take him at his word. Esau also pictures what forgiveness looks like if we can assume his was a genuine forgiveness and not seeking to put Jacob at ease to do him harm. Human relationships can be confusing and complicated. Yet seeking forgiveness and restoration in order to mend them is Biblical.  After the encounter with God and then Esau, Jacob built an altar to the Lord.  How many altars or road posts have you built and established to the Lord in your life?  These milestones serve as reminders of God's faithfulness; His power, presence and protection in our walk of life.

Verse of the Week:

And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel. (God, the God of Israel) 

Genesis 33:20. 

Learning in Times of Anxiety and Fear

There have been times in my life when sleep evaded me. Ministry related or life related events caused me to become fearful or anxious. Sometimes it was due to sin and a broken fellowship with God. At other times it was God calling me or moving me into a new area of service or ministry. Those times are not easy but they do grow you quickly. Jacob had such a night. When God told him to return, his past began to haunt him. He was fearful that his brother Esau still had murderous intention toward him. As Jacob did all he could to placate his brother and protect his family, he knew that ultimately it was all in God’s hands. I've had those nights; how about you? It is in those early hours of the morning when we come before the Lord in a most honest, most vulnerable and most dependent way that brings us to the place of real communication.  Worship and learning take place in those times in our life walk with God.

VERSES OF THE WEEK:

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 

Genesis 32:30 

Blessed by the Presence of God's People

Let there be no mistake.  Our Creator has blessed this nation due to the presence of His people.  There are those that would argue against the fact that we began as a Christian nation.  They would deny that the presence of God's people, who came seeking to worship without fear of reprisal, resulted in many untold blessings and liberties we enjoy today.  When we look at the Word of God, we find a myriad of examples where people and nations were blessed because of the presence of God’s people in their midst. The Abrahamic Covenant specifically spells out that God will bless the nations that bless His people.  This not only applies to the nation of Israel, but to the people of God in Christ as well.  Our nation seems to be seeking to rid herself of God’s blessings.  We have become a nation which seeks to embrace tolerance for other beliefs and practices while excluding those which are based in the truths of God's Word.  Our nation seems to be embracing those nations which are bent upon the destruction of Israel and the Christian faith. Secularists are seeking to rewrite the history of the founding of our nation to diminish the impact Christianity has had in our history.  The further our nation retreats from God’s truth and His people, the further from His blessings and providence we go.

Verses of the Week:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:3

The Law of Reaping or What Goes Around, Comes Around

The lives of Jacob, Isaac and Abraham teach us the truism that we reap what we sow.  I have heard it said another way.  What goes around comes around.  There is both a positive and negative connotation to this truth.  We can reap in a positive way or in a negative way.  There are many who strive to live godly and yet suffer much.  But in the end, we find that they are truly blessed.  Take the beggar Lazarus compared to the rich man in Luke 16.  The rich man failed to show compassion to Lazarus when it was in his power to do so.  After both died, the situations were reversed with the exception that the ability to show mercy and grace to the rich man was not possible.  Our text today continues to see the result of family dynamics at work in the life of Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel who were sisters.  Rachel was favored over Leah by Jacob and yet we find great honor and blessing fall upon Leah from God’s hand. It would be through Leah that the promise of the Savior would be fulfilled.

Verses of the Week:

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.   _{Ezekiel 37:26}

When Life gets Hard, God Shows Up

Jacob was running for his life.  His brother’s anger and hatred had him in a killing rage.  Jacob had to leave all he knew to become a fugitive.  He took to the hard and less traveled ways to keep from being an easy prey for Esau or others who might do him harm.  It wasn’t supposed to end this way; lonely, alone and on the run.  Rather than a celebration the family fragmented due to the stealth deceptive plan put into action by him and his mother.  What he saw to be the fulfillment of his dreams had turned out to be a nightmare and he was now all alone.  Have you ever felt abandoned and alone?  Have you found yourself a victim of your own selfish ambitions or motives?  No doubt all of us have been there at one time or another.  Yet Jacob is given comfort by the God of all comfort.  He sees Jacob in his distress, alone and full of fear and tears.  God is able to meet us in the valley of despair.  It is time to place your trust in Him and run to Him.  He is waiting and willing to receive you.

Verses of the Week:

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.   _{Ezekiel 37:26}

The Importance of Equity and Love in the Family

Each of us is special in God’s eye.  The cost of my salvation was the same as it is for all people.  We didn’t earn that love or deserve the price His love paid for our redemption.  He simply loves us all equally and unconditionally. Yet there are many who struggle with feelings of inadequacy and resentment because we feel that we are not the favorite.  Others are wrong to assume that they are somehow special and empowered because they are the favorite.  We see these dynamics played out in the family, in the classroom, at the work place and in the church.  As parents, we must do all we can to combat the tendency to favor one child over another.  Generations have passed and yet the conflict between the descendants of Ishmael and Esau continue against the children of Israel.  If we are to have strong families and emotionally and spiritually healthy children, then we must make sure that we love as God loves – unconditionally and sacrificially for all.

Verses of the Week:

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

_{Genesis 25:28}

A Father's Legacy

In Biblical days, Fathers would give a special blessing to their children and a special blessing to the firstborn son.  It is a practice that is still followed in some cultures.  Some today see the legacy as that blessing.  Men, what legacy of blessing are you leaving your children?  As we continue our study in Genesis, we see God speaking to Isaac.  The blessing of God comes upon Isaac because of the faithfulness of his father, Abraham.  We need to make sure that our legacy is more than what the world tells us we need to leave them.  Our legacy to our children should be a legacy of faith; of a life lived for God as an example to them so that they not only hear about our faith, but see our faith played out before them in our homes.  We are to lead, nurture and lovingly admonish them in the Lord.  It isn’t enough just to provide for their physical wellbeing.  God has established us as the head of our families and as the leader, we need to provide them spiritual guidance as well.  A claim of faith without a walk of faith will breed rebellion.  Let’s walk with integrity.

Verses of the Week:

 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

_{Deuteronomy 6:6-7}

Times of Testing

There are times when we don’t quite understand what it is that God is asking of us or doing in our lives.  In those situations, we must simply trust Him and follow Him obediently and faithfully.  It doesn’t mean that we will know the answers to the questions that plague us; in fact, God may wait until we are in His glorious presence to give us those answers.  In the meantime, we must simply place our faith and trust in Him, His Word, His Plan and His purpose.  This morning we look at Abraham’s testing.  God has asked him to give Isaac, the son of promise, as a sacrifice.  The book of Hebrews tells us that Abraham obeyed knowing that God was faithful to His Word and would raise up Isaac because he was the son of promise through whom all the nations of the earth would one day be blessed.  No doubt Abraham was taxed and grieved by the command but he was faithful and obedient to comply.  When things are in flux and life is in turmoil it is imperative that we keep our faith in God and remain obedient and faithful to His Word.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

_{Hebrews 11:17-19}.

Lessons from a Young Mother

This week we learn that God is in control.  He sees us, hears us, and leads us as we seek to follow Him.  Whether we are talking about a mother facing life as a single parent like Hagar, the twelve facing a life storm or the demoniac facing the turmoil of emotional spiritual bondage, we clearly see that God is in control. Those who are facing serious economic loss or a devastating illness; or perhaps the death of a loved one need not fear.  God is loving and caring. He sees you and your needs and is fully able to meet those needs and see you through the doubts and fears.  I have learned over the course of my life that God is with me; that He will see me through.  I have but to look to Him and trust Him; that I need to acknowledge Him in all my ways and He will direct my paths.  Many are those around us who are hurting; devastated by situations and storms.  May we support them through our prayers, but may they also see our faith and bear witness to our testimony that God is the God of the valley just as much as the God of the mountain.

Verse of the Week:

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

_{Genesis 16:13}

Defining Faith

Do we possess unshakable confidence in the Person, power and plan of God for our life?  Abraham did.  That is why he is called the “father of faith”.  Yet even he had times when questions arose and challenged his faith.  In those times when he came to have questions and doubts, he took them to the Lord.  God told Abraham that he his descendants would number as many as the stars on a clear night.  The questions and doubts came as God clearly told Abraham that He was not to be afraid; that He was his shield and reward.  Yet Abraham and Sarah were still childless and unless things changed, his chief servant, Eliezer from Damascus would be his beneficiary.  God promised protection, progeny and reward, and after years of following God, things in Abraham’s eyes remained doubtful.  Faith is holding to the Person, Character and Love of God absolute, even in the face of discouragement and defeat; to have utmost confidence in our covenant God.

Verse of the Week:

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

_{Genesis 15:1}

Resurrection Celebration!

Easter is a time of celebration; a time when we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  God celebrates it each year with the passing of Winter into Spring when everything seems to come alive with vibrant color and life. That’s exactly what happened when Jesus arose.  Death was defeated!  Our justification and redemption was assured and secured in Christ’s life and death.  Jesus died that we might have life by becoming our substitute; the sinless for the sinner.  But because He was without personal sin, death could not hold Him!  Easter has become commercialized to some extent.  It seems that the world wants to ignore the significance of the resurrection event and what it means.  But to those of us who are saved by the precious blood of Christ, Easter marks the day we’ve set aside to rejoice in the fact that the tomb is empty; Jesus is alive and will soon come again.  Our prayer is that each one here is ready for that day.  If not, perhaps this is the day that you too accept Jesus into your heart.  

Verses of the Week:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

_{1 Peter 1:3-5}

The LBC Worship Choir did a great job on their Easter Cantata.  We were blessed to have a number of guests and look to see God add to the church through the worship and celebration of Easter as well as the recent Mission Conference.  

Pride, Arrogance and Confusion

Ever since the fall, man has had to deal with the problem of his own pride and arrogance.  It was the downfall of Lucifer and it is the downfall of humanity as well.  I was always amazed at the teen patients I dealt with in a lockup medical facility I worked at in Arkansas.  They saw former patients killed or maimed because of life style choices they had made.  But each time that was brought home to them we always heard that was them, this is me.  It seemed that what had caused others to fail was not going to be their history.  Somehow they would be smarter or immune to the consequences of the choices that they had made.  I have seen the same attitude in church members as well as they began to be less committed in their walk and make decisions that would bring them to compromise their faith and conviction.  Just like the Sunday School lesson the adult class studied today.  David felt that as King, he was above the rules and could forego the consequences of sin.  We need to take care that we don’t get caught up in our pride and deceive ourselves into thinking that with us, we are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the consequences of sin.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

_{Proverbs 16:18}  

Christ in the Storm

One of my favorite contemporary Christian groups is Casting Crowns.  They sing a song that I’ve come to love and reflect upon every time I find myself in the midst of a life storm.  Part of the song simply states, “…And I'll praise You in this storm, And I will lift my hands; For You are who You are No matter where I am…”  It is good to know that the Lord is in the midst of the storm; that he is in control.  It is assuring to know that He is in the midst of the storm, and that we are in His capable hands.  He is our anchor as well as our refuge.  The storms are going to rage and there will be losses as well as times of anxiety and fear.  But the Child of God can rest in the sure hope and love that is Jesus Christ.  In Him we have a haven of rest; a place of peace and assurance.  When we face life storms we can trust in our Master.  He will see us through the storm and bring us safely home.  We can rest and hope in Him come what may.  So in the midst of the storm, we can worship and give Him praise.  He is in control.

Verses of the Week:

Psalm 23:4a

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me….

Finding Grace through God's Plan

From My Heart to Yours: The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that the heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked.  The measure of sin is defined by God.  In Noah’s day, God saw the wickedness of man and sent a flood to eradicate evil.  But Noah found grace.  There were those who made the choice to walk with God and seek His face.  As a result, Noah and his family survived the deluge of judgment that would come upon the earth.  We are naïve to think that God will not judge our sin.  The Bible clearly teaches us otherwise.  But as in Noah’s day, so too today God has provided an Ark of safety and refuge.  It is found in the Cross of Christ.  Have you fled for refuge in His provision?  Will you obey the voice of the Lord as the Bible said Noah did?  
 



VERSE OF THE WEEK

Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.

Genesis 6:22

 

 

 

  

March 2nd 2014

From the Pastor's Desk: The influence of generations can be clearly seen in the life of Enoch.  God forever defined this man’s life as that of a man who walked with God.  We see the influence of Enoch upon the lives of those who followed him all the way to Noah and beyond.  There are times when we are under the false impression that what we do doesn’t really matter.  But we couldn’t be further from the truth.  As stated last week, our actions, good or bad, influence the following generations.  If we reverence the Lord and teach our children and grandchildren what it is to respect God and His Word, then we can impact not only them, but all who they will touch by their life example and influence.  God had something to say about Enoch and it is forever etched in His Word.  Enoch walked with God.  What about you and me?  What can be said of our life and habits?  Can others see the high regard we have for the Lord and His Word?  Do our lives show our love for Him as well as our loyalty to Him?  Enoch’s did, and so can ours.    

Verse of the Week:

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:5  

The Problem of Sin

Sin opens the door for dysfunction in our lives as well as that of our families.  Adam and Eve found out that their sin affected more than just them, but all those with whom they had to do.  It was sin that caused division and strife between them.  They saw that strife grow to hate between Cain their eldest and his younger brother Able.  The first family came to fit the definition of dysfunctional.  What God created and declared to be very good, had been corrupted by sin and turned ugly.  Heartache and hardship was the result of their self-indulgence.  It is ever the case.  No person is an island unto themselves.  Our decisions, good or bad, impact those around us.  Unfortunately it seems that the bad is more easily modeled than the good.  Paul stated it in this way; (I paraphrase) the good I should do I don’t do and the evil I shouldn’t do, I do.  This is the struggle each of us faces because of the nature of sin we are all born with.  This is the consequence of Adam’s sin and the first couple would see it firsthand.   

Verse of the Week:

    For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

_{Romans 5:19}

Life Giving Waters

World events depict a world of great unrest and turmoil.  When we read about the events that will culminate with the return of our Lord, we see a world racked by war, famine, disease and death.  When the Lord returns, He will restore not only the nation, but bring healing to the nations.  The prophet Ezekiel foresaw destruction and judgment to Israel and the nations.  He now foresees restoration, hope and healing.  In Christ, we have the promise of forgiveness and justification as well as restoration and healing.  Many people are hurting and suffering around the world and in need of Jesus Christ.  In the coming days we need to stay focused and rest upon the promises of God which are found in Jesus Christ.  We need to stay active in our service and ministry of the Gospel through our witness and participation in missions both local and around the world.  It is important as we look at where we’ve been to not get distracted from where we need to be going in our service to Jesus.

 

Verses of the Week:

        In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 

^{Revelation 22:2-3}

Faith Promise

We have seen a drop in our Faith Promise Giving of late.  In part, this is due to the fact that you have been faithful to continue your Faith Promise without having to revisit it.  Yet there has been attrition since we last focused upon faith promise and what it is.  We all understand that things in the economy are tight.  That holds true to the missionaries that we support as well.  So today, we will focus upon our what Faith Promise is to those who may not know, and review it for those of us who do.  Our gift this Christmas as a church will be in the Faith Promise promotion.  The Heavenly Father gave the best He had, Himself, so that we could be saved.  Let’s take a look at what we might be able to do above our tithe toward helping meet the needs of those missionaries that need our faithful support.  Begin to pray now for what you might be able to give to help others know the marvelous grace and gift of God; His Son, Jesus.  The world needs hope today, and He is not only our hope, but our joy and love.  It’s why we celebrate Christmas.  Faith Promise Sunday will be the 23^rd of this month.

What will they remember you for?

What will you be remembered for; what will be your epitaph?  There are some great statements made by God about certain men in the Bible.  As we continue our series, Man Up, we want to take a look at a couple of these men and what it takes to follow their example.  Specifically, we want to look at the life of Abraham.  It was due to his faith and willingness to obey and follow God that resulted in him being the source of blessing for all humanity.  The question each of us should be asking is this; how can I live a life so that God can use me to bless the world?  Too many don’t believe that it is possible for one man to make a difference.  But that isn’t the teaching of Scripture.  Sadly, it was one man missing that resulted in the fall of Israel to captivity.  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.   Ezekiel 22:30.  I often wonder if God is looking for that one person to make a difference, a time for a man to step up and make all the difference in his family, his church, or his country.  Thank God that in Abraham, God found a man willing to make a difference!