“Second Coming Blues”

Date: 11-13-14

Text: — James 5:7-9 — 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  [NIV84]

The Big Idea:  Like for the farmer, the “Valuable Crop” will appear.

My Thoughts: 

Back in the 70’s I composed a song entitled: “Second Coming Blues.” As you can imagine, it had a hard, classic blues beat. The gist of the song was, “I’m blue cause You haven’t come back yet.” (The lyrics were far more melodious, to be sure.)

Anyway, do you get blue sometimes because the Lord hasn’t returned yet, lifestyle worshipers? Sounds like James is helping us in dealing with these blues. Yes, the wait has been long, and like the farmer, the “Valuable Crop” will appear—in all His Glory, but until then we need not be singing the blues or grumbling or, yes, even whining. But instead, let us patiently endure the personal conflicts until then.

Oh, make no mistake about it, though: He is coming again; quickly in fact. In the meantime let us encourage each other all the more, especially as we see that day approaching.  Your thoughts on how we can encourage one another while we patiently wait on the Lord?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 Then [Jesus] said to His disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.”— Luke 17:22 (NIV84)

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.—Hebrews 10:25 (NIV84)

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. —Romans 13:11-12 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I lift my eyes up and wait expectantly for Your glorious appearing. In the meantime, empower me to live a Life that is pleasing to You, In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“What does it look like to Resist the Devil?”

Date: 11-09-14

Text: — James 4:7-10 — Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.  [NIV84]

The Big Idea:  “But with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

My Thoughts: 

The battle belongs to the Lord, and the human spirit is very willing to let Him have this battle, but the flesh is miserably weak to put up a fight.(Remember the sleepy apostles?) We softly drift into a deep slumbering sleep as the evil one whispers worldly lullabies that numb our souls to the war he is waging against us…. Sounds pretty grim, especially when I put it in such terms, but is this how we resist the devil?

Lifestyle worshipers, whether we resolve never to fall to a particular temptation or determine never to do “that” again, our flesh cannot stand against the wiles of the wicked one. Sounds hopeless? Not really, because “… greater is He that is in [us] than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4b KJV). For we “are from God and have overcome them” (1 John 4:4a NIV84). We do not stand in our strength, but in His. We do not stand in our armor, but His. We do not stand by our cunning but by His Grace. “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” (1 Cor. 10:13 ESV).  Did you catch that? “The Way of Escape”!

Brothers & Sisters, no matter how we describe what it looks like to resist the devil, one thing is very certain: We must flee to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Way of Escape from any temptation that has “overtaken” us.  So, what does it look like to resist the devil? What does it look like to flee to the Lord Jesus Christ? Care to share?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

— Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

—Ephesians 4:25-27 (NIV84)

 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

—2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NKJV)

Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as my Heavenly Armor: my Helmet of Salvation, my Breastplate of Righteousness, my Belt of Truth, my Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, my Shield of Faith, my Sword Wielder and my Breath of Prayer. As You empower me to flee the evil desires of my youth, continue transforming me into Your likeness with ever increasing glory. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“When Do You Pray?

Date: 10-28-14

Text: — James 5:13 —  Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Pray when we are in trouble, and praise when we are filled with cheer.

My Thoughts: 

So when do you pray? When times are tough? Or is it like you’ve got the wind knocked out of you? Sucking for any air to enter your lungs?

Sometimes when we are in trouble, it is like having the wind knocked out of us, and, yet James exhorts us to pray when we are in trouble, and praise when we are filled with cheer. Sounds like to me he’s got the bases covered.

But when it comes to getting the wind knocked out of you and no prayer comes at all, I have found that it is best to have them put their knees to their chest and blow out first. This seems to break the vacuum seal on your lungs and relaxes the diaphragm. Then they are able to inhale more readily. Now others may have found better techniques, but in the spiritual life I haven’t found a better way….

Lifestyle worshipers, first we draw our knees to our chest (literally or figuratively) in a posture of  prayer and then “exhale,” confessing any lack of faith or doubts in the Lord’s abilities to deliver us from our ‘trouble’.  Then, once I am ‘breathing’ properly, I can sing songs of praise. Have you found this technique helpful when you pray in times of trouble? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.

— John 17:15 (NIV84)

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. —Psalm  34:4-7 (NIV84)

But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of Your favor; in Your great love, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

—Psalm 69:13-14 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, make my Life a prayer to You. Let my mouth praise You when I am filled with cheer and joy, and call to You in my times of trouble. Keep me devoted to prayer. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Letting Go of Our Fear”

Date: 10-07-14

Text: — Numbers 11:11 — So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant?…” [NKJV]

The Big Idea: True faith holds by the Lord’s faithfulness.

My Thoughts: 

This morning’s Heartwork Devotion is on “Letting go of Guilt,” and I believe a cousin to this guilt is fear. Interestingly enough,  I was also reading Charles Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotion this morning and found it very fitting for me personally, and perhaps you will, too. The message this Sunday is from James 2:14-26 on having an active, ‘Shema’ Faith. I find that Spurgeon’s words, noted below, address both this Sunday’s message and this morning’s Heartwork devotion. Perhaps you will be encouraged as I am by this….

Spurgeon’s Thoughts: 

“Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to try our faith. If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord’s faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father’s countenance is hidden. A faith which can say, in the direst trouble, ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,’ is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, which are His own handiwork. When ‘tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,’ the Lord is honoured by these growing virtues.

“We should never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.

“Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? Will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified? There are many other comfortable answers to the question with which we opened our brief meditation, let us muse upon it all day long.”

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

— Psalms 116:7 (NIV84)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls

— Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, by the shed blood of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,  and through His power I ask You to remove the pain, shame and guilt from my Life, whether I deserve any or not. In Your Grace and Mercy blot out the stain of my transgressions and empower me by Your Spirit to walk in the ‘now’ in freedom and Love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Easy or Hard”

Date: 9-28-14

Text: James 3:17-18 —  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: The harvest is a little ways away….

My Thoughts: 

When ordering eggs we are asked if we want them over easy or hard  boiled or something in between; sometimes this is how we “order” wisdom…. But many people have to learn the hard way.

Lifestyle worshipers, have you been enrolled into the University of Hard Knocks? At the risk of sounding clichéd, is it making you bitter or better? For me, I would rather learn from someone else’s mistakes and avoid the proverbial potholes of life; however, I have found, in the Lord’s mercy, that learning the hard way drives the lesson home, penetrating my hardened jaded heart—softening it for the Master’s use. Have you found this to be the case, too? My grades, though improving, are pretty average at UHK. How about yours? I just have to remember the harvest is a little ways away….

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

— Hebrews 12:11 (NIV84)

Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

— Luke 9:23 (NIV84)

Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.

— Hebrews 5:8 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me for shunning the cross where Wisdom is fully comprehended. You embraced the cross for me and I should do no less as I follow in Your steps. Lead me in the paths of Righteousness for Your Name’s sake. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Messy Relationships: Opportunities for Peacemakers”

Date: 9-21-14

Text: James 2:8-11 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Your BFF became your BFF because you worked through the mess.

My Thoughts: 

As you look around and ‘analyze’ your relationships, you may noticed that it was a rare relationship in which you didn’t have to work through a mess. Even with your BFF, there were messy times—times you didn’t think you’d stick it out….

Lifestyle worshipers, every relationship is an opportunity (a trial) to produce perseverance within us. And many, if not all, are very,  very messy, aren’t they? This is why James exhorts us: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). And one major way perseverance (aka patience) will be able to ‘finish its work” in us, is if we stick it out…. This is how your BFF became your BFF: you worked through the mess; you hung in there; you stuck it out. And as the farmer works hard throughout the growing season, he sticks it out to receive a bountiful harvest at the right time….

Have you found this to be true in many of your relationships, especially those in which you worked through the mess? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

— Hebrews 12:11 (NIV84)

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 

— Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

— 1 James 3:18 (NIV84)

Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as my Slippers of Patience: The Right Slipper of Forgiveness and the Left Slipper of Forbearance. Continue to make me an instrument of Your presence to bring healing and not harm,  In Your Name Amen.

Pastor Mike

“The Test of Envy Through Relationships”

Date: 9-18-14

Text: James 1:9-11  The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Our true Love being test with regard to material ‘stuff’.

My Thoughts: 

This may seem like a simplistic argument, but if we all had the same ‘stuff,’ we would never be tested with envy or jealousy or stealing…. Why do we need to be tested? To demonstrate true Love; a Love that springs from a heart that freely chooses to embrace, commit, sacrifice… for another. …

Lifestyle worshipers, maybe some of us have ‘burped,’ “It’s not fair. Why would God do such a thing?” This is a good question. Yet it appears He started this test pattern in the garden with the two trees. Oh, there were many more trees in the garden, but He pointed out two, and He gave expressed instructions not to eat from one of the designated two: “Don’t eat the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.” (Don’t you find it interesting that He did not command Adam or Eve, “You must eat from the tree of Life”?)

Just like Adam and Eve’s true Love for the LORD was being tested through obedience, so is our true Love being test with regard to material ‘stuff’. This test reveals whether or not the “Have’s” will look on the “Have not’s” with distain, etc., and the “Have Not’s” will envy (stealing in their hearts) what the “Haves” have. What are your thoughts on this? Do you see a Christ-like response to the disparity between the rich and the poor? Do you see this as a test at all?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

— Luke 16:10-12 (NIV84)

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

— Revelations 3:17:18 (NIV84)

 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

— 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, empower me by Your Holy Spirit so that I may have a response to the disparity between the rich and the poor that will honor Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  In His Name Amen.

Pastor Mike

“Trained By the Pain”

Date: 9-14-14

Text: James 1:12  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  [NIV84]

The Big Idea: When we are trained by the pain, we receive the crown of life.

My Thoughts: 

One reason we can persevere under the trials (and these are more than slivers; they are crosses), is because of the Joy we have knowing there is a purpose in them. The purposes of a particular trial may have many facets, but one facet is becoming more like Jesus. Because of the Joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross and scorned its shame and is now seated at the right Hand of the Majesty on High. He is no longer wearing a crown of thorns, but He is now wearing the crown of the King of kings! And when we, too, are trained by the pain, we receive a crown, the crown of life.

Lifestyle worshipers, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV84).“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 NASB 95). “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Cor. 4:8-10 NIV 84). “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:16-18 NIV 84).

Be encouraged to be trained by the pain. Your thoughts….

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. 

— Luke 6:40 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father, as You teach me to see through the current trial, let the Joy of Your Spirit flood my soul. Guard my heart and my mind with the Peace that passes all understanding: The Lord Jesus Christ, my Prince of Peace. I bless You, in Your Son’s Name Amen.

Pastor Mike