"For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Philippians 4 - Paul
"Thou shalt not covet" - God, in the 10 commandments.
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy - Paul
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6 - Jesus
"A man's life does not exist in the abundance of his possessions." - Luke 12 - Jesus
"Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me." - Mark 10 - Jesus
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Turkey Trot
Happy Thanksgiving!
I just finished running the Turkey Trot - the annual 5k (3.1 miles) Thanksgiving race held here in Springfield Mo. There were 5,100 runners/walkers in this race making it the largest 5k in the state.
One of the things I thought of as I ran this race was, "Ouch!". There were a lot of times I thought I wanted to quit, or at least sit down and wait 10 minutes before I ran again.
The author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12, "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."
Let us run with endurance! He doesn't kid around and say that running is always fun. One t-shirt had a saying, "My sport is my son's punishment!"
Don't give up! You may get tired in your Christian race at times. You may get a blister or two. But don't give up - because there is a great reward waiting for those who finish the race.
Pastor John
(by the way - my time was 31 minutes - not great by any means - but I burned up enough calories for another piece of pie!)
I just finished running the Turkey Trot - the annual 5k (3.1 miles) Thanksgiving race held here in Springfield Mo. There were 5,100 runners/walkers in this race making it the largest 5k in the state.
One of the things I thought of as I ran this race was, "Ouch!". There were a lot of times I thought I wanted to quit, or at least sit down and wait 10 minutes before I ran again.
The author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 12, "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith."
Let us run with endurance! He doesn't kid around and say that running is always fun. One t-shirt had a saying, "My sport is my son's punishment!"
Don't give up! You may get tired in your Christian race at times. You may get a blister or two. But don't give up - because there is a great reward waiting for those who finish the race.
Pastor John
(by the way - my time was 31 minutes - not great by any means - but I burned up enough calories for another piece of pie!)
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
I beg your pardon – I never promised you a rose garden
November 23, 2008
Many people believe that becoming a Christian is a ticket to a stress-free, easy life. If you only become a Christian – everything will be alright. You will have peace, joy, happiness. Your bank account will go up. You will be healed of all sickness. Bad breath will go away. Annoying neighbors will become nice.
Is this what the Bible teaches? Is this the reason you’re in church?
I’m afraid that many times the church has advertised itself in this way. You’ve got problems – we got the solutions. It is true, it’s just not true the way most of the world thinks of being true.
You do have problems – but there not the problems you think they are. They are not the problems of health, happiness, money and weight loss. They are the problems of sin, and judgment, heaven and hell.
Many people come to the church hoping to meet their perceived needs. And when troubles, trials, and temptations come ( and they surely will ) they had back out the door.
Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In Mark 8:34-37 he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
I was reading that in a province in India, groups are paying $250 to kill a Christian minister. Thousands are having to flee their homes. Churches are being destroyed. People are being tortured and executed for holding fast to the Christian faith.
If you are thinking about becoming a Christian, you should count the cost. It is not a call to simply attend church and eat fellowship dinners. It is a call to take up the cross. If you are not willing to do that, than you aren’t ready to become a Christian.
Remember one thing though. Each of us will have to stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account. And only those who have put on Christ will be acquitted.
God Bless You – Pastor John
Many people believe that becoming a Christian is a ticket to a stress-free, easy life. If you only become a Christian – everything will be alright. You will have peace, joy, happiness. Your bank account will go up. You will be healed of all sickness. Bad breath will go away. Annoying neighbors will become nice.
Is this what the Bible teaches? Is this the reason you’re in church?
I’m afraid that many times the church has advertised itself in this way. You’ve got problems – we got the solutions. It is true, it’s just not true the way most of the world thinks of being true.
You do have problems – but there not the problems you think they are. They are not the problems of health, happiness, money and weight loss. They are the problems of sin, and judgment, heaven and hell.
Many people come to the church hoping to meet their perceived needs. And when troubles, trials, and temptations come ( and they surely will ) they had back out the door.
Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In Mark 8:34-37 he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
I was reading that in a province in India, groups are paying $250 to kill a Christian minister. Thousands are having to flee their homes. Churches are being destroyed. People are being tortured and executed for holding fast to the Christian faith.
If you are thinking about becoming a Christian, you should count the cost. It is not a call to simply attend church and eat fellowship dinners. It is a call to take up the cross. If you are not willing to do that, than you aren’t ready to become a Christian.
Remember one thing though. Each of us will have to stand before the judgment seat of God and give an account. And only those who have put on Christ will be acquitted.
God Bless You – Pastor John
Millions of Christians support surpressing Christian Speech!
November 16, 2008
At Yuba Community College in Marysville, California, a Christian decided that he should let others know about his faith. Kind of like what Jesus talked about in Matthew 28.
Unfortunately for him – he did not know that the college had set up “speech” rules. It seems that he could only talk to people about issues of life and death on Tuesday or Thursday from Noon to 1 pm – and only if he got a permit two weeks in advance.
Not knowing this – he was warned by both the police and the college – if he persisted in this terrible behavior, he would face discipline, up to and including being expelled from the school.
Christians all over the United States appauded the wise decision of the school. Here are some quotes:
“Telling people about Jesus upsets others. Our God never wants anybody to be upset.”
“Only trained professionals, like the clergy, should be involved in talking about religion.”
“People who talk about Jesus Christ give all us Christians a bad name. If this young man continues this behavior, he should be locked up!”
One clergyman even indicated that “we should apply laws like this right here in Springfield Missouri.”
By now you should either be upset or understand that these quotes aren’t really true. However, by our words and our actions, millions of Christians express their support for this kind of law.
Many folks, even those in the church, seem to think that “nice” people never discuss politics or religion with others – well, sometimes politics are OK.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
When we keep silent about the most important thing in our lives – what are we saying about Jesus?
God Bless You – Pastor John
At Yuba Community College in Marysville, California, a Christian decided that he should let others know about his faith. Kind of like what Jesus talked about in Matthew 28.
Unfortunately for him – he did not know that the college had set up “speech” rules. It seems that he could only talk to people about issues of life and death on Tuesday or Thursday from Noon to 1 pm – and only if he got a permit two weeks in advance.
Not knowing this – he was warned by both the police and the college – if he persisted in this terrible behavior, he would face discipline, up to and including being expelled from the school.
Christians all over the United States appauded the wise decision of the school. Here are some quotes:
“Telling people about Jesus upsets others. Our God never wants anybody to be upset.”
“Only trained professionals, like the clergy, should be involved in talking about religion.”
“People who talk about Jesus Christ give all us Christians a bad name. If this young man continues this behavior, he should be locked up!”
One clergyman even indicated that “we should apply laws like this right here in Springfield Missouri.”
By now you should either be upset or understand that these quotes aren’t really true. However, by our words and our actions, millions of Christians express their support for this kind of law.
Many folks, even those in the church, seem to think that “nice” people never discuss politics or religion with others – well, sometimes politics are OK.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
When we keep silent about the most important thing in our lives – what are we saying about Jesus?
God Bless You – Pastor John
Understanding the Presbyterians – November 9, 2008
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is governed using the presbyterian form of government. The term comes from the Greek work “presbuteros”, meaning elders and it used to describe church government by elders. The congregation only votes on two issues: (one) the elders who will serve on the church board – called the session, and (two) the length of time and elder is elected to serve on the session.
The session consists of these elected elders (who are called “rulling” elders) and an ordained minister (called a “teaching elder”) serving as moderator.
Elders also come together by delegation, in larger groups called “presbytery”, “synod” and “general assembly.” Since all authority really belongs to Christ, the only king and head of the Church, no church assembly can have any ultimate authority. Ultimate authority belongs to the Lord alone and this in turn means that the Bible alone is the supreme standard for the church.
Some churches are congregational in government. Churches with this form of government do not recognize any governing authority except what exists in the local church. The great weakness in this form of government is that there is no right of appeal against decisions made in a local church if they are unbiblical. We believe this conflicts with the clear teaching of Acts chapter 15. This portion of the Bible proves that there was the right of appeal in the apostolic church. The general assembly had the authority to settle matters which could not settled in the local church.
There are also hierarchical churches. In this form of church government many congregations are bound together under the authority of an ascending series of officers, such as priests, bishops, archbishops, etc. It will be evident that the authority of the local church, in this form of government, is drastically reduced. Since all decisions come from the top down—in this type of government—there is no right of appeal. For example, to whom would a Roman Catholic appeal against a decision of the Pope?
The Presbyterian form of church government is the only system that safeguards these two important principles: (1) each part of the church is in due subjection, in the Lord, to the whole church; yet (2) no part of the church is given supremacy over any other.
God Bless You – Pastor John
The session consists of these elected elders (who are called “rulling” elders) and an ordained minister (called a “teaching elder”) serving as moderator.
Elders also come together by delegation, in larger groups called “presbytery”, “synod” and “general assembly.” Since all authority really belongs to Christ, the only king and head of the Church, no church assembly can have any ultimate authority. Ultimate authority belongs to the Lord alone and this in turn means that the Bible alone is the supreme standard for the church.
Some churches are congregational in government. Churches with this form of government do not recognize any governing authority except what exists in the local church. The great weakness in this form of government is that there is no right of appeal against decisions made in a local church if they are unbiblical. We believe this conflicts with the clear teaching of Acts chapter 15. This portion of the Bible proves that there was the right of appeal in the apostolic church. The general assembly had the authority to settle matters which could not settled in the local church.
There are also hierarchical churches. In this form of church government many congregations are bound together under the authority of an ascending series of officers, such as priests, bishops, archbishops, etc. It will be evident that the authority of the local church, in this form of government, is drastically reduced. Since all decisions come from the top down—in this type of government—there is no right of appeal. For example, to whom would a Roman Catholic appeal against a decision of the Pope?
The Presbyterian form of church government is the only system that safeguards these two important principles: (1) each part of the church is in due subjection, in the Lord, to the whole church; yet (2) no part of the church is given supremacy over any other.
God Bless You – Pastor John
Standing in the gap – November 2, 2008
I was reading recently from Exekiel and I came across an interesting passage. In chapter 22 starting in verse 30 it reads
30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Wow! According to this verse, God as actively searching for someone to stand before him and pray so he wouldn’t have to destroy the people. If only he could find someone, the circumstances would have changed.
I was reading comments recently on the question – does prayer make any difference?
Does it? – You bet it does. Over and over in the Bible, we are urged, we are pleaded with, we are encouraged to take our plea before God. We are encouraged to do this for our daily needs. But even more importantly as a Christian, we are to plead and interceed for others – for our nation, for our leaders, for the lost, for those hurting, for righteousness – and the list goes on and on.
When God was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their great wickedness (you can read about it in Genesis 18-19) Abraham bargained with God, trying to talk him into not destroying the city. “You won’t destroy them if there’s 50 righteous?” “How about 45? – 40 – 30 – 20. What if there’s only 10?” Abraham pleads with God until God promises that he won’t destroy the cities if there are 10 righteous. Unfortunately for those two cities – there weren’t even 10 righteous.
Standing in the gap, pleading with God, bargaining with the Almighty. These are the things that we should be doing in our prayer life –
And maybe then, we can save cities!
God Bless You – Pastor John
30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
Wow! According to this verse, God as actively searching for someone to stand before him and pray so he wouldn’t have to destroy the people. If only he could find someone, the circumstances would have changed.
I was reading comments recently on the question – does prayer make any difference?
Does it? – You bet it does. Over and over in the Bible, we are urged, we are pleaded with, we are encouraged to take our plea before God. We are encouraged to do this for our daily needs. But even more importantly as a Christian, we are to plead and interceed for others – for our nation, for our leaders, for the lost, for those hurting, for righteousness – and the list goes on and on.
When God was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their great wickedness (you can read about it in Genesis 18-19) Abraham bargained with God, trying to talk him into not destroying the city. “You won’t destroy them if there’s 50 righteous?” “How about 45? – 40 – 30 – 20. What if there’s only 10?” Abraham pleads with God until God promises that he won’t destroy the cities if there are 10 righteous. Unfortunately for those two cities – there weren’t even 10 righteous.
Standing in the gap, pleading with God, bargaining with the Almighty. These are the things that we should be doing in our prayer life –
And maybe then, we can save cities!
God Bless You – Pastor John
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