My wonderful wife Rebecca had to have periodontal surgery yesterday (no kissing for me for a while). They had to cut gums from the top of her mouth and paste them to her bottom gums, as pretty as that sounds. She feels pretty good, but she can’t talk well and it does hurt her to talk. I miss talking to her; she is my best friend and the greatest source of encouragement in my life. So, with her not being able to verbally encourage me (I am a big words of affirmation love language guy), I sat and allowed God to encourage me instead of her. I felt in a way kind of narcissistic, but I sat quietly and tried to listen to God’s love and approval of me. I just thought of all the stories of scripture that show how much God loves for me. Then to just to think about the love shown on the cross and God’s Sprit living inside me, it was great. Now, I was not making requests known to God just listening to God affirm my life and who I am. I struggled in a way of allowing God to do, because I struggle with feeling even worthy of God’s love. But, allowing that love to fill me this morning was powerful, something that I have not felt in a very long time. Just to know that I am loved and accepted by God means that the thoughts and the feelings of the rest of the world fade in distance. Now, this was a unique experience. I still had my time for confession of sin and repentance, but God loves me, sins failures and all. That is good news! Try to listen to God’s love of you every now and then, I wholeheartedly recommend it!
I used to frequent a Jewish Daily & Bagel shop named Greenfield's when I was in college (I used to have a cool tie-dyed T-shirt from there, I think my wife disposed of that). Now, I worked next door a clothing store (Oops "Name brand overruns and seconds at discount prices!) so I got to know the folks who worked there very well. So, when they made their fresh bagels every morning, I would get a great big bag of their old ones for a dollar. Now, I was poor and hungry and those Carbs helped me as I tried to fold clothes for 8 hours! They tasted fine, I could tell no difference. But, they made their Bagels fresh everyday. I respect that. Day old was not good enough, so they strove to make them fresh every single day. It might of been easier or cheaper to let them sit for a few days, but no made fresh daily.
Is your walk with God "made fresh daily?" I suspect many people have a day old walk. It is OK, but it consists of Church and maybe a devotion here in there. In the depressing little book of Lamentations, Jeremiah writes that "The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness." You get that God's love, mercies, forgiveness, compassions, and care for us is made fresh daily! So, since this is the case why are we content to live with day old faith?
This devotion was made fresh this morning especially for you at 5:52 am! Have a great day! Pastor Phillip
The hidden things belong to the LORD our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:92
I am sitting here in my office with a sack of 10 commentaries on the Book of Genesis. I am not a very bright guy, so I must consult the help of far more intelligent men of God to help me. But, I am trying to probe the mind of God through the depths of Scripture. But, as I sit here my mind came back to what I read in Philip Yancey's book "Reaching For The Invisible God" last night after I got finished baby sitting my son Cason and his friend Copeland (they boys were great!). In it he makes the point that God is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Now, you can look all these "omni" words up, but God is God and God speaks to us. God speaks to us. He further adds that this means that any method of communication God chooses, God is having to dumb down and limit Himself to our finite ability to hear, see, understand, and perceive God.
Could God tell us more than he does? Sure. Has God told us all that we need? Yes. Do we obey and understand all that God has given us now? No. So, as I read through these commentaries today and seek to be enlightened by God, I am going to focus on living out that which God has clearly revealed. I think it is good advice for all of us to do the same.
I had a great day so far (it is only 2). I had three people in the church all who had to have surgeries at two different hospitals this morning. So, I got to visit and pray will all of them. I got to visit my friend, Joel, who is in the hospital as well (He has got to come home because we have a UFC pay-per-view this weekend!). I also got to visit a famous set of little twins named Emme and Abby. There mom has has had two sets of twins, the first set (boys) were born on Nov,2, 2004, election day and the second set born on Nov,4,2008, election (also my birthday). They are doing great, still in the NICU, but both doing well. I also got home and got my new Reformation Study Bible, ESV in burgundy genuine leather. They were free with a donation to Ligonier Ministries. I respect the wonderful work of reformed Bible scholars. I have benefited from it much, and disagree with many parts of it, but I appreacite their work. So, I got a new Bible, like I needed another one.
But, the highlight was thatI had the privilege of sharing Jesus with a lady who made Jesus Dolls. I asked her if she went to church and she said "No, but I make Jesus dolls." You can check out here many variously colored Jesus dolls here. My favorite is the seven foot tall remote control Jesus. I looked but could not find any "8 pound 6 ounce tiny Baby Jesus, so little but still omnipotent" So, with Christmas coming up maybe the person who has it all in your life, may just need a new and pretty locally made Jesus doll!
We are learning lessons from Noah on Sunday Moring, so in order to help you prepare think about what if Noah had to build the ark today.
Noah in 2008
If Noah had lived in the United States today the story may have gone something like this:
And the Lord spoke to Noah and said, "In one year, I am going to make it rain and cover the whole earth with water until all flesh is destroyed. But I want you to save the righteous people and two of every kind of living thing on earth. Therefore, I am commanding you to build an Ark." In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. In fear and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "you must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year."
Exactly one year later, fierce storm clouds covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah!" He shouted. "Where is the Ark?"
"Lord, please forgive me," cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems.
First, I had to get a permit for construction, and your plans did not meet the building codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans.
Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a sprinkler system and approved floatation devices.
Then, my neighbor objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.
Then, I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S.Forest
The carpenters formed a union and went on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or hammer. Now, I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls.
When I started rounding up the other animals, an animal rights group sued me. They objected to me taking only two of each kind aboard. This suit is pending.
Meanwhile, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of the Creator of the Universe.
Then, the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed flood plain. I sent them a globe.
Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not taking atheists aboard.
The IRS has seized my assets, claiming that I'm building the Ark in preparation to flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I just got a notice from the state that I owe them some kind of user tax and failed to register the Ark as a 'recreational water craft'.
And finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it's a religious event, and, therefore unconstitutional.
I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another five or six years."
Noah waited. The sky began to clear, the sun began to shine, and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky.
Noah looked up hopefully. "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"
"No," He said sadly. "I don't have to. The government already has."
Alright, I am going to be transparent today. I got slapped in the face this morning by a little phrase of a little verse in the Bible from 1 Thessalonians 2:4“Our purpose is to please God, not people.” As a pastor one of the hurdles that each day (wrongly and sinfully) I face is seeking to try and please people. If you have never been a pastor you don’t really know it feels to 250 people who all know how to do your job and spend your time better than you and many of them have no problem telling you this often. So, my desire to please takes shape in visits to the sick I make, visits to seniors in the church, did I go to enough ball games for this child or that child, did I get to speak to so and so Sunday morning, was my sermon good..
I try so hard to please people, because if a person is not pleased with their Pastor they gripe “He only saw me once” or “He did not speak to me.” They tend to tell their friends all about what I did not do for them; I just wish they told people the good their pastors did do for them. So, in my head you get to believing that keeping people happy is what grows the church, but this wrong dead wrong. I now it, thankfully I have not had to compromise my integrity or God’s Word over it, but I don’t want to live like this. But, anyway, I thought when I read this verse “Our purpose is to please God, not people” that is the way life and pastoral ministry should be done. Not, worrying over what someone will say or think about something I do, but getting excited and being liberated to serve God, strive to please Him, and let people say what they will.
I want to be free to do this; I am going to work on this. It will take courage and faith in God, because I know that pleasing God first may mean that some people may not be as pleased with me. I am encouraged by the Apostle Paul who said in Galatians 1:10 “Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.” I also think that if I make striving to honor God my first priority, then people who also have God as their first priority will be pleased as well. So, then those who may be bothered, maybe they need to see who they are trying to please most: themselves or God. I want to live out the old song that George Beverly Shea would sing
I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.
So, pray for me that I will be liberated from the shackles of trying to please man and be free and happy to my God and Savior! Pastor Phillip
Stop the griping and start praying! You head me, stop the griping and start praying! Am I happy the most pro-abortion candidate ever has been elected president? Am I happy at the direction in which our country seems to be heading? No and No, but we have to refuse to gripe and moan about the situation. Put your negative emotions into positive prayer. We have no idea what God can yet do in our nation. Put these scriptures in your heart and mind today.
Philippians 2:14-15Do everything without grumbling and arguing,(15)so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.
1Ti 2:1-8First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,(2)for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.(3)This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,(4)who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.(5)For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, a man, Christ Jesus,(6)who gave Himself--a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.(7)For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.(8)Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.
1Pe 2:13-17Submit to every human institution because of the Lord, whether to the Emperor as the supreme authority,(14)or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.(15)For it is God's will that you, by doing good, silence the ignorance of foolish people.(16)As God's slaves, live as free people, but don't use your freedom as a way to conceal evil.(17)Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the Emperor.
Rom 13:1-7Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God.(2)So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.(3)For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval.(4)For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.(5)Therefore, you must submit, not only because of wrath, but also because of your conscience.(6)And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks.(7)Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
Obey God’s Word Today! Pastor Phillip
11/4/08
Hey, you guys better be sharing your faith! Check this out! Pastor Phillip
"Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious (materialistic), the self-righteous, are in that danger."
C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain
When I read this I was reminded of a similar event in the life of Jesus after He had entered Jerusalem during the last week of his life and cleared the temple of the Money Changers. After this the leaders demanded that Jesus tell them by what authority He did this and by what authority he taught. He somewhat refused and gave them this story.
Matthew 21:28-31"But what do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'My son, go, work in the vineyard today.'(29)"He answered, 'I don't want to!' Yet later he changed his mind and went.(30)Then the man went to the other and said the same thing. "'I will, sir,' he answered. But he didn't go.(31)"Which of the two did his father's will?" "The first," they said. Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you!
The point of this parable is clear :what matters is living for God, not lip service. The religious leaders were good at talking a righteous walk, but their stubbornly unrepentant hearts show the worst of society will accept Jesus, while those most comfortable in the world will not. These religious leaders stood condemned. They must have been stunned by Jesus’ words that despised, immoral people such as tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom and they, the religious leaders, were not!
We (white middle class folks) are very at home in the world. We talk a lot of about religion and most of us have a little of it. But, sadly many people have been inoculated from the Gospel. The more at home a man is in this world, the less he is going to prepare and care about the next. So, don’t talk religion and don’t assume because your middle-class and moral you have the market on God cornered. Jesus says that we could learn how to repent and see our need better from a prostitute.
Jesus makes this point again in Luke 7:36-50Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.(37)And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house. She brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil(38)and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.(39)When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him--she's a sinner!"(40)Jesus replied to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he said, "say it."(41)"A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other 50.(42)Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?"(43)Simon answered, "I suppose the one he forgave more." "You have judged correctly," He told him.(44)Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. (45)You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn't stopped kissing My feet since I came in.(46)You didn't anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.(47)Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that's why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little."(48)Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."(49)Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"(50)And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
Let us be people today who are sinners and know it and be people who have been forgiven much! Pastor Phillip
11/1/08
I have not written in over a week.Where have I been and what have I been up to? Well these are the good things I have been doing here lately.
Hospitals, having people in all four of the Augusta Hospitals has been really time consuming but Jesus always loved, prayed and hung out with sick people and so shall I.
Ball games, Rebecca, Cason and I have been at a bunch of Soccer and football games. Cason loves being out and playing with the other children there.
Speaking seems like every week I was getting a chance to speak some sort of event.
Sermons, my sermon prep time has been shorter and more sporadic, but God has blessed what time I have had.
Spending time with Rebecca and Cason. I schedule this time, especially when I know I am going to be busy. I am not going to ask people to put their families over work and then not practice it myself.
Reading God’s word and praying. I also realize that first mistake people make is when time gets short is cut out time with, God when in fact it is in our busyness that we need it most.
These are things that I have not been doing a good job lately.
Exercising, have not been on my bike in a month. I do my “prefect” push-ups in my office, every time I get up. I try to do a 100 a day, better than nothing. When I don’t have cardio regularly I start to feel sluggish.
Eating right, being in my car I have been hitting Krystal way to much. I go to through the drive through and get 5 Krystal’s and water for 3.68. To my credit, I have not gotten any mustard on a dress shirt yet. Then with all the candy in the church from fall festival, I have found way too many Kit-Kats.
Worrying, I try to not worry, does not productive and is Biblically wrong, but have been struggling to trust God to manage my time and run our church.
Blogging or writing I just have not had any extra time to write. I miss it; I really enjoy expressing what God is doing in my life and desires to do in the live of others.
So, I plan on being back in November and writing regular again. Thanks for the prayers and the support.
Glad October Is Over, But Thankful God Let Serve Him Daily, Pastor Phillip
Read The Bible Personally: We should approach the scriptures as we have already said, with, prayer, and with all our mind engaged. Now, I want us to get the meaning from what we read. This is not as easy as we may always want it to be. The Bible can admittedly be confusing. So we as Christians have become accustomed to listening to great preaching on the radio, (this scares me as church folk listen to the best communicators in the country all week on their radios and then have to come hear me), doing good Bible studies (Beth Moore, Lifeway), reading good study Bibles (Life App, NLTSB, ESVSB), and all of this is great. I whole heartedly recommend it. But, sometimes through all of this we miss understanding God’s word on our own. There is no greater thrill, that studying, praying, and rereading scripture until you get the meaning and the application in your life. I am not knocking learning from others, hey I am a teacher and a pastor, but boy the joy of having the Holy Sprit of God illuminate you is amazing!
How do you do this? Read, read, read, and read some more. I recommend as an exercise prayerfully read one of Paul’s epistles daily for a month. The whole thing over and over for a month, meditating and contemplating what is said and how it applies to you. Also, maybe don’t use your study bible. Let God speak to you directly through his word. We as evangelicals believe in the perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture. Meant to be understood and you can understand it!
Also, wrestle with Scripture. Jacob wrestled God and would not let go, until God blessed him. Take God’s Word and refuse to go forward in your reading or put it down until God has blessed you! Don’t be afraid, God wants you to understand it and deepen your walk with Him. But, remember Jacob got a limp from his wrestling with God, he was forever changed. You just might find that in your wrestling with God through His Word you will be forever changed as well.
Lastly, experience the joy of illumination! I love kissing my wife. She is hot and wonderful. I would take nothing for the joy of kissing my wife. She is mine, this is what God gave her to me for. But, imagine, if I let some other guy kiss her for me and then he tell me how great it is kissing her. I know this is getting odd quick, but you see if you solely rely on others for your Biblical understanding and hearing from God, you are missing the intimacy that God wants to have with you. God wants you to engage His word personally. Don’t let me sit in my study and do it all for you! Do it yourself, your privilege, your right, your responsibility.
So, grab your Bibles and don’t do until God speaks to you! Pastor Phillip
10/23/08
I can't commend the work of Catholics enough on the issues that truly matter most to myself, and our nation. Please watch this moving video, it is challenging and inspiring for all.
Read the Bible utilizing your entire mind. The Bible is an expression of the mind of God, to you and me. This is huge, God infinite and holy, coming to us sinful and finite. We have become very used to religion being emotional. I was convicted, I was blown away by worship, I have deep sense of peace, joy, happiness, so often times we talk about God and use out emotions. This is right, unemotional religion is a little scary and can be indicative of a hard heart. Many people speak of knowing God in their heart and say He speaking to them in their heart. God can does do this, but be careful as Jeremiah 17:9 says "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”
So, I believe there is a place for real hard study of Scripture. We cannot forget that in Deuteronomy 6:5 we are commanded to “love the Lord your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.” This takes time, energy, effort, and sacrifice to engage ourselves in the understanding of God’s word and then subsequently God Himself. We give our minds to work, to investing for the future, to understanding our spouse, to diagnosing problems at church, to thinking about the failures of others, so use your head for something more than a hat rack. Put all your mental faculties to work learning about God (some of more faculties that others). Think and study God, keep a journal, get a good study Bible to help, get in a Sunday school class, and learn about God.
Read your Bibles prayerfully. This is a crucial lesson that I have had a hard time learning. Being in college, I wanted to read my Bible and learn it. I needed ammunition for late night theological debates. Now, I did learn the stories of Scriptures, I learned some proof-texts for various theological positions, but on the whole the connection with God through His word was not there. It was kind of depressing, I was learning God’s word, but felt that my learning was not leading to more loving of God. Then seminary did not help as the Bible became textbook, it was homework. Again, I learned a lot, I enjoy learning the Bible, but learning that is not leading to loving is missing the point of the word of God. I felt I was living 1 Corinthains 8:1 “Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.” I was not being built up by the love of God, regardless of my ever increasing comprehension of the Biblical text. Then I found out how to prayerfully read the Scriptures, not so much found some secret, but just slowed down and started praying as I read. I started to read and let God speak to me through His word and then I would speak back. As I read I would things that caused me to rejoice over the God we serve. Then I would look for things that I need to repent of and there are tons that I had to pray about there. Lastly I would look for request to be made on my behalf or on the behalf of others. This little system of Rejoicing, Repenting, Requesting, greatly aided my Bible reading, understanding and application. (This is not original with me; I got from some magazine I read). It also helped a struggling prayer life. I had always read my Bible first, usually for 5 chapters a day, and then prayed a little prayer. I have now found that through this little method I was hearing, speaking, and enjoying God like never before. So, read your Bibles prayerfully. Also, does anyone else have a study method that they would like to share?
Praying you all learn the power and beauty of hearing God speak through His word! Pastor Phillip
