Seeing Things From God's Perspective

Anger, frustration, hurt, fear, sorrow, confusion. Have you ever had a week that seemed to encompass each of those emotions? Sometimes life really stinks. Those are the times when I am so thankful for God’s Word. After crying, yelling and not knowing where the next word or thought will come from, having God’s Word by my side to place in my heart is the best “balm” one could ever ask for. As good as Paul Harvey’s comments are, the Word of God is the best “Rest of the story” available to mankind.

Some time ago as I was stuck in the midst of one of our family’s “medical opportunity” :), I went to God’s Word seeking a comforting Word from God that everything was going to be okay. The Spirit of God led me to read through Revelation chapters 4&5. This is an incredible scene in heaven where we see John getting a glimpse of the true, “now but not yet” for believers. He takes us on a journey of the heavenly throne room and lets us see what it looks like and what activities are taking place. I was glued to the pages as I read about the emerald rainbow around the throne, the elders in white garments and golden crowns. Then he tells of the flashes of lightning and sounds of thunder and the sea of glass that is like crystal along with the very interesting looking four living creatures whose full-time occupation is saying, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God, The Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” Next I read about the LAMB...the only One worthy to open the book with the seven seals and as He came and took it the explosive worship response that takes place in response to who He is. A worship response that included hundreds of thousands of angels, living creatures, elders along with every created thing in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them. In the midst of that section I read these words…

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, Be blessing and honor and glory and Dominion forever and ever.”

Right then and there, the Spirit of God spoke to my heart, “Mark, remember, it’s not about you.” Everything is about His glory! At that very moment I realized in a fresh way that I needed to look at everything I am ever faced with, with the perspective of who He is and His agenda. When I look at my trials and heartaches in that light, the depths don’t seem as deep. Aren’t you glad that this isn’t all there is? It will be so worth it all when we see Jesus! Let’s praise Him for the revealing the rest of the story to us early. Read it, make it a lifestyle and be encouraged! And make sure and share this golden truth with those who do not yet know the Lord.

With you on the journey, MJ

2012 Spiritual Check Engine Light

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

Cars are wonderful, when they work! It seems like they break down or begin to have problems at the most importune times. Right after we returned from vacation, I went to run some errands and as I started the car I noticed that the “check engine” light remained on. I turned the car off and started it again, hoping it would click off. Unfortunately, it stayed on. Years ago, a friend showed me how to get certain “signal” lights to turn off if I wanted to ignore the problem. At this point, especially since I had just returned from vacation, I really didn’t want to face car repairs, so I was tempted to turn it off and ignore the problem.

Just then, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart and said that the cost of getting my car checked out and repaired now, would be significantly less than if I were to let it go and have to face the possibility of repairing or replacing my engine. Auto maintenance is like our bodily health, it’s much easier to maintain good health than it is to regain good health.

So it is in life in general. God’s Word provides spiritual “check engine” lights. Are we listening? Or do we know certain tricks to “turn off the lights off”, and avoid the warnings? Are we fleeing temptation? (James 4:7) Are we loving our spouses? (Eph. 5:22, 25) Are we being honest? (Prov. 2:22) Are we caring for God’s temple? (I Cor. 6:19) Are we being good stewards of God’s blessings? (Matt. 25:14-30) Has the Spirit of God been convicting you of an area of your life that needs attention? Have you been listening or do you, do I use tricks such as busyness, drugs, play, television, books, etc. to avoid the warnings?

As we enter this next week, let’s pray as David did, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to come in and do a spiritual diagnostic test and make any repairs needed.

My friend, the pain and cost of doing that, is and will be far less than the alternative. Together, let’s keep on top of our spiritual health: for His glory and our good.

Blessings,
Pastor MJ

Purpose Driven Destruction

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
(John 10:10a)

At the beginning of time we saw him working out his purpose with Adam and Eve. We are all created in the image of God. That image is best seen in the expressions from and in our hearts. Satan cannot take away our salvation but if he can destroy, break or in other ways nullify the heart of Almighty God’s image bearers then He will be happy. God’s glory is expressed best here on this earth through the lives of His children. As Saint Irenaeus wrote, “The glory of God is man fully alive”. Satan’s plan is to break your heart, especially in things towards God. If he can do that then the glory of God coming from your life is dimmed and less of an influence for God.

Satan tried to do this to Adam, the nation of Israel, Jarius, Joseph, Abraham, Daniel, Jesus and millions of others. Where was God when the Jews were commanded to make more bricks with less material? Were was God when Jarius held His almost lifeless daughter in his arms? Where was God as Joseph as being thrown into the dry well? Where was God when Jacob received news of his favorite son being killed by wild animals? Where was God when Daniel was being thrown into the lion’s den? Where was God while Job was getting the mess kicked out of him? Where was He when your husband/wife walked out? Where was he when your best friend died of AIDS? Where was he when you were betrayed by those you trusted the most? Where is He now? Why didn’t/doesn’t He step in?

Each one of those questions is fueled by Satan’s sole purpose to destroy your heart. He wants to steal your joy, your hope. He wants to kill your emotion towards your Creator, your Father and to kill your heart towards Him and in some cases not only your heart but your very life.

Without the well, Joseph would have never brought the Jews to Egypt. Without the cross, no resurrection. God won. He always does.

My friend, you may not see, feel, sense, or even believe that God is with you in the midst of your situation or that He even cares.

He is and He does… One day every question will be answered, every doubt will be erased, every fear quenched, every tear dried. Go ahead, cry, get mad. My prayer for you today is that you will be able to say, even in your brokenness, just as Job did, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15 NIV) Today may be your “Friday”, but your “Sunday” is coming.

With you, desiring a heart fully alive……...MJ

The Path of Life

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

—Psalm 16:11

How many of us live with a heavenly perspective on life? By heavenly perspective, I mean seeing life through the lens of eternity. I remember as a young boy, I prayed and talked with my family and friends constantly, about my hope that the rapture would not come before I got married and had the opportunity to experience being married and all that marriage had to offer like being a dad. I remember hearing messages and religious leaders, especially in the late seventies talk about how imminent the return of Christ was, even setting dates. I remember praying desperately and asking God to “wait” until I got married. Well, I can’t say that the fact that I’m married and am a dad 4 times over (one is in heaven) is a direct answer to my prayers, but it has happened and I’m glad that God has blessed me in this way.

However, as I’ve grown in the Lord and come to understand His word better I now see things a bit differently. Not that I would change my situation at all, but as I see and understand it now, if the Lord had come back prior to 1991 when Rebecca and I got married, I would have not only not missed being married, but in heaven I would not even give it a second thought, as being in the presence of God would be my delight, my focus, and my pleasure. How different would our lives be if we walked day in and day out viewing everything through eternal lenses?

We face difficulties, pain and suffering and vast uncertainties each and every day. Left to dwell on what life brings us along, we travel a road of hopelessness and fear. But when we allow every aspect of our daily circumstances to be filtered through the truth of God’s Word, we are able to act and react in a way that is not only pleasing to the Lord, but that allows us to walk in freedom from fear and anxiety. The old hymn puts it this way,

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory he sheds on our way! While we do His good will, he abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other

way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

John H. Sammis

My friend, no matter what today will bring, ask Father God to help you to see your situation through His eyes and whether it’s sickness, debt, relational problems or even death may His Word give you hope for not only a new day, but a better day “tomorrow”!

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” —John 14:1-3



Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I truly pray that it is and that it will be indeed a happy New year for you and those you love. However, remember that whether your days are happy or not, never forget that God is with you always and that nothing in your life's circumstances are outside of His knowledge and care. He is with you from the beginning of the year until the end.

In the next several days, all of the Christmas decorations and celebrations will all but be memories of Christmas 2011. As you tuck away the family decorations and put your homes back to normal, let me suggest you take some time and remember once again the powerful message of the season that we've just come through. Those of you with a manger scene, take a moment as you store it away and remember that the baby of the manger did not remain a baby, rather, He grew to become a man who had His eyes fixed on a cross, a cross that He would die on to pay the price for your sins and mine.

This week as we gather to worship, we will once again celebrate Jesus, this time however, we will celebrate not only that He came, but what He came to do. The manger was a prelude to the cross. His birth was the beginning of the journey to His death on the cross. Our time together today will give us an opportunity to focus on the sacrifice that He has made for us and will give us an opportunity to thank, praise, adore and worship Him for the ultimate gift the Father has given us, life through the death of his beloved Son.

Today, His Word will remind us of what He has done and wants to do in and through us. Our songs will give us an opportunity to lift up our praise. Our prayers will be a response to the goodness that God has showered on us through the sacrifice of His Son. Our lives today and throughout this year will be an opportunity for us to express our deepest thanks for what He has done.

Prepare your hearts right now to focus on the King of kings and the Lord of lords and how you will say thanks today. And my friend, if you are reading this and have not yet given your heart to Jesus, today is your day. Listen with your heart and allow God's Spirit to show you what He has done to bring you into a relationship with Him that you were created for. May this be your best year yet as you live each day in the grip of His love and grace.

Pastor MJ