The Evident Grace of God3/25/2024 Acts 11:23 ~ "When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose." When you read the Scriptures, there are times that some obvious questions arise. In our text for today, there is an illuminating statement that brings about a question in my mind, and I trust that it will in yours. It says that Barnabas "saw the grace of God" in the fledgling church at Antioch. When it comes to the evident grace of God, what did Barnabas see? Great persecution had broken out against the church in Jerusalem, and the scattered followers of Jesus took the gospel to the regions where they dispersed. Primarily, the message of salvation went to the Jews living in those regions, but a few brave believers ventured to preach about the LORD Jesus to the Hellenists (Greeks or non-Jews) as well (see Acts 11:19-20). And in Acts 11:21 we read a tremendous testimony, "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord." And that would be the first evidence of the grace of God that Barnabas witnessed among those in Antioch--that even the Gentiles turned to Christ by faith and received salvation. It is understood that only by the grace of God is anyone brought into the saving mercy of Christ. Paul expounds this in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." There is no boasting in the life of a believer, for all who are born-again know that they were not saved except that Christ has redeemed them from sin, death and judgment. Even the very act of believing on the LORD Jesus for salvation is a work of God's grace in your life. Jesus told the disciples this in John 6:29, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." If you are reading this, and your faith is place solely and completely on Jesus for salvation, then you are a living testimony of the evident grace of God at work. Another evidence of God's grace at work in the church at Antioch is found in the description others used concerning them. The latter part of Acts 11:26 states, "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." The church had developed such a reputation in the region that they were given a name that described them as people who were completely devoted to Christ. Consider what it says in 2 Corinthians when Paul warned them of the false apostles who wanted to lead the church astray, "But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). Do we wear the name "Christian" as they did in Antioch? Do those around us know of our sincere and pure devotion to Christ, so that, if the term "Christian" had not yet been devised, it would be invented on account of us? Don't let the cultural caricature of Christianity be the target, but devote your life to Christ Jesus according to the Scriptures. So, my friends, even as Barnabas, let us also be glad when we see the grace of God evident in the life of another. And if the LORD permits us the opportunity, let us do even as he did, and exhort them to remain faithful to the LORD with steadfast purpose. In His Grace, Pastor Michael
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The Absence of the Fear of God3/24/2024 Romans 3:18 ~ " There is no fear of God before their eyes." A great preacher* some time ago made a statement somewhat along these lines, and I agree with the statement and its conclusion: "Where there is no fear of God, there is no fear of sin. And where there is no fear of sin, a man has the capacity for all manner of evil." I believe that this statement hits to the core of the human condition, even as our text describes--there is no fear of God before their eyes. We look around at the atrocities happening in our world and we can only conclude that there is no fear of God. Wickedness rises up and righteousness is considered egregious to the development of our modern society. The word of God is mocked, scorned, ridiculed and spurned--and by some who would consider themselves as belonging to God. We merely have to look to the current news reports to see the growing absence of the fear of God. But what is the fear of God? In essence, it is either awe and respect or dread and terror. It all depends on your position before Him. If you belong to God through the saving mercy of Jesus Christ, you know Him as Savior and stand before God in awe, desiring to glorify Him in all manner of faithfulness and loving obedience. If you do not belong to Him, but know of Him, your fear is one of dread and trepidation, for He is not your Savior, but is your Judge. But what about those who have no fear of God? This is, my friends, the worst case for the human condition. Without the fear of God they do not even dread the coming judgment of the LORD. Those who do not fear God will live as if their life is the only measure by which it is counted as good or bad. Let's consider what it is like when it is absent. 2 Kings 17:34 states, "To this day they do according to the former manner. They do not fear the LORD, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel." God had established the parameters for His nation--for the people of Israel. Without the fear of God, they departed the word of the LORD for their former manner--for their own selfish desires. To fear the LORD, then, is to live in recognition of His absolute sovereignty and willingly submit to His word. And, as our text today says, they have no fear "before their eyes." That is to say, they look out at life and see nothing wrong with their life, though sinfulness is their chart and course. Psalm 36:1-2 give illumination to this, "Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated." It is quite easy to find the iniquity in the lives of others--and there are some who are eager to point out the sinful steps another soul has taken. But absent the fear of God you will flatter yourself in your own eyes so that you cannot see and hate the iniquity of your own heart. Do you fear the LORD? Or do you flatter yourself so that you cannot see and hate your own sin? That is the question every person must answer. By way of example, the Apostle Paul feared the LORD and understood himself in the light of Christ. He went from describing himself as the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9) to a wretched man (Romans 7:24) and ultimately as the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Where many elevate their opinion of themselves, the great apostle to the Gentiles recognized the truth of himself in the fear of the LORD. So, beloved, seek to know the LORD in fear. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." For if there is no fear of God in your eyes, you will be counted among the wicked. In His Grace, Pastor Michael *Dr. Henry Blackaby In the Beginning3/23/2024 Genesis 1:1 ~ "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Sometimes... you have to go back to the beginning. In the generations of bygone time, long before any person reading this (or any person ever) stood upon the earth, there exists One--God--infinite and almighty. And there in the first statement of the first book of the Holy Scriptures, He is mentioned: "In the beginning, God..." If that is not enough to draw you away from all of the intrigues and interests of your current train of thought, then perhaps you need to remember that if the next statement is not mentioned--then you're never here. Creation is here because God created it. You are here because God created you. Our entire existence is here because God willed it to be here. Let us consider what the Psalmist said in Psalm 14:1, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good." And yet, how often do people believe that God exists but are more like the fools in their practice, carrying on as if He did not? There are fools who call themselves atheists, and there are fools who believe God to be merely an abstract construct of the human need for the supernatural. And if you are reading this today and also hold to the notion that there is no God, then I would implore you to repent of that foolishness and seek to know the One true God who created all things. It is of absolute, essential importance that you know that there is a God who is. When Moses asked who it was that he should say sent him to Egypt to deliver the Israelites from slavery, the LORD said to tell them, "I AM, sent me to you" (Exodus 3:14). He is the self-existent, absolutely autonomous, and all-sufficient Creator and Sustainer of all things. Knowing there is a God, you must know Him as Creator. The second statement of the first verse of the Scriptures is: "...created the heavens and the earth." But why is it important to know that God created all things? Because, if what we know as creation was not the work of the Divine hand of Almighty God, then everything the Scripture teaches is suspect. Jesus, our Lord, referenced the creation in His message, citing the reality that God created them male and female as He spoke of the sanctity of marriage (see Matthew 19:4-5). Consider the words of John 1:3, "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." You may not know the Lord Jesus as Creator, but the Lord knows you as His creature. Creation is also the first point of faith in Hebrews 11:3, "By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." Step away from this and you will find yourself lost in the myriad of deceptions that would point you away from the Living God and His Son, our Lord Jesus who is the Savior of all who believe. My friends, this is God's earth. The stars are His. We are His creation as well. As His creation, we are not independent creatures that can self-determine the ends from the beginning. If I write a book, the characters are mine to do with as I choose. And as God has spoken this world into existence and has created you (see Psalm 139:13), He has absolute sovereignty over all that He made--including you. Dear Christian, sometimes we need to go back to the beginning and refresh our minds in the absolute truth that God is the Creator, Sustainer, Sovereign and All-Sufficient One. Look to Him this day, and remember who He is. In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Good Requirements of God3/22/2024 Micah 6:8 ~ "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Does God hold a standard up for His people to follow? Are there requirements from the LORD that are impressed upon those who belong to Him? The answer to both questions is: yes. The people of Judah, during the time of the prophet Micah enjoyed a sense of external stability and prosperity, all the while only giving mild observance to the LORD God who rescued them from slavery and delivered them into their own land. But isn't that often the way with the people of God? When times are relatively peaceful and the comforts of life are abundant, there is a tendency to forget the LORD. Moses warned of that very thing in Deuteronomy 8:13-14, "...and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." Micah, in verses 6 and 7, rhetorically repeated the sentiments of the people. The questions that are asked in those verses are as if the people were asking, "What more does God want from us? Haven't we given enough?" But all they could understand was the external expression of religious duty--God was looking for something deeper. And that brings us to the verse for today. It is the answer to the people concerning the expectation of the LORD for those who claim to follow Him. And the first thing that Micah says is--"God has already told you what He expects." And the fact is, my friends, God did tell Israel what was expected of them. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13 we read, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?" In response to the people's reticence against the requirements of God, Micah reminds them--do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with the LORD. And these three carries with them the fullness of a believer's heart. For to "do justice" is to view sin and rebellion in the same light that God does. And then, "to love kindness" (at other times, translated as "mercy") is to show the same merciful disposition to those who are repentant toward the LORD. And, finally, to "walk humbly with your God" is to have a heart filled with the desire to know and follow the LORD. The external, sacrificial service that we offer to the LORD does not come before the heart is transformed. Those who try to serve Christ Jesus without having their hearts renewed in His grace will ultimately find it to be a burdensome weight that they cannot carry. Consider what the LORD says to the people during the days of Malachi, "But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts" (Malachi 1:13). Therefore, beloved, God does have a standard--but it not the rote, religious duty that comes out of an empty heart. God's standard is an inward disposition that reflects His character. If you want a view of justice, kindness (mercy) and humility, you must look to the LORD Jesus who upheld these without failure. Upon the cross of Calvary, the LORD Jesus showed each quality in perfection--He took our punishment for sin, receiving in Himself our just condemnation (justice). He made the way for all who believe to be forgiven, becoming our substitute (kindness). And, He went to the cross as a lamb went to the slaughter (humility). So, when the Almighty God sets out His requirements, it will always be set upon us to bear a right reflection of His Son. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Rejoice in the LORD3/21/2024 Habakkuk 3:18 ~ "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." There is a great need for every believer to have their joy anchored upon the LORD. When circumstances fail and the conditions of our world show themselves to be completely fractured and unstable, shall we then try to hold on to those things that cannot sustain? Many do--and suffer in their lives with a dreadful instability. But the prophet Habakkuk looks at the circumstances around him and says a tremendous word that shifts his focus... and that word is: "yet." Consider the failing circumstances that Habakkuk described in the verse previous to our text for today: "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls..." (Habakkuk 3:17). Then, in the face of all that, the prophet says: "yet." When your surroundings fail and your situation falls into the depths of anguish, do you have a "YET" statement in your life? Where do you look when the storms of life assail you? For many, their "YET" is to look to some worldly solution. Some false teachings will tell you that you need to "look to yourself" to find the hope that you need. Governments will insist that if you look to them, they can sustain you. Scientists will proclaim that you must trust their wisdom to lead you away from the fractured conditions you've experienced. Economists will entreat you to trust that they can provide you with the means of providing for yourself. And, my friends, the list goes on and on and on. But for those who have put their faith in Christ, when we find ourselves in the dire throws of untenable circumstances, we must look to the LORD for our support. Our focus when we see the ravages of life must be Jesus. Two things the prophet says when he faces the condition of his world: he will rejoice in the LORD and he will take joy in the God of his salvation. Can you "rejoice in the LORD?" Can you trust that, despite the circumstances that are swirling around in this world, God Almighty has not lost one moment to chance or allowed one circumstance to escape His governing power? To rejoice in the LORD is to look to Him and know that all He does is right, that He is sovereign, just and good. To rejoice in the LORD is to rejoice in the character and conduct of the Almighty even when you might not understand His work. Can you "take joy in the God of your salvation?" The wrath of God Almighty will never touch those who belong to Christ. His salvation is as secure as He is, and all who have come to Christ for the salvation of their souls will discover that He has lost none of all that belong to Him (see John 6:39). To "take joy" is to look to what God has promised in salvation and receive it for yourself. We may suffer in this world, but we will never lose the next one if we belong to the LORD Jesus. Is that your "YET" point of view? When troubles mount and hardships come, can you say as the prophet Habakkuk that your view is focused elsewhere--that it is set upon the LORD who saves. Concerning God's judgment and wrath that will fall upon the earth, Jesus told us in Luke 21:28, "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Beloved, if circumstances should rise or fall and the conditions become a blessing or a burden, let none of that shift your focus away from the LORD. Find your rejoicing in Him, and draw up all your joy from the infinite well of salvation. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Can These Bones Live?3/20/2024 Ezekiel 37:3 ~ "And he said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' And I answered, 'O Lord God, you know.'" Their sins had ruined them, idolatry was rampant in the land, and the rulers who should have turned the people back to God were steeped in the revelry of wickedness. The judgment of God had come and Israel was taken into captivity. Once again they languished under the weight of oppression and were bound over to serve another nation. In this condition, the people of God groaned against their circumstances and saw no hope of restoration. We read their lamentable cry in Ezekiel 37:11, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.'" God takes Ezekiel to see a valley of dry bones. It was a vast display of death as he gazed upon the desiccated remnants of a vast army. There is no knowing what brought an end to so many. Were these the victims of a great battle? Israel had fought many wars in their history. Could these be the bones of those who wandered in the wilderness during those 40 years with Moses until that whole generation had died? What we do know is that these bones were the subject of a question from God to the prophet: "Can these bones live?" The first and obvious answer is: no. Bones, no matter how well preserved, cannot again reanimate and live. There is no natural function that can cause life to return to the desiccated body of anything. Yet, that is the wrong answer. The second, and less obvious answer is: yes. Imagine Ezekiel talking to God and declaring or proclaiming life over the framework of these corpses. Like the false prophets who spoke their positive words to Ahab (see 2 Chronicles 18:12), Ezekiel could have spoken his positive words of affirmation over the valley of dry bones. But that is the wrong answer as well. The only right answer was the one Ezekiel offered, "O Lord GOD, you know." It is only the Lord God Almighty who has the power to restore life to those who are dead. Israel's nation had died--deceased in exile at the judgment of God. But, even from the days of Moses, when God called His people out of Egypt and provided them a land of their own, He made such promises to them. Consider what it says in Deuteronomy 30:4, "If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you." This promise is made by God to the people in response to their repentance (read Deuteronomy 30). God has never and will never forsake His people. He may cause them to suffer under His hand of discipline, but He will restore. David understood that iniquity was the great culprit of his own suffering. Psalm 31:10 says, "For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away." And if sin is the cause of death (see James 1:15) then repentance is the road to restoration (see 1 John 1:9). Dear one, do you know yourself to be in the grip of sin? And now you sense that you are far away from God--cast off into an exile of separation and cut off from Him. Look to the example of Israel and know that God does not forsake His people. Your iniquity has separated you from God and He is calling you to repentance. Do as the dry bones did, and hear the word of the LORD. Consider Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out." Or hear the words of Ezekiel 18:30, "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin." Our God is rich in mercy and will grant it to all who will humble themselves and respond to Him. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, who came to this world to take upon Himself the judgment for all our sins. He will not forsake any who turn to Him, seeking His grace--He will freely bestow it to all who call upon the name of the LORD. In His Grace, Pastor Michael True Fruit3/19/2024 Galatians 5:22-23 ~ "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." The evident quality of the Christian life is found not in the gifts of the Spirit but in the fruit of the Spirit. From the above statement, do not entertain the notion that the gifts are of no value or interest in the Christian's life. They are of extreme importance for they are the means by which the work of God is accomplished in and through those who believe on the Lord Jesus. 1 Peter 4:10 instructs, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." But it is not by the gifts demonstrated that a person will be judged, but by the fruit produced. To understand this more clearly, we look to the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9. As the owner of the tree found no fruit on it, verse 7 indicates his response, "And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'" Matthew 7:19 clearly shows that a fruitless life will be judged, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." Fruitfulness is of great worth, for it demonstrates those who are true disciples of the Lord Jesus. In John 15:8 Jesus states, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." It is the testimony of the fruit tree that it has upon it the fruit for which it was planted. And it is the testimony of the Christian who produces the fruit that God has purposed--the quality of Christ in the life of the believer. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:33, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." In our text today, we see that it is the "fruit of the Spirit." Two things will be seen from this. First, it is the Spirit's fruit. It cannot be mimicked or added from external sources. The Holy Spirit dwells in each believer. And from within the changed life blossoms forth the fruit that displays the quality of Christ in us. There are some who behave like Christmas trees--hanging the external ornaments of self-righteousness in hopes that they will appear fruitful. But a Christmas tree, for all its glitter, is dead--cut off from the source of life. It is by the Holy Spirit working to transform the inner man that the true fruit is produced. Second, it is singular in nature. The term "fruit" is singular in its Greek construction, and that is a remarkable thing for the list of the fruit of the Spirit is varied. What this indicates is the singular reality of the fullness of Christ within, being revealed through the life of the believer. Examine the various qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit and consider Christ. When you do, you will run full-force into the truth that each of those qualities are perfectly found in Jesus. And for the Christian, those qualities now are yours because His Spirit dwells within you. Colossians 2:9-10 says, "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." You, beloved, have been filled in Him. Thus, as the inner life of the tree produces the fruit that grows, so the inner life of the Christian--Christ in us--produces the fruit of the Spirit. So, as you have entered this day, let me encourage you to come before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to inspect the fruit of your life. Are there those qualities of Christ being formed--love and gentleness, peace and self-control? Read the list above and prayerful ask what David asked in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" And, dear friends, don't fear if you do not find them perfectly formed or complete. You will know a tree by its fruit, but the maturity of fruit does take time. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Eternal Expectations3/18/2024 1 Peter 1:4 ~ "...to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." What are your expectations... and are your eternal expectations of far greater worth than any here on earth? We all live with certain expectations in mind. People expect that the sun will rise upon the morning, that the day will carry along one second, by one minute, by one hour at a time, and that by the end of day the world will be shrouded in evening darkness. Those who have the opportunity to live what might be considered a normal, productive life, will hold expectations for things like retirement, vacations, home and stability. People who strive toward achieving a level of competence in a field of study or work have the expectation that their efforts will be rewarded with greater knowledge and ability. All who step onto an airplane have the great expectation that they will arrive safely at their desired destination. But then something happens along the journey of life that might change those expectations. A career might fail, or an illness might strike without warning. The economy might turn against you or an unexpected natural disaster might wreak havoc upon your plans. And then, with that unforeseen situation, your expectations are lost upon the wind of circumstances like a leaf blown in a storm. Therein lies the problem with making an anchor out of our expectations in this world. It is like holding a kite in a windstorm with a flimsy strand of web. Eventually, my friends, our circumstances will prove to fail our expectations. Jesus, our Lord, told us this when He said in Matthew 6:19, "“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal." 1 John 2:17 reminds us, "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." We must remember that there is nothing in this world that is so permanent that we can anchor all our expectations upon it and trust that it will not fail. Moth, rust, thieves--all manner of decaying, destructive forces work against the life. But there is an expectation for the believer that is more secure than anything this world could offer. For those who are in Christ, there is promised an eternal inheritance. There is a kingdom given, crowns applied, rewards recompensed, the river of life, and of greatest delight--the very presence of God with His people (see Revelation 21-22). And from our text today, we find that this inheritance is eternal. First, it is imperishable. There is no force or enemy that can destroy what is promised to the believer. Disasters cannot befall it. Second, it is undefiled. There is no quality of this promised inheritance that can be corrupted or compromised by its own inner contamination. There are no impurities within this promised inheritance. Third, it is unfading. There is no limit to the eternal reward from the Lord Jesus. It is an enduring, perpetual inheritance that will never run out. And fourth, it is kept in heaven for you. Literally, it is being "watched over" or guarded by the Divine hand. And it is in heaven, outside the reach of any who would try to despoil the inheritance. My dear friends, hold to expectations in this transient world with a tender grasp, but cling to the expectations of the world to come with a grip of iron. For in this world, sudden circumstances might rob you of a hoped for expectation. But there is no calamity that can touch the eternal promises for those who belong to Christ. Let us do as Paul instructed the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 4:18, "We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." In His Grace, Pastor Michael Gospel Advancement in Prayer3/17/2024 2 Thessalonians 3:1 ~ "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you." There are great advancements of the Word of God that launch into the world, and much of the advancement begins in the prayers of God's people. Consider, for a moment, the great saints of bygone days who, in courageous effort, spoke boldly the word of God and found the hearts of their hearers open to the power of the gospel. If you look, you might discover that those great saints were upheld in their endeavors through the faithful prayers of God's people. On this day, one such man of God is honored--Patrick of Ireland, a servant of the Lord and missionary to the people of that island. And though a legendary figure to some, Patrick was truly just a faithful and courageous evangelist who brought the gospel to the Celtic people. And now, dear ones, what has happened with the word of God among you? As Paul addressed the Thessalonian believers, he reflected on the truth that God's word was received with honor among them. And now he seeks the prayers of the people of that church that the message should speed along and be honored among others as well. Has the word of God found its rightful place of honor in your heart? Consider the courageous soul who first told you of the saving grace of Christ. Think of those who, in faithfulness, watered that first planted seed of truth and prayed for you that you should find the salvation of the Lord. And now, beloved, think of all those who never met you--and yet prayed for that person who introduced you to Christ that the word of God would speed its way to your heart and be honored because you came to believe. And now, dear friends, look ahead to those who have yet to hear of the saving grace of Jesus. Are there those, like the Apostle Paul, who are striving against the wind and tide of resistance to the message of Christ? Then you owe it to that person to lift them up in prayer. Even as Paul asked for prayer, so these saints who go forward with the gospel seek the prayers of the church as well. But what should you pray? Even as the apostle sought--pray that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. Consider another request for prayer from Colossians 4:3, "At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." And, as all good servants of Christ, the Apostle Paul does not ask of the church what he is also not willing to do--as he prays for his friend Philemon, "And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ" (Philemon 1:6). You may not be one who is on the "front lines" of the spiritual battle to advance the gospel of Jesus, but you are called upon to pray for those who are. So let us do as the word entreats--pray for the advancement of the word of God, and that it will be honored by others as it is with us. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Desires and Affections3/16/2024 John 21:15 ~ "When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?'" Everyone has them, and neither of them are wrong if they are focused in the right direction: affections and desires. So let me ask you this--is Jesus the object of your desire or the object of your affection? Is there a difference? The answer to the latter question is: yes. Let me explain in brief before we look at our text for today. When there is an object of affection in your life, that is the source of your desires. Affection is to look toward the object and long for that object to receive blessing and honor, you will delight in the satisfaction of the object of your affection. And when the object of your affection is you--that is when you will desire only those things that will delight you. This is where the "love yourself" philosophy goes awry. And this is where the "prosperity gospel" and all other false gospels grow in influence, for they play into the fallen nature of self-affection, self-love. An example from long ago, Adam and Eve, faced the temptation to rebel against God (see Genesis 3). They were tempted, not with the desire to leave God behind and abandon their fellowship with the Almighty, but with the idea that they should love themselves and take the fruit. Their affection was for self, so their desire was to satisfy themselves. Another term for self-affection is... lust. Today, the rampant sin of lust has engulfed humanity. Mankind's insatiable need to satisfy self has led to the hyper-growth of industries that cater to the carnal delights of the fallen heart. Consider what it says in James 1:15, "Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." There are many who turn to Christ, not for His sake but for their own--not because of their lost condition seeking a Savior, but because of their hard circumstances seeking relief. They don't go looking for Christ to find Him, they go looking for Christ to find something that will satisfy themselves. It was the same experience as in John 6:26, "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.'" Their only affection is toward self so their only desire is to satisfy their selfish appetites. However, when the object of your affection is outside of yourself, you begin to experience the Scriptural condition of love. Jesus commanded that we are to love the LORD our God with all our hearts (see Matthew 22:37). We are to place all our affection upon the LORD our God. So that, with the Savior as the object of our complete affection, our desires then will be to do that which satisfies Him. We will desire righteousness, holiness, repentance, truth, sacrifice, and a host of other qualities that please the LORD. In fact, the Apostle Paul instructed us to, "...try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10). Jesus, Himself, became for us the Divine embodiment of love--of having affection outside of Himself. He showed His love in such a way that it was undeniable His desire was for mankind's deliverance from the wrath of God because of our sinful rebellion. Romans 5:8 illuminates this, "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." By way of example, consider marriage. A strong, healthy marriage is built upon a man and a woman who look to the other as the object of affection. Thus, their desires then will be to do that which will bring joy and satisfaction to their spouse. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 7:33-34, "But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife... But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband." This is what it looks like to have your affections set outside of yourself. Now, to the text for today, Jesus asks a critical question: "do you love me more than these?" And that question is laid before us as well. Do you love Christ more than... and you can fill in the blank. For Peter, perhaps it was more than these other disciples, or more than your desire to set your own course, or more than your old career of fishing. What is it for you? Do you love the Lord your Savior more than any other object of affection that is in your life--especially more than being your own object of affection? Revelation 12:11 clearly states it, "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." My friends, let all other affections you hold be as nothing in comparison to the love you have for Christ Jesus the Lord. Consider the question asked of Peter as the question asked by our Lord of all our hearts--do you love Him more? And, if you truly have an affirmative answer, listen to the testimony of 1 Corinthians 8:3, "But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Enemies Remain3/15/2024 Judges 2:21-22 ~ "I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not." Through Moses, and then Joshua, the LORD delivered the nation of Israel to the promised land and then conquered the land through Divine victory after victory. Red Seas and Jordan Rivers, fortified cities and towering walls were nothing to the LORD who led His people into the land He promised to Abraham. They took great delight in the fact that God was with them. Until, that is, when the nation forgot the LORD. A telling statement is made in Judges 2:10, "And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel." The generation of Joshua, and all that generation that knew the victory of the LORD, departed in death. The generation next forgot the LORD their God. The self-indulgent, promiscuous and pleasure-seeking worship of the former nations in Canaan still lingered in the memories of those who were not completely destroyed. And the nation of Israel, in their complacency, fell into the waiting arms of the false gods and plunged themselves into the idolatrous practices of the nations they conquered. And so it is that God allowed those remnant nations of false gods to remain amongst the people of Israel in order to leave for them a test of their love for and faithfulness to the LORD. What are we to learn from this? Dear one, God has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the world and into the promised land of Jesus Christ. You are no longer of the world any more, you have fled to take hold of that salvation that is offered to all who will believe. In great power and display of His grace, Jesus Christ gave up His life to rescue you from the dominion of darkness and deliver you into His own Kingdom. Early on, you were like a warrior and with joy you entered into the battle against sin. Has there been victories in your life through the Divine hand of God? Have great strongholds been toppled because of your faithful obedience to His word? And now, perhaps years later, has all that was once won through your resolute trusting in Christ seem now more like a distant memory, forgotten in the pages long since turned? Has complacency and ease drained the fight out of your soul so that it becomes easy to play with the little sins left behind? My friend... those are the enemies which remain. God has allowed them to remain. Some sins He has vanquished completely, utterly destroyed in the splendor of His salvation. Others seem to have vanished into the shadows until an opportune time for them to strike. And that most favorable time for sin is when we let our guard down. Recall what was said of the devil in his temptation of our Lord, "And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13). The nation of Israel was strong as long as Joshua led them and the people remembered the deliverance of God. And, beloved, you will be strong as long as you follow Christ and remember the salvation purchased for you on the cross. People have asked why God does not remove every sin from the believer's life. Why does not God simply destroy the devil and eliminate even the possibility of temptation? He will someday. But for now He allows the remnants of the enemy of our soul--those remaining sins that will strike without warning--in order to test us, that we also should take care to walk in all His ways. In the great dilemma with the "messenger of Satan," the Apostle Paul sought for God's release, three times, from those "thorns in his flesh." God's answer to Paul is His answer to us as well, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Lest we allow ourselves to grow complacent, let us never forget that we need the power of God's grace as much now as we did in the beginning. For, until we stand in the very presence of the King of kings, there are enemies that remain. In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Unbiased Anger of God3/14/2024 Psalm 7:11 ~ "God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day." As we step into this day, I wonder how many have misplaced this truth: God is angry at sin every day. With the mainspring of many spiritual conversations centered upon the love of God, it becomes harder to remember that the Just and Righteous Judge is also completely unbiased in His anger against sin. Now, my friends, God does love--and His love is rich with such goodness and mercy that it is impossible to fully comprehend. But the best way to view the brightness of His merciful love is seen when painted against the backdrop of the darkness of His wrath. Most will never truly know the love of God because they know nothing of His anger. He is our Creator, and He made us that we should walk in the bright glory of His holiness. But mankind is off, wandering through the wilderness of sin and exploring every possible rebellion against God. Ecclesiastes 7:29 states, "See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes." But because most people don't see that God is filled with wrath against sin, they do not see their own need for mercy, nor do they fear the disaster of judgment that is looming over their heads. But God's anger is the unbiased anger of a righteous judge. The Almighty, Omniscient God does not look down upon mankind with a subjective point of view. The LORD knows the truth of everyone. It was said of Jesus that He knew what was in man. "But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man" (John 2:24-25). Even David understood that God was justified in His judgments, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment" (Psalm 51:4). In the face of God's anger, there is not one justifying position that any person on this earth can take. Our problem arises because we do not fully understand an unbiased anger. For most of mankind, the anger that we feel within our hearts is filled with such personal prejudices that it restricts our capacity to make righteous judgments. James 1:19-20 says, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." And because we are so biased in our thinking, we think that God's anger is biased as well and therefore not justifiable. And if we believe that God is not justified in His indignation against our sin, then we do not see the need to seek His mercy and grace. But, as we think of God's anger this day, let us not forget His compassion. If you know yourself to be guilty before the Righteous Judge, then throw yourself on the mercy of God's court and plead not for your sins but for His salvation. Jesus, the Righteous Son of God, took upon Himself the full measure of God's anger and wrath against your sin. In love, He stood in your place of judgment so that you can stand before God in His righteousness. Our Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (see Exodus 34:5-7). And if you know true grief over your sins against God, then let it also lead you to repentance and salvation. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." We end with the words of God through the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 3:12 states, "Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, 'Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever.'" In His Grace, Pastor Michael Repentance to Restoration3/13/2024 Jeremiah 15:19 ~ "Therefore thus says the LORD: 'If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.'" To understand this text, let us understand that the idea of "return" is to "repent." There is a direction away from the LORD that is always sinful. In fact, no direction away from the LORD is righteous--for when you turn away from God, you turn toward sin. Repentance, then, is the turning back toward God that He should be loved and obeyed. And when repentance happens in the life of a believer, it leads to a life restored. And, it is the restored life that has the opportunity to serve the LORD. For to "stand before" the LORD is to stand in a place of serving Him. Did you know that when you are serving the LORD in this world, it is as if you are standing before Him. Jesus said that as we did it to the least of those who belong to Him, we've done service to Him (see Matthew 25:40). Restoration will always follow repentance and serving is found through a life restored. We have a wonderful God who loves us and calls us to service. However, our usefulness is limited if we have no desire to repent and live a life restored to God Almighty. Perfection is not the key to valued service in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, restoration is. We cannot serve the living God without His restoring us to Himself, and that is found in repentance. Consider the call of Jeremiah. He was set by God to be a prophet, speaking the very word of God to the people of God. What then must he do? He must offer the precious words from God, not worthless words of man. To make application for those who are not called to be prophets, give your very best of what God has called you to do. Have you been called to serve? Do so diligently. Whatever aspect of service is set before you, perform it in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ – working with all your heart (see Colossians 3:23). And, finally, do not turn to the world. Let them come to you, but you must not go to them. That is, you must not return to worldly ideas and principles that mark a person who is not restored in Christ. The world will always call to the church to come back into the muck and mire from which we've been delivered (see Psalm 40:1-2). It is a lie to think that for you to understand and communicate with a sinful world, you must participate in their sins like one of them. Let this people turn to you. You are the one following Jesus. Maintain your faithfulness to Him and don’t let yourself fall into the trap of worldliness. The pattern is simple, beloved. Service follows restoration, and restoration follows repentance. This is the path that God has prepared for those who want to follow Him. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Living to Please God3/12/2024 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ~ "Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more." Believer, let living to please the LORD be the highest ambition of your life. How simple a thing it is to hear the command to please the LORD, but how difficult it can become in the trials and temptations of life. As the Apostle Paul was wrapping up this first letter to the church in Thessalonica, he reflected upon three things: first, he instructed them on how to live to please God; second, he recognized that they had already achieved a certain level of pleasing God; and third he encouraged them to do so even more. And so we begin with the first--instruction on how to please the LORD. Paul told the church that they had received from the Apostle and his companions how they ought to walk and please God. There is a necessary instruction that every Christian needs in order to live a life that is pleasing to God. And it is all found in the Word of God. Many who claim to be followers of Christ are devising their own schemes and plans that they enjoy or approve and do not even consult with God's written word. Yet, how is a person supposed to know how to please anyone without consulting that individual? We read in Ecclesiastes 7:29, "See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes." The original design of man was to live for God's glory, but sin turned us after our own devices and now we cannot know how to do anything other than follow our own schemes unless God gives us His instruction. Thus, we must trust and follow His word by faith, for without faith it is impossible to please Him (see Hebrews 11:6). Next we move to the second--they had already achieved a level of pleasing God. And that is very true of the Thessalonian church. Consider what Paul said in the beginning of the letter. "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia" (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). In the midst of affliction, the church received the word from the Apostle, and filled with the joy of the Spirit, lived out what they were told, becoming examples to all who were around. They looked to the Apostles and leaders of the church to gain the example they needed to live in such a way that it was pleasing to the Lord. How much have you achieved, dear one? Do you know some of the requirements of the Lord that instruct you on how to live, in order to please God? We can look to Hebrews 13:6 and learn how to please God through personal sacrifice: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Or we can take to heart 1 Timothy 2:1-4 that teaches us to pray for those in leadership so that we can live peaceable and godly lives in this world--which is pleasing to God. And we take with dire warning Romans 8:8, "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." We conclude with the third--an encouragement to do so more and more. Living to please God is a journey of learning and growing, increasing in your knowledge of God and your faithfulness to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:9 states, "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." And this is what all believers should do--take aim at a life that is pleasing to God. So, if you are just entering the day, let it be set for the glory and satisfaction of the Lord Almighty. The LORD has given you His word as the means by which you can know and trust Him. He who created you would not have you wander off into all manner of worldly schemes. Find, my friends, your deepest satisfaction in Him. In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Lord, Our Portion3/11/2024 Lamentations 3:24 ~ "'The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.'" There is much in this world that people often look to as their portion, that which they believe is their due. Some, not unlike the prodigal son, will look to their inheritance as their due portion. "And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them" (Luke 15:12). Or as the man who cried out to Jesus in Luke 12:13, "Someone in the crowd said to him, 'Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.'" There are others who look to their portion as that which is due them through their labors. Consider the workers in the parable of the laborers in Matthew 20:10, "Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius." But, dear Christian, the LORD is our portion--He is our great inheritance. We do not look to the world to fulfill the desires of our heart, for our heart does not desire anything but our Savior. Which is why, when troubled times come and the world is rife with distress and hatred toward God, we look beyond what we can see and know that our portion is Christ. Consider the great weight of the persecutions and oppressions faced by Jeremiah. As he laments his prayer before the LORD, he recalls the very real truth that his one great hope, his absolute confidence is that the LORD was his portion--and there is nothing that can diminish such a promise. Let me encourage you to take time to read the book of Lamentations and hear the heart of the prophet as he watched the judgment of God fall upon the people of Israel. Through Jeremiah, the LORD tried to warn Israel, sought to lead them to repentance, and sent word to the king. "Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin" (Jeremiah 36:2-3). The king's response was to burn the words that were given (see Jeremiah 36:23). And now, today, we live in a world filled with sin, and God's word is often dismissed as if it were nothing more than fodder for a fire. And in their dismissal of the LORD, the world will come against the church and we may face the enflamed hatred that they have for Christ. If that should happen, dear one, look to the LORD for your portion. Let us not be like Demas who ran after the world, "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica" (2 Timothy 4:10). Those who long to have their portion from this world, will ultimately discover that they are holding nothing more than sand. And, if the LORD is your portion, then you can put your absolute hope in Him. If He is your portion, you very great reward, and you look beyond this world and to glory for the satisfaction of your heart, then you will never be in a condition of disappointment for you will discover that in His presence is the fulfillment of all His promises to those who long for Him. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Through Tribulation to the Kingdom3/10/2024 Acts 14:22 ~ "...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Are you prepared for the journey from here to the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus? How many once sure professors of faith, at the time of trial, turned back from walking with Christ because the way became hard? And yet we are told in our text today that the road to the Kingdom is through many tribulations. Jesus, our Lord, expressed the cause of the defection of some when He told the parable of the soils. Matthew 13:20-21 says, "As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away." There are many who, for a season, seem to flourish in the faith, rising up in the church, singing the songs and reciting the Scriptures with abundant joy. For all their display, most would believe that they possessed a solid faith. But faith is not tested in the times of abundance and joy, when all is well and there is no difficulty to be endured. Faith is tested in the time of tribulation, when the world is set against the believer and the way becomes hard and pressed in on every side. Peter teaches the believer in 1 Peter 1:6-7 to rejoice in the testing, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The Apostle Paul speaks of the Christian life as being like a jar of clay, yet enduring because of Who resides within. Let it be said of us, as it says in 2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair." Consider the experience of the Apostle Paul in the verses just before our text for today. in Acts 14:19-21 we read, "But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch." Paul was stoned and left for dead, drug out of the city and probably thrown into the trash heap that was collected beyond the city walls. There the other disciples found him and what did the apostle do--he got up and went back into the very city where he was nearly murdered. And then, just for emphasis, he went to the cities of Antioch and Iconium--the cities where his oppressors originated! It was under these circumstances that Paul told the church that we must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom. There is a road set before you, dear Christian. And God in His sovereign determination has permitted you to walk through times of trial and testing to the validation of your faith. It will be proved to those who see you that your faith is either set like an anchor upon the Rock of your salvation or it is laid upon sand that won't hold you steady in the storms. If you are enduring a trial, then hold fast to Christ, dear one, and know that the Lord Jesus has permitted the time of tribulation for the refining and strengthening of your faith. Understand, if you are in Christ, your life will soon be beyond the reach of the enemy, outside the theater of tribulation and no longer gripped by temptations. Let us all hold fast in our faith and say as in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Great Name of God3/9/2024 Malachi 1:11 ~ "For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts." During the days of Malachi, after Israel had returned to the land of promise and the practice of temple worship was restored, something happened that set them, once again, at odds with the Lord Almighty. The practice of offering the required sacrifice was in full force. The priests were in the temple and the fires were once again lit to the glory of God. Or, were they? Consider what is written in Malachi 1:8, "When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts." And then, in verse 10, God told the priests to shut the doors to the temple and quit lighting useless fires on His altar--the Lord God, the Almighty, took no pleasure in them. Why? Because their perfunctory effort at worship had no heart in it. They were willing to go through the motions, but the priests were not willing to truly honor the LORD. As the sacrifices during the days of Malachi were nothing more than the dregs of an offering, how much of our lives are offered as living sacrifices? Romans 12:1 teaches us, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Is what we do as believers in Christ all done for the glory and honor of the Savior? Or do we offer to God the "leftovers" of what remains of our life? We are to offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice." We must not offer the half-hearted dregs as they did during the days of Malachi, but lay before God in every aspect of our life a testimony of His greatness and goodness to us. And that is ultimately the target of worship--that the name of God will be great. Do you know the greatness of God? Do others see through your life that God is great? So much of what is called worship, today, is built to the honor and acceptance of the worshiper rather than the One who is worshiped. God's name is to be "great among the nations." That is, through His people, the world at large will see in us that we hold His name and His honor as the highest standard of our lives. For the people of Israel, it was through their willingness to bring the very best of their crops and herds to the temple in order to offer them before God as an acceptable sacrifice. Two things occurred when they refused to honor God as He required. First, they displayed a lack of trust that God would provide for them, so they needed to keep the best for themselves (see Malachi 3:10-12). Second, they testified that God was not worthy of their worship (see Malachi 1:12-14). For the church, today, we are to show through our lives that God is both able to be trusted and worthy to be honored in the way we lay down our lives for His glory. Consider what 1 Peter 2:5 states, "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." We are to show that we honor the great name of the LORD and lay down our lives in sacrificial obedience to the Savior. So... a simple question... do you hold the name of the Lord Jesus as the highest and most holy? Is His name great in your understanding and thus in your actions? Can you say, as John the Baptist, that even His sandals you are not worthy to untie (see Mark 1:7)? Oh, beloved, hear the words of the Apostle Paul as you enter this day: "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11). Let us bow our knees today and exalt the glorious name of Jesus. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Epitaphs3/8/2024 2 Samuel 23:1 ~ "Now these are the last words of David: The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the sweet psalmist of Israel." How will you be remembered? When the words of 2 Samuel were penned, and the final days of David's life was remembered, along with his final words, the author looked to the premier king of Israel and considered how the shepherd from Bethlehem should be remembered. Was David reflected upon as the man who killed Goliath and delivered the people from their enemies? Did the author of 2 Samuel consider all the grand expansion of the nation and the tactical brilliance of the king? Was David remembered for his strong leadership and his courage? Perhaps he might have been epitaphed with a recollection for some of the foolish judgements he made and the sins he committed. When the end of the king's days was upon him, was he remanded by the writer of the text for Bathsheba? Did the author of 2 Samuel forget about the great dilemma of Absalom? Surely all of that information was available as the writer penned his final view of the dramatic king of Israel. What would be said of David before the final words from David were added? Though all those experiences were true of the king, the author of 2 Samuel penned these words about David, that he was: "The sweet psalmist of Israel." David was the king that all other kings would be compared. How often in the records of the nation of Israel was the statement, "as his father David," or "not like his father David" (for examples see 1 Kings 15:11 and 2 Kings 16:2). But the statement made of David was not concerning his reign over Israel, but his worship of the LORD and guiding the people to worship God. David, for all his ups and downs as a king, never wavered in his desire to worship and serve the LORD. He was a man after God's own heart, and became the sweet psalmist of Israel. People are often remembered for their greatest contributions made during their lives. And if that is the case, then the greatest contribution David made was providing the nation of Israel a kingly worship leader. David lived to bring glory to God. 73 of the 150 Psalms are directly attributed to him. But David didn't live for the accolades of men, he lived that God's name should be honored and worshiped. Dear Christian, what will be the epitaph decorating the final words of those who would speak about you? You may have done great works--and those might be remembered by some. You may have committed and repented of great sins--and I can guarantee that there will be people to remember those. But, my friends, do not live that you should have a great name. Live in such a way that the name of God is greatly praised. And if there is a epitaph that we might should strive to achieve, let it be said of us from the Lord Jesus according to Matthew 25:21, "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’" Those are the words I long to hear. In His Grace, Pastor Michael Christian Conversation3/7/2024 Matthew 12:36 ~ “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” My friends, there is a great value in words. Creation formed at the word of God. Prophets warned through their words. The Apostles instructed with their words. Even worldly people understand the value of their words—to motivate, encourage, train, etc. Do you see the value of your conversations? When Moses was called by God to lead out the people of Israel from their enslavement in Egypt, his complaint was not that the way was too long or the work too hard. In Exodus 4:10, Moses great complaint was his ability to speak, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” The Lord responded to Moses’ complaint by asking a rhetorical question, “Who gave man his mouth” (see Exodus 4:11). Beloved, if God gave man a mouth to speak, a language to use, and a brain to think then, as our text this day reveals, God will hold accountable every person to the use of their words. However, think how often a stray thought rushes from the mouth like a geyser, or an un-checked word escapes like a bat out of a cave? Believers in Christ are commissioned by God to use the tongue for His glory, to speak words for a more noble purpose, to take every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Is this how you approach your conversations? Consider what God’s word says. Psalm 37:30, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” Proverbs 8:7, “For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.” These two passages of Scripture give a clear picture of what the mouth of a believer ought to voice—only that which is wise and true. You will have a high value to your words when wickedness from your lips is considered an abomination to you. I remember, some time ago, when I walked with a group of Christians as we left a meeting. We navigated through the parking lot and made our way to the car, all the while speaking and laughing and carrying on with the wonderful fellowship we just experienced. However, one in our party thought to share a story—a witticism that carried a hint of vulgarity. As this person shared his version of humor, the remaining members walked in stunned silence at the lack of Christian character expressed in his quip. When confronted, the person quickly defended himself with the well-worn statement, “it was just a joke.” Has true faith become so watered-down by the world that believers can casually share at a joke that is vulgar and crude without a shred of conscience? Was Jeremiah right when he said that the people of God had forgotten even how to blush (see Jeremiah 8:12)? It was more than just a joke; it was a telling sign of what ruminated in that person’s heart. Jesus said, “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Paul entreats the church, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). The Bible states in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” And again, in Ephesians 5:4, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” All believers have a responsibility to God, to fellow believers and to the world at large to speak those words that will exalt Christ, edify the church and entreat the lost world to Jesus. Is this your conversation? It should be. In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Commander of the LORD's Army3/6/2024 Joshua 5:13 ~ "When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries?'" Joshua had just recently taken over the position held by Moses to be the primary shepherd of Israel. He had spent the past four decades wandering the wilderness with the people of God, learning from Moses and serving as the tactician and leader of the army. Now, as they entered the promised land, he faced the walled city of Jericho. Joshua looked up to see a man standing on the open plain with his sword drawn. The scene hints at a potential confrontation, so Joshua asks the one question that every leader would want to know--who are you for? Let's also understand that Joshua does not yet know exactly who this man is standing on the plain with him. And, after years of war, the battle-hardened Joshua could only see two options. We'll get to the answer of the man in a moment, but let's explore the question from Joshua: "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" From our human perspective we see life from the position that there are those who are on our side and those who are on the other side. And that "other side" is the side of our adversaries--our enemies--those that must be opposed. Don't we see that happen in the arenas of confrontation? Consider where some of the greatest adversarial skirmishes happen--from sports to politics--and you will discover the same question asked of those who happen to be nearby: who's side are you on? But concerning our true adversaries, the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." So... what of the answer? Consider what it says in Joshua 5:14, "And he said, 'No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.' And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, 'What does my lord say to his servant?'" The simple answer of the LORD was--no. Basically, He told Joshua that He was neither for them or for their enemies. Does that mean that God does not take sides? Of course He takes sides--He takes His own! And that's the point--God is the side, and all who oppose Him is on the side of the adversary. We do not ask God if He will stand with us or if He will stand with our foes. The question of allegiance does not go from us to God, but from God to us. God is the authority, He is the Commander of the army. The question is not whose side is the Almighty on, but who's side are you on. Will you take your orders from the LORD? If you want to know the right response to God's presence, look to Joshua. Upon the revelation that this man who stood on the plain with him was the LORD, Joshua fell on his face, worshiped and submitted himself to the Commander. Joshua had been commanding the army for a generation--that was of no matter. The only right thing to do when God has revealed Himself is to submit. Beloved, does the question from Joshua echo in your heart before the LORD: "What does my Lord say to His servant?" When you come to the Word of God, is submission your first intent? Do you wonder whose side God is on, or do you recognize that Christ, Himself, is the side that you must be on? Romans 6:13 states, "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." My friends, let the encounter of Joshua with the Commander of the army of the LORD remind you that God is the One to whom you must submit--for it will never be the other way around. In His Grace, Pastor Michael With the Scent of Pigs3/5/2024 Luke 15:20 ~ “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Have you ever wondered at the return of the prodigal son? To refresh your memory, let me give you a bit of the back story. This youngest son of his father demanded his inheritance, squandered it in wild living, and found himself feeding pigs in a foreign land. At the point where he is so desperate that he longs to feed himself with the pigs’ food he finally comes to his senses. He remembers his father’s house, that even his father’s servants are better off than he. With a repentant heart, he longs to confess his sin (see Luke 15:18-19) and return to his father. So he walks away from the pigs and begins the journey home. Unknown to the son, the father had been waiting for him, and when he sees his son on the road runs to meet him. With mercy and love, the father receives his son and completely restores him (see Luke 15:22-24). There are two things absent from this story, and it is of great importance that we see them. The first is this: the son never cleans himself up before returning home. Think about it. The son of a wealthy, Jewish landowner walks down that blistering path home with the scent of unclean pigs lingering like a malevolent cloud all about him. But the son had “come to his senses” (verse 17). That’s the key. It didn’t matter the lingering memory of his wicked rebellion and his failure—his heart was changed. He longed for home and for his father and though he carried the scent of pigs on his body, it would not hinder him from returning. That is the humility of faith—that God will receive all who return to Him even though they still have the scent of pigs. How many have refused God because they thought they needed to “clean up” before they came back? How many have stayed away from God because they thought they were “unacceptable?” Of course you are unacceptable! If you were acceptable, you wouldn’t need grace. All of humanity is unacceptable to God—we all have the scent of sin on us. But God loves you and is watching for your return—all you have to do is come to your senses and come back to the Father. The second is this: the father never demanded his son clean up to be received. Again, think about it. This Jewish man, whose son squandered his wealth, sees his son returning on the road. Anger and resentment might be the normal reaction. But, before the son could protest, the father rushes him and throws his arms around him and kisses him—despite the fact that there remains the scent of pigs. Remember, the father was “filled with compassion.” That’s the key. Compassion—true compassion—receives and embraces those who return in humble repentance. This is the nature of grace—that God watches and longs for His creatures to return so that He can embrace them and be a Father to all who come. God does not hold people at “arm’s length” until they clean themselves up from all their past and remove the scent of pigs from their lives. God rushes to receive any who come to Him by faith and He casts His mantle upon them, blesses and kisses them with His unending love, and celebrates with great joy when one sinner returns (see Luke 15:10) The rabble of the world flocked to Jesus and He never cast them aside. The Lord knew that the only means of expressing God’s love is to embrace—going so far as to stretch His own arms on the cross and cry out, “Father, forgive them.” But what about righteousness and holiness? That will come in the presence of the Father. The “cleaning up” will happen. The longer the son remains in the presence of his father the less he will carry the scent of pigs. The longer we remain in the company of God, living in humble faithfulness, the more we lose the odor of this world, eventually to never again radiate with the scent of pigs. In His Grace, Pastor Michael A New Life3/4/2024 2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Yesterday we saw that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. But the great joy of our hearts that comes from His salvation is also found in the fact that He does not leave us in our old condition. When we come to the Lord Jesus and trust Him by faith, we are made into a new creation. There are two qualities that exist in the Christian life--the first, the old has gone; the second, the new has come. And what are those "old" and "new" things that have changed within us? The "old" is the life of sin that we once enjoyed. Our sinful desires are crucified with Christ, the old nature is coming to nothing and the new life of Christ is being formed within us through the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul said in Romans 6:6, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin." Again, the Apostle Paul told the church that they were taught with regard to their former way of life, "to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires" (Ephesians 4:22). Do you see your old corruptions fading away, dying within you even as the life of Christ and the desires of His Spirit are growing and making you new? That old nature will become less dominant as you walk with Christ, but it may never fully depart. Even Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, struggled against his old nature. Consider Romans 7:21-25, "So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." But, beloved, there is a wonderful new life that grows within every believer. The transforming power of God's Spirit is at work with each of us to bring us to greater and greater holiness. So, what are some of those new things? The Scriptures tell us: We have new pursuits, "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). We walk in a new life. Romans 6:4 states, "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." We live under a new covenant. Hebrews 8:13 declares, "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." Also in 1 Corinthians 11:25, "In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" We will, ultimately, live within the new heaven and new earth, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more" (Revelation 21:1). Even as Peter says in 2 Peter 3:13, "But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." Though we cannot grasp the fullness of all that God has done for us (see 1 Corinthians 2:9), yet we can have our minds renewed so that we can grow in understanding and obedience to the Lord, having our lives transformed in holiness. Paul tells the church in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." As new creations in Christ, let every Christian rejoice that God, in His mercy and grace, does not leave us in our old condition. But through His Spirit working in us by the Word of God, we are being made new. In His Grace, Pastor Michael To Save Sinners3/3/2024 1 Timothy 1:15 ~ "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." What does it take for you to be saved? And... do you qualify? Have you come to Christ by faith and trusted in Him for the everlasting life promised to all who believe? For many, this is a "bridge too far" because it requires something that they are quite unwilling to do. For all who come to the Lord for salvation must first recognize themselves as a sinner. This is far more than what many do. Many will admit that they have sinned--have made some mistakes, even great mistakes--and they will acknowledge that there are aspects of life that they have lived wrong. But merely recognizing in yourself a bad behavior is not what the text is requiring. Christ did not merely come to save those who acknowledge that they did some things wrong, He came to save sinners. Then what is a "sinner" if it is not merely someone who does bad things? To know yourself to be a sinner is to know yourself to be at the very core of your being one who is in rebellion against God and desiring your own self-will. Many have described being a sinner as "one who has missed the mark" but it may be better understood when you realize that the reason you're missing the mark is because you're aiming at the wrong target. Many take their aim from the stance that they are inwardly a good person and merely want to leave bad behavior. That's the wrong target. Consider the sin in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:6). The taking of the fruit was the expression of sin, but the sin in the garden was the complete rejection of the authority of the Almighty to yield to self-will and desire. So... do you qualify? Do you see yourself as a good person who has done some bad things, or do you know yourself to be a real sinner, a person who, at the core of the heart, have been in rebellion against the LORD? If it is the latter, then Jesus Christ came to save you--for He came to save sinners. The Pharisees never saw themselves as real sinners. Their claim to being the descendants of Abraham, and, ultimately, being the children of God (see John 8:39-41) prevented them from knowing themselves as real sinners. And that prevented them from coming to Christ for salvation--for Jesus came to save sinners. The Apostle Paul understood this--declaring himself to be not only a sinner, but the foremost of sinners. And let this be your declaration as well. If you see yourself as a good person who has only done bad things then you don't qualify, for Jesus came to save sinners. But when you know yourself to be a sinner, then run to Christ for you will find Him to be a merciful Savior. He came to save sinners, so He came to save you. Do as the Philippian jailer did, and cry out with your heart, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30). And we are told that this is "trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance." My friends, there is no one righteous, no one who is truly good. People can do good things. Behaviors can be modified to conform to a more moral standard. But it is in the heart where Jesus looks. God spoke to Samuel this very thing in 1 Samuel 16:7, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." If you hold doubts about your salvation, then let me ask three things: 1. Are you a sinner? 2. Did Jesus come to save sinners? 3. Will you believe on Jesus? If you answered yes to all three, then trust Him. He has never failed to do what He has promised, and He has promised to save all who trust Him. He will give you His righteousness in exchange for your sinfulness. He will cover you with His grace. He died to pay for your transgressions. He lives to deliver you from them. May this be a reminder to us all: Jesus Christ came to save sinners. In His Grace, Pastor Michael The Way of Righteousness3/2/2024 Hosea 14:9 ~ "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them." There are many who are of the world that consider themselves "wise and discerning." They have impressive intellects and educational pedigrees that boast of their considerable wisdom from the world. But the Apostle Paul entreats the Corinthians church in 1 Corinthians 3:18, "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise." Being wise in this age has very little to do with being wise unto salvation and the ways of righteousness. But, what are the "these things" spoken of in our text today? Simply put, it is repentance and the restoration of our lives before God. Much of the world has turned aside from knowing the true wisdom that is from the Lord. James 3:17 clearly defines the wisdom from God, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." But worldly wisdom has forsaken the ways of righteousness and pursued many other avenues and deviations away from the LORD. But the ways of the LORD are right. That is, they are always the only true way that is acceptable to the One who created us. So, believer, if you want to be truly wise in the things that are of highest importance, then you must understand and discern the things of God Almighty. And to find the things of the LORD, you must find them in His word. Romans 12:2 speaks to this, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." But discernment is of little value if it does not lead to a life of faithfulness. And in our text today we learn that the "upright walk" but "transgressors stumble." Let us consider those two conditions. The upright walk in the ways of God. There is a sense of a perpetual going, a continual putting one foot in front of the other along the path of the Lord's delight. Are you one who delights in the Lord? Do you hold some understanding and discernment concerning the ways of Christ? Even in our reading today, you've seen God's call to repentance and restoration. If you're ensnared in a sin, then repent--leave it behind and cry out to God for His deliverance. He promised that He will take away our iniquity and heal us from our apostasy (see Hosea 14:2, 4). Take a moment and recollect what you know of God's ways. Consider how He has called you to worship Him, to live in this world, to fellowship with His people and relate to those around you. Paul instructs the church in this in Philippians 3:15-16, "Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." You may not consider yourself mature, but you have attained to some level of spiritual growth. Live up to that my friends, and God will clarify for you the steps you are to take going forward. But transgressors stumble in the ways of God. Those who want to hold onto their sins will discover that they will forever stumble upon the ways of Christ. Peter addresses this in 1 Peter 2:7-8, "So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do." Transgressors who love their sins will argue with the Scriptures, twist the Scriptures, attack the Scriptures and malign the Scriptures--the one thing they never seem to do is obey the Scriptures. Unwilling to repent, they cannot follow in the ways of God for they consider the wisdom of God to be foolish. They love the wisdom of men and the ideologies of the world. They fall into the Proverb, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Dear friends, the ways of the LORD are right. No amount of debate will change it. If you want to walk upright in this world, you will walk according to the Word of God. You will also find yourself walking against the swelling tides of humanity that love their sin. They will never be able to walk in a way that pleases the LORD. And remember this promise as you enter the day, "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day" (Proverbs 4:18). May your life shine ever brighter today as you walk with Christ. In His Grace, Pastor Michael God is Always Watching3/1/2024 2 Chronicles 16:9 ~ "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars." Asa, king of Judah, trusted the LORD when foreign enemies came against the land. Until, that is, the northern kingdom of Israel attacked Judah. Then Asa did what all worldly kings would do, he sought the aid of another nation. He sent a gift to the king of Syria, inviting him to ally with Judah and go against the northern nation, Israel. Hanani, the seer (prophet), was sent by God to speak to Asa, and this rebuke against the king was not well received. Asa put Hanani into prison and in his anger caused harm against others. It was the worst possible response to the word of the LORD that Asa could have expressed. But, when a heart is not set to serve the LORD, the response will be to reject His word when it comes. And as Asa faced the northern nation come against him, have you experienced the attack of the enemy? Did you turn to Christ or to the world to find your support? The pressures set against the Christian are often great and the enemy still strives against the people of God. The enemy sends in his servants, and continues to harass those who follow Christ. But God is watching. And that's what you need to see at first. The eyes of the LORD range throughout the whole earth. And, yes, God is omnipresent as well as omniscient. That is to say, God is everywhere at all times and He knows all things. But there is an intentionality to the statement in our text today. God is specifically watching the entirety of the globe--and He is watching to see those who have a determined desire to trust in Him. Consider what the Lord Jesus said of God's search in John 4:23, "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." And that idea of being a worshiper of God is not just being a person who enjoys the experiential delights of praising God through music, but of one who has, in reverence and humility, bowed in submission and faith. God is seeking--maintaining a watchfulness over the earth--for those who have a desire for Him. The Almighty is seeking those who have hearts fully committed to Him in order to give them His strong support. And that is the second thing you need to see. God will strongly support those who have a heart "blameless." That word "blameless" can mean "loyal" or "at peace with." So, in that vein, God is looking to strongly support those who are loyal and at peace with Him. Jesus said at the end of Matthew that He will be with us always (see Matthew 28:20). There are those who might ask how come it seems that God's people are always suffering difficulty if the LORD has promised to strongly support them? Because, circumstantial deliverance is not always the best for God's people. If your difficult circumstances will bring glory to God, then be willing endure them by faith. For there will be no circumstance against you that is not, ultimately, going to be for your good (see Romans 8:28). God knows whether it is better for you to endure circumstances or be released from them. And, if your heart is "loyal and at peace with God" then you will trust Him even in the midst of suffering. Finally, Asa's unwillingness to trust in the LORD was declared to be a "foolish thing." Could there be anything more foolish than to trust something other than the LORD? Rejecting the LORD and trusting the world as an ally leaves you companioned with those whom the LORD will eventually destroy. Consider what it says in Isaiah 31:1, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!" The world might look like it can offer you assistance. But the cost is too high. Trust in the LORD, for He will strongly support and ultimately deliver those who are His. In His Grace, Pastor Michael From the Mountains to the SeaEvery step we take on this journey called life ought to be used for greater understanding. I've lived from the mountains to the sea, and this blog is my personal thoughts and observations with a desire for Biblical understanding. Welcome. Archives
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