​Psalm 40:1-3 ~ “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”
 
God is not deaf to the cries of His children, though it may seem like there is a delay in His rescue. With all faith upon Him, let us always remind ourselves that Christ Jesus who rescues us from our sins will also deliver us from despair. The lingering times, the waiting times, all that which requires our patience before the LORD is there to try our faith and bring us to look not to our own devices but to trust in the LORD who saves. In truth, there is never a trial experienced by God’s people which did not pass through His approval. And let us not forget the words of Paul in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” If you are, even now, going through a challenging moment in your life—though it might seem like a long-suffering experience—trust in the LORD and know that He has never once forgotten you.
 
Our text begins in the patient lamentation of David. We read, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.” I believe that all of God’s redeemed have experienced this condition. We cry out to the LORD for deliverance, and there in the midst of our suffering we find that there is a time of waiting laid upon us. Yet David had the right attitude, and so must we. We must be willing to wait patiently for the LORD. We read in Habakkuk 2:3, “If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” In the prophet’s cry, the answer from God was: wait. And so might the answer be for you and I. Our impatience does not change God’s response. He will do as always—and what He always does is good. He will incline Himself to listen to the prayers of His people, and He will never forget one of His own. But the LORD is not hurried as we are and we must have faith to wait patiently for the LORD.
 
We continue to consider our text today and read, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Beloved, you will not linger one moment longer than necessary in the trials you might have to face. The world is filled with the wicked who strive against the people of God. Yet the LORD sees and knows all that is happening in this world. And at the moment of God’s deliverance, you will find that He is able and will secure you upon solid ground. Peter expresses it in 1 Peter 5:10, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Three things from our text we see God will do: He will draw you up, removing you from the miry bog; He will set your feet upon a rock, giving you firm ground to stand upon; and He will secure your steps, stabilizing your way. If you are still in that place of difficulty, I would implore you to trust in the LORD for He will deliver you—cry out to Him and wait patiently.
 
In the midst of the circumstances, and through His deliverance, we will be given ample reason to praise Him. Our text continues, “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.” What a delight our hearts will have when we see God’s mighty hand deliver us out of the mire. Yet, even while we are in the difficulty, we will discover that there is ample reason for rejoicing. The disciples came from a time of persecution rejoicing in their suffering. Acts 5:41 states, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” And, from that exalted praise given to the LORD Almighty, those who see us will marvel and fear—and put their trust in the LORD. What a joy it is when our trials become the means that God uses to bring others to faith in Jesus Christ! Paul stated in Philippians 1:12-13, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.” Let us be said of us that through our sufferings the testimony of the gospel is proclaimed.
 
As we wait, we trust. God will deliver as He has promised. Let us hold fast to our faith until that day—and rejoice, knowing that God has never once and never will fail His children.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Ephesians 6:10 ~ “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
 
Much is made of the spiritual war that surrounds believers across the world. Every Christian, no matter how much the environment around them is seemingly peaceful, there are still enemies about. As Paul discoursed on the Christian life in the previous chapters of Ephesians, there must come the awareness to all believers that the life God commands us to live is contrary to the desires of the world. Which brings us into the conflicts that occur. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:12, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” As the battles come and we face those “fiery trials,” let us always stand in the strength of God.
 
As we consider our text for today, we start with needed to have the right focus. This is drawn off the first word of our text, “Finally.” Literally, this word means “henceforth” or “going on from here.” Paul, having illuminated the believer’s life in all the chapters that came before our text today, the apostle now brings the believer to the right focus. It is of primary necessity that you understand what you’re walking into. Our LORD reminds us in John 16:4, “But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.” If your intent is to live out the Christian life according to God’s word, then you need to know that there will be those who stand in opposition to you. Paul says as much in 2 Timothy 3:12-13, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Do you desire to live a godly life in Christ? Then you must understand that you are walking forward into spiritual combat.
 
As we continue in our text today, let us next have the right faculty. We read the next portion of the text that commands, “be strong in the Lord.” This is a command, dear Christian. We are not given a suggestion here, nor are we merely encouraged to be strong in the LORD. We are commanded to be so. And yet how is a believer to obey this command? For we are powerless in ourselves, without any faculty of strength, to accomplish the work of Christ or live out the life of faith that we are commanded to live. We must be empowered by Christ, through His Spirit, to have the strength to stand. Our LORD Jesus tells us in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Let us remain near to our LORD through His word, applying His commands to our life and trusting that He will strengthen us as we follow Him in faithful obedience. Paul expounds on his own situation us in 2 Timothy 4:17, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.” Beloved, the LORD will stand by you as well. As you are walking in faithfulness and obedience to Him, you will find His strength holding you up.
 
We finish with this thought from the text: we must have the right fortitude. Our text for today concludes with this, “and in the strength of his might.” We are to walk in the vigor of Christ, leaning on His might and trusting in His ability. Our endurance will require it. Dear Christian, you will have need of the fortitude of the Almighty to continue along the road ahead. There are steps to take and it will require that God continually give you the stamina to press on. Habakkuk 3:19 states, “God, the LORD, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.” Like climbing a mountain, the higher you go the more difficult the way. But the only way to get to the top is to press on. Paul makes this great declaration in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This does not mean that no matter what Paul wants to do, he can do it. But, rather, that Paul was certain that no matter what the LORD would send the apostle into, that God Almighty would be his strength in the midst of it.
 
You and I can, as we follow and are faithful to Christ, discover His strength working through us. We read in Colossians 1:11, “…being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” This can and should be the experience of every Christian.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Revelation 5:8-10 ~ “And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’”
 
The scroll—the title-deed to all creation—could only be opened by One hand, the LORD Jesus Christ. There in the halls of heaven the Lamb who was slain stood and received it from His Father, and will hold forever His authority as LORD of all the nations. God Almighty declares in Psalm 2:8, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” Angels of heaven and the redeemed of the LORD will bow down and worship Him. And in the end, all of creation itself will submit to the LORD Jesus Christ.
 
Let us first look at His worthiness from His work. We read in Revelation 5:9a, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God…” This grand new song comes from those who know the work of the LORD and His great sacrifice to redeem His people. They know, as do all the redeemed of the LORD, that Jesus alone is worthy. He is the One who identified fully with mankind, coming in the form of a man and willingly gave His life in payment for our sins. The work of Christ is the cross and He won the victory and has earned the right to be LORD of all. We read in Hebrews 2:9, “But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
 
Now let us consider His work for the world. We continue reading in our text for today, Revelation 5:9b, “…by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Jesus didn’t die on the cross to show the world how to be a martyr but to open the gate for the world to be saved. And from every corner, every walk of life, every group, the LORD is calling to Himself a people for His very own. Does this mean that God will save everyone? No. It means that the LORD will save all who believe. Those who reject the LORD, who despise His sacrifice and deny His work will remain outside of His salvation. But there is no people group who is excluded from the opportunity to know His grace. We read in 1 John 2:2, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
 
We conclude with this: Jesus saves those from the world for His worship. We read in Revelation 5:10, “And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Jesus brings in people from every tribe, language and nation for the singular purpose of reigning with and worshiping Him. The LORD Jesus is building a Kingdom, and His citizens will each be priests before Him who will express joyful gratitude and love to the Savior who gave His life for the salvation of man. 1 Peter 2:9 declares, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Even now, Christians are to proclaim His excellence, give Him honor and stand as the testimony of His great love available to all who believe. He will receive any who will come by faith. He spoke with the woman at the well and declared, “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” (John 4:23).
 
We see all of this revealed in Philippians 2:8-10, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 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.”
 
Beloved, let us be those who willingly bow our knee to Jesus, exalting His name and confessing that He is LORD. He alone is worthy.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

Mark 4:30-32 ~ “And he said, 'With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.'”
 
There are believers who see themselves as insignificant and of little use to the LORD. They can only see themselves as a small, unimportant aspect of the kingdom of Christ. Beloved, that is not at all true. God does not make you new so that you are left with no real worth. As a new creation in Christ, the LORD has purposely determined that the condition you are in is truly the right and most necessary one for you at that time. It is the LORD who places the good works before us as revealed in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Do not think that for one moment your station in life is inconsequential. You and I have no notion of God’s great purpose. We are called to be His, and what He does with us is in His will.
 
As we consider the Scripture for today, the first thing you must understand is that you are strategically imbedded in your location. We read in our text today, “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground.” The seed of the mustard tree is not a plant that gets scattered like wheat. This plant is placed with purpose—strategically situated by the Master. Psalm 80:8-9, “You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.” As God did for Israel, taking them out of Egypt and planting them in the land of Canaan, He has done with you—taking you out of the world and planting you in your current situation that you might grow and serve Him right where you are.
 
Moving from there, in the eyes of the world you might seem insignificant. Our text continues, “is the smallest of all the seeds on earth.” The world often considers those who follow Christ as the “smallest” of mankind. Holding to a faith that is built upon antiquity, we who believe on Jesus are relegated as inconsequential for we never seem to “get with the times.” Some Christians begin to believe what the world says about them, and turn to the tactics of the world to try and do the LORD’s work. Yet, consider what Paul told the church in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” Some believe that God should choose the best and brightest in the world to use their fame and stature to, somehow, enhance His already absolute glory. It is the foolish and the shameful things God will use, displaying His power and His alone.
 
Let us rise to this, we are planted by God in the life we have and in Christ we are surprisingly important. Our text continues, “yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” Do not think of the small plant that produces the yellow mustard that is used as a condiment. There is great importance to the mustard tree. It produces sweet fruit. And does not our LORD tell us that we are to be fruitful (see John 15:5). It possesses purifying properties. And, as the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) we remain in this world to try and help others find repentance from sin and holiness in Christ. It has a great capacity to succeed in circumstances unsuited for growth. For the Christian, growth often happens in the most tumultuous circumstances (see James 1:2-4). Dear Christian, these are the qualities that God is producing in you through your faithfulness to Christ. You have far greater worth through the LORD, for these same qualities are in you.
 
Our LORD tells us in  John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” My friends, let these qualities of Christ flow from you that those who are in your life can experience the life-giving water of the LORD Jesus Christ. Do not count your importance or stature by worldly standards. If God has recued you from sin, He has also planted you strategically for His purpose. Serve where you are and know that the LORD will use you.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Obadiah 1:3-4 ~ “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.”
 
High atop their ivory towers many see themselves unassailable by trouble. The look upon all that they have built, and they glory in the structures of life that provide for them an edifice of security against the seas of trouble that might affect those beneath them. With arrogant hearts they declare that they have achieved a station in life outside the reach of all—even God Almighty. Thus were the descendants of Esau. In the mountain fortress of Petra, Edom believed they were secure. And with hearts filled with arrogance, they raised their hand against the people of Israel to fight against them. It is pride that believes life is beyond the reach of God.
 
Consider the opening statement of our text today and understand that pride is very deceptive, “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” How dreadful it is to live with a vainglorious heart. And yet, the greater dilemma is seen not in just the overreaching arrogance but in the deception it embraces. For a prideful heart will be a deceiving one, leading the individual to believe something of themselves that is not true. We know from Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Edom believed that their security rested in the heights upon which they lived. They saw their fortress and the rocky spires that towered around them and believed that nothing could ever defeat their position. It is the same with any who believe in their own superiority. Pride was the enemy’s downfall. Isaiah 14:14 illuminates, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Eyes filled with pride will never be able to see in truth the condition of their own life. Jesus warned the Pharisees in John 9:41, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.”
 
As we continue in the text for today, consider the statement that is made within a prideful heart, “who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” The self-deceived heart will never admit to a weakness or acknowledge a fault in their thinking. They fall into the condition of the fool in Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” God is graciously patient and will send warnings and words of caution and calls to repentance. Yet the warnings and counsels that swirl around their ears go unheeded. This same arrogance fell upon the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. Though warned in a dream and urged to repent by the prophet, Daniel, the king did not heed those words and his pride led to his downfall (see Daniel 4:28-37). The self-talk of the arrogant will never confess to any transgressions or admit to any errors. They see themselves with an unbreachable station in life that they cannot be brought low. Though Scripture is filled with the examples of those whose pride delivered them to destruction, they continue to exalt themselves in their own eyes.
 
Dear ones, there is no place where God cannot reach. Which now brings us to the final portion of the text for today, “Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.” The nation of Edom held to the belief that their city, like an eagle’s aerie high in the mountains, surrounded by towering peaks, could never be invaded, let alone, overthrown. Yet the LORD Almighty said that if they could even nest amongst the stars, they were not out of His reach. Where the nation said, “who will bring me down,” God declared, “I will.” And so it is with the arrogant today. Many who live with such hubris have in their thinking that there is nothing that is able to dismantle their lives. Consider the warning of Proverbs 16:5, “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” God Almighty has a great love for the humble, but the prideful He will despise. James 4:6 reminds us, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
 
Dear ones, humble yourselves before God Almighty. Do not walk in arrogance and pride as many do. He will welcome the humble, but the arrogant He knows from a distance (see Psalm 138:6). Pride, beloved, is the downfall of every man.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Romans 8:1-2 ~ “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
 
As we move into the month of December, with much anticipation for the celebration of the birth of the LORD Jesus, we look upon a text today that illuminates the purpose for which He came. In our text today we find the great promise of God is at hand! All sin and rebellion have been conquered, all necessary payments have been made and all of this has been done in Christ alone. There is not one drop of human righteousness that can satisfy the LORD God Almighty. Isaiah 64:6 testifies, “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Even our striving in our own righteousness is merely a filthy rag before the LORD, unclean and unholy. Paul spoke of such as these in Romans 10:3, “For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” No amount of effort by anyone will bring them into a state of acceptance with the LORD. If we strive in the flesh to try and achieve what was done by Christ alone, we will find ourselves still in the judgment of the Almighty. Paul tells us in Romans 8:8, “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Take this moment to read Romans 8:1-11.
 
Before we delve into this tremendous gift, we must first understand that this is not a universal condition for all of mankind. It is a limited group who can claim this promise. For this promise of God is, as our text reads, “for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is the great qualifier! Outside of Christ Jesus you remain in the condemnation of the LORD. Jesus says in John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” What does it mean to be “in Christ Jesus?” Simply this: to believe on Him. To trust Him as your Savior and surrender to Him as your LORD is to be found “in Christ.” Do you know yourself guilty before God, condemned as a sinner, and that Jesus took upon Himself your full punishment that He could give you a full pardon from your sins? Because of Jesus your guilt is taken away and your sins are atoned. Now, beloved, yield yourself to the LORD Jesus. Paul says in Colossians 3:3, “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Preach this gospel to yourself every day. Remind yourself that you have no righteousness of your own, but it is all found in Christ. Hide yourself in Jesus, be united with Him in life and you will be with Him in eternity.
 
Now, as we come to the opening text, let your heart be greatly encouraged by this wonderful promise. We read, “There is therefore now no condemnation.” Oh what heights of wonder this statement brings! The condemned sinner is redeemed. The prisoner is invited to the palace to take up residence with the King of kings. It is done “now” and not a promise to come later. If you are in Him, you are even now a child of God, an inheritor of glory and a wearer of the righteousness of Christ. 1 John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” You may not see it in yourself as of yet, for your eyes are still dim and see only through darkened glass (see 1 Corinthians 13:12). But someday, my dear Christian, you will see it clearly enough—for you will stand in the very presence of the One who saved you. The condemnation that was yours, upon the moment of your faith, that judgment was paid in full upon the account of the LORD Jesus. There is no condemnation. You do not wait upon a lesser judgment, nor do you hope to have a lighter sentence given. The Divine Judge has dismissed your case upon the payment of Christ and you are set free.
 
Maybe you remember your old sins, or there are those remnants of the flesh that hang upon your life. The pardon of the Almighty covers them all. Every transgression and sin are propitiated by Jesus. Why? Our final text tells us, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” The law of sin and death has been satisfied in the death and resurrection of the LORD. When you are in Christ Jesus, you come under the law of the Spirit, which is the gospel promise of Jesus. Under this law, you are set free.
 
Come to this text and look to the LORD daily. Remind yourself of what He has done and continue to anchor your faith to Jesus Christ. Let His promise be your strong defense against any lingering doubts concerning His great mercy for all who believe.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Romans 7:18-19 ~ “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
 
We come today to one of the most pressing Scriptures that weigh upon our lives. There are some who will embrace this text as a means of excusing their sinful behavior. Others will take this as the accepted default condition of their lives, almost in a nihilistic approach to their spiritual journey. In truth this is the Christian life—a battle of surrender, either to the flesh or to the LORD. Paul would say in Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Can you relate to this? Is there a hatred in you for the things that are contrary to Christ? And yet, do you also find that you fall into behaviors and actions that coincide with the corruptions that you despise? It is frustrating, even despairing at times that there remains the residual wickedness of the flesh. Before you go further, read Romans 7:14-25.
 
We begin with a very simple question: what do you know? Our text opens with the declaration of the apostle, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” This, dear ones, is where it needs to begin. You have to know yourself rightly before you can ever step one foot forward in faithfulness to the LORD. And yet, it is true that those who are born-again have received a new nature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” So how could the Apostle Paul say that nothing good dwells in him and that he is a new creation in Christ? Simple—the new which has come is the nature which abhors the sinful nature, and it is the very essence of the believer’s life. Yet the old nature, though passed away, still contaminates the new and is subject to the continuing temptations of the flesh. Paul cries out in Romans 7:24, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Do you know that nothing of your old, sinful nature is good? The only good that you or I possess is given through Jesus Christ, dwelling in you by the Holy Spirit.
 
The next question is this: what do you desire? Paul continues with this statement, “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” The new nature will desire the things of the LORD Jesus. And yet... here we go again! We have the desire but not the ability. We want to do what is right—and fail to carry it out. The will is there, the ability is not. This is where the great frustrations of our journey are found. Paul would say in Romans 7:21, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” The wickedness of our former life is always present, for we cannot escape ourselves. God Almighty warned Cain of this very thing in Genesis 4:7, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” We must be hidden in Christ, and find in Him the strength to overcome the evil that is crouching at the door of our heart.
 
Our third question is similar, but addresses our actions: what do you want to do? Paul confesses, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” Have you found yourself there? You do not want to gossip, but when the opportunity for gossip arrives, you can’t seem to keep yourself silent? You do not want to envy, but when another person is honored and you are ignored, your heart rises up with all manner of envious thoughts? This list is as long as the sins of mankind—for the evil of our former self still wars against our new nature. Paul addresses this in Romans 7:23, “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.” You cannot say that you long to be free from sin if you continue to seek out opportunities to indulge in the flesh. But if you are at war with your former nature, and cling to the LORD Jesus as your only strength, then beloved, hear the words of Romans 7:25, “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.”
 
Your perceptions, desires and loves have all changed in Christ. And, as you seek Him in His word you will discover through His Spirit a growing strength in you to overcome the residual sinfulness. Though we will never be totally free from them in this world, we look forward to the day when we will never know sinfulness again.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Colossians 3:16 ~ “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
 
There is a great necessity to have your mind and heart renewed in the LORD Jesus Christ. Many will take upon themselves after their coming to Christ to try and navigate their life and this world with a former wisdom that will not sustain them. They often look to the things that they knew in the past, trying to make sense of what they see around them, yet desiring to follow Christ and serve Him. In the end, they fall into the condition described in Proverbs 19:2, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” Do you desire to follow the LORD? Let it be built upon a knowledge of His word. Let us not run ahead of the LORD, but learn His ways and then follow in His steps.
 
As we consider the opening of our text today, we read, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” It must be the desire of all Christians to have the indwelling word of Christ. And abandon the idea that it only needs to be some small sampling of the truth, it must dwell in you richly. This richness of God’s word means to have it dwelling in your heart and mind in copious amounts, with great abundance. When the crowds fell away from the LORD, the disciples were questioned to their remaining (see John 6:66-67). Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). The Apostles remained with the LORD, not because they saw the great miracles of Jesus but because of His words. Without saturating your life with the Scriptures, you will fall prey to all manner of devious attempts by the enemy to trip you up and steer you into any number of errors.
 
If you are one who is richly indwelt by the word of Christ, and you have a depth of understanding concerning the Scriptures, let us then do as it says, “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” This is not the formal task of becoming a teacher as revealed in Ephesians concerning the role of the pastor/teacher (see Ephesians 4:11). This more aligns with the understanding of a friend-to-friend relationship in Christ that helps another grow in Christ and avoid the pitfalls that are in the world. For to “teach” is to point out the correct way and to “admonish” is to warn against the false way. Let this not happen without first being richly filled with God’s word. It is a dreadful thing to be guided in the faith by one who has no notion or understanding of the word of Christ. For our text today clearly instructs that this is to be done in “all wisdom.” Hebrews 3:13 commands, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” If you are seeking out the means by which you can grow in the LORD and the knowledge of His word, then it is upon you to seek out those who have walked with the LORD in wisdom and are rich with understanding. Proverbs 13:20 states, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
 
If you are living your life filled with the Word of Christ, richly indwelt by His truth, then the outflow of your life will be the testimony of joy. We read the final statement of our text today, “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” There are some who shrink back from this text for fear of their lack of musical talent. But, beloved, this has nothing to do with the means of making great melodies or raising a harmonious chorus that is delightful to an audience. Have the word of God richly indwell your heart and you will discover an ever-increasing joy welling up through you. Why? Simply this: you have a deepening gratitude before the LORD for all He has done to rescue you from sin and make you His own. It will be a public display of upward joy that springs forth from your growing knowledge of the LORD Jesus. Peter expresses this in 1 Peter 1:8-9, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
 
Let the Scriptures stand above all other teachings, and go to them often and with great desire. Do not let your zeal for Christ be a vaporous cloud that has no substance. Open your heart and mind to be taught the Word of Christ, and then you will discover a growing delight that will overflow with joy.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​1 Corinthians 15:56-58 ~ “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”
 
Dear Christian, do not tremble when you consider the door that lay before you—the passage that leads from this fallen world to our glorious home in the heavens. Do not, dear ones, fear death. Many are anxious when they consider it for it stands before us as the greatest mystery yet to be revealed. Hebrews 2:16 tells us that the fear of death holds a person in “lifelong slavery.” In truth, it is like a slavery, for the fear of death binds us away from what might be unshackled faithfulness to our LORD. We would risk all for our King, except that there is a danger associated with it.
 
As we consider our text today, let us first understand our greatest adversary. We read in the opening of today’s Scripture, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Do you think that death is the great adversary? We read in Isaiah 25:8, “He will swallow up death forever; and the LORD GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.” Death has been vanquished in Christ! Yet the sting of death remains, for it is because of sin those who do not belong to Christ will be brought to a bitter and woeful end. It is not death but sin that is our foe. We read in 1 Peter 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” If you are not one who goes to war against your own sinful nature, then be warned for it could be that you are still in your sins and not in Christ at all. The Christian is not one who does not sin, but one who hates his sin and takes even his thoughts captive to be obedient to Christ (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
 
When our greatest adversary is conquered, let us then uphold a thankful attitude. We read in our text, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” If you have victory over sin, you have victory over death. Jesus our great Conquering Hero has paid the price for our redemption and all who belong to Him have their sins forgiven and remembered no more. Does this not illuminate our lives with an unwavering thankfulness to our LORD? Our victory is secured in the Lord Jesus Christ and let that truth raise your attitude to the heavens. Is there any other experience than that of being saved that can elevate your attitude to such heights of praise? So… Give thanks! We read in 2 Corinthians 4:14-15, “Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”
 
With such a view of our redemption, let us strive to be always faithful in our actions. As our text concludes for today, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Because of the victory we have in Christ, let us stand rock solid in our faith and strive to abound in the work of the LORD. Our actions express our faith, and let our greatest actions be that of sacrificial love for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is not one act of faithful, loving obedience you give to Christ that is in vain. He sees the toil you’re under, knows the strain you face. He understands the dangers involved. We read in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Don’t hold back, beloved, for you have been set free from all fear. God has redeemed you in Christ and He will receive you in His glorious kingdom. We have but a moment here on earth, let us do all we can for the LORD.
 
This is the unshackled faithfulness of God’s people. The sting of death is gone. The law of God has been satisfied on your behalf in Christ. In the gratitude of your heart for all that He has done, walk through this world with an unwavering determination to fruitfully labor for the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​2 Corinthians 9:10-12 ~ “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
 
Some might read this Scripture text today and decide that they do not have such abundance that they could ever enrich the life of another. Then others will read it and wonder if they should part with their resources, not knowing if the cause is going to be beneficial. One morning I met a poor man on the road, and we talked of his needs. I offered what little I could and his gratitude was evident. Yet, I didn’t depart but continued to listen to his story. In the end, he gave me more in dispensing the wisdom he had gained from the LORD than I could have ever repaid if I had the wealth of Solomon to enrich his life. We must never measure our generosity based solely on our physical possessions. As we consider this text today, let us be ever thankful for the enrichment given by our LORD in our lives.
 
We read the opening of our text and discover that there is provision from God, “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of righteousness.” We forget too often that the wealth of the LORD is not merely an abundance of possessions. God will enrich your life in ways you may not yet understand, in treasures such as wisdom, knowledge or creativity. God may have poured into you a spark of music or the mathematician’s mind. It is God who supplies the very essence of life. He who pours out His blessings in common grace to all mankind shall not then be stingy to His beloved children who desire a harvest of righteousness. Consider what the Apostle Peter said to the poor beggar at the temple, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The church of our LORD Jesus is rich with the means of scattering seed, always intent upon producing a harvest of righteousness in the lives of others as they come to faith in Christ. Will you give what you do have so that God’s work may be done through you?
 
As we continue in our text today, we discover that this is to be the practice of the saints, “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” Generosity ought to be the standard condition of the saints of the LORD. We are not enriched in any aspect of life that, as God’s children, we should hoard to ourselves the abundance of God. Let us continue to excel in generosity with glad and grateful hearts. Let me ask, by way of example, are you saddled with an excess amount of time on your hands? There are many who merely squander it to their own harm, not being generous with that precious resource. Yet, if you are willing to spend that commodity upon the lives of others it will produce thanksgiving to God. Consider the words of Acts 2:44-45, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” You may not have treasures, but you might have time and you do have talent that could be shared in plentiful proportions.
 
What a wonder that our lives could bring forth the praise of others toward God. We read the final portion of our text, “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” Two great accomplishments occur through the generosity of the saints: needs of the church are met and praise is offered to God. Perhaps you’ve been the recipient of the generous giving of another and you found your heart overflowing with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD for their kindness. Perhaps you’ve been the one who cared for a need and experienced the joyful truth, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Whether you were the giver or receiver, you were connected to the great expression of thanks being given to God.
 
Let us do as our LORD commands in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” In this way, we will always be a participant in the wonderful work of Christ, bringing glory, honor and abundant thanks to the Father.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Isaiah 12:3-6 ~ “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.’”
 
In this season of Thanksgiving, as we consider all that the LORD has done for us, we must take time to rejoice. The one who is born-again is filled with such joy in the LORD that they cannot help but spill it over into the channels of their life. Homes, places of employment, and especially houses of worship become ample riverbeds where the rushing waters of joy can spill out of the heart of any believer. As we consider our text for today, may our lives overflow with gratitude for all that Christ has done.
 
Let us first partake of the well. Our text begins, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Jesus told Israel’s teacher, “You must be born-again” (John 3:7). These words of Jesus are not just spiritual sentimentalism but an absolute necessity. For you to overflow with the life of Christ you need to drink deep at the well of salvation. We hear from our LORD in John 4:14 as He speaks with the woman at the well, “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
 
We will then praise with thanksgiving. Our text today continues, “And you will say in that day: ‘Give thanks to the LORD.’” This might be the first expression of the one who is born again. At every point where Jesus sets a person free, there is always an overflowing gratitude for His mercy and grace. Let it be so for the greatest deliverance of all, our rescue from sin and death and hell. How can you not say “thanks” to God for His indescribable gift? A heart of gratitude always follows a life reborn. We read in Psalm 118:21, “I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.”
 
We shall offer prayers in His name. The next statement in our text is simple but filled with profound meaning: “call upon his name.” Prayer is to draw our heart near to God to receive as well as to express the issues of life. How precious it is when a child begins to speak to his parents—more so when the child of God begins to speak with God. We are privileged to call upon His name, for He has opened the way for us to always enter into His presence through prayer. We read in John 16:24, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
With enthusiasm, let us proclaim Him among the nations. Our text continues, “make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.” When you love the LORD, how can you not tell somebody? Proclaiming the LORD Jesus should be the natural outflow of a heart that belongs to Him. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
 
Let us then praise Him with joy! Our text concludes with this: “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy.” Do you have a song in your heart? Joy is the hallmark of a heart filled with Christ. Not artificial giddiness or superficial cheerfulness but a deep joy that resonates through your life as you praise the LORD. God is our Savior! How can we remain under a cloud of gloom when we have been redeemed? The great apostle tells us in Ephesians 5:18-20, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the LORD with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.” The lost might find their temporary joys in the intoxications of this world, but as Christians we have a far more glorious life to draw upon for our needed joy.
 
The Psalmist writes in Psalm 107:1-3, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” And, beloved, let this be the theme of our lives, as we take this time to give thanks to the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Judges 21:24-25 ~ “And the people of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
 
There is danger, dear Christian, when the ways of God are forsaken for the ways of men. In the days of Israel, in the period where the judges led the people of God, much turmoil and great distresses occurred. The people of God would rebel, and then the Almighty would raise up a judge to lead the people back to the LORD and to victory over their enemies. Our text today comes at the end of a war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes. To find the details of this war, you will need to read Judges chapters 17-21. Unrighteousness plagued the people, and their choices and decisions showed a departure from the truth and righteousness of God.
 
This dark and dreadful period is framed by a critical statement first in Judges 17:6 and again in our text today: “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” We shall get to that at the end of the reading today, but we must consider first the opening of our text. “And the people of Israel departed from there at that time, every man to his tribe and family, and they went out from there every man to his inheritance.” It seems like a simple statement showing the men who had gathered at Shiloh merely heading home. But take into account what had occurred during the dance at Shiloh (see Judges 21:20-21). This kidnapping escapade was taken with such indifference that after it happened these men thought so little of it that they merely departed and went home.
 
There is a reason for such a departure from the ways of God Almighty. We find the first in the next portion of our text. “In those days there was no king in Israel.” Of what value is a king? Why is this statement given? A king provides not only executive leadership to a nation, or judicial care over the land, a king often established the moral parameters for the behavior of his subjects. As an example, consider the king of Nineveh in the days of Jonah. We read in Jonah 3:6, “The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” His actions and his proclamation directed the city to repent from their wickedness. We see in the wicked kings of Israel and Judah how they led their people down a spiritual and moral decline until the nation was filled with idolatry. Consider what was said of Baasha, king of Israel, “He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin” (1 Kings 15:34). The people would not look to the LORD God as their King, and threw off the authority of His judges. God speaks to Samuel regarding this, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them” (1 Samuel 8:7). This begs the question, is the LORD Jesus Christ your King?
 
The danger of throwing off the authority of the LORD comes in the next statement of our text today, “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Without God to set the standard for what is right and wrong, everyone eventually will gravitate to their own parameters. It is a tragic condition of the fall of mankind that we tend to think that we have a better notion concerning our lives than the LORD God who created us. It takes us all the way back to the original sin in Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Adam and Eve stood before the tree and dismissed the instruction of God for their own desires. They did what was “right in their own eyes.” It might be safe to say that every sin can fall into that category. Proverbs 3:7 cautions, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”
 
Do not look upon sin with indifference, dear Christian. Jesus is our King and He has established the constraints of our life. To depart from His authority is to establish another in your heart. Either you will seek a false god or, as the children of Israel did, you will do what is right in your own eyes. Let us always fear the LORD and follow Him.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Jeremiah 8:11-12 ~ “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the LORD.”
 
Do not let sin remain as a festering wound upon your soul. In the days of Jeremiah, prophets and priests who were charged by God to proclaim His word clearly and directly to the people, failed in their task. By way of illustration: it would be a grave situation if a doctor with the cure for a deadly disease withheld that cure and ignored the danger facing the population. So it is that many continue without the slightest qualms of conscience because they do not hear anything concerning the danger of their transgressions.
 
This is how it was in the days of Jeremiah. We read in the opening of our text today, “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” A false prophet named Hananiah spoke to the priests and informed them that they would see the elimination of the threat of Babylon (see Jeremiah 28:1-4). Yet the true prophet of God, Jeremiah, told Hananiah of his wicked error in Jeremiah 28:15-17, “And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, ‘Listen, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.”’ In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.” It is a dreadful thing to try and heal a critical wound with a light bandage. Because of the false prophets, they did not believe their situation was so terrible.
 
Is it not now the same with the church today? Are there not gatherings of Christians holding fast to the idea that they can enjoy the pleasures of this world and participate in the idolatrous practices of the land around them, and then believe that they are innocent before the LORD? And in the audience chambers of the houses of worship, proclaimers are telling them that their worldliness is righteous and their sins are merely cultural and not critical in nature. Even before the first century passed, we read this warning in Jude 1:4, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” As the nation of Judah was at peace with their idolatry, there are many today who are at peace with their sins, unwilling to repent and renounce their rebellion before the LORD. They fall into the dangerous situation that is revealed in Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
 
We continue the text with this dire statement, “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush.” Beloved, it is a good thing to feel shame and remorse for sins. It is good to be able to blush, to sense the humiliation of the activity of sins around us. How many, today, can casually hear the name of their LORD taken in vain? Are there times when, confronted by God and His word, you remain unfazed concerning your own sin? The church in Corinth suffered this condition and Paul confronted it in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” I hope and trust that you who are reading this still have the capacity to blush with shame when God confronts your sins.
 
Jeremiah completes his warning against the nation, “Therefore they shall fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they shall be overthrown, says the LORD.” This is the cataclysm awaiting those who refuse to repent. There is none to deliver out of the hand of God, and He will bring His people through the crucible to punish their sin and purify their hearts. Many, even now, might wonder “how can we know if this is us?” Ask yourself two questions: First, do you love your sin and seek ways of compromising with it that you should keep it with you? Or, second, do you love your Savior and seek to repent and be cleansed of sin that you should glorify Him?
 
It is the undressed wound of sin that will fester in and rot the soul. Dress it with the Word of God and let the Holy Spirit convict you that you should deal with sin as it truly is—a deadly condition to be treated seriously.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

Joel 3:14-16 ~ “Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.”
 
All the earth shall be gathered before the LORD in the valley of decision. Our God Almighty will bring together all who have ever been. The entire population of the human race will be judged before the LORD on high. This day is coming, soon it will arrive, and no matter how a person might run or how they hope to hide, they will never escape the penetrating gaze of God. Many will be like those that the Apostle Peter spoke of in 2 Peter 3:4, “They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’” And throughout the ages of mankind, this question has been asked. Times of great turmoil and destruction have happened in the midst of the generations that have come and gone. Why are things different now? Lest we forget, dear ones, God offers warnings and moments that should stir up our hearts to seek Him. Those times of testing, and days of great unrest are but the birth-pains that Jesus spoke of (see Matthew 24:8). But another day will come—a day that will bring about the final judgment of God.
 
Our text opens today with this declaration, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” This pronouncement is the decree of God that all humanity will be gathered. It is “multitudes of multitudes” or “multitudes beyond count” that is recorded in this text. You will be there and so will I. Everyone who is in Christ will be there as well as everyone who stands apart from Christ. And where will they be? They will be in the “valley of decision.” We find this great multitude gathered in Revelation 20:11-12, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life.” There in that place the LORD Almighty holds the records of all those who lived on the earth. No argument will be permitted, for God’s records are absolute. It is called the “day of the LORD” for there will be no other who will speak, no other who will give a defense, no other who will have any say in the matter of God’s final verdict. Amos 5:18 says, “Woe to you who desire the day of the LORD! Why would you have the day of the LORD? It is darkness, and not light.” Our text even reminds us that the sun, moon and stars will be stripped of light, “The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.” How could they possibly shine their lights when the LORD comes in His vengeance against the wickedness of man. As the sun went dark when Jesus was crucified for the sins of man, so the universe will go dark at the final judgment of the Almighty.
 
Too many take lightly the fury of the LORD against the sins of man. Our text continues, “The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake.” The prophet, Isaiah, reminds us, “For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire” (Isaiah 66:15). The terror of the LORD will fall upon all mankind in that day and creation itself will tremble and quake with His wrath. The LORD is patient, and He waits for all who will believe. But God’s patience will come to a close and He will finally and fully put an end to sin and rebellion against Him. Do we not know that the LORD is God? Shall we not tremble in His presence? The LORD asks in Jeremiah 5:22, “Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me?”
 
And yet, the LORD is a place of safety for His people. We read the conclusion of our text today, “But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.” Where the world will try to flee from the coming wrath of God, the believer will run to the waiting arms of the Savior. As they cry out for the rocks to hide them (see Revelation 6:15-17), the people of God see the coming King of kings and rejoice—for God is their refuge and not their judge. With their names written in the Book of Life, their judgment was borne by the LORD Jesus.
 
So, let me ask, beloved, where will you stand in the valley of decision? Will you be with the LORD or with the world? The day is coming and will soon be here when all will stand before God. Only those who stand with Christ will find refuge from His wrath.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Psalm 57:1 ~ “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”
 
I am certain that everyone who reads this understands the peril of being caught in a storm. Howling winds and driving rain, with lightning flashing and thunders rolling across the earth, a person feels completely helpless under such power. Shelter is desperately needed when a storm rages. But where is a person to find refuge when the storms assail? An example of this is Paul as he sailed across the Mediterranean Sea. Acts 27:18-20 give the picture, “Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.” You may be in a storm right now. Circumstances might stand hard against you and you find that there are no shelters available from the world around you. Dear saint, there is a refuge in Christ.
 
David fled for his life from King Saul. 1 Samuel 19:11-12 reveals, “Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David's wife, told him, ‘If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.’ So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped.” David’s circumstances had turned into a hurricane of danger, as the wrath of the king of Israel was bent upon destroying the one God had selected to be the next king of the nation. The only hope was to run. And our text today is the cry of David’s heart when he fled.
 
The first thing to take note of is this: David never dismissed the danger that swirled around him. He recognized the reality of his situation. There are some who see the danger and then, foolishly, presume upon the LORD to merely turn it aside or prevent it from falling upon them. But God Almighty has not promised a life without difficulty. In fact, just the opposite is true. Jesus told us in Mark 13:13, “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Again, Jesus says in Matthew 10:23, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” What David did in our text today was cry out to the God of mercy. We read, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge.” This is where we must also turn. Let us first and foremost seek the God of mercy. We cry out to the LORD for mercy from our trials, and then we must trust that the LORD who sees all things will do for us exactly what He has deemed to be the best. He did not deliver David right away, for David remained hidden from Saul, hiding out in the country and was constantly on the run. Yet David did not relinquish his confidence in the LORD. He looked to God and declared with certainty, “in you my soul takes refuge.” Consider this: in every cave David hid, and every valley that concealed him from the roving eyes of the wrathful Saul, was a shelter upon which he could give thanks to the LORD.
 
We must find that our constant hope is Christ the LORD. There are continual storms that rage against the Christian, persecutions and hardships, natural disasters and wicked enemies. We are not exempt from trials and are not spared the turmoil of this harsh world. Let us, then, with David declare our absolute security in God. We read, “in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.” Like a small bird finding shelter under the wings of its mother, so we find our shelter under the grace and mercy of our LORD Jesus Christ. It may be that we face difficulties, but our confidence must not be in our circumstances but in His love. How long, then, shall we wait in faith for the LORD’s deliverance? Even as our text declares, “till the storms of destruction pass by.” Hebrews 4:16 instructs, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Oh, beloved, let us place all our confidence in the LORD and rest all our hope in Him alone. We may navigate many storms in life, and face many enemies who are hostile to Christ, but in the LORD we will find our comfort and strength. Until that day when we stand in heaven, in the full victory of Christ, let us take our refuge in Him while we wait out the storms.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Philippians 3:12 ~ “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
 
From this often-familiar passage of Scripture, we will take a look today at what is required to live a life that is in pursuit of Christ. There are those who strive to ascend the heights of the spiritual mountains, and it is good to do so. Yet, some believe that they have arrived, having achieved a certain level of personal growth or spiritual success. Others believe that they’ve done enough and can merely enjoy a spiritual retirement of sorts—leaving the pursuit to others. But the LORD does not give room in His word for any of His children to merely plateau in their walk with Him. Only when the race is over does the runner stop running. And only when we stand before the Majesty of Heaven will our pursuit be fulfilled. Let us, then, look upon three things from our text that will prompt our vigilant pursuit of Christ.
 
It starts with a dissatisfied progress. Our text for today begins, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect.” Let every believer find their heart filled with great satisfaction in the person of Christ. Yet, when we look upon ourselves, there must be a genuine dissatisfaction with our own progress. We have not yet arrived at the elevated state of perfection. We read in Romans 7:24-25, “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.” Don’t let it discourage you. There are some who see their own faults and fling themselves into a state of despair that prevents them from moving further. Let it, instead, motivate you to seek to grow even more.
 
It continues with a determined pursuit. The next portion of our text reads, “but I press on to make it my own.” We do not have an aimless journey, nor do we passively meander as if we are merely strolling into glory. There is an intentional, determined pursuit for the believer to take hold of this life for the glory and honor of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” Casual Christianity is a far cry from the Biblical mandate to move through this world as a soldier for the LORD. There is a danger when we grow too comfortable. It causes us to drift. Like a ship that is not actively pressing through the water, the current will easily take the ship off course. To keep on track with the LORD, you must press on.
 
It flows from a Divine purpose. Our text today concludes, “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Here is a question that very few Christians ask: Why did Jesus save you? He saved you for one ultimate purpose—that you will be used to glorify Him. Yes, you needed saving. Yes, you were helpless without His deliverance. But the Lord Jesus took hold of you that you should be for Him the display of His grace and mercy. He is glorified through your life as you walk in His salvation and live for His honor. Consider what Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:16, “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.” Jesus the LORD has saved you, and made you His own. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Purchased by the precious blood of Christ, through His death and resurrection, we have come into a whole new paradigm of purpose. No longer do we live for ourselves, but now we live that we should be a testimony of His love and grace.
 
Consider the disciples’ response to the call of Jesus. Luke 5:11 reveals, “And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.” Let us do no less when it comes to our willingness to follow Him. Until we find ourselves walking the streets of gold in the glorious presence of the King of kings, let us always strive in this world to live in pursuit of Christ.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​3 John 1:5-8 ~ “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.”
 
What a precious thing it is to stand in strong support of those who are endeavoring to take the gospel into the world. In the days of the early church, it was a common practice to receive support from other fellowships in other cities. In our text today, John commends this practice as a faithful thing.
 
We begin our text today with the commendation of John, “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are.” John had received word from those who were considered “brothers” in Christ and who had ventured to the church that the beloved disciple, Gaius, was a member. These men had gone through the region of that church’s influence and found Gaius to be a welcomed friend and hospitable connection on their journey. The contrast is made of the person Diotrephes (see 3 John 1:9-10). Despite their never having known each other, Gaius and those who came from John found kinship in Christ. Not unlike what we read in Hebrews 13:2, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares,” Gaius was willing to offer hospitality to those who represented Christ.  
 
It is important to understand that though not all can venture into the great unknown and pour their lives out in the work of the gospel, yet all can contribute to the effort in the manner they are able. It is a poor excuse to say since you’re not able to do what another can, you won’t do anything at all. Much is gained and nothing lost when we give our effort in any way possible. In Mark 14:8, Jesus remarks, “She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.” God is pleased with such sacrifices and it testifies to the condition of the heart before the LORD. Hebrews 13:16 continues, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The final statement of our text reinforces this very activity, “Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” We will find ourselves joined with the work, sharing the fruit of their labor as if it were our own.
 
What of these men, the ones who had found their way to Gaius? Consider what the text says, “For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.” Just think of the value of such a testimony. These men could faithfully say that they received nothing from the world for the sake of their service to Christ. When John mentions the “Gentiles” he is not referring to any who were Gentile believers in Christ. Those would be called “brothers” and not “Gentiles.” John is referencing those who were worldly, devoid of the Spirit and unregenerated. How many of us have known the intrigues and difficulties that come when those who are worldly, those who reject the LORD, try to purchase influence over the church by funding the effort of the ministry? These men had “gone out for the sake of the name.” They were courageous soldiers who stood faithfully in Christ will not be bought by the world. The grand example of this comes in the betrayal of Judas. Mark 14:11 states, “And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.” Even Abraham understood this when, in Genesis 14:23, he responded to the king of Sodom’s effort to give wealth to him, “that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’”
 
John instructs Gaius with these words, “You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.” Let us also, then strive to do all we can to advance the gospel of our LORD. Those who go out in faithful service do so for the LORD’s sake. It will best serve the LORD and them if we recognize their mission and offer what assistance we can. Paul thanked the Philippians for this very thing. In Philippians 4:18 he says, “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
 
All who belong to Christ are called to serve the gospel in what manner God has commanded. Some will serve with their feet, taking their steps to venture into unknown lands. Some will serve with their industry and supply the necessary tools and resources for the work. But when the harvest is fully gathered, those who sowed and those who reaped will be glad together (see John 4:36).
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Matthew 18:33-35 ~ “’And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
 
Peter asked a question in regard to forgiveness that prompted our LORD to share a telling parable. In Matthew 18:21-22, the conversation between Peter and Jesus went like this, “Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Many will understand that the LORD’s view is far greater than seventy-seven for it can be rendered “seventy times seven.” And even then, if you think 490 times is the limit of the need for forgiveness, you miss the point. For the LORD was rendering this to mean “as often as necessary.”
Why is forgiveness such a crucial condition for those who are redeemed? Because, dear ones, it is exactly how we enter into salvation—through the merciful grace and forgiveness of God. Jesus said in Mark 11:25, “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Imagine, for a moment, coming before the throne of grace and within your heart is the bitterness of unforgiveness? The LORD who knows the thoughts that are in all men is not unaware of your heart when you pray. We enter the presence of God in prayer because of the forgiveness wrought for us through Jesus Christ. A heart that does not hold a merciful disposition toward their fellow man is indicative of a heart that has not truly understood their need for the forgiveness of God.
 
I encourage you to read the parable of our LORD in Matthew 18:21-35. For in that parable, we discover the great mercy of God displayed in the master’s forgiveness of the great debt owed by his servant. It is a parallel to the great debt owed before God for the sins of our lives. Born out of our original sinful state are the actual sins we have committed, whether in thought, word or deed, and God will hold us to account for each and every transgression. Jesus, our Great Savior, paid the full debt and pardoned our iniquities. As we look at the infractions against us, we must know that they will never measure up to the wickedness we have done against God. The LORD is rich with mercy toward us. Jesus says in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Thus, with our full debt paid, the small debts owed to us should be easy to forgive. And so, we read in the opening of our text today, “And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” So, the master of that servant has the man bound over to the jailer and imprisoned until he pays all the debt, “And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.” Let me ask you a question. Do you harbor any unforgiveness in your heart? That, my friends, is the antithesis to Christianity. For the unmerciful individual is contrary to the mercy received in Christ.
 
If you are holding unforgiveness within your heart, you stand in grave peril. The final statement of our text today warns, “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” In answering Peter’s question on forgiveness, the LORD is warning against any notion of harboring bitterness within our heart. Lip-service forgiveness is not what Jesus is looking for. It is not enough to say with your mouth that you forgive when your heart rails against the one who has wronged you. They may deserve punishment, and God will see to it. But if you have forgiven them, it is not up to you to exact your own personal judgment. It must be “from your heart.” James warns us in James 2:13, “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” One of the clearest testimonies of a heart transformed by the grace of Christ is the willingness to empty out all bitterness and be filled, instead, with mercy. Paul instructs in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
 
Let us enter this day with the desire to fulfill our LORD’s command in Luke 17:3-4, “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” This is our LORD’s willingness to be merciful toward us. Let us also hold the same heart and be merciful to others.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Mark 10:43-45 ~ “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
 
There is an unmistakable hunger in the mind and heart of man to hold oneself as a person of great importance. Few want to be the last one picked, many want to rise to the captaincy, and so it has been since the fall of man. The disciples of Christ Jesus were no different, with James and John asking the LORD if they could occupy seats of great prominence in His kingdom. Yet God’s word declares in Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” It was pride that became the downfall of the enemy of God. And it is through our own hubris that we are tempted away from the humble and faithful life before God that is of great worth in His sight.
 
Jesus addresses His disciples in the face of their longing for exalted positions. And the first thing he reminds them is that to crave such lofty stations puts them in the same condition as the world. In Mark 10:42-43 Jesus says, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so with you.” In our LORD’s instruction, He gives us some things to consider when we are looking upon ourselves and the greatness of our own lives.
 
First, the LORD confronts our desire for exaltation. He tells us, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” There are those in this world who seem to proverbially “fill up a room.” They walk through life with a sense of exaltation. Some are considered stars or influencers of our day. The parade of self-glory permeates much of our world and these are the ones who gain notoriety in the public eye. But greatness here on earth is not the same as greatness in the kingdom. Dear Christian, the LORD will not look to you to see how popular you’ve become in this world or how great everyone else thinks of you. God looks to see if you are a servant. You might be in this world a person who remains unnoticed by the masses, yet your faithfulness to Christ and servanthood to His people are highly regarded in the kingdom. James 4:10 declares, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
 
Second, the LORD confronts our desire for elevation. Again, Jesus proclaims from our text today, “and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” Beyond personal exaltation is the desire for situational elevation. We want to be recognized, elevated and receive the accolades we believe that we so richly deserve. That particular promotion or that advancement in life awaits and we look upon ourselves as if we deserve it. It may be the case, but it is the wrong attitude for the faithful of Christ. In the sight of God Almighty, the prominent ones are not those who have advanced in their careers or have risen up the ladders of personal success, but those who have laid themselves down for the service of others. If you are to be “first” in the kingdom, it will only be measured by your willingness to set yourself aside and be a servant of Christ. Jesus illustrates it in Luke 19:17, “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’”
 
Finally, our LORD presents Himself as our Example. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” If there was ever a person who walked this earth that deserved to be served by all who dwell on the planet it is the LORD Jesus Christ. The Creator and King of kings is the most exalted, the most elevated, and the greatest example of what it means to set aside self for the sake of others. He showed us what true servanthood is when He gave His life as a ransom for many. Philippians 2:8 proclaims, “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” The reason we are commanded to live the servant’s life is to emulate Jesus while we walk in this world.
 
When we start looking for prominence in the eyes of men, we are no longer serving the LORD. Many long for glory and riches, fame and power. If those cravings rise up in your own heart, remember again the example set by our LORD Jesus. Beloved, we have been called by the LORD to be His servant. Let that be enough for you.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Luke 15:6-7 ~ “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
 
There are things that delight the heart of God Almighty. Micah 7:18 declares, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” What a tremendous truth that God delights in steadfast love, in the merciful grace that pardons our transgressions in Christ Jesus. Let your heart rejoice if you know the LORD Jesus as Savior and King. God also speaks through the prophet, Jeremiah, “but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:24). Shall you not boast in the mighty name of Jesus? God delights to see His children walking in His ways of love, justice and righteousness—bearing forth His name to a dark and troubled world.
 
In our text today we see the great Shepherd finding His lost sheep. Take a moment to read Luke, chapter fifteen, and understand the great delight of God to find that which is lost. Jesus speaks these parables to address the disappointment of the Pharisees. We read in Luke 15:1-2, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’” Who better to draw near the One who will forgive their sins and transform their lives than those who were in sin and wretched before God. The self-satisfied and self-righteous will never seek those who are lost—but Jesus does. And when He finds them, there is an overwhelming sense of joy.
 
Our text today opens with this, “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep, and He has come to seek and to save those that are lost. Ezekiel 34:11 proclaims, “For thus says the LORD God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.” And when He finds even one, He calls upon all those who belong to Him, His friends and neighbors, to rejoice in the lost being found. The angels gather in a great host of celebratory excitement and the saints who have gone before are there in the place of glory participating in the joy.
 
But there is a greater joy happening than any of the angels or saints can express—it is the joy of God Almighty. Our text continues, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.” Where is this “more joy” coming from except from the LORD of glory! God Almighty, Himself, rejoices exceedingly. He calls all the hosts of heaven to join in, but it is the joy of the Father that resounds in the halls of eternity. We see this clearer in Luke 15:10, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This joy is “before the angels of God” and God is the One enthroned where the angels have gathered. Yet why is God so joyous? Have we not heard that the LORD is stern and gruff, holding sinners in a great grip of fear that they should grovel before Him? Beloved, the fear of the LORD moves us to repent, but when we are before Him in humble sorrow for our sin, we discover a Savior who loves so much that He abundantly forgives and takes delight in us! God rejoices over even “one sinner who repents.” Every day there is somewhere on this planet at least one sinner who repents. Heaven, then, must be a place that is overflowing with the joy of God! When you were born-again, dear one, Christ, Himself, proclaimed your name as one who belongs to Him, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew10:32).
 
Yet, our text concludes with a simple fact that those who see themselves as already righteous will provide no joy to the LORD for we read, “than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” My friends, this does not mean that there are some who are already righteous and have no judgment pending over them. It is the self-righteous that Jesus warns. Recall, the Pharisees grumbled over the tax collectors and sinners repenting, but God rejoiced. And God will not rejoice over anyone’s self-righteous opinion of themselves. When they see no need for repentance, they remain outside the joy of the LORD.
 
The lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son all have one conclusion when they are found—the God of heaven rejoices! May our lives fill God Almighty with joy.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​John 18:37-38 ~ “Then Pilate said to him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’”
 
Here is a question asked by every person on this earth: “what is truth?” How grave it is to only live in a speculative condition, hoping and wishing and thinking that there are pieces of information available, but it is all built upon subjective analysis and personal bias. And yet the world revolves upon an axis of truth. Architects design massive projects and all their data must be true. Relative measures will not work when a bridge must be built. Surgeons perform precise incisions within the human body that would fail if it was only guesswork. Truth, dear ones, is not a relative commodity nor can it be biased upon the speculative opinions of man. A common phrase used in our modern colloquialisms is actually a logical fallacy. It goes something like this: “I am living MY truth.” There is no such thing as a truth isolated to an individual. If it is true, then it must be true for all.
 
Let me pose a different question: is Jesus true? For herein lies the great dilemma for most of mankind. We are called upon to place our faith in the LORD Jesus, and some will argue that to have faith is a blind leap into a dark abyss, hoping that there is something in the darkness to land on. But that is not the faith of Christianity. The Christian faith is built upon truth. The LORD Jesus gives this declaration, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world.” We shall get to that purpose in a moment, but first I would have you gravitate to this real situation—Jesus had come into the world. He was born, He lived and died and He rose again. All of these things are true. The Bible is not just a compilation of religious doctrines, it is the written accounts of eyewitness testimony from those who lived with and observed the activity of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:6 testifies, “Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.” With over five hundred eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, it is a testimony worthy of acceptance as true.
 
For what purpose, then, did Jesus come? Our text continues, “to bear witness to the truth.” Jesus did not come to offer a greater speculation or provide a more robust conversation on religious matters. Jesus came and testified to the truth. Some might ask: the truth of what? Many things to be sure, but let us take three matters in hand. First, the truth about God. In answering Philip, Jesus said in John 14:9, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” Second, the dire condition of man. In John 3:18 Jesus proclaimed the condemnation of all mankind for their unbelief, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Third, the way of salvation. We read the LORD’s words in in John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” These are not matters of interpretive assessments. These are truth claims of Jesus Christ—absolute truth that applies to all mankind. And that brings the question again: is Jesus true?
 
Did Jesus prove His claims and will you trust what He says? The answer to the first is, yes. His proof is in His resurrection, verifying His claim to be God and Savior. The answer to the second brings us to our next portion of the text, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” To deny what Jesus says is to make God out to be a liar for the Father, Himself, testifies concerning the Son (see Matthew 17:5). 1 John 5:10 emphasizes this, “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.” There are many who deny the Son of God, holding fast to their own opinions and unwilling to humble themselves to the truth of Jesus Christ. Our LORD gives us the reason, “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word” (John 8:43). Are you of the truth and will you listen to the voice of Christ in His word? Beloved, this is the dividing line between all who belong to Christ and all who are in the world.
 
So, what is truth? That very question of Pilate is answered in the life of Jesus. Can you bear to hear what Jesus has to say? I tell you this, you can put your absolute trust in the truth of Jesus Christ.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Hebrews 11:6 ~ “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
 
Is it your intention to please the LORD? Much of the modern mentality of the human condition is set for the purpose of discovering that which is pleasing to self. Very few, even of those who are born again, have it in their heart to live in such a way that they intentionally desire to please God. Paul gave a gentle admonition to the church as we read in Philippians 2:21, “For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.” Our text today derives its instruction from the life of Enoch. Hebrews 11:5 testifies, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.” What was it that Enoch did that pleased the LORD. Simple: he walked with God by faith (see Genesis 5:21-24). This ought to be the longing for every Christian. Ephesians 5:10 entreats, “and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Take a moment today and read through Hebrews, chapter eleven and discover the great roll-call of those who walked by faith.
 
As we look at our text, with the opening question upon our minds, we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please him.” So, beloved, if it is your intention to please the LORD then it will require you to walk through life by faith in Christ. Why? Because it is impossible to please the LORD otherwise. The LORD created us and we are made to always look to Him. He has given us His word that we should know Him and trust Him in all aspects of our lives. It begins with trusting the LORD for salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:21 declares, “For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” Even as we have received Him by faith, we are called to walk with the LORD by faith. Paul said in 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.” These give us a great view of what it takes to live a life pleasing to the LORD.
 
As we continue our text today, we read, “for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists.” How much more basic can this become for those who want to have a faith that pleases God? We are called to draw near to Him, to walk with Him in close proximity and find our lives filled up with His. But it begins with the rudimentary reality that God actually exists! In truth, you nor I would seek to find anything that we didn’t think actually existed. Imagine for a moment being told that there is a great treasure to be found, but it is at the end of a rainbow. Knowing the fallacy of that ancient legend, you would never go chasing the ends of rainbows. You can only draw near to that which is real—that which actually exists. James 4:8 instructs us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This faith that pleases God is a faith that desires Him, seeks Him and believes in Him.
 
And this brings us to our closing view of the text today, “and that he rewards those who seek him.” Cast off the notion of riches and treasures of this earth, for God does not reward with such trivialities or with trinkets that will not last. The rewards of the LORD are the riches of eternal life and the glory shared from His throne upon all who come to Him. His reward is righteousness forever and everlasting joy. The LORD Jesus declares in Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Those who draw near to the LORD, believing on Him for salvation, will receive exactly what they long for—mercy, grace and the crown of life. Paul told us in Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Our life in this world is a testimony of our faith in the LORD. We walk by faith, seeking to please the LORD, even as Enoch did.
 
Though we might not depart like Enoch, we will someday receive the promised reward—deliverance from sin and a full inheritance with Christ Jesus. Let us then make it our intention to please Him, walking by faith in the LORD Jesus.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Psalm 126:1-3 ~ “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
 
In the LORD there is fullness of joy. It is throughout the Scriptures that God would give great joy to those who trust in Him. Held captive in this world, it may seem that there is no release from the oppressions that happen against the saints of God. There are enemies from without and fears within, even as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:5, “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.” How many reading this can think of some sin that has afflicted them and now they sense a great dismay within their own heart. Perhaps you can look back and see the times of great victories in your life and now you are bound in “Doubting Castle” under the grip of “Giant Despair” as described in John Bunyan’s tale, Pilgrim’s Progress.
 
Beloved, there is still great joy awaiting! We look at the first statement of this wonderful Psalm and read, “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Imagine the captives of Israel returning to the land of promise. The LORD God had sent them into captivity for their idolatry and rebellion against Him. Scattered throughout Babylon, the people of God were a broken people filled with sorrow. Psalm 137:1 reads, “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.” However, their time of discipline had come to an end, the seventy years were over and they were restored to their homeland. Now, like people living a dream, they walked in the restoration of the LORD. Oh, how sin costs! It promises delight and provides dismay. Yet, our God of redemption is the LORD of restoration and He will raise up His children again to reestablish them in His promises. Isaiah 51:3 proclaims, “For the LORD comforts Zion; he comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.”
 
Dear ones, let the restoration of the LORD fill your voice with joy. Our text continues, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” Are you overcome with joy for the forgiveness of your sins? Then let your mouth be filled with laughter, and no longer mourn over what God has forgiven. Let your tongue proclaim with shouts of joy that Jesus is your redeemer! You may have been captive in all manner of darkness, but the LORD who saves will save to the uttermost. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” The LORD was angry with His people and sent them into captivity. Yet the God of heaven is rich with mercy and full of compassion. Psalm 30:5 says, “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Where they wept by the waters of Babylon, now they shout for joy at their return to the promised land. Have you wept over your sin? Has the sorrow of heart brought you into confession and repentance? Then, my friends, look up to the LORD and receive from Him the promised grace that flows from His generous heart.
 
And fear not that the world around you will take note of your restored joy. We read the final statement of our text today, “then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.” Let it be said of the church in this age of sin that we stand in the jubilant redemption of Christ Jesus our LORD. When despair clouds their eyes and darkness shadows the way before them, let us walk in the light and give no room for doubts. It should be that the world looks at the children of God in Christ and sees in us the hope of everlasting life in Jesus. Consider the response of the cripple, healed at the gates of the temple. “And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8). Through Christ we have been healed of a far greater malady—the sin that separated us from Him.
 
Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This is the promise given to all who are in Christ. You, dear saint, can live in the great joy of the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael 

​Jonah 2:7-9 ~ “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!”
 
Is there a sense in which you have been relegated to the belly of a great fish? Have your sins caused you to flee from the LORD and God’s discipline has come upon you? Jonah, had fled from the presence of the LORD (see Jonah 1:3). Away from the temple, out of the region of Israel, Jonah imagined that he could hide from God. But it is apparent that there is no place that anyone can go that takes them far enough away from God that He cannot find you. David asked in Psalm 139:7, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?” The answer, of course, is nowhere. The heavy hand of God sits upon the life of His children when they try to run in rebellion. Hear David’s cry in Psalm 31:10, “For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.” The condition of sin in the life of a believer is a tale of sorrow and woe, and yet with the LORD there is bountiful mercy and grace.
 
Out of the belly of the great fish that swallowed Jonah and brought him to the depths of the sea, we read his cry of repentance. Dear Christian, your life is not spent nor is it so far gone that the LORD God cannot find you. I would encourage you to read the entirety of Jonah, chapter two. In our text today we read of Jonah’s mind toward God, “When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.” Has your sin caused you to sense your life “fainting away?” Is there such decay because you have departed from the LORD, as if you are being blown apart like sand in a storm and you cannot seem to pull it together? Then, my friends, do as Jonah did and remember the LORD. How quickly we find our lives in disarray, dismal when we depart from the LORD. And yet when we remember the LORD and turn our minds back to Him there is hope. Consider how the prodigal son was said to have remembered his father’s house in Luke 15:17, “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!’” Come back to yourself, wandering Christian, and remember your Father in Heaven and let your prayer come to Him.
 
We continue as we consider Jonah’s words next, “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay.” There is no hope in any promise given by the world’s idols. To regard them as of value is to forsake the steadfast love offered by the LORD God. Jonah knew this, for he was on a ship filled with sailors who cried out to their false deities, and all to no avail. Jonah 1:5 states, “Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.” Look for worldly solutions to the dilemma of your rebellion and you will discover that there is no hope or promise that will avail. But with the LORD there is steadfast love. Hear the words of Psalm 130:7, “O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Do you need mercy and will you not look to the LORD? Beloved, do not turn away from Him who will give you plentiful redemption! And when His promise is yours, with the voice of thanksgiving give Him all the praise! Then, as Jonah did, step away from your rebellion and obey the LORD.
 
All of this Jonah cried out to the LORD even while he was confined in the belly of the fish. His condition was still in the midst of God’s discipline, yet his confidence in the mercy of God was such that he could cry out, “Salvation belongs to the LORD!” Even now, dear ones, you might be in the grip of God’s chastising hand, feeling the effects of His discipline against your rebellion. Oh, my friends, He is a merciful Father! With love does He bring us through the trials that purge our sins, but then His hand is yet gentle and will again comfort and heal. 1 Peter 5:10 declares, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
 
No saint of Christ is forsaken. No child of God is abandoned. You may be only one prayer away from the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

​Esther 9:1 ~ “Now in the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's command and edict were about to be carried out, on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.”
 
Let us never forget that the LORD God will bring forth a day of reckoning upon all who have devised and plotted evil against His people, who have attacked and caused harm to His bride, the church, who have persecuted and brought suffering to those who are faithful to the LORD, He will put back on their own heads the very harm that they intended against us. How dreadful it will be on that day when the LORD will judge the earth and all who dwell upon it, while sparing His people. Lest we forget, the Scriptures tell us, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19). Again, we read in Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of God.”
 
The story of Haman the Agagite is a microcosm of the full fury that will come upon the enemies of God. Haman had plotted against the Jews that they should all be destroyed. Esther 3:6 says, “So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” It all seemed so well planned, so carefully plotted against the Jewish people, that it could not fail. Haman even tricked King Ahasuerus into the scheme and had the king seal the warrant for the destruction of the people of Israel. Beloved, there is One who oversees all things and knows all the plots and plans of the enemy. The designs that stand against the people of God will not succeed. We may suffer for a time and find ourselves trembling with fear for the terrors that surround the church, but take heart—God is fully aware and will never let the enemy go beyond what His Divine purpose allows.
 
As we consider our text for today, we read, “on the very day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them.” Letters of condemnation against the Jews had been sent throughout the kingdom and all those who despised the people of God rejoiced at the prospect of bringing to destruction those they hated. Haman’s plot seemed inviolate, there was no stopping the fury of the wicked. Consider the words of Psalm 94:5-7, “They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage. They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; and they say, ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.’” The wicked of this world believe that God does not see or He does not care about the violence done against His people. But they fool themselves into a sense of security that is as trustworthy as a spider’s web over a flame. How often do we see the persecutions of God’s people around this world today. The church gets maligned, ridiculed, hated, attacked and even killed by the hands of those who despise the LORD. And, like those in Revelation 6:10, the cry goes out, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Dear Christian, it shall not be long.
 
We continue to consider our text today and read, “the reverse occurred: the Jews gained mastery over those who hated them.” On the very day the enemy thought they would gain victory God reversed the course of events and those who were to be destroyed became the victors. This happened before. In Judges 9:57 we read, “And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.” And, my friends, it will happen again. It may seem like even today there is a greater advancement of the enemy of the LORD. That the schemes of the wicked one grow ever stronger as the church stands against the onslaught of evil. It will not always be so. Consider the view of the final battle in Revelation 20:9, “And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them.” The whole earth camped against the saints of God and the LORD Jesus Christ, but the final victory is the LORD’s. Do not tremble, dear saint, the Almighty God who has saved you will deliver you into His eternal kingdom.
 
Destruction is proclaimed against the enemies of God, and it will come. Micah 7:10 declares, “Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, ‘Where is the LORD your God?’ My eyes will look upon her; now she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets.” Let us never forget that a day of reckoning is coming—and it will bring forth the full and final victory of the LORD.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael