Weekend Sermon -- "Be Like Him"

      Thank you for taking the time to once again stop by to read the message for the week. I am glad to report that I am feeling quite a bit better, so thank you for your prayers. I hope that all of you are doing very well. I also want to thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to post this message. 

     Today, I want to bring a message centered on two passages. The first is Ephesians 5:1-2 that states, "Do as God does. After all, you are His dear children. Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered His life for us as a sacrifice that is pleasing to God. The second passage is from I John 4:8 that reads, "God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known Him."

     I've entitled the message for today, be like Him. That is what our verse from Ephesians is telling us to do. Those who have come to know the Father through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ are called to be like Him. Jesus is God come in the flesh. Jesus said that if you have seen me you have seen the Father. So, when the Bible says, as it does here, that we are to do as God does, we are to look to Jesus. We are to see what He did, and we are to do it. 

     One translation puts it a little bit differently. It says that we are to be imitators of God. We are to be imitators of Jesus. That is what it means to be a Christian. We look to Jesus. We see how he lived and what He did. We are to follow His teachings and commandments and be like Him in the world. 

     Now, how do we do as God does, or do as Jesus would do in this world? The answer is in both of our passages for today. We are to live in love. We are to love others, and we are to express the love of the Lord in thought, word and deed. Jesus said that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. 

     The Father demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to be the sacrifice for our sins. Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us. His love moved Him to make the ultimate sacrifice in order that we might be redeemed. 

     Jesus lived a life of love and demonstrated love throughout His time of ministry on this earth. He cared about people. He healed them and helped them. He taught us to love others by living lives of non-violence and service to others. Jesus loved everyone including those that the religious people of His day tried to exclude. Jesus was and is the man of love. 

     We are to be like Him. We are to be people who love God and love others. We are to be the ones out spreading love and goodness in this world in the same way that Jesus did. That means doing good to the least of those among us as Jesus taught. That means helping this world to be a better place. Being a person of love means telling others about Jesus. It means speaking words that heal and not words that hurt and tear down. Loving others as Jesus loved means lifting people up and helping them be all that they can be for His honor and glory. 

     Sadly, so much of what people see among those who say they are Christians are unloving and hateful things. Hateful and mean words and actions toward other races and ethnic groups. Cruelty towards the poor and the homeless. Violence and warlike attitudes. These things aren't in keeping with being like God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. 

     If you want to know how to be what God wants you to be, look at Jesus. When you want to know how to act or behave in any situation, ask what Jesus did or what He would do in that circumstance or if facing that issue. If Jesus would do it, that is what we should do. If He wouldn't act in that way, then neither should we. At all times, let us live in love and follow the path of love set before us by God come in the flesh the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     As I mentioned, I am feeling better. Please keep praying that I can find a better job. Thank you.

     Continue to pray for peace. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar all need peace. 

 We need to pray that those affected by natural disasters will get the aid and the help that they need. 

      For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Chad and Laos. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, I will post another topical message. I may do that for a few weeks and wait to start a new series after the first of the year. However, I am still undecided. I will post the verses on Tuesday, and the next chapter of the Toby book on Wednesday. May God bless you all. 

"Toby -- The Story of My Friend -- Chapter 6

 Chapter 6

     One unpleasant activity that Toby and I both hated was dodging tornadoes.  We lived right in the heart of tornado alley, so every spring there was a constant stream of severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings.
     The house we lived in didn't have a basement, so my parents purchased a small, metal storm shelter that was supposed to hold four people.  It was creepy.  When I was in that thing, I felt like I was is some sort of a coffin.
     My Mom was so afraid of tornadoes that she would have us go down into the storm shelter all the time.  I couldn't stand being down in that shelter, so I would wait in the house or I'd stay out and see if the storm was coming.  I tried to put Toby down in the shelter in advance, but he hated it too.  He would try to climb the ladder and get out of there to find out where I was.  Usually, we just waited it out together.  There was one time, when the two of us were together while I was doing school at home when we almost waited too long.
     There had been a tornado watch issued early in the morning, which is rather rare, so we were expecting bad weather.  My Mom kept calling me about every five minutes from her work to see if any storms were coming.  I wasn't too worried about the weather, so I wasn't really paying too much attention.
     At about 11:00am, the tornado siren went off in town.  Toby went crazy barking, and I jumped up from behind my desk and went to find out what was happening.  The National Weather Service had issued a tornado warning for my county.
     I picked up Toby, and the two of us headed for the storm shelter.  When we got outside, I really didn't see much.  I decided to wait with Toby above ground and see what happened.  The two of us walked around to see if we could spot anything in the distance.  It wasn't even raining.
     We were across the yard from the shelter when almost immediately the entire sky turned green.  The two of us ran as fast as we could to the storm shelter.  I opened it up just as the rain started to absolutely pour down.  I picked Toby up and made my way down the ladder into the shelter pulling the door shut behind me.
     Just as I pulled the door shut, the hail started.  From the sound of the pounding on the shelter door, I could tell that the hail was huge.  Toby and I went to the far end of the shelter and huddled there together.  We could hear the wind picking up and it was roaring like a furnace.
     I was scared, but Toby was never afraid of anything.  He was growling at the hail, wind, thunder and lightning.  Holding on to him, I wasn't afraid anymore.  We waited down in the storm shelter for about thirty minutes.  After that time, curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to stick my head out and see if it was clear.
     When I emerged, the sun was already back out.  It didn't reveal a pleasant site.  I picked up Toby and went up the ladder out of the shelter.  We had missed the tornado.  That tornado went just north of us through farm fields.  However, the hail and the wind caused a lot of damage.  Two of our air conditioning units were pounded to bits.  Our garden was totally ruined.  All of the tomatoes were destroyed.  Also, one of our apple trees and one of the pear trees in the orchard were uprooted.  In town, several trees were uprooted and the siding was blown off one of the businesses.
     The major damage was to the agricultural interests.  All of the corn in the surrounding area was destroyed.  The large hail stripped all of the ears right off of the stalks.
     I sat with Toby on the back steps, and I just held on to him.  I was glad we made it to the shelter, and that we were together.
     That's the closest I've ever come to a tornado in the state of Kansas.  The closest I ever came to a tornado was in the state of Wyoming when we were out visiting my grandparents.  I watched that tornado absolutely destroy the Buffalo Ridge section of Cheyenne.
     No matter what the storm, I was glad that Toby was around.  Like I said, he was never afraid of anything.  When he wasn't afraid, it helped me not to be afraid.

Verses For The Week

Matthew 23:11 -- "The greatest among you will be your servant."

Romans 12:10 -- "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves"

Weekend Sermon -- "Animals And Pets In Heaven"

      Thank you for once again reading the message for the week. I hope you all are doing great. I am doing fairly well. I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to post this message. 

     Last week, we finished up our series on the book of Philippians. I hope that everyone learned at least a little something from that series. This week and next week, I am going to post messages on topics. After that, we are going to start a new series of messages that I hope will be of benefit to you.

     October 4, which is right around the corner, is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. On that day, many churches have a blessing of the animals service. I find these to be very meaningful and important to those whose pets are of great importance to them.

     Those who have had special animal friends in their lives like I had my friend Toby, want to know if they will be reunited with their pets some day in Heaven. I have been concerned about this for many years, and I've researched a lot about it. In my research and study of the Scripture, I have come to the conclusion that we who are in Christ will definitely see our animal friends when we die. 

     First of all, let us look at Romans 8:21-22. Here, Paul makes it clear that all of creation will be set free from the bondage and decay that beset it through the fall of Adam. All creation includes all of the animals that were created by God. All of them suffered as a result of sin. In order for them to benefit from the redemption of the created order through Jesus Christ, they would have to be able to enjoy the fruits of that redemption which can only occur if they are brought back to life. 

     John Wesley, whom I admire greatly, wrote about this in a sermon called "The General Deliverance." He believed that in the world to come, the Lord would restore all things. Everything would be restored to the way that it existed in the Garden of Eden. Those animals who suffered as a result of the first Adam's sin would benefit in the restoration of all things under the Last or Second Adam the Lord Jesus Christ. 

     Jesus is called the Last Adam by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15. He talks about how Adam became a living being, but Christ is a life-giving spirit. In Romans 5, Paul talks about how sin and death came as a result of the first Adam, but the work of the Second Adam, Jesus, will ultimately undo all of what the first Adam's sin did in the world. The first Adam failed, the Second Adam redeems all. 

    What does this mean about animals and pets in the afterlife? The Bible says in Acts 3:21 that Jesus will remain in Heaven until the time comes for the restoration of all things. This means that one day, Jesus will come and make all right again. The creation will be delivered from all its trouble. Everything will be restored to its Edenic state. As the Bible says, the lion will lie down by the lamb. 

     What I have just laid out for you is one of the main Scriptural reasons that I believe that we will see our pets again when we die. Jesus' through His death, resurrection and return sets everything back right. And all creatures that suffered as a result of sin will benefit from the restoration of all things. That from what I can determine, includes our pets. 

     Now, there is another reason that I believe we will see our pets again in the world to come. Jesus Himself is the reason. Jesus when He lived on earth was kind, loving and compassionate. Jesus knows what our pets have meant to us. I believe He was the one who brought Toby and me together. Knowing Jesus, I believe that He will want His followers to experience the maximum level of joy. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He knows what we need, and He will make it so. 

     I firmly and unequivocally believe that I will see my friend Toby again in Heaven. No one will ever convince me otherwise. I know this too. Jesus will come again and make everything right just as it was when it was first created. If we put our faith and trust in Him, we can be part of all that He is making new. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     Please continue to pray in regard to my health. Unfortunately, I have had a small relapse of arthritis. Please keep praying, I appreciate it. 

     Pray for peace in the world. Pray for peace in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Yemen and Sudan. 

     Please pray for an end to the ebola virus in Africa and pray that the measles outbreak still in some states in the US will end. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Tunisia and Azerbaijan. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday and the next chapter of the book on Wednesday. I will post a topical message on Friday. May God bless you all. 

Toby -- The Story Of My Friend - - Chapter 5

 Chapter 5

     As I mentioned, I was very sick as a child.  I missed a lot of school, and I had difficulty keeping up at times.  If something was going around, I would catch it.  My immune system was very defective.  A stressful environment didn't help much.
     After the church my family attended opened a school, I began attending there.  While there, my illnesses intensified.  Because of insufficient enrollment, the school closed leaving me with no school to attend.  My parents and my doctors felt that going to school at home would allow me to regain my health and complete my high school education.
     Leaving the traditional school room for school at home was quite a transition.  The hardest thing to adjust to was the quiet.
     At this point, you may be asking what all this has to do with the book's main character.  Well, Toby was my classmate, so to speak, during my home school experiences.  He broke the monotony of studying alone.  He was always there ready to provide a grand distraction to tedious algebra and diagramming sentences.
     Every day at lunch time, we would go outside and play with the ball out on the patio.  When Toby was a young dog, he was quite active and full of fire.  We had some great ball games almost every day.
     After lunch, I'd return to my studies and continue until about three in the afternoon.  I kept the same hours as the local high school.  The only difference was that I went to school with a dog.  I also believe that I received a better education.  I really learned to study and think for myself.
     When my daily assignments were completed, Toby and I would usually go out and sit on the patio steps.  The town where I live is on a high plateau.  The view is incredible.  There is a view for miles out back.  We would sit out there and just relax and listen to the birds.  It was great to have a good friend.  We also liked to go out there in the evenings and look at the lights from the closest town about seven miles away.  On clear evenings I'd take out my telescope and look at the night sky.
     I learned a lot by studying at home.  I studied biology, history, economics, algebra, literature and many other subjects.  Every assignment was graded at the center where the curriculum came from.
     After three years of home study, I decided that I really liked this method of study.  I wanted to be a minister, so I enrolled in an external degree program at a Bible college affiliated with the church my family attended. I studied various ministerial and theological topics and earned a degree in theology.
     During these years, my routine with Toby changed little.  I learned much, and the two of us continued to have great times together.  Toby received quite a large dose of religion listening to me give sermons for practice.  He was probably one of the most well-versed dogs when it came to the theological disciplines.
     While I was in Bible college, I began to learn more and felt very uncomfortable in my church.  I just couldn't go along with many of their views.  I planned on becoming  a minister with our church pastor's home mission organization.  However, that all changed abruptly.  I believe that the church has the responsibility to speak up for social justice and for peace.  At this time, the first Gulf War was just under way.  I could not go along with praying for the death of other people.  I had a major falling out with the pastor on this and other issues including legalism and the extent of salvation.  I was no longer welcome in that church or denomination.
    My plans for entering the ministry were on hold.  Also, the Bible colleges in my old church were not accredited.  I decided to get another degree, but I had to start back at square one because none of my courses would transfer.
     I began attending a local community college.  It was difficult at first.  My health did hold up though.
     Sadly, Toby was very depressed when I left for my classes.  My Dad, who was retired at this time, said that Toby would lay by the front door and wouldn't move until he heard my car coming down the road in the afternoon.  When I'd walk in the door, he got so excited that he jumped up and down on all four legs.
     I earned my community college degree and then obtained a bachelor's degree in history at a small college in Kansas City.  After this, I went back to home study for awhile earning a certificate in creative writing from the University of Wisconsin and a graduate diploma from an accredited seminary.
     Toby was so glad that I was back home to study.  It was at this time that I began writing, and my work began to be published.  Toby lay down in my office while I wrote poetry and stories.  I also did a lot of religious writing which became my way of fulfilling God's call on my life.
     I do have one major regret.  I wanted to have a church and live in the parsonage with Toby.  It was one of my dreams.  Sadly, Toby passed away a couple of years after I started writing.  We never got to fulfill that dream together.

Verses For The Week

 Romans 12:17-21-- "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge, I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Weekend Sermon -- Philippians 4:14-18

      I am glad that it is time again to post the message for the week. It is my hope that you have all had a great week. I thank the Lord for continuing to give me the opportunity to post these messages. 

     Today, we are going to finish our series on the book of Philippians. I have really enjoyed having the chance to share these messages with all of you, and I hope that they have been of benefit to you. 

     As we wrap up Philippians, I want to draw your attention to a couple of points in these last few verses. First of all, Paul makes a point of thanking the people in the church at Philippi for being there for him and helping to support him right from the beginning of his ministry. He tells them in verse 17 that he wants them to have the benefits that come from giving. 

     Giving to the work of the Lord and to charitable causes is something that is necessary and truly rewarding. For the believer, those who give to support the spread of the message of Jesus will have an eternal reward in Heaven because they are building up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

     In order for pastors and missionaries to be able to go and spread the message of Jesus' love, they have to have support. That is where we as believers come into play. I hope that we can all give and support our local churches, and I hope that we can give to support missionaries who take the message of Jesus around the world. It is also important that we give in order to help people have a better life. We must help those who are sick, hungry and in need. When we do good and try to help the least among us, that is what is pleasing to the Lord Jesus. 

     Finally, Paul ends by saying that he wants all those in the church to receive the blessings of God that come from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the source of our blessings. By living as our perfect example, He has shown us how we are to conduct ourselves while living in this world. By dying on the cross, He has taken away our sins. Through His glorious resurrection, He has conquered death, hell and the grave. Through His presence within our hearts, the Lord Jesus provides His peace and His direction that sustains us and guides us until we come to see Him face to face in the place that He has prepared for those who love Him. 

     All that we have comes from God through the Lord Jesus. He has blessed us with innumerable things. We need to give Him all the thanks, glory, honor and praise for who He is and for what He has done. It is my hope that you know Jesus as Savior and Lord. You can know His peace and His forgiveness when you come to Him in repentance and faith and accept Him as the Lord of your life. I hope that you will do that today. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     I am having a renewal of a problem that I had about twenty years ago. I have always had skin problems when going out in the sun. Over the last few years it hasn't been as bad. But lately, I am having a lot of trouble even going out for a little time. Please pray that this will get better. My arthritis flare has completely cleared up, and I am grateful to the Lord for that. I thank you for your prayers on my behalf. 

     Please pray for the people in Taiwan and China who have been affected by the bad storm. Pray that they will get the aid and the help that they need. Also, as I am writing this message, there are some bad storms brewing in the Atlantic. Please pray that these will not bring harm to people. 

     Continue to pray for peace. Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Yemen, Sudan and Haiti all need our prayers. 

     Let us keep praying for an end to the current ebola outbreak in Congo.

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Iraq and Indonesia. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, I will post the message on Friday as usual. I will start a new series in a couple of weeks. I will post the verses on Tuesday and the next chapter in the Toby book on Wednesday. May God bless you all.