Weekend Sermon--Spiritual Inventory

II Peter 1:3-11

     Christmas has come and gone for another year, and a new year is about to dawn.  I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas and that good things await you in the year to come. 
     From a secular perspective, many will make New Year's resolutions about various things.  I think the most popular New Year's resolution has to be to get in shape or to lose wight.  I've made these resolutions myself.  Unfortunately, they haven't gone too well in recent years. 
     From a spiritual perspective, I think that as we leave behind the old year, it is important to look at what we have done spiritually in the past year.  We can look back on 2011 and ask the question-What have we done for the Lord?
     One of the exercises that I have found beneficial is what I call a year end spiritual inventory.  Just as many merchants end the year by assessing their inventory of merchandise, the follower of Christ can take a spiritual inventory of their life to see in what areas they are progressing and in what areas they are lacking.
     The first area of spiritual progress I always look at is Bible study.  I've stressed this before, but the point is so important.  The believer needs to be a student of the Word.  What a resource for life God has given us.  Unfortunately, the study of God's Word often goes neglected.
     I try to read in the Old Testament, New Testament, and the words of Jesus daily.  As I look back on 2011, I have kept up on my reading regularly.
     However, reading the Bible is not all we need to be about.  We need to study the Word.  How has your study of God's Word measured up in 2011?  During the past year, I studied and shared on the blog the little books of the Bible:  Obadiah, Haggai, II John, III John, Philemon, and Jude.  Together, we also examined the minor prophets like Habakkuk and Malachi.  I know that in my Bible study I'd like to do more in the coming year.  I briefly examined the books of Ecclesiastes and Ezekiel this year, but I didn't get into them in depth the way I wanted to.  So, I know what is set before me in the way of Bible study for the start of 2012.  I hope that you can find an interesting area of Bible study in the year ahead.
     Another area I check in my spiritual inventory is my prayer life.  I'm finding as I progress in my walk with the Lord that communication with the Lord in prayer is of vital importance.  It's difficult to move through troubled days without taking time to talk with Jesus.  We can tell Him all about our trials, troubles and temptations.  It does me a great deal of good to spend time in prayer praising the Lord for who He is and for what He has done.
     If you feel that your prayer life in 2011 was lacking, the new year provides a new opportunity to improve in the area of prayer.  Try to pray at least once a day giving praise to the Lord and letting Jesus know about your concerns.
     One area where I know I dropped the ball this year was in church attendance.  Sadly, I had to leave the denomination I was a part of because this denomination has slipped into serious theological error.  The professors at the denominational schools, and many ministers, are advocating open theism and denying the inerrancy of Scripture.  One professor actually said that since God didn't have the power to create an inerrant Bible, He didn't have the power to create the world apart from the big bang.  Since leaving this denomination, I've not found a place to regularly worship, and I need to change that in 2012.
     Attending a Bible believing and Christ honoring church is really important in our walk with the Lord.  If you have a pastor who really has a heart for the things of God, he will help you grow through the teaching of solid Bible based messages.  The church also has the task of spreading the gospel, and all believers should join in that mission.
      This leads me to another area of my spiritual inventory which is analyzing how I did in sharing the faith.  As I wrote on the blog, Christians are responsible for carrying out the Great Commission.  We are to preach Jesus' message of salvation to those within our circle of influence.  Perhaps you are like me, and it's hard for you to talk with people.  One thing that I've discovered is that when I try to share my faith, the Holy Spirit gives me a strength not my own to be able to share the gospel.  I have to step out in obedience.  If you've had difficulty sharing the faith with others this year, covenant with God to be obedient to the Great Commission as we roll into 2012.
     One final area I like to exam in my spiritual inventory is how I've done in fulfilling the moral law of God.  I like to look at whether or not I'm following to the best of my ability the commandments set down for His followers by the Lord Jesus Christ.  We live in a world that is filled with temptations and things which are trying to pull us away from following the narrow path that leads to life.  If you've stumbled with some area of sin or temptation in 2011, now is the time to confess, repent, and move on in victory in 2012.
     These are just a few of the ways to look at your spiritual life.  One thing is important to emphasize.  Don't get down on yourself.  Sometimes I look at my spiritual life and I start to get depressed because I don't think I measure up.  But, remember that we can confess our shortcomings to Jesus and then make a commitment to do better.  What better time than as we move into a new year than to make the commitment to advance in our walk with God.
     Maybe you look at 2011 and think you've done an excellent job for the Lord.  All of us can do more.  This side of Heaven there is always room for improvement, so keep pressing on for Christ.
     I want to wish everyone a happy New Year.  May you all walk with the Lord and feel the presence of Jesus' love in your heart every day of 2012. Amen.
    

Malachi

     I recently finished studying the book of Malachi in the Old Testament once again.  This book, even though written over 2,400 years ago, really deals with issues facing people today.  The book deals with the issue of questioning the love of God even though He has done so much for us.  The other major theme deals with the issue of what our proper response to God and His love and majesty should be.  I hope everyone will read Malachi and all of the other neglected smaller books of the Bible.

Weekend Sermon--Isaiah 9:6-7

     Sunday is Christmas.  Jesus Christ is born, and what a difference it has made to the world.  I don't know whether or not you've ever stopped to consider what the world would be like today if Jesus Christ had never been born.  So much of our art, literature, and music is based on the life of Christ.  Jesus has made a difference in time as well as in eternity.
     Last week, we finished a two message series on the theme of commitment based on the lives of Mary and Joseph.  Every time I stop and think about the Christmas story, I'm amazed at the commitment of these two extraordinary people.
     This week, I'd like to look at the passage from Isaiah 9:6-7 which describes the characteristics of the child who would be born to us.  Of course, Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in these verses, and the fulfillment Jesus provides is past, present and future in nature.
     First of all, Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor.  To me, this signifies that Jesus knows the way.  In other words, I want to place my life in His hands because His way is the way of life.  I want to follow the plan He has for my life and do His will.  I hope that that is the desire of every believer.  The Lord knows the path ahead.  We don't.  We need to let Him guide our every decision and step in life.  He loves us and only wants what is best for us.  Why not let Him lead the way.
     Also, as a Wonderful Counselor, I can go to Jesus and ask Him about all the problems facing my life.  I can talk to Him and ask Him to show me the way.  I don't need to rely on human wisdom because with Jesus, I can have the counsel of His divine wisdom.
     Jesus is the Mighty God.  Jesus is divine.  He is God come in the flesh.  Eternity met time in the birth of Jesus Christ.
     He is the Everlasting Father.  This statement is not saying that Jesus and God the Father are the same.  It is saying that Jesus has a relationship to believers like a father does with his children.  A father protects his children from harm. He provides for the physical needs they have in life.  He is concerned for their welfare, and he desires that they have the best in every situation.
     These things apply to Jesus as well.  All good things come from the Lord.  He wants to supply all of our needs and provide us with an abundant life.  He brings the experiences and the people into our life that we need in order to mature, grow and learn so that we can become more like Him with every passing day.
     Probably my favorite phrase that describes Jesus is that He is the Prince of Peace.  Jesus brings peace on several different levels.
     First of all, Jesus came to bring peace to the soul that is burdened with sin.  Jesus was born in order that He might lead a sinless life in order that He might be the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.  He came to die that we might be free from sin, death, hell and the grave. 
     The only way that we can have peace with God is through the atoning death of Christ on the cross.  If we place our faith in Jesus' finished work on the cross, believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and repent of our sins, we can have the peace that comes from being forgiven and reconciled to God.
     Jesus also brings peace to the soul of the believer facing difficult struggles.  I know that there have been numerous occasions where I needed, and felt, the peace that only Jesus can bring.  I'd never have made it through  losing my family if it wasn't for the presence of Jesus in my life.  I'm all alone, but I have Jesus who I know is with me providing a deep peace that truly is beyond all understanding.
     Jesus doesn't just bring spiritual peace.  He is the Prince of Peace when it comes to bringing peace to this world.  Unfortunately, many who have named the name of Christ have engaged in violence and war.  But, that's not the way Jesus taught.
     Jesus taught His followers to be peacemakers.  We are to actively work for peace and not war.  The church of Jesus Christ in this world must make a difference.  Always include prayers for peace in your daily prayers.  Wars and unrest are raging all over this world.  Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, and Somalia are just a few of the nations experiencing turmoil.  Let us pray for peace around the world this Christmas season.  Let us work for peace in our homes, community, and nation by living out the commands of Jesus for His honor and glory.
     Ultimately, this world will only know true and lasting peace when Jesus comes again.  When He comes again, Jesus won't come like the humble baby in a manger.  Jesus will come in power and great glory.  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
     When Jesus returns, wars will cease.  There will be no more death, sickness, or disease.  Everything will be returned to the original state God desired when He first created this world in perfection.
     To be quite honest, I wish that Jesus would return today.  I long for the return of Jesus Christ.  His reign will be glorious and filled with unspeakable joy and happiness.  Finally, the hard struggle of life will end to be replaced with a life forever in the presence of the King of Kings.
     I hope that at this Christmas season, you have made your peace with God through Jesus Christ.  I hope that you have turned from sin and turned to Jesus. 
     I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and I want to thank everyone who read this blog this year.  May God bless you all.  Amen.
    

Favorite Cat Books of the Year

    Last week, I posted about the best dog books I'd read this year.  Today, I'm posting about the best cat books I read this year. "The French Cat" is a beautiful book about cats all around France.  I really enjoyed it.  The new Joe Grey Mystery, "Cat Telling Tales" was also great.  This year I started reading some of the "Cat Who" books, and I've enjoyed them as well.

Isaiah Chapter 12

I read this chapter this morning.  Here it is from The New International Version.

Isaiah Chapter 12

   "  In that day you will say:

     I will praise you, O Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
you anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

Weekend Sermon--Joseph

Matthew-1:18-2:23

     Last week, we looked at Mary the mother of Jesus and the way in which she demonstrates her great commitment to following the will of God for her life.  In spite of what the potential consequences were, Mary was willing to do what God wanted her to do.  She is an example for all of us to always be willing to do whatever it is God might be calling us to do.  Mary was a woman who praised God and was thankful for all that the Lord had done for her.
     Mary is not alone as an example of commitment to God in the Christmas story.  Joseph of Nazareth also plays his part in showing us a life that pleases God. 
     Joseph was engaged to Mary, and I'm sure that he was shocked and angered when he first heard the news of Mary's pregnancy.  He was no doubt embarrassed and and quite possibly the object of many jokes among his companions. 
     However, early on we get a picture of the kind of man Joseph was deep down in his heart and why God may have chosen Joseph to help in raising the Son of God.  Joseph, although hurt and probably angry, didn't desire any humiliation or shame to come to Mary.  The Bible says that, "Joseph being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly."  This demonstrates that Joseph was a person of true love.  At this point, Joseph is completely unaware of the miraculous nature of Mary's pregnancy.  But, Joseph sought no retaliation against Mary.
     We see in I Corinthians 13, the great chapter on love, that one the characteristics of someone who truly loves is that they are kind.  Also, they are not resentful against others.  Joseph truly was a loving, just, and virtuous man.
     As Joseph considered his predicament with Mary, an angel appeared to him with an important announcement.  The angel, probably Gabriel, told Joseph that Mary was with child from the Holy Spirit.  Joseph was instructed to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus because He would save His people from their sins.
     Joseph was obedient to the commands of the Lord.  Just like Mary, Joseph was unconcerned as to what others thought about him.  He would do what the Lord asked without question.
     I hope that I can always be a person of love and integrity like Joseph.  I hope that I will always immediately be willing to do all that God asks of me.
     From Luke's gospel we know the story of how Mary and Joseph had to make their way to the city of Bethlehem in obedience to the degree that went out from Augustus.  I can imagine Joseph desperately trying to find a place for Mary to give birth besides a cattle stall.  I wonder what went through his mind when first shepherds, then wise men, came to worship the baby in a manger.
     It wasn't long before Joseph received another angelic visitation.  This time, Joseph was told to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt in order to escape the murderous plans of King Herod.  Once again, Joseph obeyed and was faithful. 
     The Bible is silent as to what happened to Joseph.  It is clear that he had already passed away by the time Jesus began His public ministry.  We know that Jesus was older than 12 when Joseph died, but more than that is speculation.
     During this Christmas season, I urge you to look at the example of Mary and Joseph.  Ponder the type of people they were.  Consider why God the Father chose them to raise His Son.  Most of all, let each of us follow their example of commitment to God's call.  May we all strive to do what we can for the Glory of God. Amen.

Here is the link once again to my Christmas story-- http://voices.yahoo.com/christmas-eve-corgi-10474515.html?cat=43

    

Best Dog Books

    As many who read this blog know, I love dogs and dog books.  This year I read three dog books that I really enjoyed.  The best new dog book was Following Atticus by Tom Ryan.  This book is about a man and his dog who hiked up mountains in New Hampshire.  It is the story of a man and a dog who have a great relationship.  The other two dog books are about dogs who served in World War II.  Sea Dog Bamse tells the story of Bamse, a Saint Bernard who served on a Norwegian naval vessel based in Scotland.  A Man and His Dog is the story of Antis.  Antis was a dog who went with his owner on several bombing missions.  Antis received the Dickin Medal from Britain for his heroic service in World War II.

A DVD Recommendation

I watched a great nature movie on DVD the other night from Disney called "African Cats".  This is an outstanding documentary focusing on lions and cheetahs.  The most awe inspiring part of the film is when the four big male lions are walking side by side across the savannah.  This is a great movie for all ages.

Weekend Sermon--Annunciation

Luke 1:26-56


     Christmas time is here, and it is one of my favorite times of the year.  We celebrate the great gift of Jesus.  A Savior has come for us.  It is truly a great time.
     Today, I'd like to focus on Mary and the announcement of Jesus' birth.  I can only imagine what a shock it was and how Mary must have felt when the angel Gabriel came with his momentous announcement.
     We know from Scripture that Mary lived in Nazareth and was engaged to a man named Joseph.  She was also a virgin.  One day, she suddenly sees an angel before her who says, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you." 
     Mary truly was favored by God.  She must have been a very special and holy person for God to entrust to her the birth and care of His Son.
     In the very fundamentalist churches I grew up in, we never talked or focused much attention on Mary.  These churches in fact seemed to downgrade her in order not to appear Catholic.  I don't think that Mary was just like any other person, and she is due great respect.  I may not agree with many of the doctrines the Catholic Church associates with Mary, but she found favor with God, I believe, because of her holiness and devotion to God.
     Mary received the great news that she was to give birth to a Son, and His name was to be called Jesus.  Jesus would be great, rule on the throne of his father David, and His kingdom would have no end.
     This announcement is packed with great meaning.  First of all, He would be Jesus the Savior.  He was the coming long foretold Messiah because He would rule as David's heir.  Jesus' Father was God clearly pointing to Jesus' divinity.  And, Jesus Christ shall reign forever and forever.
     The Bible also makes it clear that Mary was a virgin.  This is an important theological point.  Jesus was God's Son and not the son of a man.  If Mary had not been a virgin, there could have been doubt concerning the miraculous nature of Jesus' birth.  In order to be the Savior of the world, Jesus had to be born of a virgin.  In order to be the spotless lamb of God without sin, Jesus had to be free from an inborn sin nature.  Because he was not the son of a man but instead was the Son of God, Jesus was not born tainted by original sin.  If Jesus were just a man, He could not be the one to bear our sins, pay our sin debt, and provide salvation for the world.
     I'm sure Mary had a hard time taking in all that the angel Gabriel was telling her.  But, Mary serves as a model of total commitment to the will of God and total reliance on God.
     In the day Mary lived, a woman found pregnant without a husband could be stoned to death.  At the very least, she probably anticipated that Joseph would want nothing more to do with her and that she would be held in disgrace by her family and community.  But Mary cast all of this aside and uttered the words to Gabriel, "Behold I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to you word."
     Mary was willing to do what God asked her to do no matter the consequences.  She said yes to the Lord and His will.  She also believed that God was fully capable of bringing His will to fruition.  If God was going to bring His Son into the world through her, she believed that God would keep her and the child safe and that the angel's words about Jesus would certainly come to pass.
     In our lives, we should model this type of commitment to do God's will.  It is certainly God's will that people hear the gospel, and believers should follow God's will and share their faith.  God also has a will for our individual lives.  There may be some task God is calling you to perform.  Take an example from Mary and be committed.  Become obedient to what the Lord is asking.  God will bring about His desired results when we commit ourselves to Him.  Our job is to yield ourselves to Him.  The Lord will do the rest.
     After Mary heard the words of Gabriel, she left Nazareth to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was six months pregnant.  Mary received confirmation from Elizabeth that the child Mary was carrying was indeed the Lord.  Elizabeth said that Mary was blessed among women.
     Mary expresses deep thanksgiving that God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son.  In Luke 1:48 Mary says, "He has looked on the humble estate of His servant.  For behold from now on all generations will call me blessed."
     Mary wasn't rich and didn't come for a prominent family, yet look at the mighty way God used her to bring about His purpose.  God doesn't care whether someone is rich or poor.  He doesn't regard age or fame.  The Lord is simply looking for those with a humble heart who want to serve Him with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
     Mary continued proclaiming the greatness of God.  She proclaimed God's merciful nature and strength.  In verses 54-55 of Luke 1, Mary says, "He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring forever."
     The Lord had kept His promise.  God provided as far back as Genesis 3:15 that one day there would be a Savior.  A Messiah was coming.  The prophets foretold Jesus' birth.  Isaiah 9:6 proclaimed that a child would be born who would be the Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 7:14 declares the virgin birth.  Micah 5:2 tells that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  And the words of Isaiah 53 tell how this Messiah would suffer for the sins of the world.
     God kept His promise.  He sent Jesus Christ into this world, born of the virgin Mary.  He lived a holy and sinless life.  Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross.  He rose from the dead conquering death, hell, and the grave.  One day, He will come again, and every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.  He shall reign forever and forever.
     Christmas time is here.  What a season of rejoicing.  May God's blessings be upon you.  Amen.

A Story About A Friend

I am providing a link to a story about my friend Toby.  I hope that you like it.

http://voices.yahoo.com/christmas-eve-corgi-10474515.html?cat=43

The Weekend Sermon may be delayed until Saturday as I've not felt good this week.

The First Snow

     We received our first snow of the season.  It was only about half an inch, but it looked pretty falling from the sky.  I guess winter is finally here.

The Weekend Sermon--The Prayer of Jesus--Part 2

John 17

     Last week, we began a discussion of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer as recorded in John chapter 17.  We focused on how that Jesus made a clear declaration of his divine nature.  There can be no disputing that Jesus claimed to be God come in the flesh.  We also saw that Jesus declared that He accomplished the work of training his disciples to continue the mission of spreading the Gospel.  We also saw that Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples and the importance of the unity of the body of Christ in spreading the message of Jesus in this modern day.
     Let's pick up this week with Jesus' words beginning in verse 13 where Jesus says, "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."  This is a tremendous request that Jesus made.  He wanted them to be full of His joy.  That's what Jesus wants for His followers today.  He wants us to be filled with His life and His love.  We can know Jesus and His power and be joyful knowing that Jesus has provided our salvation and has prepared a home in heaven for us to spend all of eternity with Him.
     Many of us are going through hard times.  I know that with the many bad health problems I'm facing now it's hard not to be depressed. However, even in the midst of these hard times, I can find joy in the fact that because I know Jesus, whatever happens, He will take care of me. I trust Him and rely upon Him.
     As I've said before, all of my close family members have passed away recently, and that has certainly brought a lot of sorrow into my life.  But, I can have joy in my heart in spite of sadness knowing that my family were in Christ.  They are with Jesus now in peace.  My Mom is restored no longer suffering the effects of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.  My Dad is well again, and my friend Toby is cancer free.  This gives me joy.  It's a joy that is only possible through Jesus Christ, and I hope that everyone who is reading this has a relationship with Jesus.  I hope that you know His joy in your Spirit.
     Another interesting phrase in Jesus' prayer occurs in verse 14 where Jesus says , "They are not of this world any more than I am of this world."  I find this interesting because it demonstrates what one of the characteristics of a true follower of Christ should be.
     Jesus was not of this world.  He came from heaven, but more than that, Jesus' entire message and the value system He taught were at odds with the world system.  Because of this, those under the world's system hated Him and sought His death. 
     Jesus taught forgiveness, love, generosity, goodness, and selflessness.  The world system teaches selfishness, greed, war, and sensuality.
     As followers of Jesus Christ, this world is not our home in any sense.  Our eternal home is in heaven with Jesus.  While we are here on earth, we are not a part of this world's system.  Our values should be different.  Our ethical standards should be those taught and lived out by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
     Jesus continues in prayer for His disciples with the words, "Sanctify them by the truth; you word is truth."
     This verse points out two interesting teachings.  The first is sanctification.  To sanctify something means to set it apart for a holy purpose.  Believers are in a process of sanctification.  We are supposed to be becoming more and more like Jesus and less and less like our old selves every day.  We are to grow in sanctification through the application of the Word of God.
     God's Word for us today is found in the Bible.  This leads us to the second important teaching in this verse.  The Bible is the Word of God.  It is God's truth revealed to us.  As followers of Jesus, we need to study the Bible and learn everything that God is trying to communicate to us.
     In verse 20, Jesus focuses the attention of His prayer away from the disciples and to those who would come to believe as a result of the disciple's ministry.  That includes you and me.
     Verses 21-24 are Jesus' request to the Father that all of us who are believers today would be unified and one just as Jesus and the Father are one. 
     Last week, we saw that Jesus prayed for unity among His disciples.  They were unified in spreading the message of the Gospel.  Jesus wants His church to be one.  There is absolutely too much division in the body of Christ.  Sometimes it is not possible to agree with some Christians because of very important doctrinal differences.  For instance, some who claim to be followers of Jesus deny the divinity of Jesus, or they deny His substitutionary atonement.  These are vital and essential doctrines of the orthodox Christian faith.
     However, a great deal of division among believers today is over nonsense.  One of the biggest divisions that is splitting up churches is over worship styles.  Some want contemporary music.  Others want traditional.  What a stupid thing to divide over.  Have some of each, praise God, and go about spreading the message of Jesus.  This is just one example.  But, when the world sees our division, it doesn't see Jesus.
     Verse 24 is a powerful verse.  Jesus asks the Father that those who have believed in Him might be with Him and behold Him in all the fullness of His glory.  Jesus loves us.  That's why He died for us.  He wants us to spend eternity with Him because He cares about us and wants to have a relationship with us. 
    Personally, I cannot wait to see Jesus.  I can't think of anything better that seeing Jesus face to face.  To see Jesus on His throne high and lifted up and being praised by angel choirs joined by the saints is a fantastic sight I want to behold.  I want to join in a song of praise to Jesus.
     When we see Jesus in His glory, all the pain, sorrow, and heartache of this life will be over forever and ever. 
     Jesus concludes by asking that the Father's love might be in us and that Jesus Himself might be in us.  Jesus is in all who have believed in Him.  I urge you to believe in Jesus today.  Make Jesus your Lord and Savior.  He loves you.  May His name be praised.

I Don't Understand It.

    I read today on the BBC website that the nation of Hungary is considering a law to outlaw homelessness.  Those convicted would receive either a fine or a jail sentence.  Why don't they try and institute a program to help the homeless?  Then again, why don't we do more in the US?