What Am I Doing Here?
March 7, 2012
I was learning how to install vinyl siding while wondering why I wasted the time and money to work my way through college and grad school. Don’t get me wrong; I was thankful for a job! I had been without a paycheck for a year and a half. I had gone from being unemployed to being under-employed! When I cried out to God in frustration, I felt Him asking me, “Are your wife and kids hungry? Have you lost your home? Have your cars been repossessed?” No, I had to admit that God had somehow kept us warm, fed and sheltered.
That memory reminds me of the Israelites. Rather than taking them from Egypt directly to the Promised Land, God intentionally kept them in the wilderness for a time. You can just hear them grumbling over and over, “What are we doing here?!?” They kept worrying about where they were going to get food and water in the desert. But the Bible tells us that God miraculously provided for their whole nation’s needs in a place where even small communities could not survive. And all the while they worried and complained, God was preparing them for and leading them toward the Promised Land.
Have you ever asked yourself, “What am I doing here?!?” You’re not alone. But I can promise you two things: 1. If you will follow God’s direction, He will lead you to your “promised land” – God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28). 2. If you put your trust in God, He will somehow keep you warm, fed and sheltered. – I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25).
See you in church Sunday!
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Where is God When Life Sucks?
March 1, 2012 —
You’ve just been laid off… A loved-one has died… The doctor tells you it’s cancer… Where is God when life sucks? It’s really easy to be angry with God. Haven’t you tried to be good and do right? Isn’t God supposed to be loving and all-powerful? So what gives? After all, you know scumbags who are doing very well, untouched by death and enjoying good health. Maybe it doesn’t pay to be good. Maybe there is no God. Or if there is a God; maybe I’ll show Him a thing or two for not having my back!
No, you’re not the only person to have those thoughts. King David experienced some of your same frustrations and expressed it in the Psalms. One is Psalm 73: “I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles; they’re not plagued with problems. Does God even know what’s happening? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. I tried to understand. Then I went to the sanctuary and understood the destiny of the wicked. I realized that my heart was bitter. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart.”
It’s OK to be mad at God. He became human in Jesus so He could understand how you feel. He prayed to avoid dying on the cross. Then he cried out from the cross before his death, asking why God had forsaken him. Where is God when life sucks? He’s right beside you saying, “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” (Romans 8:38) If you can be patient and trust Him, He will turn your mourning into dancing!
See you in church Sunday!
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Is that all?
February 22, 2012 —
I stared at a kleenex-sized box of my Dad’s ashes. He had wanted to be cremated, but I had never seen somebody’s ashes before. The man who had been so visionary, so creative, so full of love and life was now reduced to a couple pounds of gray ash. Is that all that’s left of us at the end of our lives? Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Ashes have been a reminder of death and an expression of grief throughout history. The point of Ash Wednesday is to remember that you will die one day and to humbly admit the ways you’ve messed up so far. No, your life may not be as messed up as somebody else’s, but we’ve all messed up. The Bible tells us that if we say we haven’t messed up we’re lying and only fooling ourselves; but if we admit how we’ve messed up, God forgives us and gives us a do-over.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent; a forty day period before Good Friday. Lent is a time when Christians give up something they really like to make their souls stronger and their cravings weaker. They make these small sacrifices to remember the big sacrifice that Jesus made on the Friday before Easter, when he died on the cross so our lives don’t have to end as a box of ashes. Jesus rose from the dead with a new body and is alive in Heaven praying for us. The Bible tells us that when he returns to earth, he will give everyone who loves him a new body like his that will never get sick, grow old or die. That’s a pretty sweet deal.
Do you love Jesus? If that seems like a strange question to you, then you may not realize he really wants to be your BFF. That’s what he says in the Bible, so it must be true. Yes, if you say out loud that you want Jesus to take over your messed up life and you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, a box of ashes will not be all that’s left when your body dies. You’ll feel Jesus’ love in your heart and you’ll be filled with a joy and a hope that won’t stop.
See you in church Sunday!
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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How Can You Stay Powered Up?
February 16, 2012 —
Two weeks ago, you may have been surprised to discover that Satan is currently ruler of this world. Last week, I hope you decided to join the insurgency and fight him! But now that you’ve given your life to Jesus and put on the full armor of God, how can you stay powered up for the daily battle? To stay powered up, we have to stay plugged into the power source: God. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) How can we do that?
First, we can’t allow the sin in our lives to separate us from God. “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2) We all sin. So what can we do to stay close and connected? “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
Second, we need to spend time with God each day. Even Jesus had to do this while he was in human form on Earth. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Devotional time includes at least these five ingredients: 1. Reading the Bible devotionally to listen for what God is saying to you. 2. Thanksgiving. Think about all God has done for you and thank Him. 3. Apologize. See above. 4. Others. Pray for the needs of others. 4. Self. Pray for your own wants and needs. Keep a journal of your prayers and record His answers! You’ll be amazed! “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6)
See you in church Sunday!
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Are You Ready to Fight?
February 9, 2012 —
Last week, you may have been surprised to discover that Satan is currently ruler of this world. That is why there is so much pain and suffering. That is why bad things happen to you even when you work hard and try to be a good person. But Satan’s rule is only temporary. So if you go along to get along, you will spend a tormented eternity in the Lake of Fire with Satan. What can you do? You can join the insurgency and fight!
Jesus says in John 10:10, “Satan’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give a rich and satisfying life.” When you give your life to Jesus, he says, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy!” (Luke 10:19)
The Bible tells believers to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:11-18 ) The Bible tells believers to “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) The Bible tells believers that “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Are you ready to fight?
Have you put your faith in Jesus as your Savior?
Will I see you in church Sunday?
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Ruler of This World: God or Satan?
February 2, 2012 –
Many people are surprised by the evil in this world. Do you ever wonder, “If God is good or even exists, why is there so much pain and suffering? Why is it that bad things happen to me even when I work hard and try to be a good person?” I’ll tell you why. The Bible records that while God gave Adam authority over the world, Adam gave it over to Satan.
That’s right; Satan is the temporary ruler of this world: “Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.” (John 12:31) “Jesus said, ‘The ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me.’” (John 14:30) “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe the Gospel.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil spiritual rulers and authorities, and against mighty powers in this dark world.” (Ephesians 6:12) “We know that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) “Who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5)
God is using Satan’s rebellion to reveal the hearts of men and women. Those who put their faith in God’s salvation will be raised from death and live for eternity with Him. “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.” (Galatians 1:4) “The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (1 John 2:16–17)
Why do I say that Satan is the temporary ruler of this world? Because the Bible tells us that Satan’s end has already been determined: “The devil was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:10-15)
Have you put your faith in Jesus as your Savior?
Will I see you in church Sunday?
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Are You Religious or Are You Spiritual?
January 24, 2012 –
Surveys reveal an interesting trend; fewer people are defining themselves as religious, and more are defining themselves as spiritual. What does that mean? I hear more people say, “I don’t believe in organized religion.” Ironically, there are more religious options in our community than ever before! Merriam-Webster defines “religious” as “conscientiously faithful”.
Maybe that’s why “spiritual” is becoming more popular. With “spiritual” we can acknowledge the supernatural realm while keeping our options open and limiting our commitment.
When I was in business I had a Sikh boss who told me, “All religions are just many paths up one mountain.” That sounds good, but does God live at the top of a mountain?
All religions, including Christianity, are only man’s best attempts to reach God. When they all meet at the top of the mountain, they still come up short. But “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17)
It doesn’t matter to God if you’re religious or spiritual. God wants a relationship. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20)
Do you have that kind of personal relationship with God?
Will I see you in church Sunday?
Grace & blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Feeling Blue?
January 18. 2012 –
Do you ever feel blue? As far back as I can remember, I have occasionally struggled with those feelings. Sometimes I feel unbearably lonely even when people are around. Sometimes I feel paralyzing despair, even when everything is going well. Sometimes I feel drained of energy, even when I’m well-rested and fed. Sometimes I know what’s making me blue, but often I have no clue…
I’ve learned how to cope with feeling blue. I’ve learned to keep busy. I’ve learned that exercise helps. I’ve learned what music helps and what music makes it worse. And I’ve learned to live by faith, not by feelings. How can we live by faith? Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the evidence of things unseen, the substance of things hoped for. I can’t see God, but the Bible says He wants to be my Heavenly Father, and that He works all things in my life together for good. I remember how He has done that so often in the past. It gives me hope when I don’t feel hopeful.
Romans 8:35 asks, “What shall separate us from God’s love?” The answer, it assures us, is “Nothing!” There’s nothing you could ever do to make God stop loving you.
Could you use some faith, hope and love in your life? Open the door of your heart and invite God in.
See you in church Sunday!
New Year blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Are You Running Too Rich?
January 11, 2012-
No, I’m not talking about money. Usually when my mower starts running poorly, it’s because the air filter has gotten clogged with dust. There’s not enough air for the fuel to burn fully, so soot starts building up on the spark plug, fouling it. That’s called “running too rich”. You need three things in a proper balance to make your engine run well: 1. Fuel 2. Air 3. Spark. When cars were simpler, and my engine wasn’t running well, those are the things I’d look for.
I was working on a motorcycle carburetor today and it made me think about finding the right mix in life. Let’s call “things to do” our fuel. Without things to do, we become emotionally, spiritually and physically depressed. Let’s call “time” our air. Without enough time, our lives begin running too rich and start fouling the spark plug. Let’s call God the “spark plug”. If you have time and things to do but no divine spark, life loses meaning and purpose.
Are you overwhelmed by things to do? Do you find there’s not enough time? Are you fouling your divine spark?
See you in church Sunday!
New Year blessings,
Pastor Bob
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Is Your Life an Epic Adventure?
January 4, 2012 –
I recently visited an exhibit on Genghis Khan. From humble beginnings, Temujin created and ruled over the largest Empire that has ever existed. It was four times the size of the Roman Empire! Then I watched a recommended movie of his early life called Mongol. It was an epic adventure! Temujin was “Genghis Khan” (King of Kings) for 21 years. Then he died. The Mongol Empire would last 33 more years before dividing and declining.
It’s exciting to experience the vicarious thrills of an epic adventure. That’s one of the reasons we enjoy movies! That’s also one reason for the amazing growth of “massive multiplayer online” games (MMO’s). The MMO World of Warcraft has 12 million subscribers worldwide, representing 60% of the market. These subscribers (who may in fact be couch-potatoes) have been willing to spend $2.2 billion for the vicarious thrills of a fictional epic adventure.
Empires don’t last. Online epic adventures are pretend. But you have the opportunity to serve an immortal King of Kings; the increase of whose government and peace will never end (Isaiah 9:7). His kingdom has continued to increase for over 2,000 years now. He is calling you to a REAL epic adventure! Why settle for “playing church” when you can risk it all, knowing that you will never die (John 11:26) and assured of being more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)! He’s returning soon for the final battle against all who oppose him; but you can pledge your life to serve his kingdom today!
See you in church Sunday!
New Year blessings,
Pastor Bob
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