Shepastor: "And Still He Loves Us..."

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22: 31-32, NIV

“I would never do that…I am committed all the way to the end…Lord, I WILL NEVER deny you…” At the time that Peter made these declarations, he probably was completely convinced that his words were sincere and definite. But our Lord knew the heart of Peter in ways that he himself did not understand. The Lord also understands that while not omniscient (all knowing), the enemy of our souls – Satan in ancient. He has been around long enough to understand the frailty of humanity and how to strike at us when we are in our most vulnerable moments.

Those who have walked with the Lord, love the Lord and have made life long commitments to the Lord are not exempt from the weaknesses of the flesh. We must be careful never to become “spiritually cocky,” thinking that we would NEVER do thus and so. Our daily prayer must be, “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

Denying the Lord comes in many and various forms. Standing up and defending the cause of Christ, declaring His name and His way based upon His Word is becoming increasingly challenging in today’s society. Remaining silent when we need to stand and speak truth to power is a temptation we in the Church are increasingly facing.

“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,” (II Corinthians 4:7) and while it is our desire and intent never to deny the Lord, Jesus knows that at times we will fail. But as He spoke to Peter, Jesus still speaks to us, “…Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat, But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

With a measure of humility, remembering that we all fall short and are in need of the grace and mercy of our Lord, as we are forgiven, as we are strengthened, as we are lifted to a higher level of faith with a stronger ability to stand, may we remember those who are struggling, stumbling, tripping, falling…may we resist the temptation to judge, to be critical, to be condescending. With a measure of humility, may we instead reach out and do all that we can through the strength of Christ to lift others up.

What a blessing and comfort to know that in spite of all of our faults and failures, Jesus still loves us! What victory to know that Satan “must ask permission” to tempt us. What a consolation to know that our Lord has prayed for us so that we will never be kept in the grip of Satan!

During this Holy Week when we remember all that Christ did for us as He walked the earth and on Calvary, may we rejoice in His everlasting love and remember to lift and love one another, always rejoicing that in Christ, we are MORE than conquerors!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: "It is Written..."

4 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. 3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4: 1-4, KJV

The story of Jesus’ temptation vividly depicts the treachery of the devil, seeking to derail Jesus from his mission and life’s purpose by trying to persuade him to get off track, give in to his weaknesses and to satisfy his cravings for a season. But Jesus was equipped with something far more superior than the tempting tactics and words of Satan. Jesus had the words of his father hidden deep down in his heart.

The Lord is also our heavenly Father and it is his words that give us life. Jesus’ responses to temptation tell us something about the power of knowing God’s word.

Consider Jesus’1st response to the devil.

Verses 3 and 4 of our text declares,
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. 4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Jesus shows us how to use God’s word as a shield when we are hungry. Even though he was hungry, he trusted His father’s words over the temptations of Satan.

When the enemy comes against us, using our “hunger,” doubt about God, doubt about ourselves, doubt about God’s promises, we’ve go to know what is written! We’ve got to know God's Word. God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. God's Word is the light and life and breath of our souls. When you know God's Holy Word, when you stand upon His promises, when you quote His wisdom to yourself, you beat back the lies and temptation that the devil sends your way.

Proverbs declares that life and death are in the power of the tongue. When we don’t trust what is written in God’s Word we open ourselves up to a world of defeat. But when we trust God’s Word, when we speak God's word over and into our spirit, God breathes life into us. When you trust God's word, you are less vulnerable to the lies that Satan tells you about yourself. You trust when God's word says, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made." You trust God's word when it says, "I know the plans that I have for you." You trust God's word when it declares that you are the righteousness of God. You trust God's word when it declares that if you confess your sins God is faithful and just to forgive you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Knowing what is written and hiding that word in your heart will help you resist the enemy’s falsehoods.

When Satan tried to tempt Jesus to look to him for power and authority, to look to him for prestige and material things, Jesus simply replied,

"It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. "

Jesus knew that there was nothing Satan could offer that would truly be of benefit. Jesus knew that the ways of His father, the teachings of His father, the love of His father would lead him into paths of prosperity.

Jesus was able to resist the lies of Satan because He believed His Father, He trusted His Father and He adored his Father. When Satan tried to tempt Jesus to look to him for power and authority, to look to him for prestige and material things, Jesus simply replied,

“It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. “

Jesus knew that there was nothing Satan could offer that would truly be of benefit. Jesus also was clear about his mission. Jesus knew that the ways of His father, the teachings of His father, the love of His father would sustain him for his purpose. He didn’t have to “sell his soul to the company store.” It is so important that Fathers set the right examples for children. It is critical that fathers teach their sons and daughters the benefits of right living. The world, especially today, is filled with temptations of “get rich quick” schemes, the thrill of power, the glam and the glitter associated with high style living.

But all of those things will leave you feeling empty, unfulfilled and cheap when they are obtained through illegitimate means. So often men and women have sold themselves out through lying, stealing, cheating, manipulating, pushing others aside doing whatever they feel necessary to climb the proverbial corporate ladder. They do so, however at the expense of their souls. They do so at the expense of their reputations. They do so at the expense of their children. No matter how high you climb, if you do so with evil tactics, your ladder will soon come crashing down. What then will you say to your children?

But if through righteous living, honest work, hard work, faith in God and the support of others you have been elevated by the Lord, no weapon formed against you will prosper. We have to teach our children that it takes prayer, hard work, faith and perseverance to succeed. We can’t have everything we want over night. Sometimes we have to wait. Sometimes we have to sacrifice. Sometimes we have go without. But if your children see that you have pressed your way, worked honestly, tried diligently, come up against some difficult circumstances and yet remained faithful, they will see you as someone to look up to and someone to pattern their lives after. The false promises of the world won’t lure them away.

Finally, Jesus’ confidence in what was written made him confident in his identity. In each of the devil’s attempts, he began by questioning who Jesus was, “If you be the son of God….” “If…..” Inherent in the “if” is the question, are you really who you say you are?

Insecurity, self doubt, low self-esteem has caused many a person to do themselves harm, get involved with the wrong crowd and make many wrong choices, all because they don’t know who they are.

Every day, the devil is bombarding people with the question – “If you be so and so then do thus and so….” When the enemy comes against our personhood, against our worth, against our purpose, we’ve got to know what is written…we’ve got to know down deep in our soul who God says we are. We must remember that we are made in the image of God.

Get to know what is written in God’s Word about your life, about your purpose, about your self-worth, about your future…Jesus has taught us, Jesus has shown us…Jesus had died for us…through Christ, we have the victory!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Sometimes Blossoms Skip a Season…”

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:11, KJV

This verse of scripture is the 2nd portion of a promise God gave to His people regarding the tithe…giving God the “first fruits” of all of their increase at a level of 10%. For those who “put God to the test,” and trusted Him enough to put Him first in their finances and in every aspect of their lives, God promised to “rebuke the devourer” for their sakes.

Sometimes it feels, no matter how faithful we’ve been that the “devourer” gobbles up various aspects of our lives. When doors remain closed, when children go astray, when finances are devastated, when sickness prevails, when death knocks at the door, it can feel like we were left out of the “blessed crew…”

But things are not always what they seem…

The other day while shopping for a special gathering in my home, as I entered the store I was greeted with a beautiful display of big, bright, lush fuchsia colored hydrangea. I started to walk past them, but they were so incredibly beautiful I could not resist…I bought two! I proudly brought them home and placed them on our front portico steps. Our children and our guests were thrilled when they saw them. I beamed with joy as they enjoyed the beauty of these gorgeous flowers.

Because I am not a gardener by any stretch of the imagination, before going to sleep I decided to read up on how to care for these flowers. While reading I was particularly drawn to one aspect of their care….

The gardening guide advised that if hydrangea become dry and begin to die, “cut them down to the base, removing all blooms and leaves…leaving only the stem.” It further explained that the following season, the stem would produce no blooms, only leaves. Blooms would skip a season. But the season after that, the blooms would be strong, bountiful and lush.

This analogy spoke volumes to me. Just like hydrangea, when the Lord sees us getting “dry,” maybe even dying in some respects, He may elect to “cut us down to the base.” We may experience seasons without blooms…seasons of a few scraggly leaves so to speak or no leaves at all! But God knows exactly what He is doing! During those seasons of pruning, it may feel like we will never blossom again…it may look like we are barren and fruitless…it may appear to others that we have little or nothing going on…but our GREAT and AWESOME GOD sees the blooms coming in the next season!

Sometimes God strips us to the base to rid our lives, our hearts and our spirits of dead things, diseased things, harmful things that if left hanging on our stem would do irreparable damage and ultimately destroy our blossoms. Knowing all things, God intentionally cuts away those things that will stop us from experiencing the full, lush, bright and beautiful blossoms He desires us to produce.

Sometimes blossoms skip a season. Trust God…although you may be cut down to the base, know that your season of blooming is coming…coming strong, lush, big and beautiful!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “When Did We See You Lord?”

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25: 37-40 NIV

Our Nation is currently grappling with major pieces of legislation that will greatly impact the lives of many. Healthcare, education, jobs, the environment and national security are all on the table. How do these matters effect individuals in their day to day lives? Insensitivity, greed, racism, hatred and ignorance have all impacted the conversation. “What shall we say to these things?” A modern day rendition of Matthew 25 31-46 has been going around on Face Book.

Thanks to Jim Obergefell for sharing this powerful piece…

When I was hungry, you canceled my food stamps
When I was thirsty, you diverted lead & coal into my water
When I was sick, you tripled my insurance rates
When I was naked, you raped me & blamed me because I was naked.
When I was in prison, you enslaved me to corporations
When I was a stranger with brown skin you deported me
From the lonely you took away social programs
From the elderly, you took away meals & medicine
From the workers, you took away legal protections
From the young, you took away school funding
From the victims, you took away shelter
Instead of diversity, you encourage intolerance
Instead of caring, you encourage isolation
Instead of equity, you encourage military excess
When the 1% has ground us into the dust, taken all of our money, and let us die for lack of insurance - who will you feed upon?

Thanks to Jim Obergefell for this share

Remember, in order to “pull yourself up by your own boot straps,” you must have boots!

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: "Something about the Wilderness..."

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness
4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”
7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. Matthew 4: 1-11, NIV

There is something about the wilderness…after Moses fled Egypt, he remained in the wilderness of Midian, tending sheep and marrying the daughter of Jethro, tradition suggests for forty years, unaware that the Lord was preparing him for a critical, historical, prolific role. Due to complaining spirits and unbelieving, hard hearts, the children of Israel were made to wander in the wilderness for forty years…a generation dying and another one rising before entering the promise land. After experiencing great victory defeating the prophets of Baal, Elijah fled to the wilderness of Horeb, after having his life threatened by Jezebel. He traveled forty days and nights by foot, depressed and desiring to die…unaware that God was preparing him to anoint the next kings and to prepare his successor Elisha.

There is something about the wilderness…God appears to use it as a tool of testing, processing and preparation. Jesus himself spent forty days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. Fully immersing himself in the “human experience,” Jesus subjected himself to the condition of human frailty…to be hungry, lonely, hearing suggestions that he abandon his purpose and his Father’s plan… “tempted in all points, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).

Are you in the wilderness? You are in good company! Although we have the record, the heroes listed above had no clear path or way out. They simply had their convictions to trust, listen to and follow God. Jesus taught us how to press our way through the wilderness by relying totally upon God’s Word. At every turn, at every temptation, at every suggestion that was contrary to his purpose, Jesus responded with the Word.

Your wilderness is a time to pass tests, process and prepare. Each victory will help you some other to win...Although you may not be clear about where you are and why you are there, God knows exactly where you are and what He is preparing you to do. Like Moses, the wilderness can make you tired, frustrated and angry…but you don’t have to miss entering the promise land. Like Elijah, the wilderness can make you lonely, weary and depressed. But you don’t have to go and hide in a cave, waiting to die. Like Jesus, YOU WILL be tempted to forsake your purpose and God’s plan, but LIKE JESUS, you can overcome by the power of God’s Word.

We all face wilderness experiences. Through grace, faith, fasting, prayer and looking to Jesus, may you stand on God’s Word, press your way and remember, God will send angels to minister to you in time…

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: “Sometimes the Fastest Way Forward is to Turn Around…”

Seek the LORD while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55: 6-7, NKJV

Let’s be honest…it can be embarrassing and ego bruising to admit that we have been going in the wrong direction…especially if we have been “beating a drum” defending our path! But if we are serious about getting closer to the place we feel called to reach, we must be willing to admit error and turn around.

If for some reason we have taken a wrong turn on our journey, going forward does not make sense. If we are on the wrong road, “real” steps forward mean turning back and getting on the correct path.

Maybe you have experienced driving in a car with someone who is resistant to asking for directions. Although you are not sure, you and the driver can sense that you are going the wrong way. But the driver, because of pride or some other reason refuses to stop and ask for assistance. Frustration builds, the feeling of wandering off into obscurity intensifies and the hope of reaching the desired destination anytime soon begins to fade!

In the words of C.S. Lewis,

“We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it's pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistakes. We're on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on”

May we, by faith, have the courage to admit our “wrong turns” and turn around. When on the wrong road, “going back is the quickest way” forward.

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org

Shepastor: "Forty Days Towards..."

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Psalm 51: 7-13, KJV

As a little girl growing up, “Lent” was a time when we gave up candy, baked goods and meat on Friday. We could not listen to loud music or dance on Sunday. Even if we did not attend church most Sundays, “Good Friday” was the day that we all went.

For me, it was a forty day march towards eating sweets again! We couldn’t wait to boil and color Easter eggs, make beautiful baskets with jelly beans, malted eggs, and big, beautiful chocolate bunnies! It wasn’t until years later that I began to grasp the wonderful opportunity the Lenten season offered to walk with the Lord in a very special and intimate way.

While we should daily come before the Lord with a desire to be cleansed, revived, renewed and restored, Lent is a time to magnify and increase our level of prayerful introspection.

Lent offers:

Forty days to pray intentional prayers of repentance and cleansing…
Forty days to fast for greater clarity…
Forty days to pursue God’s direction in a more focused way…
Forty days to pray for healing and reconciliation in our relationships, starting with God…
Forty days to seek God’s face…
Forty days to prepare for and cultivate a renewed excitement for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

What do these forty days of Lent mean for you?

Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com

Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org