Shepastor: "Ever-Increasing Glory..."

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18, NIV

Some years ago, while driving home from a family trip, my daughter (who is known for pulling things “out of the sky” and making remarks) looked at me and declared, “Mommy, you are going to be so beautiful!” To which I responded, “Aris, you don’t think that I am beautiful now?” Aris went on, “Yes Mommy, but not as beautiful as you are going to be…”

While I am not quite sure what she saw or what she was thinking, her words carried my thoughts to another place. As the people of God, our desire should be to continually transform into the image of God with “ever-increasing glory.” During Holy Week, we stand on the sidelines of history, processing images of a Savior who began the week with loud hosannas and ended the week unrecognizable due to unimaginable brutality, mockery, and humiliation.

Yet Jesus endured all of these things to conquer Death, Hell and the Grave for us. What appeared to be defeat, was the dawning of a new day for humanity. Through God’s love, grace and mercy, Jesus’ willing sacrifice and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, counsel and comfort, we can walk in victory…not only in the “life eternal,” but in our everyday lives. Through Christ we are no longer slaves to the sins that bind us, but are made “free indeed!” The Law that was a school master, reminding us of our inability to flawlessly follow every “jot and tittle” becomes the usher, that carries us to the throne of grace, taking us beyond the veil.

Through Christ, we can submit to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, transforming our lives to reflect more of the love, the grace, the mercy, the peace, the joy, the beauty, the justice, the righteousness, the compassion of God.

As we march towards “Good Friday,” and ultimately, “Resurrection Morning,” may we embrace the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May God’s ever-increasing glory be abundantly evident in our daily walk and may we know that our current beauty is merely a glimpse of what we shall be!

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: "Drive Out the Giants..."

Allotment for Caleb
6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’[a] 10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” 13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.) Then the land had rest from war. Joshua 14: 6-15, NIV

Caleb knew that this land had been promised to him. He never forgot what the Lord told Moses – that he was to give this land to Caleb. Caleb had to watch as an entire generation faded away – forty-five years before reaching his promised destination. But in spite of the long, treacherous struggle and wait, Caleb was determined to receive what God had promised him. He didn’t want just any land, he wanted the specific land that was designated for him. The “mountain” or hill country he was promised was Hebron. What was so special about Hebron?

The significance of Hebron:

-After going his separate way from his brother Lot, Abraham “pitched his tent” in Hebron
-Abraham’s wife Sarah, after her death was buried in Hebron, as were all three of the patriarchs, Jewish Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
-It became a Levitical city and a city of refuge.
-As King of Judah, Hebron was David’s royal residence, and he was anointed as king over all Israel there.
-When David became King of Judah, he chose to make Hebron Israel’s first capital city.
-Next to Jerusalem, this is the most important city in the Bible.

This was a rich land, a holy land, a historic land – a “promised land.” But in spite of all that, there remained a big issue with the land – the land STILL HAD GIANTS!!!
One might think that after having to wait all of that time, the land would have been “good to go,” care free, smooth terrain, no problem, right? Not so!!! Even though it was rich, historic, anointed, holy, BEAUTIFUL, it still had some problems – BIG PROBLEMS!!! But look at Caleb’s attitude – no matter the problem, he still not only wanted, but was willing to fight for what God had for him! Let’s think about what we can learn from this passage and Caleb’s attitude…

Things to learn from this passage:

(1) You may have to wait a while for God’s promise to come to pass
I imagine that it was no cake walk for Caleb. 45 years is a LONG TIME by anyone’s count. But Caleb was a man that wholeheartedly followed the Lord. When he received God’s guidance and promise given through Moses, he didn’t buck up against Moses, he didn’t go against Moses with the rest of the eight spies,he grabbed hold to God’s promises and ran with them. You will not be able to stand on God’s promise, stand firm against a majority who are fearful, doubtful, pessimistic, and contrary unless you wholeheartedly follow the Lord. You will not be able to hold on and hold out for God’s best for your life if you are “half steppin” with your faith. Coming to church every now and then, praying every now and then, barely if ever studying God’s Word, living in ways that you know go against what God’s Word teaches about holy living…Jesus said, “a little leaven, leveneth the whole lump.” A pinch of yeast can cause an entire loaf of bread to rise because of its potency. That is the thing with sin, disobedience, bad attitudes, rebellious spirits, foolish pride, unholy behaviors, etc. When you allow seeds of sin to take root in your heart you undermine the seed of faith, hope, love, trust, truth in your own heart. The thorn-bushes of sin will crowd out any seed of faith, hope and righteousness that propel you into having “Caleb-like” faith – a faith that helps you to hold on to the promises. We’ve got to nurture and build our faith so that we can hold onto God’s promises and receive that which He has promised – not just any old thing, but God’s best for us, a “Hebron blessing!”

(2) There are still giants in the “promised land”
Another thing we learn from this text is that even when we receive the promise, proverbial giants will often still be in the land. You finally land your “dream job” only to find out that the person or persons you have to work with are mean, jealous and undermining. You finally get your new home, only to find out the previous owners nor the realtor told you all of the expenses you would have fixing hidden problems. You finally get out of prison only to find out that you can’t find a job. You finally reach your educational goal, but now you’ve got to pay back student loans. You finally get what you’ve been waiting for only to find out that THERE ARE GIANTS IN THE LAND!!!

Be prepared for the giants. In other words, understand that in this world we will have tribulation, but Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” There will always be something that you will have to overcome. There is no perfect place, there is no perfect job, there is no perfect relationship, there is no perfect church, there is no perfect human beings…everybody and every place has some kind of issues. If you run away, you will still face issues because you can’t run from yourself and believe it or not WE ALL HAVE ISSUES!!! Don’t relinquish what God has for you in your promised place because of challenges, because of trials, because of discouragement. Learn from Caleb who declared, 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Our third and final lesson,
(3) With the help of the Lord you can drive them out…

My father always used to encourage me by saying, “Chrissy, life could never be that hard. Always say to yourself, ‘With the help of Almighty God, I can make it!’” Caleb in our text recognized the giants. He called them by name. He acknowledged their strength, but then he affirmed his faith that even though they were strong, with God’s help, he could and would drive them out because God said that the land belonged to him! Learn how to claim your territory. Name your giants. Recognize what your problems, your issues, your stumbling blocks, your challenges, your weaknesses. When you know what they are and you can name them, then you can move on from there and process through understanding its strength. In other words, we’ve got to be strategic about facing and defeating our giants.

You cannot defeat or overcome your issues if you are unwilling to name them, understand their strength and then strategize on how to drive them out. You’ve got to name your issues. Don’t under estimate the strength, the pull the current power whatever it is has over you. For some, the giant is anger and hostility…can’t control your emotions. For some the giant is low self-esteem…because you don’t understand and embrace the beauty of who God made you to be you are ever comparing yourself, ever under-rating yourself, ever insecure about yourself. For some the giant is perpetually making bad choices. You don’t stop and think things through. You don’t pay attention to warning signs. You don’t look before you leap!

We all have giants. But with the help of the Lord, we can drive them out. It does not matter how old you are. God can help you to name, face and defeat the giants that seek to oppress and overpower you, blocking you from having the best blessings that God has for your life, for your family, for your household, your marriage, your children, your finances, your relationships. God will help you to name, face and ultimately drive out the giants that are holding you down, dragging you back, controlling you with heart ache and fear.

Do you want to drive the giants out? Learn from Caleb in our text…wholeheartedly follow the Lord – stop half steppin. Give your life, your heart, your mind, your mouth, your will, your finances, your whole self to the Lord. Do you want to drive out the giants? Stop playing games with God and yourself. Name your issues. Deal with them through prayer, faith, a decision to change and therapy is necessary. Deal with your giants! Do you want to drive the giants out? Take hold of God’s promises over your life. No matter how long it takes, no matter how difficult it may seem, no matter who does or does not stand with you – hold to God’s unchanging hand – follow God with your whole heart – trust and obey and God will give you what you need to be victorious in every arena of your life!

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

Until next Wednesday

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

Shepastor: “For the Common Good…”

11A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11, NIV

It is not always easy to “overlook an offense.” Our natural inclination (at least for me) is to either say something or withdraw. Frequently, relationships are strained or broken because of offenses. Through observation, however, I am learning the benefits of overlooking offenses.

Let me hasten to say that some offenses CANNOT be overlooked…abuse, sexual or racial attacks, bullying etc. These issues must be addressed head on and must not be tolerated.
But there are other offenses that we should learn to move past and work through. I am always impressed to take note of individuals who have learned the delicate art of moving beyond an offence to work with others to accomplish good.

For example, people with opposing political views coming together to work on a community project to help many… acquaintances who just “rub one another the wrong way,” putting aside their differences to share their expertise to help educate or inform others…pastors and leaders who don’t ordinarily “run in the same circles” or who have different approaches to addressing issues, coming together on one particular thing to help advance a cause.

Can you overlook an offense in order to reach a higher goal, address a pressing issue, attend to a major problem? Can you push past your offense in order to make a greater impact for good? How adept are you, through prayer, patience and discernment at “picking your battles?”

May we pray for the wisdom and discernment to address those issues that need addressing and overlook those issues that get in the way of our doing common good.

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: “The Glass Slipper Does Not Fit…”

Now this is what the LORD says--the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel--"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1, Christian Standard Bible

There is so much pressure on people to “fit in.” The other day while riding along in the car, my thirteen year old daughter and I had an interesting discussion about “misfits.” She asked me what I thought the term meant.

Out of the blue, she declared, “The glass slipper does not fit…” The phrase, borrowed from Cinderella struck me. In the fairy tale, a prince came and rescued the beautiful young lady who was being mistreated, abused and oppressed; but for many, no such “rescuer” appears. Maybe they appeared and left because of unfulfilled expectations. Rejection, bullying, mean words and abuse have many walking around thinking, “the glass slipper does not fit…no prince is coming for me!” But there is One who has chosen us, calls us by our name and claims us as His own…the LORD!

It is critical that we teach not only our children and youth, but all ages the importance of knowing who we are…who we really are. If our identity is based only upon what others think or say, we will ever be mired in uncertain and untenable frames of mind. Although it is easier said than done, we must daily remind ourselves and those we influence to find their true identity in Christ.

As the people of God, we will never truly “fit”…being “in the world, but not of the world (John 15:19).” Our differences, however, are beautiful, a breath of fresh air, salt and light.
The ugly duckling is really a swan. The lowly caterpillar is evolving into a beautiful butterfly. The misfit is actually an anointed, gifted, creative, stunning blessing waiting for God’s appointed time to emerge from beneath the ash heap of ignorance and fear cast upon her.

Forget the glass slipper! The real Prince has a crown waiting for you and in this life, a world waiting to experience your unique glory and splendor! Learn who you are in Christ and then go and be your best self ever, to the glory of God!

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: “Let Your FIRST Step Be Prayer…”

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3, NIV

Before I look at my text messages, jump onto Facebook or even begin a conversation with my family, I look to meet first with the Lord in prayer. In recent days, people have become frustrated with those who are using the refrain, “We are keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers…”

Yes, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much. Yes there is GREAT power in prayer. But prayer is not the end…prayer is the beginning. It is the first step in seeking God’s guidance, strength, courage, and wisdom to address whatever life brings our way. Prayer is the first step in putting feet to our faith.

The Psalmist declares that the Lord will hear his voice in the morning. In other words, the Psalmist wants to give God the first of his day. He then “waits expectantly” for God’s response. How many foolish decisions have we made because we didn’t “meet God in the morning” and wait for His response? How many opportunities have we missed because we dashed out of the door and didn’t check in to “get our assignment” for the day?

What’s first on your agenda? Who receives the first fruits of your heart and your lips? If you are not in the habit of meeting God first, at the very first part of your day, try it out and see how your journey changes…

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: “I’m Overwhelmed…I Can’t Do it…Oh, Yes I Can!!!”

Hear My Cry; Listen to My Prayer
1{To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David.} Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. Psalm 61: 1-3, KJV

If your heart has ever been overwhelmed, not with joy, but with stress, pain, “work overload,” etc., then you can identify with the psalmist. There have been occasions when I lay in my bed and wonder how in the world am I going to accomplish, get through, get over whatever it is I’m dealing with. There are days when I feel like picking up the phone or sitting down at the computer to send an email to say to whomever, “Sorry, I just can’t get this done…”

Yes, there are times when we must pull back, say “No,” scale down responsibilities. Particularly in ministry, we can fall into becoming a “Jack of all trades and master of none!” But there are also time when we have been called, anointed and appointed to carry out specific responsibilities. It is our time and our season to lead, to accomplish, to fulfill. It can be OVERWHELMING!!!

At those times, we must learn to pray like the psalmist, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Sometimes being overwhelmed is not the pressure of external forces, but rather internal stressors, telling us, “you can’t do it, you are not strong enough, you don’t have what it takes, just give it over to someone else.” Could it be that our own fears and insecurities are blocking the energy and creativity we need to get it done?

When we lay our cares, concerns, responsibilities, and heart bare before the “Rock,” Jesus, our Lord and our Savior, He will give us the peace, wisdom and fortitude we need to do those things that we are being called to do. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed because we are being stretched…pulled out of our comfort zone. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed because we are being challenged to grow and go higher than where we currently are.

With the help of the Lord, YOU CAN DO IT…YES YOU CAN!!! Today, I encourage you to examine the source of your feelings. If it

is truly something that you need to release, turn over to someone else, forget, etc., the Lord will give you the insight, courage and peace to do so. But if it is the enemy of your soul, seeking to distract, intimidate, overwhelm and push you off the path of your destiny, RESIST, look to the Rock that is higher and by faith “keep on keepin on!” For the Lord is your shelter and strong tower from the enemy!

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: “New Wine Skins…”

"And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved." Matthew 9:17, NLT

Earlier today a talk show host was interviewing a member of the “Geek Squad,” on how to improve computer performance. The young man suggested that many of our computers are slow, sluggish and performing poorly because we need to clean out our “cookies” and empty our “recycle bins.”

For those who don’t work on computers, “cookies” are like file cards that remind your computer of various sites that you’ve visited. The “recycle bin” is where files go when you’ve deleted them. They don’t go away completely until you empty the virtual recycle bin.

When these old files are “junking up” your computer, it makes it difficult for the computer to process and correctly apply new information. In a similar way, the religious leaders who opposed Jesus were filled with old ways of thinking and living. Their traditions had overtaken their way of understanding God’s Word and God’s way. They were more concerned about their way, than God’s way.

As a result, they could not receive the new covenant being offered to them through Christ. They rejected the “new wine,” of love, deliverance and salvation. They needed a new heart in order to receive the new way.

During the Lenten season, God’s people have an opportunity to reflect, repent and renew our relationship with the Lord. During the forty days of focused prayer, sacrifice and service, we have an opportunity to empty our proverbial “recycle bins…” asking the Lord to help us get rid of some old ways, old thoughts, old behaviors that maybe still hanging around. We need to “empty the trash” of our hearts so that we can receive the “new wine” that Christ has for us in this season.

What do you need to empty out of your spiritual system? What old issues, thoughts, hurts, disappointments, frustrations, fears, etc., do you need to discard? As we begin Lent today, may we ask the Lord to remove those things that are blocking the new, the fresh, the clean, the beautiful that God wants to bring into our lives. May the Lord bless you as you begin your Lenten journey…

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