Author: pastorscottwordofgracefellowship

A trip to the zoo with 1 & 3 year old grand-daughters re-enlightened me to the benefits and dangers of generalizing or labeling.  It’s phenomenal that a 20 month old can recognize that a 600 lb African lion is a kitty.  It’d be horrifying if she was able to try to pet him.  Labeling, generalizing, help us to understand things like; cats are cats, and a Yugo and a Lamborghini are both cars.  The problem, is that generalizations and labeling also can cause us to treat people as part of a group instead of as individuals for whom Jesus died.

As I was poking through my files looking for a good illustration, I found this, instead? 🙂

When Oxford and Cambridge Universities decided to admit commoners as students in the 1600s, the unprecedented flood of new innovative thought had a tremendous impact on British society. Each student was listed on the record by name and title. The commoners’ names were listed with the Latin inscription, Sine Nobilitate, meaning Without Nobility. The abbreviation was S. Nob., which within the rigid class systems of the time had both positive and negative connotations. The word “snob” is still in use today.

Bits & Pieces, June 25, 1992.

Our founding Fathers gave us the positive prospects of pursuing happiness. Be reminded again of their statement in The Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…

The founders understood their limitations; they could not guarantee happiness to all who followed them in declaring  independence, they could only give them the right to pursue happiness.

And what is happiness? The dictionary defines it as a state of well being and contentment…pleasuarable satisfaction…. Someone has suggested that happiness is dependent on “happenings” ie..If my health is good and my bills are paid and I have supportive friends and my circumstances are pleasant, then, I am happy.

I give you a far superior view of happiness in the following words:   and whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.  Proverbs 16:20.   These words from wise Solomon came many centuries before Christ.

whoever trusts….This opens up the blessing of happiness to the whole human family. Happiness isn’t just for a few who qualify.

whoever trusts….what connects us to source of happiness is our faith. We don’t find happiness by trying;  we find it  by trusting!

whoever trusts….in the LORD, happy is he.  The object of our faith is the Sovereign Lord of the universe. Happiness is defined and experienced not by what we have, but rather by Who we have!  This LORD is present with us in all of life and will make us happy even in times of great distress….Remember, our happiness is not dependent on happenings!  Amen?

Pastor Wendell Grout

(Pastor Grout was the pastor of our church in the 50’s and 60’s.  He and his wife are now retired in Loveland Colorado.  He gave me permission to steal his blogs, but my conscience requires me to give him credit!  I hope, you will all take serious consideration of the fact that no matter what circumstances {happenings} we face – happiness can ALWAYS be found in trusting the LORD because He doesn’t ever change! – Pastor Scott)

A missionary friend who served in the Philippines heard a local pastor use the following parable to illustrate Christ’s offer of rest (Matt. ll:28) and the response of people who won’t trust Him completely:

The driver of a carabao wagon was on his way to market when he overtook an old man carrying a heavy load. Taking compassion on him, the driver invited the old man to ride in the wagon. Gratefully the old man accepted. After a few minutes, the driver turned to see how the man was doing. To his surprise, he found him still straining under the heavy weight, for he had not taken the burden off his shoulders.

I gotta tell ya, that one hit me right between the eyes!  It’s almost as if I can hear my Savior say, “I didn’t say cast ‘some’ of your burdens upon me!”

Because of Grace,

Pastor Scott

Last Monday night I helped my daughter hang some items on her walls.  One of them was a four-foot long shelf that when eyeballed from beneath looked level in one position, but when eyeballed from across the room looked crooked.  OF COURSE, the reader knows one can’t trust your eyes when affixing anything permanent.  We needed a level, AKA a “rule.”   Once we put the level on it, we KNEW that even if it didn’t “look” or “feel” right from either view, it was right because the level said so.

I wonder why since know we can’t trust our eyes to know if a picture frame or 2×4 is straight, we think that we can trust our heart to know if a point of view is straight?  Should we be living according to how we feel or according to what God says?

Of course the answer is “according to what God says.”  But here’s what I learned from hanging that shelf.  It’s easier to not bother carrying the level.  It’s easier (humbling) to not bother to consult the level.  No one would even notice the first couple of times you hung something crooked.  And, probably, once a lot of things are crooked, you wouldn’t even bother to hang anything straight…. until it all falls down.

Just a thot,

Pastor Scott

There is a lyric from a contemporary* Christian song that I have often quoted when training leaders or teachers.  It says, “It’s not my ability that is His main concern; it’s my availability and willingness to learn.”  In my view if God calls me or even puts me into a situation, God will be the one that enables me to do His will.  So if God nudges you to help hang invitations on doors in the neighborhood, or He nudges you to sign up to work in the Good news club or help tutor kids after school, or even to go across the street and invite your neighbors over for pie (and Jesus); He will enable you!  You ask me how I know?  Because once upon a time God used a donkey – and if He can use a donkey, He most certainly can use me!

Pastor Scott

*I use this word advisedly.  The song was on a 1987 Petra album.  Pretty “rockin’” in its day, maybe not really contemporary 31 years later.  J

Yesterday morning I ended the service with a time of corporate prayer; asking for God’s help in our mission and in our finances.  I will return to the topic of prayer, but first, because of that prayer time I neglected the post-message Q&A on Revelation Chapter 7 (#truthwgrace).

Question #1: Why are the 144,000 relevant? Why are they mentioned? Why do they matter?

We can only speculate on why God chooses to seal 12 x 12,000 – He seems to hold “12” as a very significant number when it comes to people, but if scripture ever declares why He does so, I’m not aware of it.  As far as the Jews playing a significant role in the Tribulation; I would say that it’s because it really is all about them (Daniel 9:26-27; Jeremiah 30:7).  I would also submit that these 144,000 Jews are finally going to get to do what Israel was always supposed to do: “be a light for the whole world.”  Starting with God’s covenant with Abraham and ending with Paul’s plea in Romans 15 – Israel was always supposed to be instrumental in bringing the Gentiles into a relationship with God.  Finally, I would submit that God is keeping His covenant with Israel (Romans 11:28-36) by bringing them back into Gospel preaching prominence.

Question #2 Who are the Elders referenced in v. 11? And who are the four living creatures?

I believe the Elders are human – not angels; angels don’t wear crowns – and I believe that the 24 are made up of the 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 Apostles.  I believe that the four living creatures (described in much more detail in chapter 4) are the Seraphim of Isaiah 6 that Isaiah saw as God’s heavenly attendants.  I believe that they are so overwhelmingly super-human, that John could only call them “creatures.”

Getting back to prayer – maybe Peter said it best….

Last week my wife and I, along with several of our adult children, went to Arizona to witness the wedding of my niece.  While on that trip there were several occasions where references would come up that I thought were common knowledge, but had happened well before the time of the 20-somethings we were with (and we don’t even need to mention how often I was unaware of something that was common knowledge to them).  That got me thinking of old illustrations that I think everyone has heard, but that may not have ever been heard by the young adults among us.

Additionally, with regard to this particular illustration, it occurs to me that it means more to me now (having recently suffered physical illness and currently suffering some financial stresses) than it did to me when my own life seemed really rosy.  So take some time to read and mediate on Malachi 3:3 and on this illustration.  It will either serve as preparation or comfort; hopefully both!

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi.  As they were studying chapter three they came across verse three which says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that, in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot – then she thought again about the verse, that He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”  He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s the easy part — when I see my image reflected in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep His hand on you and watch over you until He sees His image in you.

Thanks to WOGF for sending Kelly and me (along with 7 friends) to see John and Amber in Papua New Guinea!   My head is filled with great memories and lots of sermon illustrations.  I was struck over and over by the ceaseless imagination of our God in both His creation and in getting His redemptive message out!  I was especially struck by how many people it takes to get His written Word into the hands of an illiterate tribe with an unwritten language.    We met with one missionary couple who had been on the field for 27 years.  They hiked into the Sambari tribe in 1991 with small children and now their children are married and here in the states….  Lots of work and lots of help from people all over the world!

The Bible is almost complete in the Sambari Tribe – but how much longer would it have taken without pilots and planes; without printers and computers, without health care providers or school teachers, without administrators and financial people?  When we think of missionaries or any other Gospel ministry we think of the person on the front lines or the person with the microphone; but that Bible Translator, Church Planter, or gifted preacher can’t do what God has called them to do unless all of the other spokes in the wheel do what God has called them to do!

It’s the message of 1 Corinthians 12 – but it becomes especially clear when one considers a young woman called from South Dakota to be the High School secretary in a mission’s school at Lapilo, PNG or the young man from Bern Switzerland who keeps computers running in that same center where electricity is intermittent and phone lines are frequently sabotaged – all so that the translators and church planters can complete their work.

It was inspiring on many levels, but the most profound question it begs is;

“Am I wholeheartedly fulfilling the role to which God has called me, right now?”

The Apostle Paul, as he pours out his desire to see his brethren embrace the Gospel, paraphrases Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I’ve been thinking a lot about that verse as we prepare to take nine of us to Papua New Guinea. Our hope is to encourage and learn about the ongoing mission to bring the Gospel to unreached tribes in those virtually unreachable mountains.  We know that God sees the feet of those front-line missionaries as beautiful! I’m certain He also sees the feet of their co-workers at the missions base (where we’ll be staying) as beautiful, as they make it possible for the tribal work to occur.  But what about an encouragement team? Pray with us that we will “bring glad tidings of good things” to our co-workers in the Far East. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of us – but I assure you it’s not the only opportunity this summer (or even this week) to get your own feet blessed!

To put it in context, Paul says, in Romans 10:12-15

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Their feet are beautiful to God because they are carrying His #1 message – the message of redemption – to those who haven’t believed.  In 21st-Century middle America we too are surrounded by those who have yet to believe!  I believe it’s incumbent upon all of us to use our feet to carry that message to our neighbors and friends.  Since it’s often easier to carry the message as a team, would you consider joining us tomorrow, Saturday June 16, as we “bring tidings of good things” to our neighbors by washing their cars, fellowshipping over hot dogs, and inviting them to VBS? Speaking of which, next week (June 18-22) we have an opportunity to bless whole families with our beautiful feet by preaching the good news to their children.  If you can help call Carolyn Bradley or Lori Diffenderfer and, even if you can’t help in person, consider making your knees beautiful this week as you pray for the workers (and for the Adult Missions Team in PNG)!

Pastor Scott

When I got my first ten-speed, I took it over to my Elementary School to figure out how to shift gears without fear of cars.  I was riding back and forth shifting through the gears and watching the sprockets down by my ankles.  As the ride progressed, I got increasingly focused on that front double sprocket (every ten-year old in the 70’s needed to know how to shift on the fly).     As my speed increased and my attention gaze stayed down, I ultimately ran into a light pole and messed up my front wheel and my face!  I had to push my bike home while bleeding down my shirt – a very inglorious lesson; but a lifelong one.  If my focus is ever and only on what’s going on down here; I WILL crash. God’s word tells us to look for Jesus and hope ONLY in Him – not, only, the stuff of this world (politics, job, house, $ – even family)!

We study prophecy because it gives us Hope (see verses below)!

We study prophecy to remind us that we need to Love each; other more and more as we see the day approaching (1 Peter 4:7-8).  The “Great Commandment” isn’t just a cool slogan – it’s a mandate made by God’s Son and it is our greatest need in times of trial.

Finally, we study prophecy because it reveals, in graphic detail, the fate of those that never put their trust in Jesus.  We study prophecy because it doesn’t let us half-close our eyes and pretend that our unbelieving friend isn’t going to die in her sins.  We study prophecy because it should motivate us to fulfill the Great Commission.

Praying for you all, as I know you pray for me,

Pastor Scott

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”  —1 Peter 1:3-4

“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Philippians 3:20

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.”  —Psalm 39:7

“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” —Titus 2:13

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” —2 Corinthians 4:17-18

“The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”  —Romans 8:18

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
—Romans 15:4

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  —Revelation 21:4

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  —Lamentations 3:21-23

“Behold, I am coming soon.”  —Revelation 22:12