The Comic Strip ran nationwide in newspapers (went viral) on Good Friday in 1958. Many of you have seen it before; but I think it’s worth reposting here. (Sunday is coming; hope to see you at Word of Grace – 9:30am)
The Eiffel Tower is 984 feet tall. In this picture it looks smaller than the person because the person was a LOT closer to the photographer than the tower was.
I suspect that when my problems feel too big it’s because I’ve allowed them to get closer to me, in my mind’s eye, than God is!
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
James 4:4-10 Emphasis Added
Be Edified,
Pastor Scott
Ephesians 5:11 tells us to not participate in deeds of darkness but to instead expose them. Awana has been doing Children’s ministry for 70 years. I thought this was important enough that I should pass it on to parents and grandparents. Not for us to worry, but for us to pray and to be aware!
Pastor Scott
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| Dear Matt, Katie and family, There’s a weighty topic that was once on the margins of society and is now front and center, and it’s this: the transgender revolution. There was a time when children were more removed from the “issues of the day,” but that day is not today. As a matter of fact, children are now very much at the center of these cultural formation issues. As you know, Awana is all about the Bible. We like to say Awana is centered on the Gospel, rooted in the Scriptures and will never move even one inch off of the Bible. So as I write about this timely topic, I write with faithful, biblical conviction that’s rooted in the truth, grace and compassion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Why would Awana speak about such a sensitive topic? In the most simplistic response to this question, here’s why: The transgender revolution is a lie, and children are caught in the crosshairs of this aggressive lie.As you and I know, Genesis 1:27 says, So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. These words were also reiterated by Jesus when in Matthew 19:4 He said, “… Have you not read that He Who created them from the beginning made them male and female?”There’s a famous quote that says, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” As Christ followers, it’s our job to speak and live the truth, even when that truth may be difficult or come with social consequences. Jesus himself said in Matthew 18:6, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” So, why speak about this issue? If we the truth-bearers of the Gospel say nothing, then we let the secular culture control the narrative, and that narrative is a lie. And this lie, unlike others, is resulting in the mutilation of the human body. It’s a big lie with significant, long-term consequences. Our only biblical option is to follow Christ in faithful obedience and to speak and live the truth in clarity and humility. Our children need the truth. They need reality. And the Gospel is what’s real. I received my first phone call asking for help on this topic from an Awana ministry director in 2017. Since that time, we’ve received an increased number of phone calls and emails from churches across the U.S. asking how to navigate this complex issue. Our response as Christians to this issue cannot be to stick our heads in the sand. We must shepherd and equip with biblical truth, grace and compassion. To respond to this growing need for help, the Awana team has created three practical resources for church leaders, parents and volunteers. If you are interested in getting equipped, consider doing the following:Read this Article. A good first step for anyone who wants to protect and prepare children to thrive in their faith in our cultural moment is to read this article, which specifically gives practical perspective and advice to children’s ministry leaders and Awana leaders/volunteers.Watch this Teaching Video. If you have a group of key leaders, volunteers or parents, this is a MUST-WATCH for your team! It’s a beautiful, three-part, documentary-style teaching video from theologian, historian and expert on this topic Dr. Carl Trueman. In this video he walks us through not only “How did we get here?” but also “What can I do about this?” as a parent or church leader.Download the Gender Identity Parent Guide. This is a clarifying, biblical and practical resource for parents. In today’s world, this sort of resource is essential! Please encourage all of the parents in your ministry to download this resource for biblical wisdom in a rapidly changing world. When Jesus was pressed on marriage and divorce by the religious leaders (Matthew 19), He didn’t become more permissive; He actually became more conservative. He gave the religious leaders two options: marriage or celibacy. At the same time, when Jesus confronted the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery, He was also filled with great grace and compassion. As Jesus Christ disciples and advocates in a broken world, we don’t waiver from biblical faithfulness when it comes to human sexuality. We align with Scripture and the Christian sexual ethic of the past 2,000 years. We also walk alongside broken people with the grace and compassion of our great shepherd, Jesus Christ, as we point them to love and live like Him. I pray you find these resources helpful as you reach and disciple children and youth. If you do, consider joining us either online or in person this fall for the Child Discipleship Forum; you’ll find resources like these and so much more to help you disciple today’s children with resilient faith.  Forming a Resilient Generation,Matt Markins Awana President and CEO P.S. If you are considering attending the Child Discipleship Forum Sept. 21-22 in Nashville or online, register by March 31 to save up to $150. Register now! |
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Not of preaching, not of life – don’t read this that way. I just feel like I could sleep for a week. Anybody else? For us it’s likely been travel, some concerns, this goofy time change, and the yo-yo weather all piled on top of one another. I appreciated this clipping from almost 30 years ago 🙂
REST – According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such frivolous activity.
Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to the critical Athenian, “Now, answer the riddle, if you can. Tell us what the unstrung bows implies.”
The man looked at it for several moments but had no idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop explained, “If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it.”
People are also like that. That’s why we all need to take time to rest. In today’s Scripture, Jesus prescribed time off for His wearied disciples after they had returned from a prolonged period of ministry. And in the Old Testament, God set a pattern for us when He “rested from all His work” (Gen.2:3).
Shouldn’t we take His example seriously? Start by setting aside a special time to relax physically and renew yourself emotionally and spiritually. You will be at your best for the Lord if you have taken time to loosen the bow.
Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994.
Yours Because I’m His,
Pastor Scott
On Sunday (⅗) I got my tongue tangled while I was trying to tease Pastors Jim and Jad whilst also thanking them. I’m not talking about my Eutychus* joke, I think that was fairly straight-forward. 🙂 I’m talking about the point I was trying to make about the difference between topical and exegetical preaching.
Topical preaching (or stand alone messages) can be like medicine or wound care. The preacher, especially in cases like these where he’s part of the body, observes an issue but isn’t tied to the next paragraph in the book he’s preaching on, so he can tackle the issue. It’s a good and necessary use of God’s word!
Book studies (verse-by-verse; expositional, & exegetical) is what I normally do. Think of those as food or dietary supplements. The better your diet, the better you can fight off diseases (the corruption of this world). But we all are troubled sometimes; so I’m thankful for Pastoral EMTs who can apply necessary medicine in good season!
Glad to be back and glad Jim amd jad had my back,
Pastor Scott
*“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.”
Acts 20:7-12
Thank you Word of Grace! Thank you for your prayers, thank you for your notes and cards, thank you for your financial gifts. We ran out of town on the last Monday in January without any thought about the need to pay for gas and food, etc.
God showed Himself to be a miracle-working God in so many ways in Tyler and Abbie’s story, but I’m also really struck by how He didn’t forget us. I was almost puzzled as people immediately started sending money. Checking out of the hotel after the first week disabused me of that puzzlement, and greatly reinforced the truth that God knows our needs BEFORE we even ask (Matthew 6:8,32)!
Because He loved us first,
Pastor Scott
I fear that the nation, which I love, is going to collapse. I fear that the immoral brain washing,* soon to be assisted by artificial intelligence,** is going to kill the America we know. But I do not fear for myself!
I know that my hope will survive any persecution:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls”.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Emphasis Added
I know my hope will survive God’s wrath
“For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ”
1 Thessalonians 5:7-9 Emphasis Added
And I know that I’m in the Father’s all powerful hand; inside the veil!
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20
Nations have fallen before. Pandemics have occurred in the past. War has spanned the world twice. Bad stuff happens to people and lands – but God’s throne was never shaken and that’s where my hope is anchored! So be aware, but not afraid!
Amen?
Pastor Scott
*I’m primarily thinking about the redefinitions of things we know to be true from God’s Word – Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4-6; but there are lots of morals and virtues that are being redefined or devalued.
**The genesis of this hopeful blog was this video sent by someone who feels a lot of fear. It’s worth the watch. Warning: Dr Peterson isn’t a believer, yet, and he is prone to a colorful adjective now and again.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (v. 17). The change in subject seems abrupt, but the flow of thought is clear. We must not blame God for our temptations because evil desire leads to sin that leads to death (vv. 13–15). Twice James warns us not to blame God for our problems. When we sin, we have only ourselves to blame.
Everything good comes from God
Verse 17 sets up a contrast. Everything good in this world ultimately comes from God. If it’s good, God made it, He gave it, or He sent it. The familiar words of the Doxology state this very plainly: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” I wonder if we really believe that. Not long ago I asked a friend how he was doing. He laughed and said, “I’m upright and taking nourishment.” I laughed with him. But do we realize that “in Him (that is, God) we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28)? Do we understand that we are alive right now because God wants us alive? We breathe because He gives us air to breathe and lungs to take it in. If God withdrew His hand of blessing, not one of us would take another breath. We see and hear and move and think and laugh and clap and dream and cry all because of God. I suppose we all know that, but rarely do we think of it. Rarely do we stop to give thanks for the blessing of life itself.
Linger at the foot of the cross
If you can read my words, you must be alive. If you are alive, it is a gift from God. If God has given you the gift of life, will you not give thanks to Him? We ought to ponder Paul’s question in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive?” Do you boast of your wealth or your fame or your talent or your accomplishments? Do you think your good looks owe only to your DNA? Who gave you your talent, your strength, your creativity, your ingenuity? Who gave you the blessings you take for granted?
The Gentle Rain from Heaven
James emphasizes this when he says that every good gift “comes down” from the Father of lights. William Shakespeare reminds us of that
“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.”
These famous lines from The Merchant of Venice are true in every way. Mercy always comes down. It starts with God and moves to man. It begins in heaven and ends on earth. You don’t bargain for mercy because to make a bargain you’ve got to have something to offer, and we have nothing to offer God. Mercy is indeed like the gentle rain that softens the hard soil of the human heart.
We are alive because God wants us to be alive
We need this because we are sinners worse than we know. Even the best Christian would have no hope of heaven without the shining mercy of God. If God did not forgive and keep on forgiving, if he did not continue to pour out his mercy like the “gentle rain from heaven,” we would be utterly and completely lost. What kind of God do we serve? He’s completely good. He’s constantly good. He’s unchangeably good.
God will never not be good
God will never not be good.God could never be less than good. Everything He does is good.
“I am a witness”
I’m sure you’ve been in churches where they do the call-and-response that goes like this:
Preacher: God is good.
Congregation: All the time.
Preacher: And all the time.
Congregation. God is good.
When I mentioned this in a sermon, someone told me their church does that in a slightly different way. They say it in five parts, one for each finger on their right hand. It goes like this:
In every situation, no matter what
God is good. All the time. In every situation. No matter what. God is good. You should hold up your right hand and say that right now, touching each finger in turn. Once you do it, it will stick in your mind. When I mentioned the basic call-and-response in a written sermon a few years ago, someone in Nigeria wrote back and said that in their churches, after saying “God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good,” the congregation says in unison, “I am a witness.”
“I am a witness”
That’s really good because it brings the truth home. It’s one thing to say “God is good” as an abstract statement, almost like a theological cheer for the home team. It’s even better if you think about those other statements, “In every situation” and “No matter what.” But best of all is to make it personal by adding, “I am a witness.” Sometimes it’s hard to say. Even when we think we know what will happen tomorrow, life can turn on a dime. No one knows what a day may bring forth. That’s a solemn fact. Life is not just one thing. It’s good and bad, sickness and health, weeping and rejoicing, life and death, war and peace, all mixed together. That’s why we need a God in whom there is no shadow of turning. He is the still point in our changing world. He is not good today and bad tomorrow. He does not capriciously change his mind and decide to be kind today and harsh tomorrow.We are like that. God is not. When you are tempted to give up, remember the goodness of God. When you feel like giving in to temptation, remember the goodness of God. When you want to resign from life, remember the goodness of God.
Excerpt from a longer piece written in the 90’s by R. Prichard; and missionary/pastor. I, PS, edited out some dated references
We are teaching the fruit of the Spirit on Wednesday nights at AWANA. This Wednesday we talked about “kindness” (Strong’s 5544 below). I contrasted it with being “nice” (pleasing; agreeable; delightful). They are similar. It’s not wrong to be pleasing, agreeable, and delightful; and in an English dictionary the two words are used in each other’s definition.
So let me ask you the question I asked the Awana kids. If one of my one-year granddaughters, pleased with her climbing ability, gets a hold of a steak knife or a lit candle, and begins running with it, is it “kind” to be agreeably delighted with her climbing and running skills or is it kind to remove the sharp knife or lit candle from her hand? Of course it’s kinder to remove it! But what if she doesn’t understand and dissolves into tears? Wouldn’t it be better to be nice and give her back the knife? Of course not! That kind of “niceness” could lead to her death or injury!
Saying “no” when someone is on a self-destructive path is much kinder than simply agreeing with (accepting?) their choices.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Scott
5544 /xrēstótēs (“useful kindness”) refers to meeting real needs, in God’s way, in His timing (fashion). Hence 5544 (xrēstótēs) is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). With the believer, 5544 /xrēstótēs (“divine kindness“) is the Spirit-produced goodness which meets the need and avoids human harshness (cruelty). “We have no term that quite carries this notion of kind and good” (WP, 1, 92).
Copyright © 2021 by Discovery Bible.
As Moses ascended Mt. Sinai, God Himself descended and enthroned Himself on it. Meanwhile, Aaron, at the behest of the people, made a Golden Calf right in front of (before, bedside) God’s earthly throne. Literally between YHWH and His people.
The very first commandment said – “NO, don’t do that!” And of course the people struggled with idolatry all through their History – get out your Strong’s if you doubt.
Jesus elevates the thought applying it not just to images that we can cast into the fire, but to money, something we use every day.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” – Matthew 6:19-21; 24
You have all heard gazillion sermons on correct use of wealth, but this past Sunday I mentioned other treasures; like ministry and family. That can be a sticking point. It’s not that we love our kids more than we love God, it’s that we don’t know how to judge whether they have become our treasure.
One clue for me is the idea of these other gods being “before” – in front of the face of – YHWH! In ancient times, and in cultures that recognize their idols as deities, this idea about the physical presence of the idol in God’s face. But when we consider what I call the “idolatry of good things,” we have to ask what it means if something is in between God and me?
- Is my vision of God (worship, devotion) interrupted by my thoughts and worries for my “good thing?”
- Does my good thing distract me from doing what God wants me to do?
- Is God high and lifted up in my day to day life (Isaiah 6:1-6) or is my good thing?
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act;
For how can My name be profaned?
And My glory I will not give to another.
Isaiah 48:10-11
The article below is one I found earlier this week when this question “How do I know?” was first asked. It’s written by a woman for women – our kids, after all, are often “High and Lifted Up!” 🙂
https://thefword.us/when-family-becomes-an-idol/
The Christian life is a journey, I’m glad we’re all on the road together,
Pastor Scott
Grace Notes 