Grace Notes

We (Scott & Kelly) have a weird driveway.  It’s one lane straight down to a three-lane, 120 degree left turn onto a parking pad.  It’s easy to drive down, going forward, but for some reason it’s very hard to go back up it.  It takes lots of microcorrections, as evidenced by how many first-time visitors to our house have taken out the mailbox and/or power box on either side of the driveway.  🙂   Life can be that way, too. Without course corrections we can find ourselves way off course without realizing it.  Or maybe a better analogy is that we can get all tangled up in weights that encumber us from running the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2, cf. 2 Timothy 2:4).

As we walk in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and each other, these course corrections should be made constantly and consistently, but life gets BUSY and it’s not a bad idea to STOP and take stock every once in a while.  The children of Israel cleaned out their whole houses before Passover. Here in the West we tend to get contemplative as we roll into the New Year.  This New Year’s, take time to pray through these eleven passages and ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24).

MATTHEW 6:12 –14:  YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Have you been holding a grudge against anyone? Have you been secretly unforgiving? Desiring revenge? Secretly jealous of someone? Harboring bitterness? Unwilling to forget a misunderstanding? Hateful? Do you avoid people you dislike but who need your love? Are you critical or judgmental of others? Do you justify your bad attitude by claiming it is their fault? Do you gossip to feel superior or better about yourself? Have you worn a self-protective mask and failed to let people get close to you?

MATTHEW 6:33:  YOUR PRIORITIES

In what areas of your life have you failed to put God first? Do any of the following interfere with doing God’s will … your personal ambitions and goals, your fun and hobbies, your job, your desire to get rich, your own plans, your habits, your friendships, your family? Do you find you don’t have time for God? For prayer? For Bible reading? For small group? Have other activities made you irregular at worship? Is there anything you would be unwilling to give up if God asked you?

EPHESIANS 4:31:  YOUR ATTITUDES

Do you complain and whine about your circumstances? Are you ungrateful? Irritable or cranky? Always speak negatively? Do you get angry easily and blow up or pout? Are you ever harsh or unkind? Are you unteachable? Sarcastic? Do you put down others instead of building them up? Do you worry about things God wants you to trust Him with? Are you fearful or anxious? Do you try to control people or circumstances? Impatient? Prideful or stubborn?

COLOSSIANS 3:9:  YOUR INTEGRITY

Are you honest in all your dealings? Do you find it easy to lie? Do you exaggerate to make yourself look better? Leave a better impression of yourself than is true? Have you cheated on taxes? Have you stolen things? Failed to return things? Do you do good things hoping to impress others? Do you pretend to live one way in front of your Christian friends and another way at home or at work? Do you keep your promises? Are you dependable?

ROMANS 12:1-2:  YOUR MIND

Have you failed to guard your mind from unhealthy, ungodly input? Have you filled your mind with sleazy or profane movies, television programs, magazines, or books? Do you participate in entertainment that causes you to have impure thoughts? Pornography? Do you spend more time with the TV or the internet than with God’s Word? Are you lazy in memorizing scripture verses?

ACTS 20:35:  YOUR MONEY AND POSSESSIONS

Have you failed to dedicate all of your possessions to the Lord? Have you acted like your possessions belong to you, not God? Have you robbed God by not giving him the 10% tithe that he commands? Do you find yourself resentful or defensive when asked to give to God’s work? Are you eager to get rich? Are you stingy with wealth? Have you failed to trust God with your finances? Do you need to be more generous with what God has given you?

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20:  YOUR BODY

Are you in any way careless with your body or health? Is there any activity or habit that is harmful to you? Are you lazy or undisciplined?

2 CORINTHIANS 5:7:  YOUR FAITH WALK

Do you tend to follow your moods or feelings rather than doing what you know is right? Do you allow your emotions to be inspired for the Lord at church but then do nothing about it? Do you focus more on your circumstances instead of the promises of God? Have you failed to trust God with the disappointments of your life?

HEBREWS 10:25:  YOUR CHURCH FAMILY AND MINISTRY

Are you accountable to any small group of believers for growth? Are you using your God-given shape in some ministry? Do you pray for your church and your pastors? Have you been critical instead of helpful? Have you expected to be “fed” without giving back?

JOSHUA 24:15:  YOUR FAMILY

Are you unkind to those you live with? Do you pray for them? Do you need to ask forgiveness from a family member? Have you been unfaithful to your spouse mentally, emotionally, or physically?

ACTS 20:24:  YOUR MISSION IN THE WORLD

Have you failed to share the Good News of Christ … with your relatives? With friends? With co-workers? With neighbors? Kept silent in fear?

ASK GOD TO REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING THAT HAS HINDERED HIS BLESSING ON YOUR LIFE.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins to God, He can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

I found this “unattributed” in my files.  Also online on a number of sites. ~ Pastor Scott

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. ~ 2 Timothy 2:3-4

It was probably the late 70’s when Evie put out her Christmas album, “Come On, Ring Those Bells,” which immediately joined our family record stack at Christmas.  One song was a medley of two hymns, “No Room” and “Have You Any Room for Jesus?” During those high school and college years that medley always got me. Seems that whether it was my studies, my girlfriend, my jobs, or my hobbies, something had crowded out Jesus and I was humbly reminded at Christmas.  

Of course now as a husband, pastor, father, grandfather and football fan, I never let Jesus get crowded out!  :-}

How about you?

There was no room in the inn 2000 years ago.  The Holy Spirit via Luke felt it was important to mention.

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Scott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crY4IFpqRdI

I love Ken Gire’s creative depictions from the life of Jesus entitled “Moments with the Savior.”  I find myself especially drawn to the moments surrounding the birth narrative.  The pull quote below is just part of his meditation on the encounter Mary had with Gabriel…

But it was one thing for Elizabeth to become pregnant. It was quite another thing for Mary.  Elizabeth was married, and had been most of her life.  Mary was engaged, and that only recently.  In light of that, her response is extraordinary.

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”

When Mary submitted to God’s will, she subjected herself to great risk.  In the balance hung not only her reputation but her life.  At worst, she would be stoned.  At best, she would be ridiculed.

Imagine the rumors that would circulate around the only spring in town where everyone came to draw water.  “Loosely woven morals always come unraveled,” an old woman piously says as she fills her jar.  Another woman, half in Mary’s defense, speaks up.  “So easy for a nice girl to get in trouble here, what, with foreign traders spending the night, Roman soldiers passing through.”

As Mary’s story would become public, the rumors would harden to ridicule.  Imagine the looks.  The smirks. The comments.  “An Angel visited her?  Uh huh.  And said what?  The Holy Spirit.  She said that?  And you believed her?”

Who in their right mind would?

Joseph?  Her in-laws?  The rabbi?  Who?

Maybe no one would believe.  But that wouldn’t keep her from believing.

Her faith was courageous.  We know that because her decision was quick, and her obedience complete.  She would submit to God.  Regardless of the questions it would raise.  Or the eyebrows.  Regardless of the cost.  Or the consequences.  Regardless if it meant losing her reputation. Or the man she loved.

Even her very life.

And maybe, of all the favorable qualities this young woman had, maybe it was this “regardless” quality that made her most suited to the task of raising such a wonderful promise.  For “regardless” had to be a quality that was instinctive if the promise were ever to grow up and reach fulfillment as Savior of the world.

I found that instructive for my faith.  After all, isn’t that what faith is?  “God, here I am.  Do with me what You will!”

Blessing and Merry Christmas!

Pastor Scott

In Sunday’s bulletin we asked if couples would be interested in a 10-week marriage study beginning in January.  As the bulletin announcement explained, I wanted to find out “who” before we figured out “when.” But based on some discussions I had after church, I realized the announcement needs more explanation.

In early October we hosted a two-day Marriage Matters seminar here at WOGF that we put together ourselves.  We used a combination of live and video teachers. One of the video teachers was acclaimed marriage author Emerson Eggerichs.  In his teaching he “teased” his ten-week seminar, now available as combination of video/discussion/workbook kit, which we own. At the October seminar we promised to make the seminar available this January.

This is a phenomenal seminar.  It’s great for couples in the early years and couples in the twilight years.  It will help couples whose marriage is on the rocks and couples whose marriage rarely ever sees any turbulence.  If you have a perfect marriage, we ESPECIALLY want you to come, because the rest of us need your leadership, example, and mentoring!  Plan NOW to attend, whenever this class runs! ~PS

After we see who wants to take part, the question we need to answer is what works better – a weeknight (e.g. Thursday)? A Saturday morning? Or the Sunday morning Bible Study (SS) hour?  The first two could be in homes or here at church, depending on the number of people involved and childcare needs. If we used the Bible Study hour, the study would likely go longer than ten weeks, but it might be easiest in terms of kids, etc.

And that’s why I wanted to find out “who” before I tried to figure out the when!  🙂

Pastor Scott    

Pastor Scott,

I had a question for you about the message yesterday. You talked about loving your enemies instead of wanting vengeance. Turn the other cheek and don’t withhold your shirt from them. My question is this: Was David wrong when he prayed for the detriment of his enemies? Psalm 109.

David was a man after God’s own heart and I believe that this was before his fall with Bathsheba. So why is this in the Bible and what am I missing because I know the Bible doesn’t contradict itself.

Sincerely,

The Ponderer

Dear Ponderer

The short answer is you aren’t missing anything!  You caught a major change in God’s program for dealing with people.   Jesus changed everything (ie Matthew 5); In short, because He reconciled the whole world to His Father on the Cross (2 Cor 5:19).

God still hates sin and He made provision for it to be dealt with in our lives (Romans 5:8); in the church (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5).  But unlike David, we aren’t given the power to judge others (James 4:11-12).

Something else to consider is the fact that David was God’s point man on earth and his position doesn’t really exist in the Church.  Neither was his mission – slaying Israel’s enemies, the same as the church’s mission – making baptized disciples.  

I’m barely scratching the surface here, but I hope this gives you enough to ponder!

Pastor Scott

P.S.

Alistair Begg does a Blog for CH Spurgeon.  I liked this one:

https://info.truthforlife.org/devo-nov26-2019?ecid=ACsprvuQT5yQaV3hJMTEKnwYF86ynN79PryXu440VmCWFa3c4zA-HMGHz7oIobBVKp2BbqyLste9&fbclid=IwAR3rIq_lKUFwV_fMiUg-4nMY0GnijzpegKaLksBrDLchDG3obFDKlg6LnVQ

I really wanted to write something clever and new for this Thanksgiving blog, but it’s hard to write better than the man after God’s own heart!  As your family gathers and as you feast, don’t forget to bless the Lord!!

Psalm 103 – A Psalm of David.  

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Bless the Lord, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

From my family to your family – Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Scott

Below is a link to a blog I follow from GES in which a variety of authors write on a variety of issues involving grace.  Typically they are “defending grace” from those trying to make it harder to get to heaven. In the case of the article below, they are taking on the issue of those who use grace as permission to sin.  It’s an interesting read, for all that I don’t know if the ECM churches referred to are actual individual churches or “straw men.” My reason for reposting, however, isn’t to point fingers at those churches; it’s because of the disdain I feel, for their teaching points a finger back at me!

Not me as a preacher.  As a preacher, I’m clear that every passage that teaches justification by grace (ie. Romans 3:22-5:21) is followed by passages like Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”  And Scott, the preacher, and you, the congregant, know the answer, right?

God Forbid!    

My concern isn’t for my preaching.  My concern is for Scott, the distracted driver, or the tired channel surfer.  Or Scott, the impatient husband. Scott, the preacher, and Scott, the Bible student, knows that grace means forgiveness, NOT permission.  Scott, the man, doesn’t always act that way. Scott, the man, may answer the question: “What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”   

“You Betcha!”  

Well, not with my words, but with my actions or attitudes.  How about you? Do we give the amazing grace of God a bad name by using it as permission?  I think the reason this article hit me so hard is because it was secular researchers who saw the obvious hypocrisy!  Remember we are His witnesses, always and everywhere! 

https://faithalone.org/blog/bizzaro-grace-in-the-emerging-church-movement/?utm_source=Grace+Evangelical+Society&utm_campaign=6073ba4f74-DAILY_BLOG_EMAIL&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f3a5800ed2-6073ba4f74-261191289&mc_cid=6073ba4f74&mc_eid=c3c0565551   

Yours, Because I”m His,

Pastor Scott

“This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.”  ~Writer Unknown

I can hear this in the comforting voice of an old southern preacher!  I hope you can too; but I also hope the Holy Spirit’s voice uses it to remind each of us not to allow the urgent things in life to distract us from the important thing in life!

Pastor Scott

No, I’m not referring to the 1981 hit by .38 Special, though I admit that song always made me smile.  I’m referring to words, whispered in the dark, 18 years earlier by my mom’s mom to my mom as she held her first baby (me) in her arms.  “Hold on loosely, honey.” My mom used to share how jarring that was coming from her sweet little mother, and yet how profound. Truth is, it applies to many more things than parenting.

For the last several weeks the congregation has brought in pounds of candy, the facility team has spent dozens of man-hours undoing critter damage in our outbuilding (Building 2).  On Saturday, October 26, a crack team of volunteers assembled the giant bouncy houses, fun fair games, and eatery, turning a warehouse space into an outreach extravaganza! Then came the warnings of another snowpocalypse…..  Unfortunately, because of the heaters we had to rent, we had to make the call in the morning of the event, and that morning there was still a bulls-eye on KC at 7 p.m., so I pulled the plug – hearing, once again, the words of my Grandma Nelson, “Hold on Loosely”… 

As echoed by Solomon:

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

Learned by Job:

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:  ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.  Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.’” (Job 38:1-4)

And demonstrated by Jesus:

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

I don’t know how often this happens for you.  I am often accused by voices in my head that if only I had planned better, if only I had anticipated better, then thus and so wouldn’t have happened.  Of course, one can ALWAYS learn from mistakes, BUT one isn’t always mistaken. Sometimes God has a different plan. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Where He leads, we simply need to…..go!

Amen? 

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

 

On Sunday, October 20, 2019, we were able to live stream the sermon on the church’s Facebook page.  We hope to be able to continue to provide this service for those who aren’t able to be with us physically.  There are just four things I wanted to make note of now that we have our first service online! (Technically, it was not the first one; Levi’s mom streamed his sermon in September, proving it could be done! 🙂 ) 

1. We can post only the sermons because I, Pastor Scott, hold the copyright on those.  We do not have, and cannot afford, the license to broadcast music over the internet.
2. This Sunday, October 27, we are privileged to host Calvary’s Lux Voces and, because of point #1, we won’t be live streaming anything.
3. Services posted on Facebook and/or Youtube* are recorded so, if you aren’t able to join us live at 9:45, you can watch it any time or even reference it later in the month/year.
4. Over time, we will work to center up the picture and decrease the echo; right now we are using a phone and trying not to obscure the view of anyone in the live audience.

If you have any non-tech questions, feel free to call the church or email me at scott@wordofgrace.org.

Blessings,

Pastor Scott

*We hope to be on YouTube in November