Well......I guess my first duty is to apologize for becoming slack, the past few weeks, in posting on my blog. I have no excuse, other than to say that every time I have sat down and intended to post my thoughts, something has come up. Thus, if you will be gracious enough to accept my apology, I will endeavor to become more faithful in sharing with you.
Faithful?? What a great word to express my thoughts for today. As I have just finished preaching through the book of Nehemiah, on Sunday AM; and, am continuing to take our church Book by Book through the Bible on Sunday PM, I keep running into the theme of faithfulness.
I learned a long time ago that the Bible is a book which chronicles the unfaithfulness of men, but the unconditional, unchanging, and unchallenged faithfulness of God. Man falls, but God does not forsake. Man sins, but God does not slip. Over and over again, humanity makes a mess, but God always finds a way to clean up the mess.
THANK GOD FOR GOD!
In the past few weeks, a couple of churches that are dear to my heart have experienced some level of indiscretion on the part of their pastoral leadership. Although I am not surprised by such things any more, I still find myself scratching my head in wonder that we, as men of God, can be so easily led astray. And every time that a man of God falls, there are those who use it as ammunition to shoot the cause of Christ.
Yet, the body of Christ, the kingdom of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit still marches on. God always raises men up to be His Elijah's, and always finds a way to communicate His message to a lost and dying world. Men with, or without, you and I, God will always have someone to "stand in the gap and make up the hedge." Why? Because God's faithfulness does not hinge, or is not affected, by our faithfulness.
THANK GOD FOR GOD!
Our love for Jesus is questioned, challenged, and put to the test every day of our lives. But, God's love for us is never in question; it is never challenged; and, it is never put to the test. His love is an unfailing love. His love is an undying love. His love in an unchallenged love. His love is an unexplainable love. His love is an unconditional love. I have no way to understand, explain, or grasp it; thus, all I can do is gratefully accept it.
THANK GOD FOR GOD!
I have heard preachers say, "God doesn't need us," but that is simply not true. God DOES need us to accomplish His work on earth. However, while God does need us; He DOES NOT HAVE TO USE US! If we refuse to make ourselves available to Him, He will always find someone to carry forth His work.
Thus, while we often times act as if we are doing God a favor by serving Him; in reality, God is doing us a favor by giving us the blessed privilege of laboring in His vineyard, and of proclaiming His "unsearchable riches." It has nothing to do with us, but is the result of a merciful, bountiful, and faithful God.
I can't speak for anyone else, but from my heart I can truly say.....
THANK GOD FOR GOD!
Because He Lives,
Pastor Steve
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
NEHEMIAH'S NEEDED
As of this writing, I am in my 5th week of leading our church through the book of Nehemiah. I have preached through more than 25 books of the Bible, but I do not know of one that I have enjoyed, or has challenged me more than Nehemiah. There are many attributes that I admire about Nehemiah, far too many than this blog will allow. However, one thing is for certain, Nehemiah's are needed to rebuild the walls of the church today.
When word came to Nehemiah about the state of disrepair in Jerusalem, he was immediately consumed with a burden. This was not just a burden that involved asking, but one that involved acting. Unlike many today who see a problem and say, "Let someone else do it;" Nehemiah saw something that required action on his part.
Nehemiah was not born in Jerusalem, but in the land of captivity. He was born in exile. Thus, the only things he knew about Jerusalem is what he heard his family, friends, and loved ones describe as they "hanged their harps on the willow tree" during 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Yet, although Jerusalem was not his place of birth, it was his place of belonging.
When word came to Nehemiah about the broken down walls, the Temple had been complete for almost 20 years. Three remnants of Jews had already been given permission to go back to Jerusalem, led by Zerrubabel, Haggai, and Ezra. While the Temple was complete, the walls and gates of the city laid in ruins; thus, leaving Jerusalem an open target for attack.
Nehemiah watches God work in the heart of a pagan king named Artaxerxes to not only give Nehemiah permission to go, but paves the way with letters, as well as a royal escort. As soon as the people began to do the work of God, the enemy 'kicked it up a notch' and launched a relentless campaign against the workers on the wall. Time after time, Nehemiah, and his workers, had to overcome opposition, oppression, and obstacles to do the work God had sent them home to do. Resolute in their devotion, the workers completed a seeminly insurmoutable task in just 52 days.
One of the truths that God had allowed to sink deep within my heart is the fact that God's will did not allow the wall to be completed without opposition. God could have allowed Nehemiah, and the Jews, to rebuild the wall with no difficulty whatsoever; however, God chose to allow the fight to enhance their focus upon Him.
Needless to say, there are many timeless truths that can be applied practically to today's pastor, preacher, and leader. One of the main truths is that the man of God encounters more trouble and turmoil, struggle and strife than ever before. As we seek to do the work God has called to do, the enemy is constantly on the prowl seeking every advantage to dismantle, distract and discourage us. Simply put, the pastor has embraced a calling that is much more difficult to fulfill than it was several years ago.
However, like Nehemiah, this opposition is more proof positive that God has something big in mind. Spurgeon said, "Whenever God wants to do something big, He does the miraculous. However, whenever God wants to do something great, He does the impossible." We must not get distracted by the fight but we must become devoted to the Finisher of our Faith.
Like Nehemiah, the "good hand of our God" is with us and "He will fight for us." Thus, regardless of whatever difficulty you may face, just stay on your wall with the Sword of the Word of God in one hand, and the trough of will of God in the other hand. And remember that whatever God has brought you to, He will also bring you through.
Your Fellow Worker on the Wall,
Pastor Steve
When word came to Nehemiah about the state of disrepair in Jerusalem, he was immediately consumed with a burden. This was not just a burden that involved asking, but one that involved acting. Unlike many today who see a problem and say, "Let someone else do it;" Nehemiah saw something that required action on his part.
Nehemiah was not born in Jerusalem, but in the land of captivity. He was born in exile. Thus, the only things he knew about Jerusalem is what he heard his family, friends, and loved ones describe as they "hanged their harps on the willow tree" during 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Yet, although Jerusalem was not his place of birth, it was his place of belonging.
When word came to Nehemiah about the broken down walls, the Temple had been complete for almost 20 years. Three remnants of Jews had already been given permission to go back to Jerusalem, led by Zerrubabel, Haggai, and Ezra. While the Temple was complete, the walls and gates of the city laid in ruins; thus, leaving Jerusalem an open target for attack.
Nehemiah watches God work in the heart of a pagan king named Artaxerxes to not only give Nehemiah permission to go, but paves the way with letters, as well as a royal escort. As soon as the people began to do the work of God, the enemy 'kicked it up a notch' and launched a relentless campaign against the workers on the wall. Time after time, Nehemiah, and his workers, had to overcome opposition, oppression, and obstacles to do the work God had sent them home to do. Resolute in their devotion, the workers completed a seeminly insurmoutable task in just 52 days.
One of the truths that God had allowed to sink deep within my heart is the fact that God's will did not allow the wall to be completed without opposition. God could have allowed Nehemiah, and the Jews, to rebuild the wall with no difficulty whatsoever; however, God chose to allow the fight to enhance their focus upon Him.
Needless to say, there are many timeless truths that can be applied practically to today's pastor, preacher, and leader. One of the main truths is that the man of God encounters more trouble and turmoil, struggle and strife than ever before. As we seek to do the work God has called to do, the enemy is constantly on the prowl seeking every advantage to dismantle, distract and discourage us. Simply put, the pastor has embraced a calling that is much more difficult to fulfill than it was several years ago.
However, like Nehemiah, this opposition is more proof positive that God has something big in mind. Spurgeon said, "Whenever God wants to do something big, He does the miraculous. However, whenever God wants to do something great, He does the impossible." We must not get distracted by the fight but we must become devoted to the Finisher of our Faith.
Like Nehemiah, the "good hand of our God" is with us and "He will fight for us." Thus, regardless of whatever difficulty you may face, just stay on your wall with the Sword of the Word of God in one hand, and the trough of will of God in the other hand. And remember that whatever God has brought you to, He will also bring you through.
Your Fellow Worker on the Wall,
Pastor Steve
Monday, January 12, 2009
CALLED TO BE QUALIFIED or QUALIFIED TO BE CALLED
Last night, I began to take our church on journey. It is a journey that will cover more than 6000 years, introduce us to 40 writers, only one of which was not a Jew, and take us through 66 books. I am leading our church book by book through the Bible. This is not intended to be an "exhaustive" exposition of each book, but a synopsis of the major themes, truths, and thrusts of Genesis-Revelation. Last night we covered 2000 years, through 50 chapters, of the book of Genesis. We were reminded of the blessed truth that in spite of man's failures, God is faithful. If last night is any indication, it is going to be an exciting journey.
Yesterday (Sunday) morning, I began the book of Nehemiah. I have always loved the book of Nehemiah for several reasons. It is an excellent book to begin a New Year or any year for that matter. It is a book that provides inspiration, motivation, and prioritization as endeavor to do the work God has called us to do.
The name Nehemiah means, "The Lord has comforted." Nehemiah was a man God raised up to accomplish a seemingly impossible task. I believe the book of Nehemiah is one of the greatest books in the Bible to denote the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men. It reminds us that it is no accident that we are where we are in any area of our lives.
Nehemiah held the prestigious position of being a "cupbearer" to the king. The cupbearer would be much like a 'chief of staff' in today's world. He tasted the king's wine before he drank, and the king's food before he ate it. He was a man of impeccable character and integrity.
The Book of Ezra denotes the 1st 3 remnants of Jews who had been allowed to go home, under the decree of Cyrus, to rebuild the Temple. The Book of Nehemiah denotes the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The temple had been completed for almost 20 years, but the walls and gates remained in ruins. The people were under great "affliction" and "reproach." There was spiritual discouragement, as well as structural depletion.
Nehemiah possessed a heavy burden for the people and the problem. He saw a need, and he cared enough to respond to the need. He wasn't content to ignore the problem and allow someone else to respond to it. He went into his prayer closet and poured out his heart to God, and petitioned God to allow him to become a solution to the problem.
What God accomplished through Nehemiah is almost hard to believe. God worked in the heart of Artaxerxes, a pagan king, and allowed Nehemiah to return home and finish the project in just 52 days. Nehemiah reminds us that when God wants to accomplish His work, He always prepares His workers. He raises up men, women, boys and girls, gives them a blueprint of His plan, and then enables and equips them for the task.
It has been well said, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." Position, power, prestige and possessions have never been a prerequisite to be used of God. In most cases, such things simply get in God's way. God takes the weak and makes them a warrior; God takes the cowardly and makes them courageous; God takes the simple and makes them strong; God takes the foolish and makes them faithful; and, God takes the poor and makes them powerful.
As I said to our people, "I have learned that if I make myself teachable, if I make myself dependable, and if I make myself available; then, I will have made myself USABLE for the glory of God."
I am prayerful that God will use Nehemiah to encourage, enrich, and enlarge the faith of His people to realize that the same God who enabled him is the "same yesterday, today and forever;" and, is able to enable us to accomplish the work to which He has called us.
You may not be called to be qualified, but make sure that you are qualified to be called. Make yourself teachable, dependable and available; and, you will become qualified to be usable.
Looking to Jesus,
Pastor Steve
Yesterday (Sunday) morning, I began the book of Nehemiah. I have always loved the book of Nehemiah for several reasons. It is an excellent book to begin a New Year or any year for that matter. It is a book that provides inspiration, motivation, and prioritization as endeavor to do the work God has called us to do.
The name Nehemiah means, "The Lord has comforted." Nehemiah was a man God raised up to accomplish a seemingly impossible task. I believe the book of Nehemiah is one of the greatest books in the Bible to denote the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men. It reminds us that it is no accident that we are where we are in any area of our lives.
Nehemiah held the prestigious position of being a "cupbearer" to the king. The cupbearer would be much like a 'chief of staff' in today's world. He tasted the king's wine before he drank, and the king's food before he ate it. He was a man of impeccable character and integrity.
The Book of Ezra denotes the 1st 3 remnants of Jews who had been allowed to go home, under the decree of Cyrus, to rebuild the Temple. The Book of Nehemiah denotes the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The temple had been completed for almost 20 years, but the walls and gates remained in ruins. The people were under great "affliction" and "reproach." There was spiritual discouragement, as well as structural depletion.
Nehemiah possessed a heavy burden for the people and the problem. He saw a need, and he cared enough to respond to the need. He wasn't content to ignore the problem and allow someone else to respond to it. He went into his prayer closet and poured out his heart to God, and petitioned God to allow him to become a solution to the problem.
What God accomplished through Nehemiah is almost hard to believe. God worked in the heart of Artaxerxes, a pagan king, and allowed Nehemiah to return home and finish the project in just 52 days. Nehemiah reminds us that when God wants to accomplish His work, He always prepares His workers. He raises up men, women, boys and girls, gives them a blueprint of His plan, and then enables and equips them for the task.
It has been well said, "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." Position, power, prestige and possessions have never been a prerequisite to be used of God. In most cases, such things simply get in God's way. God takes the weak and makes them a warrior; God takes the cowardly and makes them courageous; God takes the simple and makes them strong; God takes the foolish and makes them faithful; and, God takes the poor and makes them powerful.
As I said to our people, "I have learned that if I make myself teachable, if I make myself dependable, and if I make myself available; then, I will have made myself USABLE for the glory of God."
I am prayerful that God will use Nehemiah to encourage, enrich, and enlarge the faith of His people to realize that the same God who enabled him is the "same yesterday, today and forever;" and, is able to enable us to accomplish the work to which He has called us.
You may not be called to be qualified, but make sure that you are qualified to be called. Make yourself teachable, dependable and available; and, you will become qualified to be usable.
Looking to Jesus,
Pastor Steve
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