Exodus 20:9-10

     With it being Labor Day weekend, it is the time to take a little respite from our routine.  When the Lord rested on the seventh day and established a weekly day of rest for us, He knew we would need it.  We have heard it said, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”  This is absolutely correct.  If we do not take time to rest ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, it is easy to wear out long before we should.  Our lives require regular times of rest, and these extra days, like tomorrow, are icing on the cake.  We should seize the opportunity and make the most of them.

     There are those who neglect to factor the spiritual aspect of life into their equation for rest.  They do not attend church as they say it is the only day that they have to do what they want to do or need to do.  It is unfortunate they are failing to realize the importance of spiritual rest and refreshment.  The writer of Hebrews wrote concerning the spiritual rest God can provide for us.  Just as a nap can leave us feeling rested, a few extra minutes in God’s presence can also do the same for our spiritual well being.  Let’s make good use of the additional day of rest we will receive tomorrow.

Matthew 10:5-7

     Our church has a rich heritage in the area of missions.  Even though much debate and disagreement took place from 1890 to 1940 about the best way to support missions, the church historically has had a heart for missions.  From the Brandon family serving in Brazil to the Cartwright family serving in Niger, the church often has had a personal stake in missions.  This is why approximately $100,000 a year is given through our church to support various mission causes from the Cooperative Program to church plants to ministries throughout our county and state.

     Since we have historically made missions a priority, it never hurts to be reminded of the nature of the mission given to us by Jesus.  His mission for us is to go and share where He directs.  His disciples were to go specifically to the Jews and share the good news.  Later Paul would be instructed to go and make the Gospel known in the Gentile world.  God has a place for us as well either in our backyard or some other place in this world.  The mission is to preach the message, and the message is “The kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 10:7)  When Jesus preached His first message in Mark, He added one more word to this.  He said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”  The mission is to trust God to provide for all of our needs as we carry out His will.  We are reminded if we seek His kingdom and His righteousness first, He will take care of us. (Matthew 6:33)  The mission is not always easy.  When Jesus said, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword,” (Matthew 6:34) one might figure everything would not be easy.  The mission does require us to take a stand for Christ.  When Jesus calls for us to love Him more than our families, He is not anti-family.  He is simply reminding us we have a higher allegiance, and when we follow Him, He can work out everything else better than we can.

(Overview of the morning message for September 5, 2010)

Colossians 3:15-17

     Although we tend to concentrate on gratitude during the Thanksgiving season, we should never relegate expressing our gratitude to one day a year.  The year the Pilgrims paused to give thanks they had dug seven times as many graves as they had built huts.  We probably would not find any reason for giving thanks if this was our lot, but they still gave thanks.

     It is apparent many people have discovered the difference gratitude can make in their mental and emotional outlook.  A quick perusal of the Internet yields everything from the Gratitude Experiment which involves a forty-two day process to the Gratitude Kit complete with everything from the Gratitude necklace to a Gratitude Club.  Our world is discovering what Cicero, the Roman orator, wrote, “Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of other virtues.”

     For a Christian the awareness of the importance of gratitude has always been made obvious through the pages of Scripture.  Paul wrote the Colossian believers about the prominent role gratitude was to play in their lives.  We are to be thankful since the peace of Christ rules our hearts. (Colossians 3:15)  We are to express our worship to God in a spirit of thankfulness. (Colossians 3:16)  We are to give thanks to God in the middle of all we do. (Colossians 3:17)  It is obvious our relationship with God and others is nurtured in an atmosphere of thanksgiving and gratitude.  Eric Hoffer has written, “the hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.”  Let’s not forget to count our blessings today.

Psalm 23:1

     David spent the early portion of his life in the fields tending sheep.  He was a shepherd in a family of shepherds.  He understood the needs of sheep.  They were helpless, defenseless, easily spooked, and always needing guidance.  He realized a shepherd had to be vigilant and diligent in caring for the flock.  He also understood how important the shepherd’s equipment was.

     As David reflected on his livelihood, it reminded him of all the ways God provided for him.  David saw himself as a needy sheep, one that definitely needed a shepherd.  Since he knew God as his shepherd, he had unbelievable confidence.  He made three great affirmations predicated upon his confidence in God.  David said, “I will not be in want (v. 1), I will fear no evil (v. 4), and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (v. 6).” 

     Since troublesome times serve as our companions more than we prefer to admit, it is beneficial for us to be intimately acquainted with the One who can carry us through these trying moments.  David had learned of the tremendous power of God while only a boy and a teenager.  He had witnessed and experienced God’s deliverance as he had carried out his shepherd’s task, and his confidence had grown.  Even in the face of Goliath, the Philistine giant, David’s confidence in God was unwavering.  This is why it is so exciting to be able to say with full conviction “the Lord is my Shepherd.” (v. 1)

Lamentations 3:22-24

God has the ability to pick us up when life gets us down. God picked up King David by confronting his sinfulness and calling him to repentance. When we are headed in the wrong direction, the only way to get back on track is to turn and go in the right direction. God dealt with a reluctant Jonah by encouraging him to deal with prejudice, anger, and hatred. Rotten attitudes corrupt our lives, and they do have to be addressed. God picks us up by providing rest in the midst of times of burn out. Elijah faithfully served God through the times of drought and the battle with the 450 prophets of Baal, but when Jezebel threatened him, he fled like a scared rabbit. He cried out to God to die, but God had other plans. He chose to minister to his physical needs and give him some much needed rest. Physical rest and spiritual rest are essential to the restoration of our souls. God picked up Job by opening his eyes so he could see who He really was. Job had justifiable grounds to be depressed as he had lost his possessions, children, prominence, respect, friends, and health. Job’s misfortune blinded him to the truth about God, but God opened his eyes so he could see the truth, which completely humbled Job.

God picks us up by letting us pour out our hearts to him. Jeremiah diligently carried out his task as the weeping prophet. His harsh message of judgment left him estranged and alienated from everyone. He cried out to God on at least five occasions about the way he had been treated. God picked up Jeremiah by listening to him and even challenging his pity parties. The art of listening is important as often that is all one requires. They need a receptive ear. In Lamentations a book of mournful laments about the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah affirms God’s mercy, love and faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-24) Just as God picked up these men in the midst of their difficult times, He can do the same for us.

Psalm 46:10

When Jesus and His disciples were making their way across the Sea of Galilee, a storm arose while Jesus was sleeping in the boat, and the disciples definitely had trouble being still. They were struggling with the wind and waves while Jesus slept. They were dipping and bailing while Jesus was dreaming. They were screaming while Jesus was snoozing away. They were like we are in the face of fearful or stressful situations. Our tendency is to try to do something when we are in trouble. When we are fearful, we get moving even if it is in the wrong direction. We jockey for position or manipulate or even attempt to cut deals with God when things go haywire. In our frantic state we are anything but still.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us of the need to be still in God’s presence. What does it mean to be still? It requires each of us to cease our striving. It is a nice way to say, “Stop! Knock it off! Get your hands off the wheel! Surrender!” When fear sets in, we begin to frantically flail away, and this does not do anyone any good. Being still concerns itself with composure and a calm demeanor in the face of trials. In our world we are rarely still when a crisis comes our way. The only way we can be still is to know God is our refuge, strength, and ever-present help. We also realize God can handle any challenge. He tackles our fears, He works in and through the lives of ordinary people like us, and He brings peace to our troubled hearts. In a world that is never still, we are encouraged to be still for as we do we come to experience God in all His fullness.

Psalm 46:10

There is an anonymous poem that goes: “Phones and faxes, grown up toys. They all have rings. They all make noise. My world’s so loud, it’s hard to hear the things that God whispers in my ear. And so I set aside a place where I can slow my rat-like pace. To mute the blare of daily grind I know I need a quiet time.”

Parents with little children need it. Parents with teenagers need it. Couples with no children need it. Single people need it. Young people need it. Old people need it. Every one of us benefits from a little quiet time. We use our busy schedules and the hectic nature of our lives as two reasons we either cannot find the time or we do not take the time. Just as it is hard to hear what someone else is saying to us when there are distractions, it is equally difficult to hear what God is saying when we are drowning in a sea of noise. To have a quiet time, we do need to set a time, find a place, and develop a plan. The plan has to do with the type of devotional material we will employ. If we still have trouble then, we need to find someone to help us be accountable in this area. If that is what it takes for us to “be still and know that God is God” (Psalm 46:10), we need to do it as this quiet time will benefit us and everyone around us as well.

Matthew 9

     Although we prefer to have nothing but smooth sailing in life, it does not take long for us to realize there are very few days that pass without some type of challenge.  Jesus invested His life in helping others and imparting the truth of God, but despite all He did to assist others, He was regularly challenged by the religious establishment.  They sought to undermine His credibility and the reality of the miraculous power that accompanied His life.  The charges leveled by those in power ran the gamut from being a blasphemer to being under the control of the Devil.

     We are called upon in God’s Word to treat those who oppose us with gentleness and in a spirit of love.  Paul reminded Timothy it was not as much about being right as it was to speak in a way that people would listen.  Jesus embodied this gentleness and love as He spoke firmly to those who opposed Him.  The other methods He employed to handle these challenges can be helpful for us to follow as well.

     We handle challenges by exposing faulty thinking. (Matthew 9:1-8)  Jesus had to expose faulty theology for what it was.  We handle challenges by calling on others to dig deeper. (Matthew 9:9-13)  Self-righteous attitudes often have to be removed so we can see the truth about our ways.  We handle challenges by sharing the truth. (Matthew 9:14-17)  We may not always want to hear the truth, but we need to hear it anyway.  We handle challenges by remaining on task. (Matthew 9:18-34)  We have to remember interruptions are our primary work.  We handle challenges by not being overwhelmed by them. (Matthew 9:35-38)  When we sense God calling us to something much bigger than we are, we can know He will provide the means to accomplish His will.  We are only to be overwhelmed by the greatness of our God, not impossibility of the tasks before us.

(Overview of the evening message for August 29, 2010)

II Timothy 2:24-26

The subject of successful servants is not one most people like to explore. To begin with most people are not too excited about being a servant. In our culture we seem to delight in being in charge rather than in serving others. When God spoke to Jeremiah about the role of His people as clay in the potter’s hands, God reminded the prophet of the need to be malleable and to remain in the hands of the potter. We tend to find ourselves resistant when it comes to those type of actions.

As a servant of Christ we cannot keep the reins of our lives in our hands. It is like the bumper sticker I read the other day on the back of a large semi, “If God is your co-pilot, you need to change seats.” Successful servants focus on their master. (I Timothy 4:6) They realize their Master is actually working through them to accomplish His will. Of course humility is required if this is to transpire. Successful servants demonstrate patient kindness. (II Timothy 2:24-26) Successful servants show no partiality. (I Timothy 5:21) Paul made it clear to Timothy favoritism was totally out of place. Successful servants point people God’s way. (II Timothy 2:25-26) God calls us to instruct and even at times rebuke others. Successful servants possess a spirit of tenacity. (I Timothy 6:12) Jesus continually fought through adversity and so must we. His willingness to persevere to the end made our salvation possible, and our perseverance will definitely open the doors for others to believe.

(Overview of the morning message for August 29, 2010)

Psalm 42:5

     He preached to thousands every week.  His preaching was so popular massive facilities were constructed to house the crowds flocking to hear him.  He instituted a number of meaningful educational and benevolent institutions, but due to some health concerns he regularly battled depression.  He addressed this matter with his students by writing, “Causeless depression cannot be reasoned with, nor can David’s harp charm it away by sweet sounds.  Might as well fight with the mist as with this shapeless, undefinable, yet all-beclouding hopelessness…The iron bolt which so mysteriously fastens the door of hope and holds our spirits in gloomy prison, needs a heavenly hand to push it back.”

     Charles Haddon Spurgeon shared these words in the late 1880′s concerning his bouts with depression.  He had learned from King David to “put his hope in God” as Psalm 42:5 records.  Spurgeon realized depression could not be overcome as long as a person was in denial and refused to take any steps in his or her life to move forward.  During those dark hours he trusted God’s heavenly hand to push back the cloud of hopelessness associated with depression.

     Today this cloud may be hanging over our lives.  If that is the case, turn to God for help and find someone with whom you can share your struggles.  As long as we live in denial and are too proud to ask for assistance, we will not make much progress.  Don’t delay in seeking the help that can produce a transformed life.