Revelation 17-22

Worth it all

This week is marked not only by the end of a year commencing a new one. It is also the weekend our daughter, Mikaela, will be married to Mr. Cody McKee. It has been a week of reminiscing for the usual reasons surrounding Christmas, and now adding the arrival of family for the wedding. As well, my brother- in- law in New York discovered a box of pictures from the Balsamo family and uploaded many of them on Facebook. How fun to review the past 40+ years of Carla’s family. (The abuse we have taken from our girls over the faddish looks through the years-ha!)

In two days Carla and I will celebrate 29 years of marriage. It’s hard to believe as life truly is ‘a vapor’ (James 4:14). I have often said to Carla, not with morbidity, but with utmost sincerity, “If it all ended today I’m just so thankful for the years God gave us together…it was worth it all.”

That was my sentiment as I read the final crescendo to all of history—the close of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. What great reading today! The victory is sure as both the angel (ch.19) and God Himself from His throne (ch. 21) instruct John to “write,” because these words are true. It’s true: Satan will lose eternally; we will reign and rule eternally with Christ; final judgments will take place with a firm demarcation of what is right and wrong (determining those who go into eternity with God and those who go into eternity with Satan); and there is a glorious wedding in the end of it all (chs. 19/21)! By the way, did you notice the Church is responsible to be sending out the invitations now (ch. 22:17)?!?

What a climax of events—and yet, my thought today was if none of this even took place, “it was worth it all!”  Having a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ and with the accompanying presence of the Holy Spirit is enough in this life. Believing in the ‘Thread’ of God’s redemption culminating as the greatest act of sacrificial love the world will ever know, is enough. Accepting and believing in Jesus and living for Him in this life, is enough. Knowing God’s peace through the good—and difficult times of life—is more than enough. “God with us” (Emmanuel) is enough!

Yet, our future is unbelievably glorious! Our destiny is set, thanks to the mercies and grace of our Lord. He not only wants to save us, but to enjoy His glory with us for eternity. As you embark on another year, remember the end from the beginning. Let it strengthen you in the fight of faith. But most of all, keep enjoying ‘today’ with God. It’s worth it all…

Congratulations on making it all the way through!! I trust you’ll pick right back up on Monday, January 6th as the 2014 schedule for reading will be included in that Sunday’s message outline. Between now and then, have a blessed New Year, and see you soon!

Author: Pastor Jeff

Revelation 10-16

It has been a bit of a conundrum for me, these past two days. On Wednesday, the joyous celebration of that holy night of Jesus’ birth, and today the chaos and words such as “wrath” and “war in heaven” in my assigned chapters for The Thread.  And yet, it really is not, as I remember the wisdom of some past mentor/teacher speaking into my life saying, God always works toward a plan.

The incredible story of love which we find in Christmas, the miraculous gift of grace from a loving Father, all the way to the Son’s obedience which we call The Cross, marks a plan of redemption for all mankind.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining

‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn…

All year long, through The Thread reading plan, we have watched the continuing revelation of redemption as the heart of God toward man.  God always works toward a plan.

And now, at the end of the written Scripture, John the Revelator is given visions of the future.  He sees, hears, and experiences things which human vocabulary find hard to explain.  Yet, through it all, one truth rings clear.  God always works toward a plan and no enemy, no plot, no device of the devil, no “beast,” no “dragon,” can deter His plan!

May this season, and this reading in Revelation, remind us of the unfailing plan of redemption which is the heart of God.

Tucked away in chapter 14, verse 12 there is an admonition in the middle of all the chaos and wrath and confusion:

 Meanwhile, the saints stand passionately patient, keeping God’s commands, staying faithful to Jesus.

God always works toward a plan.  If that is difficult for you to grasp today, due to your present circumstances, I encourage you to reach into this segment of God’s Word and follow John’s advice to…

Stand passionately patient

Keep God’s Commands

Stay faithful to Jesus

And remember, God always words toward a plan!

Author:  Pastor Don

 

 

Revelation 1-9

Kingdom

This is the end…of the Book, and of the ages. We’ve come to the final scene in the story of God’s grand redemption of the world. As we dive into Revelation, we encounter many things, more than half slightly more than at least halfway confusing. What?! Amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, series of “sevens” that seem forever, the sound of trumpets and smell of brimstone, the scorpions, horses, and spirits – amidst all of this, you might think, What is going on? Is there anything to be gleaned from this? Indeed, amidst the multi-sensory madness of sights and sounds, there is one truth that looms over the chaos: the reality of God’s reign, in Jesus.

You can read the Revelation of Jesus Christ and theorize ‘til Kingdom come (literally!) about times and dates, schedules and metaphors, kings, kingdoms, and world events, but you cannot read the Revelation of Jesus Christ and miss this fact: God Wins! God Reigns! Jesus Christ has overcome! Look at who Jesus is in the opening pages of Revelation:

Jesus is the ruler of the kings of earth, the Alpha and Omega, who was and is and is to come, the One who was dead and is alive forevermore, the One who is holy and true, the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, the One who purchased with His blood people from every tribe and tongue and nation. Multitudes sing, “Salvation to our God, and to the Lamb!” Every created thing sings, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” God is King! The Lamb has overcome!

Overcome. This word comes to us through tears (5:1-5). For the believers in John’s audience, and we who believed through them, overcoming comes through tears. Look at the events surrounding these declarations of God’s reign: famine, persecution, suffering, trials, even martyrdom. The pages of this book are fraught with pain. Look at Jesus’s exhortations to the seven churches: “To him who overcomes…” “To him who overcomes…” We who await Jesus’s second coming feel the pain of the present. It isn’t easy. But we also see the end, and we know Who sits on the throne. The assurance of the future bleeds into the present. The Lamb has overcome.

So in the midst of pain and trial, suffering and persecution, don’t forget: you know who sits on the throne. Just like Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, In this world you will have trials, but take heart,

I have overcome the world.

Author: Pastor Jon

2 John, 3 John, Jude

2 John:  John here is exhorting Christians to live in a way that pleases God and to be aware of those who do not speak God’s truth.  Our only hope to speaking the truth in love is to stay in the Word and be ready for those who would bring their own teachings.  This is a warning to avoid those doctrines or cults that place the words of their earthly leaders to be equal to or above the Word of God.

3 John:  This letter that John wrote was one that had good news and bad news.  John commends the group for their hospitality and at the same time rebukes one of the leaders.  Paul describes him as “one who loves to be their leader, but will not listen to authority.”  A true sign of following after one’s own will, and not the will of God.

Jude:  Jude was warning Jewish Christians about false teachers and wicked people who found their way into the church.  These people were teaching because God’s grace was free, behavior didn’t matter.  Jude reminds them that if that were true, why would God have delivered Israel from Egypt and yet later destroyed all those who did not believe?

Salvation is full and free, but it does not gives us license to do whatever we want.  It is the basis for us to do what is right according to the Word of God.

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory and with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

Merry Christmas!

Author: Pastor David

2 Peter 1-3, John 1-5

 

December 23: 2 Peter 1-3

A good reminder

A certain season of my young church life is emblazoned into my memories. I was 9-12 years of age, living in Texas where my dad pastored two churches. I heard much more about the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ than we seem to today. The “Thief in the Night” movie was released. I freshly recall the first time I viewed it. Songs such as Gordon Jensen’s “Redemption Draweth Nigh,” and Larry Norman’s “I Wish We’d All Been Ready,” were favorites in our church settings. At one point, it was being passed around our church that Henry Kissinger’s name, according to a numerical system, equaled 666…so, yes, he was potentially the Anti-Christ. It was quite the time!

What resulted in my little brain and heart led to many nights with the covers pulled over my head. To blame no one, the main sense those days evoked in me was fear. The dichotomy of awaking to a new morning and going to a typical day of school, following a weekend of services reminding us that Jesus could come at any moment was overwhelming at times. I recall a night at a friend’s house that I could not reach my parents (no cell phones) and in panic, believed I had missed the Rapture. I literally ran to and stayed outside our house, awaiting my parents’ return from a normal dinner night with friends, and went running into my mother’s arms in tears when they ‘finally’ returned home.

Was it all that bad? No, I’m probably pulling highlights from my memories. Yet, there was a stir, an over-arching sense of excitement and expectation surrounding world events and the return of Christ during those years. What has happened today?

Reading Peter’s second letter this morning reminds us. Those turbulent 60’s-early 70’s, with the uncertainty of war and world economics, and the sexual revolution’s ‘make love, not war’ were merely a launching pad for what we see today. War is more common, as Jesus said it would be. Men are certainly lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God as Paul wrote it would be. And yes, there is a sense of mockery by many (a recent commercial exploits it) of doomsday predictions and even a caution among many in the Church of focusing too much upon the Lord’s return—just as Peter said it would be.

Meanwhile, God’s Word remains God’s Word. Notice Peter anchors his thoughts in chapter 3 upon the Word of God. It is by God’s Word that He created the world and it will be by that same Word that He will destroy this present heaven and earth. In other words, everything relies upon God’s Word! So, I encourage you to two things this cold Monday morning:

1. Take Peter’s admonition to heart vs. 14-15:
   1. Be diligent about your readiness for His coming. Diligence means focused, carefully conscientious.
   2. Realize God’s patience with mankind is His desire for them to turn to Him.
   3. Ask the Holy Spirit to especially bless your reading through Revelation beginning tomorrow. May it encourage us to look ahead to the incredible revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, the earth shaking events to come, and our place as His Bride!

Maranatha! (“Come, O Lord!”)

Author: Pastor Jeff

 

 

1 Peter 1-5

None Insignificant

It is a favorite teaching I still recall from over 20 years ago. In the message Dr. R.C. Sproul told of his father walking up the steps to his pastor’s office countless times for lengthy conversations. The pastor recounted at his father’s funeral that he always knew when it was Mr. Sproul, due to the cadence in which he walked up those steps. It touched R.C. that his dad’s pastor knew one of his sheep so well.

This illustration was a picture of one of today’s verses, 1 Peter 2:^{25 “}For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Dr. Sproul explained the Greek word there for ‘overseer’ to be two words, epi which among its many meanings is most commonly used in Scripture to mean “over” + scopus, “to watch,” the word from which we get microscope and telescope. He stressed the picture to be that Jesus is not only our Shepherd, but also the one who intently watches over our souls. What a thought!

To many without Christ, this would seem intrusive, almost leading to paranoia. Did your mother ever say to you warningly, “God is watching everything you do?” It probably wasn’t too comforting in that context. Yet, when we grow into fully trusting the Lord, this thought is comforting and encouraging. Our Lord knows us so well and has His eye upon us. Think of that!

I’m sure we all at one time or another have felt insignificant to God. His omniscience and omnipresence is almost incomprehensible for us to fathom! Yet, both directly relate to everyone of us personally. God is with us and knows exactly where we are all the time. Psalm 139 stresses we can never escape His intimate knowledge of who and where we are in life.

Picturing Him as that loving Shepherd who gave His life for us, Peter wanted to stress the ever-watchful eye of our wonderful Jesus. In the context of these five chapters, I’m sure Peter wanted them to know that Jesus was especially mindful OF THEIR SUFFERING.  He had not forgotten them, nor forsaken them. What a comfort this must have brought those weary followers of Christ!

Take comfort today in your faithful Shepherd. Rest in His full knowledge of where you are right now in your life. Trust Him whether your circumstances are high or low. He is faithful to keep watch over your life.

Author: Pastor Jeff

James 1-5

The epistle (letter) of James is one of seven so-called general epistles, because they are written to a broader, less specific audience than the letters of Paul.  Paul wrote to individuals or congregations.  James, the author, was an early leader in the Jerusalem church and influential in many ways.

In his writing he taught that authentic Christianity incorporates a walk of godly work and service along with our faith; a daily walk of faith and righteousness should be accompanied by faith in action, faith expressed also in deed.

No matter which translation one chooses for reading James, it is a pretty straightforward letter!  Clear, strong, unambiguous exhortations are the norm.  In the middle of it all, a specific part spoke to my heart this Christmas season…

There are some things about this “most wonderful time of the year” which I don’t like.  I’m not referring to the extreme commercialism, or secularization of our holy season – although both of these I detest.  I’m referring to something more personal.

I don’t like what I see on the faces of some people, dads, moms, and children.  You’ll see them – if you observe closely – in the stores – on the streets – even in church.  Careful people watching will reveal something in their eyes indicating that Christmas may come with as much disappointment as pleasure, as much indifference as celebration, and no small measure of sadness.

–        The eyes of a dad who regularly struggles to feed his family – see him turn his eyes and hurry past the new bicycles.

–        The mother, facing the same struggle, looks over some holiday food item for a price – only to return it to the shelf and quickly move on.

–        The boy or girl looking longingly at the “hot toy” on everyone’s Christmas list this year.  Their body language and expression speak loudly of the fact that, more often than not, they are relegated to “just looking.”

I have to confess, in my own people watching at this season of the year, I can ache for people in these moments.  Yes, I want parents to be able to make their children happy with a fun Christmas.  Yes, I want moms to be able to treat their families to a holiday-special meal.  Yes, I want all children to squeal with delight over new toys.

Oh yes, of course, I most importantly want them to know spiritual reality this Christmas – a joy that no one can take away.  What a gift that would be!

In the opening verses of chapter 2, James writes about The Royal Rule of Love (section title in The Message version).  As usual, they are pretty clear and strong words from James:

My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted?

And so we participate in acts of kindness and generosity.  James says that is normal, and right, and righteous.

I did not live in a wealthy family.  My own parents struggled to always provide four boys with a “good Christmas” of gifts and food and festivities of their own kind.  Without a doubt, the greatest gift they ever gave us was to impart a love for God and His Son Jesus into each of our lives.

A blessed Christmas to everyone!

Author:  Pastor Don

Hebrews 9-13

A Better Way, Once and For All
 
Today’s chapters of Hebrews arrive at this climactic truth: in Jesus, God has established a better way, once and for all. In Jesus, God’s redemption of the world has taken a divine step – or leap – forward. God’s new covenant surpasses the old. What makes it better?
 
1. Jesus’s sacrifice is once for all. Jesus does not have to make sacrifices year-to-year like the high priests of old (9:6-7, 25), but rather, His one-time sacrifice of Himself is sufficient for all time (9:26; 10:10-14). Jesus has entered the true holy place once for all, of which the earthly holy place was a mere shadow (9:11-12; 10:24).
 
2. Jesus’s sacrifice is effectual. The author of Hebrews says that goats’ and calves’ blood can’t take away sin (10:4), but the blood Jesus shed is effective for sanctification (10:5-14). This removal of sin is not just a “sweep-it-under-the-rug” cover-up, but, a dealing with the root issue, our hearts: our consciences are cleansed (9:13-14), and the Lord writes His law upon our hearts and minds (10:15-16). Jesus does not merely disguise sin, He defeats it (see also 1 John 3:5-8).
 
What do we do, who live in this better way?  
 
1. Endure (10:35-36). Jesus is coming back, and we await Him eagerly. In the meantime, let us endure with perseverance and faith (10:37-39), fixing our eyes on Jesus so that we will not lose heart (12:1-3).
 
2. Submit. Accept the Lord’s discipline as training for righteousness (12:7-11). Submit also to His ways in the present time, pursuing peace with all men, showing love to the brethren, and exercising the holiness of the Lord (12:14-17; 13:1-19).
 
Thank God that through Jesus, we enter into a living and better way!
 
Author: Pastor Jon

Hebrews 1-8

The Hebrews apparently thought highly of angels.  The author of this letter to the Hebrews began by establishing that Jesus was greater than any other spiritual force.  Ch.1:6, “And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God’s angels worship him.”

As God’s Son, Jesus’ authority surpassed any prophet or angel. He is God, yet He became man.

And because Jesus became man, we know He understands our human frustrations.  This has to be the most thrilling news that we can give people who are hurting and dying.  Jesus became flesh and experienced the same trials and temptations that we face, yet He has overcome and now is forever representing us to God, as our High Priest.  Ch4:14-16  “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Thus, we have the perfect high priest.  Only through Christ’s perfect sacrifice are we able to find forgiveness for our sins. Jesus offered this sacrifice once for all.  There is no need to look for something else.  It doesn’t exist.  He offered His sacrifice (His life) once for all.

We must see Jesus as superior to anything that was given before He came to us.  He is the perfect sacrifice, the perfect high priest.

As our High Priest, Jesus, by His sacrifice, takes away our sins and remembers them no more.

In ch.8:12: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.

I don’t know about you, but the fact that I know Jesus is interceding for me and is my great high priest, representing me to the Father, gives me great comfort that I am forever His and that my confessed sins, He remembers no more.  Praise God!!

Author: Pastor David

 

 

Titus 1-3, Philemon

Restored Relationship

Philemon is often an overlooked little book, tucked near the end of the New Testament. Yet, Paul’s appeal is one that strikes at the heart of everything considered ‘Christian.’ Themes of forgiveness, mercy, grace, respect, brotherly kindness, and equality lace its few words. While Paul writes all his letters with such passion, this one carries a personal touch unlike all others.

Philemon was apparently a rather wealthy man in Colossae, in whose home the church met. Onesimus was a runaway slave of Philemon’s, who had found Christ. Paul writes to ask Philemon to forgive his former slave and receive him back; not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ. A couple of noteworthy thoughts:

• Vs. 8-9 – Paul says he could ‘command’ this of Philemon, but instead appeals to him based on love. The difference between doing what is Christlike out of love or obligation has a lot to do with our daily lives, doesn’t it?  What is the concern, is our motivation—in serving God, blessing others, doing good works, etc.

• Vs. 10 – He feels he is now a ‘father’ to Onesimus. We see here the deep sense of relationship echoed elsewhere in Paul’s writings. He took the family of God seriously! Have you ever ‘parented’ someone spiritually through discipleship and spiritual mentoring? You might consider doing so in 2014.

• Vs. 11 – Paul declares Onesimus as ‘useless’ before, but now useful for both Paul and Philemon. How great grace is! Isn’t it great to watch God restore lives that they might be productive in the kingdom of God?

• Vs. 12 – Paul was sending his ‘heart,’ as he sent Onesimus back to Philemon. This Greek word has to do with the bowels of emotion within a person, deeply felt emotion and affection. This was not hyperbole, but again something we note in others of Paul’s writings. Do you think God wants us all to be as passionate as Paul was about people’s lives and situations?

Relationships are one of the greatest arenas of discipleship. They stretch us. They affect us deeply emotionally and spiritually. They test us. Restoration of relationship is one of the highest ideals of our faith and something that pleases God! What a wonderful reminder this little book provides for us.

Have a great Monday!

Author: Pastor Jeff